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Upcoming Events
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Girls Middle School A Basketball vs. Gordon |
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3:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Boys JV Basketball vs. Falmouth |
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4:00 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Falmouth Academy
7 Highfield Dr., Falmouth, MA
From Providence:
Take Route 195E to Route 25 to the Bourne Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. Go south on Route 28 toward Falmouth and the Islands. Route 28 narrows from four lanes to two as you come into Falmouth, about 13 miles from the bridge. Go straight through the traffic light. About 1/2 mile after the light, take a right (in front of a Gulf Station) onto Depot Street. Cross the railroad tracks and take your first right to Falmouth Academy. The school is up a windy drive from Depot Avenue.
No Score
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Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Wheeler |
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4:15 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Wheeler School
216 Hope Street, Providence
To the School and Gym from I-95 north and south:
Take I-195 and turn east toward Cape Cod. Take the Gano Street Exit and turn right. At the third set of lights turn left onto Angell Street. Stay on Angell until you get to Hope Street and turn right. The school will be on your left with Visitor Parking and tennis courts on the right.
To the school and gym from the east:
Approach Providence on I-195 and take the Gano Street Exit. Then follow above directions.
No Score
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Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Falmouth |
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5:30 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Falmouth Academy
7 Highfield Dr., Falmouth, MA
From Providence:
Take Route 195E to Route 25 to the Bourne Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. Go south on Route 28 toward Falmouth and the Islands. Route 28 narrows from four lanes to two as you come into Falmouth, about 13 miles from the bridge. Go straight through the traffic light. About 1/2 mile after the light, take a right (in front of a Gulf Station) onto Depot Street. Cross the railroad tracks and take your first right to Falmouth Academy. The school is up a windy drive from Depot Avenue.
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Girls Middle School B Basketball vs. Sophia Academy |
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3:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Boys Middle School A Basketball vs. Wheeler |
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4:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Varsity Wrestling vs. Central Falls and Tolman |
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5:00 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Falmouth Academy |
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4:00 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Falmouth Academy
7 Highfield Dr., Falmouth, MA
From Providence:
Take Route 195E to Route 25 to the Bourne Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. Go south on Route 28 toward Falmouth and the Islands. Route 28 narrows from four lanes to two as you come into Falmouth, about 13 miles from the bridge. Go straight through the traffic light. About 1/2 mile after the light, take a right (in front of a Gulf Station) onto Depot Street. Cross the railroad tracks and take your first right to Falmouth Academy. The school is up a windy drive from Depot Avenue.
No Score
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Boys JV Basketball vs. St. Thomas More |
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4:00 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
St. Thomas More School
45 Cottage Road, Oakdale, CT
From Rhode Island and southeastern MA:
Take I-95 south. Take Exit for Route 32 north (Exit will be on the right just as you cross the Groton-New London bridge over the Thames River). Get on Route 32 and follow to the junction of I-395. Take I-395 north to Exit 80 W (Route 82). Follow Route 82 approximately 5 miles to the junction with Route 163. Go right onto Route 163 north (you will pass both Route 163 south and a Getty Mart on your left). Follow Route163 approximately 1 mile and take a left onto Doyle Road. Follow Doyle Road about 3/4 of a mile, then take a right onto Cottage Road. About 1/4 of a mile down Cottage Road on the left will be the school.
No Score
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Boys Varsity Basketball vs. St. Thomas More |
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5:30 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
St. Thomas More School
45 Cottage Road, Oakdale, CT
From Rhode Island and southeastern MA:
Take I-95 south. Take Exit for Route 32 north (Exit will be on the right just as you cross the Groton-New London bridge over the Thames River). Get on Route 32 and follow to the junction of I-395. Take I-395 north to Exit 80 W (Route 82). Follow Route 82 approximately 5 miles to the junction with Route 163. Go right onto Route 163 north (you will pass both Route 163 south and a Getty Mart on your left). Follow Route163 approximately 1 mile and take a left onto Doyle Road. Follow Doyle Road about 3/4 of a mile, then take a right onto Cottage Road. About 1/4 of a mile down Cottage Road on the left will be the school.
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Varsity Wrestling vs. Exeter/West Greenwich and Middletown |
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6:00 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Exeter/West Greenwich High School
930 Nooseneck Hill Rd., West Greenwich
Take 95 South to exit #6 -Route 3. Take left off the exit and look for the school on the left.
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Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Barrington Christian Academy |
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4:00 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Boys JV Basketball vs. Marianapolis |
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4:00 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Marianapolis |
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5:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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ACT |
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Boys Indoor Track at Class C Championships |
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10:00 AM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
41 Fricker Street
Providence, RI
Located on the corner of Fricker & Westminister. The facility is next to Central High School.
No Score
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Varsity Swimming at Providence Cup |
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2:00 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Roger Williams University
1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol
195 East to Massachusetts exit 2 (Warren/Newport RI, Route 136 South). Follow 136 South for approximately nine miles. Campus is on your left, make a U-turn, just before the Mt. Hope Bridge, to the main entrance.
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Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Masters |
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4:00 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Masters Regional Academy
915 Douglas Pike, Smithfield
146 North
Merge onto I-295 S toward WARWICK
Merge onto DOUGLAS PIKE/RI-7 N via EXIT 8B toward N. SMITHFIELD
No Score
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Varsity Wrestling vs. Smithfield and Johnston |
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5:30 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Smithfield High School
90 Pleasant View Ave., Smithfield
From Providence, take Rt. 44 west to the Apple Valley Mall. Take a right at McDonald's onto Cedar Swamp Rd. Travel to the stop sign, take a sharp left and a right into the parking lot at the football field. Baseball, field hockey, and softball fields are at the end of the parking lot.
From 295 North or South, take the Greenville Exit and follow the directions above.
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Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Williams |
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12:00 AM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Williams School - Bulkeye Gym
182 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT
From Rhode Island
Take I-95 to Exit 84 just after crossing the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.
Coming off the exit, stay in the center lane and follow Route 32 North for one mile.
At 2nd stop light, turn left into the main entrance of Connecticut College.
On the Connecticut College Campus
At the top of the driveway, stop at the gate house to obtain your temporary parking permit.
Turn left and continue past the college lawn on the left.
After the road curves in front of The Williams School building, take the first left into the South Parking Lot.
No Score
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Boys Middle School A Basketball vs. Moses Brown |
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3:00 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Wheeler |
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4:30 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Wheeler School
216 Hope Street, Providence
To the School and Gym from I-95 north and south:
Take I-195 and turn east toward Cape Cod. Take the Gano Street Exit and turn right. At the third set of lights turn left onto Angell Street. Stay on Angell until you get to Hope Street and turn right. The school will be on your left with Visitor Parking and tennis courts on the right.
To the school and gym from the east:
Approach Providence on I-195 and take the Gano Street Exit. Then follow above directions.
No Score
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Boys JV Basketball vs. Wheeler |
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4:30 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Wheeler School
216 Hope Street, Providence
To the School and Gym from I-95 north and south:
Take I-195 and turn east toward Cape Cod. Take the Gano Street Exit and turn right. At the third set of lights turn left onto Angell Street. Stay on Angell until you get to Hope Street and turn right. The school will be on your left with Visitor Parking and tennis courts on the right.
To the school and gym from the east:
Approach Providence on I-195 and take the Gano Street Exit. Then follow above directions.
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Girls Middle School A Basketball vs. Dayspring |
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3:30 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
1052 Newport Avenue
S. Attleboro, MA
Pawtucket Avenue to Newport Avenue
No Score
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Boys Middle School B Basketball vs. Wilbur & McMahon |
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4:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Girls Middle School B Basketball vs. Wilbur & McMahon |
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4:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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Presidents Weekend - No School |
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Varsity Wrestling at RI Division 2 Tournament |
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5:00 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Smithfield High School
90 Pleasant View Ave., Smithfield
From Providence, take Rt. 44 west to the Apple Valley Mall. Take a right at McDonald's onto Cedar Swamp Rd. Travel to the stop sign, take a sharp left and a right into the parking lot at the football field. Baseball, field hockey, and softball fields are at the end of the parking lot.
From 295 North or South, take the Greenville Exit and follow the directions above.
