Rising PDS junior Megha Thomas is finishing her summer internship this week with the United Nations Association. Her recent blog post for the UNA reveals the challenges and accomplishments Megha has experienced through Model UN at PDS and also this summer in the UNA-NCA Global Classrooms DC program.
Eighteen PDS 9th-11th grade students expanded their cultural frame of reference during a unique 11-day trip to Japan this summer, developed as part of Princeton Day School's vibrant International Travel Programs, which in past years have featured explorations in India, China, France, London, Rome, and earlier this year, the Island School in the Bahamas.
PDS Middle School math teacher Donna Zarsecki left her mark not only as a teacher but as a longtime dean of 8th grade and much-loved champion of the Peer Leadership program. For 25 years, she forged enduring connections with senior Peer Group Leaders, helping them become better people and mentors as they in turn helped create successful transitions to the high school experience for PDS 9th graders.
In her more than three decades here, Ann Wiley became the font of knowledge about everything PDS; those who've come and gone, parents and alums. If you needed a start date, graduation year, or most any PDS fact, 'Wileypedia' had it in her database.
A great teacher inspires kids to believe in their best selves while also modeling lifelong learning, and Barbara Walker accomplished both while also developing some of the richest courses in PDS's extraordinary collection of Upper School English electives. As a "closet Medievalist" and intrepid explorer of literary history, Barbara shared her discoveries creatively and passionately in the classroom with her students.
For each of her 17 years at PDS, Middle School theater teacher Deb Sugarman gave us the gift of a new batch of fearless young artists. Through it all, she made it look easy, and always had room for one more, creating a safe spot for any child to try on a new identity, no matter how shy or flamboyant.
In his nearly 40 years at PDS, Upper School history and religion teacher Bill Stoltzfus created a unique environment for learning that was completely and essentially his own.
Twelve senior members of Princeton Day School's faculty and staff retired in June. This profile of Lower School music teacher Andrea Schafer is the seventh in our series on these long-serving and much beloved faculty and staff members. (The most recent profile is of Upper School science teacher and scientist in residence Dr. Leon Rosenberg, which you can read here.) Click on the headline for the profile of Andrea Schafer as told by Cindy Peifer, Middle School humanities teacher and Da Vinci Coordinator.
Twelve senior members of Princeton Day School's faculty and staff are retiring. This profile of Upper School science teacher and scientist in residence Dr. Leon (Lee) Rosenberg is the sixth in our series on these long-serving and much beloved faculty and staff members. (The most recent profile is of 3rd grade teacher Betsy Rizza, which you can read here.) Here are stories of these esteemed members of our faculty and staff as told by their colleagues: click on the headline to read about Dr. Leon Rosenberg, by Dr. Carrie Norin, Upper School science teacher.
On Friday, June 8, Princeton Day School's commencement ceremony took place on the broad Colross lawn on a beautiful late spring day. Head of School Paul Stellato gave a poignant keynote address and offered sage advice to our graduating seniors. The two student speakers, Naveen Bhatia '18 and Ihea Inyama '18, gave wonderful speeches filled with memorable stories of their classmates and time at PDS. Here are some photos from the ceremony. Here is this year's matriculation list. Congratulations and best of luck to the class of 2018!
On Wednesday, June 6, the Middle School celebrated the end of the school year in the Lisa McGraw '44 Skating Rink with a jubilant final assembly. Head of School Paul Stellato opened the assembly with his remarks by wishing congratulations to the 8th grade class and recognizing departing MS faculty Brian Laskowski and Karen Stolper, as well as retiring MS faculty Hank Bristol '72, Susan Reichlin, Deb Sugarman, and Donna Zarzecki. Here are some photos from the ceremony.
The Lower School celebrated the end of the academic school year with a final assembly at the Lisa McGraw '44 Skating Rink on Tuesday, June 5. Here are some photos from the ceremony. Head of School Paul Stellato began the assembly talking about the accomplishments of the past year, and the eternal lure of summer before turning it over to the Lower School students, who sang a rousing version of the favorite "PDS Song."
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the Princeton Day School winter musical, "Bat Boy" for capturing two 2018 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Outstanding Chorus and Outstanding Student Achievement in Lighting for Rakesh Potluri '19. Congratulations also to Hope Ammidon '18 and Aaron Baseman '20, who received nominations for Student Achievement Awards.
Twelve senior members of Princeton Day School's faculty and staff have shared plans to retire in June. This profile of third grade teacher Betsy Rizza is the fifth in our series on these long-serving and much beloved faculty and staff members. (The most recent profile is of Visual Arts & Design Department Chair and MS art teacher Susan Reichlin, which you can read here.) Here is the profile of Betsy Rizza written by her colleague Margie Wallace Gibson'84, third grade teacher and Director of Service Learning.
Chief Information Officer Jon Ostendorf taught an engineering course to Upper School students this year as part of the new STEAM curriculum and shared the results of his class's final project, a complicated and multi-faceted systems engineering project culminating in a launch onto Smoyer Field. Click the headline to read more and see photos.
Natasha Ray '21 and Hope Jerris '21 announced that the annual Princeton Day School Great Giveaway event will take place from June 4-June 7. A schoolwide service learning project, the Great Giveaway occurs at the end of every school year when PDS students donate gently used school supplies to those who are in need of them.
On Tuesday, May 29, Princeton Day School presented the first annual STEAM Evening, an event designed to showcase the STEAM projects completed this year by our Upper School students. Families, faculty, and friends were invited to attend this event organized by Science Department Chair Jason Park as a way to celebrate the culmination of the inaugural year of the School's new STEAM program. Here are some photos from the event.
At a recent Focus Assembly, Head of Middle School Renée Price and faculty members announced a multitude of accolades for some of our Middle School students in the areas of math and foreign languages. In addition, the MS students performed impressively at their choral, band, and orchestra concerts--see some photos from the concerts here. Read more about the academic accolades by clicking on the headline. Congratulations to our students for their achievements!
On Friday, May 25, the Upper School assembled in the Lisa McGraw '44 Skating Rink to applaud the graduating seniors who were presented with awards at the annual Senior Awards ceremony. These awards are given for service, academic, and athletic achievements. In addition, the 2018 Princeton Day School Cum Laude Society was announced. For a full list of our award winners, click on the headline. Congratulations to our seniors!
Twelve senior members of Princeton Day School's faculty and staff have shared plans to retire in June. This profile of Visual Arts & Design Department Chair and Middle School Art Teacher Susan Reichlin is the fourth in our series on these long-serving and much beloved faculty and staff members. (The most recent profile is of fourth grade teacher Chris Hart, which you can read here.) Here is the profile of Susan Reichlin by Jody Erdman, Director of the Anne Reid '72 Art Gallery.
