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January 2023

A Letter from the Director of Counseling and the Medical Director

Dear Hotchkiss Parents and Guardians,

As some of you may be aware, two recent student deaths at peer schools have profoundly affected the boarding school community. Our hearts go out to the families and school communities directly affected by these devastating events.

At this time of tragedy, and other events that impact our community, we feel it is important to communicate the ways in which Hotchkiss cares for the wellbeing and mental health of students, the resources that are available, and to provide guidance on how to speak with your children about loss and suicide.

Read the full letter here.

Mardon to Depart Hotchkiss After 14 Years of Dedicated Service

In an email sent to students, faculty, and staff on Jan. 20, Head of School Craig Bradley announced that Associate Head of School and Dean of Faculty Merrilee Mardon, Ph.D. has decided to leave Hotchkiss at the end of this academic year to assume the position of deputy head of school for academics and student affairs at Phillips Andover Academy. "I am deeply grateful for Merrilee’s exemplary service to and leadership at Hotchkiss over the last fourteen years, and I wish her continued success and happiness in her next career chapter," noted Bradley. "I am grateful to Merrilee for all she has done for Hotchkiss and for all she has done to support me."

From an organizational perspective, Bradley has decided to separate the roles of associate head of school and dean of faculty, which Mardon has held jointly since 2018. Hotchkiss will immediately begin a national search for the next associate head of school. Concurrently, we will undertake an internal search for an interim dean of faculty for the 2023-24 academic year and will look to the new associate head of school to conduct the search for the permanent dean of faculty next year.

Upcoming School Breaks: What You Need to Know

Long Winter Weekend: Feb. 2-6

Bus reservations have closed, but you may contact Laurie Grusauski to inquire about remaining availability. Click here for the transportation schedule.

ACTION REQUIRED: All boarding students planning to depart campus for the long weekend must have a parent/guardian submit an absence request via Veracross. If travel plans change after the request has been submitted, the parent/guardian should complete a new request identifying it as an update to previous plans.

Spring Break: March 3-21

Bus reservations will be on sale Feb. 2-16 through the MyKidsSpending app (not website). Click here for the transportation schedule.

ACTION REQUIRED: All boarding students must have a parent/guardian submit a Spring Break absence request with their student's dates and times of departure and return via Veracross.

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 any questions, please call the Deans’ Office at (860) 435-3739 or, after hours, the dean on duty at (860) 435-2591.

If you have transportation reservation questions, please contact Laurie Grusauski via email.

2023-24 Airport Transportation Survey

Click here to fill out our survey. This information will be helpful in planning next year’s airport shuttles. Thank you!

Important Announcements

2023-24 Travel Calendar Now Available

Next year's calendar has been posted! Click here to view and download a copy.

Applying to Hotchkiss Summer Programs: Deadline Approaching

Applications are due on Feb. 10 by 10 p.m. (EST) for the following:

Hersey Scholars Program
Hotchkiss in Spain (music and visual art)

Additional Opportunities with a Feb. 10 Deadline:

Watson Civic Engagement Fellowship (funding for two summers for current lower mids)
Fall 2023 Round Square International Conference in Kenya
Interest forms for Germany and the Netherlands (squash) and New Zealand (girls lacrosse). Forms can be found here.
Applying for grants for Non-Hotchkiss summer programs

Attention Lower-Mid Families!

This is a reminder that the application deadline for off-campus study programs is approaching! Click here for more information about programs including:

High Mountain Institute
Island School
Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki
School Year Abroad

Order Congratulatory Ads and Yearbooks Now

The deadline for Class of 2023 congratulatory ads has been extended to Monday, Feb. 13. Each member of the Class of 2023 receives a complimentary copy of the yearbook. Upper mids, lower mids, and preps who want a yearbook (or seniors or PGs who want a second copy) may order directly from Herff Jones. Visit the Mischianza webpage for information and links.

The College Corner

For Upper-Mid Families:

Reminder! The College Advisor Roundtable, originally scheduled for the Upper-Mid College Forum, is now being held as a webinar this Thursday, Jan. 26, from 7-8 p.m. EST. We will send upper mids and their families the webinar link the morning of the event.

Click here for important information about spring testing and preparation classes.

Click here for standardized test dates.