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October 2023

Family Weekend 2023 (Oct. 12-14)

Family Weekend 2023 is finally here and we could not be more excited!

Our program offers a variety of ways for you to engage with the School. To ensure that you are fully prepared, please make note of the following important events and reminders.

Family Weekend Schedule Highlights

Click here for a full rundown of Family Weekend activities. A few highlights include:

A social gathering for parents on campus on Thursday, Oct. 12. Park at the MAC and make your way to the Field House to meet and greet other families.
Appointments (both in person and via Zoom) with your student’s advisor and some teachers—all appointments should be synced in your virtual calendars.
Performances, games, campus tours, and hikes…and much more!

On-Campus Event Details

For those traveling to Lakeville, please visit the welcome center in the Main Building front foyer on Friday and Saturday morning to pick up your name tag. Printed schedules, campus maps, and light refreshments will also be available.
Parking for the weekend will be located in many parking lots around campus. We will have shuttles running on Friday and Saturday.
Pets are welcome for outside events, but are not welcome in campus buildings, including the dorms.
Bring layers—the weather changes often, please dress comfortably and be prepared.

Absence Requests—PARENT ACTION NEEDED:

For Family Weekend, absence requests must be submitted by Tuesday, Oct. 10 through the Veracross Parent Portal for any boarding student who will leave campus overnight.

Click “Submit Absence Request.”
Enter the departure date and time, the return date and time, and include the destination and host contact information within the notes section.
If the travel details do not adhere to the departure and arrival guidelines, you will be contacted by the class dean.

Parent Program about the Hotchkiss Dining Commons

Join us in Walker Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 9-10 a.m. to learn more about the new Hotchkiss Dining Commons. Questions are welcome in advance via this survey.

Note: If you missed the Oct. 5 Zoom event, "Navigating Family Weekend: Insight for a Successful Experience," you can view the replay by logging into Veracross and clicking on the coral "Virtual Parent Event Videos" button.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Lisa Brown, chief of staff to the head of school, at (860) 435-3188.

We look forward to a great Family Weekend program!

Important Family Announcements

Student Transportation Survey

The Deans' Office is in the process of trying to better understand family travel needs. In order to gain a fuller picture of this important matter, please consider filling out the transportation survey below. This information will be extremely useful as we think through the yearly calendar and plan travel days. Information from families who routinely fly to School is of particular interest, though we welcome all submissions.

Click here to access the Student Transportation Survey.

A Note for Senior Parents: The Hotchkiss International Fellowship

The Hotchkiss International Fellowship is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Selected fellows, each of whom will receive a grant to fund 100 percent of their proposed plan, will spend a year outside of their home country engaged in a project that includes, but is not limited to, service, learning, internships, cultural immersion, and adventure.

An information session for interested seniors will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. in the Faculty Lounge. Those students interested in attending are asked to RSVP. Senior parents, please encourage your student to attend and find out more!

Fellowship applications are due Dec. 1. For additional information about this program, click here.

From the Admission Office

Sibling Interviews During Family Weekend

Admission interviews for siblings will be available on Friday, Oct. 13. Click here to request your appointment. Please note, the Admission Office is unable to offer tours during the weekend.

If you have any questions, please contact admission@hotchkiss.org.

Please spread the word! This fall we are offering both virtual and in-person events for prospective families.

Virtual Events

The Harris House Virtual Series offers families a deep dive into aspects of Hotchkiss life. All events are at 7 p.m. ET via Zoom. Register now.

Oct. 19: Academic Program & Signature Experiences

Oct. 27: Arts Programs

Nov. 16: Value of a Boarding Community

Dec. 12: Athletics

Jan. 11: Conversation with the Dean

In-Person Events

Hotchkiss is part of the Ten Schools Admission Organization that is holding regional receptions in the below cities. Register now.

Oct. 14: Alexandria, VA

Oct. 15: Radnor, PA

Oct. 15: Princeton, NJ

Nov. 5: Diversity Round Table, Atlanta, GA

Student Transportation Update: Thanksgiving Recess Shuttle Buses

Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 17-27

Bus reservations can be made Oct. 19–Nov. 2 by completing a registration form, which will be emailed to students. Reservations are required, and cancellations after Nov. 2 are non-refundable. After the Nov. 2 reservation deadline, late requests will be processed only if seats are available, and a late fee of $5 will be assessed.

New this year: JFK return pickup is offered at 3 p.m. from Terminal 4, contingent upon at least 10 confirmed reservations. If there are not enough reservations by the deadline, the bus will be canceled and families will need to make private transportation arrangements. The fee will be based on the number of passengers, with a maximum of $100 per person and a minimum of $40 per person.

Shuttle Departures from Campus

Friday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m.

To	Arrive	Notes
LaGuardia See note below.	6:30 p.m.	Dropoff at Terminal B, lower level only
JFK	7 p.m.	Dropoff at Terminal 8 only; students departing from other terminals may board the AirTrain at Terminal 8
Bradley	5:30 p.m.	Dropoff at Terminal A, lower level
NYC	6:45 p.m.	Dropoff at Bryant Park, 42nd St. between 5th and 6th Ave.

