RAYMORE-PECULIAR SCHOOL DISTRICT

Congratulations to the Ray-Pec Bowling Team for finishing in the top five at Zone Finals and advancing to State for the second year in a row! 🎳 The team averaged 213 points per game after winning 13/16 games and also earned a $600 scholarship. Sophomore Elijah Queathem kicked off the tournament by singing a solo of the National Anthem. Senior Jacob Thompson was recognized for signing to continue bowling at the collegiate level with Avila and Senior Connor McCale was recognized for his plans to join the military. The team will compete in the State tournament on May 4. Thanks you to to Aaron's Family Fun Center for hosting the tournament and supporting our community of bowlers.

Construction Update! 👷 The Performing Arts Center is getting closer and closer every day! Take a look at some of our most recent pictures! 🤩

🎥 Staff Spotlight! 🎥 In this episode of Staff Spotlight, Raymore-Peculiar School District Superintendent, Dr. Mike Slagle, chats with Rachel McClain. Rachel is an art teacher at South Middle School. Art is not only her teaching field, it is one of Rachel's passions in life. Listen to her describe the importance of bringing the art experience to middle schoolers, and how this role helps build dreams for her students. https://youtu.be/dF_RWFVVXWk?si=SxJ5Rx5j28Vc_mhZ

As a part of their Collaboration Day activities, K-12 PE Teachers participated in a hands-on training from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) at Eagle Glen Elementary this morning. They worked together to practice engaging new strategies for incorporating the manipulative skills and movement patterns within tennis into their classrooms and beyond as a demonstration of lifelong wellness. Following their participation in the training, each building will also receive equipment from USTA to use to incorporate their new learning. 🎾

RAYPEC RUSH wrapped up their most successful season in their history! Our competitive show choir, won 2nd runner up on March 9th at Battle High School in Columbia. They also received awards for Outstanding Combo (Band) and BOTH of the Outstanding Soloist Awards: Devin Fisher and Serenity Shepard Congratulations to everyone involved! Choir Members: Annaly Bain-Rowland Kaedyn Blede Delaney Burk Annaliese Busse Landon Busse Jillian Collom Lauren Compton Makenna Copeland Jillian Fairchild Devin Fisher Lauren Giles Caitlin Gregory Jaxon Inmon Michaela Karl Jordan Kim Addison Kyle Piper Martin Alex McDonald Jada Mcmurdo Avery Monnig Bryce Nickel Aurora Orstad Alyssa Padgett Mason Rew Amy Robinson Kyan Roth Amari Russell E’my’Ja Sanders Reagan Sheedy Serenity Shepard Audrey Shepard Director: Stephen Rew Band Members: Blake Bond Jackson Clingan Noelle Cox Bo Helzer Maddox Hoover Mack Stewart Faith Suddarth Riley Zimmerman Band leader: Don Shepard It's a GREAT day to be a Panther!

We're continuing our month-long celebration of our School Board! Meet Board Member Patty Phillips. Patty Phillips took the oath of office during a special meeting on June 20, 2023. She was selected to fill an unexpired term that became vacant when Ashley Jones resigned from the Board. She was appointed to serve until the next Board election in April 2024. Patty said her reasons for serving on the Board echo the Ray-Pec mission statement: To prepare each student for a successful and meaningful life. “As a pediatric nurse practitioner, I’ve dedicated my entire professional career to children and families. I love being able to serve as a school board member to also help not only children and families but also teachers and staff.” Thank you, Patty Phillips, for your dedicated service to our District!

We are celebrating our School Board all month! Meet Board Member Carol Barnes. Carol worked for the District for 30 years, retiring in 2017, before being elected to the Board in April 2022. “My ‘Why’ is to ensure that our students have the skills they need to successfully transition to the next level of learning and beyond. Beginning at the elementary level, our children need a strong foundation in language, social, motor, and emotional development to ensure positive academic outcomes. Faculty and staff, our ‘Dream Makers.’ need to feel safe, valued, and supported as they educate and guide our children on their journey.” Thank you, Carol Barnes, for your dedicated service to our District!

It's School Board Recognition Month, and you can be sure we are celebrating! 🎉 Each week, we will introduce one or two Board members. First up is Board President Ruth Johnson! Ruth was first elected to the Board in April 2011 and is currently serving her fifth term. She was attracted to Board service because she wanted to help the community be better. “My ‘why’ is to help make sure the next generation has access to what they will need to be successful. What education looks like is constantly evolving, yet stays the same. It’s about having great teachers to make those connections to the students and the proper programming.” Thank you, Ruth Johnson, for your dedicated service to our District!

