You are cordially invited to the 2024 Volunteer of the Year reception.
We had over 35 individuals nominated to receive the VoTY Award this year! We are amazed at the support these individuals provide to our district and wish that we had time to formally honor each of them and their contributions.
We will honor the following finalists:
Aaron Howlett, Amber Rodriguez, Amy Sellmeyer, Debbie Kansteiner, Desiree Almanza, LaTisha Spiller, Laurie Keeley, LeeAnne Thompson, Lora Kurzweil, Lyndi Dewey, Michelle Houston, Nicole Cline, Shelby Ayres
Please join us if you are able, share this invitation, and remember to thank a volunteer today!
VoTY Reception
Tuesday, April 23rd
7:00pm
Ray-Pec Academy Board Room
Through the Eyes! 👀
https://youtu.be/odC8_uWOTHk
This episode of Through the Eyes focuses on our brand new Girls' Flag Football team! Hear what they say their favorite parts of football are and what drew them to the sport.
Senior DRIVE Night is one week away!
The DRIVE Project is designed to help students invest in becoming more educated, active, and productive members of their community while developing the essential skills required to be competitive in the current job market, focusing on components of our Portrait of a Ray-Pec Graduate. Students in English IV have worked on these projects all year, and would love for you to come out and see what they have accomplished!
MSBA and Ray-Pec School Board President Ruth Johnson opened the afternoon session of the MSBA Advocacy Day at the State Capitol today.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle was also in attendance to meet with legislators about school finance and solid waste landfill issues.
Thank you to everyone who supported the recent Major Saver card sale! More than $27,000 was raised for the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation and the participating elementary and middle schools.
Raymore-Peculiar students sold 4,057 Major Saver campaign cards. Of the total, $13,793.63 will benefit the foundation, and the rest will be distributed to the individual schools, based on the number of cards sold.
The fundraiser was celebrated at the April 9 Administrative Council meeting. In back, from left: South Middle School Principal Stacy Johnson; Timber Creek Elementary Principal Dr. Lauren Gechter; Raymore Elementary Principal Jennika Miller; and Eagle Glen Elementary Principal Rebecca Kolkmeier. In front, from left: Creekmoor Elementary Principal Ashley Tegenkamp; Peculiar Elementary Principal Keri Collison; and Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston. (Not pictured: East Middle School Principal Katie Campbell; Bridle Ridge Elementary Principal Dr. Jennifer Chastain; and Stonegate Elementary Principal Kiley Brown.)
Elementary and middle school students sold the $15 cards featuring 21 special offers. Cardholders may also download a free app to access other reusable offers.
If you missed out on the fundraiser campaign, you can still order a card to benefit the Foundation's work: https://www.majorsaver.com/ (Click on the link to purchase a Major Saver card, and search for Raymore-Peculiar.) All cards purchased online will be mailed directly to the customer.
Raymore-Peculiar High School announces its upcoming production of the classic American family drama "A Raisin in the Sun."
Performances of the show will be in the Ray-Pec East Middle School Flex Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, and Friday, April 12; and at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.
Debuting on Broadway in 1959, Lorraine Hansbury’s "A Raisin in the Sun" introduces us to the Youngers, a hard-working family reeling from the recent loss of their father. However, dealing with grief and redefining familial roles are just some of the challenges they face. As they try to better the family's financial situation with the insurance payout from their father’s death, they must confront housing discrimination, racism, and questions of what it means to assimilate.
The cast includes Sav Jordan as Ruth Younger, Devantz Desravines as Travis Younger, Tre Hill as Walter Lee Younger, Amari Russell as Beneatha Younger, Kenyale Edwards as Lena Younger, Devin Fisher as Asagai, Tre Saunders as George Murchison, Alex Moore as Bobo, Noah Tuttle as Karl Lindner, and Lena Roy as Mrs. Johnson.
Working behind the scenes are Teacher Dane Schnake as the director, Teacher Adam Segura as Technical Director, and Patron Kay Connelly, Teacher Jayme Overstreet, Todd Schnake and Pam Schnake as production assistants. The assistant directors for "A Raisin in the Sun" are Aaryn McClenden, Avery Monnig, Amy Robinson and Katrina Tilawen. The scenic coordinator is Avery Monnig. The stage manager is Katrina Tilawen. The assistant stage manager is Ace Evans. The lighting designer is Emma Browning. The sound designer is Ellie McRill. The costume designer is Lily Seward. The props designer is Hailey Feagins. The house manager is Bella Gallagher and the box office manager is Addi Kesler.
Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office line, 892-3999 extension 2400. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students.
Link to reserve tickets: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2yQmjVOgtznm9KoDxhoeKvmG_es1ZyeeRC-gZ31M-dK3FUg/viewform
April is School Library Month and this week is National Library Week! 📚
Whether you're diving into a classic novel, researching a topic, or simply finding a quiet space to unwind, libraries offer something for everyone. Let's give a round of applause to librarians and library staff for their dedication in fostering a love for reading and learning. 👏 #NationalLibraryWeek #LoveLibraries #ReadMore 📖✨
The first edition of the RPHS PRISM Multi-Media Art and Literature Magazine has been printed. Thank you to five LEAD Center students that worked hard to bring the vision to life and put this 64 page, full-color magazine together - fully funded by sponsors! The PRISM is ready for purchase at the price of $5 each!
