TNN • Tiger News Network • 14 April 2023

 

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The boys varsity lacrosse team will host Noble & Greenough School tomorrow (Saturday, April 15) at 3 p.m. on Main Turf Field #1. Go, Tigers! 

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

No School April 17
There will be no school Monday, April 17, in observance of the Patriots Day holiday. 

Spring Play Is April 27
The Upper School's spring play production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream will be held Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. 

Join in April 29 for Braintree Beautification Day
TAPA, Thayer Academy Sustainability Committee, and the Alumni Board invite parents/guardians, alumni, faculty, staff, and students to gather at Braintree Town Hall Saturday, April 29, at 8 a.m. to join a community-wide effort to clean up the town that Thayer Academy calls home.

There will be Thayer t-shirts available for all volunteers to show our Tiger pride! A volunteer sign-up sheet is now available. 

School Safety Webinar
Attention, parents and guardians: if you were unable to join us for the webinar reviewing our school safety procedures on Wednesday evening, the video is available for viewing on the Safety & Security page of the parent portal. On that page, you’ll also find a number of helpful resources delineating our safety and security program. 

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon
Each year the Thayer parent and guardian community takes the opportunity to celebrate and thank the amazing faculty and staff who play such an important role in students' lives. This year TAPA will host the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon with a delicious Mediterranean-style meal topped off with frozen treats from our local Ellie’s Treat Truck.

On May 10, TAPA volunteers will transform the Tiger’s Den into an on-campus bistro and celebrate the dedication these amazing in teachers and staff members bring to campus each and every day. Your participation will ensure that this year’s event is a huge success! TAPA organizers have created a list of donations needed. 

Feel free to contact Rebecca Baker P ’28 with any questions. Donations can also be sent directly via Venmo to Linnea Holmes P '24, '27 at @Linnea-Holmes-1. Please include "LUNCHEON" in the description. (The last four digits of her phone number are 9135 if needed for Venmo.)

TAPA Board Positions
TAPA is responsible for many community events at Thayer. As a TAPA board member, you are able to learn so much about what's happening and what new events are coming. TAPA is always looking for volunteers to join in this development and management effort by sitting on the TAPA board. Open board seats include: Volunteer Coordinator; Parent Athletic Council Representative; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Coordinator; Middle School Secretary; and Treasurer.

If you're interested in a board seat, please contact TAPA President Martha McNally P '22, '24, '27 to learn about the roles, responsibilities, and time commitments of these open seats.

Donations Sought to Help Father Bill's
The Father Bill's Club will deliver its last dinner of the year to the Father Bill's & MainSpring Homeless Shelter in Quincy on Tuesday, April 18. 

A sign-up sheet for donations has been created, and interested families can bring donated food to the top of the Glover parking lot that day (Tuesday, April 18) between 8:30 and 9 a.m. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Costello '23, Emily Johnson '23, or Ms. Keleher P '24, '26, '28, '29. 

The Father Bill's Club thanks the Thayer community for its support and contributions this year.

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. 

Dance/Musical Theater Performance Is April 18
The Student Dance/Musical Theater Performance will take place Tuesday, April 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. 

General's Open Is May 15; Tennis Slots and Sponsorships Available
Thayer will hold its 28th annual General's Open Golf Tournament and Tennis Event Monday, May 15, at Black Rock Country Club in Hingham. Tournament proceeds support Thayer's financial aid program.

While golf is sold out, there are still sponsorship opportunities available as well as tennis player spots. Sponsorships start at $500 which includes a course sign which could be used to advertise a family business or even honor a Thayer faculty member who has made an impact on your child! Tennis sponsorships that include large court signage are also available as well as non-player opportunities to sponsor elements of the day (such as the reception).

If you're interested in participating in the tournament in any of these ways, please contact Director of Special Events and Parent Programming Renee Forsythe.

