PDS Blog

Grade 5 Bridges Now and Long Ago

By Dorothy Luongo, Grade 5 On Friday, October 14, the fifth grade was invited to observe a team of archaeologists at work right here at PDS. Their work was tied into the permit process for installing a solar array, as…

Before the Colonists

  One of the key concepts for seventh grade history is to help students realize that the Americas were full of people before the colonists arrived. My own image from childhood– a handful of Native Americans eating dinner with pilgrims–…

What’s up in After in October?

The students in After have been engaged in the changing season in many ways. Cooler weather has inspired their creativity and appetites.    Students have been making weather-inspired collages out of recycled paper and newsprint with some intriguing results.      Baking is…

Natural Dying Adventures

By Julie O’Sullivan, HS Humanities and ESL  I recently attended a fascinating class at White Barn Farm Sheep and Wool in Gardner led by the talented fiber artist and Cormo sheep owner, Paula Kucera. Five of us learnt how to…

Bumps in the road by Ben Chant

We don’t like to see our children in pain or frustrated. We want them to be happy, and as much as we know a life without frustration is impossible, and not even a good thing, we still try to smooth…

Our Days on the Hudson River

By Lynn Fordin, Grade 2 teacher Days spent on the Hudson River in early autumn reward us in many ways. It is a time to revel in the warmth of the sun, feel the morning chill, and drink in the…

An Interesting Article about Gradeless Transcripts and College Admissions

In the link below, you will find an interesting article regarding “proficiency-based” transcripts and college admissions, released by the New England Board of Higher Education. While Poughkeepsie Day School’s narrative transcripts and the proficiency-based transcripts referenced are not identical, there…

Taking a First Pass at the Fourth Dimension

  By Jonathan Heiles, HS Science The First Pass course focuses on developing tools to to get a foundation in a range of counterintuitive ideas from advanced math and science. The semester started with practicing  this method through multiple approaches…


A Few Thoughts On Early Decision

As the Early Decision deadline fast approaches, many students and families are strongly considering this application plan. College Board shares the following defining information about ED: Early Decision Students: Apply early (usually in November) to first-choice college. Receive an admission…