As we move into the final stretch before the Thanksgiving holiday, our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District has much to celebrate, from staff recognitions to student-focused grants, statewide acknowledgments, and continued progress toward our strategic goals in Vision 2035.

This week’s The Yellow Jacket Report is full of accomplishments that reflect the heart, talent, and dedication of our RRGSD community.

Staff Gifts: Celebrating Our Team

Last week, Board of Trustee Michael Salanik attended the annual North Carolina School Board Association conference and returned with exciting news and prizes! 

Mr. Salanik was awarded the Scholars Circle Achievement for 901+ hours of ongoing Board professional development. His dedication to professional development is impressive, and he sets a high standard for all of us.

Each year, Mr. Salanik redistributes vendor door prizes that he is awarded through this conference to our school employees through a random drawing that includes both certified and classified staff. As always, the drawing is completed by Central Office Cabinet members; Mr. Salanik is not involved in selecting winners and does not know the recipients until after names have been drawn.

This year, Mr. Salanik received three generous prizes: two Amazon gift cards and one Yeti cooler. The lucky employee recipients were:

Karen Sykes, Custodian at Belmont Elementary – $50 Amazon Gift Card

Jen Short, Second Grade Teacher at Manning Elementary – Yeti Cooler

Sonya Johnson, Physical Education Assistant at Chaloner Middle – $50 Amazon Gift Card

Recognizing staff in small but meaningful ways helps us show appreciation for the tremendous work they do every day. Thank you, Mr. Salanik, for continuing this thoughtful tradition.

Bright Ideas Grants Awarded

We are excited to share that Manning Elementary fifth grade teacher Morgan Acree and Roanoke Rapids Early College English teacher Sydney Smith have both been awarded a Roanoke Cooperative Bright Ideas Grant! These grants fund innovative classroom projects that engage students in hands-on learning and bring creativity to the forefront of instruction. Thank you to Roanoke Cooperative for supporting our educators and empowering them to bring new learning experiences to life.

RRGSD Spotlighted in The Trust Advisor

RRGSD is honored to be featured as a Special Member Spotlight in the 2025 edition of The Trust Advisor, a publication shared with North Carolina School Board Trustee members. The spotlight highlights our more than 40-year partnership with the North Carolina School Boards Trust, our participation in all three NCSBT funds supporting risk management and staff training, and celebrates our strong academic programs and historic schools. We deeply value this partnership and appreciate the recognition of our district’s ongoing commitment to excellence.

Needs Based Public School Capital Fund Update

Last Tuesday, we received notification that our proposal to build a new middle school behind Belmont Elementary School was not selected for funding in this round of the Needs Based Public School Capital Fund grants. With 48 districts submitting 92 applications totaling nearly $2 billion in requests—and less than $400 million available—only about 20% of submissions could be funded.

NCDPI has strongly encouraged us to apply again next year as additional funding will be available for projects in the FY2026–27 cycle. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we will continue to advocate.

NCDPI Testing Dashboard: Continued Progress

We encourage our families and community to explore the NCDPI Testing Dashboard at the following link: https://public.tableau.com/views/NCDPIAccountabilityLandingPage/LandingPage?:showVizHome=no

This tool allows users to explore proficiency, school performance grades, and graduation rates at the state, regional, district, and school levels.

One significant highlight is RRGSD’s grade-level proficiency has grown from 34% in 2021 to 50% in 2025, marking steady progress toward our Vision 2035 interim goals.

Read Aloud at Clara Hearne

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of reading A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams to Ms. Sophia Ricks’s and Ms. Janet Smith’s class. Our students’ enthusiasm, curiosity, and joy made the morning absolutely delightful. Moments like these remind us why we do this work. If you would like to read to students at Clara Hearne during one of the Community Reading Days, please contact our Director Katina Hantz at 252-519-7700.

Leadership Meeting Appreciation

During Wednesday morning’s leadership meeting, I expressed my gratitude to our remarkable district administrators and principals. Their dedication strengthens every part of our school system, and I appreciate their commitment to our students, staff, and families.

Thanksgiving Gratitude and Closing Thoughts

As we head into Thanksgiving break, my heart is full. I am deeply grateful for our students, our staff, and our entire RRGSD community. Your collaboration, resilience, and kindness embody the spirit of Together We Succeed.

This season encourages us to pause and reflect on what matters most: the people who support, uplift, and inspire us. Our administrators, teachers, and staff give so much every day. Our families and community partners stand alongside us. And our students — bright, joyful, determined — give us purpose.

This week’s message is especially meaningful to me because it will be my final The Yellow Jacket Report.

On Tuesday, November 18, the Board of Trustees accepted my resignation as Superintendent of RRGSD, effective January 2, 2026. After 17 years of service in RRGSD, beginning as an English teacher in 2008 and moving through several leadership roles, I have decided to pursue other opportunities in education.

Beginning in December, Mr. Tom Davis, RRHS principal, will become RRGSD’s Acting Superintendent. During our leadership meeting on Wednesday, I was grateful for the opportunity to lead our team in prayer for the many blessings we have had here in RRGSD and for continued blessings on my long-time colleague and friend Mr. Davis as he becomes Acting Superintendent, on the rest of our leadership team, and on our Board of Trustees as they move forward with the search for the next Superintendent of RRGSD.

I also want to share a special moment from this week that deeply touched my heart: on Thursday, the incredible staff and students of Belmont Elementary School surprised me with a parade to celebrate and wish me well. Their smiles, cheers, and beautifully crafted artwork meant more to me than I can express. I will treasure the pictures, drawings, and memories from that day forever. Our students’ joy and creativity are constant reminders of why this work matters so deeply.

I am profoundly thankful for the trust, support, and partnership of our RRGSD community. 

We have weathered challenges, celebrated victories, and transformed our district together.

Thank you to each of you who have been faithful readers of The Yellow Jacket Report for your encouragement and support of RRGSD. 

Your kind words about this column have meant so much to me and to all of our staff and students who have been featured in it. 

I also want to thank Lance Martin (rrspin), Tia Beale (Roanoke Rapids Herald), and Mandy Clark (RRGSD Public and Student Information Officer) for publishing The Yellow Jacket Report each week to celebrate the great things happening in RRGSD.

I leave RRGSD with immense pride in our students and staff, deep affection for our community, and heartfelt hope for the bright future ahead for our RRGSD.

I wish every Yellow Jacket a safe, joyful, and restful Thanksgiving. Together We Succeed!