Peculiar Patriot Newsletter
2-4-2022
Welcome to February!
Hello families!
February came in with a lot of snow and cold weather! With that came a couple of virtual learning days for our students.
I want to give a big shout out to you all for helping your children get on their meets! We were all so happy to see our students on google meets Wednesday and Thursday! They were logged on and ready to learn. We know these days are not always the easiest to manage at home, so we appreciate your support so much!
We were able to wrap up our winter NWEA testing with students this past week, and also have begun to consider covers and designs for our yearbook! There are some pretty amazing artists in our midst here at Peculiar, and I can't wait to see what our cover and autograph page will look like!
Spring pictures are coming up next week on February 8th. We will be taking individual spring pictures if you would like to have your child participate in those (not required), as well as our whole class photos! Please watch for an email to come out with directions on how to order those pictures, or give us a call if you have questions.
We will also be holding our friendship celebrations on February 14th in our classrooms! A big thank you to our PTA and parent volunteers for helping plan and coordinate some activities for our students to do that afternoon! We appreciate you!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out through email, or give us a call at 816-892-1650.
-Keri Collison
Principal
Important Dates to Remember:
- February 8: Spring individual pictures/Class pictures
- February 8: 5th grade-Try an instrument night- 6:00-8:30 p.m. South Middle School
- February 11: Spirit Day: Wear Tie-Dye
- February 14: Friendship Celebrations
- February 18/21: No School
- February 22: No School/Parent Teacher Conferences
- February 25: Spirit Day: Wear your favorite sports team
- February 28: PTA meeting (6:30 p.m.)
Car Rider Line Reminders:
Reminder: as 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.
Also- cars should be lined up from the pick up lot, onto 3rd street, then onto South Street. They then turn to continue the line onto 1st street (Do not continue down south street and over C-Hwy).
Please be courteous and allow people to enter the line when following this process.
Raymore-Peculiar Child Nutrition Department
We have migrated our online payment system to www.myschoolbucks.com
Feel free to send any parent questions our way: 816-892-1370 or rpchildnutrition@raypec.org
There is no “PIN” required to find your student’s account, all that is needed is their building, name and DOB. STUDENT Id is optional.
Want to send in birthday treats for your student?
Please contact your child's teacher to let her know when and find out how many.
Then, please check our approved snack list and choose something from the list to send in.
Teacher Favorites
Here is the most current list:
Want to be a substitute teacher?
Are you interested in serving as a substitute teacher in the Ray-Pec School District? It's a great way to earn extra income, while maintaining flexibility in your schedule, and helping the school district.
You can now become certified as a substitute by completing a 20-hour online course at a cost of $180. Previously, individuals had to have 60 hours of college credit to begin the process.
Here are the steps:
To become a sub for Ray-Pec, you must obtain certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Complete an online substitute certificate application. For assistance, follow instructions in the Educator Certification System Help Guide. You will create a profile and complete an application. A $50 fee is required.
Submit required supporting documentation to DESE. This includes transcripts showing college credit or certificate of completion from approved substitute training and diploma (or equivalent).
Fingerprint/background check.
The 20-hour online substitute teacher training course includes professionalism, honoring diversity, engaging students, classroom management techniques, basic instructional strategies, supporting students with special needs, and working with at-risk youth. Take the online training here: Frontline Education
The cost of the application, online training, and background check will require a total investment of about $275. Substitute teachers are paid $14 per hour. Long-term substitutes are paid at a higher rate. Subs have flexibility in accepting assignments at particular schools or on particular days.
For more information: https://www.raypec.k12.mo.us/133/Substitute-Teachers
Inclement Weather Information:
During the 2021-2022 school year, inclement weather days will result in a virtual instruction day. This means that students will learn at home on that day, and the school day will not be made up later in the year. For students in the Virtual Instruction Program of Ray-Pec (VIPR), classes will continue as usual. Students who attend school in-person will attend classes online or have learning activities pre-assigned to them.
Communication about inclement weather days
In the event of a virtual instruction day due to inclement weather, the district will use these methods to communicate effectively:
Our School Messenger service will be used to send a recorded telephone message to all employees and the family of each student.
A text message will be sent via Textcaster. You can sign up here.
All subscribers of RP Update, the district's electronic newsletter, will receive an email. Subscribe by sending a message to rp.update@raypec.org.
Information will be shared on local television stations (4, 5, 9, and 41).
An update will be available via the district information line at 816-892-3988.
The announcement will be posted on the district website, Facebook page, and via Twitter.
Timing of the announcement
The decision to implement a virtual instruction day will be made as early as possible - preferably the night before. Sometimes conditions change overnight. In the event of rapidly changing weather conditions, a weather announcement may be made on the day of the cancellation. In those instances, we will try to send make the notification by 5:30 a.m.
Elementary school activities
In the event of a virtual instruction day due to inclement weather, all elementary after-school and evening events will be cancelled and/or rescheduled.
Middle school activities
In the event of a virtual instruction day due to inclement weather, all middle school events will be cancelled and/or rescheduled. This includes after-school practices and meetings, and evening activities.
High School activities
Watch for separate notifications about high school events or activities. In some cases, those activities may continue as scheduled.
Panther Pride/Shark’s Den
In most cases, Panther Pride and Shark’s Den will be open to provide care to families who are already enrolled in those programs. They will open at 8 a.m. on inclement weather/virtual instruction days.
If the District implements an unplanned early release, it is important to have arrangements for younger children. If you will not be available, please ensure someone is available to care for your child if early dismissal occurs.
The decision to close school is always a difficult one. Every effort will be made to consider the safety of the students, the safety of the faculty, and the convenience to parents when making such decisions. Your cooperation, understanding, and assistance is appreciated. However, parents and guardians are in the best position to determine the safety for their students based on nearby conditions.
As temperatures drop, it is important for students to dress appropriately, and allowances for potential bus delays should be part of the planning process. Student drivers are encouraged to use parent or school-provided transportation when road conditions are less than ideal. If you have questions regarding school dismissal, call the building your child attends or the District Administrative Services Center at 816-892-1300.
PTA INFORMATION
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.
PTA School Directory
Here is the link to our current directory. 2021-2022 Peculiar Elementary Directory
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.
Quick Tip is an online method of reporting a school safety or bullying issue, or concern about a student. Users may click on the link and complete the information requested. Tip reporters may enter personal contact information or remain anonymous. It is accessible through the link below or on the district website.
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.
Mrs. Keri Collison, Principal
Email: keri.collison@raypec.org
Website: http://www.raypec.k12.mo.us/90/Peculiar-Elementary
Location: 201 East 3rd Street, Peculiar, MO, USA
Phone: 816-892-1650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peculiar-Elementary-111829803542835
Twitter: @PeculiarPatrio