Welcome to the New School Year! |
The 2024–2025 academic year is off to a great start. Students are excited to be on campus, reuniting with old friends and making new ones. Faculty and staff are energized, ready to teach and learn, and eager to get to know your child.
Classes Begin Tomorrow (Friday): Shortly before the start of classes, Head of School Raynard Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27, will join the Class of 2025 for the annual Vista Walk, which begins near Main Street and processes along the Chandler-Wormley Vista to the steps of Samuel Phillips Hall. Started by 14th head of school Barbara Landis Chase, this tradition previews the pathway seniors will walk at Commencement in June.
Closed Weekend: This weekend is a “closed weekend,” which means there will be no day excuses, car permissions, or overnight excuses granted for boarding students to leave campus through Sunday, September 8. All students are required to attend cluster meetings Friday evening and class events on Sunday—important opportunities to get to know one another, build community, and have fun with their classmates.
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A Big Blue welcome! Head of School Raynard Kington joined Blue Key spirit leaders on Wednesday morning to greet new students and their families arriving for registration at the Snyder Center. A link to more photos and videos from this first week on campus will be provided in next week’s Family Bulletin. (Photo by Henry Marte)
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From the Dean of Students Office |
The 2024–2025 Blue Book, your student’s go-to resource for our shared values, community standards, and behavioral expectations, is now available on The Hive. We revised The Blue Book this summer as we do almost every year. Among other smaller changes, you will notice that the Responses to Student Conduct section no longer refers to different levels of behaviors. We decided to remove these references in an effort to further emphasize the non-disciplinary and supportive nature of a Growth and Accountability Plan (GAP). We also eliminated the concept of a conference for a GAP.
In addition, the Attendance and Absences section that appeared in the spring Course of Study was revised to reflect current policy and moved to The Blue Book. (The latest Course of Study is available on The Hive).
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Academic Integrity: How You Can Help |
At the start of each term, students will engage in programming to help them better understand the principles and practices of academic integrity. Programming includes discussion of academic integrity in each class and advising group, and it concludes with each student confirming their understanding of the parameters of doing good intellectual work in an academic community.
While each student is responsible for adhering to the rules and guidelines governing academic integrity, there are three ways parents/guardians can help:
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- Please wait until your child has submitted an assignment before discussing it, reading it, looking at it, listening to it, etc. Every idea, piece of data, word, punctuation mark, etc., must be the student’s own. Students may not receive help on any assignment from family, friends, tutors, or the internet, except as part of peer-editing and workshopping in class or as an explicit part of a collaborative assignment.
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Please note that, as the Course of Study states, each student is the only person permitted to use their Phillips Academy credentials. No one else, including parents/guardians, may access a student’s Phillips Academy email, PAnet, or Canvas sites.
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If your child is uncertain about the parameters of an assignment or is feeling overwhelmed, please encourage them to contact their teachers for help, which may include requesting an extension. It is always better to receive a lower grade on an assignment or receive no credit for completing it than to violate the Academy’s rules regarding academic integrity. Throughout the year, all students have access to a range of great resources, including: their teachers, who are available during Conference Periods; the Academic Skills Center, located in Pearson Hall; the evening Writing Center, located in the library; and the Math/Science Center, located in the Gelb Science Center.
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Update on Mosquito-Borne Illnesses |
We want to keep you informed about two mosquito-borne illnesses—Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV)—and the school’s response.
While Andover remains in a low-risk category, several nearby towns are considered at moderate risk, and some more distant towns are considered at high risk. Phillips Academy has been in close communication with the town of Andover. Earlier this month, the town proactively sprayed with a mosquito barrier protection that offers at least 90 days of mosquito protection. Students are advised to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites by using an insect repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. When outdoors, student will be advised to wear long pants, shirts with long sleeves, and socks to cover their skin.
EEE and WNV are rare but potentially serious diseases that are caused by viruses transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito. Some people do not experience any symptoms. For those who do, symptoms may include fever, chills, body aches, and low energy. As always, any student who is feeling ill should go to the Sykes Wellness Center.
At this time, no adjustments will be made to any of our school activities or schedules. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will make adjustments and send updates as needed.
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Shipping Packages to Your Student |
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At the start of a new school year, Central Services receives and processes a very large volume of incoming mail and packages for students. Central Services is unexpectedly operating with a limited staff over the next several weeks, which may delay package delivery. We ask for your patience during this time.
As a reminder, all items should be sent to this central address (not to dorms):
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Student’s FULL Name (no nicknames, please)
Phillips Academy
180 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
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Students may retrieve mail and small parcels from their student mailbox. For boarders, large items are delivered to the common room of student dorms. Please review Mailroom Policies for what items cannot be accepted.
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A PSAT exam will be offered to PA 11th-graders on Wednesday, October 9. Registration is open now through Sunday, September 15. Students have received a registration link via email. The $28 exam fee will be deducted from the student’s Course Materials Account.
