Ray-Pec Director of Human Resources Rachel Surls recently visited Washington, D.C., as part of the Missouri Education Policy Leadership Program. She is pictured fifth from left. The Missouri EPLP is a statewide professional learning opportunity designed for school district central office leaders, especially superintendents, and focuses on Public School Advocacy. The program includes monthly learning with regional leaders, statewide sessions, and a culminating Legislative Summit/Advocacy Seminar event in Washington, DC.
Thanks to everyone who supported the recent Major Saver card fundraiser! Almost $31,000 was raised for the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation and the participating elementary and middle schools. Kelly Osborn, President of Major Saver, attended the Administrative Council meeting on April 8 to announce the fundraiser's results.
At the March 20 meeting, Ray-Pec School Board members were thanked for their dedication and service.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle noted that March is School Board Recognition Month in Missouri. He publicly thanked the board, saying that Ray-Pec students, staff, and families benefit every day from their service.
The March 20 meeting was also the last regular meeting for Board Member Bill Lowe. He chose not to run for re-election, and after April 8 will be replaced on the board.
Lowe joined the board in November 2018 and has served more than 6 years. He was given a school bell as a token of thanks for his service.
From left: Board Vice President Deanna Olson, Paul Coffman, Janet Jones, Bill Lowe, Carol Barnes, and Patty Phillips. Board President Ruth Johnson was out of town and unable to attend the meeting.
Exciting news for Raymore Elementary! 🎉 Bailey Finau has been named the new principal, effective July 2025! With a strong background in education, leadership, and a passion for fostering inclusive communities, Bailey is thrilled to join the Raymore family. 👏
Currently serving as an assistant principal in the Center School District, Bailey’s extensive experience includes roles in Raytown, where she taught, led summer school, and supported student growth. Her dedication to student success and collaborative leadership will continue to drive Raymore Elementary forward.
Bailey and her family—husband Alatini and children Isi (6) and Losa (3)—are excited about this new chapter! Let’s give her a warm welcome! 🏫✨
Huge congratulations to the incredible Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year finalists at Ray-Pec! Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community are truly inspiring. You make a difference every single day. Here's to all the hard work you do to shape bright futures!
All of the finalists will be honored and the winners will be announced at a reception on March 19th at the Ray-Pec High School Performing Arts Center.
We are proud that the Ray-Pec Performing Arts Center has been selected as the JE Dunn Construction Quality Project of the Year for 2024!
This beautiful facility is a tremendous place to showcase our outstanding performing arts programs. It provides more seating than our previous auditorium and includes updated technology, wing space, and a fly system for theatre sets. Thanks to our community for supporting the 2021 Prop S bond issue that made this project possible. With this recognition from JE Dunn, more people will learn about the Ray-Pec PAC!
The School Board recognized AsmaulHusna Suleiman as the runner-up at the District Spelling Bee. She is a 7th grader at East Middle School. She is pictured with Board Vice President Deanna Olson.
Spellers from the seven elementary schools and two middle schools competed in the the event on Jan. 15 at Ray-Pec High School. The winner was McKenzie Dubert, an 8th grader at South Middle School. After nine rounds, McKenzie won the bee by correctly spelling the word “sorbet.” McKenzie will represent Ray-Pec at the Cass County Spelling Bee. McKenzie was unavailable to attend the Board meeting.
The School Board tonight recognized two Ray-Pec High School students for receiving All-State honors as individuals.
Senior Emren Lewis, left, received All-State recognition as a Backspot. A backspot is a cheerleader who ensures the safey of the flyer, especially during complex stunts and dismounts. They help the bases lift the stunt up, but instead of being the primary support, they help make it steady or balanced. They are also the first point of contact for the flyer when they dismount or fall.
Junior Allison Norris, center, received All-State recognition as a Flyer and Tumbler.
A flyer is usually positioned at the pinnacle during a cheer stunt - these are the people you see being lifted or thrown in a stunt. This role demands strength, flexibility, and body control to maintain form while being tossed and caught. Most members of cheer teams are tumblers, but Allison was recognized for exceptional ability in this area.
They are pictured with Board Member Janet Jones.
The School Board tonight recognized Ray-Pec High School Senior Jayden Peek. Each month, Cass Career Center in Harrisonville selects one high school senior as the Young Professional of the Month. Last month, the honoree was Jayden. Jayden is a student in the EMT Academy at Cass Career Center. This year, he also has the title of Captain in the program.
