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Monday, February 3: No classes. Boarding students must return by 8 p.m.
- Saturday, March 1: Andover-Exeter athletic contests
- March 8–23: Spring Break
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Rachel Howzell Hall presents to students in Cochran Chapel.
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The acclaimed author of several books, including The Last One, What Never Happened, and These Toxic Things, Rachel Howzell Hall gave the keynote address that launched Andover’s 36th MLK Day celebration on Monday. Families can view the All-School Meeting program on the Parent Channel, watch a video highlight on Instagram, and view photos on SmugMug.
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Andover Welcomes Dr. Lisa Miller |
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Join us for Andover’s 10th year of celebrating United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week! In honor of this milestone, families are invited to attend Dr. Lisa Miller’s keynote address, “Your Brain on Spirituality: What Happens When We’re Connected to Something Greater Than Ourselves,” on Thursday, January 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium. A Q&A and discussion will follow the talk. Please encourage your students to attend this event. Miller will also host an evening Zoom session with families in February—details to come!
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A leading national expert on spirituality, health, and thriving in development, Miller is a professor and founder of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute. She is also a professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Columbia University’s Teachers College. Her book, The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life, is a groundbreaking exploration of the neuroscience of spirituality, combining cutting-edge science—from MRI studies to genetic research, epidemiology, and more—to provide a bold new paradigm for health, healing, and resilience.
Miller’s innovative research has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Cerebral Cortex, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. To learn more about her work, click here.
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Cluster Dean Fireside Chats |
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The Office of Family Engagement invites you to join us for an engaging conversation with your student’s cluster dean. Learn about the many ways cluster deans support your student, hear from student leaders about cluster traditions and events, and more. All gatherings are local time. Register now using these links:
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West Quad South Cluster: Tuesday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m.
- Flagstaff Cluster: Tuesday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m.
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West Quad North Cluster: Tuesday, February 11, at 7 p.m.
- Abbot Cluster: Tuesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m.
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Pine Knoll Cluster: Tuesday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m.
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Not sure which cluster your student belongs to? You can find this information on The Hive. Questions? Email the Office of Family Engagement.
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Mid-point grades for Term 2 are now available for viewing in the Student Reports section of The Hive.
A reminder to families: Some students may have received brief progress reports from instructors at the winter mid-point while many did not. Instructors had the option to provide verbal feedback to students during individual conferences, replacing a written report. Instructors will continue grading and offering regular feedback on assignments throughout the year. The next formal writing period is scheduled for the end of Term 3 (spring term).
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Course Requests for Spring Term |
Students will prepare and submit course requests for Term 3 now through Wednesday, February 5. Each student will work with their advisor to determine remaining diploma requirements, which of their current courses or sequences will continue in spring, and what space they might have to choose electives. Students should have conversations with adults, including their parents/guardians, to consider what the spring might look like in big-picture terms, taking into account sports commitments, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, and their own health and well-being.
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Uwill Offers Telecounseling Option for Students |
Uwill, a prominent telecounseling solution dedicated to student mental health and wellness, serves as a complementary resource within the Sykes Wellness Center’s Psychological Services Department. Uwill offers a variety of resources, including counseling options (teletherapy) and self-help tools, accessible with ease and confidentiality. Students may connect with a counselor for up to eight sessions, all without any cost to families.
This program reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. To schedule a session, students can email the Sykes Wellness Center to express their interest in utilizing Uwill. Parents and guardians must provide consent to Uwill before their students can access the service.
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Read the latest headlines and happenings from campus at Andover Today. Our new hub for all things PA launched this past fall, and provides a single landing page for users to learn about alumni change-makers, the latest trending social posts from Big Blue, and upcoming public events.
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| Check Out the Athletics Newsletter |
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Enjoy photos of student-athletes and fans, team news, and player and event highlights in Andover Athletics News.
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A special section for families of seniors!
Class Rings: You can purchase a class ring for your senior through our vendor, Herff Jones. If your student would like to see sample rings or get sized, a representative will be in Paresky Commons during lunch periods on Tuesday, January 28, and Wednesday, January 29. Rings ordered before March 1 will be delivered to students in time for graduation. Visit the Herff Jones website for more information. Questions? Please email our ring vendor, Mike McCann.
2025 Commencement: We look forward to welcoming the families of the Class of 2025 to celebrate Commencement on June 1. A series of important events for seniors and their families begins Thursday, May 29. For a complete schedule of events and FAQs to help you plan ahead, 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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Families are encouraged to order a 2025 Pot Pourri 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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Campus Closet
Shop This Friday: Be sure to stop by Campus Closet from 2 to 6 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.
Upcoming Events
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information about the following exciting events and ways you can get involved.
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Lunar New Year Food Festival: Celebrate with students, faculty, and staff tomorrow, Friday, January 24, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Underwood Room and sample delicious dishes prepared by over 40 parent volunteers.
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On Sale Now: “Heart-Warming” Valentine’s Care Packages: The PSPA is offering five different Valentine’s care packages to brighten your student’s day. Let them know you are thinking of them! Ordering information and specifics here.
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PSPA General Meeting on Friday, February 14: Join us for our general meeting at Samuel’s at the Andover Inn. Refreshments will be provided.
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Casino Night (for students) on Saturday, February 15: Sign up here to help organize this fun annual event sponsored by the cluster deans and students of West Quad South in collaboration with the PSPA. The students have chosen a “Great Gatsby” theme and will donate all proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
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Winter Cluster Olympics on Saturday, February 22: Hosted by the Dean of Students Office. Watch for a SignUp Genius in the coming weeks to lend a hand.
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Blue & Silver Dance (for students) on Saturday, March 1: A SignUp Genius will be available in the coming weeks for volunteers to help with this annual event.
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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? Email Sonia Virmani, nomination committee chair.
Stay in the Know: Not to worry if you miss a Family Bulletin now and then. You can still stay up to date on PSPA activities by following us on Facebook (PSPA Campus Closet) and Instagram (@pspa_campuscloset).
Parent-Hosted PSPA Socials: Interested in hosting a PSPA gathering in your home near campus? Please email us!
Area Short-Term Lodging: The PSPA occasionally becomes aware of rental properties or homes for sale near campus. Please reach out via email.
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Spiritual & Religious Gatherings |
In celebration of MLK Day and the upcoming United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, families are invited to listen to Dr. Eboo Patel’s talk on “Interfaith Leadership from the Civil Rights Movement to Today” on MediaSpace. To access the video, log in using your Hive credentials.
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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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Check 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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