TNN • Tiger News Network • 21 May 2021

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Memorial Day Holiday
There will be no school Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. Administrative offices will be closed. 

End-of-Year Events (for ALL GRADES)
Don’t forget to check here regularly for end-of-year event information for all grades, including class socials, performances and commencement. New information is added weekly. Some upcoming events include: The (Virtual) Middle School Art Gallery Opening tonight (Friday, May 21); seniors going "Back to Bournedale!" Wednesday, May 26; and the Freshman Bournedale Day Trip Monday, June 7. 

Buses Depart at 3:30 p.m. 
There will be no change in bus times through the end of the year. Buses will depart at 3:30 p.m. 

Classes end June 4
Friday, June 4, is the last day of classes for both the Upper School and the Middle School. 

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2021 Global Scholars' Capstone Projects
Thayer Academy's Global Scholars Capstone Program promotes greater engagement in global issues by combining interdisciplinary academic learning with real-world experiences. Students bring to the program a spirit of inquiry and a desire to flourish, as they deepen their commitment to Thayer’s mission to "contribute to the common good." 

Through their Capstone projects, Global Scholars seek to inspire change by raising awareness about a global issue important to them. Students may focus on a human right, a sustainable development goal, an injustice they are passionate about, or a region or country to which they feel connected. To understand the history and context of their chosen issue, students conduct extensive research and develop a public-facing project, one which also includes presentations to the entire Thayer community.

This year's Capstone projects were impressive and covered a variety of urgent global topics, including environmental justice in an indigenous context, marine conservation, food insecurity, human trafficking, COVID-19's impact on education, and many others. Students also employed a variety of formats, including an art gallery event, social media campaigns, panels and presentations with experts in the field, lessons for classroom instruction, podcasts, and websites. We hope you will take time to explore the work created by this year's Global Scholars. To view these projects, please click here.

Laptop Return Info 
This a laptop program refresh year for all students in grades 9-11. The IT Department is ending the third year of the MacBook Air 13” laptop program. 

Upper School students were emailed about returning their laptops at the end of school. That email contains links to a laptop form and a video tutorial on how to upload files to Google. Please make sure your child follows the steps before returning the laptop. Upper School students will return their laptop, case, and charger to the Tiger's Den on the last day of school (Friday, June 4). If students miss this opportunity, they can return it June 7-9 at the Hanflig Tech Center, 2nd Floor Sawyer.

Upper School students who do not return the 13” MacBook Air Laptop, Brenthaven “Edge” Laptop Case, and Apple MacBook Air Laptop Charger by June 9 will be billed for any outstanding item or items. 

Full-time remote students will be shipped a mailing box in which to return everything.

Senior Project Update
Senior projects end Friday, June 4. 

College Essay Writing Workshops for Juniors
Attention, juniors: The Pulsifer College Counseling Center, in conjunction with Thayer's English Department, will offer three college essay writing workshops this summer to guide rising seniors through the process of writing their main college application essay before fall academics and the rest of the college application process crowd the demands on their time. A June workshop will be over Zoom whereas the July workshops are currently expected to be held on campus. Please click here to view a flyer with more info. Please click here to register. 

SAT and ACT Prep for Juniors
For students in the Class of 2022 who are looking to prepare for their standardized tests over the summer, the Pulsifer College Counseling Center reminds you that Thayer has partnerships with two test prep companies: Summit Educational Group and Revolution Prep. If you receive financial aid at Thayer, make sure you inquire about discounts on the cost of their test prep services. 

Summit Educational Group offers practice tests in person in Newton and online, which you can register for by clicking here. And if you are interested in signing up for individual tutoring or a class, you can contact Summit through their website as well ... and let them know you are a Thayer family. 

Revolution Prep is offering a gift card for up to $200 toward online tutoring and test preparation. Take advantage of the gift card by clicking here before June 30. If you have questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to our Revolution Prep advisor, David Zimbalist, at 617.640.0744. You can also email him at David.Zimbalist@revolutionprep.com.

Parents of Juniors: "Reflections on the College Process" Webinar
The Boston Independent School College Counselors Association is hosting a webinar Monday, May 24, at 7 p.m. A panel of college admissions directors from UMass, Tufts, Harvey Mudd, U of Richmond, and Hamilton will discuss the admissions process during COVID-19 and beyond. Please click here for a flyer containing the link to log in to the webinar and submit any questions you would like the panelists to address. 

