News

On the evening of October 20, a group of Concord Academy faculty, alumnae/i, and community members gathered in the dance studio to celebrate two decades of endowed support for innovative teaching, and the work of an exceptional teacher. Film teacher Justin Bull was the fifth recipient of the Katherine Carton Hammer ’68 Endowed Faculty Chair, a three-year fellowship that was established by a collective gift in memory of Katie Hammer ’68 and in honor of her commitment to CA’s faculty.

The powerful independent documentary films that Catherine Saalfield Gund ’83 has created over her more than 20 years as a director and producer — films that partner with activists and support movements for social justice — have earned her critical acclaim and Emmy nominations. This spring, they also earned a distinction unique to Concord Academy graduates, the Joan Shaw Herman Award for Distinguished Service. Gund accepted the award in a recorded speech for fellow alumnae/i during her 30th reunion in June and returned to campus on October 18 to speak with CA students, faculty, and staff about her work, her personal journey, and the movements that matter immensely to her. Her talk left the CA community deeply moved and inspired.

Save the date! This year’s Chandler Bowl will be held on Saturday, October 20, at Concord Academy. We are looking for people to bring food, beverages, and other treats to the Chandler Bowl for students and families to enjoy while they cheer our teams on. CA parent volunteers will reach out to team parents separately to coordinate all of this.

What role does stress play in substance use and abuse in adolescents? How can parents and caregivers strengthen protective factors to keep teens healthy and drug-free? How should we talk to teens about alcohol, drugs, and setting limits? Will Slotnick will help parents sort through these issues while providing up-to-date information on alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and other drugs; warning signs of use and abuse; and strategies for teaching teens how to manage their stress. Join us on October 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Brimmer and May, 60 Middlesex Road, Chestnut Hill, Mass. Street parking is available.

And read notes from the last PIN meeting about understanding anxiety in teens.

Whether from around the corner or from across the world, families traveled last week to Concord Academy to visit with their children, get to know fellow parents, and take part in the CA experience. They visited students’ classes and studios, cheered from the sidelines at athletic competitions, met with teachers and advisors, and viewed students’ artistic endeavors. Works in progress were presented by vocal and instrumental groups, CA Dance Project, and the performers in the fall mainstage production, The Laramie Project. Panel discussions addressed student trips, Global Online Academy, college counseling, and Community & Equity programming, among other topics. Several events for families, including parent class socials, a meeting of the parents’ book group, a gathering for families of students of color, and the annual community dinner hosted by CA Parents drew the community together. See photos from Family Weekend here.

The school year opened with optimism, thanks in part to the remarkable contributions of many to the Centennial Campaign for Concord Academy, which have enabled transformative renovations and expansions to houses and common rooms, significant investments in our students and faculty, and the beginning of a major investment in Haines and Hobson houses. On October 4, we paused to give thanks — thanks to donors for their vital support and enduring belief in CA’s promise for the future, thanks for CA’s mission, and thanks for the remarkable energy we are experiencing with this campaign.

As of Wednesday, October 17, the nurses will have flu vaccine available for all students. The flu vaccine is state-supplied and therefore free of charge. Students are invited to come to the nurses for this very important vaccination during their free blocks or after classes. Parental consent is required to receive this vaccine if you are under 18 years of age.

Since 1990, Concord Academy and Pingree School have competed every fall for the Chandler Bowl, named for John Chandler, former head of school at Pingree. This fall CA hosts the event on Saturday, 10/20, with the first slate of games starting at 1:15. Competitions will be held in boys cross-country, girls cross-country, girls varsity field hockey, girls varsity volleyball, girls JV volleyball, girls varsity soccer, girls JV soccer, boys varsity soccer, and boys JV soccer. The school that wins five or more contests on the day earns the right to keep the Chandler Bowl on campus for the year. Starting in 2013, the event was renamed the Chandler Bowl for Changing Lives as the schools combined to raise funds for a charity, chosen by the host school. This year all proceeds from the sale of Chandler Bowl T-shirts will go to Samaritans, a crisis hotline. Please come out to cheer on CA’s fall teams as they compete to retain the bowl, having won the event for the past two years, and to support the vital work of the Samaritans. Go Green!

The Harvest Luncheon is one of two faculty-staff appreciation events that CA Parents sponsors during the school year. This event is a wonderful opportunity to share our heartfelt gratitude for all they do. Boarding parents, there are wonderful ways for you to participate as well! Local volunteers will be on hand to pick up dishes you’d like to order from local restaurants. Additionally, you can provide “take-away” gifts for the faculty and staff — simply put your box of items together and ship it! Look for much more information and ways to sign up in the upcoming newsletters! In the meantime, if you have questions please feel free to contact co-chairs Dawn Ryan P’20 (ryandawn10@gmail.com) and Leigh Weaver P’20 (leighweaver777@gmail.com).

The next meeting of the CA Parent Book Group will be Wednesday, November 14, at 6 p.m. at a location to be determined. We will be discussing The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Our meetings provide an opportunity to meet other CA parents in a relaxed setting. Come mingle over a light meal, discuss the book and related issues, and help select the next book and meeting time. You do not have to have read the book to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Osher P’17 ’19 (ja.os@verizon.net) or Frank Craig P’14 ’17 (fpcraig404@gmail.com).