January 18, 2024

Calendar of Events

Athletics Calendar

The Weekender (View on The Hive)

Angie Thomas (center) presents to students in Cochran Chapel.

Angie Thomas, critically acclaimed author of several books, including The Hate U Give and On the Come Up, gave the keynote address that launched Andover’s 35th MLK Day celebration. Families can view the All-School Meeting program on the Parent Channel, watch a video highlight on Instagram, and view photos on SmugMug.

Be sure to also check out photos of last week’s Brace Center Tea and a video highlight of the first Snooze the Blues event!

Mid-point grades for Term 2 will be available on Wednesday, January 24, in the Student Reports section of The Hive. Please note that, to allow faculty to enter grades, the GRADES and UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT portions of BlueLink will be unavailable until that date.

While students may receive some brief progress reports from instructors at the winter mid-point, many will not. Instructors have the option to provide verbal feedback to students during individual conferences, replacing a written report. Although instructors will continue grading and offering regular feedback on assignments throughout the year, the next formal writing period is scheduled for the end of Term 3 (spring term).  

This reporting schedule prioritizes more substantial feedback in the first part of the year, aligning with our goal to guide students from increased support at the beginning to greater independence as the year progresses. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue with instructors about how they are doing and how they might improve and grow. Families are encouraged to talk with students about the feedback received during conferences and about trends that may be emerging in their learning journey. 

Toward the end of the term, students will have an opportunity to write a self-reflection that will be shared with families. As always, if you have questions or concerns after discussing mid-point progress with your student, please contact your student’s point person.

Students will prepare and submit course requests for Term 3 between January 29 and February 8.

Each student will work with their advisor to determine remaining diploma requirements, which of their current courses or sequences will continue in spring, and what space they might have to choose electives. Students should have conversations with adults, including their parents, to consider what the spring might look like in big-picture terms, including sports commitments, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, and health and well-being. The advising process aims to not only teach students how to navigate complex systems like our program but also how to make good decisions for themselves when presented with options.

House counselors, current instructors, cluster deans, coaches, and the staff in the Academic Skills Center and Sykes Wellness Center can provide valuable support as students figure out whether to take on more, scale back, make changes, or challenge themselves. Course requests also serve as an opportunity for students to develop flexibility and resilience, as they often must be willing to change their current instructors or schedule to secure their top choice of new courses.

As students begin to look at summer opportunities, they may need a copy of their Andover transcript. All requests for transcripts should be emailed to the registrar. If you request an official transcript, please note that it must be sent directly from the registrar’s office to the organization requesting it; students are not permitted copies of their official transcript. Please use the email above if you have questions.

Uwill, a prominent telecounseling solution dedicated to student mental health and wellness, serves as a complimentary resource within our Psychological Services Department at the Sykes Wellness Center. Uwill offers a variety of resources, including counseling options (teletherapy) and self-help tools, accessible with ease and confidentiality. Students may connect with a counselor for up to eight sessions, all without any cost to families. 

This program reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. To schedule a session, students can email the Sykes Wellness Center to express their interest in utilizing Uwill. Parents and guardians must provide consent to Uwill before their students can access the service.

Registration closes at noon tomorrow, January 19, for the practice PSAT exam for 10th-graders that takes place on Saturday, February 17. Click here for more information about testing. 

We are excited to welcome the families of seniors to campus in June to celebrate Phillips Academy’s 246th Commencement. If you have questions concerning accessibility or wish to request a disability-related accommodation (wheelchair assistance, ASL interpretation services, etc.) for yourself or a family member, please contact Naomi Mashburn ’08 in the Office of Alumni Engagement via email or 978-749-4225 no later than Thursday, February 15, to ensure we can accommodate your request.

For a complete schedule of events and FAQs, please visit the Commencement webpage.

Friday, January 19

Sunday, January 21

Next Week: Jewish Cultural Weekend!

Sunday, January 28

Keep an eye on the Academy’s Events Calendar for gatherings in your area and an array of campus and other events that may be open to families (i.e., special student presentations; music, theatre, and dance performances; and athletic competitions). Please join us!

Health and safety guidelines, provided here, are also available when you register for an event.

The Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA)—of which you are automatically a member—hosts social gatherings, educational panels, and community engagement events throughout the year for students, parents/guardians, and staff. Please sign up here to be notified about opportunities to volunteer.

Campus Closet is open tomorrow! It’s the only place where proceeds from your Andover gear go back to the PSPA for student programs, community engagement, and social events. The shop, located on the lower level of George Washington Hall, will be open tomorrow, Friday, January 19, from noon to 4 p.m. Remember, you can shop online 24/7! Interested in staffing the shop? Click here to volunteer. 

The Office of Family Engagement is here to support you throughout the school year. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Director Jennifer Vasquez by email or call 978-749-4068.

2023–2024 Academic Calendar

Information for Families Webpage 

BlueCard Portal