Parents
News
Summer
Giving
March 22, 2023
Dear PDS Community:
With Spring Break behind us, we are entering the final semester of academics and activities that reflect the ebbs and flows of school life. We consider it a gift to work with your sons. We love them, believe in them, and want only the best for them. We count it a great joy and privilege to watch your sons develop and grow through these foundational years.
As we challenge PDS boys to learn and grow, to think differently, and to embrace challenges, we must do the same as a school – especially as an organization fundamentally founded on the principles of learning and growth. As PDS partners with different educational organizations, we forge partnerships to challenge our thinking and innovate. You will see scattered around this webpage, references to three partnerships (IBSC, SAIS, Project Zero) that PDS has been deeply committed to historically.
Upcoming Milestones
We are excited to announce that Carissa Lacy has agreed to become our next Head of Early Childhood. Carissa is a very experienced educator and administrator with an impressive educational background. A current PDS parent, she has great familiarity with the school.
The school has been blessed to have Ross Spain for 19 years and we are sad to lose him, but excited for the next chapter in his career as he leaves us to join Memphis University School.
With a decade of experience at PDS as both a coach and a parent, we are excited to announce that Palmer Albertine is returning to become the next Dean of Students.
Our Cultural Expeditions program is well underway with the second of three trips launching in ten days. Starting next year, Tony Rudzena will be directing and shepherding this important program.
We will host five independent school educators on March 26-28 that form the accreditation team.PDS Hosting International Conference of Boys Schools in October
PDS has partnered with the International Boys’ Schools Coalition for many years. We are excited to share that in celebrating our 75th Anniversary next year, PDS will host the North American Conference for IBSC on October 22-24, 2023. PDS will welcome educators to Memphis from around North America to discuss best practices and consider new ways of teaching and learning for elementary boys. We also have two faculty members representing PDS this summer at the IBSC International Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, as they present on elementary boys’ education.
Harvard's Project Zero
Harvard’s Project Zero classroom has been another core commitment for many years and infuses cultures of thinking into our curriculum. Ten PDS faculty will visit Harvard this summer to immerse themselves in the concepts and practices of visible thinking and return to campus energized with ideas for most effectively cultivating thinking.
Thank You for Suppporting March Mania
Speaking of partnerships, we are grateful to the families and friends of PDS for supporting this year’s March Mania. We had our most successful March Mania in PDS history. We are incredibly thankful for your support as this helps PDS offer financial aid, the best professional development for our faculty, and campus security. Thank you to everyone for participating in this year’s auction and for giving to support these very important causes.
Transitions: Administrators
Lastly, after serving as a head of school for a decade, I’ve come to learn that ‘hellos’ and ‘goodbyes’ to students and faculty are a part of the ever-changing aspects of school life. I love the “hello” aspect of the work, but the “goodbyes” are always sad, even when celebrating good news for someone. Toward that end, we have a few faculty members passing the baton next year and exciting new appointments. You can find these announcements and biographical information in the side links.