Peculiar Patriot Newsletter
11-23-2021
Have a wonderful break!
Families,
We have wrapped up most of November and are kicking off our Thanksgiving break. We have had so much fun this month with spirit days and book fair! Thank you so much to all of you for supporting our book fair this year!
Students had coin wars and were able to raise $733.00 towards books for our students! Way to go kids (and families)! First grade was our grade level that brought the most change and was able to put a pie in my face (four times actually). That was so much fun! I apologize if anyone at your house gets a pie in the face over this break. There may have been discussion around how to do it at home. We also had a popcorn party across the building to celebrate the hard work of all of our students!
We have a few more weeks before we are on winter break. Please make sure to send in warm coats, hats, and gloves for those days we go outside. We try to go out as much as possible to get some fresh air, and want everyone to be warm.
Some of you may remember our kindness elf, Buddy, from last year. He will be returning to school this year to watch for kind and helpful acts around our school. Students will also be noticing kind and helpful acts throughout the day and building a kindness chain to see how much kindness is in our school every day. We are excited to see our chain grow!
Also, our students at Ray-Pec Academy are conducting a food drive and Scholastic Book donation campaign Dec. 6-10 at each elementary school. The food that is donated is planned for donation to the Ray-Pec Caring About Nutrition (CAN) program. (see flyer below)
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out through email, or give us a call at 816-892-1650.
-Keri Collison
Principal
Important Dates to Remember:
- November 24-28: Fall Break-No school
- November 29: School resumes
- November 29: PTA meeting 6:30 p.m.
- December 6-10: Ray-Pec Academy Food Drive
- December 17: Early Release
- December 18-January 2: Winter Break
- January 3: School Resumes
District Attendance Procedure Updates:
In response to the unprecedented conditions of the pandemic the Raymore-Peculiar School District eased the attendance regulations for students at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. This action allowed families to keep their child at home if they were not feeling well to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
As we continue through this first semester, we are pleased to report our quarantine and isolation numbers continue to decline and our students are learning in-person successfully. While this is extremely positive news, the district is also experiencing student attendance issues not necessarily related to the pandemic. Therefore, district administration has determined that attendance requirements need to be reinstated.
It is extremely important for families to continue to communicate with their child’s school about illness and to keep students home if they are not well. Current attendance policies provide appropriate means to have these concerns documented and the child’s absence excused. As handled now, quarantines or isolations do not negatively impact a student's attendance record.
Beginning November 8, 2021, standard attendance procedures will resume in all buildings for all students. Principals will communicate with families regarding the attendance procedures as they are slightly different at each level.
Strong student attendance is a key to academic success, and we appreciate your support in ensuring excellent student attendance.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Board approves changes to second semester calendar
The School Board on Nov. 17 approved changes to the calendar for the second semester.
In an effort to provide more planning and collaboration time for staff, three school days will now be teacher/staff work days.
The change comes in response to the need expressed by staff for additional item to accomplish many tasks, including:
· Grade level, department, and multi-grade collaboration
· Lesson plans to meet the diverse needs of students
· Support plans for students with increased academic and emotional needs
· Virtual platform enhancements for students who are learning remotely
Students will not attend school (in-person or virtual) on these three dates:
· Friday, Jan. 28
· Friday, March 11
· Friday, May 6
Child care opportunities will be available for those who may need them. More information about this will be available in January.
Want to send in birthday treats for your student?
Please contact your child's teacher to let her know when and find out how many.
Then, please check our approved snack list and choose something from the list to send in.
STUDENT SUCCESS TEAM OPEN OFFICE HOURS
The open office hours are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 20, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7. Services will be located in the basement of Raymore Elementary School, 500 S. Madison St., Raymore.
Come to the basement entrance on the south side of the school. More information
Want to be a substitute teacher?
Are you interested in serving as a substitute teacher in the Ray-Pec School District? It's a great way to earn extra income, while maintaining flexibility in your schedule, and helping the school district.
You can now become certified as a substitute by completing a 20-hour online course at a cost of $180. Previously, individuals had to have 60 hours of college credit to begin the process.
Here are the steps:
To become a sub for Ray-Pec, you must obtain certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Complete an online substitute certificate application. For assistance, follow instructions in the Educator Certification System Help Guide. You will create a profile and complete an application. A $50 fee is required.
Submit required supporting documentation to DESE. This includes transcripts showing college credit or certificate of completion from approved substitute training and diploma (or equivalent).
Fingerprint/background check.
