Parent Bulletin, Year 2

Greetings from the Parent Bulletin editorial office - also known as the office of the associate head of school. Every two weeks you will receive an email from me containing the bulletin, a collection of campus updates and information about upcoming events. We hope you will find this information to be a good complement to what is posted on the Andover Website and what is available through the password-protected Parent Portal. Several parents commented last year that they found the short entries digestible and that the reminders from various offices were particularly welcome. Please feel free to email your suggestions and ideas.

Fall Kick-Off

New student arrivals began last week as aspiring varsity athletes reported for pre-season try-outs and new international students participated in an early orientation, and culminated in a grand registration and welcome program on Saturday, September 11. Under sunny skies and amidst warm summer breezes, each new boarding family unloaded on average more gear than any three students would need in a year, while day families reveled in the easy weekend commute. Blue Key Leaders took up their usual stations at dorms and at major intersections, inspiring even drivers with no connection to the school to join in the happy honking of horns. Our faculty members were available across campus as greeters and to answer questions, from the mundane to the theoretical. Into this week, the campus abounds with the excitement, exhaustion, anxiety and exhilaration of the new school year and we are happy to establish and settle into routines. View the images of the first days »

A big thank you to everyone – including the new families – who cooperated to make the opening such a success. Parents, you were especially well represented on opening day by PSPA (Parents of Students at Phillips Academy). If you haven’t gotten involved with PSPA yet, Non Sibi Day could be the perfect opportunity. (See one example of a Non Sibi Day project below.)

Academic Integrity – A Core Academy Value

To help them avoid behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty, all students are asked to read the academy’s “academic integrity primer” and certify that that they have read and understand the academy’s standards for academic honesty. You can assist us with this vital component of our educational effort by reading through the primer and discussing it with your student. The primer is listed under Parent Resources on the Parent Portal. Please note that, as a general rule, parental assistance on graded assignments is not permitted, an expectation that may be new for some families.

Non Sibi Day Parent Project

PSPA is partnering with Naval Commander Rob Patrick ’88 to collect new baby items to donate to the military hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Through this project, Andover parents can help our military families. Suggested donations include onesies, blankets, hats, and mittens in generic colors (green or yellow) plus diapers and baby wash. On Non Sibi Day (October 2) PSPA will be collecting these items in the George Washington Circle from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Before October 2, you may mail items to the Alumni Affairs Office, Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810. For more information, please contact Sandra Terry at lenderterry@yahoo.com.

Andover is having an auction in April!

Bid on Blue: Andover Auction in Support of Financial Aid. Everyone in PA’s global community will be able to participate in our auction in April 2011. Get all the details at: www.andover.edu/auction. Your help is needed now to make this auction a success. Contact the Auction Director, Janet Cathcart, jcathcart@andover.edu to tell us how you would like to be involved.