Friday Night Lights

The Thayer Athletics Department is thrilled to announce this fall’s Friday Night Lights games to be held on the turf field of the new multisport athletic complex. Remaining dates are: 

Friday, Oct. 23: Varsity field hockey vs. Dana Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30: Girls varsity soccer vs. Middlesex at 5:15 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 6: Varsity football vs. Nobles at 6 p.m.

Parent/Guardian Social for Grades 9 & 10

The Upper School Parent/Guardian Social for Grade 9 and Grade 10 will take place today (Thursday, Oct. 22) from 6 to 8 p.m. in Southworth Library. To RSVP, click here. 

Parent/Guardian Social for Grades 11 & 12

The Upper School Parent/Guardian Social for Grade 11 and Grade 12 will take place Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Southworth Library. To RSVP, click here. 

Senior Yearbook Ads Now Available

Attention, parents and guardians of the Class of 2027: The Black & Orange yearbook offers an opportunity for families 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 detailed information, including ad sizes and pricing, click here. 

College Visits Next Week

The Pulsifer College Counseling Center reminds seniors and the families of seniors that college visits to Thayer's campus are underway. Please note: Sign-up is through Scoir, and visits take place during the school day. Seniors should remember to discuss attending a visit — at least 24 hours in advance — with any teacher whose class will be affected by the college visit. Juniors may attend if they have a free period. Seniors can see all pending visits in Scoir. Remember: Colleges want to meet you! 

Monday, Oct. 26

8 to 9:05 a.m.: Saint Michael’s College 

9:10 to 10:15 a.m.: Salem State University 

1:15 to 2:20 p.m.: University of Massachusetts - Boston 

Tuesday, Oct. 27

8:50 to 9:55 a.m.: Roger Williams University 

10 to 11:05 a.m.: University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth 

11:10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Trinity College Dublin 

2:25 to 3:30 p.m.: Loyola University of Maryland 

Wednesday, Oct. 28

8 to 9:05 a.m.: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 

9:10 to 10:15 a.m.: Assumption University  

10:45 to 11:50 a.m.: Xavier University 

Thursday, Oct. 29

8:50 to 9:55 a.m.: Penn State University 

1:15 to 2:20 p.m.: IE University 

2:25 to 3:30 p.m.: Miami University 

Friday, Oct. 30

8 to 9:05 a.m.: University of Connecticut 

9:10 to 10:15 a.m.: John Cabot University 

1:05 to 2:10 p.m.: Wagner College 

2:15 to 3:20 p.m.: Emmanuel College 

Halloween 2026

Middle School students are welcome to wear a costume to school on Friday, Oct. 30, for Halloween. The Middle School will also have an optional costume parade and Halloween celebration during Extra Help.

Halloween should be fun for everyone. The Middle School encourages students to be creative, use what they already have when possible, and choose costumes that are safe, respectful, inclusive, and appropriate for school.

If you wear a costume, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Be ready for a regular school day. You need to be able to sit, move around, and participate fully in class. If your costume gets in the way of learning, you may be asked to remove or adjust it during class.
• Keep costumes respectful. Costumes should not imitate, stereotype, or make fun of someone’s race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, disability, or other aspect of identity. This includes altering your skin color to portray another racial or ethnic group.
• No weapons or realistic-looking weapons, including toy guns, knives, swords, or similar props.
• Masks must be removed during classes and whenever a faculty or staff member asks.
• No roller skates, skateboards, wheeled shoes, or other costumes/props that create a safety concern.
• Regular school expectations still apply, including our dress guidelines and expectations for respectful language, images, and behavior.
• Be thoughtful with group costumes. Group costumes can be a lot of fun, but please consider how they are organized and avoid intentionally excluding classmates in ways that may be hurtful.

Not sure about your costume? Ask your advisor, teacher, or another Middle School adult before Halloween.

Middle School Fall Social

Come dance and have fun with your Middle School friends on Friday, Oct. 30, to kick off Halloween weekend. The social will be in the Forum from 7 to 9 p.m.; drop-off and pickup are in the bus loop. No need for a costume, but dress in your best black-and-orange and festive halloween accessories. And, thanks to TAPA, take your chance at the gift basket raffle as well. 

Middle School Parent/Guardian Social 

The Middle School Parent/Guardian Social will take place Friday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. (the same date and time as the student social) in Southworth Library (Editor's Note: This reflects a location change). To RSVP, click here. 

Yearbook Ad Info; Deadline Is Nov. 1

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 Department Head Natalie Young, the yearbook’s advisor.

Parent/Guardian Socials

Join Head of School Chris Fortunato P ’26, ’28, other school leaders, and fellow parents/guardians for a grade-level social which promises an enjoyable evening of conversation, connection, and community over beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres.

Parent/Guardian Social for Grades 9 & 10

Today (Thursday, Oct. 22) from 6 to 8 p.m.

Southworth Library

Parent/Guardian Social for Grades 11 & 12

Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Southworth Library

Middle School Parent/Guardian Social

Friday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Southworth Library (*Location Change)

Please note: This last event is in conjunction with the Middle School Student Social hosted by TAPA. Click here to volunteer to help set up the Middle School for a fabulous student social. TAPA would also be very grateful for donations or items for raffle baskets for the students. Please drop them off with Mrs. Tenney by Wednesday, Oct. 28. TAPA organizers look forward to seeing all Middle School parents and guardians at the parent/guardian social that same evening.

Dinner & Dialogue: Connect with Fellow Thayer Families

In partnership with TAPA, the Engagement & Belonging Office is excited to launch Dinner & Dialogue, a new opportunity for Thayer parents and guardians to come together over a meal for conversation, connection, and community building.

These gatherings will offer a welcoming space to meet other families, engage in thoughtful dialogue around topics relevant to the community, share perspectives and experiences, and strengthen connections across Thayer.

Interested in participating? Please complete the brief Dinner & Dialogue Interest Form to let organizers know. Responses will help to identify topics of interest and schedule gatherings at times that work best for the Thayer community.

Meet Your TAPA Class Parents and Guardians

TAPA is once again excited to support class parents and guardians as they help to strengthen connections and encourage engagement within each grade. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to serve during the school year.

• Class of 2034: Sarah Farrell and Mandy Susi
• Class of 2033: Alexi Singh and Diane Biega
• Class of 2032: Dan Cohen and Shirley Laurent
• Class of 2031: Amanda Smallwood and Kaileen Sanner
• Class of 2030: Caroline Rooney and Susan Saliba
• Class of 2029: Linnea Holmes and Amy Leerink
• Class of 2028: Missy Gaultier and Melanie Yates
• Class of 2027: Ronit Velde and Melissa Cuccinelli

TAPA is grateful to all class parents and guardians for helping to foster a welcoming, connected, and engaged Thayer community.

Here To Help

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

EXECUTIVE BOARD 2026-27

President: Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28

Vice President: Rebecca Baker P ’28

Treasurer: Sandi Petrie P ’30, ’30

Secretary: Sara Torok P ’30

Communications: Jennifer McGuirl P ‘26, ‘29, ‘30

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

Engagement & Belonging Coordinator: Dasan Harrington P ’27 

Middle School President: Kate Nedelman Herbst ’98 P ’31

Middle School Vice President: Maribeth Flakes P '32

Middle School Secretary: Lisa Kazakis P '31, '32

Middle School Engagement & Belonging Coordinator: Ophelia Ardayfio P ’27, ’30, ’33

Middle School Communications: Ashley Fleming P ‘33

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