TNN • Tiger News Network • 12 May 2023

 

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The boys varsity tennis team will host Brooks School tomorrow (Saturday, May 13) at 2:30 p.m. on Thayer's tennis courts. Go, Tigers! 

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

Thayer To Offer Summer Sports Clinics
Thayer Academy and its Athletics Department announce a series of sports clinics to be held on campus this summer. The sport-specific clinics will be coached by Thayer’s head coaches and offered at both fundamental and advanced levels. The camps, which are available to all students entering grades 5-12 in 2023, will be offered in weekly sessions at a cost of $125 per week. Sessions will run Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Thayer will offer fundamental-level and advanced-level camps in the following sports: 

  • Boys basketball — offered in seven weekly sessions from 6/19 until 8/10
  • Girls basketball — offered in two weekly sessions: 7/17 to 7/20 & 7/24 to 7/27
  • Field Hockey — offered in two weekly sessions: 6/19 to 6/22 & 6/26 to 6/29
  • Football — offered in two weekly sessions: 6/26 to 6/29 & 8/7 to 8/10
  • Boys Lacrosse — offered in two weekly sessions: 7/10 to 7/13 & 7/24 to 7/27 
  • Soccer — offered in two weekly sessions: 6/26 to 6/29 & 8/7 to 8/10 
  • Volleyball — offered in two weekly sessions: 6/19 to 6/22 & 7/31 to 8/3
  • PLUS: Seven weeks of strength & conditioning 

A sign-up link is available. Please note: space is limited, and camp offerings may be dependent on registration numbers.

Thanks for a Great Film Festival!
Organizers of the inaugural Thayer Academy Film Festival (TAFF) wish to congratulate the many filmmakers who contributed and thank those who made it out to the May 5 event. 

Those who were unable to make the film festival can still check out this year's submissions by visiting the TAFF website. 

Summer Reading Info
Information regarding summer reading requirements for both the Middle School and Upper School is available on Thayer's website. Please note: the summer reading requirements for World Languages were updated this week. 

Last Hurrah!, Declamation Photos Added
Photos from the Last Hurrah! event for seniors and the recent Declamation Celebration at the Middle School have been added to the photos section of the student and parent/guardian portals. Don't forget that "thayer" is all lowercase when typing in the password.

Upcoming PRIDE Events

The DEIB Office would like to share information about upcoming PRIDE parades and festivals in local communities. Check out dates and event information for Braintree, Easton, and Boston. 

TAPA Board Positions
TAPA is excited to put forward the following individuals for four of the five open positions on the TAPA Executive Board for the 2023-24 school year: 

  • Margit Foley P ‘25 - Treasurer
  • Danielle Shahied P ‘26, ‘27 - Parent Athletic Council Representative
  • Laura Query P ‘29 - Volunteer Coordinator
  • Laura Winters P ‘30 - Middle School Secretary

As all parents/guardians are members of TAPA, we encourage all to vote regarding next year’s TAPA Executive Board. Please click here to approve the full slate of executive board members.

TAPA still seeks a volunteer for the position of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Coordinator. If you're interested, please contact TAPA President Martha McNally P ’22, ‘24, ‘27 to learn about the roles, responsibilities, and time commitments of this position.

Camp Thayer Seeks Lifeguards
Camp Thayer is looking for lifeguards to work this summer from June 20 until Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. 

Those considered for the position must have Lifeguard Certification and must enjoy working with children. Anyone interested should contact Camp Thayer Director (and Health & Wellness Faculty) Cathy Turpel. 

Summer Opportunities for Middle and Upper School Students
Are you a Thayer student looking for a meaningful summer opportunity? The Pulsifer College Counseling Center has developed a database of summer programs for students in both the Middle School and Upper School. This database will be updated as new information about summer program opportunities is received.

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

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


 

Prom Info for Juniors and Seniors
Attention, Juniors and Seniors: The Prom will take place Wednesday, June 7, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. Pre-Prom photos begin at 6 p.m. on the Teardrop. All are encouraged to gather for pictures. As in years past, it is mandatory that students and their dates take bus transportation to and from Gillette. This transportation is sponsored by TAPA and is complimentary. Bus service back to Thayer will begin at 10:45 p.m. (Buses will all leave at the same time, so no need to get in line early). 

