“George, can we have a bake sale?” That was Wednesday last week, in the hallway, right at the start of school. And this afternoon we wired a check for $1124 to the Red Cross. It’s over a week now since we first heard the news of the catastrophic consequences of the earthquake in Haiti. That … Read more
A second grader needed a place to hang out and my office was available. The conversation went somewhat like this: “Make yourself at home. I’ve not got much for you to do but there are a few toys and books if you want.” “Do you have a spare laptop?” “No sorry, I don’t. But what … Read more
“War is not here” “No sirens are warning us of air raids” and the last line “We wish all children could be glad and safe.” In all-school activity groups on Tuesday students wrote what they are thankful for on strips of colored paper – now displayed in the lobby. (Family, friends and pets feature strongly.) … Read more
“I want the bike,” “No. You can’t have it.” A problem negotiated and solved. Friendship maintained, feelings expressed and managed, resources shared, a compromise reached, peace maintained, fairness asserted, inequality addressed and crisis averted. All in less than thirty seconds. I saw all this happen yesterday in a thirty-second exchange on the playground. It’s the … Read more
In September we announced that we would be seeking a name for the PDS Sports teams (as well as for groups that compete in other challenges on behalf of the school). We asked for names and received well over 100 different name ideas from students, teachers, alumni, trustees and parents. We posted it on the PDS … Read more
The Poughkeepsie Eagle-News Saturday Morning July 14th 1934 NRA – We Do Our Part 3 cents a copy Here it is: July 14th 1934: the first media mention I can find of the beginning of PDS. Headline: Old Spaulding Home sought by New School. The new school was PDS and the Spaulding House was at Hooker … Read more
This just in from Costa Rica:Perla and Jimena are with a Spanish immersion trip.They seem to be having an amazing time. More pictures on Facebook and Flickr.
Looking through old PDS school photos – pictures of children working with tools, wading waist deep in muddy ponds and handling a plank on a cabin roof – started me thinking about risk. Taking risks is an essential part of children’s play and overcoming fears and obstacles is how we all grow and learn. Here’s … Read more
How many words are there in the English language? Estimates vary but most agree there are quite a few. And how many do you know, or own and have a personal relationship with? Meet Wordia – a visual dictionary where people famous and otherwise upload their personal definitions. Brigham tried it out in the high … Read more
The sixth grade began planning this in science class in the fall when the monarchs stop by PDS on their migration south. They located at area on campus that was already wild, got permission and then planned how to add plant diversity to attract and support butterflies on their journey. Here they are planting milkweed … Read more
The sixth annual Science Symposium meant 7th and 8th graders ready to share their work with the school community. As always – an impressive display of investigation, collaborative work and erudition. These students know their work and why it matters. And they are more than happy to share their research. In a new departure this … Read more
A bird the color of a stop sign. High on a tree at the Buttercup Farm Sanctuary. A scarlet tanager. My first sighting. A black-winged red bird. Tree swallows swooping, the insistent chipping of an elusive flycatcher and the headwaters of Wappingers Creek swirling down to the river. What a great place for a Sunday … Read more
Last fall Gabe (’11) made a Intensive Studies project proposal to Liz. It involved composing music, delving into theory, harmony, transcription and improvisation. With the full support of the school and his music teachers, Gabe took the project on and devised an authentic assessment – an end of study concert with exceptional musicians and performers … Read more
I was sorry to miss this event but Lynn sent me pictures.This was a lesson in viscosity. They started with water and added oil. They placed three separate dry ingredients into the water/oil, one at a time: sugar, salt and baking soda. They counted the number of bubbles that rose up, observed their size and … Read more
