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A Big Family Weekend Thank You
Thank you to those who were able to join us on campus for Family Weekend. More than 1,200 family members checked in! We hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather, spending quality time with your student, and learning more about Andover’s program.
Your survey feedback is essential: You were emailed a confidential survey on Monday to help us strengthen future Family Weekend programming. If you have not yet completed the Family Weekend survey, please take 3 minutes to do so now. It only needs to be completed once. The survey closes on Saturday, October 30.
If you were unable to attend Family Weekend, please take a minute to complete this condensed survey. Thank you for your feedback!
Family Weekend programs, performances, and photo galleries
Our curriculum, student support, and clubs and activities
In case you missed them, we offer another look at these videos shared prior to Family Weekend:
- Curriculum 101: What’s Distinctive about Andover’s Academic Program?—Dean of Studies Raj Mundra P’18, ’20, shares an overview of Andover’s curriculum highlighting how an excellent liberal arts program is essential to student learning now.
- The Network of Student Support—Director of Studies David Fox explains a unique network of faculty and staff that works in coordination to support each Andover student and shares observations about how students are faring as we approach the pandemic’s third year.
- What To Do Outside of Class?—Join student club leaders and Chris Capano, director of student activities, to learn more about the different types of clubs and activities available to your child beyond academics and sports.
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Course Requests for Winter Term
Students will prepare and submit course requests for winter term over the next two weeks. Materials were posted on Friday, October 22, and the deadline for advisors to submit requests is Friday, November 5.
Each student will work with their advisor to determine remaining diploma requirements, which of their current courses or sequences will continue in winter, and what space they might have to choose electives. Students should have conversations with adults (including parents) about what the winter might look like in big-picture terms, including sports commitments, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, health, and well-being.
We hope the advising process will teach students not only how to navigate complex systems like our program, but also how to make good decisions for themselves wherever they have options. House counselors, current teachers, cluster deans, coaches, and the staff of the Academic Skills Center and the Sykes Wellness Center can be helpful as students figure out whether to take on more, cut back, make a change, or stretch themselves. Course requests also offer an opportunity to help students develop flexibility and resilience.
More information: Information about various academic policies related to course requests can be found in The Blue Book; diploma requirements and course descriptions can be found in the Course of Study. Both documents are on The Hive under the Resources tab.
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Academic Integrity Video
As end of term approaches, be sure to watch this Academic Integrity video featuring student body co-presidents Mary Muromcew ’22 and Sean Meng ’22. This six-minute video, shared several weeks ago in the Family Bulletin, does much to clarify Andover’s philosophy and policies regarding academic integrity. We appreciate your support in helping your child make the best decisions possible.
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Travel Over Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
Phillips Academy will offer transportation to and from New York City, with a stop in Darien, Connecticut, for Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. Students can sign up for one-way travel ($90) or roundtrip ($150). For Thanksgiving break, buses depart at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 19, and return Wednesday, December 1. For Winter break, buses depart at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, and return to campus Monday, January 3. Drop-off and pick-up occur at the service plazas in Darien and at Dock 2 at the Port Authority Bus South Terminal in New York City. Information and form access has been shared with all boarding students. Parents can get answers to travel questions and access to the online forms on The Hive.
For transportation to Logan (Boston) and Manchester (N.H.) airports or South Station, arrangements can be made with private taxi and limousine service providers. A list of service providers regularly used by members of the PA community is available on The Hive.
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Health and Wellness Update
As of Wednesday, October 27, the PA campus/community’s COVID-19 transmission risk level continues to be Green (lowest risk). The campus testing positivity rate in the past seven days is .17 percent. Please visit our COVID-19 Testing Dashboard for public health metrics, local and campus risk levels based on our best available data, and the resulting action plan for the upcoming week from Dr. Amy Patel, Sykes Wellness Center medical director.
Student Flu Clinic: We had a successful flu vaccine clinic this past Friday. Students who missed it have been notified that they can still receive a flu vaccine this week at the Sykes Wellness Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday (tomorrow). Student should sign up on their Health Portal.
As of October 27, 67 percent of PA students have received the flu vaccine—one of the best ways to prevent getting the flu. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all children 6 months and older receive a seasonal influenza vaccine yearly (unless you have a rare reason not to receive it, which you should discuss with your PCP).
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Learning in the World
Learning in the World (LITW) offers your student a variety of ways to experience the world throughout the 2021–2022 school year! Visit the LITW website to find out about our faculty-led programs that will take place during March break and summer vacation—as well as opportunities with our affiliates in places such as South Africa, Europe, the Bahamas, and the United States. Explore this map to see many of the locations of LITW experiential learning programs since 2014.
In addition, students will have immersive learning experiences all year long in classes and co-curricular activities in partnership with LITW, and many students and faculty will take part in virtual exchanges hosted by affiliates such as Envoys, GEBG, and Engineering World Health. Questions? Please email Mark Cutler, LITW director.
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2022 AP Exam Registration
College Board is currently planning for paper and pencil Advanced Placement (AP) exams to take place on campus. Registration will take place over two time periods:
- Early registration: October 11–November 10
- Late registration: February 9–March 9, 2022
AP exams will be given from May 2 to 13, 2022. Click here for specific information on registration and exam dates and fees. Students will be sent an email with registration instructions from the PA Standardized Testing Office. Exam fees will be paid through the Course Material Fee included as part of tuition and will be processed through a special account in the spring. You do not need to add funds to your student’s BlueCard.
