Thayer Academy Parent Association

Subscribing to Calendars

To pull a Thayer Academy calendar into your device's calendar app (Google Calendar, iCal, etc):

1. Click on the gray RSS icon at the top right of the calendar.
2. Select the calendar you want and click on the green "iCal" button.
3. Click "Add to your default Calendar app".

To receive alerts about calendar changes, click the gold bell icon at the top right of the calendar, and manage your settings.

The Parents' Independent School Network (PIN)

What is PIN? The Parents’ Independent School Network, Inc. (PIN) is a volunteer group of parents with children who are students at New England-area independent elementary and secondary schools. PIN was formed to help parents share ideas and promote worthy programs at these independent schools.

What are PIN's goals? 

• To discuss topics of mutual concern
• To share ideas and practices which have benefited member schools and their students
• To sponsor educational events
• To support and foster PIN member schools’ community service programs
• To encourage each representative to work closely with his or her school and the school’s parent organization to disseminate ideas and information learned from the meetings
• To share information through our Community Bulletin Board about upcoming PIN member school events open to the public

How do you become a member? Since your child is a student at Thayer, you are already a member of PIN! Thayer's Parent Association, TAPA, pays the PIN dues each year, so all parents may benefit from the parent education programming that PIN organizes. All PIN meetings are open to any parent or guardian who wishes to attend. At meetings, parents gather to share information about topics relating to non-academic issues, listen to speakers and panels, and participate in discussion groups.

What is a PIN representative? To ensure Thayer representation, two parents from both the Middle and Upper Schools volunteer to attend all PIN meetings each year. These representatives serve as the conduit between the diverse school communities. Thayer's PIN representatives will report the information they learned back to Thayer, and these notes are published in the TNN to ensure the whole parent community benefits from this programming regardless of meeting attendance. 2020-2021 PIN meetings will all be held virtually. Meeting dates will be shared in the TNN as the calendar is set.

Who are Thayer's PIN Representatives? 
Middle School: Kerri Coughlin P '24, '26 and Dasan Harrington P '27
Upper School: Eileen McCormack P '21, '23 and Mary Michel P '23, '26

TAPA Engagement and Belonging

Our dedicated team of coordinators from the Thayer Academy Parent Association (TAPA) are committed to advancing inclusion and connection within our school community. Working closely with the dean of engagement and belonging, we strive to identify goals and initiatives for each academic year. Our mission encompasses engaging diverse parents, particularly focusing on supporting black families, and enhancing diverse representation within the TAPA Executive Board.

What are our initiatives? 

• We support the school administration's mission to foster a diverse community of students dedicated to excellence in various facets of life, contributing to the common good.

• We organize and sponsor activities aimed at encouraging family involvement and nurturing school spirit.

• We coordinate volunteer efforts to bolster school programs.

• We prioritize communication to cultivate a strong sense of community.

• We assist Thayer Academy's fundraising endeavors.

How can you get involved? 

At the onset of each school year, our engagement and belonging coordinators facilitate community-building efforts among diverse families. This involves identifying support structures like affinity and alliance groups, as well as hosting or promoting community building events such as the OMEGA potlucks or middle school Bring 'N' Share gatherings. We welcome feedback from the community to continually refine our approach in fostering familial connections.

To ensure inclusivity across Thayer Academy, we have co-coordinators serving both the upper school and middle school divisions.

We eagerly anticipate collaborating with you to enrich our Thayer community. GO TIGERS!

For inquiries or involvement opportunities, please reach out to us at tapadeib@thayer.org.

Engagement and Belonging Co-Coordinators:
Dasan Harrington P ’27
Faith Patterson P ’26

Middle School Engagement and Belonging Coordinator:
Ophelia Ardayfio P ’27, ’30