TAPA General Meeting Is Feb. 22
Mark your calendars for the next TAPA General Meeting Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 8:15 a.m. in the CFA lobby. Come join your fellow parents and guardians to hear about upcoming school events, highlights from the school year thus far, and remarks from school leaders.

If you wish to have any questions addressed directly, feel free to contact TAPA President Martha McNally P ’22, ‘24, ‘27. 

TAPA Speaker Series: A Chat with Dr. Ali Michael
TAPA's second speaker engagement of the year will take place Tuesday, March 7, at 6 p.m. in the Middle School Forum (Editor's Note: this is a revised start time and location). TAPA, in partnership with the DEIB Office, will welcome Dr. Ali Michael.

Dr. Michael is an educator, researcher, and author as well as a parent. She works with schools and organizations across the country to help make research on race, whiteness, and education more accessible and relevant to educators, parents, and guardians. She is the embodiment of her work, and all of her research and writing comes from questions she has asked as a parent and a teacher or that parents/guardians and teachers have asked her.

Please join TAPA and the DEIB Office for an interactive discussion and workshop with Dr. Michael as she shares her knowledge and experience about building community, creating inclusive spaces, a healthy multiracial society, and how to talk to our children about creating the same. 

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.

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

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

Wily Network Care Package Event for Junior and Senior Classes
Attention, parents/guardians of juniors and seniors: Thayer's junior and senior classes are partnering with the Wily Network this winter, and TAPA is working in coordination with Associate Upper School Division Director and Dean of Students Kristan Gately to make this happen.
 
The Wily Network is a local nonprofit organization that supports Wily Scholars, college students who are working towards their degrees without emotional or financial support from family. Wily Scholars are navigating life and their education on their own.

How will the program work?
Wily has asked Thayer to "adopt" 40 scholars and provide each of them with a care package at the beginning of March. These students are currently at Boston College (9), Boston University (3), Harvard (3), Massachusetts College of Art and Design (4), MIT (17), UMass Boston (2), and Northeastern (2). Those parents and guardians with older kids already in college know how much college students appreciate receiving something from home. Since Wily Scholars do not currently have a stable family support system, these care packages mean a great deal to them.
 
How can we help?
TAPA asks those interested to consider donating items for the care packages. TAPA has created a SignUpGenius wish list and has designed it so, if parents and guardians feel comfortable, students can purchase most of the items at a grocery store, a Target, or a Walmart. Students can give their donations and gift cards directly to Ms. Gately. All donations should be made by Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Families with questions can contact Wily Network Care Package Volunteer Chair Joy Denomme P '23 or TAPA President Martha McNally P '21, '24, '27. Both expressed appreciation for support of this worthy cause. 

Academy Jackets: On-Site Measurement Day Is Feb. 23
Academy jackets are the perfect way to show your school spirit and highlight your own accomplishments all in one. These jackets come in a variety of materials and price points and are not exclusive to those students who have lettered in a sport. Representatives from Jostens will be on site Thursday, Feb. 23, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Student Commons to answer questions, assist in designing the perfect jacket, and helping to place orders. Due to the customization of the product, please note that orders take approximately eight weeks.

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.

Parent/Guardian Casual Get-Togethers — Walk or Talk
Winter is all too often a time when people tend to hibernate. If you find it hard to get motivated when the weather is cold or the nights are long, TAPA offers a reason for you to get out and socialize.

Check the TAPA list of 2023 Winter Walks and Coffees and then join your fellow parents/guardians on a brisk walk or gather together at a local coffee shop for a warm chat. 

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. 

Coming Soon: TAPA Scholarship Applications
Attention, all senior parents and guardians: please note that TAPA provides scholarship opportunities for those students who have demonstrated interest in, experience in, or aptitude for community service. Scholarships will be awarded at the Last Chapel in June.

TAPA encourages all to apply, and links to the application form will be placed in the TNN in the coming weeks.

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