About PIFS
At Putnam Indian Field School, our students enter into an environment in which discoveries take place. We believe that children learn best when they are actively involved in play, engaged in activities that intrigue them and that lead them to make choices, explore, experiment, investigate, discover, and create. Teachers follow children’s interests and introduce skills in the context of those topics and ideas so that each child’s early school experience is a joyful, exciting adventure. At PIFS, children learn to function effectively and comfortably both independently and in group situations, and grow in confidence, independence, and responsibility. Sound social and emotional development is our primary goal for our young learners; encouraging this growth is the guiding force in all we do.
Our Head of School
Our Head of School, Dr. Jaime Lynn Quackenbush, came to PIFS in the summer of 2022 from Brooklyn. Jaime worked in a variety of school settings for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, curriculum coach, and administrator. She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University, and her administrative certificate in Educational Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook. Prior to moving with her family to Westchester County and joining the PIFS community, Jaime spent eight years as the Lower School Director at Greene Hill School, a progressive Pre-K through 8th grade independent school in Brooklyn.
Jaime feels that there is no more joyful way to spend one’s days than seeing the world through the eyes of young children, and believes that the heart and strength of a school community lies in its people
Teachers & Staff
Putnam Indian Field School has a 40-person staff that includes classroom teachers and assistant teachers, and enrichment (resource) teachers who provide science, studio or sensory art, music, and nature classes to students. In addition to the teaching faculty, our administration is headed by Jaime Quackenbush, Ed.D., Head of School; Marie Cosgrove, Director of Enrollment & Programs; Niki Dounis, Director of Finance; Jessica Magdalinos, Administrative Assistant; Samantha Seldin, RN, Director of Health & Compliance, and Lynn Malkin, Operations Manager. Three kitchen staff create delicious lunches for children and staff, and our Security & Grounds Supervisor, Duke John, ensures the school is clean, well-maintained and safe.
History of PIFS
The Putnam Indian Field School is a result of the 1978 merger of two popular Greenwich nursery schools. Fred Wierdsma, founder of Putnam School, became headmaster of the combined schools, which initially had four classrooms, a kitchen, dining area and tiny office. Over the years, as PIFS grew in reputation and enrollment, so did the “little red schoolhouse.” Read more…
Campus & Facilities
Set amid three acres in central Greenwich, our school campus sets itself apart from other nursery schools. Our spacious campus uniquely boasts five separate age-appropriate playgrounds, recognizing that the outdoor play needs change dramatically from our youngest toddlers to our oldest learners.
The school prides itself in putting children in close contact with nature. Our nature trail and natural tree platforms encourage a close relationship with animals and plants. Our many gardens allow little hands to plant flowers and vegetables, to explore soil and to watch nature grow before them. Annual traditions such as our autumn pumpkin patch and Fall and Spring Planting Days provide additional opportunities for children to explore and learn outside.
In addition to eight wonderful classrooms, PIFS also offers “resource” rooms dedicated entirely to hands-on learning. One of our resource rooms is our beloved science room that features a large saltwater touch tank and many school pets, such as rabbits, turtles, frogs and guinea pigs. Every spring, the children can watch the cycle of life with the hatching of eggs into baby chicks – always exciting for children and teachers! From rocks to seashells to amphibians, our young scientists develop a strong affinity for nature and the environment.
Our indoor and outdoor art studios allow the children to explore many different mediums of self-expression. Whether finger painting or “footprint” painting, using clay or glue, or building structures out of wood, the children gain an early respect for the artist within. Sensory art spaces also allow children to participate in water play, sand play, and similar hands-on sensory activities. Our kiln enables the children to paint, glaze and fire their clay creations.
We also have a separate spacious multi-purpose gym room where the children love to run around, play games, exercise and gather with the school community for special events. 