Head of School Weekly Email: Signs of Spring, Restoring Our Community & April Dates
April 03, 2026
Dear TA Families,
Signs of spring were in the air this week, with daffodil shoots pushing up in warmer spots around campus, more students eating lunch outside, and a new season of sports getting underway. The greenhouse is brimming with seedlings, as the horticulture classes prepare for spring planting in the garden.
At the same time, what we thought would be a pretty routine week, focused on the transitions of wrapping up the academic quarter, became something else entirely with rumors of a possible school shooting on Monday evening. Our sense of safety and community were deeply challenged. As I communicated in my email to parents on Tuesday afternoon and in a message we shared with all students on Wednesday morning in person, we concluded that there was never any credible threat toward individuals or toward the school. But we know that the fear and uncertainty that the whole situation caused was very real for students, staff, and family members.
I want to share our appreciation for the notes of gratitude we have received from parents, as well as the parent outreach expressing questions and concerns. We continue to reflect on, document, and improve on our safety protocols based on this past week’s experience and have incorporated parent, student, and staff feedback. I also want to thank Chief Michael Scruggs for the close partnership that the Thetford Police Department provided.
Our strong sense of community at Thetford Academy – a true source of pride for our school – was shaken this week. We will work together this spring to restore feelings of safety, belonging, and connectedness.
April dates of note:
April 3 – Last day of Quarter 3
April 3 – School dance (all grades), hosted by 9th grade
April 8 – State testing in science, 8th and 11th grades
April 10 – Roundtable Day #1 (dismissal at 12:10pm)
April 10 – Middle school social event, hosted by 7th grade
April 15-17 – 8th grade trip to Montreal
April 20-24 – Spring break
April 28 – PSATs, 10th grade
To those celebrating a holiday this weekend – Happy Easter and Happy Passover – and to all, best wishes for the new beginnings that spring brings.
Carrie Brennan, Head of School
