Head of School Weekly Email: Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025
Dear TA Families,
What a day! What a week! It has been a busy, busy time here at TA with a mix of serious and fun these last days of October, including lots of costumes (and jack-o-lanterns) on campus today! I can’t capture it all, but here are some of the highlights of today and this past week.
College & Career Exploration
Today’s special schedule provided time for the counseling department to do in-depth workshops with each of the high school grades. Students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades were using the online platform Naviance, designed to support college and career planning. Students can log into their Naviance account anytime to access resources. Seniors had a session on scholarships today – and, speaking of seniors, we wish all of the 12th graders applying for colleges on the Nov. 1 deadline the best of luck!
Performing Arts on Stage
Today’s special schedule included a lengthier assembly featuring Halloween costumes and an end-of-quarter showcase for performing arts classes. Kudos to the middle school chorus group for serenading us with a couple of songs and to the high school stage band elective who wowed the audience with two songs as well. Join us for the Winter Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6:30pm, when these groups and others will be performing for families and the community. In other performing arts news, the TA chapter of the international thespian honor society held its second annual induction this week. Congrats to all of the honorees!
Progress on Portfolios
Today’s special schedule allowed for extended time for students to develop their academic portfolios in advisory. The portfolios are an important way for students to document, reflect on, and track growth in our schoolwide transferable skills:
- Effective Communication & Expression
- Self-Directed Learning
- Creative & Practical Problem-Solving
- Caring & Involved Citizenship
- Informed & Integrated Thinking
Read more about portfolios, roundtables, and transferable skills – all key and interconnected components of our schoolwide academic program: thetfordacademy.org/academics/proficiency-based-learning.
Championship Wrap-Ups
The boys varsity cross country team took second place in the state meet last weekend. The boys varsity soccer team made it to the semi-finals and had a tough loss to Winooski on Wednesday. Thanks to all of the loyal panther fans who showed up for both of these events!
Final Notes …
Come by the 2nd annual Haunted Harvest Robotics Tournament at TA tomorrow to cheer on our panther teams and check out the action. The event takes place in Anderson Hall & the Vaughan Alumni Gymnasium; it is open to the community and admission is free.
Thank you to the 7th graders and their advisors whose class activities today included carving pumpkins and making jack-o-lanterns for the annual Halloween festivities hosted by Thetford Elementary School for the community tonight.
Happy Halloween!
Carrie Brennan, Head of School
