On Jan. 31, the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation awarded two grants to purchase Lego WeDo sets. Lego WeDo sets are robotics kits for younger students. They combine the Lego bricks with software that allow students to build and program their creations.

When Foundation Board members arrived at Eagle Glen to award the grant, they were able to see students in Dawn Fellhauer's second grade class using Lego WeDo sets that were purchased last year.

Dr. Amanda Kilgore, Digital Learning Teacher at Eagle Glen, applied for a grant this year to purchase additional sets.

Eagle Glen 2nd graders Rafferty Cogan, Isaiah Chappelle, and Elsie Harcus use a Lego WeDo set.  

The Foundation Prize Patrol traveled the District on Thursday, Jan. 31, to present grant awards.

Many of the grant award will be used for robotics and engineering activities.

Members of the Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation Board visited every school, surprising teachers and their students as part of the foundation's semi-annual "prize patrol," distributing over-sized checks for 17 classroom impact grants. Two grant awards were made using Foundation discretionary funds. In addition, the Board presented awards for three projects funded by the Ray-Pec Cares 2018 Gala Fund-A-Need contributions. Those dollars were donated during the Foundation's annual fundraiser. This year's Gala is scheduled for Feb. 23.

The Foundation's mission is to enhance educational opportunities for the benefit of students, staff, and the community. The Foundation invited staff to apply for grants of up to $750 to be used this year.

Timber Creek Elementary Third Grade Teachers Shaniece Martin, Heather MacQueen and Amanda Wallace received a $600 grant to purchase Osmo kits. Front row, from left: Board Member Jamie Bogner, Martin, MacQueen, Wallace, and Board Member Allison Bruflat. Back row: Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Foundation President Phil Parke, Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Board Member Mike Medsker, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Timber Creek Elementary School Digital Learning Teacher Cari Bryant received a $725 grant to purchase Mousebot sets. Front row, from left: Board Member Jamie Bogner, Principal Dr. Lovie Driskill, Board Member Allison Bruflat, Bryant, and Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston. Back row: Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Board Member Jason Harper, Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation President Phil Parke, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Bridle Ridge Elementary School First Grade Teacher Julie Vaughn received a $700 grant to purchase items for STEAM baskets for the classroom.

Front row: Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Vaughn, and Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston.

Back row: Foundation Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation President Phil Parke, Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Occupational Therapist Bobbi Bond received a $700 grant to purchase bouncy bands for use on chairs and desks at both middle schools. From left: Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Foundation President Phil Parke, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Board Member Jason Harper, Bond, Board Member Mike Medsker, Board Member Allison Bruflat, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Erica Dodson, Fifth Grade Teacher at Creekmoor Elementary School, received a $750 grant to purchase Sphero robots kits for use in the classroom and after school.

Front row: Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Dodson, and Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston. Back row: Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Foundation Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation President Phil Parke, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Dawn Fellhauer and Dr. Amanda Kilgore, teachers at Eagle Glen Elementary School, received a $625 grant to purchase Edison Robot kits.

Front row: Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Fellhauer, and Kilgore. Back row: Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Foundation Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation President Phil Parke, Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, and Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen.

Dr. Amanda Kilgore, Digital Learning Teacher at Eagle Glen Elementary School, received a $750 grant to purchase additional Lego WeDo kits. From left: Board Member Allison Bruflat, Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation President Phil Parke, Kilgore, Board Member Mike Medsker, and Board Member Jason Harper.

Ray-Pec East Middle School 8th grade Science Teachers Dan Tuttle (center in red shirt) and Andi Simon (not pictured) received a $670 grant to purchase digital microscopes.

From left: Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Board Member Jason Harper, Board Member Mike Medsker, Tuttle, Foundation President Phil Parke, Board Member Allison Bruflat, Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, and Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston.

Occupational Therapist Trisha Morris and Physical Therapist Amy Heinen (not pictured) received a $466 grant to purchase mats for sensory input while working with students at Shull Early Learning Center. From left: Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation President Phil Parke, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Morris, Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, and Board Member Allison Bruflat.

High School English Language Arts teachers Sarah Renfrow, Jennifer Gingrich, and Laura Columbatto received a $750 grant to purchase Cricut machines and accessories for students to use for their Senior DRIVE projects.

From left: Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Renfrow, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Gingrich, Foundation President Phil Parke, Columbatto,  Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation Board Member Jason Harper, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Ray-Pec Special Olympics coaches Emma Howlett, pictured above left; Catie Howlett, pictured above right; and Cara Hornbeck, pictured at left; received a $750 grant to purchase track uniforms for Ray-Pec Special Olympics athletes.

Stonegate Elementary School Music Teacher Anne Schupp received a $270 grant to purchase Song Tales and puppets for use in music class. From left: Principal Doug Becker, Board Member Allison Bruflat, Board Member Mike Medsker, Schupp, Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation President Phil Parke, Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

High School Basketball Coach Scott Jermain received a $750 grant to support the Gentlemen of the Court event.

From left: Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation President Phil Parke, Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Jermain, Foundation Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, and Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston.

Ashlie Renfro, Digital Learning Teacher at Stonegate Elementary School, received a $750 grant to purchase Bee Bots for use in the school's Makers Space. From left: Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, Board Member Allison Bruflat, Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Renfro, Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation President Phil Parke, Principal Doug Becker, and Board Memver Phil VanDeusen.

Monica Curtis, kindergarten teacher at Peculiar Elementary School, received a $750 grant to purchase wireless microscopes. From left: Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Foundation Board Member Jason Harper, Curtis, Foundation President Phil Parke, Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, and Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston.

Tracy LeRosen, 4th grade teacher at Stonegate Elementary School, received a $595 grant to purchase Lego WeDo sets. In front: Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, LeRosen, and Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat. In back: Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, Stonegate Elementary Principal Doug Becker, Foundation President Phil Parke, Board Member Jason Harper, Board Member Phil VanDeusen, and Board Member Mike Medsker.

Raymore Elementary School Nurse Kristin Alford (not pictured) received a $160 grant to purchase materials to teach about hand washing and infectious disease prevention. From left: Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Foundation President Phil Parke, Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Raymore Elementary School Principal Jennika Miller, and Foundation Board Member Jason Harper.

Stonegate Elementary School Reading Interventionist Tiffany Gulliford received a $50 grant to purchase nonfiction passages. 

In front: Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Gulliford, and Foundation Board Member Jason Harper. In back: Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Stonegate Elementary Principal Doug Becker, Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation President Phil Parke, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Raymore Elementary School Teacher Theresa Trutzel and Counselor Jenni Beck (not pictured) received a $494 grant to purchase classroom yoga cards. From left: Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees, Trutzel, Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation President Phil Parke, Foundation Board Member Jason Harper, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, and Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat.

Stonegate Elementary School received a $730 grant to purchase supplies and materials to create a sensory path. Kindergarten Teacher Deanna Dawson is pictured holding the check. Other team members who applied for the grant: Counselor Andrea Whalen, Occupational Therapist Kat Johnston, and Focus Facilitator Leigh Kirkpatrick. 

In front: Foundation Board Member Allison Bruflat, Foundation Executive Director Jodie Huston, Dawson, and Foundation Board Member Jason Harper. In back: Foundation Board Member Phil VanDeusen, Stonegate Elementary Principal Doug Becker, Foundation Board Member Mike Medsker, Foundation President Phil Parke, and Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.