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.

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.

Senior English experience serving others at Harvester. They plan to propose their own food closet at RPA to the admin later this semester.





The Ray-Pec RUSH Show Choir & Band will present a preview show on Thurs., February 8th at 6 pm in the RPHS Academy Theatre. Come out and support your RPHS Show Choir as they present "Sweet Dreams", songs & choreography for their upcoming competitive season! The show is free for all attendees.

The Raymore-Peculiar High School Fine Arts Department is pleased to announce its production of the musical comedy Shrek the Musical. Performances of the show will be in the Ray-Pec High School Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, Feb. 2, and Feb. 3; and at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 4.
To read more about this production, visit our website here: https://www.raypec.org/article/1427233
Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office line, 892-3999 extension 2400, or by utilizing the QR code below. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students.
Here is the link to reserve tickets: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeBhpP50Kcayb.../viewform

Attention Ray-Pec families: The National Weather Service has made us aware of the high potential for icy conditions in the morning. We will monitor conditions overnight and in the morning. If a schedule change is necessary for the day, we will communicate the information as early as possible.

Ray-Pec is again planning to participate in the Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics! The event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 27, at Longview Lake. ❄️
If anyone is interested in joining or donating the Surf's Up Panthers Plunge team, here is a link to instructions: support.somo.org/event/2024-kansas-city-polar-plunge/e521315

📢AMI Day📢
Due to the continued cold temperatures, and the forecast for extreme cold and wind chill, there will be no school Friday, Jan. 19.
This will be a virtual instruction day, also known as an AMI Day. AMI stands for Alternative Methods of Instruction. Students will learn from home.
This will be the District’s third AMI day during the 2023-2024 school year. Missouri law allows schools to use up to five AMI days during the year.
🏀Activities🤼♂️
All elementary school and middle school after-school activities and evening events will be canceled and/or rescheduled. Watch for separate notifications about high school events or activities. In some cases, those activities may continue as scheduled.
👦Child Care👧
BOOST (Best Out of School Time) is the program that provides before- and after-school care. BOOST will open at 8 a.m. to provide care to families who are already enrolled. BOOST will provide care at Raymore Elementary School only. The charge is $30 for the day. This is not included in the no-school-day sign-up or cost. Space is limited, due to the staffing ratio. Children are required to bring lunch on snow days, as the school cafeteria is not open.

Thank you to Chris Hagan for speaking to some of our RPA students about effective listening. We all had a great time playing all the games and engaging in conversations with you.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, schools will be closed today, January 15th. 2024. Schools will also be closed tomorrow to allow for staff collaboration.
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of a true education." -Martin Luther King Jr.

📣 Reminder! 📣
Classes will not be in session on Monday, 1/15/24, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tuesday, 1/16/24, to allow for staff collaboration.

With the snow thawing, here's a look at some of the events that you can take part in over the next few weeks!
Saturday, Jan. 13 - RP Select Day
Tuesday, Jan 16 - Girl Scout Princess Party
Saturday, Jan. 27 - Shrek Workshop Day
Saturday, Feb. 3 - Father-Daughter Dance
January and February - individual sessions of Mini Jammers Basketball Camp
To learn more about how to get involved in these events and future events, visit our website: raypec.org/page/in-the-community
With the snow melting, here's a look at some of the events that you can take part in over the next few weeks!
Tuesday, Jan 16 - Girl Scout Princess Party
Saturday, Jan. 27 - Shrek Workshop Day
Saturday, Feb. 3 - Father-Daughter Dance
January and February - individual sessions of Mini Jammers Basketball Camp
To learn more about how to get involved in these events and future events, visit our website: raypec.org/page/in-the-community
❄Due to heavy snowfall districtwide and road conditions in the rural areas of the district, there will be no school on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.
💻This will be a virtual instruction day, also known as an AMI Day. AMI stands for Alternative Methods of Instruction. Students will learn from home.
Despite efforts to get schools ready for tomorrow, winds and additional snowfall have combined to create drifts in areas previously cleared. Some rural roads have not yet been plowed. Our law enforcement and public works partners with other agencies have advised that there may be other areas of concern for drivers in the morning.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle said that, “I understand that any time school is not in session as originally expected, it can cause disruptions for families. Please know that our team will always strive to make the safest, most prudent weather-related decisions, and also will take into account the ability for all parts of school operations to run smoothly. I appreciate your understanding while we deal with this difficult week of weather.”
🤼Activities🏊♀️
All elementary school and middle school after-school activities and evening events will be canceled and/or rescheduled. Watch for separate notifications about high school events or activities. In some cases, those activities may continue as scheduled.
👦Child Care👧
BOOST (Best Out of School Time) is the program that provides before- and after-school care. BOOST will open at 8 a.m. to provide care to families who are already enrolled. BOOST will provide care at Raymore Elementary School only. The charge is $30 for the day. This is not included in the no-school-day sign-up or cost. Space is limited, due to the staffing ratio. Children are required to bring lunch on snow days, as the school cafeteria is not open. Watch for additional communication from BOOST.
📅Calendar📅
Because students are learning at home, the school day will not be made up later in the year. The last day of school remains scheduled for May 23, 2024.

