Head of School Weekly Email: Thanksgiving Traditions, Winter Sports, Winter Concert & More

Head of School Weekly Email: Thanksgiving Traditions, Winter Sports, Winter Concert & More
November 22, 2023

in Academics, Athletics, Head of School, Parents by Carrie Brennan

Dear TA Families,

Campus is really quiet today as we enjoy this first day of the Thanksgiving holiday, and pause the busy school routines for our first break of the year.

Thanksgiving Traditions

We love traditions at TA – some of them dating back generations, like Founders’ Day, and others newer in their creation, like the all-school Thanksgiving meal we enjoyed together on Tuesday. We like to frame this time of year as a season of gratitude, starting with the cards and circles we did in advisories earlier this month and culminating with sharing delicious food together as a community. We hope our activities at school have sparked some conversation at home and invite you to ask your student what they’ve enjoyed and what they are feeling grateful for.

Putting on a school meal is a big effort with many people playing a role – culinary classes cooking, PE classes setting up, tech students as assistant cooks, and more – but I’d be remiss if I didn’t share a special shout out for our Panther Café chef/manager Dawn Phelps, without whom it wouldn’t be possible or nearly so scrumptious.

Winter Sports Timelines
This is a last call for winter sports sign-ups for high school and middle school athletes interested in basketball, indoor track (HS only), and alpine skiing. The registration deadline is Sunday 11/26. High school practices begin Monday 11/27 and middle school practices the following week on 12/4. Please check out the latest email from Athletic Director Bri Barnes, sent to all students and parents on Tuesday morning, for details and links ([email protected]).

For those interested in participating in cross-country skiing this winter, look for information soon from Scott Ellis, who will be coordinating the club as part of TA’s outdoor program ([email protected]).

Upcoming Events & Key Dates

Winter Sports Season Launch, November 27. Contact: [email protected].
Youth Substance Use Trends – Community Presentation, December 4, in the TA Library. Contact: [email protected].
Winter Concert, December 7, 6:30pm, in the Martha Jane Rich Theater. Event contacts: [email protected] and [email protected].
Dental Van on Campus, December 4-7. Contact: [email protected].
Half Day, December 8, 8:10am-12:10pm
Holiday Break, December 21-January 1