TNN • Tiger News Network • 19 April 2024


 

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Boys varsity lacrosse will host Tabor Academy tomorrow (Saturday, April 20) at 2 p.m. on Kendall Field. Go, Tigers!

See all upcoming games and meets for Thayer teams in the Athletics section.

Hosting Opportunity for Thayer Families
Next year Thayer will resume its program of accepting a student from Vigo, Spain. This program started in 2009 and includes a Thayer student's trip to Spain during the summer, which the Academy did last year and will do again in the summer of 2025. Traveling and hosting fulfill a requirement of the school's Global Scholars program as well.

Alicia will join the 11th grade next year and will spend time with us from late August until late May. Thayer is looking for host families for her. Families would need a spare room in their house, and there is a stipend for hosting. If you're interested, please contact Upper School World Languages Teacher Marc Rando P '18, '20 or Director of Enrollment Management Jeff Dwyer P '31. 

Memory Boxes for Four Retiring Faculty Members
After a combined 109 years of service to Thayer Academy, Upper School History Teacher Larry Carlson P ‘02, ‘05, ‘10; Upper School World Languages Teacher Deb Higgins; Upper School Science Teacher Jim MacVarish P ‘11; and Upper School Math Teacher Deb Siegel P ‘22  will retire at the end of this school year. These valued members of the Thayer community have spent countless hours supporting students in the classrooms, on the athletic fields, and on the stage. Their passion has inspired generations of students to explore their interests and prepared them for their lives beyond Thayer.

Of special note: Mr. Carlson will retire this spring after 47 years with the distinction of being the longest-serving classroom teacher as well as the longest serving-football coach in Thayer Academy history. 

To commemorate these faculty members' years at Thayer, personalized memory boxes have been created to give to them on the occasion of their retirements. Please contribute your memories in photos and/or notes to be included in the boxes. All items must be submitted by Wednesday, May 15.

Please use the following links that will take you to each faculty member's memory box:

Offer Input on Thayer's Strategic Plan April 29
Head of School Chris Fortunato P '26, '28 invites all parents and guardians to participate in focus groups on Monday, April 29, to discuss Thayer’s next strategic plan. The first focus group will take place on campus from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; the second will be held both on campus and via Zoom from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The meeting locations and/or Zoom link will be shared with all who register.

A team of nearly 50 faculty, administrators, staff, and trustees have been working on the development of Thayer’s next strategic plan, one that will help to chart the school’s future through its upcoming 150th year and beyond. The guiding vision for this strategic plan is firmly rooted in the Academy’s belief that engagement is the key to learning excellence and future success. 

There will be additional opportunities for parents and guardians to offer their perspectives, including via surveys, as the strategic planning process continues. 

Short Play Festival
Save the date: The Upper School will present a Short Play Festival Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. 

Spring Friday Night Lights Set for April 26
Thayer Athletics will host a spring version of Friday Night Lights Friday, April 26, featuring marquee matchups for both the boys and girls varsity lacrosse teams on Kendall Field. 

The boys team begins the night with a 6 p.m. game against Noble and Greenough. The girls team will then square off against Milton Academy; start time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

The evening will include food trucks (Lolly Jolly Waffles & Mom on the Go Grilled Cheese), concessions, a spirit table, and plenty of Thayer gear for sale. 

Pener Conference Is May 3
The second annual James Pener Environmental Stewardship Conference will take place Friday, May 3, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the CFA. 

Thayer Academy Film Festival Is May 10; Submission Deadline Is May 3
The second annual Thayer Academy Film Festival will take place Friday, May 10, in the CFA. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for casual conversation and the viewing of various exhibits in the CFA lobby followed by a 7 p.m. screening of films in Hale Theater. 

This year’s theme is “Oscars/Hollywood,” so expect a red carpet, nice attire, live music, special guests, and a general sense of glamor throughout the night. 

