Today we celebrate Bettie's last day at RA as she begins a much deserved retirement!
For the past seven years, Bettie has been a cornerstone of our school office—serving as bookkeeper, administrative assistant, substitute nurse, and an always listening ear to adults and students. No matter the task, she handled it with her bright smile, quick humor, and endless patience.
Bettie, thank you for all the ways you’ve supported our students, staff, and families. You will be missed, but we’re thrilled for you to enjoy time relaxing at the cabin and casting a line.
Join us in wishing her a happy and joyful retirement!
National Special Education Day
Today we celebrate the incredible work of our special education team!
A huge thank-you to Mr. Myers and Mr. Shifflett for their compassion and commitment they bring to our students.
We also want to recognize Ms. Trumbo’s many years as a SPED teacher before joining RA to teach middle schoolers—your experience and heart continue to make a difference every day.
Today we celebrate the incredible work of our special education team!
A huge thank-you to Mr. Myers and Mr. Shifflett for their compassion and commitment they bring to our students.
We also want to recognize Ms. Trumbo’s many years as a SPED teacher before joining RA to teach middle schoolers—your experience and heart continue to make a difference every day.
RCPS Two-Hour Delay – 12/02/2025
All RCPS schools will operate on a 2-hour delay Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
12-month employees should report at their regular time.
Road conditions vary across the county, so please use caution and allow extra travel time. RCPS will continue to monitor conditions and reevaluate if necessary. Any updates will be shared through official communication channels.
Yesterday, our entire school community came together for a wonderful Friendsgiving meal! Staff and teachers brought delicious homemade dishes, and our amazing students helped set up and make the space festive and welcoming.
It was a day filled with laughter, fellowship, and great food — a perfect reminder of how special our school family truly is.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and made this celebration so meaningful!
Have a fun and safe break! We'll see you in December!
It was a day filled with laughter, fellowship, and great food — a perfect reminder of how special our school family truly is.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and made this celebration so meaningful!
Have a fun and safe break! We'll see you in December!
Chain of Gratitude at RA
At the start of November, Ms. Crissell kicked off a school wide “Chain of Gratitude” to celebrate thankfulness all month long.
Students and staff added their own links to the chain, each one sharing something they’re grateful for — big or small. By the end of the month, our chain had grown into a beautiful display of positivity, kindness, and connection.
Thank you, Ms. Crissell, for inspiring us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the good in our lives.
Here’s to carrying that gratitude forward every day!
At the start of November, Ms. Crissell kicked off a school wide “Chain of Gratitude” to celebrate thankfulness all month long.
Students and staff added their own links to the chain, each one sharing something they’re grateful for — big or small. By the end of the month, our chain had grown into a beautiful display of positivity, kindness, and connection.
Thank you, Ms. Crissell, for inspiring us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the good in our lives.
Here’s to carrying that gratitude forward every day!
Middle School Science Spotlight!
Last week our students dove into an exciting lesson on the 4 States of Matter — solid, liquid, gas, and plasma!
From hands-on demos to lively discussions, our young scientists explored how particles move, change, and interact in each state.
We love seeing their curiosity grow as they discover what makes up the world around them!
Last week our students dove into an exciting lesson on the 4 States of Matter — solid, liquid, gas, and plasma!
From hands-on demos to lively discussions, our young scientists explored how particles move, change, and interact in each state.
We love seeing their curiosity grow as they discover what makes up the world around them!
14 boxed up FULL Thanksgiving meals ready to give to 14 RA families.
Rockingham Academy is humbled by donations that allowed us to sponsor 14 families this year with a Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey, potatoes, corn, rolls, and a pumpkin pie!
*2025RASpiritofGiving
Rockingham Academy is humbled by donations that allowed us to sponsor 14 families this year with a Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey, potatoes, corn, rolls, and a pumpkin pie!
*2025RASpiritofGiving
Happy Substitute Educators Day!
Today, we want to give a massive shout-out and thank you to the incredible individuals who step into our classrooms to keep our students learning and our school running smoothly.
We are especially grateful for our dedicated subs, Ms. Laura Cook and Ms. Deanna Wheelbarger! Thank you for your flexibility, commitment, and passion for education. You make a real difference!
Please join us in the comments by sharing a word of thanks to our amazing substitute educators!
Today, we want to give a massive shout-out and thank you to the incredible individuals who step into our classrooms to keep our students learning and our school running smoothly.
We are especially grateful for our dedicated subs, Ms. Laura Cook and Ms. Deanna Wheelbarger! Thank you for your flexibility, commitment, and passion for education. You make a real difference!
Please join us in the comments by sharing a word of thanks to our amazing substitute educators!
Happy Thanksgiving!
No school for students, Wednesday, November 26 thru Friday, November 28.
Students return on Monday, December 1 which will be an ODD day.
We hope you all have a restful and joy-filled break with your friends and family!
No school for students, Wednesday, November 26 thru Friday, November 28.
Students return on Monday, December 1 which will be an ODD day.
We hope you all have a restful and joy-filled break with your friends and family!
Hands-On Creativity in Mr. Rhodes’ Shop!
Mr. Rhodes’ classes have been hard at work in the shop, and their projects are incredible! Students have been building planters, crafting cutting boards and chairs, book holders, keychains, and exploring their creative side by making earrings and personalizing items with our new laser cutter.
From woodworking skills to design and laser engraving, these hands-on projects are giving students real-world experience and a chance to express their creativity in amazing ways. We’re so proud of their craftsmanship and enthusiasm!
Mr. Rhodes’ classes have been hard at work in the shop, and their projects are incredible! Students have been building planters, crafting cutting boards and chairs, book holders, keychains, and exploring their creative side by making earrings and personalizing items with our new laser cutter.
