News and Events > Press Releases > May - June 2004

June 28, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications

Poughkeepsie, NY- Poughkeepsie Day School has launched a new Web site. Created by middle school teacher and Web site designer Dan Abramson, in close collaboration with the school's communication and technology offices, the new site is the "most recent demonstration of the school's ongoing commitment to integrating state-of-the-art technology into all aspects of the program." said Mary Jane Yurchak, Ed.D., head of the Town of Poughkeepsie independent school.

Bolstered by an infusion of more than 50 new IBM desktop and laptop computers acquired through the IBM K-12 Matching Grants Program, Poughkeepsie Day School also boasts two newly-updated computer laboratories and two laptop cart programs for use by teachers and students. Additionally, the school's recently renovated science laboratories are now equipped with wireless laptops and a permanently affixed computer projector. Plans are underway to outfit two additional rooms with similarly affixed computer projectors. All classrooms are connected to the Internet and students and faculty alike have e-mail accounts, which encourage ongoing communication and research. The school is upgrading its access to the Internet by quadrupling its current speed via a full T-1 line connection.

According to Sandra Moore, director of communications, who maintains the Web site, Poughkeepsie Day School is relying increasingly on electronic communication as a way to use the school's resources more efficiently and to "improve access to everything that's happening at PDS so that our alumni/ae as well as our current parents and students feel connected to the school." Prior to teaching at PDS, Abramson served as a product manager for Cleartop.com, an online customer service application, and Molecular, an Internet services company. He currently owns and operates Cognetism (www.cognetism.com), an Internet services consultancy.

David Held, director of technology, said that the second phase of the Web site redesign will include expanded password-protected student, parent and faculty/staff portals. The school currently uses an Intranet system, which provides student and faculty access to online databases for research purposes and faculty pages for homework assignments. The expanded portal system will be linked to the school's e-mail program. To view the new site, visit www.poughkeepsieday.org.

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School will celebrate its 70th anniversary this fall. The school enrolls 350 students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from 48 communities in the mid-Hudson Valley. It is distinguished by its interactive and interdisciplinary approach to learning and emphasis on the development of creative and critical thinking skills.

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June 7, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications

Poughkeepsie, NY-Poughkeepsie Day School has announced the addition of a half-day pre-kindergarten program to its longstanding full-day pre-kindergarten program, beginning in the fall of 2004.

Jill Lundquist, director of admissions at the Town of Poughkeepsie independent school, said that the program will offer flexibility to families who prefer a half-day schedule. "Many parents have been requesting a half-day program for some time and we are delighted to be able to meet their needs." She added that half-day pre-kindergarten students have the option of becoming full-time students during the course of the year.

Lower school head Mary Ellen Kenny notes that the children enrolled for the half-day option "will be fully integrated with the full day pre-kindergarteners during their morning program and activities." Two experienced pre-kindergarten teachers will work with the children each school day morning from 8:20 11:45 a.m. Both the half-day and full-day programs are designed for students who will be four years of age by September. Children whose birthdays fall between September 1 and December 1 will be assessed for readiness on an individual basis.

For more information and to arrange for a tour of the school, please call the admissions office at 845-462-7600, ext. 201.

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls 350 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from 48 communities in the mid-Hudson Valley. It is distinguished by its interactive and interdisciplinary approach to learning and emphasis on the development of creative and critical thinking skills.

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Poughkeepsie Day School Graduates 18 on June 9

June 1, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications

Poughkeepsie, NY-Poughkeepsie Day School's Class of 2004 will graduate on Wednesday, June 9. As is the tradition at the school, the commencement ceremony will be witnessed by all students in grades pre-k through eleven along with the entire faculty, in addition to the graduates' families and friends. Michael Foley, upper school English teacher and a senior class advisor, has been chosen by the class to deliver commencement remarks. The school's jazz ensemble will perform as well as singers from lower school classes. Each graduate also traditionally participates in the ceremony. Head of school Mary Jane Yurchak, Ed.D., and Jonathan Gould, president of the school's board of trustees, will award diplomas to the eighteen graduating seniors, a third of whom have have attended the school since they were four or five years of age. The ceremony begins at 10:30 am in the gymnasium; a reception for graduates and their guests follows in the dining room of Gilkeson Center.

In addition to completing the school's demanding college-preparatory program, each senior was required to participate in a four-week, off-campus internship. This year, placements ranged from the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz to CBS' 60 Minutes in New York to Pasifika Healthcare in New Zealand. A formal presentation detailing students' internship experiences will be held for their families the evening prior to commencement. All of the graduates plan to attend college in the fall.

The graduates are: Tyler Ackerman, Hopewell Junction; Sadler Bakst, Verbank; Aaron Barker, Barrytown; Ivan Cash, Marlboro; April Cattell, Hyde Park; Moira Flanagan, Cold Spring; Christopher Gahn, City of Poughkeepsie; Maanuv Khurana, Lagrangeville; Victoria Mann, Stone Ridge; Jacob Moore, Hyde Park; Dore Murphy, Cold Spring; Libby Murphy, New Paltz; Ethan Page, Millbrook; Caitlin Quinn, Accord; Jesse Rediker-Corradi, Cold Spring; Rebecca Ryan, Accord; Jessica Schwartz, Hopewell Junction; and Andrew Wood, Town of Poughkeepsie.

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls 350 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from 48 communities in the mid-Hudson Valley. It is distinguished by its interactive and interdisciplinary approach to learning and emphasis on the development of creative and critical thinking skills.