Jayden is pictured with Board Member Janet Jones.
His EMT Instructor, Sybil Frost, said this about Jayden: “He has strong leadership skills and has been helping mentor other people in his group. He has been very patient with them and is working hard to make sure all of them are successful when it comes to skills testing. He's a hard-working young man who will go far in the fire and EMS industry. I'm very proud to have him as one of my students and I can't wait to see where he goes. I know wherever it is, he will be successful.”
Congratulations to the Ray-Pec East Middle School Students of the Month for November! These students were recognized for their effort.
8th Grade (front row): Gentry Howard, Nathan Larsen, Kade Skinner, Emma Dudley, Justice Jackson, and Aaron Woo.
7th Grade (middle row): Dondrell Cheeks, Jude Harrison, Bryn Johnson, Hunter Fann, Gage Hatfield, and Caden Williams.
6th Grade (back row): Owen Dallas, Brylee Predmore, Amarion Spencer, Olivia Ly, Nolan Milligan, and America Cristal Vega Espinoza.
More than 100 juniors and seniors from Ray-Pec High School serve as A+ tutors throughout our district. Here are pictures of some of them working with other students in our district! #Herewego
2018 Ray-Pec graduate Song Waltz and a colleague were rehearsing today for a special performance on Saturday.
Song will be a featured soloist as part of the halftime entertainment for the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. The halftime entertainment includes a concert by the West Point band.
The annual Army-Navy football game features a lot of history and pageantry. This year, the rivalry game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. You can watch the game on CBS.
Here's hoping that they show the halftime show!
School Board member Janet Jones (with red ball) played a game of WhoVille during a physical education class today at Stonegate Elementary. She was visiting schools with Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle.
Today the Innovation Academy hosted their Winter Wonderland Dinner! A grant from the Raymore-Peculiar Education Foundation helped sponsor the event, along with a generous donation of meat from Midwest BBQ Equipment. As part of the Real World Learning initiative, students are responsible for planning, decorating, and preparing food for students, staff, and families to enjoy to help kick off the holiday season. ❄️🎄
It's soccer awards season and this one is extra special. Coach Shawver has been recognized and honored by the Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association as SELECT Assistant Coach of the Year! 🖤💛
Patrick Hemmingsen led a 𝓬𝓸𝓸𝓵 lesson this morning as part of the wrap-up of a QFT (Question Formulation Technique a.k.a. Right Question Method) that his AP Chemistry students have been investigating this month. Students investigated intermolecular forces, phase changes, and freezing point depression to help answer the question, "Why does adding salt to icy steps and roads prevent them from freezing?"
In the lab portion of the lesson, students were able to use these properties to turn coffee creamer cups into bite sized ice cream treats. Students were VERY engaged and the experience helped students solidify their understanding of the concepts. This method of teaching was a focus at the Innovation Summit earlier this year!
On Friday BOE Vice President Deanna Olson took some time to visit the Ninth Grade Center and East Middle School. At EMS she met Lead Custodian Dawn Brumble and got to see the wall FILLED with notes of appreciation that students and staff wrote to Dawn for everything she does to make learning possible! 🖤🩵
This past Saturday the advanced coding teachers, Mr. Lersch and Mr. Conley took eight RPHS students to compete in the Missouri Hacks Computer Science Competition at MU. The students of Ray-Pec got the opportunity to sit in on a lecture from Professor Jim Ries, witness a VR demonstration, and then compete in teams in one of the Engineering Computer Labs on campus. They were prompted with a problem and had three hours to write and code an original program. They were then judged by a panel of MU Computer Science majors. Ray-Pec represented almost a third of the competitors present in this second annual event!
Ground has been broken on the Integrated Learning House! We can't wait to see some incredible learning opportunities come to life in this new space! 🤩
The Belton and Ray-Pec faculty competed in women’s and men’s volleyball matches to raise money for St. Jude’s and Heart N Hand and for annual bragging rights. The games were held at Ray-Pec High School Nov 13th. Ray-Pec DECA members coordinated the event this year with help from local sponsors: Pizza Hut, Sonic, and Dominoes. The Ray-Pec women won in 3 sets and the Belton men won in 2 sets.