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Presidents Weekend - No School |
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Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Hyde |
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12:00 AM | Home |
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Varsity Wrestling at RI Division 2 Tournament |
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10:00 AM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Smithfield High School
90 Pleasant View Ave., Smithfield
From Providence, take Rt. 44 west to the Apple Valley Mall. Take a right at McDonald's onto Cedar Swamp Rd. Travel to the stop sign, take a sharp left and a right into the parking lot at the football field. Baseball, field hockey, and softball fields are at the end of the parking lot.
From 295 North or South, take the Greenville Exit and follow the directions above.
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Presidents Weekend - No School |
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Presidents Weekend - No School |
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Boys Middle School A Basketball vs. Rocky Hill |
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3:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Cambridge |
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4:00 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score
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Boys JV Basketball vs. Cambridge |
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4:00 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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Girls Middle School B Basketball vs. Moses Brown |
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3:30 PM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Moses Brown
250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence
From The North
Take 95 South. Take Exit 24 (Branch Avenue), bearing left at the end of the exit. Continue straight until you come to light, staying to the far right. Turn right at light. (You will pass a fire station.) This will take you onto North Main Street. Continue straight through three sets of traffic lights. When you come to the fourth light, get into the far left lane and take a left onto Olney Street. Continue straight on Olney until you come to the traffic light. At the light, take a right onto Hope Street. Continue on Hope Street bearing left at fork in road. At the next traffic light, make a left onto Lloyd Avenue. Continue a short distance on Lloyd Avenue. Take the second entrance on your left between brick pillars.
From the South
From the South Take 95 North to 195 East. Take Exit 2 (Gano Street/ India Point). At the s
No Score
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Boys Middle School B Basketball vs. Wheeler |
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4:00 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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2nd Trimester Ends |
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Middle School Dance |
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7:15 PM
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Boys Middle School A Basketball at Wheeler Tournament |
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9:00 AM | Away | Directions
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Directions:
Wheeler School
216 Hope Street, Providence
To the School and Gym from I-95 north and south:
Take I-195 and turn east toward Cape Cod. Take the Gano Street Exit and turn right. At the third set of lights turn left onto Angell Street. Stay on Angell until you get to Hope Street and turn right. The school will be on your left with Visitor Parking and tennis courts on the right.
To the school and gym from the east:
Approach Providence on I-195 and take the Gano Street Exit. Then follow above directions.
No Score | |
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Boys Middle School A Basketball vs. Wilbur & McMahon |
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4:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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Parent Council Meeting |
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8:00 AM
Luther House - All Welcome |
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Girls Middle School A Basketball vs. Dayspring |
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3:30 PM | Home | Directions
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Directions:
PCD
660 Waterman Ave., East Providence
No Score | |
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Winter Musical |
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Winter Musical |
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Current News
1/5/2012
PCD Students Head to NH Primaries
A group of 21 PCD upper schoolers is headed to New Hampshire tomorrow (Friday, January 6), to attend the New Hampshire Primary town meetings through Sunday evening. Every four years PCD students take advantage of this rare opportunity to not just see, but to participate in, their country’s democratic process. Following the daily campaign postings of events, the students, accompanied by PCD History Teachers Steve Robinson and Dan Polifka, will attend as many town meetings as possible throughout the southern part of the state - in the Nashua, Concord, Portsmouth and Salem areas. Confirmed so far are Gingrich's town meeting Friday night in Salem, Saturday
morning's meeting with Romney in Derry, and Sunday afternoon's meeting with Paul in Meredith. The rest of the itinerary will unfold as the
campaigns release details. Because of the informal nature of the meetings, students will be able to meet and question key candidates as they discuss the issues and their respective positions. More details to come...
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9/9/2011
Belize 2011: Ancient Ruins, Modern Learning
Ever since Upper School Science Teacher, Nancy Gelardi traveled to Belize several years ago with her family, she wanted to return with a group of PCD students to share the lessons this small Central American country has to offer. This June, she was able to make that happen, when she and six travelers explored the lush tropical rainforest, ancient Mayan sites, and spectacular barrier reef along the Caribbean coastline.
