Lower School

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Second Grade Students

I love our personal approach to education. We truly do take each child where they are and take them as far as they go. We offer a variety of enrichment activities for those who are performing above grade level and give extra help and support to those who need it.

- Marcy Driskill, Retired Oakhill 1st Grade Teacher


Discover Lower School

Students in Kindergarten through Fourth grade are part of the Lower School division at Oakhill. These students are just beginning to exercise independence by learning time management and organization skills while taking more intellectual risks in their academic work. In addition to the core subjects of Science, Math, Communication Arts, and social students, students also engage in Physical Education, Art, Spanish, Music, and Techbrary, which are not just special classes but are a vital piece of Lower School core curriculum.

 

Start Your Journey

Join us at Oakhill's Lower School Program and unlock a world of possibilities. Ignite your curiosity, pursue your passions, and embrace the exciting opportunities that await. Discover an education that is as distinctive as you are, and embark on a transformative experience that will shape your future. Your journey starts here, at Oakhill's Lower School Program.

 

Lower School Historical Figures

Grade Level Highlights


 

Curriculum Overview

 

 

 

Lower School in Action!

Summer Tutoring

We are excited to offer Oakhill Summer Tutoring 2025, a flexible and personalized program designed to meet the unique learning needs of each student from Kindergarten through 12th grade. We’re proud to provide this program as part of our continued commitment to your child’s success—because learning doesn’t take a break, and neither do we!

Busy Bees Come to Visit

It was all a buzz in kindergarten this week! On April 23 the kindergarten classes hosted Cory and Katie Alsip, owners of Alsip Acres Honey and parents of Hailey and Dylan Alsip. They brought with them not only knowledge and delicious honey samples, but also the honey makers themselves, honey bees!

Fine Arts Showcase Recap!

Our Fine Arts Showcase Night was a beautiful celebration of creativity, talent, and the incredible spirit of our students, their families, and our staff. The energy in the building was absolutely electric—from the moment the doors opened to the final round of applause!

Native Painting

Second grade students visited the Nelson-Atkins Museum and participated in an art workshop focused on Native American designs.

Movie Night 2025

Student Council will be hosting a Lower School and Intermediate Movie Night on Friday, May 2nd from 5:30-7:30 in the main building gym. Students must be accompanied by a parent.

The Eggs are Here!

The kindergarten classrooms have started incubating eggs! This year there are three incubators in total with one being in the science lab for all students to see! Kindergarten students are thankful to have received eggs from three different area farms, allowing students to observe a variety of egg colors and increase the likelihood of a successful hatch! 

Missouri's Creepiest Residents

On Tuesday, April 1, the first graders took a field trip with Mrs. Thompson to Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area. They enjoyed learning about many creepy crawly animals and insects through the program Missouri’s Creepiest Residents.

Starbooks or Starbucks Day?

Brewing up some learning fun! ☕📚 Students in second grade enjoyed a Starbucks-inspired day in the classroom, where reading and treats came together for a perfect blend of learning and excitement!

The Kindergarten Writing Journey

The kindergarten students have been busy learning all about nonfiction books this quarter. Their learning began by investigating many different nonfiction books. The students engaged in conversations together about what they noticed in the illustrations, the layout of the text, and information the author shared. They came to the conclusion that nonfiction books teach us true facts!

Oh the Places You'll Go!

Collaboration between different age groups in school fosters a supportive and enriching learning environment for all students. Younger children benefit from mentorship, gaining confidence and learning new skills through guidance from older peers. Meanwhile, older students develop leadership, patience, and a deeper understanding of concepts by teaching and assisting younger classmates.

Spelling Bee Season Update

Our Oakhill Spelling Bee season wrapped up on Saturday, May 1 when Lucia Peterson (8th grade) competed in the final round of the Mid-Continent Public Library Spelling Bee and placed in the top 9!

Iditarod

Last year at this time, Mrs. Thompson and I were packing our bags for an unforgettable professional development trip to Alaska. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Mike and Karen Morris, we attended the Iditarod EDU Conference, visited veteran musher Travis Neal’s Turning Heads Kennel, watched vet checks, and even got to meet the Iditarod veterinarians who care for the sled dogs along the trail.

Symphony Meets Science

The Lower School students enjoyed a field trip to the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts this week to see KinderKonzerts: Weather Ahead performed by the Kansas City Symphony and guest Chief Meteorologist Bryan Busby of KMBC.

Calling All Night Owls!