Upcoming Sports Dates
A reminder: The Upper School Spring Sports Recognition Assembly will take place Monday, May 24, and the Upper School spring regular sports season will end Friday, May 28.

Memorial Day Chapel 
The Upper School will hold its Memorial Day Chapel Friday, May 28. 

Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder
Applications are open for Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder courses for this summer. You can find out more information about the courses offered this year AND the COVID-19 precautions SStS is taking to ensure everyone's safety by clicking here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Erica Archabal, earchabal@thayer.org or 781.664.2202.

Grade 8 Recognition Day Updates and Reminders

  • June 9: Recognition Day Rehearsal and Tours of Upper School
    • Recognition Day Rehearsal will be held Wednesday, June 9, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the Teardrop (front lawn of Upper School campus) for 8th graders and award recipients. It is the final opportunity to return laptops to the CFA. Tours of the Upper School for rising Thayer 9th graders will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. led by ambassadors.  
  • June 10: Recognition Day
    • Recognition Day will take place Thursday, June 10, at  10 a.m. on the Teardrop or Turf Field. 
    • An update on number of guests: All 8th graders and students being recognized can bring six guests to be seated together. 
    • What time should students arrive, and what is the expected attire? Students should arrive at the Middle School at 9 a.m. 8th graders should wear a suit, white shirt, and tie; a dark blazer with dress pants, white shirt, and tie; or a white dress. They should be able to sit and walk distances and stairs comfortably in their attire and shoes. Each graduate will be given a flower or boutonniere upon arrival. 
    • Do 5th-7th graders attend? No, Due to COVID-19 protocols, they will not be in person. However we encourage them to join us by watching the livestream of the event from home.
    • Will Recognition Day be livestreamed?  Yes. More details, along with a link, are forthcoming. 

MS Early Dismissal Times
The Middle School will have early dismissal on the following dates: 

  • Monday, May 24, at 1:20 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 25, at 1:20 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, May 26, at 1:20 p.m. 
  • Thursday, May 27, at 11:30 a.m. 
  • Friday, May 28, at 11:30 a.m. 
  • Tuesday, June 1, at 11:30 a.m. 
  • Wednesday, June 2, at 11:30 a.m. 
  • Thursday, June 3, at 11:30 a.m. 

Final Exams Reminder
The Middle School will have final exams for the 7th and 8th graders (and any 6th graders in a 7th grade class). The schedule is as follows: 

8th Grade

  • Thursday, May 27 - Language
  • Friday, May 28  - English
  • Tuesday,  June 1  - History
  • Wednesday, June 2  – Science
  • Thursday, June 3 – Math
  • Friday, June 4 – Exam Return Day

7th Grade

  • Thursday, May 27 - Math
  • Friday, May 28  - Language
  • Tuesday,  June 1  - Science
  • Wednesday,  June 2  – English
  • Thursday  June 3 – History
  • Friday  June 4 – Exam Return Day

Laptop Return Info
This a laptop program refresh year for all students in grades 5-8. The IT Department is ending the third year of the MacBook Air 13” laptop program. 

Middle School students were emailed about returning their laptops at the end of school. That email contains links to a laptop form and a video tutorial on how to upload files to Google. Please make sure your child follows the steps before returning the laptop. Middle School students will leave their laptop, case, charger, and Wacom tablet & pen on their desk after their last class (Friday, June 4). Faculty will record what Middle School students returned in class.  

Middle School students who do not return the 13” MacBook Air Laptop, Brenthaven “Edge” Laptop Case, Apple MacBook Air Laptop Charger, and Wacom tablet & pen by June 4 will be billed for any outstanding item or items. 

Full-time remote students will be shipped a mailing box in which to return everything.

Virtual Art Exhibition 
Middle School students and families are invited to join us for a Zoom Art Opening today (Friday, May 21) at 7 p.m. We will highlight some projects that were created during this school year. You will see examples of art from each grade level. At the end of our program, we will share a link to a virtual gallery for that gallery experience. Grab a snack and wear your artsy attire for this art opening. The link to the gallery will be provided on Saturday, May 22, for those who cannot attend. 

