Grandparents and Special Friends Visiting Day 2013
November 25, 2013
We had a wonderful time showing off our school to Grandparents and Special Friends on Friday!
2nd Grade Trip to Sharp's Farm
November 14, 2013
Even in the cold, 2nd Graders enjoyed learning more about Pilgrim History on their trip to Sharp's Farm. Guides in pilgrim dress focused on the daily life of a pilgrim family. Students learned about homes, games and chores, as well as about Native Americans and their relationships to the pilgrims.
National Museum of the American Indian Field Trip
November 12, 2013
In conjunction with their study of Native Americans, our Kindergarten students took a field trip last week to the National Museum of the American Indian. They had a wonderful time and particularly enjoyed their time in the ImagiNations Activity Center!
Admission Evening Open House
November 1, 2013
Discover Primary Day at our first Open House of the season on Thursday, November 7, 2013 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided while you explore our unique school. There are opportunities to talk with faculty, parents, and alums while learning more about our signature programs: Phonovisual, World Languages, EcoWonder & STEM, Technology, Math, and Art & Music. If you are unable to attend this Open House, please join us for an Open House on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 from 9:00-11:00 am or on Sunday, January 12, 2014 from 1:00-3:00 pm. Individual tours of the school are also available during the week.
Halloween 2013
October 31, 2013
Witches, goblins, ghosts, and more were at Primary Day this week to celebrate Halloween. We had no tricks, only wonderful treats!
Beako's Book Fair and Fall Festival 2013
October 28, 2013
It was a beautiful day to celebrate fall at Primary Day with cake walks, tattoos, crafts, moonbounces, hair chalk, and making cards and bracelets for children staying at Children's Inn at NIH. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this special event!
Beako's Book Fair and Fall Festival
October 1, 2013
Please join us for Beako's Book Fair and Fall Festival. The Book Fair is held on October 24 (2:00-3:15pm), October 25 (8:00-9:00am and 2:00-3:15pm), and October 26 (10:00am - 2:00pm). The Fall Festival is on October 26 (10:00am - 2:00pm). You may register for the Fall Festival in advance either by sending your form and check to school or online by October 21, 2013.
Pig's Parade 2013
September 27, 2013
Our Pre-K students celebrated Pig (the first friend to move in on the Phonovisual Chart) this week. Pig's Parade was the perfect way to party with popsicles and popcorn!
Gingerbread Men 2013
September 13, 2013
Those pesky Gingerbread Men escaped again this year and our Pre-K students were on a mission to find them! The week-long search took them into classrooms and hallways, through the Beako Room, across the playground, and into offices. By the time they found the elusive Gingerbread Men, three things happened. One, this eager group of newcomers now knows their environment inside and out, and feels confident and comfortable being here. Two, they know each other—strangers are now friends. And three, that powerful, engaging, and the wonderful experience we call a Primary Day education has begun.
Playground Picnic 2013
September 9, 2013
It was a beautiful day for a picnic on Sunday! Everyone had a wonderful time catching up with new and old friends and enjoying the playground.
Beako's Golden Rule
September 5, 2013
Beako has been making the rounds with Mrs. Geppert this week to meet/remeet all the students and to remind them about his Golden Rule!
First Day of School 2013
September 3, 2013
We had a wonderful first day of school on Tuesday! Mrs. Geppert loved greeting everyone—it was a great way to start a new year at Primary Day!
PDS's Backpack Project
August 30, 2013
PDS's Backpack Project went off without a hitch! In late spring, with parents' and staff's gracious donations, children helped to fill 30 brand-new backpacks with school supplies. On August 28, with the support of 4 of our students as well as a few older siblings, PDS, along with the Backpack Project, Inc., helped to personally give 30 students from Ketchum Elementary School in Washington DC, their very own brand new backpack. The Ketchum students and staff were thrilled with our donation and indicated that we were the first school whose students actually participated in the distribution of the backpacks. We look forward to supporting the Backpack Project, Inc. again next year.
Kindergarten Field Trip
April 18, 2013
Kindergartners had a wonderful time on their field trip to see Joe Romano and his Green Magic Show. At the show, the children learned how they can perform their own magic to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Writing Workshop with Valerie Tripp
April 18, 2013
The Second Graders had a wonderful time with Valerie Tripp, author of many American Girl books. Ms. Tripp shared stories of her life, explained the writing process, and encouraged our young writers. It was quite a treat!
