Senior Parents

Congratulations to the families of the Class of 2011! Senior class festivities kicked off last night with the prom and continue tonight with the senior-faculty reception and dinner. Highlights of Saturday (June 4) include the afternoon orchestra concert at 3:00 p.m. in the Cochran Chapel, buffet dinner in Paresky Commons from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and baccalaureate service at 8:30 p.m. in the Cochran Chapel. On Sunday morning the Commencement ceremonies will proceed, rain or shine, beginning at 10:00 a.m. We are still praying for sun, but it would take more than a few sprinkles to dampen the enthusiasm of this latest group that’s set to earn a Phillips Academy diploma. Family and friends at home can watch the ceremony live via the commencement page on the Andover website.

To all the parents who have supported, cajoled, scolded, cheered and promoted your offspring, thank you. We are ever in your debt for sharing your children. We wish them well and will follow their accomplishments with both interest and pride.

We want to know what you think

Earlier this year, many of you participated in the parent communication survey. The results were invaluable and have already informed how we share information. One of the things we learned from the communication survey and from a subsequent Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA) meeting is that parents have many ideas to share regarding a variety of topics. As a result, we have asked Hanover Research Council—an outside consulting firm—to work with us to design a new Parent Satisfaction Survey. We hope to release the survey in the near future. All current parents, including those whose children are in the class of 2011, should watch for an email from me this summer with a link to the survey. As always, we encourage you to be candid in your comments. We are eager to learn how we can improve the Andover experience for students as well as parents.

More to come for returning parents

This is the last Parent Bulletin of the school year but there are more mailings and electronic communications in your future. In just a couple of weeks, the first summer mailings will reach you, including important documents related to the opening of the 2011-2012 school year. Please take the time to complete the forms and return them to us as soon as possible. We strive each year to streamline the process and you will find once again that some of the forms are pre-printed and only need your review. We know it can be tedious to update contact information but please know how important it is when there is a problem.

Have a great summer!

Wherever you spend the next three months, we hope that at least a portion of the time is spent in the company of those you love and treasure.