January News Volume 2
1-25-2021
Glad to be back!
Hello families!! We are so glad to be back at school learning and growing with our students! The hallways are filled with hustle and bustle, and the classrooms are filled with smiles and laughter. Feels good to be back!
Our spelling bee participants did well in the district competition. While they did not move on to the county bee- we are so proud of how hard they worked. They represented Peculiar Elementary with pride and grace. Great job Emma, Jocelyn, and Ava! (picture below)
We are making plans for a friendship celebration here at school on February 12th, including the exchange of valentine cards. We are asking that if you wish to send valentine cards with your child, please do so by February 9th. This will allow them the appropriate time to quarantine so that your child can pass them out on Friday the 12th. (see below for more information)
Our students have been working hard taking the NWEA test this past week. So many celebrations and improvements! We are so proud of how hard the boys and girls are working on this. Please make sure to ask them how they did at home.
As we head into the end of January, continue to remember to send students with appropriate coats, hats, and gloves if needed so that they can go outside for recess. Please also remind them to keep an extra mask in their backpacks, in addition to the one they wear to school. Sometimes they like a fresh mask after P.E. or after recess.
Have a wonderful week, and as always, please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. I am always happy to talk with you.
-Keri Collison
Principal
The Best of 2020-A kid's perspective....
There are some pretty fantastic things about this past year. Sometimes we just need to hear them....
Friendship Celebrations
When: February 12
What:
- We will be exchanging valentines cards during this celebration.
- Valentines will need to be sent to school with your student no later than February 9
- Students will not be creating/decorating valentine boxes at home this year to bring to school
- All students will be creating and decorating a valentine bag at school as part of the celebration
- If your child has a special gift, such as balloons, candy, flowers, stuffed animals, etc. for a specific friend please arrange to help them deliver that outside of school (do not send these to school with your child)
LEAP Program
LEAP is an intervention program for gifted students in grades 2-8 who have been identified as gifted learners. Students must meet qualifying levels on identified assessments in order to participate in LEAP. The levels are prescribed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and have been adapted to the Ray-Pec LEAP program.
Nomination Period Now Open
Each year, parents or teachers may nominate students in grades 1-7 for candidacy to be evaluated for LEAP. The nomination period is from January 5 to 31, 2021. The nomination form link will be available on January 5, 2021, on the district webpage:
https://forms.gle/jMidNRWDAubTgRBP8
Our school counselor Latasha Robinson serves as our building LEAP coordinator. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email her or call her at 892-1667.
Logic, Enrichment, and Academic Pursuit (LEAP) is an intervention program for students who have been identified as gifted learners. The Raymore-Peculiar LEAP program serves gifted students in grades 2-8. LEAP flyer
Students must meet qualifying levels on identified assessments to participate in LEAP. A student is required to qualify in three of these four areas:
- Academic Achievement: A student must score at or above the 95th percentile on a standardized achievement test.
- Intellectual Ability: A student must score at or above the 95th percentile on an acceptable IQ test.
- Reasoning, and Problem-solving Ability: A student must score at or above the 95th percentile on an acceptable Reasoning and Problem-solving test.
- Other Documentation: A student must receive a superior score on an acceptable measure that documents characteristics of gifted children and provides evidence of exceptional performance; or have participated in a previous gifted program.
Important Dates to Remember:
February 9: Deadline for sending valentines to school
February 12: Friendship celebrations
February 15, 16: No school
February 26: Virtual Friday (no in-person attendance for elementary)
Free meals for students extended through end of school year
FREE meals for students are extended through the end of the school year! The USDA recently announced the program to be extended through the end of the school year. This will allow the Ray-Pec Child Nutrition Department to continue to provide completely FREE breakfast and lunch meals to all children up to age 18 residing within the district.
The Child Nutrition Department continues to take sign-ups for 5-day and 3-day meal packs. If a VIPR student needs school meals (breakfast and lunch) for the days they are home, please sign up. Students in grades 6-12 can sign up for a 3-day meal pack to cover breakfast and lunch meals on the days they are learning from home. Any child over age 1 up to school age residing in the district can also sign up for a 5-day meal pack.
Meal Packs include familiar school meal foods that are student favorites which can be prepared easily at home, saving families time and money. Meal Pack pick-up is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Ray-Pec High School, East Middle School, and South Middle School. Sign up here: www.rpchildnutrition.org.
Six people to run for two School Board seats
- Billy King of Raymore (incumbent)
- Athenia Ingram of Peculiar
- Thomas Walsh of Raymore
- Janet Jones of Raymore
- Deanna Olson of Raymore
- Susan Edmonsond of Raymore
Meet our Kindergarten Team!
Click on the link below to meet
Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Reimnitz, and Mrs. Clark
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.
Please complete the directory form to show what, if any information may be shared. PTA Directory Information
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.
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