Resource and Enrichment
Art
The art program offers a vibrant and enjoyable approach to creativity. Students explore varied subject matter with many different media. Instruction provides building blocks at every grade level for students to create original, two and three-dimensional artwork. The art teacher provides tools, techniques and instructional support for an enriching art experience including art history. Instruction is based on the premise that every child is an artist and individualized to correlate with the development of the child.
Bible
The heart of Riverside Presbyterian Day School is experienced each week in a traditional chapel service in the sanctuary of Riverside Presbyterian Church. Many parents join the student body, faculty, staff and friends of RPDS to reflect on the Christian principles that underlie the strong bond of caring at Riverside.
The Bible teacher brings the Bible to life when students actively participate in drama, storytelling and games designed to teach the lessons of the Bible. Bible classes promote sound Christian principles, concern for one another, and a fundamental understanding of God’s word.
Technology
Information technology at RPDS includes every building and every classroom networked by fiber optic to three state-of-the-art file servers. Each week, students receive instruction in internet research, word processing, desktop publishing, multimedia presentations, and video production in one of our three technology labs. The skills they learn are applied to projects as the technology is integrated into the curriculum. The main lab is a state of the art twenty-four computer technology lab. Within this lab there is a video projection system, two laser printers, one which is color, and a video production studio. The second lab is a nine computer lab for upper school students and is used for additional word processing, Accelerated Reader, and internet research. The third lab is located in the Early Learning Center for Kindergarten and Extended Day students. As a result of our network, we are able to track student performance and generate reports in Spanish, spelling and Accelerated Reader.
Primary and upper grade classrooms are also equipped with a large television that is connected to each teacher’s computer. This allows the computer and television to be used as a projection system for large group teaching. A morning broadcast is produced by upper grade students and streamed across the network into the classrooms. Smart Board technology is integrated into the upper school curriculum. An automated weather station is in use in second grade classrooms and the main computer lab. Through the use of technology at RPDS, our students are able to become effective communicators, quality producers, and effective collaborators.
Guidance
The guidance program at RPDS is an integral part of our school that helps children develop the knowledge, attitude and skills necessary to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling approach, the Guidance Counselor works with faculty, parents and the community to create a caring climate and a Christian atmosphere. The guidance program offers classroom guidance lessons, individual and group counseling, and consultation with parents that are designed to promote a students’ social, emotional and personal growth. The goal of the guidance program is to provide the foundation for confident decision-making, positive communication and sound moral values that encourage a child to achieve success.
Library
The Media Center is open daily from 8 am to 3 pm. It houses over 15,000 books and audiovisual materials which support and enhance curriculum at every grade. Students in every grade attend a regularly scheduled class time in the Media Center. In addition, students are welcome on an individual basis at any time. Our goal is to teach independent use of the library facilities and to foster a life-long love of reading. This purpose is achieved through storytelling, read-alouds, the use of audiovisuals, as well as reading incentive programs and class presentations.
Music
The music program at RPDS combines the philosophies of Carl Orff, Zoltan Kodaly and Emile Jaques-Dalcroze in order to engage students in a research-based, holistic approach to experiencing and creating music. PreK 3 through sixth grade students explore the basics of composing, reading and responding to music both cooperatively and independently by means of singing, body percussion, imitation, improvisations, instrument playing, creative movement, dance, storytelling and drama. All students attend music class every week, and students in first through fourth grades also participate in a weekly grade level sing-along. RPDS is proud to showcase our students’ musical and dramatic talents in grade level productions throughout the year, including our traditional Christmas program, Spring Musical, chapel performances and community performances.
Music Performance
Fifth and sixth grade students participate in specialty performing groups that include the RPDS Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, and the Recorder Consort. Each of these groups engages in an intense study of music suited to the older student.
Spanish
Spanish instruction in the early and primary grades focuses on building vocabulary through lively exercises, music and activities that contain cultural elements from Spanish speaking countries. Students in grades 4-6 continue to build proficiency as reading, writing and grammar become the focal point. Speaking and listening activities are present throughout the program in order to develop communication skills in the new language, making the experience of foreign language learning exciting and meaningful. The language laboratory features the Rosetta Stone Spanish series which enhances the classroom instruction by providing students with positive, engaging opportunities for practice and greater fluency.
Physical and Wellness Education
In the early grades, physical education is a daily adventure in fun and fitness! Through cooperative learning activities in movement and problem solving, each child creatively learns to play and value physical activity.
In the upper grades, activities are designed to develop basic skills in sports and fitness. Individual and team sports, problem solving and team building activities are highlighted. Students receive direct instruction in the areas of soccer, flag football, softball, golf, track and field, bicycle safety, basketball, volleyball and racket sports.
