September 29 Highlights

Student Support | Grasshopper Night Tickets | Thriving at Andover

Patience, Persistence, and Resilience

As we head into fall, the weather is changing and students are studying hard, discovering new interests, and making friends. And their workload is increasing. This is bound to cause some emotional ups and downs in classes—and in daily life both on and off campus. We hope your student is practicing patience, asking for help as needed, getting a good night’s sleep, and having faith that their journey in all their classes will be rewarding. Here is a link to a helpful article for parents—Returning to School—sent to us by Dr. Suniya Luthar, whose research involves vulnerability and resilience among various populations, including youth in poverty, children in families affected by mental illness, and youth and parents (especially mothers) in high-achieving, pressured communities.

Support on Campus: Click here to see some of the resources available when your child needs support.

1. The Academic Skills Center: Open Monday–Friday. Students can request a peer tutor for math, computer science, biology, chemistry, physics, and world languages. They can also request to meet with a specialist to work on:

Time management
Organization
Study skills (including note taking!)

2. Study Centers: Open Monday–Thursday, 8–9:15 p.m.

Math—staffed by at least one math teacher
Science—staffed by at least one science teacher
Writing—drop in or make an appointment

3. Quiet Study Spaces: Quiet study spaces are located throughout campus. The Gelb Science Center, CAMD, Brace Center for Gender Studies, Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, Addison Gallery, and Clift Music Library in Graves Hall all offer evening study hours.

Flu Vaccine Clinic for Students

If you would like your student to receive the flu vaccine on campus on Friday, October 14 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.), the Sykes Wellness Center will need a Flu Consent form on file. If you have not yet completed the form, please visit the Sykes Wellness Center Health Portal, log in, and click the Forms tab. Students will be prompted next week to sign up for a time slot for their flu vaccine.

If your child receives/has received the flu vaccine elsewhere, please upload documentation to the Sykes Wellness Center Health Portal.

Whiffenpoofs to Sing at PA Tomorrow

Families are invited to a performance by the Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group, on Friday, September 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium. Founded at Yale in 1909, the “Whiffs” began as a senior quartet that met weekly at Mory’s Temple Bar. Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated traditions. Singing a mixture of old Yale tunes, jazz standards, and other hits from across the decades, the Whiffenpoofs perform more than 200 concerts across six continents each year. This event is free and open to the public.

Mathematics for Human Flourishing

Join the campus community for a conversation with Professor Francis Su of Harvey Mudd College on Friday, October 7, at 7 p.m. in Kemper Auditorium. Su will help us see that math is more than just a way to describe the world, more than just a set of skills like doing arithmetic or factoring a quadratic. Math, says Su, is a deeply human enterprise that fulfills basic human longings, such as for beauty and truth, and when properly engaged, it builds virtues like persistence, creativity, and a competence to solve problems you’ve never seen before. This talk is geared toward a wide audience, especially those who do not see themselves as “math people.” This event is free and open to the public.

Get Ready for Family Weekend

We can’t wait to see you on campus for Family Weekend, October 14–16. Please register 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. The Family Weekend webpage has additional information, including area hotels, a campus map, frequently asked questions, and more. Please note that if you wish to attend a Grasshopper Night live performance, you must register for tickets separately (see below).

Click here for a special Big Blue video welcome to Family Weekend. We are all very excited to show you what your students have been working on and all that the campus has to offer. This includes hearing from our 16th head of school, Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD P’24; individual class panels with Q&A; classroom visits; athletic competitions; and more!

Be sure to download the Andover Event Guides app (instructions below) and check back often for updates. We look forward to welcoming you to campus soon. Go Big Blue!

Families: Register Now for Grasshopper Night Tickets

Click here to register for tickets for Grasshopper Night, the popular student-directed talent show. Performances will take place Friday, October 14 (6:30 & 9 p.m.), and Saturday, October 15 (6:30 & 9 p.m.). Choose the performance you would like to attend (one show only please) and register as soon as possible.

Don’t worry if a particular performance is sold out. All Grasshopper Night performances will be simulcast in Kemper Auditorium!

If your student would like to sit with your family, please be sure to include them when registering for tickets. Everyone who wishes to attend a show will need a ticket.
If you registered for a performance, tickets will be included with your Family Weekend registration materials—which can be picked up in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library on Friday, October 14, noon–7 p.m., or Saturday, October 15, 7 a.m.–noon. If you are unable stop by during these times, please be sure to have your student pick up your registration materials for you.
Ticketholders must arrive early to Tang Theatre! Your entire party must arrive at Tang Theatre in George Washington Hall 20–30 minutes prior to showtime to secure your seats for the show. Doors will close 5 minutes prior to showtime and there will be no admittance after that, even if you have a ticket.

Download the Andover Event Guides App

The full schedule for Family Weekend can be found on the Andover Event Guides app, available through the Apple App Store or Google Play (for android users).

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.
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.

Customize your weekend visit by using the My Schedule option within the guide. We hope you will attend as many events as possible! If you are unable to download the app, please refer to the schedule online. Be sure to check back here often as we are continuously updating and adding events to the schedule.

Note that students do NOT have classes on Monday, October 17, or Tuesday, October 18. Family Weekend questions? Please contact Mary Corcoran at 978-749-4524 or Meaghan Blanchard at 978-749-4291.

News from the PSPA

PSPA Speaker Series Video: In case you missed it, a recording of the September 20 PSPA Speaker Series featuring Head of School Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, Associate Head of School for Equity, Inclusion, and Wellness Linda Carter Griffith, and Dean of Studies Caroline Odden P’26 is now available on The Hive under Informational Videos.