An Important Update Re Showstoppers
Attention, parents/guardians of Showstoppers cast members, MS Theater Director Tara Corcoran '88 P '19 announces that each cast member is allowed to have two parents/guardians attend the show May 25 at 7 p.m. Doors to the theater will open at 6:30 p.m. to give everyone a chance to arrive. You will need to leave two seats between your family and the next family. Also, there needs to be an empty row in front and behind each family. Unfortunately, only parents/guardians can attend. Siblings and grandparents cannot be substituted unless they are guardians. Masks need to be worn at all times, and we need to adhere to physical distancing. We are delighted to have a live audience for this event! We have hired a videographer, and he will be onstage at times during the performance to record for a later viewing by the entire school. The video link will be available to families June 4.

Important Dates for Showstoppers
The following are important dates for the Middle School's upcoming theater production. For a costume list, please click here. 

  • Rehearsal is Monday, May 24, from 1:20 to 4 p.m. in the CFA. Pick-up is at the CFA (You will need to make arrangements to get picked up; busses will be gone).
  • Recording of the show is Tuesday, May 25, from 1:20 to 8 p.m. in the CFA. Dinner will be provided. 

COVID-19 Testing Dashboard 
Please click here to view Thayer's COVID-19 Testing Dashboard, which includes the results from this week. The great news is that there have been no positive cases reported to Thayer Academy for two weeks, either from the on-campus testing or reported from individuals. There will be only one more week of COVID-19 testing.
 
COVID-19 Testing Procedures for Week of May 24
The schedule for the final week of COVID-19 testing will be similar to last week.
All students who participate in on-campus classes and activities are required to have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result this week. The exceptions to this requirement are those who are:

  • fully vaccinated* or
  • within 90 days since diagnosis of COVID-19.

To support this requirement, Thayer Academy will provide on-campus COVID-19 testing as outlined below. Individuals can, of course, be tested outside of Thayer and present a copy of the negative PCR test (or rapid molecular) to the nurses weekly. Please notify the nurses (nurse@thayer.org) by each Monday if off-campus COVID-19 testing will be obtained.

An important note for seniors: only senior athletes need to be COVID-19 tested on Monday, May 24. 

*Fully vaccinated = Two weeks past either the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. If you have not done so already, please be sure to forward a copy of the documentation to nurse@thayer.org so we can keep an accurate tracking of vaccination status of the community.
 
Monday, May 24 -- Upper School
COVID-19 PCR individual testing will occur for all Upper School students in Memorial Gym from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.  
 
Tuesday, May 25 -- Middle School
Pooled PCR testing will occur for all Middle School students in the Middle School Health Office between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.  

COVID-19 Health and Safety Policies
Per the email from Head of School Ted Koskores on May 19, masks are no longer required outside for Thayer students. Masks are still required for all adults outside if 6-feet distancing cannot be maintained, and for everyone inside. Students need to remember to keep a mask on their person to don a mask as they enter a building.

As always, if you have non-urgent questions, please send an email to nurse@thayer.org. Feel free to call our office about more urgent matters at 781-664-2299.

Sophomore & Junior Event Giveaways
A special thank-you to Sophomore Picnic Chairs Michelle LaMattina P ‘24 and Mary Michel P '23, '26; Junior Diamonds & Denim Social Chairs Susan Donovan P ‘22 & Wendy Garber P ‘20, ‘22; and to their committees of parent/guardian volunteers for all of their hard work, creativity and flexibility planning these two fun events. The students had a blast! If your student was unable to attend, please remind them to pick up their giveaway from their advisor.

Senior Pennant Viewing on Commencement 
Sheree Marinilli P ’21, ’24, Barb Vonnegut P '21, and their committee of senior parent/guardian volunteers worked tirelessly over the last few months creating 139 college pennants for the Class of 2021. The pennants are now hanging with pride along the first floor halls of the Main Building. Senior parents and guardians are invited to view this display in the morning prior to the start of the June 12 Commencement exercises. Your senior will receive his/her pennant after the ceremony concludes.  

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 on the book or article titles for the book review or full article.

 

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For a complete listing of current events, visit the online calendar.