The last couple of weeks have been a challenge for the extended Andover community as we have grieved the loss of our student Alice Hoffman. Thank you to all the parents who have reached out to offer support to her family and to the students, faculty and staff on campus. Luckily, the routine has provided a good diversion and student life has generally returned to normal.

Four of us (adults) represented Phillips Academy at the memorial service in Houston this past Sunday and we are in the midst of planning a service here in Andover. On May 1, members of the family will join us for a celebration of Alice’s life and you are welcome to attend as well, if you are in the area. The following message went out to the school yesterday.

Please join us for a celebration of the life of Alice Rukebai Hoffman
Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 6:30 PM in Cochran Chapel
Reverend Anne Gardner, officiating
**Members of Alice’s family will be here for the event**
A reception will follow in the Underwood Room

Parent Communication Survey Results, Installment #2

Almost four hundred parents took part in our recent Parent Communication Survey. The results showed that most of you rate communication from Andover highly, although more information about your children’s experiences at Andover is always welcomed. The Parent Bulletin is the most popular form of communication, and many of you keep track of campus news on the academy’s Facebook page. Some parents use the Parent Portal and a few of you have watched a webinar or two. More than anything, you want to know more about your individual children: their classes, grades, friends, teachers and experiences here at school. We promise to explore ways to offer more of that information, beginning by listing upcoming campus events in the Parent Bulletin (see below!). We will also work to resolve some of the challenges parents encounter with our web-based platforms, especially password protected sites and webinars.

Calendar Notes

• April 25, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Case Cage: College Fair: PA and area students and their families are invited to meet representatives from more than 150 colleges.
• April 27, 10:50 a.m.: In recognition of Earth Day, Van Jones, globally recognized, award-winning pioneer in human rights and clean-energy economy will address the all-school meeting.
• April 29-May 13: Advisors meet with Juniors, Lowers and Uppers for 2011-12 course selection.
• April 29, 7:30 p.m., Cochran Chapel: Evening with Haitian author Edwidge Danticat. This event is free and open to the public; however donations are kindly requested (suggested donations: Adults $10; Students $5). Proceeds will be donated to Li, Li, Li!, a reading-out-loud program for Haitian children displaced by the 2010 earthquake and to Dr. Paul farmer’s Partners in Health.
• May 6, 7 p.m., Kemper Auditorium: Reading by US Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin.

Course Selection

Between now and mid-May, students will meet with their advisors to chart course selections for the next school year and sketch out their remaining years at Andover. In addition, students will have discussions with teachers, department chairs, house counselors and (we hope) you, their parents, about planning for the upcoming year. Please keep in mind that there can be competing interests when students select their courses: fulfilling Andover’s diploma requirements, pursuing areas of passion, discovering new interests and talents, and/or completing courses perhaps required by certain college programs. As a parent you want your child to be challenged and stretched by the rigor of his or her program yet you don’t want him or her to be overwhelmed. Accompanying the June report cards, you will receive information about viewing your child’s course requests on the Parent Portal and you will have an opportunity to make adjustments at that time. Students list courses for terms beyond next fall for long-term planning purposes only. Each term students will have the opportunity to sign up for specific courses.

Phillipian Commencement Issue

During Andover’s Graduation Weekend, The Phillipian will publish its commencement issue. The commencement issue is a longer version of the paper that captures events that happened during the school year, ranging from sports, to arts, to news. Parents may submit any picture or message to their students, congratulating them on their graduation. In years past, The Phillipian has received so many submissions for this issue that it has run several extra pages, and parents often keep this issue as a remembrance of the Graduation. The Phillipian staff has provided information about sizing and prices of these messages, both available in their advertising contract. All messages should be in PDF format and sent to Daniel Gottfried, The Phillipian Advertising Director, at dgottfried@andover.edu. Any ads received after May 6th cannot be guaranteed a spot in the issue. Ads received after May 6 can be refunded.

Parent-Connect Webinar: Healthy Sleep Strategies & Stress Reduction

The next webinar in the Parent-Connect series focuses on how stress, studying and socializing affect teens’ sleeping habits. The panel of expert presenters will offer strategies for making sure that your teen gets enough sleep and tips on promoting adolescent wellbeing. The webinar will air on Monday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m. You may also watch the webinar on-demand. Please register via the Parent Connect Link on the Parent Portal.