Raymond Central Public Schools
September 2020
From the Desk of the Superintendent...
Thank you for your everyone’s diligence in adapting to our “new normal” at school. As a result, we have had two and a half successful weeks of school and have even started our fall activities season. My highlight thus far was walking around our three school sites on the first day of school to see the excitement in our students and staff. Even though our students and staff were wearing masks and practicing social distancing, it was great to see everyone back in school and eager to pick up where they left off. I appreciate the continued collaboration of our staff to ensure our protocols and procedures are followed to ensure the health and safety of our students. As a district we have learned a lot more about risk, exposure and how to handle COVID-19 related situations. We are in this and stronger together!
On a non-COVID-19 topic, the Board of Education is set to vote on the 2020-2021 district budget. Raymond Central continues to be heavily reliant on local property taxes to fund education for our students (80%+ of the total budget comes from property taxes). As a district we also lost $100,000+ in State Aid which we have seen decline over the last 10+ years. While we do not have a crystal ball to see the future of public school funding, the result of a 1% valuation increase in our counties will keep the overall levy the same as last year's ($1.0488). We will continue to advocate for a sustainable and affordable property tax relief measure that will provide rural schools with additional State Aid dollars to counter the over reliance on our resident and farm taxes.
One of the positive updates we have as a district is our PK-12 student enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year. As a district, we increased from 676 students for the 2019-2020 school year to 720 students for the 2020-2021 school year which is 44 more students.
We were busy updating our facilities over the summer. The Jr-Sr High School replaced 7 air handlers (these were installed back in the 1960s) with high efficient rooftop units along with removing the fuel oil boilers, Valpairaiso got a new roof on the gymnasium, and our bus barn is expanding with 5 additional bays. You will also notice our new 18,000 gallon propane tank behind the Jr/Sr High School that replaced our multiple smaller tanks we had on site. Each year we will continue to take a proactive approach to ensuring our building sites promote a positive and safe learning environment.
We do not know what the future of this school year holds, however, I am confident in our reopening plan and willingness to do whatever it takes to keep our students in school. There is still much work to do as we want to continue face-to-face instruction inside our classrooms. Below you will find Raymond Central’s policy and procedure for COVID-19 mitigation. Please continue to conduct daily screenings at home before your student boards a school bus or enters a building site. While temperatures are being taken at school, the first line of detection begins at home. The district asks that if your student is not feeling well or showing multiple signs of COVID-19 to stay at home and contact your local healthcare provider.
Have a fantastic 2020-2021 school year!
Policy and Procedure 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 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.
You Can Still Register!
Raymond Central is excited to announce a new partnership with Civic Nebraska and the RC Foundation. Over the course of two years, RC and the RC Foundation researched how to create and implement a before and after school program for our district. At first the idea was to try and create a program on our own, until we met Civic Nebraska. Civic Nebraska has a large footprint in providing before and after school programs in Lincoln and Omaha. Raymond Central will be the first rural model for the organization with the hope to expand into more communities. The program will be an extension of the school day with a focus on academic support, student enrichment, physical activity, and more! To learn more about our awesome partnership, checkout the website - https://www.civicnebraska.org/raymond/.
Go Mustangs!
Dr. Joel
Raymond Central Before and After School Program
Last week was the first of the Raymond Central Before and After School Program and we are off to a great start! We have 15 kids participating in the program before and/or after school. Because the program is designed to be a continuation of the school day, we will be doing activities that enhance academic achievement and civic engagement. To celebrate National Aviation Day we built airplanes and learned about the Wright brothers. We also made and tested our own parachutes, played games, got outside, and many other activities.
We are still looking for program staff, particularly in the mornings. If you or someone you know is 18 years or older and would like to apply, contact Kara Nelson at kara.nelson@civicnebraska.org.
YEARBOOKS!!
Yearbook Order Forms are available in the office for the 2020-2021 yearbook or you may find Mrs. E to get an order form.
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
Also...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:
$60 each for the 2019-2020 yearbooks. We have 8 copies available.
$20 each for the 2018-2019 yearbooks. There are 8 copies available.
$5 each for the rest of our stock:
1994--1 copy
1998--5 copies
2000--2 copies
2005--27 copies
2006--12 copies
2009--16 copies
2010--4 copies
2012--7 copies
2013--9 copies
2014--3 copies
2015--5 copies
2016--6 copies
2017--13 copies
Please help us find loving homes for these yearbooks!
Girls Basketball Pledge-A-Thon
Tired of fundraisers that are selling stuff you don't really need, but you still want to be able to support your favorite team? Well, you're in luck! The Girls Basketball Team is hosting a Pledge-A-Thon. Look at the document below and decide which player you'd like to assign some extra workouts to and then send in your pledges and money to Mrs. Newman at the high school (1800 West Agnew Road, Raymond, NE 68428). Questions? Email Mrs. Newman at cnewman@rcentral.org or call the school at 402-785-2685.
Basketball Players:
Kelsey Hudson
Faith Welton
Abbie Hudson
Makenna Gehle
Emaree Harris
Maddie Peterson
Emily Welton
Rachel Potter
Zoie Stachura
Hannah Kile
Autumn Haislet
Aleyna Cuttlers
Davi Hoyt
Jaden Kohl
Rachel Bos
Mady Ayres
Leslie Bos
Braelyn Christensen
Mady Lubischer
Madison Parham
Lizzie Potter
Kamarin Simmons