Thayer Academy Film Festival Is May 5
The inaugural Thayer Academy Film Festival (TAFF) will take place Friday, May 5, at 7 p.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. 

The festival will show a select group of short films created by community members. Submissions are open to students (both Upper School and Middle School), faculty, staff, and parents/guardians. Organizers encourage everyone to attend the event and support our filmmakers.

Submissions are due Friday, April 14. Please visit the TAFF website for more information about submissions. 

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! 


 

April 24 Assembly Is Cum Laude Society Induction
Thayer Academy will induct members of the Class of 2023 into its chapter of the Cum Laude Society during the Upper School's Assembly on Monday, April 24. 

This significant honor is restricted to no more than 20 percent of the senior class and recognizes outstanding academic achievement.

A Note About History Course Selections
Course selections for next year are underway, and the Upper School History Department is excited to help students determine which course is the right fit for them. All 9th and 10th grade students currently taking standard-level history who are interested in moving to Honors or AP History next year should talk to their teacher and be sure to complete the required placement task this week or next.

Students can find more information from their current teachers and in the Daily Notices. 

Group Senior Photos Sought for Last Hurrah! Video
Attention, parents/guardians of the Class of 2023: Ms. Brown and Mr. Ranaghan are looking for photos of groups of students (two or more) in the Class of 2023 for the Last Hurrah! video. Their goal is to have each student represented in informal photos at least twice in the video. (Students have already been asked to contribute photos, but we could use your help, too!)

These can be stage, socializing, or sports team photos. Faces should be visible, please, and only Thayer Academy Class of 2023 students should be in each photo.

If you have group photos of seniors, dating from their ninth grade in August 2019 up to the present, please send several to Ms. Brown or upload them to the Google Drive folder. Thank you!

AP Exams on the Horizon
A reminder: AP exams begin Monday, May 1. 

'Coffee with Galen' Is April 26
Save the date: Coffee and conversation with Middle School Director Galen Hamann will take place Wednesday, April 26, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. at the Middle School. 

Showstoppers Info; Volunteers Sought
The Middle School’s Showstoppers performances are coming up in May. 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: 

  • Thursday, May 18: 1:50-3:45 p.m.
  • 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 at a discounted "early bird special" rate of $25 but won't be for long. 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.

Ninth & Tenth Grade Social: 'Step Back to the '80s' on May 12
Grab your friends, don your best '80s attire, and travel back in time for a totally rad night on campus. There’ll be music, retro '80s games, food, drinks, and even a “Battle of the Bands” lip sync contest! (More info on how to sign up your “band” will be coming soon.) Prizes will be awarded for the lip sync battle and for most creative outfits!

Join us Friday, May 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. (Student-athletes: come after your practice/game!) on the Teardrop. Whether you want to just chill and play lawn games or rock out on stage to your favorite Michael Jackson hit, there’ll be something for everyone! 

TAPA Scholarship Applications
TAPA proudly allocates a portion of its funds to provide scholarships for a few senior students who have shown exemplary work in the area of community service. The awards are distributed at Last Chapel at the end of the school year.

The application form is now available, and applications are due Friday, April 21. Seniors are also required to submit a recommendation letter. 

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Gately or TAPA Vice President Caroline Kuhlman P '25, '28.

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, April 25, and 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.

Spring Athletics Alerts
A spring sports reminder: be sure to sign up for Athletics Alerts on your phone. If you have any questions, contact PAC Representative Nicole Arnold P '24, '25. 

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 or TAPA Middle School Secretary JoAnn Brown P ‘27. For any questions about the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, please contact Julie Austin-Johnstone P ‘24.

Final BIPOC Affinity Group meeting date for this school year (All meetings begin at 7 p.m.): May 3. 

Final LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group meeting date for this school year (All meetings begin at 7 p.m.): May 10.

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
 

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 to read a review or learn more. 

Upper School World Languages Department Head Darah Harper P ‘29 is reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. 

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

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