The Puma Press
The Weekly Publication of Raymond Park Intermediate Academy
September 1, 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 RPIA Community,
Over the last few years, Warren Township has adopted the practice of Personalized Learning for all students. Our belief in Warren Township, and therefore at RPIA, is that all learners deserve personalized learning experiences to achieve as much growth as possible. Our students engage in grade-level instruction on a daily basis that is aligned to Indiana's Academic Standards for College and Career Readiness. This instruction is facilitated by the classroom teacher. In addition, students spend time in targeted, small groups led by the teacher that focus in on specific skills and strategies the students may need improvement in. Lastly, students have access to various digital content (online) programs that are personalized to their individual levels. Teachers and students analyze the data from these programs to determine areas of strength and areas for growth. The image below depicts the 4 key components of personalized learning that are part of your student's daily routine at RPIA. We hope you are as excited about the benefits of personalized learning as we are! We look forward to sharing more details about students' personalized learning journeys throughout the year.
Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Also, Picture Day is coming to our school when we return this Tuesday - September 5! All students are expected to remain in dress code throughout the entire day. Enjoy your three-day weekend!
Carey Storm, Principal
[317] 532.8965
PS - If you would, please let us know how well we are doing here at Raymond Park Intermediate Academy and what areas you feel like we could improve upon this school year. Follow this link and help us out by answering a few questions.
From the Dean
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!
SCHOOL SUCCESS BEGINS WITH ATTENDANCE
When it comes to school, students who miss school really miss out. Attendance boosts student achievement, improves the quality of your child's educational experience, and it prepares them for college, good careers, and successful adulthood. Students who attend school regularly learn more and are more successful in school than students who do not. Parents who make school attendance a priority are also helping their children learn to accept responsibility, which is an important lesson for a successful life. Being in school every day is important and tardiness also has an adverse impact on learning. Except in the case of illness, many school absences can be avoided with a little extra effort.
Parents, join forces with us to eliminate absences that can be prevented by making every effort to schedule medical and other appointments outside of school hours and by making sure your children get plenty of sleep so they arrive at school on time. Help your child learn, build lasting friendships, and develop the skills and attitudes needed to become a good citizen and a valuable member of the community. Give your child every opportunity to succeed by getting them to school on time, every day. As always, Every Child, in Every Seat, Every Day Counts!
Stephen Gainey
[317] 532.8981
PTSA Fundraiser
The catalog packet will come home today after our kick-off this afternoon. All money and orders are due back to school on Monday, September 25. For more information about our fundraiser, please follow this link.
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Warren Community Fest
It is an all new and improved Homefest! In fact, the name has been changed to Warren Community Fest. The committee is bringing back the best of Homefest: The FunRun, Bingo, Vendors, Food and much more! Warren Community Fest will be held on September 29, 2017 at Warren Central High School. More information will follow, but mark your calendars now! Plan on this being an enjoyable community event for the whole family.
The Sonny Day Community Center
Late Start Wednesdays 2017-2018
- September 13, 2017
- December 13, 2017
- February 7, 2018
- March 7, 2018
- April 11, 2018
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.
Flu Vaccines
Warren Township Schools and Health Heroes are offering free flu vaccines for students attending Raymond Park Intermediate Academy. These vaccines will be given at a clinic set up inside the school on September 11, 2017, beginning at 8:00am.
If your child has not already been immunized against the flu for this 2017-2018 school year, we encourage you to have your child immunized at our upcoming clinic. Please know that these flu vaccines are offered at no cost to your family – regardless of whether or not your student has health insurance coverage. Even if you have insurance coverage, your insurance company will not be billed and you will not be charged any deductible or co-pay.
If you decide to have your child immunized against the flu at our upcoming clinic, complete and return the Vaccine Consent Forms that were sent home this week. Please make sure you complete and sign the entire form. If the form is not filled out completely, Health Heroes will not be able to vaccinate your child.
If you would like to learn more about Health Heroes, our partner in this school health initiative, visit www.HealthHeroUSA.com.
Immunizations Deadline
An exclusion date has been set for the 2017-2018 school year. If your student does not have updated immunizations on file at school by September 18, 2017, they will be excluded from attending. Letters will be sent home soon, but in the meanwhile, please contact your doctor or the health department as soon as possible to set up an appointment for your child. For any questions, please contact the school nurse at 317-532-8912.
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
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