TA News

Dear TA Families,

Season of Gratitude

Students spent time in advisory on Tuesday reflecting on the theme of gratitude. With prompts such as – What is one thing you are thankful for now? How does it feel when someone genuinely thanks you for something? Can you think of a time in your life that you’d like to go back to express gratitude to someone? – advisory groups used a circle format as a way to discuss, share, and build community. (Read more about circles as a practice in schools, which we are integrating this year in our advisory program: www.edutopia.org/article/using-circle-practice-classroom.)

We also did our annual gratitude cards activity in advisory and the cards are being hung in the hallways. It is a treat each November to be surrounded by students’ messages sharing what they are thankful for while walking around the school.

This Weekend: Free Winter Clothing Swap

Thetford Elementary School’s parent group (‘TESCIA’) is holding a huge all-free clothing swap for the winter season tomorrow, November 11, in the TES gym from 8am-1pm. Organizers want to be sure that TA families are invited and aware that there are items for all ages, 0-18, including lots of clothing for teens, with a selection of clothing in all sizes up to adult XXL.

Next Weekend: Fall Play & TAAA Craft Bazaar

Anderson Hall will be buzzing with activity next weekend. The TA drama program presents Radium Girls, with four performances, November 17-19 in the Martha Jane Rich Theater. Evening shows on Friday and Saturday and matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Visit TA’s website for details and tickets. 

Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, the TA Alumni Association hosts its annual craft bazaar in the Vaughan Alumni Gymnasium. They have over 60 vendors lined up, plus horse-drawn sleigh rides (free!); check out details on their Facebook event page. TA culinary classes will be selling soup to support the Thetford Food Shelf and the 8th grade will be hosting a pie sale to raise money for their spring trip to Montreal. 

Veterans Day

We opened the week with a Veterans Day assembly and closed it with a day off in observance of the holiday. The assembly on Monday was a combination of history, song, and story. We welcomed two veterans from our community to talk about their experiences serving their country, their insights about pursuing a military career, and their thoughts on patriotism. Read more about the assembly here. Watch Saylor and Hugo Billiau perform the national anthem for our veteran visitors and the school community.

Happy Veterans Day, 

Carrie Brennan, Head of School

Featured photos: The high school chorus opened assembly with song. After assembly, many students stopped to meet and thank our veteran visitors, Fred Adams and Rob Ward.