CA and CA Parents organize a variety of events for the parent/guardian community throughout the year. Whether you reside locally or across the globe, there are many opportunities for you to attend and participate. CA and CA Parents organize a variety of events for the parent/guardian community throughout the year. Whether you reside locally or across the globe, there are many opportunities to gather with fellow parents and guardians, participate in programs in support of the student experience, and hear from school leadership throughout the year.
Typically held over two days in October, Family Weekend is a time for our families to come to campus and learn what life is like at the school. Most notably, parents/guardians are able to attend classes with their children and meet with their children’s advisors. Family Weekend also presents an opportunity to meet other families, hear from senior administrators, and see athletics and the arts in action. The weekend programming typically begins Friday morning and ends Saturday afternoon.
There are a number of ways that CA keeps its parent/guardian community informed. Current parents/guardians may find much of what they need under the Family Portal section of our website. Additionally, we send out a weekly newsletter with announcements, important dates, event reminders, photos, student and alum stories, and more.
Read more about college counseling at CA or review the current year’s academic calendar below.
Explore the opportunities to volunteer with CA Parents. Every year over 200 parents volunteer, whether they live near or far. Volunteering is a great way to meet fellow families, get to know the school, and help CA. To learn more about getting involved or to have questions answered, please contact:
Meredith Walsh
Associate Director of Engagement and Parent Programs
meredith_walsh@concordacademy.org
(978) 402-2569
Hilary Rouse
Director of Constituent Engagement and Leadership Giving
hilary_rouse@concordacademy.org
(978) 402-2217
Admissions Tour Guides lead campus tours for parents of prospective students during their admissions visits. From September through January, parent volunteers tour weekly, or substitute as needed. Being an Admissions Tour Guide is a great way to learn more about the school and share your family’s CA story. In addition, there are opportunities to participate in virtual admissions panels, greet visitors at open houses and revisit days, and make phone calls to newly admitted families. This volunteer opportunity is open to all current parents and parents of CA graduates. Volunteers attend a training session in early September.
Key Contacts
CA Parent Co-chairs:
Rebecca Comjean P’25 (Caroline)
Karen Monroe P’25 (Henry)
Staff Liaisons
John McGarry P’22 ’23, associate director of admissions; director of financial aid, (978) 402-2253
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement and parent programs, (978) 402-2569
The Parent Annual Fund committee is a group of volunteers of 9th-, 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade parents whose primary responsibility is to solicit their peers in support of CA’s Annual Fund. Co-chairs and committee members will help inspire fellow families to make gifts—at all levels—to the Annual Fund, a fund critical to CA’s mission and financial health. Encouraging families to support the Annual Fund in their first year at CA will help strengthen the Annual Giving program while allowing families to be part of this important communal philanthropic effort. The financial goal for the 2023–24 Parent Annual Fund program is $1 million from as many families as possible. All members of the committee are responsible for contributing to the Annual Fund and soliciting others in support of the program. In addition to the co-chairs, we depend on a committee of parent volunteers from all four classes. The success of this fundraising program, at every level, depends on peer-to-peer outreach.
Responsibilities
Committee members will serve as advocates for CA’s Parent Annual Fund and reach out to five to seven CA families, asking them to support the program. Members can inspire others to support CA by sharing their motivation for supporting the school. A manageable time commitment, the responsibilities of committee members consist of attending the launch of the program/training session in October and conducting outreach for the program throughout the year.
Key Contacts
CA Parent Co-chairs:
Mark Krum P’26 (Lexie)
Maggie Yuan P’27 (Cedric)
Staff Liaisons
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement and parent programs, (978) 402-2569
Hilary Rouse, director of constituent engagement and leadership giving, (978) 402-2217
Performing Arts parent volunteers support CA’s performing arts programs. Volunteers provide food and treats and help with reception setup and cleanup at music, dance, and theatrical performances throughout the year. Volunteers may also organize lunches for the cast and crew of the two (fall and winter) mainstage productions and snacks during the tech week leading up to each performance. Please let us know if you are interested in helping. Volunteer sign-ups will be posted throughout the year.
*Boarding families can support these events by contributing food and beverages. To participate, please contact the co-chairs.