The 20-hour online substitute teacher training course includes professionalism, honoring diversity, engaging students, classroom management techniques, basic instructional strategies, supporting students with special needs, and working with at-risk youth. Take the online training here: Frontline Education
The cost of the application, online training, and background check will require a total investment of about $275. Substitute teachers are paid $14 per hour. Long-term substitutes are paid at a higher rate. Subs have flexibility in accepting assignments at particular schools or on particular days.
For more information: https://www.raypec.k12.mo.us/133/Substitute-Teachers
Inclement Weather Information:
During the 2021-2022 school year, inclement weather days will result in a virtual instruction day. This means that students will learn at home on that day, and the school day will not be made up later in the year. For students in the Virtual Instruction Program of Ray-Pec (VIPR), classes will continue as usual. Students who attend school in-person will attend classes online or have learning activities pre-assigned to them.
Communication about inclement weather days
In the event of a virtual instruction day due to inclement weather, the district will use these methods to communicate effectively:
Our School Messenger service will be used to send a recorded telephone message to all employees and the family of each student.
A text message will be sent via Textcaster. You can sign up here.
All subscribers of RP Update, the district's electronic newsletter, will receive an email. Subscribe by sending a message to rp.update@raypec.org.
Information will be shared on local television stations (4, 5, 9, and 41).
An update will be available via the district information line at 816-892-3988.
The announcement will be posted on the district website, Facebook page, and via Twitter.
Timing of the announcement
The decision to implement a virtual instruction day will be made as early as possible - preferably the night before. Sometimes conditions change overnight. In the event of rapidly changing weather conditions, a weather announcement may be made on the day of the cancellation. In those instances, we will try to send make the notification by 5:30 a.m.
Elementary school activities
In the event of a virtual instruction day due to inclement weather, all elementary after-school and evening events will be cancelled and/or rescheduled.
Middle school activities
In the event of a virtual instruction day due to inclement weather, all middle school events will be cancelled and/or rescheduled. This includes after-school practices and meetings, and evening activities.
High School activities
Watch for separate notifications about high school events or activities. In some cases, those activities may continue as scheduled.
Panther Pride/Shark’s Den
In most cases, Panther Pride and Shark’s Den will be open to provide care to families who are already enrolled in those programs. They will open at 8 a.m. on inclement weather/virtual instruction days.
If the District implements an unplanned early release, it is important to have arrangements for younger children. If you will not be available, please ensure someone is available to care for your child if early dismissal occurs.
The decision to close school is always a difficult one. Every effort will be made to consider the safety of the students, the safety of the faculty, and the convenience to parents when making such decisions. Your cooperation, understanding, and assistance is appreciated. However, parents and guardians are in the best position to determine the safety for their students based on nearby conditions.
As temperatures drop, it is important for students to dress appropriately, and allowances for potential bus delays should be part of the planning process. Student drivers are encouraged to use parent or school-provided transportation when road conditions are less than ideal. If you have questions regarding school dismissal, call the building your child attends or the District Administrative Services Center at 816-892-1300.
PTA INFORMATION
We invite all families to join the Peculiar PTA as members of our school community. Joining the PTA does not obligate you any job, but gives you the opportunity to contribute and vote on decisions for our school family. PTA membership is $10 per family.
Please click the link below to complete the membership form: PTA Membership Form
Our PTA also compiles a school directory to be distributed to only families in our building. Peculiar Elementary can not distribute personal communication between families, so the PTA provides contact information for the families. Each family may provide as much or little contact information as they choose.
PTA School Directory
Here is the link to our current directory. 2021-2022 Peculiar Elementary Directory
Apple Bus Info
The Ray-Pec School District contracts with Apple Bus Company to provide student transportation. To inquire about transportation or to speak with an Apple Bus employee about your child's bus experience, call Apple Bus directly at 816-318-1900, or you may send an email to Apple Bus at rp@applebuscompany.com.
Quick Tip Reporting:
Report school safety and bullying concerns through Quick Tip.
Quick Tip is an online method of reporting a school safety or bullying issue, or concern about a student. Users may click on the link and complete the information requested. Tip reporters may enter personal contact information or remain anonymous. It is accessible through the link below or on the district website.
Peculiar Elementary Mission & Vision
Mission:
Preparing each student for a successful and meaningful life.
Vision:
A future-focused community with a commitment to lifelong learning.
Mrs. Keri Collison, Principal
Email: keri.collison@raypec.org
Website: http://www.raypec.k12.mo.us/90/Peculiar-Elementary
Location: 201 East 3rd Street, Peculiar, MO, USA
Phone: 816-892-1650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peculiar-Elementary-111829803542835
Twitter: @PeculiarPatrio