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Winter Term Updates
Winter term plans are available online and will continue to be updated. Key dates and answers to additional questions coming from last week’s Town Hall session are now included. Seniors and their families can also expect an email—well before the December 10 decision date—with information specific to the Class of 2021.
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Student Q&A with Head of School
With infusions of gratitude and optimism, Head of School Raynard Kington P’24 fielded dozens of student questions this past Monday at All-School Meeting. In his conversation with school co-presidents Megan Cui ’21 and Salvador Gomez ’21, Kington talked about mentorship, high school math, overcoming personal challenges, and his food and beverage preferences, among many other things.
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Fall Move-Out
Packages and Mail
Boarding students must check the package pickup area in their dorm before leaving campus and take all of their packages with them. Please do NOT send any packages to Phillips Academy while students are off campus. The mailroom will refuse any items that are delivered. We will let parents and students know in early January when the mailroom will start accepting items for seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do students need to be moved out of the dorms?
All students must be out of the dorms by noon on Saturday, November 21.
Can family members or friends enter the dorms to help with move-out?
- No. To protect other students living in the dorms, boarders will need to pack their belongings and carry everything outside the dorms themselves. Ideally, they have followed our guidance to only bring what they are able to carry by themselves.
- Family members or friends should remain in or near their vehicles; they should not be walking around campus. While they are on campus, they must wear masks.
Can students store any belongings in the dorm or on campus?
- No. Students must take everything with them. They cannot leave anything behind—not in the room, not on the walls, not in the basement. We cannot store any items on campus, nor can we ship any items for students. Any items left behind will be donated or discarded.
Transportation to Airport and Bus to NYC
If your child needs transportation to Boston/Logan airport, Manchester, N.H., airport, or Boston’s South Station, please arrange for travel through Sir Charles Limousine by emailing Jody’s Travel or calling 978-887-9102.
Buses to NYC and Darien, CT: Phillips Academy is offering transportation to New York City, with a stop in Darien, Connecticut, tomorrow, November 20, departing at 3:45 p.m. (the final day of fall term). The cost is $90. Drop-off occurs at the service plaza in Darien and at Dock 2 at the Port Authority Bus South Terminal in New York City. Please check this document for more information and to access the bus form.
If you have questions or need more information on dorm move-out or travel, email Claudia Scofield or call 978-749-4124.
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From the Dean of Studies
Release of students’ winter term schedules: Term 2 schedules will be released on Tuesday, December 1, via the My Schedule app. We will accept course add/drop/change requests from December 2 to December 11. Your student’s advisor point person will submit add-drop requests to the Dean of Studies Office; seniors will need college counselor approval as well. Questions? Here’s what to do.
Changes to the weekly class schedule: Please read this message from the Dean of Studies for an explanation of changes to this new winter term weekly class schedule.
- Classes will start on Monday, January 4—two days earlier than previous calendar.
- No classes on February 1 or 2 (midterm weekend and seniors will be returning to campus).
- Long weekend has shifted from February 8–9 to February 15-16 (better aligns with public school vacation week).
Fall term student reports: Fall end-of-term reports will be available on Wednesday, November 25, on The Hive. If you have questions about how to access The Hive or need assistance, please email the Technology Help Desk or call 978-749-4357. Weekday hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST; the technology office will be closed November 25–29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Explanation of a final grade of “P” in ENG100: The fall term of English 100 has long been designated Pass/Fail to acknowledge the range of experiences and skills students bring to their first term of reading, writing, and seminar discussion at PA. This grading option allows for skill development, risk-taking, and a longer transition time to the hard and soft skills needed for successful engagement in the English program.
- Explanation of a final grade of “P” in PHD200: Physical Education 200, a graduation requirement for 3- and 4-year students, is designed to promote lifetime wellness. Engagement and effort are essential components of the course, which has long been—and will continue to be—graded Pass/Fail.
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Catch Grasshopper Night
Student leaders of the Department of Theatre & Dance presented Grasshopper Night, the Academy’s annual fall talent show, last weekend. “Festival of the Arts” was the theme. There were 22 acts—many more than usual—and over 60 students shared their talents in music, dance, theatre, and creative writing. Groups included Hypnotiq, Drumline, Blue Strut, and the PA Handbell Choir. If you missed this popular event, don’t worry! The Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, performances are now available for all to enjoy.