Buses will arrive at the Main Circle 15 minutes ahead of departure time, and will adhere to prompt departure schedules.
*There will be no returning bus from LGA Airport.

Shuttle Returns to Campus

Monday, Nov. 27

Time	From	Arrive at Hotchkiss	Notes
2 p.m.	Bradley	3:30 p.m.	Pickup from Terminal A, lower level
3 p.m.	JFK See note below.	5:45 p.m.	Pickup from Terminal 4
5 p.m.	Bradley	6:30 p.m.	Pickup from Terminal A, lower level
6 p.m.	NYC	8:45 p.m.	Pickup from Bryant Park, 42nd St. between 5th and 6th Ave.
8 p.m.	Bradley	9:30 p.m.	Pickup from Terminal A, lower level

Students may ride whichever Bradley bus fits their schedule (no need to purchase a specific time).
*JFK pickup is conditional upon at least 10 confirmed reservations.

Unaccompanied Minors: If your student is not yet 16 years of age and is traveling by air, we suggest that you check with your travel agent before booking flights to see if any restrictions are in place with respect to underage children traveling alone. Some airlines have more restrictive policies than others and demand a higher level of services for unaccompanied minors. Please note that the School does not provide escort services to or from airports. If you need special services, please call one of our area car services to make arrangements. If you have questions about unaccompanied minors, please call Andrew D'Ambrosio, dean of student life, at (860) 435-4441 or, after hours, contact the dean on duty at (860) 435-2591.

Please note, shuttle bus tickets for Winter Break (Dec. 13-Jan. 3) will be on sale Nov. 15-29. More information will be published in the November Family Update.

For additional information about student transportation arrangements, click here.

A Message from the Mischianza (School Yearbook) for Families

All seniors and post-graduates receive a complimentary copy of the Hotchkiss yearbook. Upper mids, lower mids, and preps may order copies from Herff Jones. Class of 2024 student portraits and congratulatory ads are due Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. To order yearbooks or ads, please visit the Mischianza webpage.

The College Corner

October is one of the busiest months for the College Advising Office. Seniors are working diligently on their applications with pending early deadlines of Oct. 15 and Nov. 1. Nearly every senior will apply to at least one college by the end of the month, either through a binding Early Decision plan or a non-binding Early Action option. We are also welcoming visits from admissions representatives. On Oct. 4, we welcomed about 40 college reps for our first fall college fair, and we will welcome more than 50 representatives on Oct. 11. In addition, colleges like the University of Chicago, Boston College, St Andrews, and Dartmouth arranged individual visits throughout the month of October.

While the focus is on seniors during October, we encourage upper mids and other students and families to do some early college exploration. The days off in mid-October are a perfect time to consider an initial college visit or two. Additionally, there are some wonderful resources out there. We recommend:

Georgia Tech Admission Blog: Rick Clark, executive director of undergraduate admission at Georgia Tech, pens a thoughtful and humorous blog that provides insightful advice for students and parents navigating the college process.

Admissions Beat Podcast: Lee Coffin, dean of admissions at Dartmouth College, demystifies the college search and application process with this podcast. A range of guests provides students and parents with helpful news and guides for each step of the pathway to college.

Grown & Flown: A well-regarded site with over 800 writers focused on providing advice mainly for parents raising kids ages 15-25. Their college admissions section provides excellent suggestions for campus visits, paying for colleges, and the application process.

Testing Information

2023-24 Standardized Test Dates & Deadlines

Class of 2025: Click here for SAT & ACT Prep Options, and PSAT Score Information.

AP Exam Registration Reminder

Hotchkiss will offer optional AP exams in May. Registration via the online AP portal is required before Nov. 8. Please refer to detailed instructions included in the September Family Update.

Upcoming Parent Events

Fall Events

Parent Virtual Paint + Sip with Colleen McGuire, Art Instructor

Thursday, Oct. 26, 8-9 p.m.

A virtual social event for all parents to connect and get to know one another.

Student Life Parent Series: Thanksgiving Timing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, 8-9 p.m.

For all parents and guardians

Save the date!

Community Reception in Seoul, South Korea

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.

The Banyan Tree Club and Spa

Save the date!

Hong Kong State of the School Reception

Thursday, Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m.

The Conrad Hotel

Save the date!

Hotchkiss Holiday Parties

Hotchkiss alumni and parents are invited to join us for one or more of these fun social events. Save the dates and come celebrate the holidays with us.

San Francisco, CA

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Epic

Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Dirty Habit

Los Angeles, CA

Wednesday, Dec. 6

Melrose Place

Boston, MA

Tuesday, Dec. 12

The Quin

New York, NY

Wednesday, Dec. 13

The University Club of New York

We are looking for committee members! If you plan to attend a party and would like to encourage your fellow class parents to also attend, join a committee and help us spread the news. Contact Patty O’Connor P’10 or Sunie Gorey in the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement.