As our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District returns from the holiday season and steps into the new year, we hope all of our students, staff, families, and community had a joyful and restful break.
The new year is always an exciting time in education — a chance to build on the successes of the first semester and set fresh goals for the months ahead.
Our classrooms are alive again with the energy of eager learners and the dedication of teachers and staff ready to inspire.
Here are some recent highlights and upcoming events from across our school district.
Belmont Elementary School
During the last week of December, I had the privilege of reading Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant to each kindergarten class at Belmont Elementary School.
The story, inspired by the real-life “Santa Train” that has brought over 15 tons of toys and candy to families in remote Appalachian villages for over 80 years, carries a powerful message about kindness, resilience, and the true meaning of giving.
It also served as a poignant reminder of our friends in Western North Carolina still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Thank you to Mrs. Kaylee Hall, Mrs. Cailtin Lambert, Mrs. Ashley Santopolo, Mrs. Mallory Cartwright, and Mrs. Hollie Bobbitt for inviting me and other guest readers including Principal Lindsey Goble, Assistant Principal Heather Karns, Principal Resident Josh Clark, Instructional Coach Marie Smith, and Director of Human Resources Tracy Kidd to read to your classes!
Across Belmont Elementary School, students and staff enjoyed the holiday spirit week.
Besides listening to stories from guest readers, our kindergarten students also made ornaments, enjoyed a special snack, and went on a field trip to the movie theater.
Our first graders visited Swift Creek Playhouse for a play titled Drifty's Snowball Soup. Students in second grade enjoyed a big breakfast, a field trip to the movies, singing Christmas Carols, and playing games. Lastly, our third grade teachers won the Christmas card challenge with the first grade teachers coming in a very close second place.
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https://rrspin.com/opinion/9922-yellow-jacket-report-back-after-the-holidays.html#sigProId83c2303533
Manning Elementary School
Students and staff across Manning Elementary School enjoyed the holiday spirit week.
Second grade students enjoyed reading different gingerbread stories!
They built and decorated their own houses to take home. The houses were very creative and looked amazing!
Fourth grade students participated in a holiday sock exchange for "Tinsel Toes" spirit day! Students had to listen carefully for "left" and "right" in a fun holiday story to know which direction to pass their gifts.
Once the story ended, everyone opened their surprise socks and then could wear them for spirit day if they wished. All classes participated in a Door Decorating Contest.
First place went to Mrs. Stephanie Davis's third grade class; second place went to Ms. Cassidy Goff's first grade; and third place went to Mrs. Karmunisha Richardson's class.
Lastly, we want to express our gratitude to the Knights of Columbus of Roanoke Rapids from the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for their generous donation of warm weather gear for our students who need them.
Chaloner Middle School
Our December Students of the Month at Chaloner Middle School included sixth graders Brandon Manzanerez-Rivas, Mackenzie Williams, and Ryleigh Ferrell; seventh graders Makayla Haislip, Kamlyn Serra, and Nora Taylor; and eighth graders Kimberly Portillo and Abby Wynne. We are also proud of Lucius Whitley and Steven Pittman, who were the winners of the Fall Semester Stock Market Game Competition. Lucius and Steven finished first out of all of Mr. Justin Sandeford's teams, first for the Eastern North Carolina Region (outperforming 78 other teams), and fifth out of 976 teams from across all of North Carolina. In their project, they invested $100,000 and made over $59,000 (a 59%+ return in less than two months).
Roanoke Rapids High School
Roanoke Rapids High School is proud to announce the selection of new students for membership in the Roanoke Rapids High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.
The 2024-255 National Honor Society Induction Ceremony was scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2025.
Also, the end of the first semester is quickly approaching, and students will have their first semester exams and End of Course tests from January 13 through January 17.
Roanoke Rapids Early College
Roanoke Rapids Early College is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year!
This opportunity is open to students currently in grade eight who are domiciled within Roanoke Rapids Graded School District and who would like to join a community of ambitious scholars who are dedicated to achieving academic excellence while earning college credits.
The online application is available on the RREC Facebook page and is due by 3:25 PM on Monday, January 20, 2025. Contact RREC at (252) 519-7205 if you have any questions.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2025!