Please note: AP exams are optional and not required for college applications. Student grades are more important than AP exam scores. Students who are unsure about taking AP exams should speak to a teacher or college counselor.
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News from Parent Development
Thank you to everyone who attended this past weekend’s session with Secretary of the Academy Thom Lockerby to educate our families on Academy finances and philanthropy. For those who were unable to join in, please note that we will be sharing a recording shortly.
Our office extends special thanks to our Parent Fund Committee members; Co-Chairs Monica and Malcolm Palmer ’89, P’23; Vice Co-Chairs Bach and Peter Weissman P’21, ’23, ’25; and the many other parents who joined us throughout Family Weekend. Questions and feedback about the weekend are welcome! Please contact Katherine Solimini, associate director of Parent Development, via email or call 978-749-4583.
A fellow PA parent may be contacting you: In the coming weeks, you may be contacted by a Parent Fund Committee volunteer—a fellow PA parent—to encourage your support of the Parent Fund. Please engage with them and feel free to ask questions. Every gift counts toward our collective aspiration of 100 percent parent participation.
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News from the PSPA
It was an absolute pleasure to meet and connect in person with those who came to campus for Family Weekend. We hope you found the various programming helpful and informative. A Big Blue thank you for visiting the PSPA’s Campus Closet. Wear your PA gear proudly!
Volunteers needed for Senior Oasis, Friday, November 5: Over the past few years, “Senior Oasis” has become a new tradition. The College Counseling Office, PSPA, and Equity, Balance, and Inclusion groups team up to host this event at the Snyder Center to mark the end of early applications—a stressful time for many seniors—and to celebrate wellness. Many fun surprises are planned. The event runs from 11:15 a.m. to 1:25 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with setup and cleanup in two time slots—10:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. or 12:15–2:15 p.m. Please sign up here and lend a hand if you can!
Save the date:
Virtual Book Club—Sunday, November 7, 8–9 p.m. EST: We are excited to kick off the year with our first book club meeting. All are welcome! We will be discussing The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennet. Email us to receive your Zoom invitation.
Andover-Exeter Weekend, Saturday, November 13: Join us in Exeter, New Hampshire, and cheer for Andover teams as they go up against longtime sports rival Phillips Exeter Academy. Please consider volunteering at the PSPA tent! Signup will be available next week.
Virtual Parent Mixer, Thursday, November 18, 8 p.m. EST: All parents/guardians are invited to come together and connect with other Phillips Academy families. Bring your own beverage, relax, and come “Zoom” with fellow PA parents from around the globe. RSVP today!
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Wanted: Books for Children in South Africa
For a Non Sibi 365 project, Adaora Mbanefo ’24 is collecting new and gently used children’s books for the HMPITJE Foundation, a nonprofit in South Africa with the mission of “improving the future through education.” Before donating any gently used books, please make sure that they are in good condition with no tears or writing in them and that they are appropriate for children in preschool or K–8 grades. Local families who would like to contribute books are asked to email Monique Cueto-Potts, Community Engagement director, or call 978-749-4140 to arrange for drop-off.
Picture books and novels will be collected through Friday, November 5. Adaora will distribute them when she returns home to South Africa for winter break. Thank you!
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Addison Virtual Gallery Talk
Wednesday, November 10, at 2 p.m. ET: Curator Gordon Wilkins will explore works and themes from the exhibition Learning to Look: The Addison at 90, which celebrates the museum’s 90th anniversary. This program is presented in conjunction with Andover’s Memorial Hall Library. Register here.
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Pre-Order Yearbook and Save
Andover’s official school yearbook, Pot Pourri 2022, is now accepting pre-orders on or before December 1 for $100—a $25 savings! Order the Pot Pourri online and enter school code 3591. Order forms are also available on The Hive. Yearbooks will be delivered to students in mid-May.
Submit a “family message” for your senior: Express pride and love and congratulate your soon-to-be-graduate with a fun and heartfelt ad in the yearbook. Choose from several sizes and include your own special message and photo(s). Please download the order form, which includes instructions for submitting ad materials and payment. Deadline for submission is January 15, 2022. Note that Pot Pourri 2022 is a full-color yearbook, but we do offer black and white ad options.
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This Week’s Religious Services
Friday, October 29
- 1 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (MSA) Jummah Prayers: Led by Noureddine El Alam. Meditation Room, lower level of Cochran Chapel (side entrance).
- 5:30–6:30 p.m.—Jewish Shabbat Service and JSU Meeting: Led by Rabbi Michael Swarttz. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (side entrance).
Sunday, October 31
- 6 p.m.—Ecumenical Protestant Dinner Worship: Led by Rev. Gina M. Finocchiaro, interim Protestant chaplain. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, and spoken reflection. Ada’s Room, upper level of Paresky Commons.
- 6:45–7:30 p.m.—Roman Catholic Mass: Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic chaplain, with priests of the Archdiocese of Boston presiding. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (side entrance). Reception will follow.
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You Are Invited!
All events are virtual unless otherwise noted. Please join us!
Please check the Events Calendar on Andover’s website regularly for additional in-person and online events that may be open to families. The Weekender, the Academy’s one-stop guide to weekend student activities, opportunities, club-organized events, guest speakers, performances, and athletic contests, is posted on The Hive.
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Phillips Academy
180 Main St.
Andover, MA 01810
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