 The group experienced myriad natural wonders by hiking through the jungle, zip lining through a rainforest canopy, water tubing in the fresh water river system into the caves in the Cayo District, and cruising along the New River as well as the Olde Belize River. "We saw some amazing scenery when we took a shortcut through the Olde Belize River one day," noted Gelardi. "There were mangrove trees lining the river bank and spider monkeys climbing through the branches." They also saw many of the country's indigenous animals in the naturally created habitats at the Belize Zoo. One of the highlights was being up close and personal with a jaguar. From a safe vantage point within a cage, the students watched as the jaguar emerged from the jungle and came right up to them. "He even licked the tops of their foreheads!" said Mrs. Gelardi. Belize boasts the second largest coral reef in the world and snorkeling excursions exposed the students to marine life that included sharks, rays and a wide variety of other tropical fish species.
 The PCD students also learned about the ancient history of Belize when they explored the Mayan ruins with their guide, a student of cultural anthropology and Mayan history. At Xunantunich, Mayan for "Maiden of the Rock," they viewed El Castillo, the largest temple in the ancient city, with its intricately carved friezes. From the summit of El Castillo the students took in a view over the border into Northern Guatemala, and a visit to the ruins of Lamanai, Mayan for "Submerged Crocodile," rewarded their steep climb up the side of the temple with spectacular views into the tropical forest.
The Belizean people blend the rich Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab and Chinese cultures, and the population includes expatriates from Europe and the US. A large population of Guatemalan refugees also calls Belize home, and the PCD students were able to visit their community and school one afternoon. "It was eye opening for our students to see the shacks in the surrounding countryside and the living conditions of the refugees," said Gelardi. "Crossing cultural barriers, our students didn’t even hesitate. They sat right down and began interacting with the students there." It was a particularly meaningful experience, for the members of PCD’s PeaceJam Club, who had learned about Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a native Guatemalan who dedicated her life to promoting the rights of Guatemala's indigenous peoples during and after the Guatemalan Civil War (1960–1996). She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.
 "Belize is really an ideal place to travel because it’s so close, there is such a variety of experiences to have there, and you always feel safe," said Gelardi. "So much of the natural habitat has remained unspoiled." But Gelardi was struck not only by the variety of educational opportunities in Belize, but also the depth of learning that happens through travel of all kinds. Students invariably come home with new perspectives and a deeper understanding of their role in the world. Some of the PCD students, after spending time with the Guatemalan refugees in their classrooms, were inspired to start a community service project to help support the school. "The Belize trip was the kind of educational experience that engaged and inspired students not only when they were traveling, but also affected the way they see the world."
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6/21/2011
PCD Senior Projects: Merging Academic Skills With Real Life Lessons
As the academic year draws to a close with awards assemblies, solemn ceremonies, joyful celebrations, and final words of wisdom passed along by teachers, coaches, and mentors, graduating seniors have many opportunities reflect on the myriad events that made up their school career. For some graduates, the defining moment, where classroom interests merge with real life experiences, occurs during the presentation of their Senior Projects. Each year seniors choose from among an array of internship opportunities that take them into setting as vastly different as courtrooms, schools, stables, hospitals and ambulances. PCD seniors spend three weeks donating their time, then distilling the lessons they glean into a final presentation delivered before an audience of their peers, advisors, and teachers.
For Michaela Cavicchio '11, her Senior Project internship allowed her to hone her field of interest and get a clearer picture of the career path she will pursue. Because of her interest in working with children and speech pathology, Michaela selected the Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center, a non-profit organization located in Rehoboth, MA that utilizes equine-related activities for individuals with physical, developmental, and emotional differences. During her presentation Michaela described how therapists employ the horse's gait as a treatment tool to improve neuromuscular function, language and fine motor skills. She explained that the rhythmic movement prompts a neuromuscular response in the rider, improving a variety of functions such as memory, strength, and muscle flexibility. "It was amazing to see the effect of the different therapies during the time I was there." she said. Michaela will continue to work at Greenlock over the summer, gaining valuable insights in her chosen field and helping to improve the lives of clients.
