A message from Dr. Nicely |
Reminders from the classroom... |
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Dr. Ken Nicely Superintendent |
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A Spanish teacher at one of our high schools recently gave me an incredible gift.
Knowing that I spent the first 11 years of my career as a Spanish teacher and that I still deeply love teaching, she invited me into her AP/Level 4 Spanish classes for two days as a guest teacher. That was very brave and trusting on her part, given that it has been well over 20 years since I taught high school Spanish! Yes, I considered myself to be a pretty good teacher back then, and I am still proud to have earned the highest award given to a world languages teacher in Virginia. The reality is, however, that much has changed over the past 20 years in our classrooms, including vastly different technology resources, standardized testing pressures in core subjects, and the general world that students navigate every day. Today’s teachers, regardless of the subject or level, do an amazing job to create engaging learning experiences and classroom environments in which students feel cared for and accepted, despite all the challenges of teaching in 2026 and competing for students’ attention.
One thing that has not changed, however, is the fundamentally inherent enthusiasm and curiosity that most children have for learning when effectively engaged. I was reminded of this again when teaching recently. To be clear, these students’ normal Spanish teacher does a phenomenal job of engaging her students every day, making my job as a guest teacher much easier. They were already accustomed to hearing and speaking Spanish in class, but they also embraced interacting with someone different and were great sports to play along with the new topics I introduced. These students were fun to teach and I hope they enjoyed it as well.
More importantly, I am reminded of what wonderful children and talented, dedicated teachers and staff we have in Roanoke County as I have visited classrooms across our school district over the past few weeks. I have seen secondary students engaged in model congress debates, planning culinary creations, conversing in French, producing award-winning yearbooks, analyzing the Canterbury Tales, performing complex chemistry and mathematical calculations, and preparing for upcoming senior portfolio defenses as part our Opportunity Ready Graduate program.
I have seen kindergarten students light up with enthusiasm and pride at being able to sound out new words, first grade students proudly explaining to me how the number 17 is composed of one group of ten with seven in the one’s place, third grade students able to organize themselves into groups and collaborate on an assignment, fourth grade students kindly and thoughtfully writing me notes suggesting different activities I should do after my upcoming retirement, and fifth grade students pairing up to help with kindergarten “buddies”. The common denominators in all these experiences are (1) students who willingly participate with diverse classmates in the shared learning spaces of our classrooms, and (2) teachers and staff who combine talent, thoughtfulness, skills, hard work and lots of caring and kindness to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for our students.
It is a privilege to serve as superintendent of a respected, award-winning school division like Roanoke County Public Schools. It is even more of an honor, though, to work with your children and the incredible staff that teach and care for them every day.
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Upcoming Important Dates and Events |
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Mar. 13 Regular School Day
Snow Makeup Day |
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Mar. 17 & 18 Virtual Learning Day High Schools ONLY |
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Mar. 23-27
Schools Closed Spring Break |
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Apr. 3 Schools Closed
Easter Hollday |
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Introducing a new telehealth service: Let's Talk |
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Roanoke County Public Schools is proud to announce the launch of “Let’s Talk,” a new telehealth service available for elementary, middle and high school students and families. Through this new service, families can receive up to five (5) free counseling sessions to receive mental health support for a variety of issues including:
Like so many communities across the country, the Roanoke Valley faces a challenge when it comes to local availability of licensed mental health counselors due to overwhelming demand. Let’s Talk helps bridge that gap and connects students and families to critical counseling services. The Let’s Talk service, powered by Gaggle Therapy, is possible thanks to a grant from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
“This program will support students and families through direct counseling, prevention, and early intervention services delivered by a contracted mental telehealth provider. We're working to improve access to care by reducing barriers such as transportation and scheduling challenges, supporting early identification and intervention for mental health concerns, and fostering a more supportive and responsive school environment that promotes wellness and academic success,” said Dr. Shawn Hughes, director of school counseling for Roanoke County Public Schools. |
To schedule a counseling session, go online to the Let's Talk webpage or www.rcps.us/letstalk » |
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March 13 is a snow makeup day, schools closed April 21 for elections |
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So far, Roanoke County Public Schools has been closed eight days for winter weather (and we really hope there won't be any more!). As a result, we are having to utilize one of our planned snow makeup days. March 13 will now be a regular school day.
In addition, the Virginia General Assembly has scheduled a special referendum election on Tuesday, April 21. As many of our schools serve as polling places, schools will be closed on Tuesday, April 21 for the election. April 21 also will be a workday for all employees. We will no longer have a three (3) hour early dismissal on April 22, and instead, April 22 will be a regular school day for all students. |
See the school calendar for the latest updates » |
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Virtual learning day for high school students March 17 & 18 |
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We are working to equip our students with the skills, experiences and mindset they need for success. As part of this program, seniors each year are invited to present a defense of their portfolio before a panel of teachers, peers, administrators, and community members. This year's senior portfolio defenses will be on March 17 & 18. To facilitate this effort, all high school students will have a virtual learning day on March 17 & 18.
The senior portfolio defense is the capstone experience of the Opportunity Ready journey. Modeled after professional and higher education practices, the portfolio defense challenges students to collect artifacts of their learning to present as meaningful evidence of their academic, personal, and extracurricular growth.
During the portfolio defense, students reflect on their mastery of Opportunity Ready Skills by connecting their work to the competencies of the Profile of a Graduate, demonstrating how they’ve grown in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Students then detail how their high school experiences have prepared them for their chosen post-secondary pathway. Through this process, students practice professional skills, build confidence, and develop the ability to tell their own learning story—an essential step in becoming Opportunity Ready. |
Read more about the Opportunity Ready certificate program » |
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Community meetings about the dangers of smartphones continues in 2026 |
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| Roanoke County Public Schools is encouraging parents to attend a series of important community meetings concerning student safety and mental health issues.
A series of meetings, in cooperation with the Partnership for Community
Wellness, and Emily Harrison Consulting will be held concerning the dangers of cellphone use among elementary, middle and high school students. Today’s digital world is full of threats including dangerous apps disguised as harmless games, online predators, social media addiction, and relentless cyberbullying. Parents will learn exactly what to look for — and how they can fight back with powerful tools and expert-backed strategies to reclaim control over their child’s digital life and guard their mental and emotional health in a tech-driven world.
Excessive device use is rewiring young brains, disrupting sleep, fueling anxiety, and lowering academic success. The damage is happening now — and it’s deeper than most parents realize. | Read more » |
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