Jonathan Dorf, an award-winning playwright whose work 'Safe Salem' was featured in this year's Middle School play, visited PDS to meet with students across all divisions. Dorf conducted workshops with Lower, Middle and Upper School students and even attended the 8th grade rehearsal of his play. This incredible opportunity was made possible by the Visiting Artist Fund, which allows PDS to bring top level artists to campus to work across divisions and disciplines.

PDS recently hosted two alumni gatherings where former students had the opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and support our incredible school. Read on to learn more about the Thanksgiving Games and the NYC Regional Gathering, as well as see photo highlights from our Flickr albums.

Six PDS students journeyed to Philadelphia to attend the annual GAINS conference, which is designed to encourage and inspire girls' interest in STEM. The students attended panels, toured labs and forged relationships with female leaders in STEM. The girls left the conference with an increased passion for STEM, a strong support system of fellow students and mentors and a clearer understanding of what they are capable of in their studies and beyond.

Instructor Chris Maher has put his signature on the renowned wood and furniture design program at PDS first developed 50 years ago by legendary instructor Andy Franz. With his advanced furniture design students in the Upper School, Maher ensures that "all students begin the design process in their sketchbooks, working gesturally to start to develop an idea. These rough concepts are then rendered in either Sketchup, Fusion or Solidworks. From there, we typically create 3-D print prototypes or create maquettes or connection details." With a balance of woodworking processes and design opportunities offered across the Lower, Middle and Upper School, PDS students can participate in a program experience of great depth and continuity.

Throughout the next few weeks PDS performers will put on a number of stunning productions across all divisions. The performances kick off with the Middle School drama production, A Simpler Time, which debuts tomorrow night at 7:30pm in McAneny Theater.

Princeton Day School co-hosted this year's Edible Jersey Holiday Market. The event was a huge success, showcasing the products of over 30 local small businesses while raising awareness about Princeton Day School's Sustainability Program.

Urban Architecture, an exhibit that showcases 10 graffiti artists, will be on view from December 2 to January 9 in the Anne Reid '72 Art Gallery. An opening reception will be on December 12 from 5-7pm and is free and open to the public.

The Upper School Model UN won Best Large Delegate at their first competition of the year. The group 25 students, in grades 9-12, traveled to New York City to compete in NYU's Empire Conference. In addition to the team award, the students brought home countless individual honors, including 7 Best Delegate Awards!

Fechi Inyama '20 and Alexandra Glezer '20 received the Prize for Excellence in French from Princeton University's Center for French Studies, which recognizes high school students who have excelled in the study of French language and literature. Both students are involved in a myriad of extracurriculars and exemplify excellence both in and out of the classroom.

The Seventh Principle put on a thrilling and educational performance for the entire Lower School earlier this month. Their show, Bantaba: The Circle of Celebration, taught the students about African music and culture through an interactive performance and workshop.

Rapid progress is being made on the new Princeton Day School Athletic Center! Find out more about this impressive project that was featured in our Fall Journal.

PDS alumni Sakeenah El-Amin is the founder of Girls Taking Up Space, a social justice-oriented educational and wellness program for girls of color in the Oakland area. She shares her mission and how her experience at Princeton Day School served as catalyst for her current work.

On November 15, poet Willie Perdomo visited campus to read from his recent book of poems, The Crazy Bunch. Perdomo held workshops and readings with the Middle and Upper School to share his poems, discuss his writing process and answer questions. Mr. Perdomo's powerful prose had a profound effect on both the students and faculty at PDS.

Seven PDS seniors presented their impressive independent research during a Poster Night in early November. A large crowd of PDS families, faculty and staff came out to learn about the Princeton Day School's signature Research Experience (REx) program and view their high-level posters summarizing their scholarly work accomplished at PDS and during summer internships at leading labs and universities.

Princeton Day School welcomes two new Varsity coaches for the upcoming spring season. Angela Parascondo will take the helm of the Varsity Softball team after serving as an assistant coach at PDS in previous years. Doug MacMillan, who has years of experience coaching at the middle school, high school and college levels, will lead the PDS golf team as they continue to grow and develop.

The Anne Reid '72 Art Gallery is currently displaying the work of 9 PDS faculty artists. This week we highlight two of our outstanding artists, Jerry Hirniak and Dodie Colavecchio! This is the last week to see this remarkable show, which will close on Sunday, November 17th.

Princeton Day School senior Chris Cecila was named a National Hispanic Scholar for 2019-2020. Over the summer, Chris qualified to attend the highly selective Hispanic Scholarship Fund Youth Leadership Institute at the University of Chicago where he participated in workshops and seminars to improve his leadership skills, prepare for the college application process and more. Congratulations to Chris on this impressive achievement!

Navy fighter pilot LT Ben Stadulis, PDS '09, interviewed here by U.S. Army Reserves Colonel Taylor Hwong '88, credits PDS with reinforcing his strong work ethic and instilling essential communications skills, including critical writing and reading comprehension skills, while his two-sport varsity experiences provided the close-knit team ethos and collaborative, strategically focused environment he values in military service.

The teachers of Princeton Day School wrapped up individual conferences for every student from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The time, care and commitment that our educators dedicate to each student is truly inspiring. Here is a short video, which follows the Kindergaten on their first day of school, that captures the incredible amount of consideration our teachers put into building a strong community where our students can feel safe, valued and challenged.

Upper School students in the award-winning Princeton Day School theater program tackled an emotionally-packed production of Eric Ulloa's 26 Pebbles this fall. Director of Performing Arts Stan Cahill and members of the cast share their reflections on the performance and why they believe it was so powerful.