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RPDS 2nd Grade students have been working diligently on their community projects and today showcased them to fellow students, parents, and faculty in Kissling Hall.

Yesterday, RPDS 3rd Grade students hosted their State Fair in Kissling Hall! Each student created a presentation focused on state facts, landmarks, and fun places to visit.

Today our 5th Grade students observed physical and chemical changes during science class through a cook-off! Students were split into teams, given ingredients, and then instructed to make a dish that displays physical and chemical changes in food.

To go along with their yearlong “Hiking Across America” social studies theme, each 3rd grade student selected a biography about a famous American. The students read their chosen biographies cover-to-cover, and prepared presentations, costumes, and props. Students presented as if they were the famous American. The students enjoyed learning about these influential and inspiring American people!

2nd grade geologists have been busy this week learning how to identify rocks and gems. Yesterday they enjoyed time outside gem mining!

This morning 6th Grade spent time reading books with 1st Grade and creating bug hotels together.

The servant hearts of the RITA staff and students led them to make these sweet cards for the 55 residents of Ortega Gardens, to remind them they are thought of and loved.

Today our 6th Grade students led their own parent conferences, sharing details of what they’ve been learning and how they have been growing throughout this school year.

After months of raising funds and meticulous planning, RPDS 5th Grade students returned to the Montgomery Center to deep clean the cabins, donate a Roomba and other cleaning supplies, and help clean up debris along the property.

Over the past two days, RPDS 6th grade students have immersed themselves in the Jacksonville community for Project Leads. Students volunteered with the following agencies: Sanctuary on 8th Street, MailiVai Washington Youth Foundation, Family Promise, Catholic Charities, Jacksonville Humane Society, Ortega Gardens, Presbyterian Social Ministries, and UCOM

Our 1st Grade classes recently traveled to India and celebrated Holi! Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many it’s a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

On Thursday, 1st Grade students created and played their very own African instruments as they continue to enjoy their time learning about and exploring Kenya!

Today we were thrilled to welcome acclaimed author, Carmen Agra Deedy to campus as our 2021 Author-In-Residence. Ms. Deedy is the author of 12 books for children, including The Library Dragon, The Cheshire Cheese Cat, Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, and 14 Cows for America, a New York Times Bestseller. Her book The Rooster Who Would Not be Quiet! was a Florida Sunshine State Young Reader Award nominee. Her personal stories first appeared on NPR's All Things Considered. Funny and insightful, Ms. Deedy's narratives are culled from her childhood as a Cuban refugee living in Decatur, Georgia. She is host of the four-time Emmy-winning children's program Love That Book!

Ms. Deedy spent time with students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, sharing vibrant and animated stories, as well as inspiring our students to create their own stories.

The Class of 2021 shared many of their favorite RPDS memories through original skits in our annual Flying Chapel this morning. Flying Chapel is a long-standing RPDS tradition. Hats off to our 6th Graders for a job well done in this celebratory Chapel!

Recently 4th grade worked on a design thinking project in STEAM class to identify ways to color code the ELC dismissal area for our students and faculty.

After completing a see-think-wonder thinking routine of the famous “Creation of Adam” painted in the Sistine Chapel, 1st Grade artists painted like Michelangelo while listening to Italian music to really set the scene.

Congratulations to RPDS 5th Grade students Savannah Meyer, Malloy Haley, and Olivia Davis for being selected as winners in the Angels for Allison art contest!