The year is slipping by and we have a lot of things yet to accomplish. I am happy to report that the Board of Education took action to approve new english language arts (ELA) curriculum materials for the 2023-2024 school year. Our teachers in grades K-8 who are responsible for ELA instruction, have spent the majority of our professional development time this year, in the pursuit of growing their knowledge base about the science of reading and in selecting resources that will enable them to best instruct students. Implementation of the materials are a critical determinant of student achievement. The calendar, that the board has approved for 2023-24, contains ‘full days’ of professional development rather than our typical 2 hour late starts. The reason for this change is that it is critical that grade level teachers spend time collaboratively planning lessons and reviewing student learning as a result of the lesson delivery. The goal is to have professional development time on a monthly basis to facilitate this critical planning process. The majority of resource materials ‘promise’ student achievement results as long as the materials are delivered with fidelity. If we want to get the desired results, we must be attentive and intentional about how we organize the delivery. Our teachers will spend time this summer learning more about the resources and how to effectively use the resources. In addition, our teachers will be spending time this summer learning how to effectively instruct foundational skills. We are fortunate to have a staff that are willing to spend their summer in pursuit of practices that they know will translate to student growth.

Where are we at with our facility planning? The Board of Education has been intentional and rigorous in making sure that they had adequate and exhaustive information regarding our facilities to equip them with making prudent decisions about facilities and preparing our students for the future. After much deliberation and discussion, the board has publicly noted that they intend to move forward with Facility Option F which includes building a new PK-6 elementary school just south of the current Jr/Sr High School. This new elementary facility will have the core capacity and classroom space to support a three section elementary. Option F also includes some renovation to the existing Jr/Sr High School. The renovation would be focused on the educational spaces related to science, special education, CTE (Career & Technical Education to include industrial arts and agriculture labs), and elevator upgrades. At the February Board of Education meeting, the board noted that they intend to take action on a resolution at their March 15, 2023 meeting. The resolution would call for a bond. After a resolution is passed, an informational campaign will kick-off. This informational campaign will share specific and detailed information with all of our patrons regarding the scope of the project, the rationale behind the project, and the cost to the taxpayers. There is a Facility Master Planning link on our website that houses all of the information from the Patron Committee Meetings. Below is a very general depiction of what is included in Option F. The refinement phase of planning will initiate upon the conclusion of a successful bond election.

We have now had three snow days and that means that parents/guardians and students can plan on Wednesday, May 24th as being the last student day. We will not be changing the last student day unless we have a considerable number of school cancellation days between now and May (which I don’t foresee.) The calendar for the 2023-24 school year has been approved by the Board of Education and can be found on our website under the District tab.

Parents/guardians are urged to discuss with your child(ren) the need to be conscientious students through the end of the school year. As we move into our state testing time frame it is important that our students give their best effort so that we have valid data that helps to inform our practices. Let’s all keep our foot on the gas and ensure that we have a solid finish as opposed to coasting to the endline.

Go Mustangs!

Lynn Johnson

2023-2024 Dance Team Tryout Calendar

3/20/2023 @ 6pm - Parent/Athlete Meeting in the HS Commons

3/28-3/30 @ 7am - Practice

4/1 @ 1pm - Tryouts

4/17 - Concession at JH Track Meet

5/4 - Concession at HS Track Meet

Dear Parents and Families:

We are working hard to keep kids reading and raise critical funds for our school with our Scholastic Book Fair from March 13-16, 2023.

The Fair will connect your kids to notable books and inspiring characters — helping them become lifelong readers. You can also shop online from March 8th-20th.

Online shopping features:

Access to over 6,000 products

All orders ship direct to home

FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*

All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards

More Information to come!

Thank you for continuing to support our school.

Happy reading,

Ms Dannelly

School Librarian

*Free standard shipping is available on book-only orders of $25 or more, after all discounts are applied. Free standard shipping (books) must be selected during checkout.

Orders containing products other than books are not eligible for this shipping promotion.

- The 6th and 7/8th Bands will be traveling to Malcolm to perform at the Malcolm Music Contest on March 16-17. We have a handful of students who will also be performing in solos or small groups. Come on out to support these students in their musical endeavors!

- We had 8 students (listed below) who were selected to participate in the Conference Honor Band that will take place in Yutan on Monday, March 6th. This event is made up of a select group of students who have been nominated to participate, it should be a great performance! The final concert is free, and open to the public (6:30 pm @ Yutan High School).

Sixth grade students in STEM spent their last days of the trimester planning, creating, and building arcade games. They enjoyed playing each others’ creations!

Above are the Scholastic Art and Writing award winners this year!

We also had Mae Masek receive a Nebraska Young Artist Award which is a huge honor!!

Platte Valley Academy - March 17th

Doane Leadership Camp - Summer grades 6-12

Nebraska Rural Electric Youth Energy Leadership Camp - Summer 9th-11th

Titan Machinery Diesel Camp 9th-10th grade - https://www.titanmachinery.com/dieselcamp/

Titan Machinery Edge - 11th and 12th grade https://www.titanmachinery.com/titan-careers/internship-sponsorship/titan-edge-program

Titan Machinery Sponsorships and Internships 12th grade and up!

The transportation class is open to donations of engines, transmissions, and engine stands.

Whether they work or not they will be put to good use!

Contact: Elijah Hackbart at elijah.hackbart@rcentral.org

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As part of Raymond Central’s commitment to students’ safety and mental health, beginning in January 2023 we are launching an anonymous reporting program, which will allow students and parents to make anonymous reports about concerns of safety or student wellness. Our program is student-focused, as opposed to crime-focused, meaning it is a tool for alerting caring adults about students who need help—not snitching. This is part of our continuous effort to increase campus and student safety, and provide students with a safe, completely anonymous outlet to share concerns.

Students can use our new Safe2HelpNE app to report: bullying, suicide concerns, depression, sexting, stealing, threats, cutting, abuse, dating and domestic violence, fights, drugs, alcohol, weapons or other types of dangerous situations that threaten the safety of others. Their reports will be addressed by a trained school threat assessment team.

When you or your student have a concern, you can go to www.safe2helpne.org on your computer, tablet, or laptop-- or you can download the free Safe2HelpNE mobile app-- and make a 100% anonymous report in less than five minutes.

The use of anonymous reporting apps in state programs like Safe2Tell Colorado have proven to be successful in providing the tools and information needed for school officials and to proactively address concerning behaviors, potential incidents of violence, and other harmful situations on campus before they develop. We look forward to working with you and your students to continue making Raymond Central a safe school.

We had so much fun including everyone in the district last year that we are doing it again! All staff and students from Preschool to the Graduating Class of 2023 will be included in one beautiful book. If you have students in more than one building, you can buy one book and have everyone's photo included!

(Elementary yearbooks will still be available for families with only elementary students! Please contact the Elementary office if you would only like an elementary yearbook!)

The Journalism Team has already been working hard on a theme that we think you will love this year! Soooo...Don't delay!! Order your Yearbook TODAY!!!

Yearbook Order Forms for the 2022-2023 Yearbook are available in the office or in Mrs. E's room. There will be NO extra books ordered, so please make sure you get yours ordered now!

Pricing is as follows:

$60 per yearbook from January 1, 2022 to May 20, 2022

Senior/Business Ad space is also available! Please email:

rcentraljournalism@gmail.com for more information or with any questions!

SENIOR PARENTS--If you have not already done so, please email a senior photo and a baby photo of your graduating senior to: rcentraljournalism@gmail.com

Gotcha Good is a program designed to recognize 6-12 graders who have been "caught" doing something extra good to help the school community, a classmate, or a staff member.