Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Spring Recess.

Colleges That Change Lives College Fair Is March 7

Attention, juniors and their families: The 2026 Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) College Fair will be held Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Renaissance Boston Seaport District. The free, public event features more than three dozen liberal arts institutions and includes a 30-minute presentation followed by a 90-minute college fair. Preregistration is encouraged. 

Spring College-Bound Student-Athlete Recognition Day

A number of senior student-athletes will publicly share their college athletic commitments Thursday, March 26, at 3:40 p.m. in Memorial Gym. The entire Upper School community — including faculty, staff, and family/friends of the student-athletes — is invited to attend the after-school event. 

AISNE Students of Color Conference

The Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) will hold its Students of Color Conference Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Regis College in Weston. Shabana Basij-Rasikh is the keynote speaker for this year's conference whose theme is "A Celebration of Community." Interested Upper School students should click here. 

Host a French Student in April From Sister School in Cannes

Thayer is looking for families in the Upper School to host a boy from its sister school, Lycée Stanislas in Cannes, France, from April 13 to April 21. Hosting an international exchange student is rewarding in so many ways; host families can share their family's way of life with a student from another culture, welcome that student’s culture into their home, and forge friendships that could last a lifetime. 

Want to learn more? Contact Upper School World Languages Department Head Darah Harper P ’29 right away at dharper@thayer.org or 781.664.2213. 

Wily Network Care Package Event for Sophomores

Attention, parents and guardians of sophomores: This year Thayer's sophomore class, through their Common Good program, is partnering with the Wily Network, and TAPA is working in coordination with Director of Global Engagement Kim Gilmore and Dean of Students Kristan Gately P ’28 and to make this happen.

The Wily Network is a local nonprofit organization that supports Wily Scholars, college students who are working toward their degrees without emotional or financial support from family. Wily Scholars are navigating life and their education on their own.

How will the program work?

Wily has asked Thayer to "adopt" 40 scholars and provide each of them with care packages in April to help support them during spring final exams. These care packages are for Wily Scholars who attend MIT (31 scholars), BC (eight scholars), and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (one scholar). Those parents and guardians with older kids already in college know how much college students appreciate receiving something from home. Since Wily Scholars do not currently have a stable family support system, these care packages mean a great deal to them.

How can you help?

TAPA asks those interested to consider donating items for the care packages. Organizers have created a SignUpGenius and have designed it so that families can purchase the items for delivery straight to Thayer. Ms. Gately will organize collection bins in her office in the Student Commons, and the students will assemble the care packages after Spring Recess. All donations should be delivered by Wednesday, April 1.

Families with questions can contact Ms. Gilmore or TAPA Vice President Rebecca Baker P ’28.

Mahjong Meetups

Interested in learning to play mahjong or just practicing your mahjong skills? Join Upper School Math & Computer Science Faculty Leeanne Dillmann and your fellow parents/guardians on the second Monday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. in Southworth Library.

Meetups will be held on the following dates: 

• Monday, April 13
• Monday, May 11

Beginners are welcome. Contact Ms. Dillmann with questions. 

Driver’s Education for Thayer Students

Attention, Thayer students and parents/guardians: Drivers Edge Academy will hold a Spring Recess driver's education class exclusively for Thayer students. The class for Thayer students will be held from March 9 until March 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This class will be at the driving school’s location at 169 North Franklin St., Holbrook. If interested, visit the driving school’s website to register. If you have questions, email info@driversedgeacademy.com. 

Middle School Dismissal Times

The following are upcoming dismissal times for the Middle School: 

• Today (Thursday, March 5): 2:45 p.m. 
• Friday, March 6: 2:45 p.m. 

Middle School Play Is Now March 5 (During Arts Night) 

Due to winter storms and school cancellations, the Middle School production of The Odyssey by R.N. Sandberg has been rescheduled; it will now take place today (Thursday, March 5) in Thompson Hall during Arts Night at the Middle School. Admission is free, and no ticket is required. 

Directed by Middle School Drama Faculty Sofia Lindgren Galloway, the play offers all Thayer students and families a view into one of ancient Greece’s most epic adventures. After the battle at Troy, Odysseus must find his way home, battling monsters and surviving vicious storms. Meanwhile, his son Telemechus is on a journey of his own, guided by Athena, to find his father and his place in the world. For more information, contact Ms. Lindgren Galloway. 

You’re Invited to Arts Night!

Please join in the fun as Middle School Arts Night takes place today (Thursday, March 5) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Middle School. This evening celebrates the dynamic work Middle School students have created this term across the arts. As the final Middle School Arts Night of the school year, it’s a meaningful opportunity to gather as a community and recognize the creativity, discipline, and growth these students have demonstrated. Families are invited to explore the gallery spaces at their own pace throughout the evening. Students participating in performances will receive specific arrival and call times in advance. (Editor's Note: The Middle School play has been rescheduled and will also take place during Arts Night.)

Students may remain on campus after sports and study hall. Supervision will be provided, and pizza will be available for those staying. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Palmer. 

Rescheduled Science Cafe Is Now March 31

Because of the weather and school cancellations, the Middle School Science Cafe initially planned for earlier this week has been rescheduled. That presentation will now take place Tuesday, March 31, with a naturalist/educator from the Blue Hills Trailside Museum who will bring an owl. Interested Middle School students should sign up and submit questions for the presenter via Google Form. This is always a very popular science cafe — and space is limited — so be sure to sign up early. Students will be able to eat lunch together in the science room while meeting with the presenter. Those with questions can contact Middle School Science Department Head Natalie Young.

Coming Soon: TAPA Scholarship Applications

Attention, all senior parents and guardians: please note that TAPA provides scholarship opportunities for those students who have demonstrated interest in, experience in, or aptitude for community service. Scholarships will be awarded at Last Chapel in June.

TAPA encourages all to apply, and links to the application form will be placed in the TNN in the coming weeks.

Class Parents/Guardians for 2025-26

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
Join the Parents of Color Affinity Group for meaningful conversations and community building. This group is intended for any parent or guardian who identifies as a person of color as well as parents or guardians of students who identify as people of color. 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. The affinity group’s remaining meeting schedule is as follows: 



• Sunday, March 8, at 5 p.m. (Rescheduled from 3/5 date)
• TBD (Internship / Job Fair Event) 
• Thursday, May 7 (Rescheduled from 5/8 date)
• Monday, June 1 (End-Of-Year Celebration) 

Christian Affinity Group

The Christian Affinity Group welcomes all parents and guardians who identify as Christian as well as those who have children who identify as Christian. The 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 is intended for any parent/guardian who identifies as Jewish 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 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 busy planning and preparing a variety of great events this year. 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.