Thanks for an Incredible Peru Senior Project Trip

¡Muchísimas gracias, Thayer Academy community! Organizers thank all who donated clothes, school supplies, games, and technology for the Senior Project Trip to Peru. The group distributed almost everything to two different aldeas (orphanages), an urban public school, and a kindergarten in the remote indigenous village of Huilloc Alto. Everyone has been delighted and appreciative of the donations, and organizers recognize the community’s help in making this trip a huge success. This is an amazing community, and the seniors, Mr. Hirsch, and Ms. Lukens are forever grateful for the outpouring of generosity.

A College Counseling Message for the Class of 2027

Attention, rising seniors and their parents/guardians: Watch your email and residential mailbox for the summer mailing from the Pulsifer College Counseling Center. It provides guidance and directives for the summer months as well as expectations for the fall. 

Final Exams Schedule 

Attention, Upper School families: click here for the Spring 2026 Final Exams Schedule. Please note: This has been revised from an earlier version which ran last week.

Prom Info 

Prom will take place Wednesday, June 3, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Boston’s Museum of Science. All students and guests are required to take buses to and from campus that night. Students and guests will meet on the Teardrop at 5:30 p.m. for pictures before boarding the buses. The buses will depart at 6:15 p.m. and return to Thayer at 10:45 p.m. If students or families have any questions regarding the prom, they should contact Ms. Gately or Ms. Pena. 

‘Exploring Summer Opportunities’ Workshops — Slide Decks

The Global Engagement Program and the Pulsifer College Counseling Center recently co-hosted the second “Exploring Summer Opportunities” workshop for Upper School students. The focus of the workshop was to help students explore resources for finding and applying to summer volunteer and job opportunities. To view the slide deck from this presentation, click here. Please note: More will be added to this slide deck as additional summer job and volunteer opportunities arise.

Middle School Dismissal Times

A reminder: The Middle School currently has a 2:45 p.m. dismissal time. This will continue until Monday, June 1. Buses will still depart at 4 p.m. with a study hall offered.

Tuesday, June 2, is the last day of classes with a 2 p.m. dismissal time. Buses will depart at 2:30 p.m. on this day.

Special Friday Schedule (Grades 7 &8)

Tomorrow (Friday, May 29) will have following schedule in the Middle School: 

• Seventh grade SeaPerch in-pool obstacle course navigation and 7th grade lunch in the Tiger’s Den. Each student will attend a half-day session only. Drop-off and pickup will be in the bus loop. Lunch will be between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Mrs. Chikwendu’s classes need to be dropped off at 8 a.m. and picked up at noon. Mrs. McCauley’s classes and Mrs. Young’s classes need to be dropped off at 11:30 a.m. and picked up at 2:45 p.m. 
• Eighth grade students will take their math exam in the morning. They will attend Recognition Day rehearsal and have an early dismissal time of 1:15 p.m. 

Parent/Guardian Showcases for Grades 5 & 6 on June 1

Students in Grade 5 and Grade 6 will offer two separate exhibitions for parents and guardians on Monday, June 1. The 5th Grade Expedition: Learning Safari will take place from 8:05 to 8:35 a.m. when parents/guardians are invited to view year-end projects in the 5th grade classrooms. The 6th Grade Exhibition will take place from 8:05 to 8:45 a.m. when parents/guardians are invited to engage with their students’ recent learning and experience their creations. 

Parents/guardians of both 5th and 6th graders are welcome, beginning at 7:45 a.m., for coffee and conversation in the Forum while students arrive and prepare for the exhibitions. 

Tiger Games
A reminder: The Middle School will hold its Tiger Games Tuesday, June 2.

Recognition Day Is June 4 

Recognition Day for the Middle School will take place Thursday, June 4, at 10 a.m. in the CFA’s Hale Theater. Eighth graders should arrive at 9 a.m. at Southworth Library. Students in grades 5-7 should arrive at 9:45 a.m. and go directly to their seats in Hale Theater. Pickup will be at 11:30 a.m. outside the CFA. 

Donate Your Gently Used Textbooks

As the school year comes to a close, many students have textbooks they would like to discard. More Than Words is a local nonprofit bookstore that sells gently used books. They accept textbooks in good condition without annotations or highlighted text. If you would like to donate discarded textbooks to More Than Words, you can drop off the items in a box or bag at the Middle School Library from now until Friday, June 5. Click here for more information about this organization. If you have any questions, please contact Middle School Librarian Blodine Francois.

