Message from Riverside's Headmaster
Welcome to the Riverside Presbyterian Day School (RPDS) website. We hope that you will find this electronic collection of information to be helpful; however, we believe that to “feel our heartbeat” you need to visit our campus!
Palmer Bell
Headmaster
In 2008-2009 RPDS is celebrating its 60th birthday. We are an academic community that has fashioned a unique blend of opportunities to stimulate the minds, bodies and spirits of children. Excitement is in the air and the faculty, staff and student body are proud to share our inspiring school with you and with your children.
Mr. Charles A. Coonradt notes that when trainers work with the now famous Shamu whale(s) viewed at Sea World theme parks, they don’t teach them to jump a rope that is 22 feet in the air in one lesson. Instead, a trainer’s number one priority is to reinforce those behaviors they want to be repeated. They actually start with the rope underwater so that a “jump” does not require leaving the water’s surface. Trainers then move ahead as developmentally appropriate. They ensure the whales cannot fail! All whales do not become “shamus” at the same rate. However, Mr. Coonradt reflects, “the simple lesson to be learned from the whale trainers is to over-celebrate. Make a big deal out of the good and little (successes) that we want consistently. Secondly, under-criticize.”
At RPDS we want to be worthy of continued emulation and trust. Yes, we set the rope at “22 feet” when it is developmentally appropriate, but we attempt to do this in a culture that over-celebrates and under-criticizes. We hope you will agree with such a philosophy and that you will decide to explore the RPDS classrooms on a campus tour. We look forward to welcoming you!
H. Palmer Bell
Headmaster of Riverside Presbyterian Day School
