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Get Ready for Family Weekend
It’s not too late to register for Family Weekend, October 22–24. We look forward to welcoming families back to campus!
Family Weekend Check-In: Friday, October 22 (Noon–7 p.m.), and Saturday, October 23 (7–10 a.m.), at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library.
Weekend Highlights
Andover Lower Year: An Insider’s Guide—Friday, October 22, 5:30–6:15 p.m.: This year’s 10th-graders (returning and new) are facing distinct challenges and opportunities in their engagement with our program this fall term. Parents of lowers (10th-graders) are invited for a lively conversation followed by Q&A with faculty members Kate McQuade, instructor in English; Susan Esty P’22, leader of the 10th-grade Empathy, Balance, and Inclusion (EBI) program; Dr. Bridget Tsemo, director of Community and Multicultural Development (CAMD); Jenny Elliott ’94, P’22, ’24, assistant head of school for residential life and dean of students; and Raj Mundra P’18, ’20, dean of studies. Kemper Auditorium (event will be livestreamed and recorded).
Grasshopper Night—Performances Friday, October 22 (6:30 & 9 p.m.), and Saturday, October 23 (6:30 & 9 p.m.): Due to limited seating in Tang Theatre, reservations for Grasshopper Night—a popular student-directed talent show—will be available electronically to students on a first-come, first-served basis next week. Performances take place in George Washington Hall, Tang Theatre.
Please note that a reservation does not guarantee seats to the show: you must arrive 20–30 minutes prior to showtime to secure your seat. If there are unoccupied seats available 5–10 minutes before the performance, they will be given to those on the waiting list. If your student is unable to reserve seats, don’t worry! All Grasshopper Night performances will be simulcast in nearby Kemper Auditorium.
View the Family Weekend Schedule of Events
The full schedule for Family Weekend can be found on the Andover Event Guides app, available through the Apple App Store or Google Play (for Android users).
- Download the Andover Event Guides app.
- Open the app and tap Find Guides (magnifying glass in bottom right corner of the app).
- Tap Have a passphrase?
- Type the passphrase Andover1778 to find the PA Families and Campus Community Guide for the latest information and schedule for Family Weekend. Be sure to accept notifications so you will receive notice of any venue or schedule changes.
Customize your weekend visit by using the My Schedule option within the guide. We hope you will attend as many events as possible! If you are unable to download the app, please refer to the schedule of events online.
Get Easy Access to Your Student’s Classroom Visits Schedule
Schedules for Saturday morning’s “Classroom Visits” will be available online next week through The Hive in the area under your student’s photo. We encourage you to 1) download The Hive by Phillips Academy app from Google Play or the Apple App Store before you get to campus, 2) take a snapshot of your student’s Classroom Visits schedule and store it on your phone, and/or 3) bring a printed schedule with you. This will expedite registration.
Quick Reminders
- Plan ahead! Be sure you can log onto The Hive prior to your visit on campus. Your username is a combination of your first initial, last name, and four digits (Example: jdoe1978). The Technology Help Desk is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by email or phone (978-749-4357) and can assist with login issues or forgotten credentials.
- Teachers look forward to seeing parents during the 15-minute “Classroom Visits” on Saturday morning. Given the number of events scheduled during the upcoming Family Weekend, teachers will not be able to have individual meetings with parents. If you have specific questions, please connect with your child's point person.
- Students do not have classes on Monday, October 25.
In consideration of the health and safety of visitors and our campus community, we ask that attendees who are eligible be fully vaccinated and wear masks for indoor events. Please monitor your health prior to visiting campus. If you are feeling unwell, please plan to stay home. In the spirit of non sibi (not for self), the Academy trusts that those in attendance will follow these guidelines.
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Open House: Learning in the World
Find out more about our new slate of Learning in the World (LITW) opportunities for the 2021–2022 academic year at our Family Weekend LITW Open House. You and your student are invited to join us Saturday, October 23, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for a fun and informative gathering in the Tang Institute, second floor of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library. PA adult program leaders, global ambassadors (student veterans of LITW programs), and representatives from PA’s affiliate programs will be on hand to answer your questions and discuss how these off-campus and world-facing opportunities connect with and inform learning for global citizenship in all realms of the Andover experience.
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Special Parent Development Events
The Parent Development team looks forward to the year ahead and opportunities to partner and build parent relationships. For families able to visit Family Weekend, we are hosting several events so parents can meet one another and learn about ways to engage.