 Some Seniors found not only inspiration and new skills but also a newfound appreciation of the preparation they had gained at PCD. Some Senior Projects require expertise before the internship, so it was an asset that Andrew Hilliard '11 already knew his way around a design suite before he embarked on his internship. He spent three weeks working at the Providence-based design studio, Animal, which performs a wide range of jobs for their clients, from the development interactive media and digital marketing to strategic design and brand consulting —all with state-of-the-art computer programs and communications media. Aside from the technical demands of the experience, one of the most eye-opening lessons for Andrew was the challenge of running a business. Working with Founding Partner & Creative Director, Josh Backer, he learned about how to work with clients, how to accept responsibility and how to apply creativity to your work. In his presentation, Andrew also described some of the character lessons he gained. "I sat down to describe all the things you need to be a good 'Animal' (or what a successful internship at Animal entails) and to do well in a business environment," he said. "The most important ones are remaining curious and open to learning new things, being honest in both successes and failures, remaining committed, participating fully and working hard. Without even realizing it, I had listed each several of the PCD core values."
 Many students drew upon their own life experiences to enrich their Senior Projects. When Camilla Olivera selected the Rhode Island School for the Deaf she thought that she would be able to communicate easily since she had been using sign to communicate with her grandparents from the time she was a baby. But she soon learned that the differences between American Sign, which is used at the School for the Deaf, and Portuguese Sign were vast. Camilla admitted she felt a bit lost at first, and the experience of working with kids was a challenge. "They really have to learn two languages in order to be able to communicate." she explained. But she remained committed, helping with things like snack time at first and soon she beginning to understand and communicate in ASL. "I was really surprised at how fast I picked it up. I don’t have the vocabulary I have in Portuguese Sign, but I can get by." Camilla’s Senior Project presentation was a particularly memorable one, not only for her insights, but because while she spoke to the gathering of students and faculty she also gave her presentation in American Sign.
"The Senior Project requires students to explore their talents and interests in ways that they had not previously imagined, and it is a truly memorable way to end senior year," says Upper School teacher Nancy Gelardi, who oversees the internships. "Many of these projects lead into life-long passions and careers."
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6/9/2011
From the White House
Students in Stephen Robinson’s 10th Grade Modern World History class participated in real time current events on May 5, as they engaged in a live interactive webinar from the White House on the capture of and death of Osama bin Laden—just days after the event. The webinar, viewed by about 2,000 participating schools across the country, consisted of a briefing and Q&A session with Ben Rhodes, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting. Rhodes provided a 15-minute overview about bin Laden, the September 11 attack, the intelligence data leading to his location, the compound, and the final military operation.
After the overview, participating schools were allowed to submit questions. Rhodes responded to a question from PCD students Alfredo de Santos ’13 and Reuben Graff ’13, who asked what steps were being taken to prevent retaliatory strikes against the United States. Rhodes began by stating that the administration is confident that the removal of the head of al Qaeda made us safer as a country, and that no information regarding a specific threat had been received. However, he said that they are taking extra precautions and tightening security around U.S. embassies abroad as well as issuing travel alerts for Americans abroad. Click below to view a portion of the webinar on the Providence Country Day YouTube channel.
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6/7/2011
Students Honored at Awards Assembly
PCD's Annual Awards Assembly, held Friday June 3, 2011 in West Field House, recognized both Middle and Upper School students for academic, athletic, and civic excellence and achievement. Head of School Susan Haberlandt and Assistant Head and Principal Mark McLaughlin presided over the assembly. This year the Senior class honored Upper School Spanish and French Teacher Javier Gallego with the yearbook dedication. Izzy Edwards and Zakk Bareham presented the signed Class of 2011 flag. The flag will be flown the week of commencement in honor of the graduates.
Click here for a full list of this year's award recipients.
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6/2/2011
Congratulations Cum Laude Society Inductees 2011
“Excellence, in its original meaning is a virtue, which means it is our moral duty to do our very best.”
Susan Haberlandt
Nine seniors and two faculty members were honored with induction to the International Cum Laude Society this spring in a ceremony befitting the occasion. This year’s inductees were: Daniel Audette, Isabelle Edwards, Michael Galleshaw, Tyler Mathewson, Camilla Oliveira, Alex Prentice, Leah Siegal-Reamer, Sam Skurkovich, and Alexa Stergios. They were joined by PCD Art Department Chair, Ms. Michele Mennucci and Middle School History and Math Teacher, Mr. Richard Tierney. The Society, founded in 1906, recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence, justice and honor.
Modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, the Cum Laude Society includes 350 chapters in public and independent schools throughout the U. S., Canada, England, France, Spain and the Philippines. The Providence Country Day School Chapter was accepted into the Society in 1952, and each year the school may elect up to 20% of the members of the senior class who have maintained an honor record. With an emphasis on academic excellence, the Society’s regents also specify that membership should require demonstration of good character, honor and integrity in all aspects of school life.
This year's Cum Laude address was presented by Yi Cao, Class of '07, who described her own academic career. She spoke of her path from her early years as a PCD student with a penchant for asking questions, to her laboratory work, where her ability to persistently seek answers helps to further her research. Click here to read her full address. In her remarks, Head of School, Susan Haberlandt articulated the true meaning of excellence, or arete, a core principle of the Cum Laude Society. “Excellence, in its original meaning is a virtue,” she explained, “which means it is our moral duty to do our very best.” Mrs. Haberlandt also emphasized the essential role of hard work in any successful endeavor. “We are proud of these students, who now join a select group of individuals, whose commitment to scholarship combines with other virtues to earn them distinction.”
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6/1/2011
Adventure and Learning in Costa Rica
This spring, groups from both the Middle School and Upper Schools had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica, a country known for its unrivaled biodiversity and variety of ecosystems. Encompassing only 0.03% of the earth’s surface the country ranks among the top 20 richest countries in terms of species density. In fact, one can find more species in 1,000 square kilometers in Costa Rica than in the same area in countries like Brazil or Colombia.
 A group of intrepid Middle School students spent eight days exploring Costa Rica’s rain and cloud forests, volcanoes, and waterways, making some spectacular wildlife sightings along the way.
Their first stop was the province of Alajuela where they saw the Arenal Volcano, (one of the most active volcanoes in the world) as well as the hot spring surrounding its base. They then traveled north by boat to Caño Negro, along the Río Frío. Comprised of swamp and marshlands, Caño Negro covers about 1,977 acres in the wet season. Guided by a skilled naturalist, the students saw two- and three-toed sloths, three kinds of monkeys (cappucin, spider and howler), alligators and iguanas. “Perhaps one of the most unusual sights was the basilisk,” according to trip leader and Foreign Language Department Chair Sarah Garcia-Mata. “It is sometimes known at the ‘Jesus Christ Lizard’ for its ability to walk on water” (Click here to see a clip on the PCD YouTube channel). The next day it was off on horseback to the cloud forest of Monteverde. The group toured the canopy via an extensive network of 13 zip-lines, two of which extended a full 2 kilometers! Garcia-Mata was struck by the richness of the canopy, where the largest amount of the forest’s biodiversity is found, and by how much one could learn experiencing the rainforest's ecosystem from above. “The scarlet macaws were beautiful to see up close; the view was spectacular,” she said, “but it was surprising how little you could see below the canopy.”
Garcia-Mata was delighted with the trip from start to finish. “Many of the students had a strong interest in wildlife, so it was exciting for them to see so much. It was also a great opportunity for the middlers to be away from home and be adventurous about trying new experiences and new foods!”
 Costa Rica is also a destination for avid surfers and it was the ocean’s unique resources that attracted Jason Roderick’s Upper Schoolers. Roderick began exploring the possibility of traveling to the Safari Surf School in Nosara as a result of his own travel experiences and keen interest in fitness and wellness. “We are an athletic community at PCD,” he explained, “and I like to help students discover new activities that they can continue beyond their high school years. Taking on new physical challenges encourages us to think about how we take care of ourselves – what we eat, how we exercise, how much we sleep, etc. I started surfing late in life. More and more, the sports I do take me to beautiful places, and surfing has become a true passion for me. It is a great sport, not only because it connects mental, physical and spiritual awareness, but it connects you to the natural world as well. This is especially true when the beach is calmer and more secluded – an ideal time to ride the waves.” One of the unique opportunities at the Sarafi Surf School is the combination yoga/surf program.
 The schedule was demanding: an early morning, hour-long surf lesson, followed by a yoga class, then more surfing. “I was pleased by how much the students embraced each day,” Roderick noted. “The kids were waking up on their own at 6:30 a.m. to surf for an hour before the lessons even started. They also took time to develop their yoga skills. The boys, in particular, practiced their morning asanas so faithfully, that they started referring to the classes as “broga,” in honor of their newfound “bro”therhood.