Get Involved! We are always looking for volunteers. A great way to meet other parents and interact with students is to volunteer at PSPA Campus Closet, our parent-run school store that sells a popular assortment of PA merchandise. Sign up here.

Andover-Themed Book Club: Looking for a way to connect with other parents, dive into a story, and engage in the Andover community? This year, the PSPA Virtual Book Club will explore four books either written by alumni or read in English classes at PA. The club will gather via Zoom. Our first book will be In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez ’67, to be discussed Sunday, November 6, at 8 p.m. ET. You are welcome to join any or all meetings! Please register here for the Zoom links.

Family Weekend Panel on Parenting

Parent-to-Parent Forum: “Thriving at Andover”—Friday, October 14, 2:30–3:30 p.m.: You are invited to Kemper Auditorium for a conversation about parenting PA students. Fellow parents will share their families’ Andover experiences, and topics will include adjusting to Andover life as well as challenges faced by adolescents. A panel of experienced PA parents will be accompanied by Amy Patel, MD, P’26, dean of health and wellness and chief medical officer; Vivian Baez, interim director of psychological services; Susan Tsao Esty, PhD, P’22, dean of students; and Laura Warner, director of Student Accessibility Services and Academic Skills Center. Your questions will be welcome!

Spiritual & Religious Gatherings

For general information about our chaplains, faith communities, worship, and student clubs, please visit our website.

Upcoming Jewish Holidays: The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) begins on the evening of Tuesday, October 4. This is one of the most significant holidays on the Jewish calendar. Students who are not able to be with their families have access to local synagogue services, with arrangements made through our Jewish chaplain, Rabbi Michael Swarttz

Friday, September 30

1 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (MSA) Sermon/Jumma Prayer: Led by Mr. El Alam. Meditation Room, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from the outside, left side of building). 5:30–6:30 p.m.—MSA Club Dinner and Discussion: Everyone in the community is welcome to join this gathering. Ada’s Room, upper level of Paresky Commons.
5:30 p.m—Jewish Student Union (JSU) Shabbat Celebration: All are welcome. Paul’s Room, upper level of Paresky Commons.

Sunday, October 2

6 p.m.—Protestant (Ecumenical) Service: Led by Rev. Gina M. Finocchiaro, Protestant chaplain. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, and spoken reflection! Cochran Chapel (main chapel).
6:15 p.m.—Catholic Mass: Note time change from past years. 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. Student leaders participate in liturgical roles as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and musicians, and help with hospitality. Mass is followed by hospitality and fellowship with snacks and refreshments, and sometimes short programming by Catholic Student Fellowship (CSF) leaders. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter from the outside, left side of building)

Please join our hospitality team! We are rebuilding our parent hospitality team to help with set-up, serving, and clean-up at our fellowship time after Mass. (Families are also welcome to provide snacks.) If you would like to be a part of this team or have questions, please email Mary Kantor.

You Are Invited!

Join us in person for An Evening with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, as he meets with the Andover community in these four cities:

November 15 in San Francisco

December 6 in New York

February 21 in Los Angeles—Save the Date

March 13 in Atlanta—Save the Date

September 30 on Campus: The Wiffenpoofs a cappella group from Yale
October 1 on Campus: 2022 Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon
October 6 in Jakarta: An Andover Evening, with Thom Lockerby and Ellen Sullivan
October 8 on Campus: Piano Masterclass, with Steve Hunt
October 9 in Singapore: An Andover Evening, with Thom Lockerby and Ellen Sullivan
October 9 on Campus: Piano Recital, with Steve Hunt
October 10 in Bangkok: An Andover Evening, with Thom Lockerby and Ellen Sullivan
October 12: Peabody Diggin’ In Series: TrowelBlazers, with Dr. Suzanne E. Pilaar Birch
October 14–16 on Campus: Family Weekend 2022
October 19: A Session with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24
October 24: Blue Runs Deep Industry Series, A Conversation with Alumni in Journalism
November 10 on Campus: 13th Annual Veterans Day Program and Dinner with CPT Alexandra Bell Farr ’13, U.S. Army
November 12 on Campus: Andover-Exeter Games
November 28 in London: An Andover Evening, with Thom Lockerby and Ellen Sullivan
December 1 in Dubai: An Andover Evening, with Thom Lockerby and Ellen Sullivan

All events are virtual unless otherwise noted. Keep an eye on the Alumni & Families Events Calendar for gatherings in your area—and check the Academy’s Events calendar for additional campus and other events that may be open to families (i.e., special student presentations, music, theatre, and dance performances, and athletic competitions).

PA Visitor/Guest Health & Safety Guidelines

On-Campus Visitors: In consideration of the health and safety of visitors and our campus community, we expect visitors to be up to date with COVID vaccination, if eligible. Any visitor who is ineligible or has a medical or religious exemption must mask indoors at all times when on campus. We expect visitors to stay off campus if they have any symptoms of illness and to mask if they develop any symptoms while on campus. We expect visitors to mask at all times or stay off campus if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID in the last 10 days. In the spirit of non sibi (not for self), the Academy trusts that campus visitors will follow these guidelines.

Guests at Off-Campus/Regional Events: In consideration of the health and safety of our Andover community, we ask attendees to be up to date with COVID vaccination. We require all attendees to adhere to the public health guidelines established by the CDC and your state and local health officials, as well as to follow venue guidelines and regulations that are in place at the time of the event. Venue-specific guidelines will be shared close to the event date. Prior to attending, we ask that you monitor your health. If you are feeling unwell, please plan to stay home. In the spirit of non sibi, the Academy trusts that those in attendance will follow these guidelines.

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Phillips Academy
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Andover, MA 01810

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