Millbrook Welcomes Parents for Fall Family Weekend

Each year in October, as cooling temperatures warn of winter’s fast approach, Millbrook School is warmed by the arrival of hundreds of parents for Fall Family Weekend. This year families were welcomed by perfect fall weather and students eager to enjoy a break from classes during the long weekend.

Parents (and some younger siblings) began arriving on Thursday evening, and by Friday campus was alive with mini family reunions. Excited teens walked their parents through a day in the life of a boarding student, including attending classes, packing into the Flagler Memorial Chapel for Assembly, and enjoying cafeteria meals in Casertano Hall.

Families split up briefly in the afternoon, as parents cut afternoon classes to attend the State of the School address by Head of School Jonathan Downs ’98. In a crowded Chelsea Morrison Theater, Mr. Downs entertained parents with anecdotes about student musical performances bringing the entire campus together, and then delivered a reading of slightly reinterpreted Vanilla Ice lyrics. He closed with a detailed explanation of Millbrook’s excellent positioning for an even brighter future. Following the State of the School address, the Student Life Office led an interactive discussion about how Millbrook ensures every student is known, needed, and protected as they live, study, and play away from home.

Friday ended with dinner served by various food trucks and a boys varsity soccer game against Salisbury School. Under the lights on the turf field, the boys won 4-3, putting on a thrilling show for their families and classmates.

Fall Family Weekend activities finished Saturday with parent-teacher conferences and athletic events. The uptick in activity on campus was a refreshing change of pace for the entire community, and Millbrook leadership embraced the opportunity to thank parents for entrusting their children to our care.