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🎥 Learning Lens 🎥
Artificial Intelligence is here. Karmin Ricker, Coordinator of Instructional Design and Technology, explains the District's approach to A.I. so far, and how she believes it will be utilized in classrooms in the next few years.
https://youtu.be/YWxv5NQtXsI
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.
![Karmin Ricker](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6745614/large_AI_Learning_Lens_Thumbnail.png)
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Over the weekend the Boys' Basketball team won the consolation championship game at the Jenks-Union Invitational with a 58-37 victory over Glenpool. Cannon Northcraft was one of six players named to the All-Tournament team for his efforts! 🏀
![2024 Jenks-Union Invitational Tournament. 58-37 Ray-Pec over Glenpool. Boys Bracket consolation champs.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6755820/large_GETrOVbWoAAfB-J.jpeg)
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Boys' Basketball tries to take down Blue Springs tonight on the road. Varsity tips off at 7:00 pm at Blue Springs High School. Good luck boys! 🏀
![Game Day. Ray-Pec vs Blue Springs. Blue Springs High School. 7:00 pm. Photo of Ray-Pec basketball player on the right side of the graphic.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6747382/large_BBB_Game_Day_1.23.24.png)
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Congratulations to Helen Van Arkel on winning the Raymore-Peculiar School District Spelling Bee on Jan. 17. Twenty-seven spellers from the elementary and middle schools competed in the evening event at Eagle Glen Elementary School.
After 12 rounds of competition, Helen claimed the championship by spelling the word "attrition."
Ashleigh Parker was the runner-up. Both students are 8th graders at Ray-Pec East Middle School.
As the winner, Helen received a trophy and a Visa gift card from UMB. She also qualifies to represent the District in the Cass County Spelling Bee, scheduled for March 13. If Helen wins at the county level, she will be eligible to compete at the Scripps National Bee in Washington, D.C.
As runner-up, Ashleigh received a trophy and a Visa gift card from UMB. All other competitors received medallions in recognition of qualifying for the District bee.
To read more about this year's Spelling Bee, visit our website here: https://www.raypec.org/article/1423054
![Pictured right to left: winner Helen Van Arkel, Nikki Brewer, and runner-up Ashleigh Parker](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6753850/large_large_b0aab336-3373-4ae5-862c-0f97028e822b.jpg)
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Girls' Basketball travels to Grain Valley High School this afternoon to take on Winnetonka in the opening round of the GV Sonic Showdown! The game tips off at 4:00 pm. Good luck ladies! 🏀
![Winnetonka vs Ray-Pec. Game Day. @ Grain Valley High School. Tuesday, January 23rd. 4:00 pm. Photo of girls' basketball player defending an opponent in the bottom corner of the graphic.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6746057/large_GBB_GD_1.23.24.png)
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Attention Ray-Pec families: The National Weather Service has made us aware of the high potential for icy conditions in the morning. We will monitor conditions overnight and in the morning. If a schedule change is necessary for the day, we will communicate the information as early as possible.
![image of megaphone with the photo caption in text](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6735454/large_IWNHfTx078n3v7COGFVGMA.png)
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Ray-Pec is again planning to participate in the Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics! The event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 27, at Longview Lake. ❄️
If anyone is interested in joining or donating the Surf's Up Panthers Plunge team, here is a link to instructions: support.somo.org/event/2024-kansas-city-polar-plunge/e521315
![2024 Polar Plunge. Special Olympics Missouri. Photo of polar bear jumping into tropical water.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6720456/large_Polar_Plunge_2024.png)
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The Boys' Wrestling team will spend the weekend wrestling in a tournament at Winnetoka High School! Things will kick off this afternoon at 3:00 pm with a quick turnaround for Saturday as they hit the mats again at 8:00 am. 🤼♂️
![Match Day. Ray-Pec wrestler taking down an opponent from Blue Springs.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6713043/large_Boys_Wrestling_tournament_1-19-24.png)
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📢AMI Day📢
Due to the continued cold temperatures, and the forecast for extreme cold and wind chill, there will be no school Friday, Jan. 19.
This will be a virtual instruction day, also known as an AMI Day. AMI stands for Alternative Methods of Instruction. Students will learn from home.
This will be the District’s third AMI day during the 2023-2024 school year. Missouri law allows schools to use up to five AMI days during the year.
