Congratulations to the seniors, your Winter Wars 2026 champions. To see a full video, click here. To see a shorter video, click here. To see photos, click here. | | |
The Calendar at a Glance
- Thursday, Feb. 19: Global Speaker Series — An Evening With Peter Capozzoli ’91 (6:30 p.m. in the Forum)
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Friday, Feb. 20 & Saturday, Feb. 21: Upper School production of Pride and Prejudice (7 p.m. in Hale Theater)
- Monday, Feb. 23: Global Speaker Series — An Evening With Loretta J. Ross (6:30 p.m. in the Forum)
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Thursday, Feb. 26: Middle School production of The Odyssey (7 p.m. in Thompson Hall)
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New Exhibit
at Koskores Gallery
“Heartbeat Memories: Works by Silvina Mizrahi” is currently on display at Koskores Gallery and continues until Friday, March 6. The exhibit explores the living rhythm between memory and the present — how the past continues to pulse within us, shaping who we are and what we create. Each work emerges from the dialogue between remembrance and presence, revealing how emotions, histories, and experiences resonate through time. Through sculpture and mixed-media pieces that weave together fragments of personal and collective stories, Mizrahi’s work invites viewers to listen to their own inner pulse — to sense how every heartbeat carries traces of what has been and how each moment becomes part of an ever-unfolding memory. An in-school reception with the artist will be held Friday, Feb. 20, from 11:25 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Global Speaker Series: An Evening With Peter Capozzoli ’91
The Thayer Global Speaker Series continues with “An Evening With Peter Capozzoli ’91” today (Thursday, Feb. 19) at 6:30 p.m. in the Forum. Capozzoli is the senior director of mission management at SpaceX, where he leads a team of mission managers and engineers tasked with executing satellite launches for commercial telecommunications, national security, Earth observations, and interplanetary missions.
Global Speaker Series: An Evening With Loretta J. Ross
The Thayer Global Speaker Series continues with “An Evening With Loretta J. Ross” Monday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Forum. In her five decades in the human rights movement, Ross has deprogrammed white supremacists, taught convicted rapists the principles of feminism, and co-organized the second largest march on Washington, D.C. Today she is an associate professor at Smith College. To RSVP to this event by Feb. 20, click here.
Coffee & Tea With the Counselors Feb. 25
Rooted in community and care, this gathering offers caregivers a welcoming space to connect with one another and engage in thoughtful conversation around the experience of raising adolescents. Come as you are — to listen, to share, or simply to be in community Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. (location TBD). To RSVP to this event by Feb. 23, click here.
Save the Date: Bailey-King Author Series Event Is April 16
Casey Sherman will be the guest author for the 10th annual Bailey-King Author Series event, which will be held Thursday, April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Southworth Library; the event will also be held virtually via Zoom.
A Hyannis native, Sherman is a best-selling author, investigative journalist, and true-crime writer as well as an EMMY-nominated television producer. He is the author of several books including The Finest Hours, which chronicles the Coast Guard’s daring 1952 rescue attempt of the SS Pendleton off Cape Cod, and Boston Strong: A City’s Triumph Over Tragedy, which is widely considered the definitive account of the terrorist bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon. His latest books, Helltown and Blood in the Water, both local true-crime stories, were instant best-sellers.
Established in 2016 through the generous support of Amelia and Todd Slawsby ’88, the Bailey-King Author Series celebrates the written word through annual author events at Thayer. The series is named in honor of longtime English faculty members Betty Bailey ’63 and Jim King P ’01, ’04, ’06.
Save the Date: Pener Conference Is April 13
The fourth annual James Tufts Pener Environmental Stewardship Conference will take place Monday, April 13, on campus. The conference celebrates the spirit and legacy of James Tufts Pener ’23, who tragically lost his life just before his senior year at Thayer. In keeping with Pener’s passion for the environment and sustainability, the conference focuses on what students can do about the important issues facing the environment.
