TNN • Tiger News Network • 06 January 2023


 

To access a specific section in the TNN, click below:

 

No School Jan. 16
There will be no school Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Administrative offices will be closed. 

No Classes Jan. 17
There will be no classes Tuesday, Jan. 17, because of a scheduled Faculty Work Day. 

Financial Aid Deadline (For Returning Students)
A reminder: Financial aid applications for returning students (not new students) are due today (Friday, Jan. 6).

Midyear Sign-up for Private Music Lessons
Interested in music lessons? Midyear sign-ups for Thayer's private music lesson program are now in progress.

Lessons are available for voice, piano, guitar, bass, strings, wind instruments, and drums. Students interested in starting an instrument or continuing the study of an instrument can visit the Academy's private lesson page and fill out the lesson sign-up form.

Lessons meet weekly during an Upper School student’s free period/study hall and a Middle School student's X-Block and Activity period. After-school lessons and Zoom lessons may be available, depending on the individual lesson teacher’s schedule.

If families have questions about the program, please visit the private lesson page for pricing and lesson policies. For all other questions, please contact Private Music Lesson Coordinator Steve Skop P '23. 

Books, Crafts, and More at Southworth LIbrary
Did you make a resolution to read more in the new year? Looking for a book recommendation? Want to relax and create a craft? Is a jigsaw puzzle your thing? Then head on over to the library! Southworth Library is stocked with great reads, fun winter crafts, jigsaw puzzles, and lots of spaces to take a break.  

Southworth Library hours are: 

  • Monday: 7:45 a.m. until 5 p.m. 
  • Tuesday: 8:45 a.m. until 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m.
  • Thursday: 7:45 a.m. until 5 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m.

College Financial Aid Workshops for All Upper School Grades
Thayer Academy has partnered with Paul Martin of College Money Method to offer several online financial aid workshops throughout the second semester. In January, there are two such presentations: 

  • Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. - Learning How the Financial Aid Process Works and Exploring Your Financial Fitness (For 9th and 10th grade families)
  • Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. - Evaluating Loans and Borrowing for Your College Investment (For 11th and 12th grade families)

To learn more about these presentations and other upcoming workshops, please log in to Thayer's landing page with College Money Method. The password is: tacmm2223. The links to the presentation will be posted there along with many other useful financial aid resources and recordings of past workshops. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Pulsifer College Counseling Center. 

College Counseling Event for Juniors Jan. 9
Attention, juniors and their parents/guardians: A College Counseling Presentation & Admission Director Panel Discussion will take place Monday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. in Thompson Hall at the Middle School. 

Thayer's college counselors will discuss the college counseling and admission process, which will provide information about the college search, the planning timeline, standardized testing options, and other relevant resources. 

The presentation will include a panel discussion with admission directors from Trinity College, WPI, and UMass Amherst who will share their thoughts about the college process and answer any questions about college education and admissions. 

If you cannot attend the Jan. 9 event in person, please know that the event will be recorded and made available. 

College Athletic Recruitment Meeting Now Both In-Person and Virtual
The Athletics Department and the Pulsifer College Counseling Center will hold their College Athletic Recruitment Meeting Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. While the meeting was initially via Zoom only, it is now a hybrid event — families can join via Zoom or attend in person in the Brickyard. The Jan. 19 meeting is geared for current students in grades 9, 10, and 11 and their families. 

Join for an informative look into the college athletics recruitment process. Director of Athletics Bobbi Moran and Co-Director of College Counseling Cicily Shaw will share information on the process surrounding college athletic recruitment and the resources available to students and families at Thayer.

Once you register, you will receive a Zoom link to attend the meeting. If you plan to attend this meeting in person, please RSVP to cshaw@thayer.org by Jan. 13. 

Upper School Semester Ends Next Week
The Upper School's first semester will end Friday, Jan. 13. The second semester will begin Jan. 18. 

Grade 9 Field Trip Is Jan. 27
Save the Date: The 9th grade field trip to Frog Pond in Boston has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 27.

Advisor Conferences Are Jan. 23
Middle School Advisor Conferences will be held IN PERSON Monday, Jan. 23, during the school day. These are 25-minute conferences between the student, advisor, and parents/guardians for reflection and conversation at the midpoint of the school year. (There is no school for Middle School students this day.)  

Students will prepare to lead these conferences in the coming weeks. Advisors will reach out to set up the schedule for these meetings. 

‘Crossing the Street’ Is Jan. 12
The "Crossing the Street" program for 8th grade families will take place Thursday, Jan. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the CFA. This 8th grade student and parent/guardian event is a time to hear from Upper School students and faculty leaders about the Upper School experience. 

