What a weekend for Ray-Pec Theatre! State Champions in Readers Theatre, State Champions in Duet Acting (Sav Jordan and Devin Fisher), and State Runner-Up for the One Act Play!
In addition, five other events placed in the top 6 in the state, and Ray-Pec earned second place in the overall speech sweepstakes at the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), State Speech, Debate, & Theatre Championships on April 22 at Missouri State University.
Congratulations to:
Dramatic Interpretation--Andrew Burton--3rd Place
Nigel Norvell--Poetry Interpretation--4th Place
Humorous Interpretation--Corbin Williams--5th Place
Duo Interpretation--Irelynn Sloan and Elijah O'Brien--5th Place
Original Oratory--Sav Jordan--6th Place
The morning of Wednesday, April 19, School Board Member Bill Lowe joined Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle to greet students arriving at Eagle Glen Elementary School. April 21 will be Sgt. Lowe's last day in uniform as he is retiring after a 28-year career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Congrats on your retirement, and thanks for your service! (He is continuing to serve as a School Board member.)
โThis is a place where students can experience learning in a different way.โ - Dr. Mike Slagle, Ray-Pec School District Superintendent
In creating the Ray-Pec LEAD Center, the district wanted to create an experience for students that was unlike what they had experienced before and complement their high school experience. With opportunities for real-world learning, career and technical education, teacher training, entrepreneurial experiences and more, students are not only engaged in a traditional learning experience, but also prepared to propel into their next avenues of life.
A group of retired Ray-Pec employees enjoyed lunch together on Tuesday at the Administrative Services Center.
From left: Mary Dobson, Ellen Wilfong, Carol Brandt, Shelley Presley, Dorthy Jungmeyer, Karen Helzer, and Joyce Webb.
The lunch was sponsored by the Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation. If you'd like to be notified of future retiree get-togethers, send an email to jodie.huston@raypec.org.
A group of retired Ray-Pec employees enjoyed lunch together on Tuesday at the Administrative Services Center.
From left: Mary Dobson, Ellen Wilfong, Carol Brandt, Shelley Presley, Dorthy Jungmeyer, Karen Helzer, and Joyce Webb.
The lunch was sponsored by the Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation. If you'd like to be notified of future retiree get-togethers, send an email to jodie.huston@raypec.org.
Ashley Jones, left, and Ruth Johnson were sworn into office during a special School Board reorganization meeting on April 17. Board Secretary Pam Steele administered the oath after the Board certified the results of the April 4 election. Jones and Johnson were elected to 3-year terms.
Paul Coffman was also re-elected to serve a 3-year term, but was unable to attend tonightโs meeting. Steele will administer the oath of office to Coffman later this week.
The Board elected Ruth Johnson to continue as President, Deanna Olson to continue as Vice President, Pam Steele as Secretary, and Cynthia Byous as Treasurer.
Ray-Pec High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) conducted its annual Stay Safe Spring Campaign on April 14, the day before Prom. SADD members tagged about 713 cars with letters from elementary students encouraging them to make good decisions during prom and graduation. This year's participating elementary schools were Raymore Elementary, Stonegate Elementary, Eagle Glen Elementary and Timber Creek Elementary. The project includes coordination between counselors,elementary students and SADD.
Congratulations to the RPEMS Students of the Month for March. They were recognized for exhibiting care and concern. Front row, from left: Eighth graders Dane Hamberg, Sophia Hurley, Selena McCurter, Destiny Taylor, Scarlett Twillegar, and Phillip Watts. Second row: Seventh graders Gabrielle Beaven, Asher Froelish, Emani Spears, Elena Marvin, Annalise Merritt, and TiiโMyrius Wilson. Third row: Sixth graders Carly Hough, Makenli Jackson, Chase McGuire, Paxton Edwards, Jesstina Schnacker, Zoey Smith.
As Missouri School Board Recognition Month comes to a close, join us in thanking our Board members for their dedication and hours of service! Back: Billy King, Paul Coffman, Bill Lowe, & Carol Barnes. Front: Vice President Deanna Olson, Kim York, & President Ruth Johnson.
Kim York is ending 12 years of service on the Ray-Pec School Board. She was first elected in 2011, & has served four 3-year terms. This year, she chose not to run for re-election. Kim was Board President in 2012, 2013 & 2106, and vice president in 2017. Thanks for your service!
The Ray-Pec School Board on March 28 honored Teacher Carma Richey. Ms. Richey teaches English Language Arts during the morning at the high school. In the afternoon, she teaches the Teacher Academy at the LEAD Center. Students in the program spend two days per week learning about becoming an educator. The other three days each week, students are in district classrooms working with teachers and students at the middle and elementary schools.
