I had the great pleasure of attending Life on Earth – a student written, multi-media and very original musical by the students in a central studies elective. The script was impressive – witty, pointed and poignant. The modern day Olympians – from Dr. Freud and Robin Hood to Miss America, from Wonder Woman and Bacchus … Read more
Robbie sent me this picture of a high school student with members of her kindergarten class. As you can see from the background lights – this was taken the all-school winter festival event. A cheering picture for a gray day as we dry out from the deluge. It was taken by Alexandra.
Gary Stager with PDS faculty March 30th Here’s a story that Gary related at Vassar on Thursday. It’s about his seven year old nephew and a truly ridiculous reading assignment. Schlock and Awe
It was a great day in the James Earl Jones theater at PDS yesterday. Dan Gold – a member of the PDS class of 1978 – was there for the first public screening in the Hudson valley of the film he co-directed: Everything’s Cool – a hot documentary about global warming. This is a film … Read more
The Age of Industry – that is what Mary Ellen calls kindergarten and this industry was certainly on display in the playground today. There was a potentially poisonous bug to be investigated in the playhouse, milk crates and logs to be hauled uphill in defiance of gravity and surface friction on the snow, and tree … Read more
Last weekend we lost an hour and gained the Spring. This particular Spring is by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, Flemish (ca. 1564 – ca. 1638) It hangs in the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College Look at that activity! Those raised beds! This picture is about to be the focus of an exciting … Read more
In a recent interview with the PDS media I was asked for my opinion of some of the pressing issues of the day. The journalists arrived well prepared with questions and then posed for my camera.
It’s the end of semester – a time for thesis papers, exams, tests, reports and etc. The demands on high school students are relentless. Clearly it is time for some serious fun: the Annual High School Talent Show aka Poise, Noise and Joys. Some corny jokes, lots of music, and even a Shakespeare sonnet. This … Read more
The Climate for Learning A follow-up to Passionate Learning Part 1 and Part 2 Stained Glass Dr. Robert L. Fried is a leading American educator and teacher of teachers. He is an advocate for passionate learning and passionate teaching. Rob spent the day working with PDS faculty last week. In Rob’s view the climate for … Read more
Colleges are still on winter break. Nathan, Luke and Matt dropped by to say hello.
“What have you planned for professional development day?” The starting point was this question from Andrea Archer – head of school at Duchess Day School. The outcome was Robert Fried who came to PDS yesterday and worked with the faculty from the two schools. Am I in a room with Passionate Teachers? That was how … Read more
Earlier this month I saw a remarkable production staged in the James Earl Jones Theater at PDS: the Shakespeare Central Study Elective performance of Macbeth. The players from grades 7-12 had chosen this from a variety of electives and spent a part of each week in the fall delving into the text and preparing their … Read more
Why do I stand here? I stand on my desk to remind myself that we must constantly force ourselves to look at things differently The world looks different from up here. If you don’t believe it, stand up here and try it! All of you. Take turns. – Dead Poets Society It’s everywhere – the … Read more
The kindergarten made decorations and the lower school brought fruit and snacks. The Middle School brought dessert and did the cleaning up. The Upper School brought the sandwich makings, served and led the way. The weather was brisk. Sydereal sang. Alums appeared. And the Pre-K were in the middle of it all. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. … Read more
Would you rather have supper in a castle, breakfast in a balloon, or tea on the river? John Burningham We do best, and engage most readily in, that which we experience as freely chosen. Margaret Donalson At PDS we build in options for students wherever we can. Making constructive choices and managing timewell are important … Read more