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Brace Presentation Dec. 4
The Brace Center for Gender Studies welcomes families to our second Brace Student Fellow presentation of the 2020–2021 academic year on Friday, December 4, at 7 p.m. Denise Taveras ’21 will present “Burlesque: Understanding Empowerment Through Objectification.” Her project contributes to current conversations about women reclaiming sexuality despite being objectified, enhancing our understanding of how people find empowerment. In exploring different historical moments in the American burlesque industry, Taveras examines the contexts performers had to navigate and the strategies they used to combat objectification, providing examples of different forms of empowerment. Her faculty advisor is Dr. Kiran Bhardwaj, instructor in philosophy and religious studies. Please register to receive Zoom link.
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Health Webinar for Families
We all want to keep healthy kids healthy! To do so, parents, guardians, and other family members can all play a role when it comes to the prevention of teen alcohol and other drug misuse. From an early age and onward, health promotion at home requires that parents and guardians be informed and ready to be active in everyday prevention opportunities in the family.
FCD Prevention Works is offering a webinar on Friday, December 4, from 1 to 2 p.m. EST to help families start the prevention conversation with children of all ages. Please register now for “Conversation Starters: A Webinar for Parents and Other Family Members.”
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Updates from Parent Development
Thank you to the more than 230 families who have already supported Andover this academic year. We are grateful for the strong participation and Parent Fund progress during fall term.
Andover will participate in Giving Tuesday (#GivingTuesday)—the international day of charitable giving—on December 1. This is an easy way to show your support for the Academy! Gifts of any size from parents and guardians are appreciated and count toward Knowledge & Goodness: The Andover Campaign.
We welcome your questions and suggestions in the months ahead and would be glad to connect via phone or Zoom if we can be helpful. The Parent Development team—Becca, Shannan, and Elisabeth—wishes you and your family a healthy and safe Thanksgiving break.
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It’s Not Too Soon to Think Summer
Andover Summer recently launched its application for students in grades 6–11, and we are currently hosting a series of admissions webinars. Do you know someone who might benefit from a summer at Andover? A younger sibling, a friend’s child, or the child of a colleague? Whether it’s through an on-campus residential experience or one of the online eSummer offerings, there’s something for everyone—and it’s never too early to spread the word. To sign up or simply learn more about our programs, please visit www.andover.edu/summer. Don’t put life on hold: plan now for a transformative summer!
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News from the PSPA
Share your knowledge and skills on a Virtual Mixer: Thank you to all who joined us for last Friday’s Trivia Night and Virtual Mixer. We are now seeking parents who would like to share their knowledge and skills as a volunteer parent speaker on a future Virtual Mixer. Don’t be shy! If interested, please send us an email.
PSPA Book Club: Join us for our first PSPA Book Club gathering on Sunday, January 10, from 8 to 9 p.m. We will be reading and discussing A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman. Please email us for event details or to get on our mailing list.
Help us build an FAQ section: The PSPA is collecting questions for a “Frequently Asked Questions” section, which will be added to our website. Please send us your questions!
We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
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You Are Invited! - Through November 22: Non Sibi Project with Domus
- December 1: A Conversation with Allison Kemmerer, Interim Director of Addison Gallery of American Art
- December 2: How to Non Sibi: A Toolkit for Our Virtual World
- December 3: Reclaiming the Lost Legacy of J.O.J. Frost, a Book Talk with Bethe Lee Moulton ’66
- December 4: Brace Center Student Fellow Presentation with Denise Taveras ’21
- December 8: At the Table with the Equity & Inclusion Committee—A Conversation Around Religious Identity
- December 9: Meet Our 16th Head of School, Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, hosted by the Southern California Regional Leadership Team
- December 11: CAMD Scholar Presentation with Jerry Shu ’21
- December 15: Meet Our 16th Head of School, Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, hosted by the Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia Regional Leadership Teams
- December 17: Community Celebration to Toast the Holidays
All events are virtual unless otherwise noted. Please join us!
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