Traditions Abound

From orientation to convocation and a Blue Key welcome for new families, several Andover traditions helped launch the academic year with joy. Events continued today—the first day of classes—as Head of School Raynard Kington MD, PhD, P’24, joined the Class of 2022 for the Vista Walk. Started by 14th head of school Barbara Landis Chase, this tradition previews the pathway seniors will walk on Commencement Day.

Last evening all students took part in a celebratory matriculation ceremony in Cochran Chapel. Speakers included school co-presidents Mary Muromcew ’22 and Sean Meng ’22 and Dr. Kington, who set a positive tone linked to Andover’s values.

“Students—this evening is for you,” began Kington. “It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to a new academic year. You are the motivation. You are the inspiration for our education mission. You represent youth from every quarter—nearly every state in the U.S. and more than 50 countries around the world. Next week, when we gather for our first All-School Meeting, the flags of your nations will be carried into this chapel by fellow students. We begin a new school year with optimism and excitement…While the pandemic remains a challenging presence, we will do everything in our power to round the corner in a positive direction. We’re counting on you to join us in the spirit of non sibi.” Click here for full remarks.

Blue Keys offered a rousing welcome to new students and their families at registration on Tuesday. See lots more photos here. (Photo by Gil Talbot)

From the Dean of Studies Office

It has been an invigorating, energetic start to the school year! Seeing students in person, introducing ourselves, and learning together feels so good. We have missed this engagement! Student curiosity, creativity, and desire to make a positive change in the world have always guided our program. As we begin our 244th year, our faculty will continue to teach the essential skills and ideas that we believe are required to build community and to challenge intolerance and injustice.

Students and Advisors Meet—New students watched this video with their advisors during their first advising meeting. We know that adapting to our academic program takes time, patience, and resilience. Please encourage students to embrace their placements, speak honestly with advisors and house counselors about how things are going, and always reach out for help.

View the New Class Schedule—Click here.

Academic Integrity—At the start of each trimester, students will engage in programming to help them better understand the principles and practices of academic integrity. Programming includes discussion of academic integrity in each class and advising group, and it concludes with each student confirming their understanding of the parameters of doing good intellectual work in an academic community.

While each student is responsible for adhering to the rules and guidelines governing academic integrity, there are three ways parents/guardians can help:

1. Please wait until your child has submitted an assignment before discussing it, reading it, looking at it, listening to it, etc. Every idea, piece of data, word, punctuation mark, etc., must be the student’s own. Students may not receive help on any assignment from family, friends, tutors, or the internet, except as part of peer-editing and workshopping in class or as an explicit part of a collaborative assignment.

2. Please note that, as The Blue Book states, each student is the only person permitted to use the student’s Phillips Academy credentials. No one else, including parents/guardians, may access a student’s Phillips Academy email, PAnet, or Canvas sites.

3. If your child is uncertain about the parameters of an assignment or is feeling overwhelmed, please encourage them to contact their teachers for help, which may include requesting an extension. It is always better to receive a lower grade on an assignment, or receive no credit for completing it, than to violate the Academy’s rules regarding academic integrity.

Throughout the year, all students have access to a range of great resources, including their teachers, who are available during conference periods; the Academic Skills Center located in Pearson Hall; the evening Writing Center, located in the library; and the Math/Science Center, located in the Gelb Science Center. (For an explanation of the use of pronouns above, please visit Purdue’s Online Writing Lab).

Save the Date—Mark your calendars for Family Weekend, October 23–25. More information coming soon!

Get the Latest on The Hive—Please check The Hive frequently for updates on what is happening here at PA. If you have an address or phone number change, be sure to update your information on The Hive.

Special PSPA Event on Tuesday

The PSPA (Parents of Students of Phillips Academy) welcomes you and your student(s) back to Andover for a promising new year of learning, bonding, and community building. (Remember, all parents and guardians are automatically members of the PSPA, an independent parent-led organization that works to enhance student activities and fun.)