- Parent Fund Kickoff Meeting—Friday, October 22, 10:30 a.m.–noon: All parents are invited. This meeting is an opportunity to discuss with Academy senior leadership and our Parent Fund Committee volunteers this year’s Parent Fund goals, its impact on student learning, and ways you can get involved. Kemper Auditorium.
- Af-Lat-Am Society and Alianza Latina Gathering—Saturday, October 23, 1–2 p.m.: Join families and students of Af-Lat-Am and Alianza Latina for a social cohosted by Associate Head of School for Equity, Inclusion, and Wellness Linda Carter Griffith and Parent Fund Committee Co-Chairs Monica and Malcolm Palmer ’89, P’23. Remarks by Bridget Tesmo, director of Community and Multicultural Development (CAMD). Tent behind the Andover Inn.
- Reception for All Parents—Saturday, October 23, 5–7 p.m.: This event is co-hosted by the PSPA. We invite all families to stop by for a social gathering and remarks by Allison Kemmerer, interim director of the Addison Gallery of American Art. Following her remarks, all are invited to visit the Addison. Light refreshments and a to-go snack will be available. Tent behind the Andover Inn.
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Health and Wellness Update
As of Wednesday, October 13, the PA campus/community’s COVID-19 transmission risk level continues to be Yellow (lower risk). The campus testing positivity rate in the past seven days is 0 percent, and a change to campus protocols is being discussed. Please visit our COVID-19 Testing Dashboard for public health metrics, local and campus risk levels based on our best available data, and the resulting action plan for the upcoming week from Dr. Amy Patel, Sykes Wellness Center medical director.
As Family Weekend approaches and we anticipate more visitors on campus, testing of all students has been increased.
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Midterm Grades and Comments
Midterm grades and comments will be posted on The Hive on Tuesday, October 19.
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2022 AP Exam Registration
College Board is currently planning for paper and pencil Advanced Placement (AP) exams to take place on campus. Registration will take place over two time periods:
- Early registration: October 11–November 10
- Late registration: February 9–March 9, 2022
AP exams will be given from May 2 to 13, 2022. Click here for specific information on registration and exam dates and fees. Students will be sent an email with registration instructions from the PA Standardized Testing Office. Exam fees will be paid through the Course Material Fee included as part of tuition and will be processed through a special account in the spring. You do not need to add funds to your student’s BlueCard.
Please note: AP exams are optional and not required for college applications. Student grades are more important than AP exam scores. Students who are unsure about taking AP exams should speak to a teacher or college counselor.
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Seniors and College Applications
Almost every senior will be submitting early applications between October 15 and November 15. This is always a busy and high-stress time for seniors, and this year there are the added impacts of the return to in-person learning. The Class of 2022 is doing an amazing job in so many pockets on campus, but the clock is ticking toward these deadlines. Please check in with your senior to be sure they are feeling supported during this important time.
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Vacation Host Families Needed!
Our international student coordinator is working especially hard this year to recruit local Andover families to be “vacation host families.” A vacation host family hosts students who cannot travel home over vacations or do not have friends or relatives in the area with whom they can spend Thanksgiving or winter and spring breaks.
If you are willing and able to host an international student during Thanksgiving Break (November 22–30) and/or Winter Break (December 17–January 2), please fill out this brief interest form by Friday, October 29. Questions are welcome! Please email José Peralta, international student coordinator.
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Disability and Ableism in Archaeology
Wednesday, October 20, at 1:30 p.m. EDT—Join us for “Disability and Ableism in Archaeology,” a webinar with guest speaker Dr. Laura Heath-Stout (Season 3, Episode 6, of the Peabody Institute of Archaeology’s Diggin’ In series). You may not realize that many archaeologists are disabled, with non-apparent disabilities that allow them to hide in plain sight. Heath-Stout will discuss how systemic ableism shapes the demographics of the field and archaeologists’ ways of understanding the human past as well as current efforts to build a more inclusive and accessible archaeology. Please sign up for this webinar at the Peabody’s new registration page.
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Upcoming Musical Performances
Student Recital—Wednesday, October 20, at 2 p.m. Instrumental and vocal student soloists will be featured in addition to chamber music ensembles. Timken Room in Graves Hall.
