Greetings to RC Mustang Nation

We are off to a great start for the 2023-2024 school year. This year we will continue our focus on providing a positive learning experience to enable all students to be successful. We are explicitly focusing on our choices and actions on a daily basis and recognizing that all persons can be successful when we do things The Mustang Way! The building principals will continue to roll out to students and parents/guardians the specific details regarding The Mustang Way. In addition to the work taking place with our learners in the classrooms, the Board of Education is continuing to evaluate the facility needs.

While the bond issue did not pass, the need to make facility improvements remains a focus for the Board of Education as their primary role is to provide quality opportunities for all of our learners and to provide a work environment that attracts quality employees. Toward that end, the board believes that the results of the bond election is indicative that this is not the time to move forward with another bond election but rather a time to revisit what we can do in the short term while planning for the long term. While considering various options, the board is committed to making necessary updates to the elementary buildings as needed and focusing more heavily on improvements and necessary updates to the Jr/Sr High School facility. Some of the options being discussed include:

1. Reconfigure existing elementaries to put like grades together to create balanced classes, instructional and service equity at all grade levels, and enhance instructional planning and delivery. One configuration being discussed is grades K-2 at Ceresco and grades 3-6 at Valparaiso.

2. Reconfigure elementaries so that upper elementary grades are at Valparaiso and lower elementary grades stay at both Ceresco and Valparaiso.

3. Move 6th grade back to Valparaiso to get additional space that is needed at the Jr/Sr campus.

The Board of Education has asked the Superintendent and Building/Transportation Committee to revise the Master Facility Priority List with updated cost estimates to be used to determine board priorities.

At the September regular Board Meeting the Board of Education will approve the 2023-2024 budget and tax asking. A Patron Budget Workshop was held on Wednesday, August 30th to provide the public an opportunity to address budgetary and taxing concerns prior to the final approval in September. Patrons can expect a lower tax levy this year as a result of increased state aid, special education funding, and increased valuations. The general fund budget of expenditures is increasing slightly due to the increased cost of personnel and the special building fund is increasing to enhance our ability to address facility needs.

All things look to be aligning for a fantastic school year. Thank you for your continued support of our learners.

Go Mustangs!

Lynn Johnson

September Jr/Sr High School Newsletter

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the teachers, staff, parents, and community members that have welcomed me to Raymond Central. It is evident that the communities we serve are passionate about the learning and growth of the young people we serve.

Schools often refer to themselves as communities. As we close out the month of August and head into September, we have 418 students enrolled in grades 6-12. We also have a little over 60 teachers and staff that play a role providing classroom instruction, transportation services, food services, and various other vital support roles. With around 500 individuals in the building every day, we can only function well if we function as a community.

Healthy communities share a set of common understandings and goals. This year we are defining some common understandings by adopting things such as school-wide expectations and we are working to systematize ways we can better support student success. The world around us is quickly changing. Each year our students have varying needs. One of our goals is to be able to proactively adapt to the changing needs of our students to continue to prepare them for great opportunities after high school. Like any healthy community, we need to be looking both at the immediate and distant future.

Another important aspect of a healthy community are the people involved in the work. I am happy to say that we have some great people involved in the day to day work. We have a committed group of teachers and paraprofessionals that work with our students each day in the classroom. Our campus is clean and well cared for by a great facilities team. Students enjoy great food everyday prepared by our nutrition staff. Our dedicated office staff literally keep the building running and troubleshoot amazingly. I can assure you that your students are surrounded by adults in this building that care for them and are committed to their success.

Finally, a vibrant community has a well-defined identity. This year I am using three words to try to capture what we are about: Academics, Behavior, Community. The message students will continue to hear from me is that their overall success at Raymond Central will be a result of embracing these three ideas. We want them to take care of business in the classroom, conduct themselves in a way that demonstrates respect for themselves and others, and find ways they can be involved.

The 23-24 school year looks bright. We have high hopes for what will be accomplished this year!

Mr. Smith

Raymond Central District!!

The yearbook showcases EVERY student from Preschool to graduating seniors. This is our third year adding the whole district into our book and we are perfecting it every year.

Ordering is now available! Forms are available below!

Order yours today!!

The Homecoming dance is on September 30th entrance is $10 and can be paid in advance to the office. Crowning will take place at the dance this year.

Monday - Pajama Day

Tuesday - Dress Like Your Favorite Teacher Day

Wednesday - Twin Day

Thursday - Decades Day

Friday - Spirit Day

The Junior High Student Council had their first meeting and are excited for this school year!

Junior High Student Council Members include (front row, left to right): Maddox, Cade, Maci, Lily, Cooper (back row, left to right): Mitchell, Julia S., Lydia, Will, Deacan, Connor, Julia W., Emory and Lynsey.

We are hosting the Three Rivers Health Department for a Flu / COVID vaccine clinic at the High School on 9/25/23. It will go from 4-6 pm.

Flu shots are free with insurance cards and so are COVID boosters.

Bring your card with you. Also, bring a record of your previous COVID vaccinations if possible.

We went to the State Fair on Friday, September 1st and did a great job performing for everyone! We also performed at our first football home game. Stay tuned for more pep band performances at football and volleyball games this September, and our competitions are on October 7th (Bennington) and October 14th (Ashland-Greenwood). Lots of exciting things happening with Band this year! Don't miss out!