Through the Eyes of a 6th Grader 👀 https://youtu.be/bWGC7bzwVMs The transition from elementary to middle school is a big deal! Hear what some of our sixth graders have to say about life in middle school. 🏫

Three Boys' Basketball players were named to the All-Conference team! Congratulations to all and good luck at Districts tomorrow! 🏀 Ashton Jermain - All-Conference Holden Kephart - All-Conference Cannon Northcraft - All-Conference Honorable Mention

2020 Ray-Pec graduates Braden Zaner and Marissa Dick both competed at the MIAA Championship over the weekend and medaled! 🥇 Braden took home gold in the 5000m (for the second year in a row, 3000M , and was the highest point winner for the meet. Braden also qualified for the NCAA D2 National Championship on March 8 & 9 in the Distance Medley! 🥉 Marissa took home the bronze medal in the 3000m.

A new episode of Ray-Pec Connect dropped this morning! 🎙 In this episode Dr. Mike Slagle sits down with the Director of Shull Early Center, Mary Shatford, to talk about the choices that are offered to the parents of children before they get to kindergarten and how important that time is for their development. Hear how we are Empowering Our Littlest Learners! raypec.org/page/ray-pec-connect-podcast

The Raymore peculiar Speech and Debate team had an outstanding showing this weekend at the National Speech and Debate Association’s district qualifying tournament. In Duo Interpretation. Noah Tuttle and Tre Hill received 4th place. Ellie McRill and Jaxson Fines received 3rd place and qualified to the national tournament. Sav Jordan and Devin Fisher were tournament champions and qualified to the national tournament. In Program Oral Interpretation Amari Russel received 4th place And Ellie Barker Received second place and qualified to the national tournament. In Original Oratory Natalie Kies received 3rd place in Oratory and qualified for the national tournament. In Humorous Interpretation Kaedyn Blede received 4th place, Eli Showen received 2nd place and qualified for the national tournament and Ian Haneberg was tournament champion and qualified for the national tournament. In Dramatic Interpretation Vanessa Diaz received 6th place, Amy Robinson received 3rd place and qualified to the national tournament, and Sav Jordan was our tournament champion and qualified to the national tournament. The Ray-Pec Speech and Debate team received 1st place in Sweepstakes Points, making them District Champions for the 2nd year in a row!

Congratulations to Gavin Birkett and Anna Fahrni for their All-State performances at the Missouri State Wrestling Championships over the weekend! 💪

February is National CTE Month. What a perfect time to highlight the future CTE programs in the district. In 2024-25 we're excited to offer a Heavy Machine Operating program! Just one more way Ray-Pec is a #DistrictOfChoice To learn more about his program, visit our website: https://www.raypec.org/o/lead/page/heavy-machine-operating This series details some of the lesser known topics around the district and highlights some of the wonderful things that go on behind the scenes. https://youtu.be/MqpRwrxfNt0

🎥 Staff Spotlight 🎥 In this episode of Staff Spotlight, Raymore-Peculiar School District Superintendent, Dr. Mike Slagle, chats with Tracy Elliott. Tracy is a special education teacher at Shull Early Learning Center. raypec.org/page/staff-spotlight-2023-2024

On Feb. 13, Ray-Pec South Middle School students from the Lifetime Sports and Fitness classes had the opportunity to compete in an after school archery tournament! 🏹 The top three finishers were: Nikki Crispin-Bradshaw🥉, Jared McNutt 🥈, and Lawson Davis 🥇

Congratulations to the Boys' Wrestling team! Over the weekend, the team finished 3rd at Districts with NINE members qualifying for State! 🤼‍♂️ Kamdon VonHolten 120 Evan Gatlin 138 Connor Gatlin 144 Bryce Gatlin 157 Gavin Birkett 165 Anthony Hicks 175 Patrick Martin 190 Aidan Carver 215 Pierce Hazen HWT

Today is National School Resource Officer Day! We would like to take a moment and recognize all of our SRO's who help keep our students and community safe! 👮‍♀️👮‍♂️ Cass County Deputies: Cole Briscoe, Summer Jacobs, and Mary Wilson Raymore PD: Stephanie Hornbeck Peculiar PD: Ryan New

The teaching staff in the fine arts department got the chance to tour the new Performing Arts Center this afternoon. We can't wait to see what this new space will add to the incredible performances at Ray-Pec 🎭🎤🎼