lower school

Throughout our Lower School, there is much to celebrate. Joyful learning requires a sense of comfort and confidence in ourselves and the people, places, and things around us. Academics, combined with social-emotional learning, are significant parts of the whole that distinguish an authentic learning moment that should not occur in isolation. So each day in our Lower School, our faculty and students, both dedicated and passionate educators and learners, pave the way for meaningful and enjoyable learning opportunities. Walk into our Lower School and let your senses guide you. We guarantee it will be a rewarding and joyous experience…ask any of our students!

PRESCHOOL
Rocky Hill Country Day’s By-the-Bay Preschool serves the emotional, social, cognitive, creative, and physical needs of 3 to 5-year-old children. Our nurturing and safe environment encourages...
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GRADES K-2
Our Lower School enhances the academic and social-emotional environment that is most conducive to learning, development, and growth throughout the early childhood years...
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GRADES 3-5
Our students transition from the early childhood years to the intermediate elementary grades where they begin focusing on, and becoming more responsible for, the study skills needed to support their academic success...
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OUR PROGRAMS

VIRTUOSOS
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SERVICE LEARNING
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ROBOTICS
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MINDFULNESS
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ENVIRO-ED PROGRAM
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PROJECT BASED
LEARNING
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RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
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VIRTUOSOS
ROBOTICS
MINDFULNESS
SERVICE LEARNING
ENVIRO-ED PROGRAM
PROJECT BASED LEARNING
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
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LEARNING SPACES

INDOOR SPACES
Our learning environments are designed for optimal learning for all, with flexible seating and spaces for group gatherings, quiet reflection, hands-on project work, collaboration with peers, and more. Lower School students are also engaged in the learning spaces of instructors of various subjects which provides a more authentic encounter with the terminology, tools, and genuine experiences of various disciplines.
OUTDOOR SPACES
Our Lower School students wonder, explore, discover, express, and celebrate in engaging classrooms, on our waterfront, woodland campus, and other inviting spaces around our expansive campus. The "Big Rock", our playgrounds, athletic fields, Garden Classroom, and other inviting spaces that welcome learners, offer experiential opportunities for our Lower School students to "think outside" as they engage their minds and bodies.

LEARNING SPACES

THE WATERFRONT
Our waterfront is an idyllic outdoor classroom that is a frequent learning environment for our youngest Mariners. As a science lab, an art studio, a regatta venue, a stop along a nature walk, or simply a beautiful view to take-in the moment, the waterfront provides the ultimate exposure to the sights and sounds of shoreline nature for our students. Crabbing, seining, shell collecting, marine life exploration, the 5th Grade Cardboard Boat Regatta, and canoeing on the river during the Enviro Ed Program are a few of the many Lower School waterfront experiences.
THE PLAYGROUND
The growth of the whole child--mind, body, and spirit--takes place on our Lower School playground. While engaged in a variety of physical activities, social interactions and endless imaginative play opportunities, Lower School students embrace the energy of the open-ended experiences this much-enjoyed outdoor classroom provides. The change of seasons creates a new backdrop and additional possibilities for outdoor play, learning and development throughout the school year.

MEET OUR TEACHERS

CAITY MacDONALD

Lower School Division Head
BA, BS, University of
Rhode Island
M.Ed, Boston University
cmacdonald@rockyhill.org

Elaine Bernardino

World Languages
Department Chair
Lower/Middle School World Languages and Cultures
BA, University of Londrina
MBA, Getulio Vargas Foundation
M.Ed, Miguel de Cervantes European University
ebernardino@rockyhill.org

Stephanie Cruff

Second Grade
BFA, University of Rhode Island
M.Ed, University of New Haven
scruff@rockyhill.org

Jennifer Denecour

Trixie Dumas ’81

Lower School Art,
Preschool Physical Education
Cert. in Architecture, RISD
BFA, Wheaton College
tdumas@rockyhill.org

Wendy Gustavel

School Librarian
BA, College of the Holy Cross
M.Ed, University of New Hampshire
wgustavel@rockyhill.org
ext. 149

James Himmelmann

Music & Band Teacher
BM, University of Rhode Island,
MM, University of Rhode Island
jhimmelmann@rockyhill.org

Natalie Joseph

Third Grade
BA, University of Rhode Island
M.Ed, University of Rhode Island
njoseph@rockyhill.org

Amy Laurent

Academic Center for Enrichment
BA, Boston College
M.Ed, Boston College
alaurent@rockyhill.org

Charlie Laurent

Fifth Grade
BFA, Emerson College
M.Ed, Boston College
claurent@rockyhill.org

Ashley Lee

First Grade
BA, Texas Tech University
alee@rockyhill.org

EMILY McMAHON

Kindergarten
BA, University of Rhode Island
MA Psychology, Adelphi University
M.A.T. Elementary Education,
Rhode Island College
emcmahon@rockyhill.org

