Raymond Central Public Schools
November 2019
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Happy November RC Nation! I am excited to announce the selection of Raymond Central for a federal grant from the Office of Innovation and Research. Raymond Central and Schuyler Public Schools submitted an application last spring for a five year grant that awards $800,000 per year. Under the guidance of Diane Wolfe, ESU2 grant writer and technology expert, Raymond Central will utilize the grant to provide extensive training for staff in regard to classroom technology implementation, online curriculum resources for math and science, more STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) related opportunities for students and resources for teachers, and PLTW (project lead the way) curriculum and classes K-12 in years 4 and 5. Raymond Central has been working hard to find grants to fund our vision for technology as a supplement to quality instruction happening in classrooms each day. As with any large federal grant opportunity, we will conduct extensive research to ensure the work we are doing has a positive impact on student achievement and success. As data is collected, the district will share the results of the overall impact. We were the only two public schools selected for this grant in the State of Nebraska!
Below is an invitation to attend the screening for I Love Public School’s “The Mind Inside Episode 2”. The Mind Inside explores the landscape of mental health issues in Nebraska schools. Based on interviews with students, teachers, and medical experts, the second episode of this I Love Public Schools Films series uncovers how the ever-changing social media landscape affects what happens in the classroom and creates a lasting impact on students’ mental health. With remarkable candor, Episode 2 illustrates the nuances of the digital and real worlds of today’s student, where the development of the adolescent brain and vulnerabilities of growing up are compounded by daily, persistent online interactions. The goal of the series is to create awareness around mental health and to encourage understanding, empathy, and support for students. If you plan to attend, please click here to register as dinner will be provided.
Through the strategic planning process and the hard work of many community members, parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and Board members, new district goals were developed for 2019-2025. In the next several newsletters, I will be highlighting one goal area and including district activities/initiatives that came out of the input from the Vision 2025 roundtable discussions (last year), the RC 360 Superintendent Evaluation, culture and climate survey data, teacher exit surveys, and daily conversations around our fantastic school district. The first goal, strategic goal number four, maintain and improve current facilities.
Performance Indicator (1): Continue to update the RC 5-10 year facilities plan.
Performance Indicator (2): Explore creative/innovative classroom and campus concepts.
Performance Indicator (3): Hire a consultant to assist in future facility planning including the construction of a Performing Arts Center.
Over the past two years, the Board of Education has created and monitored a 5 year facility plan to streamline the planning and prioritization process. With anticipation of our fantastic school district growing in the future, it is important that we not only maintain our facilities, but improve them to be ideal spaces to learn for both students and staff. The district has taken an aggressive timeline to improve our aging facilities, however, we do not have unlimited resources to find long term solutions for all issues. Below are large projects the district has completed to update our current learning spaces.
Replaced 20 heat pumps, cleaned all duct work, added roof ventilation, fixed the energy recovery unit, and installed all new thermostats at Ceresco Elementary. The total cost for the project was $315,000.
Created a second lagoon with all new connections, cleaned out the original lagoon, added a fence around the lagoon, and seeded the area for easy maintenance. The total cost for the project was $70,000.
Replaced the walk-in cooler floor at Valparaiso Elementary. The total cost for the project was $6000.
Replaced windows on the north side at Valparaiso Elementary. Due to hail and other issues, the cost of the project, $90,000, was covered by insurance.
Resurfaced the track and new lines painted. The total cost was $51,950.
As we progress toward the future, we will prioritize large projects that will impact the general and depreciation fund. The following projects will need to be completed within a couple of years.
Replace the Val Elementary gym roof (estimated cost $190,000)
Replace Val Elementary heat pumps (estimated cost $400,000)
Upgrade interior cameras at all school sites (estimated cost $40,000)
Replace the 20 year old carpet at both elementary schools (estimated cost $210,000)
Remove gravel from both elementary school playgrounds and replace with black mats (estimated cost $100,000)
Replace the flat roof on Ceresco Elementary (estimated cost of $180,000)
Overall the district has been working hard to prioritize the work needed to keep our schools in great shape. Last summer the district purchased 67 acres of land in front of the Jr/Sr High School. The Board of Education will begin conversations on how to utilize the land for future use and to fulfill future needs of the district.
Several teachers across the district have removed traditional classroom desks and chairs with a variety of seating options. Known as “flexible seating” in education, students have the opportunity to sit in non-traditional seats such as bean bag chairs, exercise balls, stools, standing desks, cushion mats, etc. Teachers have transformed their classrooms to focus on the needs of our 21st century learners!
For December, I will share and discuss the work the district is doing in regard to technology for 2019-2025.
Go Mustangs!
Dr. Joel
Wellness Policy Update
Do not forget to checkout the website to learn more about the RC District Wellness policy. It is important to review the policy before providing treats/snacks for your student’s celebration. The next Wellness Committee meeting is November 20 @ 6:00 PM.
