New Parents Reception -- An evening event welcoming new parents to the school. The school's administration will be available to answer questions about the year. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served. Held in the Lewis Dining Hall, which is located in the Roy Campus Center. Parents only.

New Parents and New Students Orientation (Middle and Upper Schools) -- All new students in grades four through eight are given a tour of the campus and introduced to some of their teachers. Children will be shown their specific homeroom and given a class schedule. Details concerning drop off, pick up and athletics will also be provided. Their pictures will be taken by a parent volunteer. This event will start in Larson Hall located in Roy Campus Center at 9am. Dress is casual for the kids.

First Chapel -- A wonderful tradition that starts off the school year on the first day of the semester in Larson Hall. Grades 1-8 participate in First Chapel. The head of school will welcome the students to a new year by presenting a theme for the year, and will introduce the faculty. The dress code for this event is dresses or skirts for girls and jacket and tie for boys, for middle and lower school.  Your child may bring a change of clothes for the rest of the day.

Parents Association All-School Welcoming Coffee and Meeting -- This is the PA's first meeting of the year. After a brief coffee social, introductions are made and the agenda for the year begins! In addition, there will be an opportunity to see how parents may become involved in one or more events throughout the year. This event is also a great opportunity to meet some great parents. It generally runs for about an hour.

Lower School Coffee and Curriculum Night (Pre-K through Grade 3) -- This parent-only event is held one evening during the first full week of school. It's an excellent opportunity to meet in you child's classroom, hear about the curriculum for the year, acquaint yourself with other parents and sign up for class projects and snacks for the year. The evening usually begins in Larson Hall then breaks up into individual classrooms. If you have two children in the Lower School, then both parents may want to attend and split up into the specific classrooms.

Secondary School Fair -- An event held in Derby's McKelvey Gym located in the lower level of the Roy Campus Center. It's a great opportunity to visit with a variety of day and boarding school representatives, and a convenient and casual way to introduce yourself and your child to the many schools and options available to them after Derby. The program operates as an open house so that you can arrive any time between 6:30 and 8:30pm and stay as long as you would like. The evening is open to the public and is very well attended. Generally, seventh and eighth graders get the most benefit from this evening.

School Pictures -- Class and individual photos are taken by a professional photography company. Neat attire and a comb or brush in your student's backpack may be useful. Colored tops tend to photograph better than white. This will take place outdoors, weather permitting, or indoors if there are inclement conditions.

Pot Luck Socials – These are a great tradition that allow for plenty of socializing and mingling with fellow parents in your grade(s). They are evening events for adults only, and will be organized by the grade reps in each grade. You will be notified of the dates at the beginning of the year. These are usually cocktail parties with heavy hors d’oeuvres or dinners hosted at someone’s home, and often done in “potluck” style. Casual and a fun time!

Fall Harvest Fair -- Bring your family and friends! This event is open to the entire local community. It's a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and support a Parents Association fundraiser. There are a multitude of games and activities for all ages as well as items for sale. In addition to the games, there is a wonderful Food Court in the Lewis Dining Hall, a bake sale, book sale, plants, etc. This event is only successful because of the wonderful parents that volunteer to help and the team of parents who run the entire day. If you haven't already volunteered, then please consider doing so! This event goes on rain or shine!


October


Gift Wrap -- This is a Parents Association fundraiser. Information will be sent home with your child with instructions on how to order gift-wrap. Feel free to take orders from friends and family outside Derby. Derby receives a portion of the total sales. The Derby Days newsletter will be updated with deadlines for ordering. Gift-wrap material will go home in early October and ends in November. Order fullfillment will be sent home with your child before Thanksgiving.

Back to School Night (Middle and Upper Schools) -- Similar to the Lower School Curriculum Night, however during this evening you will follow your childrens sample schedule and move from classroom to classroom to hear from each of their teachers. Upon arrival, you will be given a packet of information with a map to help guide you through the program. The evening begins in the Roy Campus Center. If you have more than one child in the Middle or Upper Schools, two parents will be better able to cover the evening. 

Parents Visiting Days -- Come to school with your child for the day! For the Lower School, parents are invited to spend an hour or two in the classrooms. The Middle and Upper School parents are invited to spend the entire day (on a Friday, until 1pm) with their children traveling from class to class. It's a wonderful opportunity to see the faculty and students in action!

MS/US Parent / Teacher Conferences –-Lower School children do not have school on conference day so that teachers are available for the entire day. Sign-up sheets for conferences with their teachers will be available at Back-to-School Night as well as at Parents Visiting Day. Please plan to attend without your child -- there is no childcare available at school. Middle and Upper school children will attend school as usual; conferences should be arranged through specific teachers if desired.

Advisor / Student Meetings (Middle and Upper Schools) --Your child will be assigned an advisor at the beginning of the year. The advisor is the person for you to contact throughout the year for updates or to discuss any issues your child may be experiencing. Group advisor meetings are held every Wednesday morning in lieu of Morning Meeting. Email is the preferred contact method for most faculty members. They are very good at getting right back to you.

