Raymond Central Public Schools
December 2020
From the desk of the Superintendent...
Congratulations to Brad Breitkruetz, Matt Blanchard and Bill Lange for their appointment to the Raymond Central Board of Education. Both Brad and Matt were incumbunts during the 2020 election and Bill will take Scott Black’s seat. All three will be sworn in to their service at the January 2021 school board meeting along with the annual selection of the board of education roles and responsibilities. Scott Black served on the board for 6 years. We wish Scott nothing but the best in life after his school board service.
In a year full of unknowns, we have been fortunate to keep our students in school. This, however, has not been an easy task and would not be possible without the cooperation of our students, families and staff. I would like to thank all school employees who have gone above and beyond each day to ensure the health and safety of our students. The protocols and procedures at school have been widely accepted, and as a result have kept the exposure and spread of COVID-19 low inside our school buildings. When you have a moment, please connect with a staff member of Raymond Central Public Schools to say thank you for all they are doing. Without our staff, it would be impossible to keep our school buildings open for learning.
Lancaster County Health Department announced on November 20th that all youth sports would be postponed until December 7th. At this point in time, our varsity sports are allowed to condition without sport specific equipment. The health department made the decision to pause winter sports for three weeks due to the uncontrollable spread happening within the county. We understand that Lancaster is the only health department in the state of Nebraska who has selected to postpone youth sports, however, we all must continue to do our part in slowing the exposure and spread of COVID-19. As a school we had discussion with the health department and decided to align their protocols with the Governor's which prohibit youth extracurricular activities below the highschool level. Moving forward, please make sure your students and family are following the CDC, state, local and district protocols in keeping our communities healthy and safe.
As we prepare to finish first semester, Raymond Central is in the process of creating specific guidelines for families who currently have students remote learning. It is the goal of the district to bring back students who have been learning remotely unless they or someone in the family has a health risk. More details will be sent out in regard to remote learning before winter break. As a reminder, students and families who are quarantined due to a close contact will still have the ability to learn remotely.
As always, Raymond Central’s number one priority is the health and safety of our students. Although we do not have a crystal ball to see into the future, we will do everything we can to keep students in school while COVID-19 positive cases continue to increase. Please communicate with the building where your student attends if your student or a family member tests positive or comes in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. We are in this together and together we can get through this.
I appreciate the support of our school board, Raymond Central Education Foundation, and PTO for their creative idea to support our staff on Wednesday, November 18th. Staff enjoyed seeing all of the homemade signs and cards as they came to work on the late start morning.
Policy and Procedures for COVID-19 Mitigation at Raymond Central
It is crucial that parents and guardians communicate with schools to prevent a school outbreak of any communicable disease; this is especially true with COVID-19. Communication is key for social responsibility so the schools can act quickly to make appropriate changes to keep students and staff safe. All information from students and families regarding COVID-19 is strictly confidential. These are truly unprecedented times and we appreciate your cooperation to help keep schools and communities safe.
If a student has tested positive for COVID-19:
You must call and alert the building Principal as soon as you are aware.
You must remain at home and not attend school or activities.
A 14 day quarantine will be required.
If siblings/household members attend Raymond Central Schools (PK-12), they must quarantine for 14 days.
All members of the household/family will not be allowed at school or activities.
If any other member of the household/family becomes symptomatic, they may need to be tested also or begin a 14 day quarantine (call School Nurse/Principal for guidance).
If anyone in the household/family has tested positive for COVID-19:
You must call and alert the building Principal as soon as you are aware.
A 14 day quarantine period will be required.
All members of the household/family will not be allowed at school or activities.
If a member of the household/family becomes symptomatic, he/she may need to be tested also or begin a 14 day quarantine from the onset of symptoms (call School Nurse/Principal for guidance).
If a student or student’s household/family member is being tested for COVID-19 and is waiting for test results:
You must call and alert the building Principal.
You must remain at home and not attend school or activities until a negative test result is received.
