The Class of 2020 enjoyed Thayer's Reunion Celebration.

Thayer Photos Available Online

This year, the communications office will be posting photo albums to a Smugmug account that you can view here. All of the photos are free for you to download, or you can order prints directly through the Smugmug site. We hope you enjoy seeing these glimpses into Thayer life, and be sure to check back often as we continue to add more images.

Oct. 3 Is Final Day for Add/Drop

A reminder to families of Upper School students: Per the Student Handbook (Page 54), the final day to add or drop a course without a withdrawal notation on the transcript is the Friday of the fourth full week of the term. This year that date is Friday, Oct. 3. Students should reach out to their teachers and/or their advisors with any questions. Students can get the Add/Drop form from Ms. Gately, Ms. Pena, or Mr. Murphy.

Thayer Global Engagement Programs Family Info Session

Thayer Upper School families are invited to an info session Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom to learn more about Thayer’s global engagement opportunities and its unique Global Scholars Capstone program. This virtual session is open to Upper School students and their parents/guardians.

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.

Picture Retake Day Is Oct. 20

Picture Retake Day for the Upper School will be Monday, Oct. 20. Please note: SmilePro will only be on campus that day from 7:30 a.m. until the end of lunch, or approximately 1 p.m. 

College Application Workshop

Attention, parents and guardians of seniors: On Wednesday, Oct. 15, seniors are given a day to work on the college process while the rest of the school has other tasks. Some students may take the day to travel to a college campus, others have interviews scheduled, and some will hunker down at home writing supplemental essays. If your student does not yet have plans but has work to do on their applications, encourage their presence in the Brickyard. From 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., seniors will gather together for food and college application fun in this unstructured yet productive, supportive, and collaborative event. College search resources will be available and the college counselors will be circulating to help anyone who needs it. No RSVP required.

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.

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 are underway; the sign-up link will also be in the Upper School's weekly student announcements.

Middle School Trip Applications Due Oct. 9 

A reminder: Applications for all three Middle School travel programs, which will take place in June, are due Thursday, Oct. 9. Please note: there is a part of the application that needs to be completed by both the parent/guardian and the student. If you have any questions, contact Middle School Director Galen Hamann P ’31 or Director of Global Engagement Kim Gilmore. 

Interest in Middle School Robotics? 
Organizers are trying to see if there is enough interest to start a Middle School competitive robotics team. Any eighth grade student interested in joining such a team should send an email to Mrs. Stallings. The team would meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in the Upper School robotics lab. Interested eighth graders would need to make sure they have permission from parents/guardians as well as transportation. Students and parents/guardians can email Mrs. Stallings or Mrs. Macauley if they have questions.

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.

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 Is Oct. 10

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.

And an added bonus: if the skies are clear that night, Cahall Observatory (next to the track and football field) will be available for families to check out some celestial targets. 

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. 

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+. Please email Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28 if you have any questions or would like to be involved in this group. 

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.

The affinity group will hold a coffee hour Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 9:45 a.m. This event will be hosted off-campus at the home of a parent or guardian. Please email Annie Pratt P ’26, ’27 if you would like the address for the coffee hour or if you would like more information.

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. 

Spirit Jackets Available 
Thayer students can order these jackets directly through Jostens at any time during the year. There are several jackets to choose from, starting at $161.50. You can see the jackets at their web page to learn more. If you have any questions, contact Jostens Representative Kate Toman; she can also be reached at 508.248.9095.

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.