October News Volume 2
10-19-2020
Hard at work!
Peculiar Families,
Here we are half-way through October already! Can you believe it? Time is flying by.
Our 2 virtual days have gone well, and the students have done an awesome job at bringing devices back and completing their work on those days. Thank you for your help with this at home. They are learning how to navigate SeeSaw and how to complete and submit assignments through this platform.
We have parent-teacher conferences coming up the first week of November, so be on the lookout for those sign-ups to come out from teachers this week. Additionally, we have Culver's Night coming up on the 28th of October. From 5:00-8:00 p.m., we encourage you to go through the drive-through to grab dinner. A portion of the sales will go to our Peculiar Elementary PTA.
As we head into the last part of the month, we want to thank you for your partnership as we continue to navigate teaching and learning during this unprecedented time. You all have been supportive and understanding, and our staff is working above and beyond to make this year successful for our students.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call.
-Keri Collison
Principal
Announcement: October 30, 2020 --Virtual Instruction Day
Ray-Pec schools will not be in session for in-person learning on Friday, Oct. 30, to allow staff to complete planned professional development activities related to virtual learning and preparation of online resources.
We will send devices and charging cords home with all of our K-5 students to continue practicing procedures that will be used if school closure is required later in the school year for inclement weather or COVID-19.
For the first time, Kindergarten and 1st grade students will bring home a device (either an iPad or a Chromebook.) Students will practice taking home charging cords and returning to school on Monday with both the cord and device fully charged so that they are ready to learn.
As part of this practice day, all EC-5th grade teachers will provide virtual activities for students to complete. Parents and students should expect additional learning activities this time as we prepare for future virtual learning expectations. The activities will be online via Seesaw for grades K-5. Additionally students in Gr1-5 will participate in a Zearn math lesson.
School Lunch Available on Oct. 30
Students can still have their school lunch and breakfast on our 100% virtual learning days: Oct.!
Each elementary building will provide grab & go meals for pick up between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
Meals must be pre-ordered HERE!
Maps to assist with drive-through pick up are being developed and will be posted as soon as available!
(This is on the front page of our website: www.rpchildnutrition.org )
Important Dates to Remember:
October 23: Spirit Day: "Play By the Rules" (wear your favorite team gear)
October 28: P.E. Culver's Night (drive through recommended) 5:00-8:00 p.m.
October 30: Virtual Learning Day (no in-person attendance this day)
November 1: Daylight Savings Time (set clocks back an hour)
November 4 & 5: Parent Teacher Conferences
November 6: No School
Nov 4 & 5 Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences will take place Nov. 4 and 5.
This year, all parent-teacher conferences will be held virtually via Google Meet. In the next week, your teacher will send out an email explaining how to sign up for a conference appointment that works best for you.
Teachers and staff are excited to "meet" and collaborate with parents about their child's progress thus far and goals for the second quarter.
P-T Conference Dates:
- Wednesday, Nov. 4: 4 to 7 p.m ---Full day of school attendance
- Thursday, Nov. 5: 1 to 7 p.m. ---Early release day
- Friday, Nov. 6---No in-person classes AND no virtual classes
Meet our Fourth Grade Team!
Click on the link below to meet
Mrs. Coleman: https://sites.google.com/raypec.org/mrscoleman20-21/home
and
Ms. Jones: https://sites.google.com/raypec.org/ms-jones-4th-grade/home
PTA INFORMATION
We will be hosting our first PTA meeting on Monday, Oct 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Please plan to wear your mask and come on out to get involved!
We will also open a google meet link if you would like to join virtually. If that is something you are interested in, please email drew.stewart@raypec.org and we will get you the link to the meeting. We hope you can come!
We invite all families to join the Peculiar PTA as members of our school community. Joining the PTA does not obligate you any job, but gives you the opportunity to contribute and vote on decisions for our school family. PTA membership is $10 per family.
Please click the link below to complete the membership form: PTA Membership Form
Our PTA also compiles a school directory to be distributed to only families in our building. Peculiar Elementary can not distribute personal communication between families, so the PTA provides contact information for the families. Each family may provide as much or little contact information as they choose.
Please complete the directory form to show what, if any information may be shared. PTA Directory Information
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures:
Arrival:
Our doors open to welcome our elementary students each morning at 8:20 am. Students should then proceed to class as our teachers are excited to begin with their class family at the start of each day! Breakfast will be provided in the classroom to those students who choose to eat breakfast.
Students should not arrive at school earlier than 8:20 a.m. Staff supervision begins at 8:20 a.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:35 am.
Walkers/Bike Riders -will enter through the front doors.
Car riders/Daycare Van Riders are to be unloaded using the southwest parking lot. We ask that you patiently wait in your car until you reach the cones and a staff member welcomes you and your student(s) before they exit your vehicle. Please help your child open their car door because staff is unable to do so.
Bus Riders wait on the bus until a teacher arrives to unload along the front driveway west of the building. Students will wear masks. Family members should be seated together. Bus drivers will seat students in the order they are picked up.
Dismissal:
All students are dismissed at 3:50 pm. All dismissal changes should be communicated to our office via phone/email by 2:30pm. This allows sufficient time to notify teachers and students of changes.
Walkers/Bike Riders will be dismissed after car riders and busses are dismissed for safety reasons.
We ask that parents who are waiting for walkers wait near the fire hydrant, and not near the car rider line, front doors, or bike rack. This will be important this year due to social distancing guidelines.
Car Riders/Daycare Riders will be dismissed in the order of their cars arrival.
Please make sure you have your blue car tag with your child’s first and last name visible in the passenger window of your vehicle. Two car tags were mailed home. If you need an additional blue car tag, please notify the front office.
For the safety of your children, please be ready to show your ID if you do not have a yellow car tag or if staff may have a question/concern. We appreciate your patience.
Utilize the car rider line if you are picking up your student at dismissal in your car. Please do not park in our parking lots and then ask your child to cross the parking lot to your car.
- Bus Riders will wait in their classrooms until their bus is called. Students will wear masks. Family members should be seated together. On the bus ride home, students will sit in the same seat they came in on.
Apple Bus Info
The Ray-Pec School District contracts with Apple Bus Company to provide student transportation. To inquire about transportation or to speak with an Apple Bus employee about your child's bus experience, call Apple Bus directly at 816-318-1900, or you may send an email to Apple Bus at rp@applebuscompany.com.
Quick Tip Reporting:
Report school safety and bullying concerns through Quick Tip:
Peculiar Elementary Mission & Vision
Mission:
Preparing each student for a successful and meaningful life.
Vision:
A future-focused community with a commitment to lifelong learning.