Academy Bands and Orchestras Concert—Friday, October 22 (Family Weekend), at 7:45 p.m. Cochran Chapel.
Academy Choral Concert—Saturday, October 23 (Family Weekend), at 7:45 p.m. Cochran Chapel.
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News from the PSPA
We hope to see you at these two Family Weekend events:
- Parent-to-Parent Forum: “Thriving at Andover”—Friday, October 22, 2:30–3:30 p.m.: Listen to and ask questions of a panel that will include Amy Patel, MD, Sykes Wellness Center medical director; Suzanne Kemp, director of psychological services; Jenny Elliott ’94, P’22, ’24, assistant head of school for residential life and dean of students; and local/boarding parents as they discuss how you can help your student thrive at Andover. Kemper Auditorium.
This event will be live streamed. If you plan to join us remotely, you can email questions to us by October 18. - Reception for All Parents—Saturday, October 23, 5–7 p.m.
Campus Closet: The official store for PA clothing and gear is located in George Washington Hall (lower level). Family Weekend hours: Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday, noon–4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Open online 24/7. Show your PA pride!
Volunteering with the PSPA—If you recently expressed interest in volunteering, you should have received an email with more information. Want to learn more about how to get involved? It’s not too late! Please fill out this volunteer google form. If you would like to help organize and plan parent events and activities—such as our recent Parent Engagement Committee meeting—please email us.
Virtual Book Club—Sunday, November 7, 8–9 p.m. EDT: All are welcome! We will be discussing The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennet. Email us to receive the Zoom invite.
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Pre-Order Yearbook and Save
Andover’s official school yearbook, Pot Pourri 2022, is now accepting pre-orders for $100 if ordered on or before December 1. That’s a $25 savings! Order the Pot Pourri online and enter school code 3591. Order forms are also available on The Hive. Yearbooks will be delivered to students in mid-May.
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It’s School Picture Time!- Photos of 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-graders: Mark Lawrence Photographers will be in Paresky Commons (lower left) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 21, and Friday, October 22, to take photos of students in grades 9, 10, and 11. Students are encouraged to have a photo taken for the yearbook. No purchase is required, and it only takes about 30 seconds.
Please note: These photos are not required, but if you would like your student to have their photo taken, please remind them about the above dates and times. If you would like to order a photo package, you can do so here. Order forms will also be available in Paresky.
- Senior photos: Students in the Class of 2022 ONLY are invited to have their senior portraits taken on campus Monday, October 25, through Thursday, October 28. Mark Lawrence Photographers will be in Paresky Common (lower left) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Students can choose from multiple poses and backgrounds during their 10–15 minute photo session. A form will be emailed to all students early next week asking to them to sign up for a time slot. Please remind your child to sign up. The sitting fee for photos is $30, payable by BlueCard only. If you need assistance adding funds to your child’s BlueCard, please email or call 978-749-4124.
Please note: We offer these on-campus photos as a convenience. Students are welcome to get senior portraits taken by any photographer they choose. We simply ask that all portraits taken through other companies be emailed to Chris Capano by January 3, 2022.
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This Week’s Religious Services
Masks will be required at ALL indoor gatherings.
Friday, October 15
1 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (MSA) Prayers: Led by Noureddine El-Alam. Meditation Room, side entrance, lower level of Cochran Chapel.
5:30–6:30 p.m.—Jewish Shabbat Service and JSU Meeting: Led by Rabbi Michael Swarttz. All are welcome! Paul’s Room, upper level of Paresky Commons.
Sunday, October 17
6 p.m.—Ecumenical Protestant Dinner Worship: Led by Rev. Gina M. Finocchiaro, interim Protestant chaplain. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, and spoken reflection. Ada’s Room, upper level of Paresky Commons.
6:45–7:30 p.m.—Roman Catholic Mass: Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic chaplain, with priests of the Archdiocese of Boston presiding. Reception will follow. Kemper Chapel, side entrance, lower level of Cochran Chapel.
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You Are Invited!
All events are virtual unless otherwise noted. Please join us!
Please check the Events Calendar on Andover’s website regularly for additional in-person and online events that may be open to families. The Weekender, the Academy’s one-stop guide to weekend student activities, opportunities, club-organized events, guest speakers, performances, and athletic contests, is posted on The Hive.
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Phillips Academy
180 Main St.
Andover, MA 01810
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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. |
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