We first sold these parties at the 2024 Auction and we are opening them back up for more friends to join in on the fun! Don't miss out!

One Word On Wall

As we returned from school after the new year, we set out on a journey to discover our “one word.” We discussed that as humans, trying to be better versions of ourselves is something that is important to reflect and act upon. 

Screen & Seen - Our New Weekly Series

Every Thursday, we’ll explore the latest tech trends, share tips to keep kids safe online, and provide strategies to support parents and their child’s emotional well-being.

Midwestern Marvels

First grade students have been learning about important Midwesterners during a recent social studies unit. 

Mrs. Pearce and James Enjoy Winter

The kindergarten through third grade students have been filled with excitement as they bundle up for recess, their laughter making its way through the cold breeze.

Thematic Learning with Gingerbread

The kindergarten students have recently been working through a thematic gingerbread unit, incorporating literacy and math skills with hands-on activities.

12 Days of Kindness

Third grade has been so excited to see what is under each 'gift' to participate in their acts of kindness! 

Innovation Lab Photos

Students in kindergarten through third grade are embarking on an exciting learning journey of developing their "thinking like an engineer" skills.

Shuffleboard in P.E.

Students in 2nd grade are learning how to play shuffleboard in P.E. with their coaches! This will be a favorite

Holiday Traditions

Our Oakhill community values family traditions and we love when they are shared throughout the school year. Maria Diaz de la Pena, parent to Andrés and Eddie Vollenweider, recently visited kindergarten and first grade classrooms to share Advent traditions with the students.

December Spirit Week

The long anticipated wait for the dress up days is officially over. See this post to find out the exciting days for this year. 

It's Corn!

Kindergarten has been learning all about corn during their first semester thematic unit. From planting, to observing, to harvesting, to tasting, they’ve seen the whole process!

Gus Parade

Happy Thanksgiving! Please know that we are off school for our break from November 25-29. There will be Kids Club available on the 25-26! 

Spelling Bee Contestants 2024

Please join us in congratulating Lucia, Andrew, and all of our Spelling Bee participants for their hard work and determination

World Kindness Day-- Innovation Lab

At Innovation Lab this week we are talking about the upcoming World Kindness Day, which is celebrated on November 13. We started by reading a story called, “The Little Spot of Kindness” by Diane Alber.

Harvest Time

This year the kindergarten students planted corn in the Living Lab. Three varieties of corn were planted at different times, allowing students to observe the plant life cycle in various stages. 

Building Number Sense Through Games

The first grade students have been busy building their number sense using manipulatives to represent numbers to one hundred. Number sense is an important building block that leads into other math competencies, such as composing and decomposing numbers.

Scarecrow Day

You know it's fall time at Oakhill when the kindergarten students go on parade for their annual Scarecrow Day! This special tradition not only showcases innovative scarecrow costumes, but includes a day of thematic learning.

Rhymes and Reels in Kindergarten

Each year, kindergarten students perform chosen nursery rhymes in class, further developing their listening and speaking skills. This year they combined their nursery rhyme unit and technology to create a special presentation for Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day. Each child chose a rhyme to recite, including making and gathering their own props and costume pieces.

It's Almost Harvest Time

Kindergarten students are growing corn with the help of the ODS Living Lab. Students are currently observing three varieties of corn and measuring their growth. Soon they will harvest the plants and use the corn to further their knowledge during a thematic corn unit.

Election Time!

Second Graders took action in their first election process while voting for a class representative for the Oakhill's Student Council. This is just their first election this year and they look forward to the next!

Writing To Our Heroes

First grade students used the writing process to write to community heroes. They recognized their character traits and how they are real heroes to the community.

Bear Day: A Thematic Approach

Kindergarten students recently engaged in a thematic learning on Bear Day. Students made connections in math reading, science, art, music, and writing, along with their stuffed friends. 

Learning Life Skills with Literature

Kindergarten students went on a back-to-school scavenger hunt in connection with the read aloud, "David Goes to School" in order to learn how to display lifeskills throughout the school building.

 

 

Lower School Staff

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Kaylyn Clevenger

Kaylyn Clevenger

Second Grade Teacher
Summer Craven

Summer Craven

Second Grade Teacher
Jodi Egbert

Jodi Egbert

First Grade Teacher
Kristin Forsen

Kristin Forsen

Kindergarten Teacher & Director of Curriculum

The mission of the Lower School Division at Oakhill Day School is to provide a student centered curriculum where students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade develop knowledge, character education, and critical thinking skills to become life-long learners in a nurturing environment.