Patty Mott

Head Preschool Teacher
AS, Community College
of Rhode Island
BS, Western Governors University
MS ECS, Walden University
pmott@rockyhill.org

Heather Skidds

Performing Arts
Department Chair
hskidds@rockyhill.org

Janell Sullivan

Earlybird and
Preschool Assistant
jsullivan@rockyhill.org

MATT TAYLOR

Lower School Physical and Health Education
mtaylor@rockyhill.org

Eric Wyzga

Lower School Science
BS, Springfield College
ewyzga@rockyhill.org

GRADES K–2

Our Lower School enhances the academic and social-emotional environment that is most conducive to learning, development, and growth throughout the early childhood years. The integrity of the kindergarten, first, and second grade programs ensure 

  • commitment to “knowing” each student, their strengths, areas of challenge, and potential through ongoing progress monitoring
  • formation of relevant foundational skills through developmentally appropriate “best practices”
  • opportunities for students to learn in flexible groups that foster modeling and collaborative learning with peers of the same and different ages, abilities, and interests to expand academic and social-emotional experiences

GRADES 3–5

Our students transition from the early childhood years to the intermediate elementary grades where they begin focusing on, and becoming more responsible for, the study skills needed to support their academic success. Having developed a stronger grasp of their learning styles, areas of interest, and social awareness, students

  • demonstrate a deeper understanding of our student competencies and the importance of our school values
  • think more critically, make deeper connections, and stretch themselves both socially and intellectually
  • are empowered to take on leadership roles within our Lower School community and serve as role models and mentors for our younger students

The 5th grade year serves as the culmination of the elementary school experience and begins the process of transitioning students into our Middle School.

VIRTUOSOS

Virtuoso classes offer Lower School students the opportunity to engage in science, art, music, physical education/health, world languages/cultures, and library, research, and digital citizenship experiences. The integration of these valuable subjects within grade-level curriculum extends the application of core academic skills such as literacy, math, and social studies. Virtuoso classes also allow our Lower School students to learn with other adults, explore individual interests, and master new skills.

SERVICE LEARNING

Through initiatives which offer meaningful real-world connections and problem-solving opportunities that benefit others, our Lower School students see first hand how their compassion, acquired knowledge through school curriculum, and confidence in what they are able to do make a positive impact on the world we share. With an understanding of the distinction between service learning and community service they demonstrate a more in-depth awareness of and appreciation for serving others.

ROBOTICS

Lower School students in Kindergarten-Grade 5 are exposed to project-based explorations and robotics/programming during their school day, as well as scheduled after-school opportunities. The school day experiences are integrated into various academic subjects such as math, science, technology-focused activities, art, and projects that incorporate the engineering/design thinking process. Our award-winning competitive robotics team, The ROBO MARINERS, has also participated in First LEGO League tournaments. This program is an authentic Project-Based Learning experience and includes a robotics challenge, a robotics project, and a core values component.

MINDFULNESS

The relationship between social-emotional development and academic learning go hand-in-hand to ensure the success of the whole child. At this young age, our Lower School students are embracing our daily commitment to mindfulness education which promotes an awareness of being “in the present moment”. Through our partnership with Center for Resilience, we have established a program that offers students the tools and strategies that promote self-awareness, self-management, and their ability to access a sense of calm throughout their day.

ENVIRO-ED

Each year as part of our Environmental Education Program, students in the 4th and 5th grade integrate history and environmental science both on land and from the waters of the Green River to Narragansett Bay. Students canoe, camp overnight (5th grade), and experience the benefits of our Rhode Island shoreline on and off campus as their outdoor classroom. Student engagement includes research, collaboration with classmates, utilizing their presentation skills, and gaining enjoyment out of this environmental experience.

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

PBL is one approach that offers our students discussion and inquiry-based opportunities, while developing our Student Competencies, relevant academic skills, and content knowledge through real-world learning experiences. Through this approach, Lower School students are offered a voice and choices, time for reflection and collaboration with peers and teachers, and opportunities to explore solutions to real-world challenges.

RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM®

One of our main social-emotional learning approaches, Responsive Classroom® focuses on creating a joyful learning environment and building a strong sense of community.  Each Lower School class (Preschool-Grade 5) begins each day with a Morning Meeting where students gather with their classroom teacher to greet each other, share, engage in a team-building activity, with other aspects of the approach continuing throughout the school day. The progression of the Responsive Classroom® approach is intentional to allow students time to experience, process, and apply what they have learned in a natural way and have a positive lasting impact on the respect and compassion they demonstrate for themselves and others.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions, or would like to know more about Rocky Hill Country Day School, please fill out the form below.

Rocky Hill Country Day School

530 Ives Road
East Greenwich, RI 02818

Phone: 401.884.9070
Fax: 401.885.4985