Family Weekend 2022 is finally here and we could not be more excited!
Our program offers a variety of ways for you to engage with the School both virtually and in-person. To ensure that you are fully prepared, please make note of the following important events and reminders.
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Family Weekend Schedule Highlights
Click here for a full rundown of Family Weekend activities. A few highlights include:
- College Office webinars on Tuesday, Oct. 18 for upper-mid families and Wednesday, Oct. 19 for senior families will feature speakers who will offer compelling remarks and insights about the college process. Zoom links will be sent in the morning of each event and they will be recorded if you are unable to attend.
- A social gathering for parents on campus on Thursday, Oct. 20. 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, 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 here.
- If you need to conduct your virtual meetings on campus, we will have a limited number of classrooms and spaces in the library available. Please check in at the welcome center or in the Deans’ Office and we will do our best to accommodate you.
- 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, so please dress comfortably and be prepared.
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Absence Requests
Students may depart campus after their last commitment on Thursday, Oct. 20 (as long as they have no commitments on Friday or Saturday), and must return before 10 p.m. check-in on Tuesday, Oct. 25. An absence request form must be submitted through the Veracross Portal for any boarding student who will leave campus overnight. All absence requests must be submitted by Thursday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.
Bus reservations (from NYC on Oct. 25) have closed, but you may contact Laurie Grusauski to inquire about late registration availability. Please refer to the September Family Update for complete details.
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COVID-19 Safety
All Family Weekend guests must be vaccinated to attend in-person events. As this is a large event and we want to keep the entire community safe, we ask that you please take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of your arrival on campus. If you test positive, follow the CDC guidance for isolation. Negative results do not need to be reported.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Lisa Brown, chief of staff, at (860) 435-3188.
We look forward to a great Family Weekend program!
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For Senior Families
Graduation is closer than you think and we will share more details in early 2023. Click here for details about class rings. Balfour will be on campus during Family Weekend for those with additional questions.
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Thanksgiving Break Information
Thanksgiving Break is scheduled for Nov. 19-28.
Parents of boarding students are asked to notify the School of their student's departure and return schedules via the Absence Request Form in the Veracross Portal. If travel plans change after the form has been submitted, parents should complete a new request, identifying it as an update to previously submitted plans.
Transportation Information
Bus reservations are on sale Oct. 21-Nov. 4 via the MyKidsSpending app (not website). Click here for MyKidsSpending purchase instructions.
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Bus Departures from Campus on Nov. 19:
- Buses will arrive at the Main Circle 15 minutes ahead of departure time, and will adhere to prompt departure schedules.
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There will be no returning bus from JFK or LGA airports.
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Departure Time | To | Arrival Time | Notes | 12:15 p.m. | LaGuardia Airport | 2:45 p.m. | Drop off at Terminal D only, near Delta Airlines | 12:15 p.m. | JFK Airport | 3:30 p.m. | Drop off at Terminal 1 only; students departing from other terminals may board the AirTrain at Terminal 1 | 12:15 p.m. | Bradley Airport | 1:45 p.m. | Drop off at Terminal A, lower level | 12:15 p.m. | New York City | 3:00 p.m. | Drop off at Bryant Park, 42nd St. between 5th & 6th Avenues | | |
Bus Return to Campus on Nov. 28:
- Students may ride whichever Bradley bus fits their schedule (no need to purchase a specific time)
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Departure Time | From | Arrive @ Hotchkiss | Notes | 2 p.m. | Bradley Airport | 3:30 p.m. | Pick up Terminal A, lower level | 5 p.m. | Bradley Airport | 6:30 p.m. | Pick up Terminal A, lower level | 8 p.m. | Bradley Airport | 9:30 p.m. | Pick up Terminal A, lower level | 6 p.m. | New York City | 8:45 p.m. | Pickup from Bryant Park, 42nd St. between 5th & 6th Avenues | | |
Click here for additional transportation information and schedules.
Transportation questions may be directed to Laurie Grusauski.
Unaccompanied Minors
If your student is not 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, the dean on duty at (860) 435-2591.
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Winter Break Transportation
Winter Break is scheduled for Dec. 14-Jan. 4. Bus reservations will be on sale Nov. 15-29.
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For Prep Families (Class of 2026):
In case you were unable to join us on Oct. 3, watch a replay of the prep family webinar “Success Does Not Have a Grade.” Sponsored by the Eastern Independent School Secondary School College Admissions Professionals (EISSCAP) association, the webinar offers ideas about supporting your student not only on a daily basis, but as they develop and change throughout their four years of high school. Login into the Veracross Portal to access the recording.
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