Dear TA Families,
Before I jump into the details of school news and upcoming dates, I want to pause and share my sadness at the news last night of another school shooting in our country – and invite all of us to hold the community of Bend, Oregon and Silver Rail Elementary School in our hearts. I think it’s important to make an effort to avoid normalizing school shootings and one way to do that is to disrupt our ‘normal routines’, take a pause, recognize and reflect on what happened, and demonstrate concern and care for those afflicted, as far away from us as they might be.
Please know that the safety of our students, staff, and school is an essential priority. We will share updates as we practice emergency drills throughout the year, so that families are aware and can debrief at home if they choose to.
Thankfully for all of us at Thetford Academy, it was a normal autumn week surrounded by the brilliant colors of the season. There is a lot planned for the final two weeks of October. Here are some highlights to help with planning:
🎓 College & Career Planning: Next week there are three events for students in grades 10, 11, and 12 related to college and career planning.
- 10th grade: Presentation by Hartford Area Career & Technical Center on Tuesday 10/20 (during Power Hour). Sophomores will get an overview of the various tech programs offered at HACTC that they can apply to for their junior/senior years if they choose. River Bend Career & Technical Center will do a similar presentation next month.
- 11th grade: Juniors will take the PSAT on the morning of Wednesday 10/21. This assessment is a helpful way to prep for the SATs, which can be an application requirement for 4-year colleges. The PSAT also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- 12th grade: On Thursday 10/22, TA will again host a financial aid workshop in partnership with Dartmouth College’s admissions office. This is a hands-on type of tutorial that seniors and their parents can attend to get guidance on the FAFSA and other financial aid documents. Check for email outreach and calendar invites from Tippi Oshoniyi for more details.
🎃 Spirit Week, Halloween Assembly, Picture Retakes, and Portfolio Time: The week of 10/26-10/30 will be a busy one at TA!
- Student Council is planning a Spirit Week for October 26-30 with a different theme for each day. More details to come out next week – and look for flyers around school.
- On Tuesday 10/27 picture retakes will be happening. Look for details from Gloria Konicki.
- On Friday 10/30 we will have a special schedule day and start the day off with an extended advisory period and a Halloween assembly. The theme for the advisory time is Quarter 1 reflections and most grades will be working on launching or developing their portfolios. Seniors especially should take note of this special day and plan accordingly to maximize their portfolio time with their advisor. (Check out the bell schedule – page 4.)
👻 Volunteer Opportunity: Thetford Elementary School’s parent association is seeking volunteers to help with their Halloween Carnival.
- The annual Halloween Carnival takes place at TES on Oct. 31 from 5:30-8:00pm. This event is free and open to the community,
- Organizers are recruiting volunteers to help with the carnival and welcome older students who no longer trick-or-treat to spend the holiday this way instead.
- Interested students can sign up here. A fun way to earn community service hours and help younger children have a joyful and safe Halloween!
Photos this week spotlight the beauty of our campus at this time of year from two perspectives parents might not often see – a glimpse of the South Campus and one of many flower arrangements coming from our school garden that have been lighting up our inside spaces all fall.
Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful weekend,
Carrie Brennan, Head of School
