Kids in School

Who’s zooming whom? New kids on the block received a warm welcome last week. Daisy and Clover – five months old – were the center of attention. Even the middle school Japanese theater class could not resist a visit.

Gnome Update

Gnome update: See Gnome Eruptions or scroll for the original story and commentary There were no further eruptions reported yesterday at PDS. However, I received today the following photographic evidence of garden variety gnome eruptions in London:

Gnome Eruptions

They started appearing on campus last week. The gnomes. Peaceful gnomes presiding over the grounds and the walkway between the buildings.And now they are proliferating. Another appeared at my window this afternoon. Does he need to be brought inside? Any information you may have as to their origin and significance – or more importantly about … Read more

In Honor of Don Fried

In honor of Don Fried and his three decades at Poughkeepsie Day School: Past and present colleagues, students, parents and trustees gathered from far and wide Sidereal sang Reminiscences were shared and new memories made Alumni brought their children to meet him and Don’s service to the school and its generations of students was recognized, … Read more

Season of Mists

“Modern studies indicate that creativity is not a rare, magic gift visited upon the isolated genius; it is the natural birthright of every human child and is a series of cognitive skills that can be taught, harnessed and applied to unleash what we are now discovering is the infinite creative capacity in every child. Learning … Read more

Off and Running

We added Cross Country to the athletic choices this fall and the team is off and running and doing very well. Clearly we have some outstanding and enthusiastic runners in both middle and high school. The first meet was the Oakwood Friends invitational – the season opener for the Hudson Valley Athletic League. Here are … Read more

They’re back …!

They came by bus, by van, by car, by foot, on bicycle and on crutches. They carried book bags and lunch boxes and precious objects. It was the first day of school yesterday and the energy was cranked up. Now the school has come alive again.

Student Orientation

It was the first day of school for ninth grade, fifth grade and all students new to Poughkeepsie Day School. And the buildings were buzzing. The younger children found new toys and places to play and work. And all of them met their new teachers and learned more about what it means to be a … Read more

Mission Tag Cloud and a Mystery Text

A tag cloud is a visual presentation of text. It uses word frequency to provide a blink-worthy read of information. It communicates a great deal in a few seconds and provides an instant take. I entered the text of our mission and description et voila! A poetic distillation of meaning. caring citizens collaborative committed community … Read more

Summer School

The morning glories and lilies are in bloom in the courtyard garden. The thistles bloom at the edge of the woods where the blackberries are ripening. The soccer pitch is silent and no-one is cheering from the bench. The flag droops in the heat and the car park behind Kenyon is empty. It is summer … Read more

Strategic Plan delivered

There was no fanfare of trumpets or marching band but the PDS Strategic Plan arrived on Monday. Victoria accepted delivery of the bound copies for distribution to the Board of Trustees. The Board unanimously approved the plan at its meeting on Monday. This plan represents months of community-wide discussion and data gathering and an intensive … Read more

The High School – Original Research and a Car Wash

Learning is all about making meaning; seeking and making meaning are what human beings do. Schools have the opportunity to enhance, enrich and accelerate that process, or merely get in the way of it with meaningless busy work, endless testing and relationships that go sour. All the target-setting and achievement measures and all the fancy … Read more