As the vibrant colors of fall continue to brighten our campuses, this week has been a shining example of what makes our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District such a special place to learn and lead.
From inspiring classroom visits and cultural celebrations to community partnerships and upcoming athletic events, our schools are truly buzzing with Yellow Jacket pride.
An Afternoon at Manning: Celebrating Teaching and Learning in Action
One of the greatest joys of my week was spending time at Manning Elementary School with our dedicated Assistant Principals during classroom visits.
There is nothing quite like witnessing the energy and engagement of our students firsthand and the enthusiasm for learning from our teachers and students was contagious.
I am grateful for teachers’ creativity, commitment, and care and their hard work to foster environments where every child feels seen, supported, and encouraged to take academic risks. It was also rewarding to see our Assistant Principals modeling instructional leadership, offering real-time feedback, and celebrating the innovative strategies teachers use each day.
Honoring Hispanic Heritage: A District-Wide Celebration of Culture and Pride
This week, our district came together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with events that highlighted the beauty, strength, and traditions of our Hispanic and Latino community members.
Students in our Multilingual Learner (ML) program, along with the winners of the RRGSD Hispanic Heritage Poster Contest, proudly participated in a parade at both Manning and Belmont Elementary Schools. The halls came alive with music, flags, and color as students showcased their artwork and cultural pride.
Adding a special touch to the celebration, several girls who have celebrated their quinceañera, which is the traditional 15th birthday milestone in many Latin American cultures, shared their exquisite dresses with classmates and staff. Their grace and joy embodied the spirit of the day, reminding us of the beauty in honoring our heritages while learning from one another.
We are incredibly proud of all our students who participated in the Hispanic Heritage Poster Contest. Their artwork reflected creativity, cultural understanding, and deep pride in their identities.
Congratulations to our winners:
Manning Elementary School
Kindergarten: Angie Torres Castillo
1st Grade: Giovanni Rossi
2nd Grade: Jason Powell
3rd Grade: Josefina Aguayo
4th Grade: Carter Kidd
5th Grade: Esmeralda Nava Guzman
Belmont Elementary School
Kindergarten: Liam Romero Cortez
1st Grade: Ashtyn Williams
2nd/3rd Grade: Rowan Goodrich
4th Grade: Kevin Pineda Meléndez
5th Grade: Dominic Hockaday
Chaloner Middle School
1st Place: Erick Lainez and Talia Lopez Amador
2nd Place: Elisa Nava Guzman and Amy Zacarías Amador
Roanoke Rapids High School
1st Place: Dana Muñoz Pineda and Janell Valera
2nd Place: Ava Santopolo and Serenity Brown
3rd Place: Kimbrell Savage and Jalen Jennett
Congratulations to all of our participants for their outstanding contributions. You make our district proud! A big thank you goes out to Heather Wynne, our lead English learner teacher, and our English learner staff for organizing these activities.
Fire Safety and Community Connections
We were also thrilled to welcome the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department to Clara Hearne
Pre-Kindergarten and Belmont Elementary School last week and they will visit Manning Elementary School later this week.
Our local firefighters engaged students in lessons about fire prevention, safety planning, and the importance of staying calm in emergencies. These visits not only teach valuable life lessons but also strengthen the bond between our schools and the broader community. An extra special part of the visit for our students was when they were able to explore a fire truck. We are deeply grateful to our first responders for their service and commitment to keeping our students safe.
Listening and Learning: October Liaison Meeting
Another highlight this week was our October Liaison Meeting, where I, along with one of our Board members, had the opportunity to meet with one to two staff representatives from each campus. This month our Board was represented by Mr. Steven Ellis. These meetings are a cornerstone of our commitment to open communication and shared leadership. We discussed celebrations, challenges, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events
As we move into the latter part of October, our student-athletes continue to represent the Yellow Jackets with determination and pride. Here is what’s coming up:
Wednesday, October 22 – Soccer at HOME vs. American Leadership Academy at 6:30 PM
Friday, October 24 – Football at American Leadership Academy at 4:00 PM
Saturday, October 25 – Cross Country competes in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Meet at Red Oak Middle School
We wish all of our teams the very best—Go Jackets!
Finally, a reminder that the Board of Education meets tonight, Tuesday, October 21, at 6 PM in the Board Room. We invite our families, staff, and community members to join us as we continue working together.