LEAD Center

Our School Board celebration continues! Meet Board Vice President Deanna Olson. She was elected to the Board in April 2021. "I wanted to be a part of the district and have a voice in guiding the vision of the place that both my husband and I graduated from and where our kids are going to graduate from. Our district and board was doing great things and I wanted to add to it.” What is Deanna's "why" for serving on the Board? “I serve on the board because I am vested in our district and want to see us continue to expand and offer more choices to our kids to prepare them the best we can for life. I am so proud of all the ways we have expanded our options for every student to take advantage of!” Thank you, Deanna, for your dedicated service to our District!

🎵 March is Music in Our Schools Month! 🏫🎉 It's time to celebrate the incredible impact of music education and give a standing ovation to the teachers who make it all possible! 🎶📚

As a part of their Collaboration Day activities, K-12 PE Teachers participated in a hands-on training from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) at Eagle Glen Elementary this morning. They worked together to practice engaging new strategies for incorporating the manipulative skills and movement patterns within tennis into their classrooms and beyond as a demonstration of lifelong wellness. Following their participation in the training, each building will also receive equipment from USTA to use to incorporate their new learning. 🎾

🎥 Staff Spotlight! 🎥 In this episode of Staff Spotlight, Raymore-Peculiar School District Superintendent, Dr. Mike Slagle, chats with Rachel McClain. Rachel is an art teacher at South Middle School. Art is not only her teaching field, it is one of Rachel's passions in life. Listen to her describe the importance of bringing the art experience to middle schoolers, and how this role helps build dreams for her students. https://youtu.be/dF_RWFVVXWk?si=SxJ5Rx5j28Vc_mhZ

Construction Update! 👷 The Performing Arts Center is getting closer and closer every day! Take a look at some of our most recent pictures! 🤩

We're continuing our month-long celebration of our School Board! Meet Board Member Patty Phillips. Patty Phillips took the oath of office during a special meeting on June 20, 2023. She was selected to fill an unexpired term that became vacant when Ashley Jones resigned from the Board. She was appointed to serve until the next Board election in April 2024. Patty said her reasons for serving on the Board echo the Ray-Pec mission statement: To prepare each student for a successful and meaningful life. “As a pediatric nurse practitioner, I’ve dedicated my entire professional career to children and families. I love being able to serve as a school board member to also help not only children and families but also teachers and staff.” Thank you, Patty Phillips, for your dedicated service to our District!

We are celebrating our School Board all month! Meet Board Member Carol Barnes. Carol worked for the District for 30 years, retiring in 2017, before being elected to the Board in April 2022. “My ‘Why’ is to ensure that our students have the skills they need to successfully transition to the next level of learning and beyond. Beginning at the elementary level, our children need a strong foundation in language, social, motor, and emotional development to ensure positive academic outcomes. Faculty and staff, our ‘Dream Makers.’ need to feel safe, valued, and supported as they educate and guide our children on their journey.” Thank you, Carol Barnes, for your dedicated service to our District!

The Ray-Pec Council of PTAs wants to recognize the amazing volunteers across our district with the Ray-Pec Volunteer of the Year award. Any volunteer may be nominated for the award. Nominees and finalists for the VoTY award will be notified using the contact information you provide. All finalists will be individually recognized, and a winner announced, during the Volunteer of the Year presentation and reception at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, in the Board Room at the Ray-Pec Academy. Please complete the nomination form by March 23: https://forms.gle/qiuXrGPjw7gUwT6d8

It's School Board Recognition Month, and you can be sure we are celebrating! 🎉 Each week, we will introduce one or two Board members. First up is Board President Ruth Johnson! Ruth was first elected to the Board in April 2011 and is currently serving her fifth term. She was attracted to Board service because she wanted to help the community be better. “My ‘why’ is to help make sure the next generation has access to what they will need to be successful. What education looks like is constantly evolving, yet stays the same. It’s about having great teachers to make those connections to the students and the proper programming.” Thank you, Ruth Johnson, for your dedicated service to our District!

