Starting off the school year right with the solar eclipse viewing, Lower School is looking to a fun and exciting year! Back in June, RMA broke ground on two new buildings and a new road. A new Pre-K and Kindergarten wing as well as an outdoor courtyard between the buildings will be mainly for elementary students’ use. Lower School is looking forward to September 22nd to welcome their grandparents for a day of visiting and singing. Since the first week of school, students have been working hard preparing songs for a special performance for their grandparents to enjoy. Grandparents will also visit their students’ classrooms and enjoy a reception in the courtyard afterwards where they will take pictures with family and friends.

We asked students in Elementary School to answer a few questions about their experience at school:

Which enrichment class is your favorite and why? Art- Jack Chastain (1st)

What is your favorite subject(s)? Math and Science- Andrew Bone (3rd)

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Princess- Kayla French (Pre-K)

How many years have you been at RMA? 7 years- Grace Bone (5th)

This year at RMA, we would like to welcome three new lower school teachers: Ms. Joseph, Ms. Barry, and Ms. Ballance. We are so happy they have joined the RMA community and look forward to getting to know them throughout the year! When asked about her experience so far at RMA, Ms. Joseph said, “What an overwhelming feeling it has been to be welcomed into the RMA family. This school is such a treasure with wonderful teachers, staff, students, and parents. The beginning of school here has been a dream, and I feel so extremely fortunate to be working in such an awesome place.” Fourth grade is happy to have her as their new language arts teacher this year! Ms. Ballance, the new fifth grade language arts teacher, also described her first few weeks at RMA saying, “Rocky Mount Academy has welcomed me with open arms. It’s such a pleasure to come to work every day where the students and staff all work together to provide a great environment to learn and grow.” Ms. Ballance is an excellent addition to our fifth grade class! Working in a new environment can be fun, exciting, and busy. Leaving old friends can be sad, but making new friends is a great experience and can be fun as well. Ms. Barry, RMA’s newest kindergarten teacher, said, “My transition to a kindergarten teacher, STEAM teacher, and cheerleading coach has been an awesome but busy transition. However, that being said, I do miss seeing my students that I tutored over the past few years.” There is no doubt that Ms. Barry is going to be well-loved at RMA this year!

Ms. Lancaster is the head of elementary school at RMA. In order to get to know her better, we asked her a few questions about herself and her time at RMA:

What are you most looking forward to this year?

The most wonderful anticipation of this year is the blend of changes we will experience through our new construction! There has not been an academic expansion at RMA since 1974 and to see the updated classrooms where we will experience new, innovative learning for our children is a true mark of excellence for our students. The new building ultimately changes the classroom dynamics for our entire school as classroom locations shift to new areas. What a year for our history book!

Do you have a favorite Lower School event?

I enjoy every Lower School event, however one of my favorites is Grandparents’ Day. Since I have three grandchildren at RMA, there is no day that makes me more proud! This day focuses on the love and support of many grandparents who make it possible for their grandchild to be a RMA Eagle! We have grandparents who come from near and far to share this day together with their grandchild. I love being a part of this “club”!!

How many years have you been at RMA?

I am going into my 8th year at RMA! There is no place I’d rather be. I love being a part of the RMA family and to watch my students grow into productive, successful leaders in this world. Watching MY children fulfill the mission of this school is a colossal reward!

When you were in Lower School, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was in Lower School, I wanted to be a nurse and to professionally play the piano for concerts! Actually, I consider nursing to go hand-in-hand with my educational role today as I deal with boo-boos on a daily basis and love playing the piano for anyone who will listen!

RMA is so lucky to have Ms. Lancaster as our Lower School head! Her passion and love for her job at RMA is one reason why RMA is such a special place!