Build a Machine to Get to Know You

Because we prize community at PDS, we deliberately set aside time to gather in multi-age groups for an activity about once a month. We end our small group activity with a whole school gathering. Septembers have “firsts” with great frequency,…

The Artist Barbara Beisinghoff Visits PDS

Barbara Beisinghoff at PDS PDS, and the middle school in particular, were fortunate to have the internationally known artist Barbara Beisinghoff spend a day on campus. Barbara was brought to Poughkeepsie by Vassar College through their Creative Arts Across Disciplines…

F is for Fall, Farm and Fungi

By Joanna Shaw, Kindergarten teacher It is perfectly fitting that as we begin our studies of the letter F, we are also learning about the fall, the farm, and fungi. The Kindergartners are just beginning their studies of fungi, and…

A Day on the Fields for Middle School

A Day on the Fields for Middle School It’s a long tradition that near to the start of the year, the middle school students and advisors spend a day outside. Students work to solve game-like problems together, engage in some…

Building Community

  At PDS we know that children learn best when supported by a strong community. We intentionally spend the early days of the school year engaged in activities that help students, families and teachers get acquainted. And we make sure…

Opening Day, So Far, So Good

We’re back! After our separate summers of action, our middle school learning community began to reform, today, for the new school year. It was a day of getting acquainted and reacquainted. In whole group meetings, and in advisory, students learned…

Eighth Grade Ends the Year…and Middle School

By the end of each school year, the teachers and I can all glimpse the future high schoolers that the eighth graders will soon become. At this point in the year, they have registered for their high school courses, and…


Holford Learning Commons Hops

We have entered that luscious time of the school year when students are performing at a high level and apply all their skills and knowledge to culminating projects. On April 20, 2016, the Holford Learning Commons (HLC) was full of…

Preparing to Lead a Conference

I kinda like it. It’s nice to have some responsibility. It’s good to show my parents my perspective. Leading a conference sounds like an ambitious undertaking. The leader has the responsibility for making sure that all attendees learn and all…