RM Newsletter
May 7, 2020
Personal Item Pickup
Happy Friday,
We are excited that we have the opportunity to provide your child with their personal items that were left in the classroom. This will be the only opportunity to receive the items this school year, and final opportunity to see this year's teacher, before summer break begins on May 22. If you have a Wonders text book, library book(s), and/or choose to return your iPad for the summer, bins will be provided at the top of the loop to place them inside. Please read below for details:
Date: May 20th. If needed: Rain make-up date will be May 21st
Where: Ray Marsh Car Loop
How:
Each teacher will be located around the loop. Identify your child’s teacher and pull up to their location. We are asking that you roll down your back window, or pop the trunk, so we can place your items inside the car. Please remain in your vehicle and give the teacher a big air hug or wave! Proceed to the exit, stopping to drop off any Wonders book, library books and/or iPad (if you would like to return it for the summer).
**If you would like to pick up a sibling's personal items in one trip, please contact the older sibling's teacher(s) so these arrangements can be made. The older sibling’s items will then be placed with the younger siblings teacher (by request only). For twins, please stop by and see both teachers as you make your way around the loop.
Kindergarten & 1st
9:00-9:45
Order of teachers from entryway
Nilges, Peters, Stagner, Albo, Frick, Hansford, Price
2nd & 3rd
10:00-10:45
Order of teachers from entryway
Kellerman, Miller, Self, Starr, Hiegert, Hackworth, Wells, Yates
4th & 5th
11:00-11:45
Order of teachers from entryway
Brillhart, Roberts, Smith, Jahnke, Palermo, Shultz
6th Grade
12:00-12:45
Baxter, Mitchell, Wagoner, Zeit
Our teachers are looking forward to seeing you! Please understand they are not available to have a long conversation, high five, or get a hug due to safety precautions. A big smile is all they are asking for!
**If you are sending someone to pickup that is not family, please email the teacher**
Thank you,
Kasey Weishaar
iPads
If your student is moving schools next year, you may want to consider turning it in on May 20th.
iPads will not be exchanged or repaired after June 1st. If a device is broken, or is not functioning correctly, you will need to hold on to it for the remainder of the summer and notify the school of the problem that occurred when they are returned at the start of the school year.
Upcoming Events at RM
- Personal Items Pickup (see message details)
- Return Wonder Book (if you have one) and Library books
May 21
- Personal Items Pickup weather make-up date, if needed
May 22
- Last Day of School
June 1
- School shut down for summer break
Kindergarten Document Drop Off - Monday May 11
2020-21 School Supply Orders
School Supply Orders through EPI
Hi, Ray Marsh Families!
Avoid the stores this year and buy your school supplies through EPI.
Before the 2020-2021 school year begins, the packs will be delivered to the school and will be dispersed to each classroom. Each will be labeled with the student name.
All you have to do is order your pack online!
If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie House at sdhouse87@gmail.com.
Mental Health Resource for Children
Resource for mental health
This would be a great book to read together and discuss. Worries are a huge part of our thoughts because we don’t know what is truly going to happen, so how can we work through these thoughts.
Helpful Health Information
Staffing Update
Staffing Changes at Ray Marsh
- Heather Sommer - retiring
- Julia Mandl - taking an instructional coach and curriculum development position
Due to a decrease in enrollment numbers at RM, the following staff have been reassigned within SMSD.
- Ariel Starr - Joining Oak Park Carpenter
- Kristyn Shultz - Joining Benninghoven Elementary
- Ryan Wagoner - Joining Sunflower Elementary
Message from Heather Sommer
Dear Families and Students,
I cannot imagine ending my teaching career at a better school than Ray Marsh or in a better school district than the Shawnee Mission School District. In my fourteen years at Marsh and twenty-one years in Shawnee Mission, it has been my good fortune to be in the company of dedicated, caring teachers and staff, administrators who lead with the focus of students first, supportive families, and most of all kind and enthusiastic students. After a forty-year career in education that included opportunities of teaching children and adults, English Language Learners, and positions as a classroom teacher and a learning specialist, I now choose to explore new adventures and create memories with my grandchildren. I will retire at the end of this school year.
I will especially miss all the students I teach at Marsh as well as the International Club members. And yes, everyone at Ray Marsh and many others in the school district. I look forward to a visit to Marsh next year to see students, staff, and families.
Thank you for many remarkable experiences and memories.
With warm regards,
Heather Sommer
Message from Julia Mandl
Message from Kristyn Shultz
I am deeply saddened to be leaving Ray Marsh, as it has been my home for the last 14 years. Sometimes we never know the reason for change, but I take this as a personal challenge and see it as an opportunity to make a difference in a new chapter of my life. I know there are kids at Benninghoven that need me to love, teach and enrich their lives. Thank you for allowing your children to be a part of my journey. I have loved each and every one of the over 400 kids I have taught. It was a joy to treat them as if they were my own each day they were under my wings. Please know that once a Ray Marsh Cougar, always a Ray Marsh Cougar, so I will always be here for your kiddos and families.
Message from Ariel Starr
Hi Ray Marsh families! My heart is full of so much gratitude for the two years I was able to spend at Ray Marsh. As a new teacher I was greeted with so much love from staff, students, and families, and because of that it made beginning my teaching career a smooth experience. Though I am very sad to be leaving this great community of learning I am excited to see what is instore for me as I go on and continue to teach 2nd Grade at Oak Park Carpenter. Ray Marsh will forever have a place in my heart. As Winnie Pooh says “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Take care Ray Marsh families!
Love,
Miss Starr
Message from Ryan Wagoner
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last fifteen years at Ray Marsh. It has been a privilege and an honor to work with such great staff and families over the years. I will always be proud to have been a Ray Marsh cougar!