The development office is at the heart of the school, supporting every aspect of the PDS program. In order for PDS to flourish, we need every constituent group--current students and parents, alumni/ae and their parents, grandparents and other friends as well as the faculty, administration and staff--to partcipate in our ongoing efforts.

We invite you to explore this section of the school Web site so that you can become familiar with the school's needs and goals. The staff of the development and communications office welcomes your suggestions and is eager to assist you with any questions you might have related to fundraising.

Click here to read the schools's most recent Annual Report. (PDF)

Sandra Moore, director of development and communications since 2005, spent many years in college and boarding school admissions prior to being recruited as the director of admissions and enrollment planning for PDS by director Tony Buccelli in 1992. In 1998, she became the school's first full-time public relations/communications director and from 2003-2005 also served as the special assistant to head of school Mary Jane Yurchak. In her current capacity, Sandra continues to oversee the school's external and internal communications programs as well as the Annual Fund and other fundraising activities, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees's Development Committee and the PDS Parents' Organization. She is a cum laude graduate of Mount Holyoke College, with a master's degree from Columbia University.

Sandra's older son graduated with the Class of 2004 and her younger son is a senior at PDS. She welcomes visitors, especially alumni/ae "dropping by;" e-mail her or call her at extension 110. Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day is a much-loved annual event, sponsored by the development and communications office. Here PDS community trustee Mary Gesek is seen admiring the work of her grandson in his classroom during the event.

Mary Lou Hudak serves as the development office assistant and special events coordinator. She joined PDS in 2000 and continues to manage the school's database while also working closely with the director in all areas of development, including the ever-essential Annual Fund. Mary Lou is the development office liaison to the PDS Parents' Organization (PDSPO) and, as such, is the staff's point person for all PDSPO activities and events and the school's annual spring fundraiser. Mary Lou is happy to update your home and e-mail addresses and/or phone numbers and is the one to speak with about any aspect of your PDS giving record or the information slated for distribution through the annual PDS family directory. E-mail her or call her at extension 109.

Thank you for your continued support of Poughkeepsie Day School!