Happy New School Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer break. I was able to spend much-needed time with my boys before we gear up for another busy school year! I always look forward to this time of year with Back to School, and this year is no different. It is my 15th year in education, 8th in school administration, and 3rd year as principal at Timber Creek. There is no job I would instead do!

Our staff is excited to welcome you to the 22-23 school year. The district theme is forward and better as we have a wonderful return to school. Meet the Teacher is Wednesday, August 17 from 4-6. This evening provides your family with the opportunity to meet your teacher, bring in school supplies, and photo opportunities to capture those back to school memories. Our school nurse will be available to answer your questions and receive physician approved medications.

In your child’s classroom, you will receive a packet which contains important information for the first day of school. If you are unable to attend Meet The Teacher night, please contact the front office.

Monday, August 22nd is the first day of school. To celebrate the first day, there will be outdoor photo opportunities for your family. Please feel free to take pictures with your students in front of the sign or the marquee on Monday. We ask that you do not walk your students into the building. We will begin the school year with our normal drop off and pick up procedures to maintain safety and security for our students and staff.

It is our plan to allow visitors to come in for lunch this year. We are currently working to develop those processes and procedures. Please look forward to detailed communication once the year is underway.

I know that going back to school is an exciting time but also can be a time of anxious anticipation. We ALL want what is best for our kids, and we ALL want them to have a successful, fun-filled, happy year. Please know that the Timber Creek staff is committed to doing all we can to strive for success for your students.

There is a lot of information below for the start of school. Be on the look out LATER THIS WEEK for an email with information on CLASS PLACEMENTS! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Tell your kids we miss them and can't wait to see them soon! Time is a precious gift; enjoy the last few weeks of summer.

Serving the TC community is a privilege and an honor. I am looking forward to a great year ahead!

Sincerely,

Lauren Gechter

• Doors will open this year at 8:20 am for students to begin arriving.
• School starts at 8:35 am

• Car rider lane starts at 3:20 pm to relieve congestion in the neighborhood. Students will still not be dismissed until 3:50.
• Walkers will dismiss AFTER car riders this year

• Meet the Teacher: August 17
• Kindergarten Preview Day: August 18
• School starts: August 22

Every family in the Ray-Pec School District must verify residency each year as part of the registration/enrollment process. To verify residency send an email to residency@raypec.org and include the following information in the email message: Name(s) of your student(s), grade level(s) and the school(s) they will attend, your address, and a phone number where you can be reached.

Attach a PDF copy of your electric, gas, or water bill (may be scanned) to the email.

• The bill must be in the name of a parent or legal guardian in the primary resident household for the student.

• The bill must show the service address (not just mailing address).

• The bill must have been issued within the last 30 days.

• A final notice or disconnect notice is not an acceptable proof of residency.

For more information about residency verification, contact:

Becky Coster at 892-1341 or rebecca.coster@raypec.org or Debbie Johnson at 892-1347 or debbie.johnson@raypec.org

Check out the new app for the Ray-Pec School District! You can access documents, events, news updates, athletic schedules, and the staff directory. In addition, the app will provide direct links to pay online bills and to add money to student meal accounts.

• Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3w9yPb8

• Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3Fl2Ysh

The start of the 2022-23 school year is right around the corner and we still have the following district openings: day and night custodial positions, coaching and activity sponsorship, elementary school teachers, high school teachers, middle school teacher, special education, substitutes, cook, and other support staff positions. Panther Pride Before and After School Child Care and Shull Early Learning Center have afternoon child care positions available from 3 to 6 p.m. These could be perfect for high school or college students. To apply for Ray-Pec jobs, go here: Work for Ray-Pec. For some positions, job sharing and work schedule flexibility are available. Contact Dr. Lisa Hatfield, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, at 816-892-1322 to discuss positions of interest to you.

Panther Pride offers before- and after-school child care for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Sites are located at all Ray-Pec elementary schools. Before-school care is available from 6:15 a.m. until the school days starts. After-school care is available from dismissal to 6 p.m. on school days.

Care is also available on many weekdays that school is not in session. The schedule includes indoor and outdoor activities, snack, hands-on projects, gym activities, social interaction, and homework assistance. Panther Pride is a large group supervision program that follows district guidelines related to discipline, illness, and healthy snacks.

There are three options for care: before school only, after school only, and before and after school care. For more information about the program and questions on pricing please call 816.892.1090 or see the link below.

Sign up here: https://www.ezchildtrack.com/parent7/ParentLogin.aspx?c=pantherpride

Panther Pride

You can also follow all PTA updates on the Facebook group “Raymore Timber Creek Elementary PTA”.