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Parent Bulletin
Phillips Academy Head of School Office
Rebecca Sykes, associate head of school
April 6, 2012
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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