Art Teacher Amy Hellums has 250 copies of the magazine available for purchase.
If you'd like to purchase one in support of our RPHS artists and writers, send an email to amy.hellums@raypec.org. All proceeds from the magazines sold will go toward scholarships for a few 2024 seniors that have artwork/ literature published in the PRISM.
🎉 Today, we celebrate Paraprofessionals Appreciation Day! 🌟
Let's take a moment to honor the incredible dedication and hard work of our paraprofessionals. Your commitment to supporting students and educators does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do! 👏 #ParaprofessionalsAppreciationDay #ThankYouParas
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open!
If your child will be 5 years old by Aug. 1, 2024, see information about kindergarten registration and screening. As you register, you will select a time and date for an in-person screening appointment. Screening dates vary by school.
As we near the end of March, we're wrapping up our Board of Education celebration.
Last but not least, meet Board Member Bill Lowe.
He was appointed to the board in 2018 to fill a vacancy when Kim Bailey was selected to serve on the State Board of Education. He was then elected in April 2019 to his first term and re-elected in April 2022.
"I believe in the motto of service above self. The school board provides me the opportunity to serve the community of Raymore and Peculiar in an impactful way."
What is Bill's "why" for serving on the Board?
"It is my belief that when a school district provides avenues of success for each student, the community as a whole benefits. When families decide to move into communities, they often look to see what type of education the school district is providing. Our school district has always provided students with a high level of education and opportunities to learn those critical thinking skills necessary for future success. I wanted to ensure those standards continued as well as meet the needs of future industry opportunities. It is important to have leaders on the board that put the success of the district above self. There are times when decisions are made that not everyone is going to like. A leader still has to make those decisions in the context of what is best for the district as a whole."
Thank you, Bill, for your dedicated service to our District!
Our tutoring coordinator has spent the last month traveling across the district to visit approximately 80 tutors working with students of all ages! In addition to helping students across the district, the tutoring class also helps students accomplish the 50 tutoring hours required to earn A+.
🎥 New Video! 🎥
https://youtu.be/5AwrbWEmsJM
This episode of Through the Eyes has us looking down the sights! Hear what our Trap Shooting team has to say about all of the benefits of their sport.
If it's still March, we're still celebrating our Board of Education!
Meet Board Member Billy King.
He was first elected to the Board in April 2018 and is currently completing his second term. "I am a proud Ray-Pec graduate, and I want to make sure that the district is a safe environment for all students. Everyone in the district matters. We are all here to make sure the kids have the best learning experience possible."
Thank you, Billy King, for your dedicated service to our District!
🎥 Staff Spotlight 🎥
https://youtu.be/ziFG8zDFbQw
In this episode of Staff Spotlight, Raymore-Peculiar School District Superintendent, Dr. Mike Slagle, chats with David Perkins. David is the Lead Custodian at the LEAD Center.
Congratulations to all of our Teacher and Support Staff Employee of the Year nominees!
Our 2024 Teacher of the Year is Monica Crabtree, 5th grade teacher at Peculiar Elementary!
Our 2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year is Colleen Warchola, Kitchen Manager at Timber Creek Elementary!
If you’ve driven past Peculiar Elementary School this week, you may have noticed excavation work under way at the corner of Third Street and South Street.
This corner of the school property is being developed as a pickleball court that will be available for use by students, staff, and patrons. The project is a partnership between the school district, the Peculiar Charitable Foundation, and the City of Peculiar.
The Ray-Pec School Board approved donating approximately 0.48 acre of land on the school’s site to the Peculiar Charitable Foundation. The foundation is paying to construct the courts.
The school and school district have the first right of usage for the courts, and signage posted at the courts will indicate when the court is available for public use. Parking for the pickleball court will be allowed on the 12 southern parking stalls, and signage will be posted at those stalls.
Registration for pre-kindergarten programs also begins today, Friday, March 15. Children who will be 4 years old before Aug. 1, 2024, and who reside in the Ray-Pec School District, may register for classes at Shull Early Learning Center.
For information, and to RSVP, go to the Shull website: raypec.org/o/selc/page/program-information
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year begins today, Friday, March 15.
If your child will be 5 years old by Aug. 1, 2024, see information about kindergarten registration and screening: raypec.org/page/kindergarten-registration
As you register, you will select a time and date for an in-person screening appointment. Screening dates vary by school.
We are celebrating our School Board all month!
Meet Board Member Paul Coffman.
He was first elected to the Board in April 2017 and is currently serving his third term. He was attracted to Board service because he enjoys putting people in a position to succeed.
"Both of my parents were school teachers, and I saw everything they did to put students in a position to succeed. Serving on the Board is a way for me to help put teachers in a position to succeed.”
"My four children graduated from Ray-Pec and were blessed by the opportunities and encouragement they received at Ray-Pec. I don’t have children currently attending school, so I think I can look at the big picture to help provide opportunities for all students and their activities.”
Thank you, Paul Coffman, for your dedicated service to our District!
