One for the Books

Family Weekend was full of activities and fun.

Family Weekend brought loved ones to the Hilltop for an amazing, fun-filled weekend. Parents had the opportunity to attend classes, enjoy delicious meals, take in lectures and art performances, and cheer for their favorite Griffins under cloudless blue skies. It was one for the books.

On Friday morning, classes were filled with families brushing up on their Spanish and French, working through math problems, and painting masterpieces in the Chick Cole Studio. After class, they stopped by the dining hall for lunch before connecting with advisors, teachers, learning specialists, and college counselors in virtual and in-person conferences. Some parents managed to take in the practice in preparation for Saturday’s games and meets before heading over to the Strong Field House for the Harvest Dinner.

At the dinner, families watched Honors Chamber Ensemble, Honors Contemporary Music Performance (The Frets), Advanced Dance Repertory, and Honors Vocal Chamber Ensemble (GriffTones) performances. In the Work in Progress Gallery, they observed the art on display made in our digital arts, photography, and ceramics and sculpture classes. Some went to bed early, while others joined in on the fun at the bonfire.

On Saturday afternoon, while the students slept in, the parents received a State of the School update from Head of School Tim Richards and members of the senior administration. Richards shared updates on the School’s mission and vision, strategic plan, Amplify campaign, and Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM). He also announced the science center tentatively scheduled to open in the fall of 2024; the all-gender dorm that will open in the fall of 2023, and the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC) learning record option which will be available next year.

Parents then heard advice about the college admissions process from Middlebury College’s Admissions Director Sam Prouty — the 2022 W.P. Carey Lecturer, Wesleyan University’s Head Womens Lacrosse Coach Kim Williams, and Pomfret’s College Counseling team. After lunch, parents learned about aligning our assessment practices with our values from Director of the Grauer Institute Gwyneth Connell and Director of Studies Doug MacLeod, and tips to enhance their child's social, emotional, and overall success at Pomfret and beyond from Director of Counseling Fannie Deary.

After a day full of learning, families rounded out Family Weekend by watching their student-athletes compete in home games and meets.

See More Pictures from the Weekend