As we watch news updates of the devastating wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area, we are thinking of our Andover families in that region and hoping all are safe. Know that we are checking in with students and stand ready to support them anytime in any way. Sending good thoughts from the whole Andover community.
Susan Esty
Dean of Students and Residential Life
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Friday, January 17: Midterm
- Monday, January 20: A reminder to families, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day “on” for students that includes special programs for all grades. Attendance is mandatory. Details are provided below.
- Monday, February 3: No classes. Boarding students must return by 8 p.m.
- Saturday, March 1: Andover-Exeter athletic contests
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Andover Welcomes Lacey Schwartz Delgado |
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In celebration of the 12th annual Mixed Heritage Awareness Week, families are invited to attend a screening of Little White Lie—an internationally recognized personal documentary—tomorrow, Friday, January 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium. The film will be followed by a talkback with writer, director, and producer Lacey Schwartz Delgado. This event is free and open to the public.
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At age 18, Schwartz Delgado discovered she was African American, although she had been raised as a white Ashkenazi Jew in Woodstock, New York. The revelation of her mother’s affair and uncovering her biracial identity ignited a mission to give voice to difficult truths, which are widespread but rarely talked about. Her story is a catalyst for audiences to reclaim a sense of self and bridge societal divides.
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Special MLK Day Programming |
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For 36 years, Andover has celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by taking the day “on.” This tradition dates to 1989, when senior Brian Gittens staged a protest on the steps of Samuel Phillips Hall and played King’s speeches on his boombox to implore friends and faculty to mark the day with meaningful curriculum.
The Academy’s special MLK Day programming—which students attend in lieu of regular classes—takes place on Monday, January 20.
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Students will begin their day at 9 a.m. with a special All-School Meeting featuring keynote speaker Rachel Howzell Hall, acclaimed author of The Last One, What Never Happened, and These Toxic Things, among other books. Following ASM, students will attend various workshops, guest lectures, and student-run performances.
Please note that ninth grade boarding students in the first half of the alphabet (Achecar through Jung) have required programming from 3 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. Additionally, on Sunday, we encourage all students and families to attend our kickoff CAMD Scholar presentation, titled “There’s Something in the Water: The Narrative of Environmental Racism in the Depressed South,” led by Jaceil Britton ’25 at 4:30 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium.
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New washers and dryers are being installed in dorms this week. Washers and dryers will not be available until Saturday. As the new machines come online, house counselors and boarding students will be notified.
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Upcoming Theatre & Dance Performances |
Save the Date! All are encouraged to attend the following winter term performances.
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The THD902 Dance Showcase, Dance Mainstage Performance
Showtimes: February 14 at 7:30 p.m. and February 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Cristina A. Rubio Dance Studio, Pan Athletic Center
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R.U.R.: Rossum’s Universal Robots, Theatre Mainstage Performance
Showtimes: February 21 at 7:30 p.m. and February 22 at 2 p.m.
Venue: Tang Theatre, George Washington Hall
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Ride the Cyclone (High School Edition), THD901 Independent Project directed by Serafina Shin-von Nordenflycht ’25
Showtimes: February 22 at 6 p.m. and February 23 at 3 p.m.
Venue: Evans DeFelice Theatre Classroom, George Washington Hall
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Chicago, the Musical (Teen Edition), THD901 Independent Project directed by Ivy Randall ’25
Showtimes: March 1 at 8 p.m. and March 2 at 3 p.m.
Venue: Evans DeFelice Theatre Classroom, George Washington Hall
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Families of seniors! This section keeps you in the loop about the important events and milestones of your student’s final year.
Upcoming Yearbook Deadlines
The deadlines for yearbook submissions have passed, but in our effort to ensure every senior is included, we're offering one final opportunity to submit materials for your senior!
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Senior Yearbook Portraits: If you have a portrait of your student that you haven’t yet submitted, please send it to PA Senior Portraits. If you’ve already submitted a photo and received confirmation from us, you're all set! If no photo is submitted by tomorrow, Friday, January 10, your student’s BlueCard ID photo will be used.
- Family Messages: There is still space available in the senior tribute family ad section. This is optional, but many families find these pages to be a meaningful way to celebrate their seniors. To design, purchase, and submit your ad, please click here to get started! The submission deadline is Friday, January 10.
- Yearbook Purchases: Families are encouraged to order a 2025 Pot Pourri, Phillips Academy’s yearbook, by clicking PA Yearbook. If prompted, enter school code 3591. Yearbooks—full color and typically about 300 pages—will be delivered to campus in May.
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Class Rings: You can purchase a class ring for your senior through our vendor, Herff Jones. Questions? Please email Mike McCann.
2025 Commencement: We look forward to welcoming the families of the Class of 2025 to celebrate Commencement on June 1. For a complete schedule of events and FAQs, please visit the Commencement webpage.
If you have any accessibility needs (ASL interpreter, wheelchair, among other accommodations), please email those requests to Naomi Mashburn before February 14. If you have additional questions as Commencement approaches, please also email Naomi Mashburn or call 978-749-4225.
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Check out the Peabody’s Monthly Newsletter |
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The current issue of the Peabody Institute of Archaeology’s monthly newsletter is now available. To receive future newsletters directly from the Peabody, sign up today!
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Happy New Year from the PSPA! We hope you had a wonderful Winter Break with your families. Read on for volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved.
Campus Closet
Shop This Friday: Be sure to stop by Campus Closet from noon to 2 p.m. tomorrow (lower level of George Washington Hall) to stock up on new PA gear—or shop online 24/7.
Volunteer for Campus Closet: Staffed by PSPA volunteers, all proceeds from Campus Closet go toward student activities and building a stronger PA community. Please sign up here to help in the shop for a few hours in January and February.
Get Involved: The PSPA is seeking support in marketing and social media. If you have some time to help out, please email us. Interested in being a class representative for the Class of 2026 or 2027? Please fill out this form.
Stay in the Know: Sign up here
to be notified about volunteer opportunities.
The Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA) is a parent-run nonprofit that hosts social gatherings, educational panels, and engagement events for students, families, and the broader PA community throughout the year.
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Spiritual & Religious Gatherings |
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1–1:25 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (MSA) Jummah Prayer: Led by Nafiseh Shahshahan. All are welcome. Meditation Room, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from left side of building)
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5:15 p.m.—Jewish Student Union (JSU) Shabbat Celebration: Led by members of the JSU and Rabbi Joshua Greenberg. Come for blessings over candles, challah and grape juice, sharing and fellowship. All are welcome. Paul’s Room, Paresky Commons (second floor)
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6 p.m.—Protestant Worship: Led by the Reverend Gina M. Finocchiaro, Protestant chaplain. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, music, and spoken reflection. Cochran Chapel
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6:15 p.m.—Catholic Mass: All are welcome to join the PA Catholic community for Mass on Sunday evenings when school is in session. Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic chaplain, with presider Fr. Jack O’Brien and other guest priests from the Archdiocese of Boston. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from left side of building)
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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!
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Join the Andover Family Directory |
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Want to find other Andover families in your area? Log in now using your Hive credentials. The directory is opt-in; families must log in to be visible to others. You can find tutorials on how to use the directory here. Should you need assistance with resetting your Hive login information, reach out to the Technology Help Desk by email or call 978-749-4357.
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The Office of Family Engagement is here to support you throughout the school year! If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Director Jennifer Vasquez or call 978-749-4068.
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Phillips Academy
180 Main St. | Andover, MA 01810 US
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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.
© 2025
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