Tickets will be available by credit card online or by cash or check, payable to Thayer Academy, at Mr. Murphy's desk in the Student Commons. Tickets are $110 per person. You may bring an outside guest, but if you do, please see Mr. Murphy for a guest form. Tickets sales will close Friday, May 26. 

If you have any questions or need assistance covering the cost of the ticket, please do not hesitate to let Ms. Wheeler, Ms. Gately, or your advisor know.

Info on Senior Return of Laptops
Chief Information Officer Theresa Jay recently emailed students in the Class 2023 about returning their laptops, chargers, and cases when their classes ended May 5. Seniors can, however, apply for an extension until Friday, June 9. Her email contains links to a laptop extension form as well as a video demonstrating how to upload files to Google. Please note that on page 29 of the Student Handbook, it states:

The email accounts and data of graduating 12th graders will be deleted the week after graduation.

This year, the deletion of accounts is scheduled for Friday, June 16.

Graduating students must return laptops, chargers, and cases to Thayer Academy before graduation. Failure to do so will lock the laptop, and that account will be billed. There is no buy-out program. 

James Tufts Pener Environmental Stewardship Conference is May 19
The James Tufts Pener Environmental Stewardship Conference will be held Friday, May 19, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. in the CFA. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will attend the full conference; sophomores and juniors will also have periods C and H that day. 

College Essay Writing Workshops for Class of 2024
Attention, juniors and their families: Thanks to a partnership between the Pulsifer College Counseling Center and Thayer's English department, college essay writing workshops will be available to rising seniors in the months of June and July. Please click here for dates, details, and registration information.   

Upper School Sports End May 24
Wednesday, May 24, is the last day of the regular season for Upper School sports teams. 

Senior Projects
Senior Projects end Friday, June 2. 

Early Dismissal & Study Hall
The Middle School will have an early dismissal time of 11:30 a.m. from Thursday, May 25, through Thursday, June 1. If your child is staying for extended study hall, please sign up by contacting Middle School Office Assistant Tara Hancock P '30.

Buses will run as normal with 4 p.m. pickup during this time. 

Middle School Sports End May 18
Thursday, May 18, is the last day of sports at the Middle School. 

Middle School Dance Is May 19
Save the date: The Middle School will hold its spring dance Friday, May 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. The dance will be held outdoors. 

MCBA Book Challenge a Success 
Starting this past winter, Thayer 5th and 6th graders were challenged to read fiction and nonfiction books nominated by the Massachusetts Children's Book Award (MCBA). Statewide, thousands of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students vote in the competition each April. This year participating Thayer fifth and sixth graders were able to vote for the book they liked the best on the MCBA's 2022-23 list.

The 2022-23 MCBA winner is Megan Freeman, the author of Alone. 

For the Middle School's inaugural MCBA Book Challenge, the fifth grade student and the sixth grade student who read the most books on the list of nominated books won a tote bag full of fun prizes. The fifth-grade winner, Bridget Kelly, read a total of 13 books on the list. The sixth-grade winner, Calvin Jacobs, read 12 books on the list. 

Middle School Librarian Blodine Francois thanked fifth and sixth graders for enthusiastically participating in the book challenge. She also noted that the inaugural book challenge would not have been a success without the support of Middle School Library volunteers and Thayer staff. 

Middle School Hale Learning Center Lunch & Learn Exam Prep Sessions
The Middle School Hale Learning Center will offer its final Lunch & Learn session on "Active Study Strategies" to help students prepare for exams. The session will be held in the Middle School Hale Learning Center (Room 219) during the lunch/recess period (11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.). To reserve your spot, kindly fill out this form. If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Maryann Shafter P '15. Session dates and topics are: 

Wednesday, May 17 — Active Study Strategies: Many students are not sure how to study. Just as they prepare for math tests by completing numerous math problems (“active practice”), they should also prepare for other tests using active study strategies. This session will provide a number of approaches to ensure that students are actively engaging with the material and not simply re-reading or re-writing their notes. Students should bring study guides and notebooks with them as we will practice these active study strategies.

