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IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
An annual celebration of creativity featuring up to three guest artists who spend two days each on campus teaching and talking with students from prekindergarten through grade 12.
Now celebrating its 20th year, "Imagine the Possibilities" has been expanding horizons for Princeton Day School students through interactions with award-winning artists in a variety of situations, from small-group presentations and workshops to larger readings or demonstrations.
Long before each artist arrives, teachers have integrated their work into the classroom curriculum. Students are eager to meet the artists and prepared to benefit from the visits. The experience both inspires and challenges students and teachers to "imagine the possibilities" of their own creativity.
This annual program is made possible through the John D. Wallace, Jr. '78 Memorial Guest Artist Series Fund.
Mini Course Week
Every year in mid-February, Middle School students and faculty set aside daily course work for a special one-week, interdisciplinary experience.
Students choose from a menu of cultural, scientific and historical studies on such topics as the Amish, Gettysburg, theater production, the Adirondacks, Cape Cod, and stop-action film making.
They spend the week in focused, experiential study, visiting museums, farms, marine research institutes and historical parks to learn firsthand about their subjects.
In the process, they make connections across disciplines and grapple with complex, real-world issues.
Senior Projects
For the last six weeks of each academic year, seniors explore the world beyond Princeton Day School through independent projects of their own design.
Projects may involve investigating career possibilities, community service, or the focused pursuit of a particular interest, talent, or lifelong dream. The sky is the limit -- as long as the project has intellectual, artistic or educational value and passes muster with the school Senior Project Committee.
In early winter, students research, design, and propose a project; find a sponsor, and establish goals they hope to achieve. Throughout the project , the committee, faculty advisor, and the project supervisor support each student’s efforts. All students submit a detailed journal and a written report.
At the end of the six weeks, all seniors present their projects to a panel of teachers and classmates; some also participate in a Senior Art Show or Senior Performance Evening.
Fourth Grade Operetta
They sing, They dance, They work the lights. They take a bow.
Each year, the entire Fourth Grade works with teachers to stage a musical production they remember for a lifetime. One year it was a musical spoof of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf ” that the students named “Much Ado About Mutton.” Another year it was “Looking for Peanuts,” featuring Charlie Brown and friends.
Whatever the theme, the operetta brings together an original story, borrowed pop and Broadway melodies, and as many starring roles as there are students.
As one teacher explains, “We write the play so that every student has a place to shine.”
A Life That Works
Memories. Sarcasm. Jokes. Secrets. Tears. Dreams. Princeton Day School seniors share all that and more when they present a personal "credo" as part of this five-week seminar focused on creating "A Life That Works."
Created in 2001, the course gathers seniors four times a week to pursue both a spiritual and practical approach to shaping their futures.
They read essays, articles, poem and short stories as points of departure for discussions ranging from how to make meaning in one's life to the practical challenges of living with a roommate in college.
They keep a journal and hear from adults who share life lessons. The ponder how their values, philosophy and personality shape their lives. And they write a personal statement to share with classmates and guests reflecting who they are and who they hope to become.