Parent Bulletin

Phillips Academy Head of School Office
Rebecca Sykes, associate head of school

April 6, 2012

Jim Ventre ’79, Interim Dean of Admission

Head of School Barbara Chase recently announced the appointment of Jim Ventre ’79 to the position of interim dean of admission beginning July 1. When Jane Fried becomes head of The Brearley School in NYC this summer, Andover’s dean of admission will be leaving the position she held for almost two decades in Jim’s capable hands. Jim has served a key role on the admission team, and has been involved in all aspects of our exemplary admission and financial aid operation. We are confident that Jim will lead the office and represent the Academy brilliantly!

In Touch with…
Sean Logan, Director of College Counseling

Nine months into my new job at Andover, there has not been a dull moment—or a free moment. The energy and enthusiasm of the students, staff, and faculty have made my transition an enjoyable one. The first year on any job is filled with the excitement of meeting new people and the challenge of learning the culture of the institution. From my conversations with members of the Andover community, it is clear that the care for a student’s well-being and dedication to the craft of teaching are paramount in all we do.

Blessed with a talented staff of counselors and assistants, we have been busy working with 314 seniors (including our post graduates) in the college admission process. With the majority of college admission decisions in hand, most in the class of 2012 will be making their final choice by May 1st (the universal reply date for colleges/ universities in the US). For some, there is a longer horizon as they have decided to pursue a “gap year” before attending college. There will be “waitlist” activity that might extend into the month of June, so it is possible that we will be working with students after graduation.

In the last four years, the Andover community has seen a shift in its population with the “need blind policy” and the college admission world has seen unprecedented levels of submitted applications and shrinking admit rates. For example, Duke University has seen a 55% increase in applications since 2008. With the demographic changes at PA and the fast moving world of college admission, we must be sure we are providing as much information as possible, as soon as possible, to our families. One of my main goals this year was to evaluate what we do and how we do it. Although I will be sad to see the class of 2012 graduate, I am looking forward to spending time this summer implementing timely changes in the college counseling process. You will be hearing more from me and my office in the coming months.

News from PSPA

The next PSPA meeting will be held on April 12, at 7:00 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium. Guest speakers will address Life after Andover: The Value of an Andover Education. Speakers include Debby Murphy, Director of Alumni Affairs; Jane Fried, Director of Admissions; and a recent alumnus who will discuss how a PA education impacts students in college and beyond.

Video of the March 7th meeting at the Addison Gallery can now be viewed at www.pspaandover.org. Password is: PAparent.

For the parents of the Class of 2012, time is running out to order Graduation Gifts:

Senior DVD – a professionally produced video with coverage of all Commencement weekend events including Prom & Commencement Ceremonies
PA Charm – 3/4” charm engraved with the Phillips Academy non sibi seal on the front and 2012 on the back.

Athletics and the College Recruiting Process

The College Counseling Office is hosting a College Athletics Info Session on Tuesday, April 10, in Kemper Auditorium at 6:45 p.m. Panelists will be available to answer questions about the recruiting process, discuss the role of athletics in college admission, offer advice on how to prepare for a collegiate career, and much more. Parents of Phillips Academy students are welcome to attend. For more information, call the College Counseling Office at 978-749-4155 or e-mail college-counseling@andover.edu.

Spring Fever Challenge heats up Parent Fund Participation

March 1 marked the start of the Parent Fund’s Spring Fever Challenge, a friendly competition among the parents of the four classes to see which class can attain the highest Parent Fund participation rate by May 31. Here is the current status:

Class of 2012: 42%
Class of 2013: 43%
Class of 2014: 47%
Class of 2015: 50%

If you have made a Parent Fund gift already this year, thank you for getting your class participation to its current point! If you have not yet done so, please consider making a gift today. Your support, no matter the size, will not only help your class standing in the Challenge, but also provide students and faculty with critical resources not supported by tuition or endowment. For more information about becoming Parent Fund volunteer or to make a gift, please contact Cara Mia Bruncati, Director of the Parent Fund at cbruncati@andover.edu or 978-749-4693.

Andover Chamber Music (Mistral)

Andover Chamber Music Artistic Director Julie Scolnik (P ’08, P ’13) invites the Phillips Academy community to join her for the 15th Anniversary Season Finale of a chamber series that has been celebrated for its unique thematic programming and the high caliber of its artists. The concert, titled Intimations of Immortality, will be held in the Cochran Chapel on Sunday, April 15th at 3:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to all members of the PA community.

Upcoming Events

Friday, April 6
Faculty Jazz Ensembles, featuring the music of Jimmy Heath, John Scofield, Carla Bley, John Damian, Larry Willis, Moacir Santos, Tania Maria, Horace Silver, Juan Tizol and Bob Baughman. 7:30 p.m., Graves Hall. Free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail music@andover.edu.

Monday, April 9
Brace Fellow Presentation: “Defeminizing a Feminine Icon: The Struggle with Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa among Ballerinas.” Presented by Noel Um ’12. 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., School Room, Abbot Hall. Open to the public.

Tuesday, April 10
Athletics Focus Meeting, hosted by the College Counseling Office. Kemper Auditorium at 6:45 p.m. Parents of Phillips Academy students are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, April 11
Recital and lecture, featuring pianist Mana Tokuno and violinist Janet Packer. 6:30 p.m., Timken Room in Graves Hall. The program includes “Imaginary Variations, Op. 114” by Krzystof Meyer. Free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail music@andover.edu.

Friday, April 13
Faculty Cello Recital featuring Jan Muller-Szeraws. 7:30 p.m., Cochran Chapel. Free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail music@andover.edu.

Sunday, April 15
“Intimations of Immortality,” 15th Anniversary Season Finale of the Andover Chamber Music series, 3:00 p.m., Cochran Chapel. Admission is free and open to all members of the PA community. For more information, go to andoverchambermusic.org.

Monday, April 30
Annual College Fair, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Case Memorial Cage. Open to the public. For more information, call the College Counseling Office at 978-749-4155 or e-mail college-counseling@andover.edu.