Homecoming 2023
WELCOME! Our Preliminary Application for 2024-25 Is Now Closed
Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Poly is the place to be!
Connect and celebrate with friends, teachers, alumni, on Poly’s beautiful campus!
Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered our official, limited edition, student-designed Homecoming 2023 T-shirt!
(Pre-order is now closed. )
NOTE: If you are a Poly employee, check your email for details on purchasing activity bracelets.
For families participating in the financial aid program, please reach out to Financial Aid, if this cost is a hardship for your family.
See our Homecoming FAQs below for more details. Click here for our visitor policy.
Crazy Fun Activities
It’s a carnival of games and activities for kids and tweens! We’ve got some rollicking good times planned in our Oval from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM! You may purchase your all-inclusive activities bracelet $20 per person in advance or $30 on site.
- Join the Lower School’s Great Halloween Costume Swap! Sustainability has never been this spooky and fun! More info.
- Pumpkin Patch, Magical Arts & Crafts, Balloon Artist, Face Painting, and more!
- Mini Magic Shows starting at 11:30 AM
- A 3-sided Eurobungy, hydraulic rock wall, giant dual lane slide, Leaps and Bounds obstacle course, Mechanical Bull
- Football XXL, Basketball Pop-a-Shot, and Whack-a-Mole
- Photo Booth
- Graffiti station to customize purchases from the Poly swag shop
NOTE: If you are a Poly employee, check your email for details on purchasing activity bracelets. For families participating in the financial aid program, please reach out to Financial Aid, if this cost is a hardship for your family.
Go Blue Devils!
Get your game on! It’s a full day of action on the fields and courts starting at 10:00 AM. Bring your Poly spirit and cheer on our student-athletes at the Steinberg Athletic Complex, the tennis courts, and Novogratz Center for Athletics.
- 10:00 AM – Varsity Girls’ Soccer vs. Dalton
- 11:30 AM – Varsity Girls’ Volleyball vs Dalton
- 12:00 PM – Varsity Boys’ Soccer vs Dalton
- 2:00 PM – Varsity Football vs Morristown Beard School (MBS)
Our Campus: The Stage
Come on down to the lovely Malkin Terrace for our Performing Arts Showcase under the trees! From 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, you can take in the grace and strength of our talented students as we celebrate dance, music, and voice.
- Cheer on performances by student dancers, musicians, and vocal artists!
- Dance, dance, dance like there’s no one watching (even though there might be) with our DJ providing the beats.
You Gotta Eat... and Get Some Merch!
Fuggedaboutit. What’s a party without food and swag?! Check out the best Food Truck convoy near the Oval from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and later in the back fields. What’s on the menu? We’ve got BBQ, kid faves like chicken fingers and mac and cheese, ice cream, and snacks in the back fields. Cash or credit accepted at food trucks.
- Eats: An exciting array of Brooklyn’s finest food trucks – NYC Pizza, Smash Burger, Carvel, and more!
- New Poly Merch and a special swag shop experience! (Credit cards accepted, Oval and back fields)
Poly Spirit Award
We can’t wait to see our alumni! Check out our Meet-up Tent in the back fields, cheer on our Poly Blue Devils, and join us for the day’s fun!
Alumni Association Spirit Award Ceremony & Reception
Honoring Maria DiCarlo P’23
4:00 PM in the Joseph Dana Allen Library
RSVP and send us a tribute by October 13 for Maria!
Spirit Week Revs Up Poly!
Spirit Week is a fun, long standing Poly tradition where students dress up for different theme days to generate excitement for Homecoming. Reminder: Poly Prep Dress Code applies during Spirit Week.
- Monday, October 16: Work from Home Zoom Day
Come to school looking professional on top and wearing PJs on bottom! - Tuesday, October 17: Monochrome Day
Come wearing one color and one color only! From head to toe! - Wednesday, October 18: Winston Wednesday
Wear a hand-written sign on your shirt sharing wisdom or whimsy with the Poly community. - Thursday, October 19: Sports Day
Gear up for Saturday’s athletics events by wearing your favorite jersey, hat, and team shirt! - Friday, October 20: Blue & Gray Poly Spirit Day
Show your School Spirit and wear blue and gray Poly gear — face paint and hair-dye are encouraged!
Hey! What's the Visitor Policy for Coming to Campus?
Glad you asked. Poly’s visitor policy is found here.
Homecoming FAQs
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How can parents and families help out at Homecoming?
We encourage Lower School parents and guardians to assist with Pumpkin Patch and Middle and Upper School parents and guardians to assist with various activities.
Want to be a Pumpkin Patch volunteer? Help kids decorate pumpkins, make wands and spell books, write invisible ink messages, and more. You can also assist with registration, the costume swap or clean up. Your children are welcome to join you, so don't worry about needing childcare. Grandparents and special friends are welcome to volunteer, too. Sign up here. -
Is parking available?
Parking on site is very limited. Street parking is available. We encourage public transportation or rideshares to campus.
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What are the food options?
There will be a variety of food vendors and choices, including BBQ, ice cream, grilled cheese, french fries, chicken fingers, popcorn, mac & cheese, and more.
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Does food cost money and what are payment options?
Food is available for purchase on site. Payment can be made with cash or with digital options.
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What is the cost of activities in the Oval? How to purchase an "all-inclusive" bracelet?
You may purchase a bracelet for $20 in advance through October 13; $30 at Homecoming Welcome Tables thereafter. Pay-per-ride is not an option. NOTE: If you are a Poly employee, check your email for details on purchasing activity bracelets. For families who receive financial aid, if this cost is a hardship, please contact the Financial Aid office.
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How can we participate in the Great Halloween Costume Swap?
Families are invited to drop off gently used children's costumes only at the Lower School foyer starting September 23 up to October 14. They may also drop off costumes at the table at Homecoming. Look for the Sustainable Halloween table. More details about our new Sustainable Halloween program can be found here.
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Oh no. It's raining. Is there a rain date?
This is a rain or shine event. In the event of inclement weather, most youth activities will be moved into the Legacy Gym. Masks are optional indoors.
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How can I buy Poly gear?
Come visit our new Swag Shop in the oval in the morning and in the back fields later in the afternoon! Credit card, Apple Pay, Paypal, Zelle, Venmo accepted.
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Could I bring my pet?
Poly loves your pets, but please leave them at home for this event!
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Can I bring friends who don't go to Poly?
Yes, the more the merrier! We welcome friends and family to accompany you. All children over 2 participating in youth activities must have a bracelet, available for purchase in advance or on site. Everyone is subject to our visitor policy.