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Friday, October 11: Midterm; Students will follow a Wednesday schedule. Student Flu Clinic
- Tuesday, October 15: Mid-point grades and progress reports posted to The Hive. Student Flu Clinic
- Wednesday, October 16: Student Flu Clinic
- Friday, October 25–Sunday, October 27: Family Weekend
- Monday, October 28: No classes. Boarding students must check in by 9:30 p.m.
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Tuesday, October 29: No classes. Boarding students must check in by 8 p.m.
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From the Dean of Studies Office |
Mid-point grades and progress reports will be posted on The Hive on Tuesday, October 15. At the Term 1 (fall) mid-point, all students will receive brief progress reports from each of their instructors. Reports will be written directly to the student (in the second person) and will be viewable by both students and families.
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The guidance and feedback contained in the mid-point reports is intended to provide advice for students at a time in the term when they can still act on teachers’ suggestions for improvement. Students will hear from instructors in writing again at the end of Term 1 and at the end of Term 3 (spring term).
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Thanks to your feedback from the Family Survey conducted in winter term 2024, the Office of Family Engagement is excited to announce the launch of the Andover Family Directory! Log in now using your Hive credentials. The directory is opt-in; families must log in to be visible to others.
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You can find tutorials on how to use the directory here. Should you need assistance with resetting your Hive log-in information, reach out to the Office of Technology Help Desk by email or call 978-749-4357.
Ways to Use the Andover Family Directory:
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- Connect: Search for and reach out to fellow Andover families to build connections.
- Seek Support: Use the directory to find families for advice, support, and shared interests.
- Coordinate Activities: Connect with other families to arrange travel, visits, and participate in school-related events.
- Host or Join Gatherings: Organize or attend regional meetups or virtual events to build community and share experiences.
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We hope you take advantage of this resource to foster connections and build a supportive network with one another. Questions? Please email the Office of Family Engagement.
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Family Weekend: Two Weeks Away! |
We can’t wait to see you on campus for Family Weekend, October 25–27. Please register here today!
Be sure to check the schedule of events and plan to arrive early on Friday. Whether you’re cheering your student on from the sidelines, taking in a performance, or just spending time catching up on your child’s life at Andover, you are sure to have a wonderful few days.
Family Weekend Information: For event information, including area hotels, a campus map, and frequently asked questions, please visit the Family Weekend website.
Student Overnight Permissions: Students do not have classes on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29. Boarding students can use the REACH system to request and receive overnight permissions. For Family Weekend overnights, students need to submit REACH requests by 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 20.
Family Weekend Highlights:
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- Atlatl Spear-Throwing on Friday, October 25, 2–5 p.m.: Join the Peabody Institute of Archaeology team for hands-on spear throwing with the atlatl—the ancient Mexican throwing board—on the Chandler-Wormley Vista, west of Main Street.
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Open Houses on Saturday, October 26: Meet members of the Academy community who endeavor to provide your students with opportunities for growth and support.
- Academic Skills Center/Student Accessibility Services: 8–11:30 a.m. Pearson Hall, Room C (first floor)
- Learning in the World (LITW): 9–11:30 a.m. Tang Institute (Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, second floor)
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Addison Gallery of American Art Exhibition Tour: Saturday, October 26, 3–4 p.m.
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Grasshopper Night Tickets: Grasshopper is a popular talent show that is produced, directed, and performed by students. The four performances will take place Friday, October 25 (6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.), and Saturday, October 26 (6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.). Due to Tang Theatre’s seating capacity, a limited number of tickets are available for each show. We, unfortunately, cannot guarantee that all families will be able to attend a show in the theatre. However, all performances will be simulcast in nearby Kemper Auditorium, where no tickets are needed.
Tickets will be available at Family Weekend Registration (in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library) on the day of each performance: Friday show tickets are available on Friday ONLY and Saturday show tickets are available on Saturday ONLY. Tickets for each of these shows will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Once theatre capacity has been reached, tickets will no longer be available. Tickets can only be reserved and obtained in person at registration. We will not accept advance requests for ticket reservations unless your student is a performer in the show.* Note that there will be a section reserved for students, who can line up outside of each performance prior to showtime.
Grasshopper Night Ticket Availability
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- Each Andover family is eligible to reserve 3 tickets at registration to only ONE of these three performances: Friday at 6:30 p.m., Friday at 9 p.m., or Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
- The Saturday 9 p.m. show will be open admission and will not require pre-reserved tickets. Tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis to those who line up in Steinbach Lobby 30 minutes prior to the show. Again, we cannot guarantee attendance for all in line, as the theatre has a limited capacity.
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Grasshopper Ticket In-Person Pickup
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- Friday 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances—Friday Only at Registration (Oliver Wendell Holmes Library). See hours listed below.
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Saturday 6:30 p.m. Performance—Saturday Only at Registration (Oliver Wendell Holmes Library). See hours listed below.
