This past Saturday, students slept late while their parents went to class, even if it was only for a day.– Parents came by the hundreds from all over the nation this past weekend to participate in activities and to release their children from another weekend of dining in Commons. Parents participated in a number of events scheduled to give them a taste of life at Andover. These included classes for parents on Saturday morning, four shows of the student talent show Grasshopper Night, and both orchestral and choral concerts. Director of Alumni Affairs Michael Ebner ’70, one of many who were involved in coordinating Parents’ Weekend, said that the weekend was a success. “[Parents’ Weekend is] something we enjoy doing and takes a lot of time planning but, once it goes into motion, it’s a great success with a great spirit of the parents, faculty, and students,” he said. Rev. Ebner noted that more parents than usual traveled to campus and participated in the weekend’s events. For many parents, the favorite of the weekends’ activities was attending the Saturday morning classes. Betsy Groban, mother of Hilary Fischer-Groban ’05, said “We just loved the classes…you see how personal education at Andover is.” Although teachers structured their 20-minute demonstration classes in many different ways, many teachers incorporated a simulation of an everyday lesson into their presentations. Instructor in Physics Katherine Anderson gave her students’ parents a lesson in the conservation of energy. Ms. Anderson finished her demonstration classes by then opening the remaining time for questions. In addition to questions regarding topics such as workload, Ms. Anderson said that some of the parents were so involved in the lesson that they presented her with questions on the material. Ms. Anderson added that despite the rushed meetings between teachers and parents, the weekend provided the opportunity for her to begin email correspondence with the parents of her students. According to Rev. Ebner, one of the main purposes of the demonstration classes is to “give parents a good sense of what their children go through.” Thirty-two Blue Keys waited at positions around campus to help parents find their way around campus during the classes on Saturday morning. Grateful for the work of the Blue Keys and others, Parents’ Weekend Coordinator Duncan Will said, “I think it’s important to recognize the success of Parents’ Weekend is dependent on scores of people, both behind the scenes and in front of the scenes, working diligently.” Besides Saturday morning’s demonstration classes, Parents’ Weekend also included a host of musical performances. On Friday night, the Academy Symphony Orchestra gave a concert. On Saturday several students gave solo recitals, and on Sunday the Fidelio Society, Academy Cantata Choir and Chamber Orchestra, and Academy Chorus gave performances. Grasshopper Night, the student directed and produced talent show featuring skits, songs, and dances, performed to full houses in all four of its showings. Turnouts to afternoon athletic contests against Deerfield were also high. Big Blue was, for the most part, triumphant with more wins than losses. Summarizing the aim of Parents’ Weekend, Mr. Will said “at the heart of it, we want parents to be able to spend time with their children. That’s what it’s all about, having parents connect with their child.”
