The Puma Press
The Weekly Publication of Raymond Park Intermediate Academy
September 29, 2017
We Believe
Our vision is to prepare students to be self-directed learners who are literate, creative, curious, civic-minded citizens who demonstrate civility, order, respect and excellence in school and in life.
Our mission is to ensure the intellectual and emotional growth of every student while promoting civility, order, respect and excellence. We recognize that each student can and must succeed in an environment enriched with support, encouragement and accountability.
From the Principal
Dear Parents,
This week, I'd like to tell you more about the digital content programs we offer students. Raymond Park Intermediate Academy students have access to various digital programs that are personalized to their individual academic level! Some of these programs include TenMarks, Compass Edgenuity Learning, and Achieve3000. The tasks students are assigned are based on students' overall assessment scores on tests like NWEA. Each of these programs adapts to student responses and provides students with feedback on how they are performing on the skills. The activities are tied to specific standards and skills to help push your student toward skill mastery.
Teachers use data tracking sheets to encourage students to have ownership over their work. Students complete their data tracking sheets weekly to see their progress over time. Teachers also hold conferences with students to discuss their data and give them tips for improvement. During the time students work on digital programs, teachers are able to pull small, targeted groups of students to focus in on specific grade-level skills they need to practice. These activities are not typically digital, but more hands-on. Be sure to ask your student about the digital programs they are using at RPIA!
Thank you for all you do to support your child's education!
Carey Storm, Principal
[317] 532.8965
PS - Below you will find an attachment about the YMCA, family opportunities from the Children's Museum as well as information on our Book Fair which runs through October 6.
The YMCA will also be running camp programming on Tuesday, October 3 from 6:30am - 6:00pm at the Ransburg YMCA while parent-teacher conferences are going on at RPIA. Students will be doing lots of fun Fall activities, including visiting a pumpkin patch, creating art from nature, and learning about this season of harvest. Camp Programming will also be available to preschool students at the Warren Early Childhood Center. To register, visit their website here.
Car Rider News
Car Rider Parents,
This is a reminder that school starts at 7:30am. Students are expected to be in their classrooms by that time. Recently, we have had issues with students being dropped off in the car rider line at - or even after - 7:30am. Long car rider lines at or near the school start time have caused parents to rush and take unsafe action in the line. The expectation at Raymond Park is that students who are brought to school by car be dropped off on the sidewalk that leads to Door #1. It is also the expectation that parents who drop students off practice patience and that they operate their vehicles in a safe manner. If you find yourself pressed for time in the mornings, please begin making plans to arrive earlier to protect the safety of our students and staff. We appreciate your attention to this matter!
From the Dean
National Bullying Prevention Month
During the month of October, students at Raymond Park will participate in National Bullying Prevention Month. National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by the National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during this month and unites schools nationwide to educate and raise awareness about bullying prevention.
What is the definition of bullying?
Bullying is the unwanted, aggressive, repeated behavior among students that could be of the physical, verbal, or cyber nature. It is done in a negative manner towards or in regards to another person.
What does bullying look like in children, ages 11-12?
Bullying by or to someone the ages of 11 or 12 looks like being hurt repeatedly, either by words or actions on purpose. Children who are bullied and those who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
What makes a person a bully?
A common reason that a kid is a bully is because he or she lacks the attention needed for his or her age and lashes out at others for the desired attention. Kids might become a bully because they were once bullied or they have witnessed this happen to others. However, this learned behavior can be unlearned.
What will students be participating in?
Our students will watch a presentation about bullying which explains what bullying is, how it occurs, and how they can make a difference by being an advocate rather than a bystander. Through the presentation, students will be given strategies on how to handle these unfortunate situations. Students will also be challenged to make a difference with and for their classmates.
What will students learn?
Students will learn to stand up for students who are being bullied; will take part in signing an anti-bullying pledge; learn that bullies mostly do this because they want an audience and approval; and learn to take action!
Thanks for your continued support!
