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RPDS 3rd grade students take a "Journey Across America" every year through our Social Studies curriculum, starting with our hometown of Jacksonville.

RPDS 1st grade students are learning about water tension and recently did some hands-on investigating in class, creating bubbles. 

Last week our 3rd grade students delivered their Book Talks to their class!

Our 4th grade students enjoyed a special presentation from Tree Hill Nature Reserve filled with fun experiments on energy!

Recently, 6th grade students practiced the scientific process through plant growth. 

This week our 6th grade students celebrated the kick-off of Project LEADS! 

A few 5th grade students from Mrs. Baldwin's homeroom class decided they wanted to have a bake sale and lemonade stand to raise money in support of our friends at St. Johns Riverkeeper.

Servant leadership is at the very center of the Riverside Way and something we teach starting with our littlest learners all the way through 6th grade. The 6th grade year is so special here at RPDS, as we see those students step into leadership roles and truly model our values for all of the lower grades.

Last week our 6th grade students were hard at work with some of their Project LEADS service projects. The students did some gardening around campus, created dog and cat toys for the humane society, and also made paintings of animals that will be donated to the humane society and sold to help raise funds for the animals they shelter. We are so proud of this 6th grade class!

Our PreK 3 students have been hard at work preparing Valentine's treat bags for their elderly neighbors in the Meals on Wheels program! Back in December, our PreK 3 classes made gift bags for our neighbors and recently received a sweet note back.

Today, our 6th Grade students completed a routine river check as part of their St. Johns Riverkeepers partnership! RPDS 6th Grade scientists tested the water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, salinity, pH, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia. The results from today's test will be reported to the Water Rangers- a group that monitors the health of water worldwide. Water Rangers' mission is to build the tools to help citizens and scientists easily record and analyze water data so that they can use the data to learn about problems, share discoveries and engage with their neighbors.

Great work 6th Grade!

It was a bright and festive day here at RPDS as we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month as a school community.

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.

RPDS incorporates global studies into our curriculum to help form a solid foundation of global understanding in our children that will continue to grow as they move into secondary schools. In 1st grade, students spend the year traveling around the world to learn all about different countries and cultures.

Today our 1st grade students embarked on their first trip to Brazil! After getting their passports stamped, going through security, listening closely to the safety instructions for their flight, and receiving a special greeting from their pilot, Captain Ketchum, our adventurous 1st grade class was ready for take-off. We can't wait to hear all about their time in Brazil and look forward to following their travels throughout the year!

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!

Our annual Caring Tree Chapel was held this morning and honored the gifts collected for Lutheran Social Services. Over 300 presents were received for donation! This incredible generosity from our RPDS community will provide gifts to more than 20 Jacksonville families in need. Thank you to everyone for participating in this special cause!

Recently, our 2nd grade students worked to create tools in STEAM class to then test in their Science lab. We love to see our teachers create cross-curricular lesson plans that spark student engagement and creativity. 

RPDS Maker of the Month goes to 4th grade students, Win Branch, Olivia Davis, & Owen Villano!

Our PreK 3 students have had fun this week with their special Halloween sensory kits made by our very own, Mrs. Lovelace.