The deadline to submit films is Friday, May 3, so the next few weeks could prove the perfect opportunity to work on a film project. There are no constraints in terms of genre, content, or runtime. More detailed information, including where to submit one’s films, will be made available shortly. 

The May 10 film festival will coincide with Middle School Arts Night and is intended as a full celebration of the artistic culture Thayer has cultivated both in the Middle and Upper School. 

May 29 Book Discussion on Toxicity of Achievement Culture
Thayer Academy Director of Counseling Mysha Kuhlmann invites Middle School and Upper School parents and guardians to participate in a book discussion featuring Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic — and What We Can Do About It. The discussion will take place Wednesday, May 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Southworth Library.

From the publisher: “In Never Enough, award-winning reporter Jennifer Breheny Wallace investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, and finds out what we must do to fight back. Drawing on interviews with families, educators, and an original survey of nearly 6,000 parents, she exposes how the pressure to perform is not a matter of parental choice but baked into our larger society and spurred by increasing income inequality and dwindling opportunities. As a result, children are increasingly absorbing the message that they have no value outside of their accomplishments, a message that is reinforced by the media and greater culture at large.”

Discussion participants will collaboratively brainstorm strategies to help students feel that they matter, which leading child psychologists identify as what students need and what can provide them the skills and self-worth to manage the internal and external pressures they face. 

Please fill out the RSVP form if you are able to attend. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Kuhlmann. 

TAPA Scholarship Applications                                                                                    
TAPA proudly allocates a portion of its funds to provide scholarships for a few senior students who have shown exemplary work in the area of community service. The awards are distributed at Last Chapel at the end of the school year.

The application form is now available. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 30. Seniors are also required to submit a recommendation letter.

If you have any questions about the process or the application, please contact Upper School Dean of Students Kristan Gately P '28 or TAPA Vice President Kaitlyn Aiello P '26, '28. 

Donations Sought for Spring Thrift Store
The TA Sustainability Club will host a Spring Thrift Store in collaboration with OMEGA and SALSA on Wednesday, April 24. The event will last all day. 

This year's thrift store fundraising will be donated to the Herren Project. Organizers plan to hold the event outside in the Hooley Courtyard area between the Brickyard and Cahall. The Spring Thrift store will also be open for Middle School students to come over and purchase items.

Please spring clean your closets and bring in items such as clothes, shoes, jewelry, college merch, etc. (no undergarments!). There are donation bins in Glover, the Commons, and Cahall. If you have items to donate, please drop them off in those bins. If there are any questions, please contact Rebecca Rudolph '24, Sadie Smith '24, or Upper School science teacher Skip Schneider P '20, '22, faculty advisor to the TA Sustainability Club. 

Donations Sought To Help Peru
A group of seniors will travel to Cusco, Peru, in May as part of Thayer's Senior Project Program. While in Peru, the group will work with students living in Peru's cities, with students in the rural village of Huilloc Alto, and with various farming families in the Sacred Valley.

The group seeks support via the donation of school supplies, art supplies, games/sporting equipment, and warm clothing (coats, pants, sweats, etc.) Donations are being collected in bins in the Main Building (second floor outside of the Spanish Dept. offices and in the Brickyard) and in Cahall (by Mr. Murphy). Organizers will be accepting donations through the first week of May.

All donations (as well as funds raised during upcoming bake sales) will go directly to helping our friends in Peru. For more information, please contact Upper School world languages teacher Terri Lukens P '24, '27 or Upper School world languages teacher Denis Cronin.

Become a Host Family for an International Student
Thayer Academy and Cambridge Network invite families to embark on a rewarding journey by hosting a Thayer international student for the 2024-25 school year.  

Open your doors to new friendships, perspectives, and experiences while providing a nurturing foundation for an international student to thrive. Host families provide a private bedroom, three meals per day, and transportation to and from Thayer Academy each day. Students arrive about one week before the first day of school and stay with hosts throughout the school year. Opportunities for short-term hosting are also available. 