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Poughkeepsie Day School Students Selected to Sing for Clearwater

May 5, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications

Poughkeepsie, NY-First and second-grade students at Poughkeepsie Day School have been selected to sing at the May 13th press conference at which the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater will officially be placed on the National Register of Historic Places as America's Environmental Flagship. The designation, by the National Park Service in coordination with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, marks the 85th birthday of Clearwater's most instrumental founder, Peter Seeger, as well as the 35th anniversary of the sloop's launch.

The focus of the school's first and second-grade curriculum this year, Life Along the Hudson River: Exploring its Nature and Culture, has included close collaboration between PDS teachers and students and educators from the Clearwater. Students have studied the river, its environment and its people by investigating the area's geology, ecology, native peoples, explorers and settlers, transportation, technology, scientists and conservationists and artists and writers. To support this study, which also has encompassed collaborative work with the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center of Vassar College, Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, PDS was awarded a Heritage Education Grant from the National Park Service, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Hudson River Valley Greenway. The grant is part of a pilot program to help educators develop curricula using historic sites, museums and other public places in the Hudson River Valley to teach key themes related to New York State's standards for students in kindergarten through grade nine.

At the historic event on the 13th, the 40 students will be singing five songs, including Benthic Beauties, composed by 1-2 teacher Bill Fiore and Tide Changes, a song the 1-2 students wrote about the role of pirates on the Hudson River, with the help of songwriter Danny Einbender, with whom the classes worked under the auspices of the Heritage Grant. Said Clearwater's Associate Education Director, Linda Richards, who recommended the Day School students for this honor, "The knowledge base that [the students] have is so huge. And they not only really understand the words they sing, they also have actively participated in putting the words together."

The press conference, at which several dignitaries, including Governor George Pataki are scheduled to participate, takes place at 11:30 am at Pier 40 in New York City.

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls 350 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from 48 communities in the mid-Hudson Valley. It is distinguished by its interactive and interdisciplinary approach to learning and emphasis on the development of creative and critical thinking skills. For more information, visit www.poughkeepsieday.org; 845-462-7600, ext. 110.

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May 5, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications (extension 110; smoore@poughkeepsieday.org)

Poughkeepsie, NY—Poughkeepsie Day School has announced that it has received an anonymous contribution of $25,000 from a private foundation to support two priority goals adopted by its Board of Trustees. Mary Jane Yurchak, Ed.D., head of the Town of Poughkeepsie independent school, said that the grant would be used to help increase diversity within the student body by increasing need-based financial aid to families of color.

“We are very excited to be the beneficiary of this foundation’s generosity,” said Yurchak. She added, “Poughkeepsie Day School has always valued diversity, recognizing and nurturing the talents and strengths of each individual student. With this grant, we hope not only to work toward making the school increasingly reflective of the rich cultural diversity of our surrounding community but also to attract additional financial support to further these important goals.” The foundation stipulates that the grant may be used as financial assistance for one or more admitted students of color who are not children of school employees. The school’s Board of Trustees has also allowed for these students to receive need-based awards in excess of 50% of the school’s tuition, which had been the maximum amount previously permitted.

Jill Lundquist, director of admissions, said that currently students of color comprise approximately 12% of the student body. “While the PDS need-based financial aid budget aims to promote socio-economic diversity across all populations, this grant specifically helps us to reach out to families of color in order to introduce them to the benefits of independent schools, and Poughkeepsie Day School, in particular.”

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls 350 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from 48 communities in the mid-Hudson Valley. It is distinguished by its interactive and interdisciplinary approach to learning and emphasis on the development of creative and critical thinking skills. For more information on the school, contact the admissions office at 845-462-7600, ext. 201 or visit www.poughkeepsieday.org.

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Poughkeepsie Day School Launches New Summer Program

May 1, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications

Poughkeepsie, NY-Poughkeepsie Day School has launched a new summer program called PDS Summer. The program includes three camps for children ranging in age from 4-18. Each of the three camps--Summer Theatre, Storytelling and Nature and Outdoor Leadership--offers one-week sessions, beginning June 14.

The full-day theatre program, which will be held in the school's state-of-the-art James Earl Jones Theater, is led by the school's drama director, Jessica Litwak, a professional actor, writer, director and playwright. It includes a teen workshop session (ages 15-18) as well as two sessions for younger students (ages 8-14). Morning activities will include creative movement, improvisation, yoga, stage combat and voice work while afternoons will include acting exercises and scene work and also provide opportunities for participants to develop original characters and explore the art of playwriting. Each of the camp's one-week workshops will culminate in a Friday evening performance. The storytelling camp is offered by the school's lower school teacher, Jill Olesker, who is also a well-known area storyteller. It is a half-day program for children, ages 4-6, and utilizes the school's Town of Poughkeepsie campus. Led by PDS middle school teacher Dan Abramson, a seasoned outdoor educator who has headed up hiking trips in Washington's Cascade Mountains, river expeditions in Oregon and sea kayaking adventures in British Columbia and Mexico, the leadership program is designed for students aged 12-15. It will take place off campus and includes a variety of activities, including hiking, canoeing, team building exercises, reading and journaling, and basic outdoor skills and etiquette.

The cost for the theatre and outdoor leadership programs, which run 9 am - 4 pm, is $220/week/child; the cost for the storytelling sessions, which run 9 am - 1 pm, is $110/week/child. To receive a flier and registration form for PDS Summer, contact the communications office at 845-462-7600 or visit the school Web site at www.poughkeepsieday.org .

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls approximately 350 students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from 48 communities in the mid-Hudson Valley. It is distinguished by its interactive and interdisciplinary approach to learning and emphasis on the development of creative and critical thinking skills.

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