
We had a blast seeing our 3rd-5th graders try out their archery skills in gym class! It's awesome to see students exploring new activities and developing new talents. What a great way to discover new passions!


RDES students are getting hands-on with learning! Our students are demonstrating their critical thinking and work ethic by writing sight words in shaving cream! This activity encourages them to solve problems and use what they learn to create new solutions, helping them become lifelong learners. They're also showing grit and a "get it done" attitude —even when things get a little messy!


Our incredible first-grade team is always finding new ways to bring lessons to life! Last week, they went all out, dressing up as skeletons to introduce our new CKLA unit on the human body. What a fantastic way to spark curiosity and get our students excited about learning. Our teachers truly embody the JCS value of being caring and joyful, and it shows in everything they do.


We're so proud to see our students demonstrating a strong work ethic in the classroom! Recently, Mrs. Witt’s 3rd graders tackled addition problems with a partner, taking turns being the teacher. This activity wasn't just about math; it was about showing persistence and perseverance. They were patient with each other, corrected mistakes, and even begged for extra time to keep learning! Now that's what we call a "get it done" attitude!



Mrs. Boggs' Bumblebees spent some extra timerecently working on their communication skills. They did a "Find a Friend" activity to continue building community within their hive and practiced using question words to have conversations. What a great way to grow as successful communicators!



Our first-grade students are using the "Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then" (SWBST) strategy to become masters of storytelling. This tool helps them break down narratives and understand the key parts of a story. They used it to retell the tale of Peter Rabbit.
Here's how the "SWBST" strategy works:
Somebody: The main character of the story.
Wanted: What the main character's goal or motivation was.
But: The problem or obstacle that arose to prevent the character from achieving their goal.
So: How the character reacted and attempted to solve the problem.
Then: The final outcome or resolution of the story.
It's a great example of our students learning to embrace challenges and solve complex problems. We're so proud of our young critical thinkers!
Here's how the "SWBST" strategy works:
Somebody: The main character of the story.
Wanted: What the main character's goal or motivation was.
But: The problem or obstacle that arose to prevent the character from achieving their goal.
So: How the character reacted and attempted to solve the problem.
Then: The final outcome or resolution of the story.
It's a great example of our students learning to embrace challenges and solve complex problems. We're so proud of our young critical thinkers!


Watching our 1st graders dive into learning is the best part of the day! From discovering the magic of reading to becoming math whizzes, they're exploring a world of knowledge with such curiosity and excitement. It's a joy to see them light up with every new discovery. Keep up the amazing work, superstars!


A great way to end the week! Students in Mrs. Maggard's class had a blast in gym class last wee, working together to make the parachute soar. At RDES, we believe in a caring and joyful environment where students can discover their passions and have fun with friends. We hope all our RDES families have a wonderful and restful weekend!


Our leadership students are putting their skills to the test and showing their Work Ethic by creating a Friday news show. This is a great example of how they are embracing challenges and developing the Communication and Critical Thinking skills they need for future success.


What a special night! We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Special Person's Pasta night last week. Events like this highlight what we're all about: a supportive and caring community. We love seeing our students, staff, and families come together, reinforcing that we are a school family. It's a true celebration of community and togetherness. We're so thankful to have you all as part of the RDES family!


Recess magic in full effect! Watching our 3rd graders just be kids—playing with their best friends, laughing, and getting all their wiggles out. These silly moments are what make recess the best part of the day!


It's National Arts in Education Week, and we want to send a huge thank you to two incredible educators: Mr. Schatko, our wonderful music teacher, and Mrs. Goggins, our inspiring art teacher! Your dedication to helping every student explore their artistic potential truly makes a difference. We appreciate all you do to enrich our school community!


Our incredible 4th graders are the scientists of the future! They have been busy observing, experimenting, and asking brilliant questions. It's amazing to see their curiosity in action as they explore the world around them. The future of science is looking bright!


There's nothing better than a beautiful day for some recess fun! Our 1st graders had a blast playing in the sunshine and enjoying a little fresh air. We love seeing them soaking up those simple moments!


Our young artists are hard at work in art class! We're so impressed with their creativity and focus!


It was an honor for Mrs. Heister's & Mrs. White's 4th Grade classes to host a visit from a UK professor who is blind. She taught us about living with blindness and how our eyes work. The students loved creating an edible model of the eye, making the lesson both educational and delicious! It was a truly insightful and inspiring experience.



A huge shout-out to Mrs. Hunt for being recognized by Sonny's BBQ with a "Random Acts of BBQ" teacher award! We're so proud of her and all the hard work she puts in to support our students. It's truly a special thing to see her dedication celebrated by a local business. Thank you, Sonny's BBQ, for recognizing our amazing teachers! If you would like to nominate a teacher, visit https://www.sonnysbbq.com/teachers/.


What a beautiful day for some outdoor fun! Our first graders soaked up the sunshine and fresh air at recess recently. From the swings to the slides and everything in between, it's clear they loved every minute of it. Nothing beats seeing their happy faces as they play and make memories together.


Let's give a huge round of applause to our incredible PTO President! She is the definition of a "behind-the-scenes" hero, always working tirelessly to make our school a better place. You can always count on her to have a smile on her face, no matter the task. We're so lucky to have her leading the way! Thank you for everything you do!


Dancing with partners takes communication and cooperation! Students have been practicing these skills during music with Mr. Schatko.
