TNN • Tiger News Network • 31 March 2023

 

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The girls varsity tennis team will host Portsmouth Abbey School tomorrow (Saturday, April 1) at 2 p.m. Go, Tigers! 

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

TAPA Board Positions
TAPA is responsible for so many community events held around school. 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.

Spring Sports Info Session Is April 3
The Athletics Department will host a (virtual) spring sports informational meeting for parents and guardians Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. During this time parents and guardians will have the opportunity to learn about the expectations for spring sports from the athletic director, hear information on the spring season from head coaches and program directors, and connect with Upper School and Middle School coaches in their child's particular sport. A Zoom link has been created for the meeting, which will be recorded for those unable to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Athletic Director Bobbi Moran. 

Thayer Global Speaker Series: 'The Devil Never Sleeps' Is April 4
Harvard Professor Juliette Kayyem — an international leader in crisis management and homeland security, a national security analyst, and an author — will visit Thayer Tuesday, April 4, from 11:40 a.m. until 12:40 p.m. for "The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters." 

The April 4 event, which is the next installment of the Thayer Global Speaker Series, will have Kayyem join Thayer Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Timothy McCarthy in conversation as Kayyem shares her insights on rethinking approaches to disaster preparedness and response, which is the subject of her most recent book. 

Parents/guardians/alums are invited to listen in to the discussion live via Zoom while Upper School students convene in the Hale Theater (Center for the Arts) to engage with Kayyem. To join this event virtually, please RSVP online to have the Zoom link sent to you in advance. 

Spring Concerts Are April 11 & 13
Save The Date: Student Concert III and Student Concert IV are scheduled for April 11 and April 13, respectively. Both concerts take place in the CFA's Hale Theater and begin at 7 p.m. 

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.

Follow the DEIB Office
Be sure to follow the DEIB Office on Instagram (@ta_deib) for updates, resources, and joy!

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.  


 

Online College Financial Aid Workshop for Juniors and their Families
Attention, students in the junior class and their parents/guardians: The online financial aid workshop "Building Financial Fit and Affordability into Your College List," will be held Tuesday, April 4, 6:30 p.m.

Offered by Paul Martin at College Money Method, this workshop gives families tools and resources to take a data-driven approach to research colleges’ financial aid practices and make evidence-based decisions for each college’s financial fit.

To access this workshop and other financial aid resources, log in to Thayer's account with College Money Method. Password: tacmm2223 

'Coffee with Highley' Is April 5
Save The Date: Coffee with Upper School Director Highley Thompson P '20, '23 will take place Wednesday, April 5, from 8:15 to 9 a.m. in the CFA. 

End-of-Term Celebration Is April 14; Assembly Dress Day
The Middle School's celebration of the end of its second term will take place Friday, April 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. For this term it will be combined with the spring student performance of Ensemble and Chorus.

Parents and guardians are invited to attend and encouraged to sit in the balcony. Assembly Dress is expected for this special event. 

Arrival Time for Middle School Chorus and Ensemble
The Middle School Chorus and Ensemble will perform in Student Music Concert IV on Thursday, April 13, at 7 p.m. in the CFA's Hale Theater. However, those Middle School performers should arrive at 6 p.m. in the basement of Frothingham Hall for warmup.

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.

Blazers, Suit Jackets Sought for Project
Blazers and and suit jackets are needed for a guest fashion designer-led student workshop later this month. If you have any blazers and/or suit jackets you are willing to part with, please bring them in!

If you have any questions, reach out to Assistant Director of DEIB Sarah Miller or Middle School Arts Faculty Destiny Palmer.

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.

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

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.)

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.): April 5; and May 3. 

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

Creative Director Paul Kahn P '27, '30 is reading The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui. 

(Editor's Note: Last week's TNN used an incorrect title for Upper School Math Faculty Dan Forrest. Apologies.)

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

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