- Tickets must be presented at Tang Theatre to see the show.
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*If you are a performer’s parent, you will be receiving a separate email communication the week of October 7. Please send us an email if you do not receive this communication.
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Family Weekend Registration Hours
Oliver Wendell Holmes Library
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- Friday, October 25, noon–7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 26, 7 a.m.–noon
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Schedule of Events: The full Family Weekend Schedule can be found on the Andover Event Guides app, available through the Apple App Store or Google Play (for Android users).
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| - Download the Andover Event Guides app.
- Open the app and tap Find Guides (magnifying glass in bottom right corner of the app).
- Tap the Have a passphrase? button.
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Type the passphrase Andover1778 to find the PA Families and Campus Community guide for the latest information and schedule for Family Weekend. Be sure to accept notifications so you will receive notice of any venue or schedule changes.
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Customize your weekend visit by using the My Schedule option within the guide. We hope you will attend as many events as possible!
More Family Weekend questions? Please send us an email.
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Updates from the Sykes Wellness Center |
Last Chance for Student Flu Clinics: The Rebecca M. Sykes Wellness Center will offer free flu vaccines to students on October 11, 15, and 16. Please log in to the Sykes Wellness Center Health Portal and complete the flu consent under the Forms tab if you haven’t done so yet. If your student received the flu vaccine elsewhere, please email documentation to the wellness center.
Student Self-Scheduling Medical Visits: The Sykes Wellness Center will transition to an appointment-based care model for most visits to see a member of the medical team. This change is designed to enhance the overall health-care experience by reducing wait times and enabling students to plan their visits around their busy schedules—similar to how health-care works in settings outside of PA. A communication will be sent to students and families with more information.
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Telecounseling Option with Uwill |
Uwill, a prominent telecounseling solution dedicated to student mental health and wellness, serves as a complementary resource within our Psychological Services Department at the Sykes Wellness Center. Uwill offers a variety of resources, including counseling options (teletherapy) and self-help tools, accessible with ease and confidentiality. Students can connect with a counselor for up to 8 sessions, all without any cost to families.
This program reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. To schedule a session, students should email the Sykes Wellness Center to express their interest in utilizing Uwill. Parents and guardians must provide consent to Uwill before their students can access the service.
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College Athletics Panel Discussion |
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The Department of Athletics and College Counseling Office invite you to our annual College Athletics Panel on October 22 at 7 p.m. via this Zoom link. This program is designed to help prospective college athletes and their families navigate the landscape of college athletic recruitment. Our speakers will include athletics representatives from College of the Holy Cross, William & Mary, and Bowdoin College.
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This panel is appropriate for PA student-athletes in every grade level, and we encourage you to bring your questions for our live Q&A.
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View our fall athletic team photos on SmugMug—and download for free. Go Big Blue!
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lecture at the Peabody |
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Join us on campus to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day with guest speaker David Lowry on Monday, October 14, at 7 p.m. at the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology. Lowry will discuss the intersection of educational institutions like Phillips Academy and their responsibilities to Indigenous histories and modern Indigenous people. Event is free and open to the public.
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David Shane Lowry is assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Southern Maine. He grew up in—and is an enrolled member of—the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and holds degrees from MIT and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Lowry’s first book, Lumbee Pipelines: American Indian Movement in the Residue of Settler Colonialism, will be available in August 2025 from University of Nebraska Press.
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Information regarding the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeastern Festival was sent via email to all students enrolled in lessons and ensembles. Interested students must sign up with the Department of Music before Wednesday, October 23. Questions? Please email the Department of Music.
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Ensuring Andover’s Excellence: A Quick Survey |
Andover is actively engaged in a long-range planning initiative to chart its course for the next 20 to 30 years. This effort requires the wisdom and commitment of our campus and global communities. Families are invited to take a few minutes to fill out a five-question survey that will help us shape the strongest possible future for Andover students.
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PA yearbooks are now on sale! All families are encouraged to order a 2025 Pot Pourri by clicking PA Yearbook. If prompted, enter school code 3591. Yearbooks—full color and typically about 300 pages—will be delivered to campus in May.
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Families of seniors! This section keeps you in the loop on important events and milestones of your student’s final year.
Senior Portraits: Mark Lawerence Photographers will be on campus from Tuesday, November 12, through Friday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The sitting fee is $30, payable via credit card. Photos taken will be submitted directly to the yearbook. Students will receive an email from the Students Activities Office one week prior so they can sign up for a sitting. Families are also welcome to submit your own portrait of your student by email to PA Senior Portraits. The deadline for submitting portraits is January 1. If no photo is submitted, the student’s BlueCard ID photo will be used.