Out of the Blue
April 9, 2013
On Wednesday, we welcomed Oxford University’s premier all-male a cappella group Out of the Blue! The group ran into the Beako room and took command of the stage with their singing and outrageous choreography. The concert was very interactive with the group even teaching the children motions and the refrain for “In the Jungle.” Out of the Blue is currently on tour performing at arts festivals around the world and conducting school workshops, all with the goal of instilling in kids a sense of courage and adventure when it comes to performing and engaging with music.
Second Graders Experience Colonial America
March 21, 2013
As the culminating activities in their study of Colonial America, our Second Graders enthusiastically participated in Colonial Day activities and presented a Colonial Music Program.
The Colonial Days, coordinated and staffed by Second Grade parents , included a display of historical artifacts followed by a wide range of hands-on-activities: candle making and wallpaper printing; writing with quill pens; grinding coffee and corn; making butter and tasting Johnnycakes; playing colonial games; and creating corn husk dolls.
The Second Graders arrived at school on Thursday, dressed in colonial attire for their Colonial Music Program. The audience delighted in the presentation of colonial songs, dances and childhood singing games.
2013 Gala Events
March 4, 2013
This year our Gala theme was the Disco Ball and over the past two weeks, PDS children and parents alike have been boogieing down in celebration of our annual gala. On Friday, February 22, the children celebrated with a disco, magician, face-painting, tattoos, disco themed photos, and dinner. As you can see by the pictures, there was much fun to be had.
Friday, March 1, parents, faculty and staff came out to Bethesda Country Club to support PDS at our annual Gala and Auction. It was a wonderful night, with many fun things to bid on, great food to eat, groovy music to boogie to, and fantastic friends to catch up with.
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
March 4, 2013
According to our teachers,the children had a wonderful time writing Seuss-inspired poetry and enjoying Seuss treats on Friday!
Pre-K made Green Eggs and Ham to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday. First Graders measured with nonstandard units using their feet to go with The Foot Book! Second Graders and their Kindergarten book buddies celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday by reading books, making Thing and Thing 2 hats together, and snacking on one fish two fish red fish blue fish…Swedish fish of course! Fun was had by all!
Visiting Author/Illustrator Jennifer O’Connell
February 25, 2013
We had a wonderful visit with author/illustrator Jennifer O’Connell. She inspired all of our budding artists and writers!
Spirit Week
February 21, 2013
Spirit week is in full force. Everyone has gotten in on the action on Sock Day, Primary Colors Day, and Pajama Day.
Tomorrow is Disco day and we can't wait to see the outfits that come through the door! We're sure to be wowed.
Operation Welcome Home
October 31, 2012
Operation Welcome Home is an organization that greets 7,000-8,000 soldiers at the airport each month and gives them goody bags with treats and “Welcome Home” cards. These are just small tokens of appreciation for their heroic service which can help to fill some time for them while they wait for connecting flights home. A representative came in on Monday, October 22 to give a brief presentation about the organization and how the children can help. Following the presentation, the children returned to their classrooms to make their cards that will be given to the solders sometime in November. We will also be collecting candy after Halloween to accompany the cards. We are truly excited about this event and know the children will have fun being able to help a real soldier.
We found them!
September 20, 2012
After a fabulous week of hunting, setting traps, and learning all about the Primary Day building, our newest students found those wily Gingerbread Men. Now there is nothing left to do but eat them!
Opening Day 2012
September 12, 2012
We ushered in a new day at Primary Day on Tuesday! Mrs. Geppert greeted each family and students eagerly headed to their new classrooms.If the first day was any indication, a wonderful year is in store!
Kindergarten "Viva Mexico!" Program
May 18, 2012
Primary Day students, parents and faculty recently delighted in "Viva Mexico!," a musical culmination of the Kindergarten unit on Mexico. The program included dances, presentations and songs in Spanish and English. The Kindergartners celebrated with a Mexican feast following the program. Art projects completed during the unit included woven placements, vases containing paper flowers, the outfits the children wore during the program, and cactus paintings, pyramids and parrots which served as stage decorations. The unit also included Spanish lessons, the study of Mexican culture, geography, agriculture, customs and money. Another favorite activity was the Fruit Market created at school, where the children ordered a wide variety of fruit, in Spanish, and paid for their order in pesos.
