Superintendent's Update

Dear RCSD Community,

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, our schools are preparing for one of the most meaningful milestones we celebrate each year—graduation season. Classrooms are wrapping up projects, families are making plans, and staff are working with care to ensure each student is recognized for their accomplishments.

For me, this season carries special meaning. I am preparing to help turn the tassels for my final class of RCSD graduates. This year, 691 students will walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, marking the end of their elementary and middle school journeys and the beginning of what comes next.

It is truly bittersweet. We are proud to see our students ready for high school, and at the same time, it is not easy to say goodbye to a group we have watched grow over the years. Each student carries with them the lessons, relationships, and experiences that have shaped who they are becoming.

I want to thank the many people who made this moment possible, our teachers, classified staff, administrators, families, and community partners. It takes all of us working together to support students academically, socially, and emotionally so they can leave us prepared for what lies ahead. Because of this shared effort, our students are stepping into high school ready to continue learning, growing, and taking on new challenges.

As they move forward, we hope our students carry with them the values and skills they have built here in RCSD, whether they continue their education or choose a different path, including the skilled trades. Each path is important, and each student’s future holds promise.

While I am not able to attend every graduation ceremony due to overlapping schedules, I will have the honor of personally congratulating many of our students. I look forward to shaking the hands of the Huskies at Hoover and the Cougars at Kennedy, celebrating this important milestone alongside their families and school communities.

To our graduates: we are proud of you. To our families and staff: thank you for your partnership, your care, and your commitment. This is a moment to celebrate all that has been accomplished and all that is still ahead.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

With gratitude,

John Baker
Superintendent

The Superintendent’s Update is part of the RCSD Update Series and is produced by the Department of Communications and Community Engagement to keep our school community informed about district work, priorities, and progress that support students and schools.