❄️Due to inclement weather, there will be no school on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. This will be a virtual instruction day, also known as an AMI Day. AMI stands for Alternative Methods of Instruction. Students will learn from home.
🏀Activities🎭
All elementary school and middle school after-school activities and evening events will be canceled and/or rescheduled. Watch for separate notifications about high school events or activities. In some cases, those activities may continue as scheduled.
👧Child Care👦
BOOST (Best Out of School Time) is the program that provides before- and after-school care. BOOST will open at 8 a.m. to provide care to families who are already enrolled. BOOST will provide care at Raymore Elementary School only. The charge is $30 for the day. This is not included in the no-school-day sign-up or cost. Space is limited, due to the staffing ratio. Children are required to bring lunch on snow days, as the school cafeteria is not open. Watch for additional communication from BOOST.
📅Calendar📅
Because students are learning at home, the school day will not be made up later in the year. The last day of school remains scheduled for May 23, 2024.

The Missouri State Thespian Conference is being held in Kansas City on January 4th, 5th, and 6th. Ray-Pec High School was selected to perform "Romeo and Juliet" as one of the MAINSTAGE productions. Ray-Pec will be peforming at the Folly Theater tonight at 7:30 pm. 🎭
Each year, only a handful of plays are selected to perform at the festival. This marks the 10th time that RPHS has performed a mainstage show at the Missouri State Conference since 1973.


RPHS Course Planning Night will be January 24, 2024 from 5-7pm. This evening is a great opportunity for families to learn about courses, programs and opportunities that are offered. There will be a series of informational sessions, a sophomore orientation meeting, and a department fair to share information regarding courses.
You can learn more about the informational sessions here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CsYXjW7CEx_pQf3TfPwdp9-nhoD_sqi5PyP_9wsF6Ew/edit?pli=1#heading=h.55hgjyset6v3

The Ray-Pec School District is seeking nominations for the 2024 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Employee of the Year. The award finalists will be honored in the spring.
Anyone may nominate a teacher by submitting a letter of nomination by Jan. 19. A candidate must:
Be a full-time teacher, librarian, or counselor.
Be returning to teach in 2024-25 in the District.
Have completed 3 or more years teaching at Ray-Pec.
Be effective and innovative in the classroom.
For the Support Staff award, you may nominate a full-time or part-time employee who has worked at least one year for the District. The deadline is also Jan. 19.
Examples of eligible employees include: accompanist, accounts payable, BOOST before and after school care, buildings and grounds, child nutrition, crossing guards, finance employees, lunch monitors, media assistants, nurses, paraprofessionals, payroll, safety and security, secretaries, teacher aides, and technology employees.
Send nomination letters to: Teacher of the Year/Support Staff Employee of the Year, Administrative Services Center, P.O. Box 789, Peculiar, MO 64078, or via email to: michele.stidham@raypec.org or rp.update@raypec.org.


We are extremely grateful for the kind donation of pulled pork and turkey from Operation Barbeque Rescue for our Holiday Dinner at RPA (Raymore-Peculiar Academy) and for the generous grant from the Raymore-Peculiar Foundation Board.
The Holiday Dinner serves as a special occasion for our students to invite their loved ones, along with members of the Innovation Academy, RP Foundation Board, upper administration, and RP School Board, to come together and enjoy fellowship. Our Student Leadership Team leads the organization of this dinner, involving as many students as possible through Crash Labs for activities like candy-making, shopping for supplies, and event decoration. The OBR's generous contribution of meat not only enabled us to include other food items and decorations but also saved us valuable time that would have otherwise been spent on cooking. The meat was exceptionally tender, delicious, and a huge hit among everyone present. The RP Foundation's donation allowed for us to have the dinner and turn the experience into a winter wonderland. These acts of kindness have truly made a difference in our community. The pictures provide a glimpse of the delightful atmosphere that filled the room.




They're looking to make it a streak! ⛹️♀️ The Lady Panthers are back on the road seeking a third straight victory. The game tips off at Blue Springs High School at 7:00 pm tonight.
If you can't make it out, you can watch the game on YouTube here: youtube.com/@BSHSActivities