If a student or student’s family members have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19:
Contact the Health Department for guidance on contacts.
Do not attend school until given instructions by the Health Department AND after you have informed the building Principal or School Nurse.
Lancaster Co. Health Department: 402- 441-8006
Three Rivers Health Department: 402-727-5396
If you have or plan on traveling out of state, you are required to inform the Principal. Be advised that there may be some restrictions/requirements upon returning.
Go Mustangs!
Dr. Joel
Surplus Items For Sale
Raymond Central Public Schools is selling one 2008 Ford 250 15 passenger van (white). The van has just over 120,000 miles on it. The district is now accepting sealed bids for the van with an estimated value of $5000 - $7000. Sealed bids must be delivered to the district office in person or via mail. Sealed bids will be open on Monday, December 21 at NOON. Photos of the van are below:
Surplus Items For Sale
SCIP Information
Community Awareness Events: Youth Mental Wellness
Our youth are our future’s greatest asset. Schools, parents, caregivers and communities all play a role in providing supportive pathways for our youth as they navigate childhood and adolescence. SCIP (School Community Intervention and Prevention) is partnering with Lincoln Public Schools, Bryan Health and the Lancaster Prevention Coalition to put on two valuable presentations about supporting the health and wellbeing of our community’s youth. These events are open to parents, students, school professionals and community members.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions this year’s events will all be virtual.
December 3, 2020- QPR Gatekeeper Training
6:30 p.m. -7:45 p.m.
Via Zoom- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84428884394
Meeting ID: 844 2888 4394
Presentation:
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer —3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
The mission of QPR is to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. QPR will train people to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. Quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.
This training is presented by Abbe Edgecombe with School Community Intervention & Prevention (SCIP) in partnership with Region V Systems. SCIP is a statewide program designed to support student mental, emotional and behavioral health. Abbe coordinates SCIP for schools in Lincoln and Lancaster County.
Please Note: This training is open to both adults and youth (Middle and High School Students) however, students must be logged in with a parent/guardian to attend.
For additional information and resources visit the SCIP website
Morning Weights Information
Morning weightlifting has been given the OK to resume. Sessions will begin again on Tuesday, December 8.
Sessions will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 AM to 7:45 AM.
Reminder, this is open to all students in grades 6 through 12.
Masks are required and temperature checks / sign-in will remain in place as usual.
Any questions, please reach out to coach Houchin at wahouchin@rcentral.org
YEARBOOKS!!
Yearbook Order Forms are available in the office for the 2020-2021 yearbook or you may use the order form on this newsletter.
OR...you can click on "Online Pay" on the school website (where you would go to pay online for school lunches) and access the new link to YEARBOOK to purchase your yearbook ONLINE!!
Yearbook prices are:
$50 per yearbook until December 31, 2020
$60 per yearbook from January 1, 2021 to May 20, 2021
If you have multiple children in grades 6-12 and would like more than one yearbook:
$95 for two yearbooks until December 31, 2020--no discounts after January 1, 2021
$140 for three yearbooks until December 31, 2020--no discounts after January 1, 2021
NO EXTRA YEARBOOKS WILL BE ORDERED THIS YEAR!! IF YOU DO NOT ORDER A YEARBOOK, YOU WILL NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET ONE!! ORDER ONE NOW!!
If you are still in need of a yearbook (even from past years), you are in luck! Here is what we have in stock and the prices. They are first come, first served. You may email Mrs. E at cenevold@rcentral.org to reserve yours today:
$50 each for the 2019-2020 yearbooks. We have 2 copies available.
$10 each for the 2018-2019 yearbooks. There are 3 copies available.
$5 each for the rest of our stock:
1998--5 copies
2000--2 copies
2005--25 copies
2006--12 copies
2009--14 copies
2010--3 copies
2012--7 copies
2013--9 copies
2014--3 copies
2015--5 copies
2016--6 copies
2018--11 copies
Please help us find loving homes for these yearbooks!