FBLA Entrepreneur Breakfast
Businesses in the Raymond Central School District:
The Raymond Central Future Business Leaders of America would like to invite you to breakfast on Thursday, November 7, at Raymond Central High School, in the Mustang Room. We will serve breakfast from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
The breakfast will honor all of our local entrepreneurs for your support of community and school activities. We hope to see you there!
Student Council Blood Drive
YEARBOOKS!!
To order a yearbook for grades 6-12 for this school year, please complete the following form for your child or children. This form must be submitted with the appropriate payment in order to be added to the list OR you may order online at www.walsworthyearbooks.com, selecting Buy A Yearbook or Ad and then searching for Raymond Central.
Pricing is as follows:
$50 per yearbook until December 31, 2019
$60 per yearbook from January 1, 2020 to May 20, 2020
If you have multiple children in grades 6-12 and would like more than one yearbook:
$95 for two yearbooks until December 31, 2019--no discounts after January 1, 2020 (use code 2Yearbooks online)
$140 for three yearbooks until December 31, 2019--no discounts after January 1, 2020 (use code 3Yearbooks online)YEARBOOK ORDER FORM:
NAME:
Number of Yearbooks:
Price:
Total:
Send Order Form and Payment to RC High School in care of Journalism Department. You can mail in the form and payment or can drop it off at the High School office.
Senior Ads and Business Ads
Have a child graduating in May 2020? Or do you own/manage a business that should be advertised in the yearbook? Pricing for both as follows:
¼ page for $30
½ page for $60
Full page for $100
Both ads should be ordered and sent to Mrs. Enevoldsen by April 20, 2020 to ensure there is adequate space.
Cash and check payments (payable to Raymond Central) can be given to Mrs. Enevoldsen or the office.
Contact Mrs. Enevoldsen at rcentraljournalism@rcentral or 402-785-2685 Ext. 305 with any yearbook or advertisement questions or concerns.
Congratulations, RC Band!
FFA Land Judging
On October 9th the Central FFA Chapter attended the Area Land Judging contest in Weeping Water, Nebraska. Contestants judged four sites and received ribbons based on their placing accuracy through various categories. The chapter walked away with 1st overall team (Mallory Hughes, Ellie Hula, Blake Stanley, and Aleyna Cuttlers), 4th overall team (Joey White, Rachel Bos, Cece Sterns, and Austin Anderson), as well as many individuals scoring in the top ten; Madison Parham (10th Individual), Aleyna Cuttlers (7th Individual), Ellie Hula (5th Individual, Mallory Hughes (1st Individual), as well as the chapter’s advisor Whitney Lehn placing 1st overall for the adult division. Members placing in the top ten are state contest bound.
Purple ribbons: Mallory Hughes, Ellie Hula, Aleyna Cuttlers, and Madison Parham.
Blue ribbons: Janelle Santos, Austin Anderson, Joey White, and Rachel Bos
Red ribbons: Heather Lange, Blake Stanley, and Cece Sterns
Pictured: Top row from the left (Mallory Hughes, Madison Parham, Olyvia Korthanke, Blake Stanley, Austin Anderson, Mason Gerdes, Janelle Santos, Whitney Lehn) Bottom row from the left (Ellie Hula, Cece Sterns, Rachel Bos, Brynn Behring, Joey White, Heather Lange)
Get Ready for the Holidays in Style!
Please consider purchasing a holiday poinsettia to support the RC Teammates Program. Complete an order form and turn it into the office at your student’s school site no later than Friday, November 15 with payment included. Make all checks payable to RC Teammates. Poinsettias can be picked up December 3 at Raymond Central Junior Senior High School prior to or during the elementary holiday concert in the Mustang room or swing classroom-signs will be posted with directions for pick-up.
Funding from this sale will be distributed in the following manner:
45% will be used for TeamMates participation fee and background checks
50% will be used for local scholarships
5% will be used for mentor/mentee supplies
$15 plant 5+ blossoms 14-16”tall and 12-16” wide available in red, white and red glitter (red with white spots) (Foil pot cover) $30 plant 12+ blossoms 18-22” tall and 18”-24” wide available in red only (Foil pot cover) $50 plant 25+ blossoms in a hanging basket 12” tall and 24”30” wide available in red only (Plant does not need to hang, but flowers will drape.)
FBLA Business List
Raymond Central FBLA is compiling a list of all the businesses in the Raymond Central School District. Please fill out the attached form for your business.
Thank you!
FBLA Craft Fair
April 18, 2020
To reserve your table, fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScijBiNYQEmdqeGOfdOjaPXm_L5LuCR1KAqnRb4QqHCoYzaeg/viewform?usp=sf_link