Gallery Reception Is May 8 

The Thayer Academy Student Art Showcase is currently on display in Koskores Gallery and will remain so until May 22. The highly anticipated annual showcase offers a vibrant celebration of artistic talent featuring works from the school’s most promising emerging artists. The comprehensive exhibition — representing hours of creative exploration, technical development, and artistic growth — highlights student achievements across diverse mediums, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the next generation of creative voices.

A Friends & Family Reception will be held Friday, May 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the gallery.

Prom Info 

Prom will take place Wednesday, June 3, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Boston’s Museum of Science. Tickets are $144 apiece and can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, May 20. If students need financial assistance, they should reach out to Ms. Gately or Ms. Pena. 

All students and guests are required to take buses to and from campus that night. Students and guests will meet on the Teardrop at 5:30 p.m. for pictures before boarding the buses. The buses will depart at 6:15 p.m. and return to Thayer at 10:45 p.m. 

Thayer students bringing a guest who does not attend Thayer must have that guest complete a Thayer Academy Prom Guest Form and return it with all the required signatures by Friday, May 22. Forms should be returned to Ms. Pena or Mr. Murphy. 

If students or families have any questions regarding the prom, they should contact Ms. Gately or Ms. Pena. 

Senior Project Showcase Is June 2

The Senior Project Showcase will be held Tuesday, June, 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the CFA. The event allows Thayer seniors to demonstrate what they’ve learned and accomplished during their Senior Projects. Their Final Reflections can either be displayed visually and creatively in the CFA’s O’Toole Lobby or presented to an audience in its Hale Theater. 

‘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.

Astrobiologist To Visit Science Cafe May 11

Sarah Stewart Johnson — an astrobiologist, an author, and a professor at Georgetown University — will be guest speaker for the last Middle School Science Cafe of the year on Monday, May 11. Interested Middle School students should sign up and submit questions for her via Google Form by Friday, May 8; space is limited. Students will be able to eat lunch together in the science room while meeting with the presenter. Contact Mrs. Young with any questions. 

A former Rhodes Scholar who earned her PhD from MIT, Stewart addressed Thayer in March of 2023 as part of Thayer’s Global Speaker Series. 

Lost & Found Tables

Lost & Found Tables will be outside the Middle School on Tuesday, May 12, and Thursday, May 14. Please take a look through. All remaining items will be donated by the end of next week. 

Grade 8 Dinner & Dance Is May 14

Thayer Academy eighth graders and their parents/guardians are invited to a dinner honoring the Class of 2030 on Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. in Cahall Dining Hall. The 2030 Middle School Legacy gift will be presented at this event; students should wear festive Assembly Dress. 

The dinner will be followed by a special 8th-grade-only student dance at the Middle School. Pickup will be at 9:30 p.m. in the Middle School lot. 

Middle School Spirit Day Is May 15

A reminder: The Middle School will hold its annual Spirit Day Friday, May 15. 

Spring Social for Grades 5-7

The Middle School will hold its Spring Social for Thayer students in grades 5-7 on Friday, May 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. The social will take place both in the Forum and on Kendall Field. Please join in for a fun night of hanging out with friends, playing games, and enjoying a few treats. Drop-off and pickup will take place in the Middle School Loop. To sign up to attend the May 15 social, click here. 

Middle School Travel Program Pre-Departure Family Meeting
The Middle School will hold its Travel Program Pre-Departure Family Meeting Monday, May 18, in Thompson Hall. Please note: This meeting is required for all student participants and at least one parent/guardian. At the meeting Ms. Gilmore will provide an overview of student expectations and health & wellness on travel programs. 

Middle School Thank-You Notes Encouraged by May 27

TAPA and the Middle School are excited to bring back the Thayer tradition of showing appreciation to Middle School faculty and staff through the collection of handwritten notes from students. Notes can be written to teachers, coaches, music directors, nurses, etc. — whoever the student (and parent/guardian, too) feels has made a difference in that student's life this year.  

Please encourage your student to write a thank-you note. These simple gifts are so very appreciated. After writing the note, please place each one in an individual envelope with the recipient's name written on the front. The notes should be dropped off at the Middle School office no later than Wednesday, May 27, as this will give volunteers enough time to sort them and package them for delivery prior to the end of school.

Please click here for a list of all Middle School faculty and staff.

Burke, D’Arcy Earn Top Spots in Book Challenge

The winners of the Middle School’s fourth annual MCBA (Massachusetts Children’s Book Award) Book Challenge were announced April 24. As part of the event, fifth and sixth grade students were challenged to read as many books on the 2025-26 MCBA Nominees List as possible between February and April. A total of 11 students participated in the challenge and read a total of 54 books. In the sixth grade Rylynn Burke won the top prize by reading all 25 books on the list. In the fifth grade Orlaith D’Arcy won the top prize by reading a total of 11 books on the MCBA list. Middle School Librarian Blodine Francois thanked all students who participated in this year’s challenge. 

‘TA Cabaret: Around the World’ Is May 21

Ven a celebrar! 함께 즐겨요 Kommt feieren! आओ जश्न मनाएं Viens célébrer! “TA Cabaret: Around the World” will take place Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m. in the CFA’s Hale Theater. This year’s theme for the Middle School spring production takes audiences on a journey across the globe through music, dance, humor, and heart. The show features an ensemble of 35 performers, six technical theater students, and eight different languages. There is no ticket required for the May 21 event, and all members of the Thayer community are welcome. 

Proposed TAPA Board for Next Year
The names below represent the proposed list of the TAPA Executive Board for the coming school year (2026-27). Community members are welcome to reach out with any comments. 

President: Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28

Vice President: Rebecca Baker P ’28

Secretary: Sara Torok P ’30

Treasurer: Sandi Petrie P ’30, ’30

Middle School President: Kate Herbst ’98 P ’31

Middle School Vice President: Maribeth Flakes P ’32

Middle School Secretary: ———

Engagement & Belonging Co-Coordinator: Dasan Harrington P ’27

Engagement & Belonging Co-Coordinator: Ophelia Ardayfio P ’27, ’30, ’33

Volunteer Co-Coordinator: Laura Query P ’29, ’31

Volunteer Co-Coordinator: Amanda Smallwood P ’29, ’31

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

Communications Co-Coordinator: Jen McGuirl P ’26, ’29, ’30

Communications Co-Coordinator: Ashley Flowers P ’33

Kudos for a Great Senior Fest

TAPA offers a special thanks to Heidi Barry P ’26, ’28 and her planning committee for their amazing work on Senior Fest. The seniors had a blast!

Calling All Parents & Guardians: Be a Part of the Action!

TAPA is calling on parents and guardians to step up and shine! Lead exciting events, serve on the TAPA Executive Board, and share your creativity and school spirit. It’s a wonderful way to inspire our community, build lasting friendships, and make unforgettable memories — while having a great time!

Please contact TAPA President Caroline Kuhlman P ’25, ’28 for more info. 

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; Participant List Added
Join the Parents of Color Affinity Group for meaningful conversations and community building. 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.

There is also a Parents of Color Affinity Group Participant List. Click here to access the list and fill out the form to stay in touch with the Parents of Color (POC) Affinity Group.

Christian Affinity Group

The Christian Affinity 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 centers the identities of Jewish parents/guardians 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’s goal is to support the school through sponsoring various social events and programs, thereby enhancing the school experience for all. 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.