The program was an unqualified success from every perspective. Nosara boasts some of the best surfing conditions in the world, as there are multiple breaks for surfers of varying abilities. The quality of the lessons was superb and each instructor worked with small groups of three. By the end of the week each student had achieved a level of proficiency that enabled him/her to enjoy a good long ride and take a newly acquired skill home to pursue in the months and years ahead. The tranquil, friendly community of Nosara was a warm and welcoming environment for the PCD travelers. The locals are closely linked to the natural world and every night families congregate on the beach to enjoy the sunset. The PCD students also visited a nearby school where they played soccer with some of the 12-15 year old students and before week’s end they experienced the thrill of a zip lining adventure.
Oftentimes it is not the specific travel itinerary that opens minds and doors so much as the experience of being somewhere new, trying new things, meeting new people and becoming a part of the larger world in which we live. Our travelers to Costa Rica certainly embraced this true spirit of their spring break adventures.
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5/18/2011
Moira Anderson ’15 Wins Gandhi Essay Award
Once while Mahatma Gandhi's train was pulling slowly out of the station, a European reporter ran up to his compartment window. "Do you have a message I can take back to my people?" he asked. It was Gandhi's day of silence, a vital respite from his demanding speaking schedule, so he didn't reply. Instead he scrawled a few words on a scrap of paper and passed it to the reporter: "My life is my message."
This was the essay prompt given to eighth grade writers from around Rhode Island. They were asked to reflect on what Gandhi meant by his statement “My Life is my message,” and how they will make their lives into their own message and work to make the world a better place. Moira Anderson learned she had won third prize during a recent ceremony held by the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies and the University Honors Program at The University of Rhode Island. “I was worried that they had forgotten me at first because mine was the last name they read!” she said. Her essay was among those selected from 119 entries statewide. “It is a compliment to be recognized and I feel very grateful, but anyone who participated deserves to be recognized as well,” Moira added.
 The annual contest, open to all eighth grade students attending schools in Rhode Island, celebrates the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, and is designed to encourage students to think critically about personally connecting with, and be challenged by his legacy of nonviolence. “I would really recommend it to other eighth graders.” Moira said. He was a great man. I learned so much about his life, and his ideas and how people can be violent in their words as well as their actions. He not only helped people in India, but he influenced people like Martin Luther King in the United States and people working against apartheid in South Africa. His ideas have helped to end wars.” The entries were judged on how well they addressed the prompt, and whether they were well written, thoughtful, and memorable.
Moira wrote about the service projects she and her family have worked on together within the PCD community and at home. She has participated in the Adopt-a-Family program, helped organize donations to local food banks, participated in PCD’s Annual Community Service Day, and helped raise money for disaster relief in Japan. She also wrote about how she and her family try to be aware of the impact they make on the environment. “We are really careful about recycling, the things we use, and how it impacts the earth,” she noted. I am really grateful to the organizers and to my grandmother, (PCD Dean of Middle School and eighth grade English teacher Sharon Hanover) for teaching me everything I know about writing.”
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11/2/2009
Seuss Remixed
The stories of Dr. Seuss have, over time, become household classics. Nearly everyone knows about the Cat in the Hat, Sam-I-Am, and the Grinch and how he stole Christmas. But wait, who’s Patti Lou Who? You may know the Onceler, but who’s the Twiceler? And what on earth is the Reetasaur?
Eighteen students both asked and answered these questions while writing the fall play this summer in PCD’s annual Page-to-Stage program. “Seuss’s Next Line,” based on numerous stories by Dr. Seuss, including Yertle the Turtle and The Cat in the Hat, is the result of three weeks of nonstop planning, writing and laughing. The writing team was joined by four students who formed a summer tech crew and worked with Mr. Tupper, the Tech director, on designs and sounds for the fall play.
