Family Gathering Brings Over 500 to Campus

The first week of school is busy figuring out commutes and class schedules, but families still made time to come to campus to meet and mingle at the Winsor Family Gathering. Over 500 people attended the annual event on September 5, 2024. A mix of Winsor students and their siblings, parents and guardians, class coordinators and deans, the event brought together the Lower School and the Upper School for a community celebration. “The Parents’ Association was thrilled to see the amazing turnout,” shared Parents’ Association Co-Chair Fawn Andersen P’29. The event was so well attended that parking spilled onto the turf fields.

“The Family Gathering is such a warm, welcoming way to start the year for Winsor families,” added Parents’ Association Co-Chair Aida Arain-Alam P’27, ’30. “The casual nature of the gathering allows everyone to participate and feel like they belong—whether you stay the whole evening or drop in for the delicious dinner from Chef Heather,” she said.

Scattered around cocktail tables and seated at rounds draped with red and white gingham tablecloths, attendees enjoyed hot dogs, burgers, and pasta salad, as well as some of Chef Heather’s more elevated fare like a peach and kale salad and pickled veggies like cauliflower and snap peas. 

The Winsor Family Gathering is the perfect way to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. “Being on campus, you instantly feel reconnected to the community. Seeing so many familiar faces brings a sense of comfort, and meeting new families adds to the excitement of a new academic year,” said Arain-Alam.

While students enjoyed games like kickball and soccer on the turf, others played corn hole and tetherball in the courtyard, hung out at tables, or jumped rope. A raffle for a Winsor fleece blanket was popular with students and parents alike. For dessert, guests enjoyed peach and blueberry cobbler.

“It was a wonderful evening that truly highlighted the strong sense of community we have at Winsor. Families had the chance to connect in a meaningful way, and the positive energy was a great way to kick off the 2024–25 academic year,” said Andersen.