From woodworking skills to design and laser engraving, these hands-on projects are giving students real-world experience and a chance to express their creativity in amazing ways. We’re so proud of their craftsmanship and enthusiasm!
Huge shoutout to Josh for his incredible work installing a brand new light on our flagpole! Now our flag can shine bright day and night. Well done, Josh!
Fresh From the Hydroponics Greenhouse!
Mr. Rhodes’ classroom has been busy growing a delicious selection of herbs and greens — and look at this amazing harvest!
From crisp lettuce to fragrant dill, cilantro, and more, our students are learning firsthand how food can be grown sustainably and successfully right in the classroom.
Hands-on learning and tasty results? That’s a win-win!
Mr. Rhodes’ classroom has been busy growing a delicious selection of herbs and greens — and look at this amazing harvest!
From crisp lettuce to fragrant dill, cilantro, and more, our students are learning firsthand how food can be grown sustainably and successfully right in the classroom.
Hands-on learning and tasty results? That’s a win-win!
A Huge THANK YOU to Woodman Life!
We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of food and snacks to our food pantry! Your support helps us continue serving the students in our community, and this donation will make a meaningful difference for so many.
Thank you to the wonderful team at Woodman Life for your kindness, partnership, and community spirit.
We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of food and snacks to our food pantry! Your support helps us continue serving the students in our community, and this donation will make a meaningful difference for so many.
Thank you to the wonderful team at Woodman Life for your kindness, partnership, and community spirit.
I am very excited to announce that NANCY HILL was voted 25-26 Teacher of the Year at Rockingham Academy! She is very deserving of this recognition. Nancy does an outstanding job with all the things that come with running the ISAEP program for RCPS. She also maintains the RA social media pages, serves as STC, has volunteered to represent RA for Teacher Advisory Committee, is known to leave motivating and feel good notes for staff, keeps our bulletin boards looking amazing, and is always willing to lend an ear for her peers when they need someone to talk to.
She started off as a social studies teacher at TA, went to Dayton Learning Center, and helped open RA in 2018.
Thank you, Nancy, for all you do for RA, the students, and the staff.
She started off as a social studies teacher at TA, went to Dayton Learning Center, and helped open RA in 2018.
Thank you, Nancy, for all you do for RA, the students, and the staff.
Reminder: There will be no school for students on Monday, November 3, and Tuesday, November 4 due to parent-teacher conferences and teacher workdays.
Monday, 11/3:
Elementary Conferences: 12–7 PM
Secondary Teacher Workday
Tuesday, 11/4:
Secondary Conferences: 12–7 PM
Elementary Teacher Workday
Classes resume on Wednesday, November 5, which will be an even day.
We look forward to connecting with families during conferences!
Monday, 11/3:
Elementary Conferences: 12–7 PM
Secondary Teacher Workday
Tuesday, 11/4:
Secondary Conferences: 12–7 PM
Elementary Teacher Workday
Classes resume on Wednesday, November 5, which will be an even day.
We look forward to connecting with families during conferences!
Thank You, Bridgewater Church of the Brethren!
We are so grateful for your generous donation to our school food pantry. Your support helps ensure our students and families have access to the essentials they need. We truly appreciate your kindness and partnership in caring for our community!
We are so grateful for your generous donation to our school food pantry. Your support helps ensure our students and families have access to the essentials they need. We truly appreciate your kindness and partnership in caring for our community!
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Coming Up
We look forward to partnering with our families to support every student’s success.
Date: Tuesday, November 4
Time: 12:00-7:00pm
We’d love to see you there! If you can’t make it that evening, just email or call the school to schedule a time to meet with your student’s teacher.
Together, we can make this a great year!
We look forward to partnering with our families to support every student’s success.
Date: Tuesday, November 4
Time: 12:00-7:00pm
We’d love to see you there! If you can’t make it that evening, just email or call the school to schedule a time to meet with your student’s teacher.
Together, we can make this a great year!
Yesterday marked the end of the first grading term for students.
We couldn't be prouder of our students and all they have accomplished so far this year!
19 class credits completed
2 high school diploma graduates
3 GED/ISAEP graduates
Keep up the amazing work, this is only the beginning! We are so proud of you!
We couldn't be prouder of our students and all they have accomplished so far this year!
19 class credits completed
2 high school diploma graduates
3 GED/ISAEP graduates
Keep up the amazing work, this is only the beginning! We are so proud of you!
Happy Principal’s Week!
This week's theme was “Hands Down, You’re the Best!”
Students and staff shared their appreciation for Mrs. Dean by writing heartfelt notes on paper hands and posting them around the hallways. The halls are filled with gratitude, color, and kind words celebrating the amazing leadership and care she brings to our school every day.
Thank you, Mrs. Dean, for all that you do — hands down, you’re the best!
This week's theme was “Hands Down, You’re the Best!”
Students and staff shared their appreciation for Mrs. Dean by writing heartfelt notes on paper hands and posting them around the hallways. The halls are filled with gratitude, color, and kind words celebrating the amazing leadership and care she brings to our school every day.
Thank you, Mrs. Dean, for all that you do — hands down, you’re the best!
Unity Day 2025
Together, we stand against bullying and celebrate kindness, acceptance, and inclusion!
Our students each colored a lizard tessellation to show how every person’s unique contribution helps build something beautiful — when we work together, we create unity.
A few lucky “student lizards” were even randomly chosen to win prizes!
Let’s keep spreading kindness and reminding each other that we all belong.
Together, we stand against bullying and celebrate kindness, acceptance, and inclusion!
Our students each colored a lizard tessellation to show how every person’s unique contribution helps build something beautiful — when we work together, we create unity.
A few lucky “student lizards” were even randomly chosen to win prizes!
Let’s keep spreading kindness and reminding each other that we all belong.