Many PSPA members had a busy summer welcoming new parents and preparing for the opening of school. This past week we greeted new and returning families at Snyder Center during registration and were delighted to meet so many of you who shopped in person at the PSPA’s Campus Closet. (Our store donates proceeds from Andover merchandise sales to various student activities.) Going forward, Campus Closet, located near the student mailroom in George Washington Hall, will be open during major on-campus events, on Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. and, as always, 24/7 online.

Don’t miss it! PSPA General Meeting, with Guest Speaker Dr. Raynard Kington—Tuesday, September 14, at 6:30 p.m. EDT: We look forward to our first hybrid meeting! Please join us outside in the Elson Courtyard at 6:15 p.m. for a light dinner. The general meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Underwood Room. We will then move to nearby Kemper Auditorium for the speaker portion of this event at 7 p.m., which will include Dr. Kington, Jenny Elliott, assistant head of school for residential life and dean of students, and Linda Carter Griffith, associate head of school for equity, inclusion, and wellness. Masks are required in all indoor spaces.

Send us your questions! By the end of today, please email us questions and topics you would like our speakers to address.

Those who cannot attend this PSPA meeting in person are encouraged to join the speaker portion via Zoom (Passcode V4fgzX). Speakers will also be live streamed and recorded for later viewing.

Education for Global Citizenship

PA’s Learning in the World (LITW) in-person programs will be back for the 2021–2022 academic year! We look forward to offering a diversity of experiential opportunities for students to explore the world and themselves, both internationally and in the United States, over Spring Break in March and during summer 2022. Spring Break programs are open to all current students; summer programs are open only to rising lowers, rising uppers, and rising seniors (graduates are not eligible).

Later this fall we will announce the slate of available programs on the LITW webpage and in the Family Bulletin. Questions? Please email Learning in the World Director Mark Cutler.

This Week's Religious Services

Please note: Masks will be required at ALL indoor gatherings.

Friday, September 10
5:30–6:30 p.m.—Jewish Shabbat Service and JSU Meeting: Led by Rabbi Michael Swarttz. We will gather under the tent between Sykes Wellness Center and Bulfinch Hall. All are welcome!

Sunday, September 12
6 p.m.—Protestant (Ecumenical) Service: Led by Rev. Gina M. Finocchiaro, interim Protestant chaplain. Music by Michael Belcher. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, spoken reflection and music! This week we will gather in the main chapel of Cochran Chapel.

6:45–7:30 p.m.—Roman Catholic Mass: Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic chaplain, with priests of the Archdiocese of Boston presiding. Please meet in Kemper Chapel (side entrance, lower level of Cochran Chapel). Reception will follow.

You Are Invited

September 22: Peabody Diggin’ In Series—Episode 4: The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere, with Dr. Paulette Steeves
October 4: Blue Runs Deep Industry Series: A Conversation with Alumni in Law
October 5 in Boston: Excellence at Our Core, in person with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24
October 7: Excellence at Our Core, with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24
October 22–24 on Campus: Family Weekend 2021
October 29: Andover Alumni Award of Distinction 2021
November 6 in New York: Meals on Wheels Non Sibi Project, with Marcia McCabe ’73
November 8: Blue Runs Deep Industry Series: A Conversation with Alumni in Medicine
November 11 on Campus and Online: 12th Annual Veterans Day Program and Dinner, with LCDR Ali Ghaffari ’98, USN
November 18: Excellence at Our Core, with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24

All events are virtual unless otherwise noted. We hope you can join us!

Please check the campus Events Calendar weekly. You’ll find additional campus and online events that may be open to families, including special student presentations, music, theatre, and dance performances, and athletic competitions.

Phillips Academy
180 Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

You received this message because you are a valued member of the Andover community. We are obligated to communicate with you, and require you to be on our email list while your student(s) attends Phillips Academy. For more information contact the Dean of Studies Office.