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The Ray-Pec Speech and Debate Team is proud to announce that both the Readers Theatre and the Competition One Act received 1st place at the MSHSAA district competition! Their performances qualified them for the State Tournament in April.
Congratulations! π
![Ray-Pec Speech and Debate team](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7455015/large_2024_one_act_.jpg)
![Ray-Pec Speech and Debate team](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7455016/large_2024_readers.jpg)
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Registration for pre-kindergarten programs also begins today, Friday, March 15. Children who will be 4 years old before Aug. 1, 2024, and who reside in the Ray-Pec School District, may register for classes at Shull Early Learning Center.
For information, and to RSVP, go to the Shull website: raypec.org/o/selc/page/program-information
![Shull ELC logo](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7454910/large_SHARKS_CIRCLE.png)
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Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year begins today, Friday, March 15.
If your child will be 5 years old by Aug. 1, 2024, see information about kindergarten registration and screening: raypec.org/page/kindergarten-registration
As you register, you will select a time and date for an in-person screening appointment. Screening dates vary by school.
![Gearing up for Kindergarten logo](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7454762/large_Gearing_Up_for_Kindergarten.png)
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We are celebrating our School Board all month!
Meet Board Member Paul Coffman.
He was first elected to the Board in April 2017 and is currently serving his third term. He was attracted to Board service because he enjoys putting people in a position to succeed.
"Both of my parents were school teachers, and I saw everything they did to put students in a position to succeed. Serving on the Board is a way for me to help put teachers in a position to succeed.β
"My four children graduated from Ray-Pec and were blessed by the opportunities and encouragement they received at Ray-Pec. I donβt have children currently attending school, so I think I can look at the big picture to help provide opportunities for all students and their activities.β
Thank you, Paul Coffman, for your dedicated service to our District!
![Paul Coffman](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7453343/large_BOE_Appreciation_2024.png)
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It's Opening Day! βΎοΈ
Ray-Pec Baseball kicks off their season with a doubleheader in Warrensburg. First pitch of Game 1 against Smith-Cotton High School is at 3:00 pm, immediately followed by Game 2 against Warrensburg High School at 5:00 pm.
This year you can follow the baseball team using the free GameChanger app. You can find live scoring updates, play-by-play info, and sometimes even a live stream.
A link to the app can be found on our website at: raypec.org/o/rphs/page/ray-pec-baseball
![Opening Day](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7434369/large_Baseball_Game_Day_3.14.24__1_.png)
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π¨ NATIONAL CHAMPION! π¨
2020 graduate Braden Zaner and his Pitt State teammates are the Division II Indoor Track and Field National Champions for the second year in a row! π€πΎπ
![Pittsburg State Indoor Track and Field Team](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7443099/large_432227757_1505464773430237_4995500392586517109_n.jpg)
![Braden Zaner and his distance medley teammates](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7443101/large_unnamed__1_.jpg)
![Pittsburg State Indoor Track and Field Team](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7443097/large_unnamed__2_.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/232690/circled_4c5638ec-0a95-46f5-b860-54cec7fdd6b5.png)
Mr. O'Neal's Algebra II class celebrated Pi Day this afternoon with a class photo as the clock read 3.14159 π₯§π
![Mr. O'Neal's Algebra II class](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7445564/large_IMG_9372.jpg)
![](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/profile/avatar/232690/circled_4c5638ec-0a95-46f5-b860-54cec7fdd6b5.png)
Former Panthers Jordan Jermain and Kian Scroggins are going dancing! π
William Jewell (Jermain) and Sam Houston State (Scroggins) both won their conference and are headed to the NCAA Tournament. Congratulations! ππ€π
![Kian Scroggins](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7442484/large_Screenshot_2024-03-14_at_1.00.57_PM.png)
![Jordan Jermain](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7442483/large_Screenshot_2024-03-14_at_1.04.33_PM.png)
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Congratulations to Harrisonville 7th grader Mariah Coffey on winning the Cass County Spelling Bee that took place at Ray-Pec on this morning!
