Development > Letter to New Families > Summer 2007

Dear Poughkeepsie Day School Families,

Welcome to Poughkeepsie Day School! As new members of our community you are beginning an exciting journey as you continue to learn about and experience first hand this wonderful school. Already you know a good deal about our distinctive educational philosophy and approach and our interactive, learner-centered program. You probably have met a few teachers and administrators and soon you will be getting acquainted with other parents.

What you may not know is the essential role that all of us play as volunteers and financial supporters of the school. Like you, we are Poughkeepsie Day School parents and, as elected members of the school's board of trustees, we are committed to ensuring the health and vitality of the school. At independent schools-especially small ones like PDS-current and alumni parents, grandparents and alumni grandparents, alumni and friends help to keep the school strong.

To help familiarize you with the ways in which you might participate-and to help you understand just how essential your participation is-we are enclosing a short fundraising FAQ sheet. We ask that you read it and think about how you might contribute to Poughkeepsie Day School in the coming year.

The board's development committee is charged with setting both short and long-term fundraising priorities and strategies. Last year the board, together with head of school Josie Holford, embarked on a planning process to chart the future of PDS. In January the board approved a new school mission and in June-after an intensive period of careful study and deliberation-the board adopted a comprehensive strategic plan to guide the school for the next three years, while looking ahead to 2020. This plan enables us to set ambitious yet attainable fundraising goals, which in turn will help us to enhance a number of key areas, including the academic program, faculty development and campus facilities.

To learn more about how your support of the school makes a difference, we cordially invite all new parents to join us for one of two new-parent orientation sessions, to be held on Thursday, September 20 and Monday, September 24 (5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Chapman Room, Gilkeson Center). This also will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other new parents. Light refreshments will be served.

In the meantime we, along with Josie and other members of the development committee-parent trustee Diane Botnick, parents Jennifer Sachs Dahnert, Louisa Heyward and Kim Roellke and development and communications director Sandra Moore-welcome your input and suggestions regarding any aspect of fundraising at PDS.

See you in September!

Enc.