Yearbook Senior Tribute Ad: Our senior tribute pages in Pot Pourri are a fun senior tradition; the yearbook staff hopes you’ll consider participating. Space for tributes to seniors, which are submitted by their family, is available through the yearbook for an additional charge. Follow the directions on the Class of 2025 Yearbook Info flyer to create and purchase your ad. The deadline for submitting senior tributes is Friday, November 15.
Class Rings: You can purchase a class ring for your senior through our vendor, Herff Jones. A representative will be on campus during Family Weekend. Questions? Please email Mike McCann.
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Spiritual & Religious Gatherings |
- 1–1:25 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (MSA) Jummah Prayer: Led by Noureddine El Alam. Meditation Room, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from left side of building)
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5:15 p.m.—Jewish Student Union (JSU) Yom Kippur Service: Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sundown on October 11 and continues through sundown on October 12. Dinner, served at 5:15 p.m., will be followed by Yom Kippur service at 6 p.m. hosted by the JSU and Rabbi Joshua Greenberg. Mural Room, Paresky Commons (second floor)
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5:30–6:30 p.m.—MSA Dinner & Discussion: Led by Noureddine El Alam and members of the MSA. All community members are welcome to join this gathering. Ada’s Room, Paresky Commons (second floor)
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5:30 p.m.—Yom Kippur Break Fast: The Jewish Student Union will host a Break Fast following Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. All are welcome to join the meal and fellowship. Underwood Room, Elson Art Center
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6 p.m.—Protestant Worship: Led by the Reverend Gina M. Finocchiaro, Protestant chaplain. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, music, and spoken reflection. Cochran Chapel
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6:15 p.m.—Catholic Mass: All are welcome to join the PA Catholic community for Mass on Sunday evenings when school is in session. Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic chaplain, with presider Fr. Jack O’Brien and other guest priests from the Archdiocese of Boston. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from left side of building)
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Coming Up!
Tuesday, October 15
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5:30 p.m.—Interfaith Pumpkin Carving Activity: Please join the chaplaincy for our fall term Interfaith gathering. We will carve pumpkins in Flagstaff Courtyard by the Sukkah and enjoy some fall treats (rain location: Susie’s). Finished pumpkins will be on display in the Sukkah and during Catholic and Protestant worship at Cochran Chapel. Flagstaff Courtyard, outside Paresky Commons
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The Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA) is a nonprofit parent-run organization that hosts social gatherings, educational panels, and engagement events throughout the year for students, families, and the broader PA community. Please sign up here to be notified about opportunities to volunteer. We are looking for Class of 2026 and 2028 class representatives. To nominate yourself or someone else, please use this link.
PSPA General Meeting and Social on Family Weekend—Friday October 25, 10:30 a.m.–noon: Join us at the Andover Inn for the PSPA General Meeting and enjoy refreshments while mingling with fellow PA parents. To register, click here.
Also on Family Weekend: We look forward to welcoming you to these PSPA-sponsored or co-sponsored events (see the Family Weekend Schedule of Events for locations):
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PSPA Meet and Connect —Friday, October 25,12:30–2:30 p.m.
- Parent-to-Parent Forum: “Thriving at Andover”—Friday, October 25, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- All Parents Reception—Saturday, October 26, 5–7 p.m.
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Shop this Friday from noon to 4 p.m.: Stop by Campus Closet, located on the lower level of George Washington Hall, for Andover gear for your whole family—or shop online 24/7.
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Crew members needed: Campus Closet relies on parent volunteers. If you are able to volunteer for a shift in October, please sign up here.
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October 11 in Tokyo: An Andover Dinner with Alumni and Parents
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October 15—Virtual: Andover’s Foundation & Future with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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October 22 in Greenwich: Andover’s Foundation & Future with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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October 25–27 on Campus: Family Weekend 2024
- November 2 in New York: Citymeals on Wheels Fall Non Sibi Project with Marcia McCabe ’73
- November 2 in Maine: Center for Wildlife Fall Non Sibi Project with Tiffany Horne Noonan ’99
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November 7 on Campus and Virtual: 15th Annual Veterans Day Program and Dinner
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November 9 in Philadelphia: Andover-Exeter Viewing Party
- November 12—Virtual: Blue Runs Deep: Conversations with Alumni in Food & Beverage
- December 4 in Chicago: Andover’s Foundation & Future with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
- December 12 in New York
: Andover’s Foundation & Future with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
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Keep an eye on the Academy’s Events Calendar for gatherings in your area and an array of campus and other events that may be open to families (i.e., special student presentations; music, theatre, and dance performances; and athletic competitions). Please join us!
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The Office of Family Engagement is here to support you throughout the school year! If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Director Jennifer Vasquez or call 978-749-4068.
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Phillips Academy
180 Main St. | Andover, MA 01810 US
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You received this message because you are a valued member of the Andover community. We are obligated to communicate with you, and require you to be on our email list while your student(s) attends Phillips Academy. For more information contact the Dean of Studies Office.
© 2024
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