Stephen Gainey, Dean
[317] 532.8981
The Sonny Day Community Center
The Sonny Day Community Center is located at 10502 East 21st Street, in the former Heather Hills Elementary School. The pantry provides food, toiletries, cleaning products, school supplies and gently used clothing to families of Warren Township students. The pantry is open one Saturday morning and one Thursday evening per month.
Late Start Wednesdays 2017-2018
Car Rider Safety & Procedures
Student safety is of utmost importance here on the Raymond Park Campus. When students are dropped off at school in the morning and/or picked up from school in the afternoon, there are specific procedures to follow in order to protect everyone. Please follow this link to learn what our car rider procedures and safety tips are. We appreciate your support in helping us provide a safe and orderly environment here on the Raymond Park Campus!
Alternate Afternoon Plans
If you need to make a change in your child’s afternoon transportation plans, please send a note with them to school or contact the office at 532-8965 by 2:00pm. Please note that we will try and accommodate any changes made after 2:00pm, but this can be difficult if students are already on their bus for the afternoon.
Transportation Expectations
Please discuss with your student the importance of CORE Bus Expectations which will be reinforced throughout the school year. Students are to be seated, facing forward, and stay in assigned seats while the bus is in motion. These expectations focus on keeping students safe as they travel to and from school every day. Thank you for your support!
Transportation Information
Does your student need to be picked up or dropped off at another location other than your house in the Raymond Park area? Here is what you need to do:
1) Contact the Registrar at 532.8966.
2) Fill out the necessary forms that are required.
3) Transportation will contact you with the updated information. All changes in transportation will require 24-48 hours to take effect.
Please note that those students riding the school bus, pick up and drop off must be in the boundaries of Raymond Park. You are allowed an AM bus stop and a separate PM bus stop if necessary. The bus stops must be the same every day of the week. If your student is a car rider or will be picked up by a daycare service at the end of the day, please make sure we have the name and phone number of the person providing transportation on file.
Prescriptions & Medications
Please do not send any medication to school with your students. All medications must be brought to the school nurse and signed in by a parent or guardian, including prescription and over the counter medications. If you have not already completed a Consent to Treat Form and an Emergency Medical Form for your student please do so as soon as possible.
Lisa Walsh Stewart, RN
School Nurse
Raymond Park
[317] 532.8912 – phone
[317] 532.8999 – fax
Missing Emergency Forms
If you did not attend registration this year in July please have your student come to the nurse’s office to pick up a new Consent to Be Treated & Emergency Medical Form to be completed for the 2017-2018 school year. Also, if your student has updated immunizations, please turn those into the clinic as soon as possible.
Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer in any Warren Township school, you will need to complete a Criminal History Background Check form and provide a copy of your driver’s license or state I.D. You will need to allow approximately 2 weeks for the background check to be processed.
Student Recognition
The occasion may arise when the school district wants to recognize your child or your child's school. This may include your child's photo, your child's name or your child's work in district publications, newsletters, on school district websites, and in electronic/social media or in staff training videos. We may also want to tell the media (including newspapers, television, and radio) about your child's achievements. We never knowingly release information about a student to anyone who wants to use it for commercial/political purposes. However, we will honor your request to not include your child in these types of recognitions if you notify your child's school office in writing that you do not want this type of information released.
Lobby Guard
When visiting the Raymond Park Campus, all visitors must report to the office and sign in and out using our Lobby Guard kiosk. Please remember to have a valid ID with you to gain entrance to our school. After you scan your ID at the Lobby Guard kiosk located at the main entrance, a visitor’s badge will be generated for you.
Contact Information
Please be sure to notify the school of any changes in home, cell or emergency phone numbers. This is very important in case of an emergency or illness. Please let the office know at 532.8965.
To reach staff by phone, call 317.532.8965 and when prompted push * plus the 4-digit extension.
All emails have @warren.k12.in.us after their address. Follow this link to communicate with one of our staff members.
Raymond Park Intermediate Academy
Email: cstorm@warren.k12.in.us
Website: rpia.warren.k12.in.us
Location: 8575 East Raymond Street
Phone: (317) 532.8965
Facebook: facebook.com/raymondparkintermediateacademy
Twitter: @RPIAPumas