I want to officially welcome you and your child/ren to the 2021-2022 school year! At RCE, we remain deeply committed to sustaining a positive school culture and a high performing learning environment. Our devoted and enthusiastic staff is thrilled to have another opportunity to provide students with engaging and rigorous instruction. Since its inception, Rocky Creek has embodied what it means to be part of a unified family. It goes beyond words, and can best be described as a feeling, or way of life. The Rocky Creek culture is one rooted in laughter, tears, and a collective vision. That vision says that despite the challenge, we are committed to excellence and student success.

The 2021-2022 marks the beginning of my third year as principal of Rocky Creek. I have spent over seventeen years working in the field of education. I graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education.  I also have obtained a Master’s Degree in Post-Secondary Education from Troy University and an Education Specialist Degree from Valdosta State University in Educational Leadership. I transitioned to Henry County Schools in 2014 as a fourth grade teacher.  Prior to that, I was an Academic Coach in Bibb County for three years.  While in Bibb County, I was a fifth grade, third grade, and second grade classroom teacher. I was the assistant principal of Rocky Creek for four years before becoming principal in 2019. 

I am elated to be a part of a community who pours their hearts and energy into maintaining standards of excellence and hard work that RCE was built on.  Over the last year plus, our staff has stretched to become masters of technology in order to engage students academically and socially. We seamlessly extended our school walls and during remote learning, we were able to place Rocky Creek in the homes of our students and parents. We maintained high expectations and extended grace as needed.  Our students and their families have stayed connected, as well as celebrated through PBIS parties and other events. Teachers have ensured parents are connected through newsletters, Class Dojo, virtual conferences, email, and phone calls. There have been challenges during the last year and a half, but as RACERS do, we have risen to face them head on and we continue to support each other along the way. 

This next school year as we move back to “better than normal,” Rocky Creek will be described as a school of excellence, which strives to attain its highest potential inside and outside of the classroom. It will be a school that promotes and values staff, students, and the community. Rocky Creek was built on excellence. That will never change because we understand the significance of family, hard work and doing our best even in the toughest times. Our high standards and caring environment draw teachers and students to our learning community. 

We know that we need to work diligently and intentionally to close learning gaps while accelerating the learning of others all while fostering a safe school filled with trust and love. We will always care about and support the academic, social, emotional, and mental well-being of our students. Additionally, we will continue to exhibit respect, integrity, intentionality, and a desire to continually grow and develop. 

Rocky Creek will continue to be family oriented as we emphasize working with parents as partners in our students’ learning process. Moving forward we will make decisions that are in the students’ best interest and maintain this as the driving force behind everything we do. We will do this because simply put,

We Are RACERS!

We are committed to the challenge of the upcoming school year and we look forward to working in partnership with our parents to ensure the very best for our students. Please track us on our journey by following us on Twitter (@RCE_HCS) and Facebook (Rocky Creek Elementary). You may also follow me on Twitter @AyannugaRCE.

Sonya Garner Ayannuga