TNN • Tiger News Network • 13 September 2024


 

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The varsity field hockey team will host Phillips Academy Andover tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 14) at 3:30 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. 

Come Out and Support our Homecoming Teams
Homecoming Weekend kicks off Friday, Sept. 27, with the varsity field hockey team playing Dexter Southfield at 4:30 p.m. on Kendall Field. The JV field hockey team faces off against Austin Prep at 5 p.m. on Main 2. 

The festivities continue on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 28, when our boys and girls cross country teams host teams from the ISL on the Harold B. Hatch Cross Country Course at Thayer. 

Please visit thayer.org/homecoming for game times on Saturday and all of the great festivities on campus. GO, TIGERS! 

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. 

Yearbook Picture Day for Grades 9-11 Is Sept. 16
Yearbook Picture Day for students in grades 9-11 is Monday, Sept. 16. In addition to those grades, Upper School faculty, administration, and staff should have their picture taken that day.

School pictures can be purchased by ordering on Smile-Pro Portraits. Order forms are available from Mr. Murphy in the Student Commons. 

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. 

'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.    

College Visits
The Pulsifer College Counseling Center reminds seniors and the families of seniors that college visits to Thayer's campus are underway. 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 visits: 

Monday, Sept. 16
8 to 9:05 a.m: University of Massachusetts Amherst
12:05 to 1:10 p.m.: Northeastern University
2:25 to 3:30 p.m.: Wheaton College (MA)

Tuesday, Sept. 17   
9 to 10:05 a.m.: Mitchell College
10:25 to 11:30 a.m.: Catholic University of America
12:05 to 1:10 p.m.: University of Colorado Boulder
1:15 to 2:20 p.m.: University of New England
2:25 to 3:30 p.m.: Lasell University

Wednesday, Sept. 18
8 to 9:05 a.m.: Haverford College
8 to 9:05 a.m.: Loyola Marymount University
10:45 to 11:50 a.m.: Miami University Oxford
12:25 to 1:30 p.m.: University of Wisconsin Madison

Thursday, Sept. 19
9 to 10:05 a.m.: Denison University
10:25 to 11:30 a.m.: Providence College
12:05 to 1:10 p.m.: St. Lawrence University
2:25 to 3:30 p.m.: Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Friday, Sept. 20
8 to 9:05 a.m.: Franklin & Marshall College
9:10 to 10:15 a.m.: Bentley University
11:55 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Bucknell University
1:05 to 2:10 p.m.: Centre College

Seniors can see all pending visits in Scoir. A calendar of upcoming college visits is also available. And remember: colleges want to meet you!  

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.              

 

Middle School Back-to-School Night Is Sept. 19
The Middle School Back-to-School Night will be held Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Middle School for all grades.

Parking will be available in both the Middle School and the Upper School Glover lots. Please allow time for parking as there will be a large number of parents and guardians attending.

Parents and guardians will meet teachers by following an abbreviated version of their student's schedule and will have the opportunity to meet athletic representatives and coaches at the end of the evening.

Light hors d'oeuvres will be served, and the program will begin at 6:15 p.m. If you have any questions, please reach out to Teresa Tenney in the Middle School office.

Middle School Cell Phone Survey
A reminder to all Middle School parents/guardians: Please fill out the cell phone survey if you have not already done so. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Middle School Dean of Students John Reid. 

Middle School Permission Form Reminder
A reminder for all Middle School parents and guardians: Please complete the arrival/departure/after-school privileges form if you have not already done so. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Teresa Tenney in the Middle School office. 

Yearbook Ads for Grade 8 Families
Attention, families of 8th grade students: Don't miss out on placing an ad in Evergreen, the Middle School yearbook. Learn more about how to make, place, and pay for your ad. The deadline for all ads and payments is Friday, Nov. 1.

Please help to make this year's Evergreen yearbook one to remember. This is always a favorite section of the yearbook for our departing 8th graders. Any questions or concerns? Please feel free to contact the yearbook's advisor, Middle School Science Faculty Natalie Young.

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. 

An Update Re Class Parents/Guardians
TAPA has filled the role of class parent/guardian for all grades. Thank you to all who volunteered! Below is a list of class parents/guardians and their contact information. 

Class of 2025: Kathy Egasti & Laura Redmond
Class of 2026: Mary Chenaur & Phyllis Skloff
Class of 2027: Melissa Crowe Cuccinelli & Ronit Velde
Class of 2028: Kathy Calvillo & Katie Gellenbeck
Class of 2029: Linnea Holmes & Christina Wainwright
Class of 2030: Sandi Petrie & Sue Saliba
Class of 2031: Amanda Smallwood
Class of 2032: Matt Dunne

And keep an eye out for details regarding grade-specific socials from your class parents/guardians or check the TNN for "Save-the-Date" info. Social dates are: 

Class of 2025: TBD
Class of 2026: Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Davio’s in Braintree
Class of 2027: TBD
Class of 2028: TBD
Class of 2029: TBD
Class of 2030: TBD
Class of 2031: TBD
Class of 2032: TBD
 

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. 

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

 

Digital Marketing Director Noreen Dougherty is reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. 

Audio Visual Director Diane Haigh is reading Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory. 

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

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, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.

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