Last week, Ms. Richey attended the Council of Chief State School Officers Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., with Missouri Commissioner of Education, Dr. Margie Vandeven. During the conference, Ms. Richey participated in a panel discussion and shared about Ray-Pecโs use of federal grant funds to start the Teacher Academy program.
The people attending the conference included Chief Officers of education for each state, members of Congress, and members of the Biden Administration. The panelโs goal was to convince those in attendance that Grow Your Own programs should be included in the national education budget. Ms. Richey was selected to attend because DESE identified Ray-Pec as having an โexceptional program.โ
She is pictured with Board President Ruth Johnson
The Raymore-Peculiar School Board on March 28 honored RPHS Senior Brynn Elkins, who placed 4th at the State Wrestling Meet last month. She is the first girl from Ray-Pec High School to be All-State in wrestling. This was her second time to compete at the state tournament. She is pictured with Board President Ruth Johnson.
The School Board tonight honored Aiden Daly, the 2023 Ray-Pec District Spelling Bee Champion. Aiden is an 8th grader at South Middle School.
The District Bee was held virtually on Jan. 11. After 11 rounds of competition, Aiden was declared the winner after successfully spelling the word โsubsequent.โ He then represented Ray-Pec in the Cass County Spelling Bee earlier this month.
He is pictured with Board President Ruth Johnson.
Ray-Pec High School announces that Aubree Bell will lead the Panther Volleyball Team, beginning with the 2023-2024 season.
Coach Bell joined the Ray-Pec School District last August as a physical education teacher at Ray-Pec High School. She also served as the volleyball assistant coach last fall.
Coach Bell previously played competitive volleyball for 11 years. Her playing experience began with six years for PVA at the Elite Club Level and ended with five years at the University of Central Missouri. During Coach Bell's time at UCM, she earned three All-Conference awards. The UCM Jennies were the Regular Season Champions as well as the Post Season Conference Champions.
Currently, Coach Bell is coaching club volleyball in the Kansas City area. She said she has big plans for the Ray-Pec Volleyball Program. She said that her high school, club, and college volleyball experiences have taught her the importance of leadership, teamwork, and valuable life lessons.
This Ray-Pec grad is a national champion!
2021 Ray-Pec graduate Conner Gittings, a 4-yr member of the Ray-Pec Trap Shooting Team, competed at the Division II National Championships earlier this month in Las Vegas. Conner broke 100/100 targets, and pulled off the 5-man shoot-off, which took an additional 30 targets.
Conner is currently a sophomore, shooting for Upper Iowa University, in Fayette, Iowa. As a team they also placed 3rd in the HOA (High Over All), Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays.
Teacher Carma Richey represented the Raymore-Peculiar School District and the teaching profession on March 21 as part of a national panel talking about the importance of "Grow Your Own" teaching programs.
Ms. Richey attended the Council of Chief State School Officers Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., with Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Margie Vandeven. Ms. Richey and Teacher Kayley Pak from Park Hill Schools were invited to attend after being identified as having "exceptional" programs for students interested in careers in education.
Ms. Richey teaches English Language Arts at Ray-Pec High School and the Teacher Academy at the LEAD Center.
During the CCSSO conference, Ms. Richey shared about Ray-Pec's Teacher Academy program. The people attending the conference included Chief Officers of education for each state, members of Congress, and members of the Biden Administration. The panelโs goal was to convince those in attendance that Grow Your Own programs should be included in the national education budget.
Congratulations to Ray-Pec High School Business Teacher Travis Conley on being selected to receive the Warren C. and Dorothy B. Lovinger Graduate Student Scholarship for continuing his Master's degree program at the University of Central Missouri!
Congratulations to the South Middle School Students of the Month for February! They were honored for being organized. Back row, from left: Audrey Newton, Nathaniel Boze, Keaton Lindell, Alexis Brown, and Nathan Ayers. Second row: Brianna Biondo, Addison Gaster, Kennedy Moner, Brielle Ryberg, and Skyar Waller. Third row: Paxton Lehman, Reggi Cox, Myla Branick, and Ella Weaver. Front row: Andrew Smither, Elizabeth Howe, Grant Thomas, and Katie Mayes. Not pictured: Charles Kille and Jazmyn McClendon.
The Ray-Pec High School bowling team placed 3rd at divisional finals and is headed to State! Front, from left: Coach Jeff Gish, Fiona West, Tallie Scott, and Teacher Sponsor Brenda Tilawen. Back row: Michael Lindsey, Bailey Cain, and Jacob Thompson. Not pictured is Dawson Parish.
A group of Ray-Pec High School students participated in "Introduce a Girl to Construction Day" today. The event, sponsored by JE Dunn, included visits to the Builders Association Training Facility and the JE Dunn headquarters to learn from skilled trade professionals about construction opportunities.