Halloween --  Lower School children may bring costumes to school for an all-school Halloween Parade in the afternoon.  Middle and Upper School children may wear costumes for the entire day. Parents are invited to watch the parade


November


All School Book Fair -- A parent volunteer opportunity run by the Derby Library. This event runs for an entire school week and is a fundraiser for the school. A local bookstore helps to set up a roomful of books for all ages... think holiday shopping!

Fall Athletic Awards -- Held at the end of each of the fall sports seasons in Larson Hall, this event celebrates athletic achievement. Because it is held during the school day, it can be difficult for some parents to attend -- but your support is always appreciated!


December


Pre-K and Kindergarten Holiday Program -- A wonderful celebration of the holidays! Very low-key, this event is held in the classrooms, and typically includes craft time with your child and a special musical performance. Bring your video camera!

Upper School Holiday Dance -- This event is a semi-formal dance for grades 7 and 8 and is held in the Lewis Dining Hall. It's a semi-formal dance sponsored by the student council. The girls wear dresses and the boys a jacket and tie.

Holiday Performance -- Grades 1-4 (4th graders have leads in this play, while grades 1-3 participate as chorus) – Let There Be Light, a morning holiday event and a great Derby tradition. The children have rehearsed for weeks and look forward to performing for their families. Many grandparents and extended family members attend this event in Larson Hall. Girls should wear a black skirt and white top, while the boys wear dress pants and a white shirt. There is a reception after the performance in the dining hall.

Holiday Performance (Grades 5-8) -- Another wonderful tradition at Derby. This event is always packed -- plan to get there early for a good seat. Girls should wear a black skirt and white top, while the boys wear dress pants and a white shirt. There is a reception after the performance in the dining hall.


January


Family Ski Trip -- The Family Ski Trip is a great opportunity to get to know other Derby families on a weekend-long winter outing.  More information will be available this fall -- make your reservations early, as the trip is usually a sell-out.

Camp Fair -- It's cold outside, but it's already time to think summer! The Camp Fair is held at Derby and managed by Derby staff, but it is open to the general public. It's a convenient way to explore many different summer camp opportunities.

Middle and Upper School Winter Concert -- Grades 4 through 8 students have been working hard to produce a not-to-be-missed evening of music! All are welcome to attend.


February


International Night -- The culmination of a tremendous amount of work by the fifth grade students, faculty, and staff; early in the school year, fifth grade students choose a country they would like to represent in a variety of ways. After much hard work throughout the school year, they make individual presentations to parents, students, and faculty in one fabulous evening. This is a very big night for the fifth graders and their families -- a must-see if your child is a fifth grader!


March


Upper School Musical -- A great take! If you haven't been, or your child is too young to participate then you really should consider going. There are usually a few performances for you to choose from. Most of the students in the Upper School are involved in the play in some way.



April


Parents Association Major Fundraiser – Traditionally an auction, it is the largest fundraiser for the school. A night filled with wonderful food, raffle and auction items (silent and live), and other entertainment. Monies raised support the Parents Association’s programs and special school projects and initiatives. A fun night out for parents of the Derby community.

May


Summer Reading Book Fair -- Same as Fall Book Fair except that the children will have their summer reading recommendations and can purchase their books at this time.

Girls Athletic Banquet (Grade 6-8) -- If you have a daughter at Derby in the Middle or Upper Schools, then set aside this evening. The evening begins with a dinner in the Lewis Dining Hall followed by the awards and a little skit put on by the eighth grade girls. It's a memorable evening for the girls with a few tears shed as they prepare to move on to secondary schools.

Boys Athletic Banquet (Grades 6-8) -- Same as above, though usually without the tears!

Faculty Appreciation Luncheon – A Parents Association event, this luncheon is always a beautiful expression of our admiration and respect for the Derby teachers and staff. Parents work extremely hard to make this event special each year.

Arts Night (Grades 4 - 8) -- Another evening that is not to be missed. A very cute performance and display of unbelievable art projects that the children have created.

Arts Morning Grades (1 – 3) -- Same as above, but lower key for the younger students.

June


Field Day -- A little-understood event for many families. This is a great time for families and students to come and watch an age-old competition at Derby: the Derbies against the Toppers (girls) and the Lights against the Darks (boys). Each student is assigned to a category for his or her entire Derby career and competes during the school year. On Field Day, the final competitions are held and the winners of each category emerge. Teachers and staff are all involved on this day. Not to be missed if you have a child in grades 4 through 8!


Last Chapel (Middle and Upper Schools) -- A very special ending to the school year with final speeches and awards for many. The dress code for this event is as for First Chapel -- dresses or skirts for girls and jacket and tie for boys.

Derby Day -- The entire school is involved in this grand procession down Fearing Road to the New North Church. It is the final act of the school year, with girls in white dresses and boys in dress pants, shirt, and tie. You may either walk with the group of students, teachers, and trustees, or wait in Hingham Square for the procession to pass. The ceremony then leads into the church for speeches and awards. Though all students and families may participate in the procession, the ceremony is limited to grades 7 and 8 and their families due to space limitations.