It’s A Small World After All
May 18, 2012
The First Graders’ exploration of countries around the world came to a close last week with the production “It’s a Small World After All”. The students in both First Grade classes performed the musical, written by First Grade teacher (and Primary Day alum), Ms. Claire Brown.
The musical follows students in a class who travel to Africa, Australia, Canada, China, Jamaica and Spain. Through their travels they learn about various customs and traditions specific to each country and that children all over the world share more likenesses than differences. Following the production the children enjoyed an international feast, prepared by parents, featuring the cuisine of the countries studied.
Second Grade French Beako
May 8, 2012
The Second Grade study of France culminated in a musical production, “La Tour de France”. As four “tourists” traveled the French countryside they encountered “French citizens” who eagerly shared their culture.
The students led us through the Bordeaux region where we learned how grapes are grown, then visited a nearby café; traveled on the Train a Grande Vittesse to the Provence Region, visited the Cote d’Azur, basked in the beauty of the flowers in Grasse, and marveled at the Sur Le Pont d’Avignon, the bridge across the Rhone River. Then it was off to Giverny, to see where Claude Monet painted his “Gardens and Water Lilies” Series. The finale of the program was a visit to a French classroom where the Second Graders demonstrated their acquired French vocabulary during a delightfully energetic song. Following the program, students enjoyed a buffet containing favorites of French cuisine and everyone delighted in viewing the Second Graders’ artwork in the halls, inspired by Monet and Matisse.
The Primary Day School’s next Head of School, Mary Lisa Geppert
February 16, 2012
The Primary Day School’s Board of Trustees named Ms. Mary Lisa Geppert as the next Head of School, effective July 1, 2012.
With 23 years of independent school experience, Mrs. Geppert comes to Primary Day from the Laurel School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. In the letter to the school community announcing the appointment, The Board stated Mrs. Geppert’s “vision for the future of Primary Day is innovative, insightful and collaborative while being mindful of the traditions and core values that have sustained Primary Day since its inception. We believe that Mrs. Geppert is the perfect person to lead the School into the next decade.” Her strong personal qualities were evident during her December visit to the school where the Search Committee was “delighted by the enthusiasm expressed across a wide spectrum of our community regarding Mrs. Geppert…She engaged the children in conversation, was interested in their work, and remembered their names when she saw them in the hall.”
The search process began last spring, when the school’s current Head, Mrs. Louise Plumb, announced her decision to retire at the close of the 2011-12 school year, following 14 years in that position.
The 100th Day of School
February 15, 2012
Primary Day students participated in activities this week in celebration of the 100th day of school. As bundles of strawstransitioned from groups of 9-tens and 9-ones into a single straw in the hundreds place, related events and activities took shape within each classroom and throughout the school, among them: the Pre-Kindergarten classes made eye glasses out of the number 100 to wear during their celebration; each Kindergartener brought 100 pieces of their favorite snack to add to the class buffet, then selected a portion of the mixture to enjoy at snack; First Graders wrote their favorite 100 words and participated in the 100 Olympics; and Second Graders completed 100 multiplication problems and used 100 as the inspiration for creative writing exercises.
Primary Day Students Donate Books, Toys, and Clothing
January 13, 2012
For twenty years Primary Day families have generously provided holiday gifts for the children served by Chapel Forge Center in Bowie, Maryland. This year's donations included hundreds of new and gently used toys, books and articles of clothing. The response to this year’s collection was overwhelming and served to remind us all that small individual actions truly do make a difference.
Children's Book Author Visits Primary Day
January 11, 2012
Our Primary Day students and faculty recently enjoyed a day with visiting author, Candice Ransom. Ms. Ransom, the author of over 115 children’s books, explained to the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten children how she used childhood memories of growing up on a farm as the inspiration for her picture books focused on transportation. The First and Second Graders learned how Ms. Ransom’s interest in history fostered her creation of the Time Spies series. The students asked insightful questions about the writing process, shared artwork they created based on two of Ms. Ransom’s books and related their own experiences as budding authors.
