New students were welcomed with enthusiasm on Tuesday. View more photos and watch the video of this Phillips Academy tradition.

At the beginning of every school year, all students read and sign off on the PA Academic Integrity Primer to confirm their understanding of the parameters of doing good intellectual work in an academic community. English instructors review academic integrity expectations with their students at the start of each term, and other departments regularly offer guidance specific to the assignment or discipline.

While the responsibility for academic integrity is up to each student, there are things that parents can do to help. Please wait until your child has submitted written work before reading it. Their ideas and writing (yes, every comma) must be their own, and they may not receive help on assignments from family, friends, tutors, or the internet, except as part of peer-editing and workshopping in class or as an explicit part of a collaborative assignment. If your child is feeling unsure or overwhelmed, please encourage them to reach out to their teachers for help.

All students are encouraged to meet with their teachers during conference periods, which take place several times a week. They also have access to the Writing Center in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library (Seminar Room, second floor) Monday through Thursday from 8 to 9:15 p.m.

An incorrect statement about the billing of services provided at the Sykes Wellness Center appeared in the August 15, 2019, Parent Bulletin. With apologies, here is the correct information: 

Most care provided at the Rebecca M. Sykes Wellness Center is included in students’ tuition. However, selected services are billed to students’ health insurance. Examples of services billed to students’ health insurance include: X-rays, neb treatment, vaccinations (for those over 18), ear irrigation, laceration repair, ImPACT post-concussion testing, and durable medical equipment (i.e., canes, crutches, portable nebulizer, boots, braces).

Students stormed the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library to get a first look at the renovated campus learning hub. Watch their reactions below!

Andover is excited to announce a new live-streaming initiative for families and friends who cannot make it to campus to watch our student-athletes compete. Streaming will begin with select fall home games and continue throughout the academic year. 

The Reverend Anne Gardner, director of spiritual and religious life and Protestant chaplain, would like to share the following information with parents and guardians.

Andover’s interfaith ministry supports the many and varied spiritual needs of the Academy community. Each week, our religious communities gather for both worship and fellowship.

Catholic Community: Worship services began Sunday, September 8, at 6:45 p.m. in Kemper Chapel. Those interested in joining the confirmation program should email Dr. Mary Kantor. This is a year-long commitment, culminating in a Confirmation Mass on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at 10:30 a.m.

Hindu Community: The Hindu Student Union and Indo-Pak clubs serve as the hub for our Hindu community. For more information on these groups and/or details regarding Andover’s Sri Chinmaya Maruti Temple, please email Rev. Anne Gardner.

Jewish Community: Shabbat services are held every Friday evening during the academic year, beginning September 13. Those interested in receiving information about the excused absence policy, hospitality, and/or services for Rosh Hashanah (beginning September 29) should email Rabbi Michael Swarttz.

Muslim Community: Our Muslim community is led by Noureddine El Alam, faculty advisor for the Muslim Student Association. He coordinates the weekly Jummah prayer program and all other events for our Muslim students. Recently, a new mosque—Andover Islamic Center—opened nearby, providing even more opportunities for worship, instruction, and fellowship. Those interested in receiving more information should email Noureddine El Alam.

Protestant Community: Worship services began Sunday, September 8, at 6 p.m. in Cochran Chapel. Students from every Protestant denomination are welcome to attend. Those interested in learning more about student clubs associated with the Protestant chaplaincy, including the Gospel Choir, should email Rev. Anne Gardner.

The chapel also organizes services and programming for major religious holidays, including Eid, Holi, Yom Kippur, Ramadan, Divali, and Easter, and marks important secular holidays such as Veterans Day, MLK Day, and Memorial Day. For dates and more information, visit the chapel’s Events and Holidays Calendar.

The Addison Gallery of American Art is home to a world-class collection of American art and offers a vital and adventurous exhibitions program. Museum exhibitions are carefully balanced to represent a wide range of art, across time and media. We hope you will visit the next time you come to campus! Visit the Addison Gallery website or call 978-749-4015 to find out more about the fall programs. All programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

New this year: In collaboration with the town of Andover’s Memorial Hall Library, Addison curators will lead Gallery Tours of the fall exhibitions, offering a discussion of the works and themes presented.

Tours are free and open to the public, but space is limited. Please register online or call 978-623-8430.

On Wednesday, September 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., author Robert Spencer Barnett will talk about his book Eight Schools Campus and Culture, which takes a look at the cultural and physical development of private college preparatory boarding schools—specifically members of the Eight Schools Association (Phillips Academy, St. Paul’s School, The Hotchkiss School, Phillips Exeter Academy, Deerfield Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon, The Lawrenceville School, and Choate Rosemary Hall) through the lens of campus planning and architecture.

Presented by the Andover Bookstore, the reception will take place at Palmers Restaurant, 18 Elm Street in Andover. During the event, enjoy a welcome glass of wine and a tasting of two appetizers while Barnett talks about his book. A Q&A and book signing will follow. Purchase an event ticket or a copy of the book here or call the Andover Bookstore at 978-475-0143 for more information.

The College Counseling Office is sponsoring fall College Fairs on Wednesday, September 25, and Wednesday, October 2. The fairs are open to Phillips Academy uppers and seniors exclusively and will be held in the Snyder Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A list of colleges and universities participating in each event will be posted on The Hive. For more information, please contact Sarah Kinney in the College Counseling Office at skinney@andover.edu or 978-749-4150.

Mark your calendars for Family Weekend, October 18–20. It’s easy to register online!

Phillips Academy’s award-winning full-color Pot Pourri is on sale now! Order the 2020 yearbook by December 1 for $100. After December 1, the cost increases to $125. There are three ways to order a yearbook:

Senior tributes in the yearbook: Express pride, love, and congratulations to the soon-to-be PA graduate in your life with a personal ad in the 2020 yearbook. Use this form to select the desired size and personalize the ad with your own message and photos.

The Parent Development team is excited to welcome all parents, guardians, and grandparents to the 2019–2020 school year. We hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities we offer throughout the year to visit campus, meet other families, and learn more about the Academy.

There are many ways to support Andover. In the weeks ahead, you will hear more about this year’s Parent Fund goals and upcoming parent events and programs. For more information about the Parent Fund Committee, volunteer opportunities, or hosting a parent gathering in your area, please contact Shannan Clarke at 978-749-4583 or sclarke@andover.edu. We look forward to seeing you October 18–20 for Family Weekend.

September 11 in Oakland, CA: Welcome to the Neighborhood
October 1 in Mumbai: An Andover Evening in Mumbai
October 3 in Singapore:  An Andover Evening in Singapore
October 16 in Boston, MA: An Evening with Jim Ventre '79, Interim Head of School
October 18–20 on Campus: Family Weekend 2019