February 2004

Active Learning is Alive and Well at PDS

January is gone at last! May it take with it the icy winds and bone-chilling drafts. I’m all for setting records, but those that were newly established by the weather in January were not to my liking. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring! The interesting thing, though, is that the kids thrive on the cold. When you hear the little ones squealing with delight as they careen down the hill behind the playground or watch the older ones load their skis and snowboards onto the buses in anticipation of a Friday afternoon on the slopes, you can tell how happy they are. “Different strokes for different folks” is all I can say. We find joy and satisfaction in different ways.

That’s part of what PDS is all about – finding the many ways that each of our students enjoys life and learning. We are convinced that learning is meaningful when it is interesting and engaging, and we work hard to make it so. I don’t know how many of you had the opportunity to read the new middle school newspaper, Four Points (the second issue hit the newsstands last week), but those who did were treated to more than the school news usually covered in student newspapers. They saw thoughtful editorials about the war in Iraq and the latest court decisions concerning gay marriage. They read articles on the role of art at PDS and the effects that some of our recent schedule changes have had on student opportunities to pursue their interest in art; on the process and outcome of the CellullarOne cell pole project; and on the opportunities for multi-age learning that occur when the 2-3s and 7-8s join resources in studying hydrology and the Hudson River. They enjoyed examples of student artwork, laughed at comics and cartoons created by students and even got a recipe for vanilla cake. Four Points captures the world of the middle school and middle schoolers, and it is a full and rich world indeed.

The same can be said about the worlds of students in the lower and the upper schools. Learning at PDS is chock-full of opportunities to follow one’s interests and pursue things that matter. Notice that I didn’t commend the newspaper for the technical skills the students gained. Sure, they learned to set up and format a newspaper (as clearly seen by all the different configurations of columns, illustrations, presentation styles, etc.). They won’t forget that for awhile, and it’s bound to come in handy as they continue to learn how to present their ideas to others. They learned how to get information and how to check its accuracy. I was interviewed a couple of times on a number of different issues, but they didn’t just take my word for things. They checked the views of others and struggled to synthesize different opinions into an accurate and complete picture. Now that’s a skill that’s bound to be not just useful but also essential! And they scoured their world for the most interesting and salient issues and events about which they thought everyone should be informed. Would that we all consistently exercised such selective judgment! What did they learn? Think about it.

And what can we learn? The first thing that comes to mind is the creative ways in which our teachers skillfully weave together learning and joy: science projects that extend beyond the classroom walls; community service opportunities; informed concern about the environment and particularly students’ place in it; formal and informal ways for student voices to be heard in shaping their school life; the role of student government; and the power of art and humor in examining a political or a social situation.

These are but a few of the ways our teachers give life to our mission statement. We are, indeed, a community of learners where everyone matters. Let us hold onto that thought as we examine other examples of the kind of active learning for which PDS stands. Look around you. They are everywhere!

Once again, thanks to all of you who have attended our various meetings and discussion groups during the last month. It makes a difference to have you there. I hope to see you at many of the upcoming meetings and events, including the Boardof Trustees’/Parents’ Organization discussion of governance and parent involvement at the school on Thursday the 5th. These are important learning opportunities for the grown-ups of our community!

Be well, and stay warm.

Mary Jane