Pete Malinowski, co-founder and CEO of the Billion Oyster Project out of New York City, will be this year’s keynote speaker. Conference organizers have reached out to all of Thayer’s Upper School students in addition to inviting students from 24 surrounding private and public high schools to attend, give a presentation, or lead a workshop.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Upper School Science Faculty Skip Schneider P ’20, ’22.
In Case You Missed It
Be sure to check out Thayer’s news page to see what’s happening at Thayer, including a recent campus conference on the business of coffee.
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Buy Your Tickets for the Winter Play
Tickets are now available for Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, the Upper School’s winter play, which will take place Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21, in the CFA’s Hale Theater. Both performances begin at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets, click here. Once on the site, click “Buy Tickets” and then search “Thayer Academy” to find the show.
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| Upper School Announcements | | |
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College Counseling Event Tackles Financial Aid
Attention, parents/guardians of seniors: The Pulsifer College Counseling Center will hold “Virtual Financial Aid Night: Comparing Awards & Strategies To Appeal” Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. To register for the webinar, click here.
Business Masterclass Is Feb. 24
Students, staff, and faculty are invited to the first event in Thayer’s Business Masterclass Series Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Tiger’s Den. The evening’s guest speaker will be Lindsay Wilkinson, CFO of the Connors Family Office. The Business Masterclass Series offers professionally led presentations, discussions, and opportunities where participants will be introduced to experts in various business fields and become familiar with leadership decisions in real-world scenarios. Dinner will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m. To RSVP by Feb. 20, click here.
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.
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| Middle School Announcements | | |
Owls Are Topic of Feb. 24 Science Cafe
The next Middle School Science Cafe will take place Tuesday, Feb. 24, 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 by Monday, Feb. 23. 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.
Middle School Play Is Feb. 26
The Middle School production of The Odyssey by R.N. Sandberg will take place Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. in Thompson Hall. 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.
Middle School Winter Social Is Feb. 27
The Middle School will hold its Winter Social Friday, Feb. 27. Students will be able to watch the boys varsity basketball game in Memorial Gym, play in Alumni Gym, hang with friends, and enjoy some pizza and treats. Please complete the Google Form for your child by Wednesday, Feb 25, so that organizers have a good idea of the numbers and are prepared for a fun Friday night. This event is for Thayer Academy Middle School students only.
You’re Invited to Arts Night!
Please join in the fun as Middle School Arts Night takes place 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.
Students may remain on campus after sports and study hall. Supervision will be provided, and pizza will be available for those staying. If your child plans to remain at school for dinner and the event, please email IDEA Department Head Destiny Palmer by Wednesday, March 4, so that organizers can plan accordingly. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Palmer as well.
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Middle School Coffee Is Feb. 20
TAPA will host a Middle School Coffee Friday, Feb. 20, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. in the Forum. Middle School Director Galen Hamann P ’31 will introduce the goals and learning objectives of each intersession, discuss how the program has evolved over the past three years, and share feedback received from students. She will be joined by three outside specialists who work with students during intersession. They will introduce their areas of focus and offer helpful tips for parents/guardians. Katie Greer will speak about cyberbullying and online safety; John Tummon (Pathways for Prevention) will discuss substance misuse prevention; and a representative from Flik Dining Services will share how they partner with Thayer to teach nutrition lessons to our students.
As always, there will be time for conversation and questions. Parents and guardians may submit questions in advance to Director of Development Bea Sanders.
PIN Update
The Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN) meeting for January 2026 featured a Heads of School Panel on "Current Topics in Caring for Our Communities.” Discussion points included devices, mental health, AI, and parenting. A recording of the discussion featuring Milton Academy’s Alixe Callen; Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart’s Jessica Hooper; The Chestnut Hill School’s Roderick MacNeal Jr.; and Roxbury Latin School’s Sam Schaffer can be found by clicking here.
Class Parents/Guardians
TAPA has filled the class parents/guardians roles for all grades and thanks all who volunteered. Keep an eye out for updates from your class representatives.
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:
- Thursday, March 5
- Thursday, April 16 (Internship / Job Fair Event)
- Friday, May 8
- 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.
| | Parent/Guardian Resources | | | Thayer Academy | 745 Washington St. | Braintree, MA 02184 US | | | | |