Mariah qualifies to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., later this spring. Mariah also won the Cass County Spelling Bee in 2023 and represented Cass County at the national event. Runner-up was 7th grader Henry Laffoon from the Belton School District.
Other participants:
π€πHelen Van Arkel, 8th grader, Raymore-Peculiar School District
William Henley, 5th grader, Pleasant Hill School District
Zeke Needham, 5th grader, Midway School District
Abigail Forgett, 4th grader, Archie School District
![Helen Van Arkel](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7426594/large_rp_speller.jpg)
![spelling be winner and runner-up](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7426596/large_spelling_trophy.jpg)
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Our School Board celebration continues!
Meet Board Vice President Deanna Olson.
She was elected to the Board in April 2021. "I wanted to be a part of the district and have a voice in guiding the vision of the place that both my husband and I graduated from and where our kids are going to graduate from. Our district and board was doing great things and I wanted to add to it.β
What is Deanna's "why" for serving on the Board?
βI serve on the board because I am vested in our district and want to see us continue to expand and offer more choices to our kids to prepare them the best we can for life. I am so proud of all the ways we have expanded our options for every student to take advantage of!β
Thank you, Deanna, for your dedicated service to our District!
![Deanna Olson](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7422174/large_Olson.png)
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You are invited to attend the 2nd annual Ray-Pec Jazz Showcase at 7 p.m. tonight, March 12, in the high school main gym. The event will feature the Jazz One and Jazz Two bands, as well as the jazz bands from East and South middle schools. There is no admission charge.
![Ray-Pec Showcase](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7415272/large_thumb-06ae99acfc4e36e6a57d102e7cfe3282.jpeg)
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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! π³
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.
![Bowling team photo](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7410347/large_IMG_9926.jpg)
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π΅ March is Music in Our Schools Month! π«π
It's time to celebrate the incredible impact of music education and give a standing ovation to the teachers who make it all possible! πΆπ
![RPSD Music Teachers](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7410171/large_Music_in_Our_Schools.png)
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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. πΎ
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401160/large_IMG_9077.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401145/large_IMG_9049.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401154/large_IMG_9053.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401155/large_IMG_9055.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401153/large_IMG_9059.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401151/large_IMG_9060.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401150/large_IMG_9065.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401152/large_IMG_9068.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401159/large_IMG_9069.jpeg)
![PE Teachers learning tennis instruction from USTA](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7401156/large_IMG_9074.jpeg)
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π₯ Staff Spotlight! π₯
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
![Rachel McClain](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7399017/large_Screenshot_2024-03-11_at_12.25.19_PM.png)
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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
EβmyβJa 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!
![RAY-PEC RUSH Members](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7394930/large_20240309_215705.jpg)
![Devin Fisher and Serenity Shepard](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7394928/large_20240309_215234.jpg)
![RAY-PEC RUSH Members](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7394929/large_20240309_215104.jpg)
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Construction Update! π·
The Performing Arts Center is getting closer and closer every day! Take a look at some of our most recent pictures! π€©
![Interior of the Performing Arts Center](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7393047/large_IMG_8043.jpeg)
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π£ Reminder! π£ Classes will not be in session on Monday, 3/11/24, to allow for staff collaboration.
![π£ Reminder! π£ Classes will not be in session on Monday, 1/15/24, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tuesday, 1/16/24, to allow for staff collaboration.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7378598/large_No_School_31124_social_media.png)
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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.
βAs a pediatric nurse practitioner, Iβve 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.β
Thank you, Patty Phillips, for your dedicated service to our District!
![Patty Phillips](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7373834/large_Philips.png)
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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.
βMy βWhyβ 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 βDream Makers.β need to feel safe, valued, and supported as they educate and guide our children on their journey.β
Thank you, Carol Barnes, for your dedicated service to our District!
![Carol Barnes](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/7373720/large_Barnes.png)