Family Weekend 2019

Families will travel from all over the world (and from right around the corner) to visit with their children, faculty members, and other families during CA’s Family Weekend, October 10–12, 2019. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to campus! You may view a PDF of the full weekend schedule here.

 

The weekend kicks off on Thursday, October 10 with afternoon athletic games followed by class socials for parents and guardians hosted by local CA parents. These socials are fun and casual opportunities to connect with fellow CA families.

4:00 p.m. – Boys’ varsity soccer vs. Lexington Christian Academy; Boys’ junior varsity soccer vs. Lexington Christian Academy

4:30 p.m. – Girls’ junior varsity volleyball vs. Winsor School

7:00 p.m. – Fall Socials for Parents and Guardians (by class, various locations). 

Friday, October 11, is an opportunity to take part in your child’s CA experience. This includes visiting your student’s classes (all seven blocks with 20-minute classes), meeting with their teachers and advisors (arranged by students in early October), cheering them on at athletic competitions, and viewing their artistic endeavors. Families of seniors and families of students of color will have an opportunity to meet on Friday afternoon, prior to games and rehearsals. Breakfast is available 7:15-8:40a.m. in the dining hall. The CA Gear Pop Up Store will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Additional programming and information will be added to this schedule of events. Events are subject to change.

Friday’s programming includes:

8:15-10:30 a.m. – Family check-in and weekend information in the SHAC (refreshments available)

8:40–8:55 a.m. –  Welcome to families by Rick Hardy, head of school, in the Chapel (students attend Announcements in the P.A.C.)

9:00 a.m.–12:35 p.m. – Attend all class blocks on an abbreviated schedule

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. – Lunch available in the SHAC

2:00-2:30 p.m. – Meeting for families of seniors with Amanda Mead, science teacher and senior class advisor; Kate Peltz, director of college counseling; Will Tucker, science teacher and senior class advisor; Laura Twichell ’01, interim academic dean; Sally Zimmerli, dean of students

2:00–3:30 p.m. – Open athletic practices (Main Campus): Boys’ and girls’ cross-country running; boys’ varsity soccer vs. junior varsity soccer scrimmage

2:30-3:30 p.m. – Gathering for families of students of color: This gathering, hosted by the Community and Equity office, is for families of students of color to connect and learn more about C&E. We look forward to creating space for families to share ideas, thoughts, and resources, as well as learning about the Community and Equity office programming from Peter Boskey ’08, interim director of community and equity, Courtney Fields-Thomas, C&E team member and ASC tutor, Marie Myers, director of enrollment management, and Liat Tesfazgi ’20 and Lucas Veloria ’20, C&E co-heads.

3:45-4:00 p.m. – Open rehearsal of the Fall Mainstage Production: A Midsummer Night’s Dream 

4:00 p.m. – Athletic Contests

  • Girls’ varsity soccer vs. Winsor School
  • Girls’ varsity field hockey vs. Marianapolis Prep
  • Girls’ varsity volleyball vs. Winsor School
  • Boys’ thirds soccer vs. Belmont Hill

4:15-4:45 p.m. – Open Dance 3 class for family observation

4:30 p.m. – The CA Parents Book Club will have its first meeting and will discuss the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. With the airing of the recent HBO special True Justice and the upcoming feature film based on Just Mercy being released on December 25, 2020, Bryan Stevenson’s work to defend those society has forgotten has become part of the national conversation.  Even if you aren’t able to read it in advance of the meeting, please stop by! Faculty member Topi Dasgupta will join the group to help facilitate the discussion. Her History of Philosophy class is reading Just Mercy as part of the course.

6:00-6:30 p.m. – Light refreshments available in the SHAC Atrium. A great opportunity to mingle, check out the new furniture, and cheer on the girls varsity volleyball game! 

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Annual Community Dinner hosted by CA Parents, featuring a seasonal New England dinner. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please click here.

7:30-8:30 p.m. – Presentation of Works in Progress by the Performing Arts Department*: Advanced Jazz Ensemble; Vocal Jazz and Pop Ensemble; Chameleon Chamber Players; CA Singers; CA Dance Project;  Pitches (student-led a cappella group), the Fall Mainstage Production: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Chorus.

*Special Note: Safety is a top priority for CA, and in recent years the P.A.C. has exceeded capacity for this event. Families are encouraged to RSVP to this event via the form below. Tickets will also be available on Friday, October 11 in the SHAC at check-in.

The program continues on Saturday, October 12, with a variety of presentations and additional opportunities to meet with your student’s teachers and advisors. The CA Gear Pop Up Store will be open from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday’s presentations include:

9:00 a.m. – CA Parents Council Open Meeting (Location: Dance Studio, SHAC 2nd Floor) featuring:

    • Peter Boskey ’08, interim director of community & equity
    • Laura Twichell ’01, interim academic dean
    • Sarah Yeh, assistant head of school and dean of faculty
    • Sally Zimmerli, dean of students

10:00 a.m. – Conversation with the College Counseling Office (CCO) for families of juniors (Location: Ransome Room, MAC). While the official CCO junior kick-off at CA is slated for January 11, this optional session will offer parents a look at the junior year and what is on students’ horizons. We will outline the role of the student, the parent, the advisor, and the college counselor, and set aside some time to answer introductory questions. 

11:00 a.m. – Conversation with the College Counseling Office (CCO) for families of sophomores (Location: Ransome Room, MAC). This optional conversation with members of the CCO will offer an overview of CA’s college counseling program. Topics include the timeline, the role of the advisor, standardized testing, and how you as a CA parent can stay informed and best support your student.

Learn more about local accommodations, restaurants, and activities here.
 

If you have any questions regarding Family Weekend, please contact Katie Wells at katie_wells@concordacademy.org.


We look forward to seeing you on campus!