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The varsity baseball team will host Tabor Academy tomorrow (Saturday, April 29) at 2 p.m. on Justin A. Lloyd '12 Field. Go, Tigers!
See all upcoming games, matches, and meets for Thayer teams in the Athletics section.
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 tomorrow (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 available.
ASO Concert Is April 29
The Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will hold its Pops! Season Finale tomorrow (Saturday, April 29) at 7:30 p.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. The concert promises "an evening of popular hits from Hollywood to Broadway." Please note: the ASO offers discounted student pricing for its concerts.
A concert flier provides details of the evening's songs, which include works by, among others: Rodgers & Hammerstein, John Williams, Rossini, and John Philip Sousa. The ASO website provides ticket information for the April 29 concert.
As noted on its website, the ASO is a professional regional orchestra located on Boston’s South Shore — recognized among the most artistically regarded in New England. Reorganized and established in 1996 under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Jin Kim, the ASO has become a premier regional orchestra known for its high level of play. Members of the orchestra are Boston-based and consist of both seasoned and gifted young professionals from the world’s leading conservatories.
Earth Day at Thayer
On April 21, Thayer Academy celebrated Earth Day with a joint Upper and Middle School celebration on the front lawn. After a thoughtful Earth Day history and introduction by Upper School History Faculty Chris Cameron, several student speakers (Casey Lukens '27, Luke Driscoll '25, Peter Chen '23, William Bunn '27, Katelyn Sentnor '24, Ella Barry '24, and Ashley Johnson '24) read famous speeches and poems; there was also a song, "What a Wonderful World," performed by Isabella Rivera '23 and Marguerite Greene '23.
The ceremony concluded with the planting of a Cherokee Chief dogwood tree by the CFA; students were invited to help in the planting. Organizers extend A BIG THANK YOU to the Harper Family and Schumacher Landscaping for donating the tree.
The event's final activity was to weigh all of the food waste and food compostable items generated in the Upper School's Cahall Dining Hall and compare the results with a similar weighing which took place April 7. The result? A 25.4% REDUCTION in trash generated and a 19.2% INCREASE in compostable goods! A great job by Thayer Academy students, faculty, and staff!
Thayer Academy Film Festival Is May 5
Please join us for the inaugural Thayer Academy Film Festival on Friday, May 5, at 6 p.m. in the CFA’s Hale Theatre (Editor's Note: the 6 p.m. start time reflects a change). TAFF will feature films created by Sofia Skop '23, Hannah Sullivan '24, Catherine Sheehan '24, Tess Harper '26, Paige Johnson '26, Lucia Hisenberg '26, Compton Jones '27, Aashrita Joga '27, Zoe Rudolph '27, Dillon Driscoll '27, and more! TAFF will also feature musical guest Abbie Dupie '26.
This film festival promises to be a very exciting moment for our community that you won’t want to miss! If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to Middle School Math Faculty Emmett Knox '04.
Private Music Lesson Recital Is May 9
Thayer's private music lesson recital will take place Tuesday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. All are invited to enjoy student performances as they venture through rock, jazz, theater, and classical music. This eclectic presentation will feature solo, duo, trio, and group performances by students participating in the Academy's private lesson program.
OMEGA Community Dinner Is May 9
Save the date: The OMEGA Community Dinner will take place Tuesday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cahall Dining Hall.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Global Scholars Presentations Are May 1
The Global Scholars Cohort 2023 will present their projects at the next Upper School assembly on Monday, May 1, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Project topics range from "Gentrification in Boston" to "The Impact and Lessons of COVID-19." As always, interested Thayer parents and guardians are welcome to attend. Please contact Upper School Director of Studies Lynette Sumpter with any questions.
News from the College Counselors
The Pulsifer College Counseling Center would like to share a few college-related items, many of which will be taking place in the coming weeks:
College Financial Aid Workshop for 9th & 10th Grade Families
The Pulsifer College Counseling Center welcomes back financial aid expert Paul Martin for "A Financial Aid Workshop for 9th and 10th Grade Families: Understanding How Colleges Assess Your Ability to Pay and Aid Eligibility." This workshop, the latest in a series of online financial aid seminars for Thayer families, will be held Monday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
The May 1 workshop details the financial factors that colleges use to determine your expected contribution and actions to maximize financial aid eligibility.
To access the webinar, please log in at www.collegemoneymethod.com/thayer with the password: tacmm2223.
U.S. Military Showcase Is April 29
A U.S. Military Showcase will be held tomorrow (Saturday, April 29) from 10 a.m. until noon at Scituate High School for high school students and their families looking for a way to pay for college as well as an exciting career path. Representatives from the service academies, ROTC programs, military prep schools, and the armed services will be there to share information on the education and career opportunities available while serving our country.
Pre-registration is recommended but not required. An event flyer contains more detailed information, including a QR Code to register.
BISCCA College Fair Is April 30
The Boston Independent School College Counselors Association (BISCCA) will hold its college fair Sunday, April 30, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Brooks School, 1160 Great Pond Road, North Andover.