In return, host families receive a monthly stipend and around-the-clock homestay support. Know someone who would make an excellent host family? Cambridge Network offers a $500 referral bonus.
 
To learn more, visit Cambridge Network’s website or reach out to the host recruitment manager directly at Leanna.Glass@cambridgenetwork.com or 609.222.4362.

Summer Opportunities for Middle School and Upper School Students
Are you a Thayer student looking for a meaningful summer opportunity? The Pulsifer College Counseling Center shares this Summer Programs for Teens resource as a place to learn about over 4,000 summer opportunities.

Summer programs are a great way to stay engaged during the summer months, develop a passion, or try something new. Please check this resource periodically for new updates. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Shaw in the College Counseling Office.

DEIB Notebook

Thanks for a Great Event
Thank you to all who attended and supported the Isokan Family Gathering on April 12. 

QUEST Picnic Is April 26
The QUEST picnic will be held Friday, April 26, after school to show support and build community for our Thayer LGTBQ+ community with food, music, and fun.

Discounted Registration Fee for April 28 Running Event
As a member of the Bionic Project school community, Thayer Academy automatically receives a 15% discount promo code for those who wish to register for the Bionic 5K & 1Mile in Cambridge; the event will take place Sunday, April 28. 

The Academy’s unique code is THAYER15. Hope to see some of you there!

Passover Begins April 22
Passover is one of the most important celebrations on the Hebrew calendar. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It begins with families gathering together the first night (first two nights for many communities outside Israel) for dinner called seder (meaning “order” or “arrangement” in Hebrew) and ends seven to eight days later.

This year, Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 22, and ends at sundown on Tuesday, April 30.

OMEGA Potluck Is April 30
This spring's OMEGA potluck will take place Tuesday April 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Cahall Dining Hall. Please RSVP if you're planning to attend. Can’t wait to see you there! 

Tigers of the Week
Congratulations to our newest Tigers of the Week. Keep up the good work! 


 

Senior Project Permission Forms
Attention, parents and guardians of seniors: The Senior Project Permission Form is live in MySchoolApp. Please log in to the Parent Portal and complete the form with your senior as soon as possible.

All parents/guardians in the senior's family are required to complete the form. The Senior Project is a graduation requirement, and all seniors need permission to participate.

BISCCA College Fair Is April 21
BISCCA (Boston Independent School College Counseling Association) invites Thayer students to attend the association's annual college fair Sunday, April 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the recreation and athletic complex of Babson College in Wellesley. 

Colleges in attendance represent schools OUTSIDE of New England. While the fair is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m., BISCCA students are asked to arrive at two separate times to minimize venue crowding. Thayer students have been asked to attend from 1 to 2:30 p.m. As this is a student-only event, parents and guardians are encouraged to bring a book, walk around campus, or head to Wellesley Center for a coffee.

In order to participate, students should preregister via the Strive Scan link. Once complete, students receive a QR/barcode that each college can quickly scan to track student interest. The list of colleges attending is available. More details about the event, including parking directions, are also available.

 

Grade 7 Nature's Classroom Trip Approaching
A reminder: The 7th grade will take its overnight with Nature's Classroom to Great Barrington on Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3. 

TAPA Board Positions
TAPA is responsible for so many community events held around school. As a TAPA board member, you're able to learn so much about what's happening and what new events are coming. TAPA is always looking for volunteers to join in this development and management effort by sitting on the TAPA board. 

If you're interested in a board seat, please contact TAPA President Kim Millian '26 to learn about the roles, responsibilities, and time commitments of open seats.

Open board seats include: Volunteer Coordinator; Middle School President; Middle School Vice President; and  Middle School Secretary.

Parent/Guardian Socials Coming This Spring
TAPA is excited to host class-specific parent/guardian socials this spring. Keep an eye out for details from your class parents/guardians or check the TNN for "Save-the-Date" info.