🏀Activities🤼♂️
All elementary school and middle school after-school activities and evening events will be canceled and/or rescheduled. Watch for separate notifications about high school events or activities. In some cases, those activities may continue as scheduled.
👦Child Care👧
BOOST (Best Out of School Time) is the program that provides before- and after-school care. BOOST will open at 8 a.m. to provide care to families who are already enrolled. BOOST will provide care at Raymore Elementary School only. The charge is $30 for the day. This is not included in the no-school-day sign-up or cost. Space is limited, due to the staffing ratio. Children are required to bring lunch on snow days, as the school cafeteria is not open.
![AMI Day 1/19/24](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6715603/large_AMI_Days_1.19.24_lower_res.png)
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It's a neighborly match day! 🤼♀️
Girls' Wrestling travels down 49 to take on the Harrisonville Wildcats. The match starts at 4:00 pm. Good luck ladies!
![Match Day. 4:00 pm. Ray-Pec vs Harrisonville. January 18th, 2024 at Harrisonville High School. Photo of Ray-Pec girls' wrestler.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6707330/large_Girls__Wrestling_Match_Day_1.18.24.png)
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It's game day for Boys' hoops! 🏀
The Varsity Boys' Basketball team heads to Oklahoma to test themselves against some fresh competition in a weekend tournament. Bring home some hardware! 🏆
![Game Day. Ray-Pec Basketball. Two photos of Ray-Pec basketball players attempting layups.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6706853/large_Basketball_Game_Day_1.18.24.png)
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The first Learning Lens of 2024 is here! 🎥
https://youtu.be/KPEmslw2nl4
The student experience is always changing. Ray-Pec United is a group of staff, parents and students that come together to discuss what students needs are now and work together to figure out the best ways address them.
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.
![Dr. Al Voelker, Chief of Staff, RPSD](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6683405/large_Screenshot_2024-01-16_at_11.40.16_AM.png)
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Just a reminder that the Ray-Pec Spelling Bee is tonight at 6:00 pm at Eagle Glen Elementary School!
Good luck to all of the spellers! 🐝
![Spelling Bee. Ray-Pec. Eagle Glen Elementary. 6:00 pm.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6694160/large_Spelling_Bee.png)
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Trying to pin down your plans for this evening? The Boys' and Girls' Wrestling teams host Lee's Summit North tonight at 6 pm! Come out and show your support! 🤼
![Match Day. Ray-Pec Wrestler trying to pin a Blue Springs wrestler.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6693495/large_Wrestling_Dual_1.17.24.png)
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Girls' Swimming travels to Winnektonka today to take on the Griffins at Gladstone Community Center at 4 pm!
Good luck ladies! 🏊♀️
![Meet Day. Photo of girls swimming member sitting outside the pool.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6692467/large_Girls_Swimming_1.17.24.png)
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In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, schools will be closed today, January 15th. 2024. Schools will also be closed tomorrow to allow for staff collaboration.
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of a true education." -Martin Luther King Jr.
!["The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of a true education." -Martin Luther King Jr.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6576106/large_MLK_Jr._Day.png)
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📣 Reminder! 📣
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.
![Reminder. School will not be in session Monday, 1/15/24, or Tuesday, 1/16/24.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6642918/large_MLK_and_Staff_Collab.png)
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Before the long weekend, the Boys' Basketball team has some business to take care of!
The boys travel to Liberty North to take on the Eagles at 7:00 pm. If you can't make it to the game, Liberty North steams games on their YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@northnationmedia951/streams
![Photo of Ray-Pec basketball player dribbling past an opponent. Ray-Pec at Liberty North at 7:00 pm.](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6648488/large_BBB_Game_Day_1.12.24.png)
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The Boys' and Girls' Wrestling teams travel to Staley to take part in a tournament this weekend!
The girls will kick things off at 3:00 pm today. The boys will follow that up tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. Good luck to both teams! 🤼♂️🤼♂️
![Photo collage of Ray-Pec wrestlers competing against Blue Springs High School](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6648689/large_Boys_and_Girls_Wrestling_1.12_and_1.13_lower_res.png)
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NO SCHOOL - NO VIRTUAL CLASSES
Due to inclement weather, there will be no school today, Friday, Jan. 12. No virtual learning classes will be held.
Today’s inclement weather day will be made up later in the year, and will be announced at a later date.
![Sign that says "winter weather"](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/raymore-peculiar_school_district_ar/live_feed_image/image/6652985/large_Winter_weather_ahead.png)