Help The Homeless visit by 5th Graders to Hillcrest House on Thursday Feb 6th, 2008

Dear All,
On Thursday February 6th, as part of their health program, the 5th graders, accompanied by Mr Ouellette and myself, went to Hillcrest House in Poughkeepsie to see what it's like to be homeless in Dutchess County. The group were shown a short video and then were able to ask questions about the homeless problem and how the shelter works to accomodate up to 6o people every night. We were then given a tour of the building and viwed the the very sparse amenities (see attached photos). Although the shelter does receive some funding from social services, it still relies heavily on the work of volunteers and many fundraising events to cover their basic costs. The 5th Graders feel strongly that they want to be part of this and have decided to collect essential items that the center requires on a regular basis. These are listed below:
Twin-size mattress covers
Paper Towels
Feminine Hygiene Products
Mops and Brooms
Dishtowels
Toothbrushes
Pillows
Spray deodorant
Sugar and Syrup
Wash clothes
Shampoo
Laundry detergent and bleach
Towels
Sample sized soap bars
Shaving cream and disposable razors
Cleaning Supplies
Blankets.
CEREALS
(The center also looks for people who can provide services such as hair cuts, dental services, eyeglasses, optometrist services, mechanic services, groundswork and painting.)
As the center is always desperate for boxes of cereal, we thought that it would be great if every family at DDS could provide a box of cereals. Of course CASH donations are very welcome too and would go to the center's "Wind Chill" Fund!
Please, Please help by sending in as many items as you can.Bins outside the double glass doors and outside the two gyms will be put for collection starting next week (Mon Feb 11th). The homeless situation has worsened over the last few years and people are desperately in need of our help. As the 5th Graders found out, many homeless people in Poughkeepsie are on the streets because their jobs (yes, many have regular employment) do not pay enough even to afford the rent on a house or apartment. Minimum wage in New York is around 8 dollars I believe. The average lowest rent is between $800 - $900. How does one survive on that? We will be collecting items until just after Spring Break so if you are going away, don't forget to bring back all those sample sized hotel/airline shampoos and soaps.
Thanking You in Anticipation
Nigel Pink

DDS Squash Team Photos

Dutchess Day Squash Team on cruise control! Game v Millbrook School Thirds on Wednesday February 8th.

Today,the Dutchess Day School squash team completed a 12 - 0 win over a depleted Millbrook School Thirds team. To be fair to Millbrook, this was not a strong team that they put out. Even so, it is a sign of how far the Dutchess Day School players have come this year. In every game, our players were winning rallies by sticking to basic tactics...playing the ball down to the corners, behind their opponents and dominating the middle of the court. Drop shots and volleys were being played too with guile and accuracy.
Such was our dominance, that every match, save three, were straight 3-0 victories. Kayleigh and Lucy, both playing, to my mind, the strongest opponent, won their matches by 3-1. Both showed solid determination in beating off the Millbrook number
2's challenge. Congratulations to Hugo too for grinding out a 3-1 victory in a marathon time! Our next game, away to Westover, will be a far harder test, but with our confidence on a high, things are looking good!!

VARSITY BBALL PLAYS A BARNBURNER WMS -46-DDS-44

Washington Montessori rolled into town on Monday and I was a bit surprised by what I saw. They only had seven players. As their coach told me, the dreaded flu had taken a toll on his normally large group of players. I did however notice that it didn’t include their two best shooters, whom we had meticulously prepared for in practice. Like all our meetings with WMS, this one was the usual seesawing of the lead, some great offensive and defensive plays by both teams and the bounces that went our way in the first game, mostly belonged to WMS in this meeting. The nail-biting final score was WMS-46 and DDS-44. What a game!
DDS started off the game a bit slowly, maybe a combination of feeling a bit over-confident since we had beaten WMS earlier in the season and being undefeated so far this season. A few lapses of concentration at both ends of the court caused our Tigers to be one or two baskets behind most of the first half, but we managed to keep the score close with some outstanding shots and defensive plays. When the first half buzzer sounded, I was happy to be only three points down. It seemed that every three-pointer WMS was throwing up was nothing but net.
Our halftime talk focused on better ball control and crisper execution of our plays. This team is always very aware of the areas they need to improve and is quick to even point them out to me before I get to them myself. (It’s great to have smart players) I asked them all to dig down deep, support each other, and play the type of game they are capable of playing and have played all year. They are always willing to work harder and this game was no exception. They came out in the second half ready to play and determined to win.
The second half saw some great play execution, some beautiful passing and a game in the “paint” that would make any “big-man” coach proud. Dani, Shriman, and Adam were moving the ball like the veteran players they are, while Griffin and Hudson rotated at the point, setting up and leading some great fast break opportunities. Griffin, playing with the flu, and Hudson playing with a very severely sprained finger, scored 16 and 15 points respectively. They were tenacious on defense and held WMS’s best guard to just two baskets. Dani, Adam, and Shriman added 6, 5, and 2 points respectively and were tough and consistent under the boards. So, what was the difference in this game you ask? I think we missed our share of easy layups, but that happens in every game. I also think we were out of position on a few rebounds, but that also happens in every game. Quite simply, the ball bounces a certain way for every team during the year and in this game it just wasn’t bouncing our way. We never gave up and we played tough right until the final buzzer. After the game this team proved to themselves and to this coach that if they had finished off a layup here or there, they would have been victorious. Not one of them blamed another teammate. Each of them wished they had played better to help their team, and all of them rededicated themselves to playing a better game next time out. Sometimes a loss teaches us more than a series of wins will ever teach and sometimes a small setback is good for a team. I have a sneaking suspicion that this incredible group of DDS athletes will come back to the hardwood strong, dedicated, and determined in their next contest.
The team invites you to their next game at home on Monday, February 11, at 3:30 PM at the Bontecou Gym. Your support is always appreciated and welcome.

JV Volleyball cancellation

The JV Volleyball game away against Rumsey on Wednesday Feb 6th has been cancelled. A new date will be arranged!

Sports Schedule for week beginning Monay February 4th, 2008

Monday February 4th - Varsity Basketball @ DDS v Washington Montessori.
Dismiss 3:00 p.m. Start 3:30 p.m. Pick up 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday February 6th - Squash @ Millbrook School v Millbrook/IMS
Dismiss 2:30 p.m. Start 3:15 p.m.
Pick up at Millbrook 5:00 p.m.
Pick Up at DDS 5:15 p.m.
- JV Volleyball @ Rumsey
Dismiss 2:00 p.m. Start 3:30 p.m. Pick Up 5:45 p.m.
Thursday February 7th - JV Basketball @ DDS v Poughkeepsie Day
Dismiss 3:00 p.m. Start 3:30 p.m. Pick up 4:45 p.m.
- Varsity Volleyball @ Rumsey
Dismiss 2:00 p.m. Start 3:30 p.m. Pick up 5:45 p.m.

Friday February 8th - Ski/Skate