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- All School Announcements
- Upper School Announcements
- Middle School Announcements
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- What Thayer is Reading
Welcome back, and here's to a great new school year and a great fall sports season! Girls varsity soccer hosts Worcester Academy tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 7) at 1 p.m. on Kendall Field. Go, Tigers!
See all upcoming games, matches, and meets for Thayer teams in the Athletics section.
Temporary Thayer Bus Passes Available, Weekdays, Sept. 9 - 27
For those affected by the MBTA's upcoming Red Line closure (Sept. 9 - 29), Thayer is pleased to offer prorated bus service on the Academy's regular bus routes. The three-week bus pass is $267 per student for one-way (morning or afternoon) travel, and $350 per student for round-trip travel. Register here for temporary bus service.
Private Music Lesson Sign-up
Sign-ups for the 2024-25 private music lesson program are in progress. If you're interested in starting or continuing the study of an instrument, please visit thayer.org/privatelessons and fill out the lesson sign-up form.
Lessons are available in voice, piano, guitar, bass, strings, wind Instruments, and drums. Weekly lessons meet during an Upper School student’s free period / study hall and a Middle School student's extra help period, art elective, or study hall. Lessons may be available before school, after school, or through Zoom depending on the individual lesson teacher’s schedule.
Lessons begin Monday, Sept. 30. Please note: some private lesson teachers are available to start lessons prior to Sept. 30. In that case, the teacher will contact the student individually to set up an earlier lesson start date.
If you have questions about the program, please visit thayer.org/privatelessons for pricing and lesson policies. For other questions, please contact Private Music Lesson Coordinator Steve Skop P '23.
Senior Picture Day is Sept. 9
The picture day for seniors is Monday, Sept. 9. These are outdoor, brief, individualized portrait sessions. Although we use the informal background of the Thayer campus as the setting, the seniors are asked to dress in special occasion attire: blazers, dress pants, dresses, skirts, button-up shirts, etc. They should feel comfortable but dressed up for the "formal senior portrait." Please, no sportswear, low-cut, or short-length clothing. The student should be wearing the appropriate dress for school with just a bit more of a dressed-up look.
The students will be sent a form to schedule their portrait appointment time. No outside photography is used in the Black and Orange yearbook formal portrait section.
There is no cost for the yearbook portrait, and seniors will be allowed to select their preferred pose for the yearbook for free. Parents and guardians will also have the ability to order photos directly from the photographer's website.
If there are any questions, please contact Ms. Gloria Maria Blanco P '04, '05, '08, '11 (yearbook publications teacher and advisor to the Black and Orange) at gblanco@thayer.org or 781.664.2321.
Show Your Pride With Senior Yearbook Ads
Attention, parents and guardians of the Class of 2025: The 2025 Black and Orange yearbook offers an opportunity for parents and guardians to purchase an ad to honor/congratulate the graduating senior in their life.
The purchasing process takes place online.
College Visits Begin Sept. 11
The Pulsifer College Counseling Center reminds seniors and the families of seniors that college visits to Thayer's campus begin Wednesday, Sept. 11. Please note: Sign-up is through Scoir, and visits take place during the school day. Seniors should remember to get permission — at least 24 hours in advance — from any teacher whose class will be affected by the college visit.
Next week's visit:
Wednesday, Sept. 11 8 to 9:05 a.m.: University of Southern California
Seniors can see all pending visits in Scoir. A calendar of upcoming college visits is also available. And remember: colleges want to meet you!
'Discovering U' Sept. 15 at the CFA
Thayer Academy is excited to host representatives from four colleges — Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Michigan — Sunday, Sept. 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the CFA (Center for the Arts). This event is an excellent opportunity for students to explore the diverse and exceptional opportunities these institutions offer. This event is open to the public. An RSVP is required.
Senior Parent & Guardian College Counseling Presentation
The Pulsifer College Counseling Center will hold an information session for senior parents and guardians Monday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. in the Middle School's Thompson Hall.
Thayer's college counselors will provide a nuts-and-bolts presentation in which they'll review the college application logistics for the fall. Counselors will cover this same information with students in senior class meetings and via one-on-one meetings, but counselors want to make sure parents and guardians are in the loop as well.
College counselors look forward to seeing you Sept. 16.
Online College Financial Aid Workshop Is Sept. 17
The Pulsifer College Counseling Center reminds seniors and the families of seniors that the workshop "Succeeding in the Financial Aid Process" will take place online Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. The workshop is for 12th grade families.