POC Affinity Group End-Of-Year Gathering Is June 8

There will be an end-of-year gathering of the Parents of Color Affinity Group on Monday, June 8, at 4:30 p.m. in the Bakker Reading Room of Southworth Library.

The event will begin with a conversation featuring school leaders, affinity group chairs/co-chairs, and TAPA Engagement & Belonging coordinators followed by a casual social gathering with drinks and appetizers at The Tree restaurant in Braintree.

Organizers hope affinity group members will join in as participants reflect on the year, strengthen connections, and continue building community together. Click here to RSVP.

Getting Ready for Homecoming 2026 

Calling all parents and guardians! It’s hard to believe the school year is already winding down, which means it’s time to start gearing up for Homecoming 2026. Homecoming is TAPA’s biggest community‑building event of the year, and it takes a dedicated team to bring it to life. We’re hoping we can count on your support.

If you’re interested in being part of the planning committee, please reach out to Homecoming Chair Megan Butow P ’29. Your time, ideas, and enthusiasm make all the difference. We’d love to have you join us!

Proposed TAPA Board for Next Year
The names below represent the proposed list of the TAPA Executive Board for the coming school year (2026-27). Community members are welcome to reach out with any comments. 

President: Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28

Vice President: Rebecca Baker P ’28

Secretary: Sara Torok P ’30

Treasurer: Sandi Petrie P ’30, ’30

Middle School President: Kate Herbst ’98 P ’31

Middle School Vice President: Maribeth Flakes P ’32

Middle School Secretary: ———

Engagement & Belonging Co-Coordinator: Dasan Harrington P ’27

Engagement & Belonging Co-Coordinator: Ophelia Ardayfio P ’27, ’30, ’33

Volunteer Co-Coordinator: Laura Query P ’29, ’31

Volunteer Co-Coordinator: Amanda Smallwood P ’29, ’31

Parent Athletics Council (PAC) Representative: Kate Bingham P ’27

Communications Co-Coordinator: Jen McGuirl P ’26, ’29, ’30

Communications Co-Coordinator: Ashley Flowers P ’33

Calling All Parents & Guardians: Be a Part of the Action!

TAPA is calling on parents and guardians to step up and shine! Lead exciting events, serve on the TAPA Executive Board, and share your creativity and school spirit. It’s a wonderful way to inspire our community, build lasting friendships, and make unforgettable memories — while having a great time!

Please contact TAPA President Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28 for more info. 

Class Parents/Guardians

Did you know each Thayer class has two class parents/guardians who are there to help families connect with their students’ class activities as well as general Thayer events? If you don’t currently get emails from your class parent/guardians, please reach out and make sure they have your correct email and that they are not blocked. To access a list by grade, click here. 

LGBTQ+ Parent/Guardian Affinity Group

The LGBTQ+ Parent/Guardian Affinity Group welcomes any parent or guardian who identifies as LGBTQ+ or any parent/guardian of a student who identifies as LGBTQ+ or their allies. Please email Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28 if you have any questions or would like to be involved in this group. 

Parents of Color Affinity Group; Participant List Added
Join the Parents of Color Affinity Group for meaningful conversations and community building. Organizers look forward to affinity group members connecting and supporting one another. To access the Zoom link for these meetings, click here. For more information, contact Sandra Joseph P ’27, ’30 and/or Cindy Theodore P ’26, the group's facilitators.

There is also a Parents of Color Affinity Group Participant List. Click here to access the list and fill out the form to stay in touch with the Parents of Color (POC) Affinity Group.

Christian Affinity Group

The Christian Affinity Group is a supportive community where members can share their faith, connect with one another, and participate in meaningful discussions and events. Please email the group’s facilitator, Annie Pratt P ’26, ’27, if you would like more information. The affinity group looks forward to welcoming families into its community. 

Jewish Parent/Guardian Affinity Group

The Jewish Parent/Guardian Affinity Group centers the identities of Jewish parents/guardians as well as any parent/guardian of a student who identifies as Jewish. Questions? Contact Hilary Waxman P ’26, the group's facilitator.

Invitation To Volunteer

TAPA’s goal is to support the school through sponsoring various social events and programs, thereby enhancing the school experience for all. A list of volunteer opportunities throughout the year is available for review. 

Here To Help

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at tapa@thayer.org or contact any member of this year’s executive board. For more info and helpful resources, visit the TAPA page on Thayer’s website.