A new episode of Ray-Pec Connect dropped this morning! 🎙 In this episode Dr. Mike Slagle sits down with the Director of Shull Early Center, Mary Shatford, to talk about the choices that are offered to the parents of children before they get to kindergarten and how important that time is for their development. Hear how we are Empowering Our Littlest Learners! raypec.org/page/ray-pec-connect-podcast

February is National CTE Month. What a perfect time to highlight the future CTE programs in the district. In 2024-25 we're excited to offer a Heavy Machine Operating program! Just one more way Ray-Pec is a #DistrictOfChoice To learn more about his program, visit our website: https://www.raypec.org/o/lead/page/heavy-machine-operating This series details some of the lesser known topics around the district and highlights some of the wonderful things that go on behind the scenes. https://youtu.be/MqpRwrxfNt0

Join our team! 📢 Ray-Pec is looking for a Director of Special Education, Middle School Principal, and Middle School Assistant Principal. Who do you know that would be a great fit? Follow these links for information about the positions: • Director of Special Education: https://www.applitrack.com/raypec/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=2932 • Middle School Principal: https://www.applitrack.com/raypec/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=2933 • Middle School Assistant Principal: https://www.applitrack.com/raypec/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=2934

Happy National Public Schools Week! 🏫🎉 This week we celebrate the incredible educators and students who make our public schools shine. ✨ Share your favorite school memories and spread the love for accessible education! #PublicSchoolsWeek #psw24

🎥 Staff Spotlight 🎥 In this episode of Staff Spotlight, Raymore-Peculiar School District Superintendent, Dr. Mike Slagle, chats with Tracy Elliott. Tracy is a special education teacher at Shull Early Learning Center. raypec.org/page/staff-spotlight-2023-2024

Today is National School Resource Officer Day! We would like to take a moment and recognize all of our SRO's who help keep our students and community safe! 👮‍♀️👮‍♂️ Cass County Deputies: Cole Briscoe, Summer Jacobs, and Mary Wilson Raymore PD: Stephanie Hornbeck Peculiar PD: Ryan New

Congratulations to the finalists for Raymore-Peculiar 2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year! Here are your finalists: Renee Anthuis, Raymore Elementary Matt Caston, Technology Department Amy Harrell, High School Amy Kaye, Stonegate Elementary Amber Sutton, Stonegate Elementary Melissa Tabor, Bridle Ridge Elementary Natalie Thomas, South Middle School and Ninth Grade Center Colleen Warchola, Timber Creek Elementary Penny Wilson, Creekmoor Elementary The finalists will be honored and the winner announced at a program and dessert reception scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the high school patio commons. There is no charge to attend, but please RSVP to Pam Steele at pam.steele@raypec.org.

Congratulations to the finalists for Ray-Pec 2024 Teacher of the Year! Here are your finalists: Jenni Beck, Raymore Elementary Jenny Bowman, South Middle School Monica Crabtree, Peculiar Elementary Kevin Crean, High School Rebecca Dobson, Raymore Elementary Gina Garrison, Bridle Ridge Elementary Peggy Miller, Timber Creek Elementary Jennifer Ramirez, Ray-Pec Academy Jennifer Talley, High School Kelli Yahnig, Eagle Glen Elementary The finalists will be honored and the winner announced at a program and dessert reception scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the high school patio commons. There is no charge to attend, but please RSVP to Pam Steele at pam.steele@raypec.org.

🎥 Staff Spotlight 🎥 In this episode of Staff Spotlight, Raymore-Peculiar School District Superintendent, Dr. Mike Slagle, chats with Stephanie Pugh. Stephanie is an art teacher at the Ninth Grade Center.

As we prepare to cheer for the Chiefs this weekend, we also are looking ahead to next week. As a reminder, schools are not in session on Monday, Feb. 12, for staff collaboration. If the Chiefs win on Sunday, Ray-Pec schools will not be in session on Wednesday, Feb. 14. After much discussion, it was decided that it would be difficult to maintain a normal school day due to the high number of families and staff planning to attend the Super Bowl Champion celebration activities. Classes would be canceled. No virtual learning will occur. The Ray-Pec Administrative Services Center would be open. All school buildings would be closed. BOOST (Best Out Of School Time) would open at 8 a.m. for families who are already enrolled. The make-up day for Feb. 14 would be on Tuesday, Feb. 20, which is currently on the calendar as a non-attendance day for students. Should the Chiefs receive an unfavorable result, schools will be in session as usual on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

February is National CTE Month. What a perfect time to highlight the future CTE programs in the district. In 2024-25 we're excited to offer a Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling program! Just one more way Ray-Pec is a #DistrictOfChoice https://youtu.be/Pm3d7wHVZFE