Raymond Central Public Schools
March 2021
March is National Women's History Month
From the Desk of the Superintendent...
From record-breaking snow totals to record-breaking cold temperatures, 2021 has started with a fury. Due to the extreme weather, Raymond Central has called five snow/cold days to date. At the end of this month, communication will be shared with students, families, and staff in regard to when the last day of school will be for the 2020-2021 school year. For those who like to plan ahead, click here to view the 2021-2022 school year.
In January 2021, Raymond Central partnered with First National Capital Markets to create a feasibility study for the district. The feasibility study is intended to provide a comprehensive source of information the District can use to examine the viability of various modes of operation. Boards of education, along with school administrators are tasked with the responsibility of providing excellent educational programs while remaining financially responsible to taxpayers. Decisions are continually made to balance the benefit of providing new and innovative educational programs while also weighing the cost of pursuing such activities. This feasibility study analyzes the financial and operational structure while also taking into consideration the educational impact to the District through examining demographic information, enrollment trends, staffing levels, financial performance, and facility upgrades to determine the most efficient operational structure. Overall, the feasibility study is designed to provide information to help the Board of Education and the administration make long-term plans in regards to the future structure of the District. The study aimed to provide data and highlight recommendations through examinations of the District’s financial and operational profile as compared to peer groups and future projected expenditures. At this point, the Raymond Central Board of Education is working to synthesize the information and will begin sharing the findings in the near future.
Raymond Central continues our work to add a sixth bus route for the remainder of the school year. We had several leads fall through, but remain optimistic that we will still be able to provide door-to-door transportation for our students and families. Thank you for your patience as we have been working diligently to provide our normal bus service during an unprecedented time. We are still looking for another full-time bus driver and substitute bus driver. If you know anyone interested, please contact the District Office.
As a reminder, Raymond Central’s route buses are equipped with interior and exterior cameras for the safety of our students and drivers. When a school bus is loading, the red amber lights will flash and the stop arm will be out. Please remember to stop a safe distance from the bus when you see this as not obeying the stop sign on the bus is a $500 fine. The exterior camera system provides a clear video showing the vehicle driving through the stop arm and a photo of the vehicle’s license plate. The school district contacts local law enforcement to share the photos and videos for evidence. Please drive alert and think twice before running through a school bus stop arm.
Raymond Central will remain wearing masks for both students and staff for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. Our district has worked closely with our local health departments to get staff vaccinated (on a voluntary basis). Raymond Central was fortunate to provide the first round of vaccines to any staff member on a voluntary basis. This month those who had the first vaccine will receive their second. Masks will still be one of the best mitigating measures we have to limit the spread of COVID-19. As the COVID-19 risk dials continue to lower, we will review our protocols and make adjustments as needed. It is important we stay diligent in our efforts to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.
With winter activities either finished or coming to an end, I look forward to spring activities and warmer weather.
Stay safe and stay healthy.
Go Mustangs!
Dr. Joel
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES . . .
With the continued circumstances related to COVID-19, Raymond Central Public Schools has made the decision to hold parent teacher conferences via Zoom meetings this spring. Elementary conferences are scheduled for March 9 and 11. Grades 6-12 conferences are scheduled for March 10 and 11. Families will sign up for parent teacher conferences using www.ptcfast.com to reserve a time slot between 4:15pm and 7:45pm.
Please go to the link:
https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Raymond_Central
Please be patient with the system as the site may need some time for processing your information. If families need assistance signing up for a conference, please contact the school office. On March 8, teachers will send a Zoom meeting link to families that they will use to attend the conference at the student’s designated time slot. Families will “join” the meeting and then the teacher “host” will enable the family to join when it is time for their student’s conference. A reminder that the local public libraries have internet access available 24/7 for those families who do not have internet access at home.
Val and Ceresco will be having activities all week from Mar 1- Mar 4 for Read Across America and to celebrate Dr Seuss's birthday.
Art Room Update....
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK!
Yearbook Order Forms are available in the office for the 2020-2021 yearbook or you may use the order form on this newsletter. Just click on the big blue button below.
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!! Or click on the blue button below.
Yearbook prices are:
$60 per yearbook from January 1, 2021 to May 20, 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!!
Raymond Central's 2021 Plant Sale
Raymond Central’s 2021 plant sale will take place Saturday, May 1 at the Valparaiso site. Paper order forms will be sent home on Friday, March 5 with elementary students. If buyers choose to complete a paper order form, PLEASE print your email address clearly. Orders can be placed online March 1-April 5 at the following link:
https://www.janetsjungle.com/raymond-central-schools.html
We have made the decision to pre-package all orders this year to allow for better planning. We will be creating and sending out a sign-up genius in April to limit the number of families that can pick-up at one time. If you ordered last year, things will run in a similar manner. The drive thru pick up will be on the north side of the building from 9am-3pm and the open sale will be located in the front of the building. We will know more after all the orders are in and then we will send out communication via Bright Arrow and direct email.
Thank you for supporting Raymond Central! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us,
Kendra Carlson kencarls@rcentral.org
Kristine M. White krwhite@rcentral.orgINFORMATION FOR GRADUATING SENIORS....
The end of the year is quickly approaching as are a few of your deadlines from your Senior Agenda. Please email a senior photo, a baby photo, and a senior quote ASAP to:
As for the Newspaper photo, please email that to:
Thank you!
Raymond Central Yearbook Team