Class of 2024: Took place April 16.
Class of 2025: Took place April 18. 
Class of 2026: Thursday, April 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Davio’s in Braintree
Class of 2027: Took place April 5
Class of 2028: Thursday, May 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Alba in Quincy
Class of 2029: Took place April 4
Class of 2030: Details to follow
Class of 2031: Thursday, April 25, 6 to 8 p.m., at Jake n Joe's in Braintree  

TAPA Parent/Guardian Spring Social Is May 23
Please join TAPA Thursday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. for a fun, casual evening in the Hooley Courtyard (in front of Cahall Campus Center) to get to know fellow Thayer parents and guardians and raise money for TAPA’s activities throughout the year.

The evening will include food and beverage trucks, raffles, and the opportunity to purchase exclusive Thayer merchandise.

The May 23 social will feature music by Dirty Water Boulevard. If you haven’t seen them at the C Note along Hull's Nantasket Beach, now is your chance to rock to the sounds of some of Thayer’s talented musicians. 

Tickets are $30 each. If you have any questions about the social or wish to contribute a raffle item, contact TAPA President Kim Millian P ’26 or Director of Special Events and Parent Programming Renee Forsythe.

New this year:  Reserve a high-top table for you and your friends! The $500 purchase includes four tickets to the event, four drink tickets, and sponsor recognition for the table. Only 10 tables are available.

More Info on April 26 Spirit Event; Volunteers Sought
TAPA's Parent Athletics Council (PAC) and Thayer's Athletics Department are excited to host a spring spirit event for the entire Thayer community on Friday, April 26. 

Following the success of this fall's night football game, Thayer is going back under the lights! The fun will kick off with Middle School home games in the afternoon and continue straight into the varsity lacrosse games that evening. 

The complete April 26 game schedule is as follows: 
3:30 p.m. - Middle School Boys A Baseball
3:30 p.m. - Middle School Boys A Lacrosse
3:30 p.m. - Middle School Coed Tennis (South Athletic Campus)
3:45 p.m. - Middle School Girls B Lacrosse
4:30 p.m. - Boys Varsity Tennis
6:00 p.m. - Boys Varsity Lacrosse
7:30 p.m. - Girls Varsity Lacrosse

While the first varsity game starts at 6 p.m., be sure to arrive at 5:30 p.m. for the food trucks, music, free spirit gear, and brand-new Thayer merchandise available for purchase. 

To make these events a success, TAPA needs your help. Please consider registering to volunteer. 

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon                                                            
Each year the Thayer parent and guardian community takes the opportunity to celebrate and thank Thayer's faculty and staff. Every one of these amazing individuals helps to create the incredible environment in which Thayer students learn and thrive. Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to do a little something special, and this year TAPA will thank our faculty and staff with a wonderful Taste of Italy luncheon. 

On May 8, TAPA volunteers will transform the Tiger’s Den into an on-campus Italian bistro. TAPA already has a number of special treats and vendors to help in the transformation, but it still needs your participation to ensure that this year’s event is a success. 

TAPA organizers have created a list of donations needed. Donations can be made directly through Venmo to @Sarah-Essex-1. Please include "LUNCHEON" in the description. (The last four digits of the phone are 8270 if needed for Venmo)

Feel free to contact Rebecca Baker P ’28; Megan Hansen P '24, ‘26; or Vanessa Hsu P '26 with any questions or if you're available to help out at the event. 

Homecoming 2024 Committee
Homecoming is TAPA’s largest event of the year, bringing together the entire Thayer community for a fun-filled day of spirit and socialization. There's something for everyone in the family. In addition to cheering on Thayer’s sports teams, there are games, a bake sale, a cornhole tournament, a petting zoo, food trucks, snacks and the ever-popular sale of exclusive Thayer merchandise. 

Have you ever thought about being a part of the planning of Homecoming? It takes the whole Thayer community to make this event a success, and it all starts with the planning committee. There's a blueprint for the entire event, but there's also an opportunity to put a new spin on things. Homecoming will take place Saturday, Sept. 28. 

