Dear Andover families,

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to monitor the impact of the Coronavirus. We remain focused on the health and wellbeing of our community and the individual care and support of students with family and friends in affected regions.

In anticipation of Spring Break (March 7 – 23), we want to ensure that all students are well cared for and have a place to go. As mentioned in Monday’s email, we have begun collecting information on students’ Spring Break plans via the REACH system. Please encourage your student to complete the information as soon as possible, and no later than Monday, February 10. Students who are unsure of their plans at this time, due to travel restrictions or other hardships, have been instructed to be in touch directly with their cluster dean and their point person. This process and communication will help ensure that we are able to identify every student who needs support.

Some parents have asked about alternatives to their child going home due to the current travel restrictions. In response, we would like to share two programs, unaffiliated with PA, which offer trips within the United States during the Academy’s Spring Break:

In addition, the Academy has reached out to our dedicated network of host families asking whether they may have the capacity to house a student over break. Once we learn of availability and student needs, we will help facilitate those connections. If you are an international family needing assistance connecting with a host family, please reach out to Kelicia Hollis, international student coordinator.

We recognize the challenges and concerns many families are facing during this time of uncertainty. If you sense that your child is experiencing anxiety and would like to talk with someone, encourage them to speak with their house counselor, advisor, cluster dean, or with the staff of the Sykes Wellness Center.

The Academy’s crisis response team will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will provide updates as needed. Thank you, as always, for your support.

Sincerely,

Linda Carter Griffith
Associate Head of School for Equity, Inclusion and Wellness

Jenny Elliott ’94, P’22
Assistant Head of School for Residential Life and Dean of Students