October 26, 2004 Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications Poughkeepsie, NY-National Geographic writer and adventurer Jon Bowermaster returns to Poughkeepsie Day School on Tuesday, November 10 to share slides and video from his most recent OCEANS 8 kayaking expeditions to the Altiplano of South America and the wild coast of Gabon in West Africa. The event takes place at 7:00 p.m. in the town of Poughkeepsie school's James Earl Jones Theater, 260 Boardman Road and is free and open to the public.

OCEANS 8 is Bowermaster's long-term project, a series of expeditions exploring the world's oceans from the seat of a sea kayak. He notes that, used as both transportation and as floating ambassadors, sea kayaks "allow me and my teams-comprising some of the world's best photographers, filmmakers, scientists and navigators-to reach corners of the world rarely seen. The goal of each expedition is adventure crossed with exploration of local cultures, histories, environmental issues and the future of these varied regions."

The slide presentation will feature three of Bowermaster's recent adventures. The first follows him and his team as they travel for two months through the driest place on earth, the Altiplano, and learn about the struggle to survive in that stark and beautiful landscape. The second adventure captured on slides is his kayaking trip along the wilderness coast of Gabon in West Africa. Bowermaster will also show a new 24-minute film called Slow Boat to Somewhere, about his 3,000-mile trip aboard a cargo boat that brought supplies to some of the most remote atolls in the South Pacific.

Over the past 20 years, Jon Bowermaster, a resident of Stone Ridge, has written about adventure, the environment and exotic corners of the world for a variety of national and international publications, ranging from the National Geographic to the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly and Outside. He is the author of eight books, including three collaborations with renowned polar explorer Will Steger. Many of his expeditions have been made into documentary films. An account of his sea kayaking expedition to Vietnam was featured as a National Geographic "Explorer" television program on MSNBC.

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls 345 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from 50 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. Typically, 100% of graduating seniors are admitted to colleges and universities each year. For more information, visit ww.poughkeepsieday.org; 845-462-7600, ext. 110.

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

Poughkeepsie, NY--Poughkeepsie Day School kicks off its 70th anniversary year with a special celebration, "Spanning the Decades," on Saturday, October 16. That evening the school will recognize a group of individuals who, according to Sandra Moore, director of communications and chair of the 70th anniversary year committee at the Town of Poughkeepsie independent school, "have made a difference not only to Poughkeepsie Day School but also to the larger community." They are: Theodora Hoe, longstanding parent and community trustee, City of Poughkeepsie; William and Mary Lunt, alumni/ae parents, Town of Poughkeepsie; Pete Seeger, PDS grandparent and legendary musician and environmentalist, Beacon; Elizabeth Vinogradov, veteran PDS history teacher, Wappingers Falls; and Rebecca Yenawine '90, award-winning artist and advocate for adolescents, Baltimore, Maryland.

The event will also feature well-known educator, community activist and Day School trustee Lorraine Roberts delivering the Elizabeth C. Gilkeson Lecture entitled "Genie Bottle: Wishes for PDS." The school's a cappella group, Sidereal, will perform and a special PowerPoint presentation will depict the school's rich history through photographs. Current parents and grandparents as well as past parents, alumni and current and former employees are invited to attend; RSVPs are required (845-462-7600 ext. 109 or 110).

Poughkeepsie Day School was founded in 1934 by local families and members of Vassar College's child study department. The school opened with 35 students and three teachers in grades K -8. Today, enrollment in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 numbers nearly 350, with more than 70 full-time and part-time faculty and staff members. It continues to be distinguished by its interactive and interdisciplinary approach to learning and emphasis on the development of creative and critical thinking skills. Typically, 100% of graduating seniors are admitted to colleges and universities each year.

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Poughkeepsie Day School Seniors Receive Commended Status

September 15, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore, Director of Communications

Poughkeepsie, NY -- Two Poughkeepsie Day School seniors were recently named Commended Students in the 2005 National Merit Scholarship Program. Anna Flam of Accord and and Susannah Kricker of Saugerties are among approximately 34,000 students nationwide who were recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended students placed among the top five percent of more than one million students who entered the competition by taking the 2003 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test.

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls approximately 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. Typically, 100% of graduating seniors are admitted to colleges and universities each year.

PDS Publications Win Honors

September 10, 2004
Contact: Sandra Moore,
Director of Communications

Poughkeepsie, NY -- Two middle school publications, created and produced by the students of Poughkeepsie Day School, have been recognized by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The literary magazine, Made-You-Look, was awarded a silver medal and the newspaper, Four Points, won a bronze medal.

According to head of school Mary Jane Yurchak, Ed.D., Recognition from CSPA is "particularly gratifying as both the magazine and newspaper were begun just last year and included more than two dozen talented and hardworking students on each of the staffs." The middle school arts and technology teacher and advisor to both groups, Laurie Giardino, added that "a big challenge with the newspaper was incorporating the varying levels of sophistication and experience, as the contributors comprised students in grades five through eight." To view the magazine and newspaper, visit the “Student Projects“ page within the “Academics” section of the Poughkeepsie Day School Web site (www.poughkeepsieday.org).

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) is a program of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in the City of New York. It was organized in 1924 and since then more than 125,000 newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks representing the work of students from middle school through college have been entered into the annual critiques for evaluations and more than 240,000 delegates have attended its annual conventions. Services provided by the CSPA include written evaluations of individual student publications as well as the planning and conducting of the four conferences and workshops.

Founded in 1934, Poughkeepsie Day School enrolls approximately 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. Typically, 100% of graduating seniors are admitted to colleges and universities each year.