Bailey-King Author Series Takes Place 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. To RSVP, click here.

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. 

College Opportunities in Ireland

Representatives from 12 Irish colleges and universities are coming to host a series of events for families with students interested in attending college in Ireland. 

Education in Ireland will host a webinar about studying in Ireland Tuesday, April 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. This webinar will provide students, families, and college counselors with the basics of studying in Ireland. Covering academics, admissions, student life, and employment, attendees will learn everything they need to know about making the transition to Ireland for a bachelor’s degree. Experts from multiple Irish universities will share their expertise and host an in-depth Q&A session. Though the timing of this webinar may work better for adults, students are welcome to join. For more information and/or to register, click here. 

On Wednesday, April 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the organization will sponsor a college fair at Moses Brown School, 250 Lloyd Ave., Providence. To register, click here. 

On Thursday, April 23, the group will sponsor another college fair at the Irish Cultural Center, 200 New Boston Drive, Canton. To register, click here. 

College Counseling Financial Aid Webinar Is April 15

Attention, families of 10th grade students: The Pulsifer College Counseling Center will hold “Understanding How Colleges Assess Your Ability To Pay and Aid Eligibility” Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This workshop details the financial factors colleges use to determine a family’s ability to pay with an inside look at colleges’ calculations and decision-making processes. These insights provide families with early strategies to maximize eligibility for need-based financial aid well before senior year. To register for the webinar, click here. 

BISCCA College Fair (Juniors Only) Is April 26

Attention, families of juniors: The Boston Independent School College Counseling Association (BISCCA) will hold a juniors-only college fair Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Babson College in Wellesley. Join juniors from the independent schools in the Greater Boston area in exploring about 140 colleges and universities from around the country and the world. To view the full list of participating schools, click here. 

The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m., but to minimize overcrowding, Thayer juniors are asked to attend from 2:30 to 4 p.m. There is a presentation about the financial aid process scheduled for 2 p.m. Please note that parents/guardians are not permitted during the fair (with the exception of the financial aid presentation), so they should plan to bring a book or visit a local coffee shop to pass the time. Juniors need to register in advance by clicking here. 

Boston National College Fair Is April 27

The Boston National College Fair will take place Monday, April 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. This fair includes hundreds of colleges and universities from around the country and across the world; to view a list of participating schools, click here. Students should register in advance by clicking here. 

‘Exploring Summer Opportunities’ Workshops — Slide Decks

The Global Engagement Program and the Pulsifer College Counseling Center recently co-hosted the second “Exploring Summer Opportunities” workshop for Upper School students. The focus of the late March workshop was to help students explore resources for finding and applying to summer volunteer and job opportunities.

To view the slide deck from this presentation, click here. Please note: More will be added to this slide deck as additional summer job and volunteer opportunities arise.

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. 

A Conversation on Motivating Students; First Event April 22

This spring the Middle School invites parents and guardians into a conversation inspired by the Middle School faculty’s study of the book The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop. Organizers will share additional information on how to join the conversation — whether by reading the book, listening to a podcast, or simply showing up; there’s no expectation to read the book in order to participate. All are welcome. 

The first event in the discussion will take place Wednesday, April 22, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. in the Middle School Library. Middle School families can RSVP by April 19 by clicking here. 

‘Picnic in the Park’ Fac/Staff Appreciation Luncheon Is May 6

Each year the Thayer parent and guardian community proudly comes together to celebrate and thank Thayer’s exceptional faculty and staff. These dedicated individuals play a vital role in creating the nurturing, inspiring environment where students learn and thrive. Teacher Appreciation Week offers the perfect opportunity for the community to express its gratitude, and this year TAPA is excited to host a “Picnic in the Park” Luncheon in their honor.

On Wednesday, May 6, TAPA volunteers will transform the Tiger’s Den into a vibrant neighborhood park complete with picnic tables, lemonade and iced tea stands, and delicious picnic‑themed fare. As in years past, the luncheon will include fun surprises, a grand prize drawing, and time for parents/guardians to personally express their appreciation to faculty and staff.

This special event is only possible with the support of Thayer’s parent and guardian community. To help make it a success, TAPA organizers kindly request a suggested donation of $25 per child. Donations may be made via Venmo to @Linnea-Holmes-1 (last four phone digits: 9135) or by check payable to Thayer Academy. Please include “TAPA/LUNCHEON” in the memo or Venmo description.

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering for this fun and rewarding event, please contact your Class Parent or reach out to Rebecca Baker P ’28 or Pia McKinnon P ’28, ’31. TAPA would love to have you join in the celebration! 

TAPA Board Positions

TAPA supports many beloved community events throughout the school year, including Homecoming, The Last Hurrah! senior dinner, the 8th Grade Dinner, and transportation to and from Prom, just to name a few. Serving on the TAPA Board offers a unique opportunity to stay informed, help shape new initiatives, and support meaningful experiences for students and families. TAPA is always eager to welcome dedicated volunteers to participate in the planning, development, and management of these events by serving on the board.

If you’re interested in a board position, please contact TAPA President Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28 to learn more about available roles, responsibilities, and time commitments.

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. The deadline to apply is Thursday, April 30; for an application form, click here.

Class Parents/Guardians

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: 



• TBD (Internship / Job Fair Event) 
• Thursday, May 7 (Family Paint Night)
• 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.