Homecoming 2025!

College Visits Have Begun

The Pulsifer College Counseling Center reminds seniors and the families of seniors that college visits to Thayer's campus are underway. Sign-up is through Scoir, and visits take place during the school day. Seniors should remember to get permission — at least 24 hours in advance — from any teacher whose class will be affected by the college visit. Juniors may attend if they have a free period. To see the full list of colleges that will be on campus, Click Here.

Back-To-School Night Is Sept. 25

A reminder: The Upper School will hold its Back-To-School Night Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. 

Hale Learning Center Open House at Upper School 
The Upper School’s Hale Learning Center will hold an open house for families Thursday, Sept. 25, at 5:45 p.m. in the Glover Building, #214. The open house will take place right before the Upper School’s Back-To-School Night. The HLC provides additional support to students who may face challenges within the Academy’s rigorous academic environment. For more information, contact Upper School HLC Director Erica Dunne P ’27, ’32.

Show Your Pride With Senior Yearbook Ads

Attention, parents and guardians of the Class of 2026: The Black & Orange yearbook offers an opportunity for parents and guardians to purchase an ad to congratulate the graduating senior in their lives. The deadline for these senior yearbook ads is Nov. 15; the purchasing process takes place online. For more information, Click Here.

Financial Aid Workshop for College Is Sept. 30
The Pulsifer College Counseling Office is once again partnering with College Money Method to provide comprehensive financial aid support and education. All sessions will be offered virtually. This year’s first session is Succeeding in the Financial Aid Process: A guide for seniors applying for need-based aid and merit scholarships. The session will take place Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. Registration is required. While this session is targeted towards seniors and their families, any Thayer family is welcome to join. College counselors will offer more targeted workshops for different grade levels as the year progresses. If you have any questions, contact Associate Director of College Counseling Nellie Brennan Hall. 

Benelli Writing Center Info
The Upper School's Benelli Writing Center (BWC) is open and ready to help Upper School students with assignments at any stage of the writing process. Students can schedule an appointment online by going to the "Benelli Writing Center Appointments" box on the Resources page in MySchoolApp. The BWC is located in Stacy B. Southworth Library. Appointments are available during and after every school day as well as during the Tuesday 8 a.m. flex block. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Jersild. 

After-School Robotics

Any Upper School student interested in robotics should come to the Robotics Lab (Glover Building) on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. or Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for the school year’s first meetings. If you have any questions, contact Upper School Science Faculty Wendy Stallings. 

Sign Up for Stock Market Simulator Series 

Students are invited to take part in a Stock Market Simulator Series, a business co-curricular offered this school year. Sign-ups begin Friday, Sept. 12; the sign-up link will also be in the Upper School's weekly student announcements.

Black & Orange Day Is Sept. 19

Tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 19) will be Black & Orange Day at the Middle School to celebrate Homecoming. Students are encouraged to wear their team uniforms, black & orange clothing, or their favorite Thayer gear. Go, Tigers! 

Virtual Info Session To Discuss June Trips 

The Middle School will offer an info session Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. via Zoom for Middle School parents/guardians who would like to learn more about Middle School travel programs scheduled for June of 2026. These trips include a marine science trip for 5th and 6th graders to Florida; a French Language and Culture Trip for 7th and 8th graders to Quebec; and a nature & hiking trip, also for 7th and 8th graders, to the Southwest. Middle School Director Galen Hamann P ’31 will also discuss these trips during an upcoming TAPA coffee (please see TAPA section). 

Middle School Science Cafe Is Sept. 25

The first Middle School Science Cafe of the year is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25, with Harel Gadot P ’30, ’32, co-founder and CEO of Microbot Medical. The company has developed a small, fully disposable robotic system to assist in accessing endovascular procedures and help with stroke management and cancer treatment. Interested Middle School students should sign up and submit questions for Mr. Gadot via Google Form by Monday, Sept. 22. Students will be able to eat lunch together in the science room while meeting with Mr. Gadot. Space is limited. If you have questions, contact Mrs. Young.

Yearbook Ad Info

Attention, Grade 8 parents and guardians: Don't miss out on the chance to place an ad in your child's 8th grade yearbook. Click here for information regarding how to make, place, and pay for your ad. The deadline for all ads and payments is Nov. 1.

Please help to make this year's Evergreen yearbook one to remember. This is always a favorite section of the yearbook for our departing eighth graders. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Middle School Science Faculty Natalie Young, the yearbook’s advisor.

Picture Retake Day Is Oct. 20

The Middle School’s Picture Retake Day is Monday, Oct. 20. Thayer will again be using SmilePro. If families have any photo-related questions, they can contact the company at info@smilepro.com.

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+. The affinity group will host a coffee Monday, Sept. 29, at 8:15 a.m. for those who wish to gather in conversation. Please email Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28 for the meeting’s location, if you have any questions, or if you would like to be involved in this group. 

Class Parents/Guardians

TAPA has filled the class parents/guardians roles for all grades and thanks all who volunteered. Keep an eye out for details regarding grade-specific socials from your class representatives. 

Friday Night Lights!

TAPA's Parent Athletics Council (PAC) and the Athletics Department are excited to host a fall spirit event for the entire Thayer community. On Friday, Oct. 10, Thayer's going back under the lights as the varsity football team hosts St. George's on Ward Donner Field with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Food trucks will provide food for purchase, and there will be giveaways throughout the night. Wear your orange and black, and don’t miss this fun-filled Tiger Spirit event.

First SEED Session Is Oct. 7

TAPA once again offers SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) sessions this year. SEED creates conversational communities that drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward greater equity, diversity, and social justice. All meetings fall on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Bakker Reading Room of Southworth Library, and the first meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 7. A sign-up sheet is available for those who would like to join the conversation. 

Invitation to Volunteer

TAPA welcomes all new and returning families to the 2025-26 school year. TAPA’s goal is to support the school through sponsoring various social events and programs, thereby enhancing the school experience for all. TAPA is already planning and preparing a variety of great events this year. A list of volunteer opportunities throughout the year is available for review. 

Upcoming TAPA Coffees

TAPA hosts a number of coffees for current Thayer families throughout the school year. Upcoming coffees include: 

• Middle School Coffee with Middle School Director Galen Hamann P ’31 on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 8:15 a.m. in the Forum. 

Come meet fellow parents and guardians, ask questions, and learn about some of what will happen this year at Thayer.

Here to Help

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at tapa@thayer.org. 

EXECUTIVE BOARD 2025-26

President: Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28

Vice President: Rebecca Baker P ’28

Treasurer: Sandi Petrie P ’30, ’30

Secretary: Sara Torok P ’30

Volunteer Coordinators: Laura Query P ’29, ’31 and Amanda Smallwood P ’29, ’31

Engagement & Belonging Co-Coordinators: Dasan Harrington P ’27 and Faith Patterson P ’26

Middle School President: Kate Herbst ’98 P ’31

Middle School Vice President: Jen McGuirl P ’26, ’29, ’30

Middle School Secretary: Sara Torok P ’30

Middle School Engagement & Belonging Coordinator: Ophelia Ardayfio P ’27, ’30

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