Key Contacts
CA Parent Co-chairs:
Jen Lee P’26 ’27 (Averie, Noelle)
Karen Sobol P’25 (Jacob)
Staff Liaison
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement and parent programs, (978) 402-2569
Athletics parent volunteers (team parents) help CA’s Athletics Department communicate information to parents and provide ways for parents of team members to connect and support athletes and the athletics program.
The goals of the program are:
Each athletic season, one or two parent volunteers per team communicate with the team’s coaches to hear about their needs and how they like to communicate with their teams. Each team and coach is different; some teams may appreciate snacks and others will organize a team meal. Team parents communicate with parents about the team’s schedule and significant games (e.g., Chandler Bowl), and remind senior parents about each team’s senior ceremony. Please let us know if you are interested.
*Boarding families can support these events as team parents or by contributing snacks and beverages. To participate, please contact the co-chairs.
CA Parent Co-chairs
Jill Guzzi P’19 ’22 ‘25 (Greer, Quinn, Parke, Spencer)
Rebecca Tarantino P’26 (Alex)
Staff Liaisons
Sue Johnson P’20, director of athletics, (978) 402-2338
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement & parent programs, (978) 402-2569
The CARE (Concord Academy Residential Enrichment) program matches boarding students, if they desire, with a local family for the academic year. CARE families provide an important connection to the local community for boarding students and offer a slice of family life to those who may be far from home. CARE families support students with gestures big and small—for example, providing occasional notes or treats, taking them out for ice cream or pizza, inviting them to their home for dinner, or taking them to a movie. CARE families make a yearlong commitment to the program, with the hope of monthly student contact. The program is flexible based on the student’s needs and desires and what the CARE family can provide. As local families and students build their relationship, families are welcome to invite students for a weekend away, with advance notice provided to house faculty.
Timeline
Key Contacts
CA Parent Co-Chairs:
Ha Richmond P’26 (Tal)
Larissa Shyjan P’24 (Bobby)
Staff Liaisons
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement and parent programs, (978) 402-2569
Grant Hightower P’26, assistant head for student life, (978) 402-2296
The CA Gear pop-up store provides CA-branded clothing and gear at a variety of school events throughout the school year. Parent volunteers assist with inventory and help sell gear on four or five dates during the year. Volunteers are not expected to come to all events. Let us know if you are interested in helping and the chair will reach out to you before sales.
Key Contact
CA Parent Chair:
Anne-Flore Marmot P’27 ’28 (Paul, Rose)
Staff Liaison
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement & parent programs, (978) 402-2569
Parent volunteers surprise students with small bags of treats before December and May assessments. Parent volunteers provide the sweets and spend a morning before exams stuffing bags. This is a quick and fun way to support students and meet other parents.
*Boarding families can support these events by contributing candy or healthy snacks, through either Amazon or a similar website. If you have any questions or would like to participate, please contact the co-chairs.
Key Contacts
CA Parent Co-chairs:
Cathy Levesque P’25 (Cam)
Grayson Kasdon P’22 ’24 (Lilia, Marly)
Staff Liaison
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement & parent programs, (978) 402-2569
Parent volunteers provide food, decorations, and small gifts for faculty and staff luncheons in the fall and spring. Volunteers help with setup and cleanup, as well. Please indicate your interest in helping with these special events. Parent co-chairs will reach out to you as they begin planning.
Key Contacts
CA Parents Co-chairs:
Alisa Taylor-Kapoor P’25 (Axel)
Annie Tcherepnin P’25 (Peter)
Staff Liaison
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement & parent programs, (978) 402-2569
Each February, CA families host a potluck dinner for the student community. Parents provide a wide variety of international dishes and family favorites (both homemade and from local restaurants) to CA students. Students have the opportunity to try food from other countries and enjoy the cooking they miss from home. This is a wonderful opportunity for CARE families to connect with their matched boarding students. Please let us know if you are interested in helping with this event. Co-chairs will reach out to you as they begin planning.
*Boarding families can support these events by contributing food and beverages. Organizers will order from local shops and restaurants. To participate, or if you have any questions, please contact the parent co-chairs listed below.
Key Contacts
CA Parent Co-Chairs:
Cindy Wang P’25 ‘27 (Abbie, Emilia)
Natasha Thamburaj P‘27 (Ronan)
Staff Liaison
Meredith Walsh, associate director of engagement & parent programs, (978) 402-2569