A reminder: The purpose of Middle School exams is to offer students the experience of preparing for and taking five academic exams in a short period of time. The emphasis is on preparation, time management, and developing strong study skills.

James Tufts Pener Environmental Stewardship Conference is May 19
The James Tufts Pener Environmental Stewardship Conference will be held Friday, May 19, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. in the CFA. Eighth graders will attend a portion of the afternoon to hear student presentations. 

Showstoppers Info; Volunteers Sought
The Middle School’s Showstoppers performances are coming up later this month. Planning has begun, and there are plenty of opportunities for parent/guardian volunteers to become involved. 

Snacks and drinks can be donated for the kids to enjoy during rehearsals. Additionally, there is a need for in-person assistance for dress rehearsals and performances. 

The dates and times where assistance is needed are: 

  • Friday, May 19: 1:50-3:45 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 21: 10 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m.
  • Monday, May 22: 1:50-3:45 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, May 23: 1:50-7 p.m. (Evening performance starts at 7 p.m. and is over by 8 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, May 24: 1:30-3:30 p.m. (approximate school performance time)

If you're able to help with any of these volunteer opportunities, please email Jennifer Cedrone P ‘22 ’27, one of the Middle School Hospitality Chairs.

Costume List for Showstoppers
A detailed costume list has been created for the upcoming performances of Showstoppers at the Middle School. 

TAPA Spring Social Is May 24
Come mingle with your fellow parents and guardians at the second annual TAPA Spring Social, which will also include the newest members of the Thayer community. This event will take place Wednesday, May 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Hooley Courtyard on Main Campus. There will be food and beverage trucks available for you to purchase some tasty food. There will also be Thayer swag, a raffle, a wine pull, and entertainment. TAPA hopes this event will become a fun time with fellow parents and guardians to celebrate the latest school year, truly catch up with one another, make new friends in the Thayer community, and raise funds for the TAPA-supported activities that take place throughout the year. 

TAPA organizers also hope you will consider contributing to the raffle if you have any items that would be of interest — gift cards to spas/restaurants, sporting tickets, gaming systems, unique experiences, etc. A donations page has already been set up for interested donors.

Tickets are on sale now. If you have any questions about the social or wish to contribute a raffle item, contact TAPA President Martha McNally P ’22, ’24, ’27 or Director of Special Events and Parent Programming Renee Forsythe.

Middle School Thank-You Notes Encouraged by May 26
TAPA and the Middle School are excited to bring back the Thayer tradition of showing appreciation to the Middle School faculty/staff through the collection of handwritten notes from the students. Notes can be written to teachers, coaches, music directors, nurses, etc. — whoever the student (and parent/guardian, too) feels has made a difference in that student's life this year.

Please encourage your child to write a thank-you note. These simple gifts are so very appreciated. After writing the note, please place each one in an individual envelope with the recipient's name written on the front. The notes should be dropped off at the Middle School Office no later than Friday, May 26, as this will give volunteers enough time to sort them and package them for delivery prior to the end of school.

For a list of Middle School faculty and staff, please click here. 

Intro to SEED Is May 18
Thayer will host its third parent/guardian SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) group during the 2023-24 school year. The SEED cohort meets once every month. If you want to know more about SEED at Thayer, please join us Thursday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Tiger’s Den to hear from past participants and to sign up to join next year's group. Please let us know if you are interested in attending the session. 

Leaders Sought for New Affinity Groups
TAPA is hosting new parent/guardian affinity groups and is searching for new affinity group leaders. The new groups are: Men's Group and Faith-Based Group. A reminder: 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. 

If you're interested in leading one of these new groups, please contact TAPA DEIB Coordinator Sharisse Cail Perry P ‘24 ‘24.

New Women’s Affinity Group
TAPA would like to invite women of the Thayer community to the Thayer Academy Women's Affinity Group on Tuesday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. in Southworth Library. 

TAPA recognizes that self-care is necessary for community care and seeks to create a space for women in the Thayer community to gather for self-inquiry and mutual support. 

If you have any questions, please contact Laurie McTeague P '24 or Brynn Wartman P '30.

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 Kuhlman 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
 

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Click the title of the book to read a review or learn more. 

Middle School Science Faculty Natalie Young is reading Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

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

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