When writing the play, the students’ goal was to bring the classic stories of Dr. Seuss to contemporary times. “Seussian was an often used word,” says Mr. Van Dervort. Dr. Seuss’s stories share important life messages, but still have a child-like innocence that the writers tried to include in the play. Amid lots of laughter and good times, new characters such as Billy and Patti Lou Who were brought to life while even older ones like the Cat in the Hat were given a new voice. Mr. Van Dervort’s favorite? “The Reetasaur,” he says. “That’s going to be a lot of fun.” The Reetasaur also brings to mind World Arts Day last March, when Big Nazo, a group of performers who use life-size puppets, wacky stunts and their silly sense of humor to create unforgettable performances, came to PCD to teach the school how to make something completely “out of this world.”
The writers who participated in creating this year’s fall play also met with Dr. Joan Glazer, a children’s literature specialist, who, as Mr. Van Dervort puts it, “engaged the writers to think as children.” Dr. Glazer helped the writers capture the “Seussian” feel of Dr. Seuss’s memorable stories. She read out loud to the students (“when is the last time that happened?” said Mr. Van Dervort) and encouraged them to do the same.
Now, as opening night gets closer and closer, all the pieces of the play are beginning to fall into place. The Tech Crew, expanded to fifteen people, has been at work building the sets and making the stage ready for one of the silliest plays ever written. As Mr. Van Dervort says, “the behind the scenes begin to come forward” as the stage in Corkery is turned into the perfect set for a jumble of Dr. Seuss’s classic stories. The cast is also working with Ms. Priscilla Eighme, who also works as a costume director at Roger Williams University, to create wonderfully Seussian costumes.
From brainstorm to brainchild, “Seuss’s Next Line” promises to be one of the most unique and imaginative plays created. As the curtain rises on November 20 and 21, the audience will surely be amazed to see the humor and laughter of “Seuss’s Next Line.”
-Alexa Stergios '11
This story first appeared in the Fall 2009 issue of The Roundtable, PCD’s student newspaper.
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3/16/2009
Evan West: A Great Man Remembered
Dear members of the Providence Country Day Community,
I write you with the sad news that Evan West, Headmaster of PCD from 1965 to 1985, passed away on Monday evening at his home in Rumford. Plans are being developed for a memorial service later this spring and we will send that information along to you as soon as it is made available to us. Evan West led this school for close to one quarter of its existence. As Headmaster during the turbulent sixties and seventies Evan masterfully negotiated the inevitable changes on the horizon at that time with the steady hand that kept the school anchored in its historic mission as it embraced new ideas and plans for the future. During his tenure the school grew and developed the early plans for campus expansion, beginning with the construction of the Lund building, that would ultimately result in the entire campus being moved to “the other side” of Pawtucket Avenue. Legions of PCD alumni and their parents with whom I have met over the past eleven years have recalled with great admiration and respect Evan’s leadership, his commitment to do all that could be done for his students and their families and his unflagging support of PCD and its mission and program. A graduate of Brown who then went on to pursue an MAT at Harvard, Evan came to PCD as Headmaster in 1965 from Hebron Academy in Maine where he had served as Assistant Headmaster. Shortly after his arrival here he recruited a young Harvard graduate named Tom Ossman, a teacher Evan had hired at Hebron, to teach math and coach football, basketball and baseball at PCD. As we all know, Tom is still teaching and inspiring our most ambitious math students to this day! Evan and Sally West were a remarkable team and created a true family feeling at PCD. Recently David Bazar, our Board President, and I had a visit with them and were amazed at their detailed recall of people and events now four decades ago. They took PCD into their heart and it has remained firmly placed there over these years. Personally, I have deeply appreciated Evan’s wisdom and perspective on PCD and his generous spirit of understanding about the job of leading a school. Every year after the Prom, the final event of the school year, Evan would call me to check in and wish me well on the successful conclusion of the year. He remained vitally interested in the school and we spoke several times a year just to touch base. Several years ago, without my knowing it, Evan initiated the process for me for membership in the Country Day School Headmasters Association of which he had been president while Headmaster at PCD. I am deeply grateful for that generous act and for the honor of being a member of a group of day school heads who meet annually at different college campuses in June and offer programs rich in information and inspiration. Evan and Sally West would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June of this year. In addition to Sally, he is survived by his daughters Betsy and Ann and their children Jane Jacoby and Alex and Eliot Piering. I have attached a link to the Providence Journal with the article that appeared in Wednesday’s paper. We will follow up with you when we are advised of the plans for his memorial service. Sincerely,  Susan M. Haberlandt Head of School
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