In just a few weeks, new and returning students will be arriving on campus. We look forward to welcoming them! Please review this early edition of the Parent Bulletin thoroughly so you and your student will be better informed about the start of the new school year.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Andover Event Guide app, available through Apple's App Store and Google Play. This app will contain schedule guides for important campus events. Our first guide is Opening of School 2019–2020, which will help families track the times and locations of everything happening during this 17-day period. Please “accept notifications” so that you will receive notice of any venue changes. 

When accessing the Opening of School guide you will be prompted for a passphrase (andover2019). Please only share the passphrase with immediate family members. We look forward to seeing you at the Opening of School ceremonies.

Please check The Hive to make sure all of your required registration materials are complete.

Your student will not be allowed to register when they arrive on campus until the Academy has received all required registration materials. If you are unsure about any missing items or need assistance submitting them, please call the appropriate office:

Arrival in September: See all arrival dates below. Most new students will arrive Tuesday, September 3, and most returning students will arrive Wednesday, September 4. Any students authorized to be on campus before these dates have already received a written invitation. Reminder: Students are not allowed to return to campus or stay in their dorm earlier than their scheduled return. Disciplinary action could result.

Thursday, 8/29,  2–4 p.m. | George Washington Hall
Student Leaders, including Proctors, Prefects, Day Student Mentors, EBI Seniors, School & Cluster Copresidents

Saturday, 8/31 | Snyder Center

Sunday, 9/1, 1–2 p.m. | Phillips Hall
World Partners and Blue Key Heads

Monday, 9/2 | Snyder Center

Tuesday, 9/3, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m | Snyder Center
New Students

Wednesday, 9/4, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Snyder Center
Returning Students

Friday, 9/6 | Classes begin for all students

When you arrive, register first: Students must register before they can move into their dorms or participate in any Academy events—including athletic practices, orientation activities, and classes. A QR code with the location of your child’s dorm will be printed on their registration card; we suggest you install a QR code reader on your smartphone in advance. 

Course lists: New students will receive their Term 1 course list on Tuesday, September 3—after they arrive on campus. Students will receive plenty of guidance and have opportunities to meet with their advisors, ask questions, learn more about the program, talk with department chairs, and request changes to their courses before classes begin. All student schedules will be posted online and accessible to students through the PAnet student portal by the end of the day on Thursday, September 5.

Course materials: The Academy is now purchasing course materials in bulk for all classes. (This is different from the past years when students would purchase their own books.) These materials—physical books, information for access to electronic resources, or information on availability of books at the library—will be provided by teachers on the first day of classes. To cover the cost of the books and other course materials, the Academy will include a Course Materials Charge of $600 on the first student tuition invoice. This yearly $600 charge will be placed in a separate Course Materials Account; the account will also be used to cover art fees, PSATs, and Advanced Placement Exams. At the end of the course add/drop period, each student’s account will be charged for all course materials for their classes. Any balance in a student’s Course Materials Account will be refunded upon the student’s departure from the Academy. If you have any questions, email Cindy Stewart.

The Dean of Students Office will send a personalized email to all students at their Andover email address on Monday, August 19. The email will confirm your child’s cluster assignment, cluster dean and contact information, and advisor. Boarding students will also receive the dorm and room assignment, the name(s) of the house counselor(s), and the name and email address of the student’s roommate(s) if applicable. Parents will receive a copy of this email on Tuesday, August 20.

Phillips Academy BlueCard: Your student’s official school ID, the BlueCard is used as a library card, to gain access to campus buildings, and to make purchases at select merchants both on and off-campus.

An email was sent last week to new students and their parents that included usernames and passwords for accessing the BlueCard account. Parents have access to their child’s account through the eAccounts BlueCard Portal, where they can deposit funds and view transactions. Accounts are set up based on a student’s username, and the username and password are shared with both students and parents. Returning students and their parents will continue to use their existing credentials to access the BlueCard account. 

A note to returning families: Since all textbooks will now be purchased through the school, there is no longer a need for the BlueCard Bookstore fund. In the next couple of weeks, any remaining Bookstore balances will be moved to the PA Campus or Blue Bucks funds. Questions? Please email the BlueCard Office.

Laundry: E&R Laundry Solutions supplies and maintains on-campus washers and dryers. The machines only accept the E&R Laundry card; quarters are not accepted. Laundry card dispensers are located directly outside the Dean of Students Office in George Washington Hall and in the hall outside Susie’s (in the basement level of Paresky Commons). A refillable laundry card can be purchased at these machines for $5. Students can add funds to the laundry card at either dispenser using cash only, smallest denomination: $5 ($1 bills are NOT accepted). The machines also do not dispense change.

Airline travel—looking ahead: When booking airline travel for Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break, be mindful that many airlines require students age 14 and younger to be escorted to and from the gate. Refer to page 7 of the Parent Handbook (located on The Hive) for suggested chaperone options.

All health and insurance information was due July 1. Please check the health portal to confirm that all information has been submitted and your Andover student(s) is ready to register.

Health services provided by the Sykes Wellness Center: Most wellness center care that is provided on campus is included in your student’s tuition (e.g., X-rays, Neb treatment, vaccinations (for those over 18), ear irrigation, laceration repair, and impact test (not baseline), as well as equipment such as canes, crutches, portable nebulizer, boots, and braces). Selected services, however, will be billed to your insurance. For more information, contact Lisa Conlan as noted at the end of this section.

Specialists, specialty services, and outside provider appointments: When medically indicated, we may refer your student to an outside provider for needed evaluation or specialized medical care. Except in an emergency, the referring provider from the wellness center will contact you prior to arranging the services or making the appointment. We provide your insurance information to the outside provider, and they will bill your insurance plan directly for services.

Understand your health insurance coverage: Does your health coverage (HMO) require a Referral, Prior Authorization, or have restrictions on certain services? It is your responsibility to understand your health insurance requirements and obtain any needed authorizations to ensure claims are paid. Remaining balances after insurance payments are the family’s responsibility. For those who qualify, a consultation with the Financial Aid Office is available.  

Please note: The Sykes Wellness Center is “Out of Network” with all insurance carriers. It is your responsibility to understand your coverage plan and its requirements, such as HMO Referrals, Restrictions, or Prior Authorizations. Any balances remaining after insurance payments will be added to your child’s Academy bill.

Transportation for off-campus medical services: The Sykes Wellness Center employs trained, dedicated individuals to provide transportation and/or medical advocacy for those students needing off-campus specialty services. For approved services, we are able to provide the following:

Questions related to insurance coverage, requirements, or claims may be referred to Lisa Conlon, medical insurance specialist, at lconlon@andover.edu or at 978-749-4468.

Andover’s commitment to a diverse, multicultural campus community includes welcoming visitors with disabilities. Parents and families: If you need an accommodation to attend or participate in an Opening of School event in September, please email Laura Warner, director of student accessibility services, as soon as possible. We may need one week or longer to make arrangements for your needs.

Dr. Mary Kantor, our Catholic chaplain, leads an on-campus Confirmation program for students of all grade levels. This intensive program meets most Sundays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. when school is in session and lasts through May. Class meetings are followed at 6:45 p.m. by Sunday Mass for the Catholic Community in Kemper Chapel. This year’s Confirmation retreat will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2020. The Confirmation Mass will be celebrated Sunday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m. in Cochran Chapel. A light brunch reception will follow.

Families are always welcome to join the Catholic community for Sunday Masses, which are followed by hospitality and fellowship. For more information about the Confirmation program or Sunday Masses or to join the parent hospitality team, please email Mary Kantor.