Raymore-Peculiar South Middle School

Two LEAD Center students have put together an Adopt Rescue Foster event this Sunday! Come out and join us for Dogs & Donuts from 12-2 pm at Memorial Station Shelter #2 in Belton! 🐶🍩

We're looking for Mock Interview volunteers! If you or someone you know are interested in helping prepare our students for life after high school, please reach out to Gwen Huke at gwen.huke@raypec.org.

One final reminder before the weekend! Classes will NOT be in session on Monday due to staff collaboration. Have a great weekend! 🎉

2024 Ray-Pec Summer School enrollment is OPEN! Elementary and middle school students will attend Monday through Thursday, June 3 to 27. (As June 19 is a holiday, students will attend on Friday, June 21.) High School students will attend Monday through Friday, June 3 to 28. No classes will be in session on June 19. For more information on enrolling, please visit our website here: raypec.org/page/summer-school-2024

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

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!

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

🎉 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.

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.

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.

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

Through the Eyes of a 6th Grader 👀 https://youtu.be/bWGC7bzwVMs The transition from elementary to middle school is a big deal! Hear what some of our sixth graders have to say about life in middle school. 🏫

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

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.

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.

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.