Get Ready for Family Weekend!

We are very excited to welcome families back to campus October 21–24. A beautiful fall weekend is expected, but please check the forecast before heading to campus. Plan/pack accordingly and wear comfortable shoes—Phillips Academy is a walking campus! Events begin Thursday evening with a gathering for international families.

This special edition of the Family Bulletin, which replaces our regular Thursday issue, is full of important Family Weekend information and reminders:

COVID-19 protocols/masks: In consideration of the health and safety of visitors and our campus community, we ask that attendees who are eligible be fully vaccinated and wear masks for indoor events, except when eating. We ask that you monitor your health prior to visiting campus. If you are feeling unwell, please plan to stay home. In the spirit of non sibi (not for self), the Academy trusts that those in attendance will follow these guidelines.
Your student can request a Family Weekend overnight off campus: Because the campus is currently at the lowest COVID-19 transmission risk level (explained in this email sent to parents and students yesterday and on the COVID-19 Testing Dashboard), fully vaccinated boarding students can now use the REACH system to request and receive overnight permissions. REACH requests for Family Weekend overnights must be submitted by Wednesday (tomorrow) evening. Please remind your student!
Parking: Please reference this campus map for parking options.
Wi-Fi access: To connect to campus Wi-Fi, select PA-OPEN-GUEST. No username or password required.
Registration/check-in: Advance registration for Family Weekend is now closed. All families are welcome to join us on campus beginning at noon this Friday, October 22. Hours for Registration/Check-In—at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library—are Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m
“Classroom Visits” schedule: Your student’s Saturday morning Classroom Visits schedule is now available on The Hive. The link to your student’s schedule is located beneath your student’s photo and labeled Family Weekend Schedule. To expedite campus check-in, please consider taking a snapshot of the schedule and storing it on your phone—or bring a printed copy with you.
Download The Hive app: For your convenience while on campus, we encourage you to download The Hive app from Google Play or the Apple App Store as soon as possible.
Be sure you can log onto The Hive before you arrive on campus: Your username is a combination of your first initial last name plus 4 digits (Example: jdoe1978). Questions? The Technology Help Desk—available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by email or phone (978-749-4357)—can assist with login issues or forgotten credentials.
Get the full Family Weekend schedule: The schedule for Family Weekend can be found on the new Andover Event Guides App, available through both app stores.

Download the Andover Event Guides App. (Apple App Store | Google Play)
Open the Andover Event Guides App and tap Find Guides (the magnifying glass in the bottom right corner of the app).
Tap Have a passphrase?
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.)
Once you have opened the PA Families and Campus Community Guide, please select the three bars in the upper left of the screen to see the full schedule. We invite you to customize your weekend visit using the My Schedule option within the guide—and hope you attend as many events as possible!

If you are unable to download the app, please review the schedule of events online. A printed Family Weekend schedule will be available at registration.

Individual teacher conferences not available: Given the number of events scheduled throughout the weekend, teachers, house counselors, and advisors are unable to hold individual conferences with parents. If you have specific questions, please connect with your child’s point person.

Family Weekend Questions? Please reference these Frequently Asked Questions—or contact Mary Corcoran at 978-749-4524 or Carla Castillo at 978-749-4289.

Student Flu Vaccines on Friday

Your student will receive a flu vaccine at the Gelb Tent on Friday, October 22, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. 1) if you completed a Flu Consent form (available on the Sykes Wellness Center Health Portal) and 2) if your student signed up for a time slot (they received a flu vaccine email urging them to do so last week). Questions? Please contact the Rebecca M. Sykes Wellness Center at 978-749-4455.

Special Videos Ready to View Now

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 as well as post-Andover. He will discuss how Andover’s inclusive and equitable learning community provides an environment where students master concepts and skills, see themselves connected to what they are learning and doing, and think expansively, independently, and creatively in their courses.

The Network of Student Support—Director of Studies David Fox will explain a unique network of faculty and staff that works in coordination to support each Andover student, talk about ways in which the network helps guide each student’s journey, highlight some offices and spaces on campus that students find particularly helpful, and share some observations about how students are faring as we approach the pandemic’s third year.

What To Do Outside of Class?—Learn more about the different types of clubs and activities available to your child beyond their academics and sport activities. You’ll hear from current student club leaders, including Amara Neal ’22, Model UN, F-Stop (photography); Jay Aziabor ’22, The Phillipian student newspaper; Kate Horton ’22, Drama Lab producer; Sophie Glaser ’22, Mock Trial Club; Katherine Bell ’22, Art for Expression; and Claire Cahill ’23, Astronomy Club.

For Families Who Cannot Be on Campus

Along with sharing the three videos noted above, we will be livestreaming several events: All-School Meeting with Head of School Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, P’24; PSPA events and discussions; and other presentations related to student wellness, the academic curriculum, and the role of student clubs on campus. Please visit the Livestreams section of our Family Weekend webpage. You can also access the links through The Hive via the FW Videos page. Some of these events will also be recorded for future viewing.

Family Weekend Religious Services

Please note: Masks will be required at ALL indoor gatherings.

Friday, October 22
1 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (MSA) Jummah Prayers: Led by Noureddine El Alam P’19, ’21. Meditation Room, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter on left side of the building)

5:30–6:30 p.m.—Jewish Shabbat Service and JSU Meeting: Led by Rabbi Michael Swarttz. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter on left side of the building)

Sunday, October 24
6 p.m.—Ecumenical Protestant Worship: Led by Rev. Gina M. Finocchiaro '97, interim Protestant chaplain. All are welcome for this time of scripture, prayer, spoken reflection and music! Cochran Chapel, main level

6:45–7:30 p.m.—Roman Catholic Mass: Overseen by Dr. Mary Kantor, Catholic chaplain, with priests of the Archdiocese of Boston presiding. Reception will follow. Kemper Chapel, lower level of Cochran Chapel (enter on left side of the building)

Family Bulletin Archive »

Phillips Academy
180 Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

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