A StriveScan account is required to register for this event. Please note: the college fair is for students only; parents and guardians will not be admitted. There are already more than 100 colleges committed to attending the event.
Boston National College Fair Is May 2
The Boston National College Fair will be held Tuesday, May 2, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston.
Registration is required for the event. More than 200 colleges have already committed to attend.
Essay Writing Workshop
Coming soon: Details will be announced in May about an essay writing workshop for rising seniors.
NCAA Webinar for Student-Athletes Is April 30
If your child is an aspiring collegiate student-athlete, please note: the NCAA is hosting a webinar Sunday, April 30, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
High school student-athletes focused on playing their sport at the NCAA level won't want to miss this informative hour with its Eligibility Center staff. Learn about the next steps based on one's year in high school and how the removal of standardized test score requirements may impact one's eligibility experience.
Parents/guardians/families/advocates are encouraged to join! Registration is required. Please feel free to reach out to either the Pulsifer College Counseling Center or the Athletics Department with any questions.
Recording of College Athletic Recruitment Meeting
If you missed the Jan. 19 College Athletic Recruitment Meeting co-hosted by the Pulsifer College Counseling Center and the Athletics Department, please note: a recording of the event is available.
AP Exams on the Horizon
A reminder: AP exams begin Monday, May 1.
Last Hurrah! Is May 4
The Last Hurrah! celebration for seniors and their parents/guardians will take place Thursday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marriott Boston Quincy.
Last Day for Seniors
The last day of classes for the Class of 2023 will be Friday, May 5.
Middle School Hale Learning Center Lunch & Learn Exam Prep Sessions
The Middle School Hale Learning Center will offer a series of Lunch & Learn sessions geared toward 7th and 8th graders to help them prepare for end-of-year exams. All sessions 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 3 — Test-taking Strategies: Students will learn strategies to use during testing, how to approach a variety of types of questions, and the benefits of doing a "brain dump" at the start of the test.
Tuesday, May 9 — Time Management and Organization: Managing your time and organizing materials are necessary components of being a successful student. Collecting and organizing class materials and planning a study schedule to prepare for exams are perhaps the most important parts of the process. This session will focus on getting organized and creating a study schedule. Each student will leave with a study calendar so they can avoid last-minute "cramming."
Wednesday, May 10 — Seeing the Big Picture: Graphic Organizers: Graphic organizers are an incredibly useful tool for creating visual representations of material to be studied. There are many varieties (timelines, charts, Venn diagrams, flow charts, triple note totes, etc.), each useful for different kinds of information. This session will use information from exam study guides to fill in the organizers. Students will leave with a variety of organizers to assist them with studying.
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.
Grade 8 Class Dinner
Save the date: The 8th Grade Class Dinner will take place Thursday, May 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cahall Dining Hall.
Grade 7 Overnight Trip
A reminder: On Thursday, May 4, and Friday, May 5, 7th graders will be enjoying their trip to Nature's Classroom in Connecticut.
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:
- 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.
Intro to SEED Is May 18
Thayer Academy 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 sign up to join next year's group. Please click here to indicate your interest 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.
Spring Tiger Spirit Days!
Today (Friday, April 28) and tomorrow (Saturday, April 29) are Tiger Spirit Days to celebrate all our spring student-athletes. See the schedule below for all home games this weekend, and come out to cheer on your favorite Tigers! Stop by the Hospitality Pavilion on Main Campus for (free!) pizza, drinks, and snacks, and don’t forget to wear your Thayer jerseys or favorite black-and-orange spirit gear. GO, TIGERS!
Friday, April 28
On Main Campus:
3:30 p.m.: Girls Middle School Softball (softball field)
3:45 p.m.: Girls Varsity Tennis (tennis courts)
4:00 p.m.: Boys Varsity Lacrosse (Main Turf Field #1)
4:15 p.m.: JV Baseball (Lloyd Field)
On South Athletic Campus:
3:30 p.m.: Coed Middle School Tennis (Thayer Sports Center)
4:30 p.m.: Boys JV Lacrosse (SAC turf field)
Saturday, April 29
On Main Campus:
1:00 p.m.: Boys JV Tennis (tennis courts)
2:00 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis (tennis courts)
2:00 p.m.: Girls Varsity Track & Field and Boys Varsity Track & Field (Sawyer Track)
2:00 p.m.: Varsity Baseball (Lloyd Field)
2:00 p.m.: Girls Varsity Lacrosse (Main Turf Field #1)
3:30 p.m.: Girls JV Lacrosse (Main turf Field #1)
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!
Parents and guardians: We need YOUR HELP to make this night a success for our students! Please click here to help with event setup, event breakdown, or the donation of items. Thank you in advance for your support!
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.
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
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Click the title of the book to read a review or learn more.
Editorial Director Craig Salters '86 P '24 is reading Tall Men, Short Shorts: The 1969 Finals: Wilt, Russ, Lakers, Celtics, and a Very Young Sports Reporter by Leigh Montville.
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For a complete listing of current events, visit thayer.org/calendar.