Middle School DEI Conference at Shady Hill School April 1
The Thayer Academy DEIB Office looks forward to bringing a group of Middle School students to the AISNE Middle School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference. The conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Shady Hill School in Cambridge.

The DEIB Office encourages families to talk about this exciting opportunity at home. If you have questions and/or think your student(s) would be interested in attending, reach out to Sarah Miller or Destiny Palmer.

Coffee with Head of School Jan. 11
Mark your calendars: Coffee with Head of School Chris Fortunato P '26, '28 is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 8:15 a.m. in the CFA lobby. Mr. Fortunato will discuss the "State of the School" and will be joined by Thayer Academy Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Timothy Patrick McCarthy to discuss his work with the Thayer community regarding leadership communication and public speaking.

If you have any questions for Mr. Fortunato or Mr. McCarthy, please send them in advance to Renee Forsythe.

TAPA Speaker Engagement: 'The Well-Balanced Student' Is Jan. 19
The first TAPA speaker engagement of the year will take place Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. in the CFA. TAPA will welcome Jon Kleiman from Challenge Success.

As families are aware, Thayer has partnered with Challenge Success, a consulting firm charged with assisting in transforming the Academy's approach to the student experience. During this event, families will learn about how pressure from parents/guardians, culture, school, and elsewhere can impact students. Parents and guardians will better understand how to help students navigate these stressors and learn more about how Thayer will work alongside families in creating a healthier learning environment.

Please note: This event is being held on the heels of the College Athletic Recruiting Meeting, co-sponsored by the Athletics Department and the Pulsifer College Counseling Center, which will take place at 6 p.m. that same evening.

Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups
TAPA and the DEIB office welcome 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.

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.

Remaining BIPOC Affinity Group meeting dates (All meetings begin at 7 p.m.): Jan. 18; Feb. 22; April 5; and May 3. 

Remaining LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group meeting dates (All meetings begin at 7 p.m.): Jan. 18; Feb. 21; April 6; and May 10.

Academy Jackets: On-site Measurement Day Is Jan. 25
The new year is upon us, and so, too, are new sports teams and new activities. Academy jackets serve as a unique way to highlight these accomplishments. The customized jackets can be personalized with any sport, activity, or club that a student participates in at school. The jackets are ordered directly through Jostens and can be purchased throughout the year.

Representatives from Jostens will be on-site Wednesday, Jan. 25, in the Student Commons starting at noon. They will have a variety of sizes of coats on hand to help with the ordering process.

If you have any questions please contact; Mary Chenaur P ’24, ‘26; Martha McNally P ’22, ‘24, ‘27; or Jostens representative Kate Toman. Toman can also be reached at 508.248.9095.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities: Senior Activities
For our senior parents and guardians, this time of year brings thoughts of graduation as families are deep in the throes of college applications. Perhaps it has fostered some thoughts of all the activities that the school hosts on behalf of graduating students. TAPA sponsors The Last Hurrah! dinner, Senior Fest, and other spring activities. TAPA seeks a few parents/guardians to chair and volunteer for these events. Both senior and junior parents/guardians are encouraged to sign up. Please reach out to TAPA President Martha McNally P ’22, ‘24, ‘27 (last year’s chair) with questions or to participate.

For those interested in participating in the organization of the May Parent/Guardian Social, come ready to brainstorm in the new year. This committee will meet in January to start the planning process. TAPA also needs volunteers to help with decor, food selection, and auction item collection.

Review and/or sign up for all volunteer needs. 

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

Martha McNally P ’22, ‘24, ‘27: President
Caroline Kuhlmann P ’25, ‘28: Vice President
Lee Sentnor P ’21, ‘24, ‘26: Treasurer
Kaityln Aiello P ’26, ‘28: Secretary
Heidi Barry P ’26, ‘28: MS President
Colleen Hernandez ‘90 P ’26, ‘28: MS Vice President
JoAnn Brown P ’27: MS Secretary
Sharisse Cail Perry P ’24, ‘24: DEIB Coordinator
Kim Millian P ‘26: Volunteer Coordinator
Dasan Harrington P ’27: Volunteer Coordinator
Nicole Arnold P ’24, ‘25: Parent Athletic Coordinator (PAC)
Yemi Talabi-Oates P ‘26, ‘29: MS DEIB Coordinator
 

Don't forget to follow us on social! You don't need to download any apps to see pictures and videos of what's happening all over campus every day. Simply click on the icons below to access Thayer's official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click the title of the book or article to read a book review or the article itself. 

Upper School Visual Arts and New Media Department Head Anni Zukauskas ‘94 P ‘28, ‘29 is reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, PhD.  

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

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