Dear TC families,

Our Grandparents breakfast this morning was extremely well attend, even better than expected! Safety is our first priority and I thank you for your patience as we screened all visitors. We are already making notes for next year on how to improve and speed up things. This was out first grandparents breakfast since Covid and we were thrilled with the turn out!

I want to make you aware of an incident that occurred this morning during the breakfast. During our Grandparents breakfast, emergency medical personnel were called to Timber Creek to assist a visitor. There was no disruption to classroom learning and the day’s schedule. However, some students and visitors may have seen the ambulance or had to wait a few minutes while we kept hallways clear for emergency personnel. Please be assured that we have measures in place to maintain a safe learning environment for all children. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lauren Gechter

Parent Teacher Conferences are in two weeks. Conference Dates are:

• Oct. 26 4:15-7:15
• Oct. 27 1:30-7:15
• Oct. 28 11-3pm

As a reminder, all conferences will be 15 minutes in length unless a double time has been scheduled. Our goal is to meet with 100% of parents either in person or virtually to discuss the success' and growth opportunities for your students! If you need help scheduling or rescheduling a conference, please reach out to the teacher or call the office at 816-892-1950.

We continue to make school safety a top priority at Timber Creek Whether there is a medical emergency in the building, a weather emergency is imminent, or an intruder is suspected, we want to ensure students and staff know what to do and where to go in an emergency situation.

Throughout the year, students and staff will participate in various emergency and lockdown drills. We discuss with students what to expect during each type of drill. We also encourage families to converse with their children about what to do in an emergency or safety situation.

Absence Definitions Explained

• VERIFIED ABSENCES: An absence from school resulting from illness or unforeseen circumstances which is verified by a parent/guardian. A VERIFIED absence is NOT an EXCUSED absence. (Verified absences count against student's attendance)

• EXCUSED ABSENCES: An absence is categorized as excused when a note is received by the school excusing the absence. EXAMPLE: official doctor’s note, court document, etc. (Excused absences do not count against a student’s attendance)

• UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: An absence from school without verification within 48 hours of the absence. (Unexcused absences count against a student’s attendance.)

After ten verified/unexcused absences or tardies/early outs, the office will contact the parents to schedule a conference regarding the issue. In accordance with Missouri’s Compulsory School Attendance Law (RSMO 167.031), regular school attendance is required. This law states, “Every parent, guardian or other person in this state having care, control or custody of a child between the ages of five and seventeen years shall cause the child to attend regularly.” Should the pattern of excessive absences continue, Raymore-Peculiar School District reserves the right to refer the matter to the Juvenile Officer of Cass County for further investigation.

You can also follow all PTA updates on the Facebook group “Raymore Timber Creek Elementary PTA”.

Dismissal Changes: Please call in dismissal changes by 2:30.

Neighborhood traffic: Our neighborhood patrons have done a fantastic job keeping parking to one side of the road to relieve congestion. As a reminder, when you are waiting in line to pick up your student at the end of the day-please do not block driveways. We appreciate you being mindful of this so that our community can enter and exit their houses/driveways safely.

Panther Pride offers before- and after-school child care for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Sites are located at all Ray-Pec elementary schools. Before-school care is available from 6:15 a.m. until the school days starts. After-school care is available from dismissal to 6 p.m. on school days.

Care is also available on many weekdays that school is not in session. The schedule includes indoor and outdoor activities, snack, hands-on projects, gym activities, social interaction, and homework assistance. Panther Pride is a large group supervision program that follows district guidelines related to discipline, illness, and healthy snacks.

There are three options for care: before school only, after school only, and before and after school care. For more information about the program and questions on pricing please call 816.892.1090 or see the link below.

Sign up here: https://www.ezchildtrack.com/parent7/ParentLogin.aspx?c=pantherpride

Panther Pride

• Doors will open this year at 8:20 am for students to begin arriving.
• School starts at 8:35 am

• Car rider lane starts at 3:20 pm to relieve congestion in the neighborhood. Students will still not be dismissed until 3:50.
• Walkers will dismiss AFTER car riders this year.