Paul Martin, a financial aid expert from College Money Method, will guide participants through the senior-year process to complete timely and accurate financial aid applications and help advocate for a family's unique circumstances. The workshop includes information on how to find, track, and apply for merit aid from colleges. Martin will provide time for Q&A, and the workshop will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Register for this workshop via Thayer’s College Money Method web page, where families will also find useful financial aid resources. Password: tacmm.
Fall Athletics Meeting Sept. 9 Via Zoom
The Athletics Department will hold its fall season meeting for Upper School parents and guardians Monday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will be held via Zoom.
Middle School Sports
A reminder: The Middle School begins its fall sports season Monday, Sept. 9.
Middle School Bring 'N' Share Is Oct. 1
Join us for an evening of cuisine, culture, and connection at this year's Middle School Bring 'N' Share Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Middle School Dining Hall and Forum.
Families are encouraged to bring a dish to share that represents their family's background or heritage. RSVP and sign up to bring a dish by Tuesday, Sept. 24. The whole family is welcome!
For more information, please contact DEIB Director Matt Ghiden.
Homecoming Is Sept. 28
Homecoming — which this year will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 — is TAPA’s largest event of the year. Homecoming is a day of both athletic competition and community fun. The day boasts a cornhole tournament, food trucks, a petting zoo, a bake sale, and the sale of one-of-a-kind Thayer merchandise. If you have any questions about the day, please feel free to reach out to Megan Butow P ’29 or Colleen Hernandez ‘90 P ‘26, ‘28. A sign-up sheet is available for those who would like to volunteer and/or contribute to the bake sale.
SEED Sessions Offered; First Meeting Is Sept. 24
TAPA is excited to once again offer SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) sessions this year.
SEED creates conversational communities that drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward greater equity, diversity, and social justice. Led by Director of DEIB Matt Ghiden, TAPA invites parents and guardians to join us each month. SEED seeks to create a cohesive cohort, so we do ask that you commit to attend all or most of the sessions. An info sheet with additional information, including meeting dates (all meetings fall on Tuesdays; the first meeting is Sept. 24) is available. A sign-up sheet is also available for those who would like to join the conversation.
Class Parents/Guardians Sought
TAPA is excited to continue supporting the role of grade-specific class parents/guardians this year. Class parents/guardians are essential in TAPA’s efforts to foster a welcoming and inclusive community for all Thayer families. They will share general TAPA communications, work with the TAPA Board to offer support and assistance when requested, and plan parent/guardian social events to enhance community spirit.
TAPA is still in need of a class parent/guardian for Grade 5 and Grade 8. If you’re interested in becoming a class parent/guardian or would like to learn more about the role, please contact TAPA Vice President Katilyn Aiello P ‘26, ‘28 or TAPA President Kim Millian P '26. Parents and guardians can also fill out an interest form.
Welcome Back to Campus; Invitation to Volunteer
The Thayer Academy Parent Association (TAPA) welcomes all new and returning families to the 2024-25 school year. All parents and guardians at Thayer are automatically members of this wonderful group. TAPA’s goal is to support the school as best it can through sponsoring various social events and programs, thereby enhancing the school experience for all.
With this in mind, TAPA is already planning and preparing a variety of great events. A list of volunteer opportunities throughout the year is available for review.
Upcoming TAPA Coffees: Upper School Sept. 18 and Middle School Sept. 25
Mark your calendars for our upcoming TAPA coffees: Wednesday, Sept. 18, with Assistant Head of School for Academics Peter Brooks and Upper School Dean of Students Kristan Gately P ’28 and others; and Wednesday, Sept 25, with Middle School Director Galen Hamann P '31.
Come meet fellow parents and guardians, ask questions, and learn about some of what will happen this year at Thayer.
Here to Help
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at tapa@thayer.org.
EXECUTIVE BOARD 2024-25
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
Laura Query P '29, ‘31
Amanda Smallwood P '29, ‘31
DEIB Co-Coordinators
Dasan Harrington P '27
Faith Patterson P '26
Middle School President
Kate Herbst ‘98, P '31
Middle School Vice President
Jen McGuirl P '26, '29, ‘30
Middle School Secretary
Sara Torok P '30
Middle School DEIB Coordinator
Ophelia Ardayfio P '27, ‘30
Parent Athletics Council (PAC) Coordinator
Danielle Shahied P '26
Editorial Director Craig Salters ‘86 P ‘24 is reading The Sirens of Mars by Sarah Stewart Johnson.
For a complete listing of current events, visit thayer.org/calendar.
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