From the Head of School
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upper school boys. Later that day, one of our seniors in the eighth grade spoke to the
Upper School at the end of lunch about her work at a local marathon where she was
helping the organizers raise awareness of and funds for handicapped children.
These kinds of scenarios occur daily in the life of Dutchess Day School. This is a
school that believes in helping children discover and develop their talents within a
surprisingly broad and vibrant curriculum that continually strives to challenge and
engage students while they learn more about themselves and their world. During a
seventh grade English class discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird, eight students
around a circle of tables shared their opinions about Atticus Finch’s role in the life of
the town. Our students participate actively in their education and we pay close
attention to individual needs in reading, writing and math groups. We complement this
dynamic academic program with a wide variety of activities, from interscholastic
athletic teams and technology education to performing and visual arts classes. This
comes to life when we see one student play his guitar at an all-school assembly in the
morning and then that afternoon score a goal in the soccer game. As a small school,
DDS is alive with opportunities for academic, athletic, service to others and creative
pursuits. It is a place where children eagerly arrive for school each morning ready for
the day to begin.
We believe that children must feel safe and secure in their school environment before
they are ready to learn. A “Town Meeting” in each grade where we talk openly about
being sensitive to differences helps create this environment. We also constantly
examine and look for best practices in how we teach and how we can best stimulate
and engage our students. A trip to New York City to visit a church, temple and mosque
brings to life our comparative religions section of sixth grade history. Good schools
become great when we look for ways to become even better.
We hope that each eighth grader will graduate from Dutchess Day School as a more
self-aware, self-confident, independent and imaginative young adult who is fully
prepared for an independent, parochial or public high school experience. At a recent
alumni reunion, I asked the alums how their preparation was for their high school
experience. They all said that DDS prepared them well for writing research papers,
managing the increased homework load and adjusting to a new school environment.
I feel lucky to be a part of a school that respects and celebrates the creative talents of
all individuals and strives to cultivate their gifts as they grow into contributing members
of a global society.
I invite you to visit Dutchess Day School and see us in action for yourself.
John Cissel
Head of School
Upper School at the end of lunch about her work at a local marathon where she was
helping the organizers raise awareness of and funds for handicapped children.
These kinds of scenarios occur daily in the life of Dutchess Day School. This is a
school that believes in helping children discover and develop their talents within a
surprisingly broad and vibrant curriculum that continually strives to challenge and
engage students while they learn more about themselves and their world. During a
seventh grade English class discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird, eight students
around a circle of tables shared their opinions about Atticus Finch’s role in the life of
the town. Our students participate actively in their education and we pay close
attention to individual needs in reading, writing and math groups. We complement this
dynamic academic program with a wide variety of activities, from interscholastic
athletic teams and technology education to performing and visual arts classes. This
comes to life when we see one student play his guitar at an all-school assembly in the
morning and then that afternoon score a goal in the soccer game. As a small school,
DDS is alive with opportunities for academic, athletic, service to others and creative
pursuits. It is a place where children eagerly arrive for school each morning ready for
the day to begin.
We believe that children must feel safe and secure in their school environment before
they are ready to learn. A “Town Meeting” in each grade where we talk openly about
being sensitive to differences helps create this environment. We also constantly
examine and look for best practices in how we teach and how we can best stimulate
and engage our students. A trip to New York City to visit a church, temple and mosque
brings to life our comparative religions section of sixth grade history. Good schools
become great when we look for ways to become even better.
We hope that each eighth grader will graduate from Dutchess Day School as a more
self-aware, self-confident, independent and imaginative young adult who is fully
prepared for an independent, parochial or public high school experience. At a recent
alumni reunion, I asked the alums how their preparation was for their high school
experience. They all said that DDS prepared them well for writing research papers,
managing the increased homework load and adjusting to a new school environment.
I feel lucky to be a part of a school that respects and celebrates the creative talents of
all individuals and strives to cultivate their gifts as they grow into contributing members
of a global society.
I invite you to visit Dutchess Day School and see us in action for yourself.
John Cissel
Head of School
After greeting each student one morning this fall, I
joined everyone in our assembly hall for the weekly
Monday morning meeting. During the community
announcement phase of the gathering, a
kindergartener raised his hand and stood up to
announce that he had a dream about a lobster the
previous night. Everyone clapped in support of the
announcement and then we continued with other
messages and a short choral presentation by two
joined everyone in our assembly hall for the weekly
Monday morning meeting. During the community
announcement phase of the gathering, a
kindergartener raised his hand and stood up to
announce that he had a dream about a lobster the
previous night. Everyone clapped in support of the
announcement and then we continued with other
messages and a short choral presentation by two
