This past week was full of exciting activities and accomplishments throughout the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. 

From professional development to student adventures and upcoming events, here’s a snapshot of the highlights:

School Board Representation at State Conference

Board Chair Dr. Mike Williams, Board Member Mike Salanik, Board Clerk Fran Garner, and I attended the North Carolina School Boards Association Annual Conference in Greensboro. 

This three-day event offered invaluable insights into the latest in public education and provided great opportunities to collaborate with our colleagues in other school districts. 

Adding a fun twist to the trip, Mr. Salanik won four tickets and a parking pass to a Carolina Hurricanes game, and he wanted to provide them to a RRGSD full-time staff member. On Friday, he joined Mandy Clark (Public and Student Information Officer), Larry Catalano (Principal of Chaloner Middle School), and me to surprise Grace Perry, Chaloner’s exceptional children’s teacher, with the tickets. Congratulations, Grace!

Student Adventures Bring Learning to Life

Roanoke Rapids Early College freshmen and sophomores visited the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, an impactful experience that deepened their understanding of history and humanity. Meanwhile, Manning Elementary fifth graders spent Friday at Skyvue Skateland, exploring STEM concepts through hands-on activities related to Newton’s Three Laws of Motion before showing off their roller skating skills.

Manning’s second graders also learned about local history with a visit to the Roanoke Canal Museum. Belmont Elementary second graders recently traveled to the Richmond Zoo, exploring the wonders of wildlife firsthand.

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Celebrating Excellence at Belmont Elementary School

We are proud to celebrate Belmont Elementary's outstanding teachers, who Exceeded Growth in the 2023-2024 school year. Congratulations to Stephanie Taylor (5th grade Math and Science), Taylor Morris and Alyson Brown (K-2 Early Literacy), and Libby Ogburn (4th grade Reading and Math). Their dedication is evident in the remarkable progress of our students! Belmont is also preparing for its Literacy Night and Book Fair on December 5 from 4:00–6:00 PM. Families can explore ways to support literacy growth, set up Parent Portal and Rooms accounts, and join in a raffle to support Whobilation on December 19.

Upcoming Events at Chaloner Middle School

In addition to Belmont’s Literacy Night, please mark your calendars for Chaloner Middle School’s Night of the Arts, which will take place on December 5 from 4:30–7:30 PM. This event will feature an art show, a band concert, and a book fair. We look forward to celebrating the creativity and talents of our students!

Generous Community Support

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our community partners who continue to make a difference in the lives of our students and staff. 

The Knights of Columbus donated warm coats to elementary school students, ensuring they stay comfortable during the colder months. Additionally, Roanoke Cooperative awarded a grant to Mrs. Deberry, supporting innovative classroom projects that enhance learning experiences for our students. Thank you to these organizations for their unwavering commitment to our schools and community!

At Clara Hearne Pre-Kindergarten Center, students are embracing the Thanksgiving season through creative play and hands-on learning. Activities included a “feed the turkey” game, sensory bin exploration, and tasting fall cookies with a fun graphing activity. These experiences spark curiosity and joy in our youngest learners.

Thanksgiving Wishes

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude for our incredible students, staff, families, and community who make this school district such a special place to learn and grow. I hope you all enjoy this time with loved ones, and we look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday, December 2.

Happy Thanksgiving!