TAPA is currently recruiting for the Homecoming 2024 Committee, including two chairs to lead the team. Positions include: 

  • Homecoming: Two lead chairs
  • Bake Sale: Two co-chairs
  • Cornhole: Two co-chairs
  • Games/Decor/Spirit Table: Two co-chairs 

Grab a friend and join the team! To learn more or to volunteer, contact TAPA President Kim Millian P ‘26.

TAPA Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups
TAPA welcomes participation in upcoming affinity group meetings for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ parents and guardians. Affinity groups are a resource to provide a sense of community and a safe space for parents and guardians to unite and support one another in meaningful conversations and activities. These groups are facilitated by parent/guardian volunteers. 

Please note: affinity group meetings are intended to be a safe space for those individuals in our community who self-identify as a member of that designated group and are able to speak from the "I" perspective. These meetings should only be attended by those individuals; they are not intended for those who identify as allies.

For any questions about the BIPOC Affinity Group, please contact TAPA DEIB Coordinator Sharisse Cail Perry P ‘24 ‘24. For any questions about the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, please contact Julie Austin-Johnstone P ‘24 or Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28.

Christian Affinity Group Meets June 5
The Christian Affinity Group welcomes any parent or guardian who identifies as Christian. For any questions about this affinity group, please contact Vanessa Hsu P '26, the group's facilitator. 

The group will hold its next meeting Wednesday, June 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Bakker Reading Room of Southworth Library.

BIPOC Parent/Guardian Affinity Group Meeting Dates 
The BIPOC Parent/Guardian Affinity Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. on the following remaining dates this spring:

  • Wednesday, May 15

Please note: affinity group meetings are intended to be a safe space for those individuals in our community who self-identify as a member of that designated group and are able to speak from the "I" perspective. These meetings should only be attended by those individuals; they are not intended for those who identify as allies.

For any questions about the BIPOC Affinity Group, please contact TAPA DEIB Coordinator Sharisse Cail Perry P ‘24 ‘24.

Academy Jackets Available
Letterman jackets have been proudly worn at universities and high schools for over 150 years. Jostens alone has sold over 150,000 jackets since the beginning of this school year. Recently, TAPA partnered with Jostens to create our own Thayer Academy Jacket with great success and dozens sold.

The Academy Jacket can be customized for students, faculty, and alums. It features the varsity T for letter athletes and TA for all others. Over 30 optional custom patches are available to celebrate Thayer’s commitment to athletics, activities, and the arts.

These one-of-a-kind keepsake jackets can be ordered directly through Jostens website and can be purchased throughout the year, starting at $161.50.

If you have any questions, please contact: Mary Chenaur P ’24, ‘26; Martha McNally P ’22, ‘24; or Jostens representative Kate Toman. Toman can also be reached at 508.248.9095.

Here to Help
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at tapa@thayer.org. 

Executive Board 2023-24

President
Kim Millian P '26

Vice President
Kaitlyn Aiello P '26, '28

Treasurer
Margit Foley P '25

Secretary
Jerusha Shatzkamer P ‘26, ‘26

Volunteer Coordinators
Dasan Harrington P '27
Laura Query P '29

DEIB Co-Coordinators
Sharisse Cail Perry P '24, '24
Faith Patterson P '26

Middle School Co-Presidents
Heidi Barry P '26, '28
Colleen Hernandez '90, P '26, '28

Middle School Vice President
Yemi Talabi-Oates P '26, '29

Middle School Secretary
Laura Winters P '30

Parent Athletics Council (PAC) Coordinator
Danielle Shahied P '26, '27

Middle School DEIB Coordinator
Ophelia Ardayfio P ‘27, ‘30
 

Upper School Math Teacher Dan Forrest P ‘31 and his daughter Cordelia ‘31 are reading Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. 

Southworth Library Director Amy Perry is reading The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden. 

For a complete listing of current events, visit thayer.org/calendar.

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Questions about TNN? Suggestions? Please email TNN@thayer.org.