The PSAT is a practice exam for the SAT. It tests the same skills and knowledge and can be a predictor of how one would score if they took the SAT. This will be a digital exam that students will take on their own device, Windows laptop or tablet, Mac laptop, or iPad. Specific instructions will be given to registered students. Tenth-graders will be offered a practice PSAT in the spring. For complete details, click here.
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Students interested in private lessons are encouraged to complete this Private Lessons Agreement Form. Private lessons begin the week of September 15.
To rent a musical instrument, students should complete this Instrument Request Form.
If students need a locker space for musical instruments, they should complete this Locker Request Form as soon as possible.
Questions? Please email the Department of Music.
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Phillips Academy will host a College Fair on Monday, September 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Snyder Center. The fair offers local high school students and their families an ideal opportunity to familiarize themselves with a wide range of colleges and universities. Representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities from around the world will be available to answer individual questions and provide informational literature. Click here for a current list of registered schools.
The fair is open to the public and admission is free. Once on campus, please follow the signs to available parking. Please note that students cannot miss any PA commitments to attend the College Fair.
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Yearbooks are now on sale! All families are encouraged to order a 2025 Pot Pourri, Phillips Academy’s yearbook, 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! Stay informed with key updates, deadlines, and highlights of your student’s final year. This section keeps you in the loop on important events and milestones!
Senior Portraits: Photographers will be on campus this fall to take formal senior portrait shots. You are also welcome to submit your own portraits by email to PA Senior Portraits. The deadline for submitting portraits is January 1, 2025.
Yearbook Family Tribute Messages: Our senior tribute pages in Pot Pourri are a fun senior tradition; we hope you’ll consider participating. These tribute messages are available through the yearbook for an additional charge. Follow the directions on the Class of 2025 Yearbook Info flyer to create and purchase your message.
Class Rings: Parents of seniors can purchase class rings through our vendor, Herff Jones. A representative will be on campus during Family Weekend in October. If you have any questions, please email Mike McCann.
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Greetings from Family Giving |
Welcome to all parents, guardians, and grandparents to the 2024–2025 school year! The Family Giving team is delighted to have you as part of the Andover family. It was great meeting many new families at our Meet & Greet during Opening of School, and we look forward to connecting with more of you this fall.
Please Get Involved: We are currently seeking parents and guardians to join the Andover Fund Parent Committee (AFPC). In close partnership with the Family Giving team, AFPC volunteers engage in peer-to-peer fundraising to raise critical support for the Academy. Through their outreach to fellow families, AFPC members help enhance the student experience, advance the Academy’s highest priorities, and strengthen PA parent connections around the globe.
If you would like to learn more about joining the AFPC, please contact Katherine Solimini, associate director of Family Giving, at 978-749-4583 or by email. No prior fundraising experience is necessary. We would love to hear from you!
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Save the Date: Family Weekend |
We look forward to welcoming families back to campus for Family Weekend, Friday October 25, to Sunday, October 27. Note that students will not have classes on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29. More information will be coming your way soon, and registration will open next week.
Family Weekend provides a special glimpse into your child’s daily life at Andover through classroom visits with your child’s teachers, student performances, and more. Highlights include:
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- All-School Meeting with Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27
- Meeting with your boarding student’s house counselor or your day student’s advisor
- Cheering on your child during their athletic competitions. Go Big Blue!
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For a list of nearby lodging, click here. When making your reservation, be sure to mention that you are a guest of Phillips Academy, as the school has negotiated reduced rates with some hotels.
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The Parents of Students of Phillips Academy (PSPA) would like to extend a warm welcome to all families! We are a nonprofit organization run by parent volunteers that is dedicated to supporting our school community through social gatherings, educational panels, and community engagement events for students, parents, faculty, and staff.
All current parents and guardians are automatically members of the PSPA! Please sign up here to be notified about opportunities to volunteer. It’s a great way to get to know others in the Andover community.
Class Representatives: We are looking for Class of 2026 and Class of 2028 class representatives. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please click here.
Upcoming Events: Watch for more information in the weeks ahead about various popular PSPA events. We hope you will join us.
Campus Closet: Stock up on new gear at Campus Closet, the official store for Phillips Academy clothing and merchandise. Our online shop offers free delivery to dorm rooms. There is also a store in George Washington Hall that is open special hours. Run by parent volunteers, all proceeds support activities for students, parents, and the broader PA community.
Campus Closet relies on parent volunteers to operate. We need crew leaders to manage store hours and train new volunteers. Please email us if you would like to volunteer—and click here to sign up for volunteer shifts.
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Spiritual & Religious Gatherings |
- 5:30 p.m.—Jewish Student Union (JSU) Shabbat Celebration: Led by members of the JSU and Rabbi Joshua Greenberg. Come for a brief kabbalat shabbat service, blessings over candles, challah and grape juice, sharing and fellowship. All are welcome. Paul’s Room, Paresky Commons (second floor).
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5:30-6:30 p.m.—Muslim Student Association (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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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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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!
Health and safety guidelines, provided here, are also available when you register for an event.
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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.
To view the slides from the Opening of School Parent and Guardian Information Session, click here.
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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 | Web version | Manage Preferences
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