Head of School Weekly Email: First Week!
August 31, 2026
Dear TA Families,
Congrats to everyone on a smooth start to the school year, marked by lots of good energy, focus, and sense of purpose. It was our second year of having a special first day for just 7th and 9th graders and feedback has been really positive from staff, students, and parents – definitely a new school tradition worth sticking with!
Academic Launch
We want to work together – school and family – to make sure students launch successfully in each of their classes. I encourage parents and caregivers to take time over the weekend to connect about classes. Find out what your student is most excited about so far; review course syllabi with them; ask your to share readings, assignments, Google classroom, or any other highlights of their learning from the first days; inquire about concerns or questions they might have. We have lots of people and resources available – please reach out to your student’s advisor, counselor, class teachers, or any of us in the front office (and encourage your student to do the same) if support is needed.
Important Update on Grading
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen our academic program – and to strive for more consistency across our campus and classrooms – we are making an important revision to the traditional ‘A-F’ grade scale at Thetford Academy. In order to pass and receive credit in a class using the traditional grade scale, students must achieve a minimum of a C- grade. What we used to think of as a ‘D range (60-69%) is no longer passing; any grade below a 70% will be considered not passing. This is an important change that we want all students and families to be aware of. The goal for this change is to ensure that students demonstrate sufficient growth in their classes in order to receive credit and that expectations are more consistent across all classes. Similarly, in order to pass and receive credit in a class using the proficiency-based grade scale, students must achieve a minimum of the Developing level; this is NOT a change in policy and has been in place since 2024, when we introduced the proficiency gradebook in Alma. For a look at both of the grading scales and also how they translate into a student’s cumulative GPA (grade point average), visit this document: Grading systems and scales.
Upcoming Events & Reminders
- Next week is a normal five-day week.
- Picture Day is Friday 9/4. (See email from Siobhan Lopez on 8/25 for details.)
- School is closed for Labor Day on Monday 9/7.
- Back to School Night is Thursday 9/10, 5:45-7:30pm
- Friday 9/11 will be a half day (8:10am-12:10pm).
- The 9th grade retreat will take place on Friday 9/11. (More info to come.)
This Week’s Featured Photos
Friends gathered on the first day of the new school year. Advisory groups put their collective creativity to work with the door decorating contest. Whim & Rhythm, Yale’s renowned a cappella group, visited the high school chorus class today. Spanish classes jumped into high energy recitations the first week.
Wishing everyone a great weekend. You all deserve it!
Carrie Brennan, Head of School
