Raymond Central Newsletter
March 2019
From the Desk of Dr. Joel...
I do not remember a time when spring activities started with the amount of snow we still have on the ground. March 3, 2018 we saw a high temperature of 73 degrees, March 3, 2019 we saw a high temperature of 8 degrees. Our coaches and sponsors are doing a fantastic working with our students inside despite the cold and snowy conditions. With this being said, it is the time of year I remind myself how important gratitude is to living a happy and successful life, even when we are all tired, cold, and ready for spring. Make sure to take time to be thankful for everything and maintain a positive outlook, we have a lot to be proud of at Raymond Central Public Schools. The power of gratitude is greater than any negative situation, thanks Twitter for these words of wisdom!
Thanks to everyone who attended our first Vision 2025 community forum February 12th at the Valparaiso Elementary School. We look forward to our next community forum Wednesday, March 20 6:30 PM at the Raymond Fire Barn. If you are unable to attend a Vision 2025 Forum, you can complete the online survey on the district website. Also, we will continue to Facebook Livestream the meeting as well.
Last month was the first time RC had a live feed of the regular school board meeting. The plan is to continue streaming the BOE meetings live through Facebook. Through our learning, we understand the sound quality is not fantastic and have ordered a new microphone to improve the online experience.
Finally, mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 27 6:30 PM. Raymond Central Public Schools will be showing the latest I Heart Public Schools film - The Mind Inside. The Mind Inside is a series of films that explore mental health issues in Nebraska Public Education. I Heart Public Schools understands that schools are being asked to address immediate and varied needs of students and provide more social, emotional, and behavioral support services than ever before. Please join us as we watch the first film and have a conversation about the current and future support for our students. As a bonus, pizza will be provided!
Go Mustangs!
Dr. Joel, Superintendent
Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences
The NED Show
RC Elementary Schools Celebrate Read Across America
The elementary schools celebrated Read Across America week February 25-March 1. Each day a different Dr. Seuss book was featured. Students and staff could dress up to match the featured book. Also, each morning a line or two was read from a Dr. Seuss book and the first class that called the office with the correct title won a prize for their classroom. Guest readers were invited to come and read a book during library times. On March 1, Dr. Seuss’ birthday was honored and classrooms had special reading activities. During the month of March, students have the opportunity to complete the Dr. Seuss Reading Challenge. The goal of all of these activities is to help promote the love of reading in our students.
How Reading with Your Children Can Help Them Develop a ‘Yes Brain’
Important Activity Dates
March 2nd - Music Booster Mattress Fundraiser
March 4th - FBLA meeting, NCC Honor Band @ DC West, FFA District CDE @ Columbus
March 6th - Spring sports pictures w/Callum Photography
March 11th - District Speech @ RC
March 14th - Malcolm Music Contest, First spring sports contests
March 16th - York JH Honor Band
March 18th - FFA meeting
March 21st - State Speech @ Kearney
March 29th - Class B All-state Honor Band @ Grand Island
School Community Intervention & Prevention
SCIP Spring Conference:
"Ever Changing Youth Drug Trends: Strategies for Prevention and Early Intervention"
April 4, 2019
Lincoln, NE
Now approved for LADC and CJ Hours!
Keynote Speaker: Officer Jermaine Galloway - the "Tall Cop"
Officer Jermaine Galloway, known as the “Tall Cop”, is a nationally and internationally recognized presenter, national award winner and resource for those involved with prevention, education, treatment and enforcement. Officer Galloway began his law enforcement career in Idaho in 1997 and has more than 16 years experience in alcohol and drug education, enforcement and prevention. As a full time trainer, Officer Galloway currently dedicates thousands of hours to community scans, research and substance abuse identification in large and rural communities across the country.
5.75 hours approved for clinicians on the Supreme Court of Nebraska, Office of Probation Administration's Registered Service Providers List. This program may also meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for certified social workers, certified master social workers, or licensed mental health practitioners for 5.75 hours.
4.5 LADC hours; Nursing CEUs are available, pending approval.
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens, a group of drugs that cause mind altering effects, have been commonly used for religious rituals around the world for centuries, although several hallucinogens are illegal in the United States. In recent months, “magic mushrooms” or psilocybin, a popular hallucinogen, has gained attention as activists in Denver are hoping to decriminalize the use of the drug and Oregon is hoping to vote on the legal use of psilocybin for medical use in 2020 (Denver Post). Overall, teen use of hallucinogens in the United States has been low in recent years compared to other drugs like marijuana and alcohol. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 6.6% of 12th graders reported using a hallucinogen in their lifetime, compared to 43.6% that reported using marijuana in their lifetime. The increase in public attention hallucinogens are receiving is concerning.
Youth Risky Behavior and Thrill-Seeking Games
Compared to adults, adolescents are more prone to take risks. While we often associate negative behavior with risk taking, it can be a healthy part of growing up within limits. Healthy risks, such as engaging in a behavior or activity that challenges one physically, socially, personally or academically, can help adolescents find their identity and even be a source of stress relief. Engaging in discussions with youth and educating them on the consequences of unhealthy risk taking should be part of ongoing conversations both at home and at school. Some of the more obvious risk-taking behaviors that we make efforts to educate our youth on include the use of drugs and alcohol, social media safety, safe driving practices and engaging in healthy and safe relationships
FBLA News
On February 8 the Raymond Central FBLA Chapter participated in the UNL Business Contest. Members first heard about all the College of Business has to offer from Dr. Donna Dudley, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Curriculum and Programs, before competing in their various events. Connor Nichols placed first in FBLA Principles and Sydnie Blanchard was 5th; Amanda Gyhra was 3rd in Job Interview and Kelbie Schnieder was 5th; Scott Tvrdy was 4th in Financial Math and Lauren Prososki was 4th in Parliamentary Procedures. Connor was also 5th in Financial Math. The Quiz Bowl team, consisting of Connor Nichols, Trever Oldfield, and Kelbie Schnieder, placed 2nd.
FBLA members have been busy completing reports for state competition which takes place April 4-6 in Omaha. Our next competition is March 5 at Midland University.
UNL ABC Comp (picture below):
Raymond Central students receiving awards at the conference are (from left to right): Sydnie Blanchard, Scott Tvrdy, Kelbie Schnieder, Trever Oldfield, Lauren Prososki, Amanda Gyhra, and Connor Nichols.
Kind Kids Club in Ceresco
In February, students made a kindness tree and when students would catch someone being kind, they would fill out a heart and add it to the tree. Last week students grades k-5 worked together to make the Kindness is Golden board for March.
About Us
Email: rcentraljournalism@gmail.com
Website: www.rcentral.org
Phone: 4027852685
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaymondCentralHS/
Twitter: @RC_Mustangs