Ray-Pec Community,
As we close the first half of the 21-22 school year, I want to share some observations and reflections about where we’ve been and what’s next. Consider this a message of celebration and honesty :)
There Have Been Many Reasons To Celebrate This Year
In so many ways, the first half of the 21-22 school year has been outstanding. All students are back in classes, and activities are starting to feel a bit more normal. We have celebrated student achievements in academics, the arts, athletics, and activities. I have so thoroughly enjoyed attending games/meets/matches, seeing musicals, listening to choirs, peeking in at practices and rehearsals, and watching students learn in classrooms.
We broke ground on the new LEAD Center, the event of which was led by four outstanding high school students, and are actively planning for the new Ninth Grade Center and Performing Arts Center. We have expanded our virtual learning program known as VIPR to include students from other Cass County school districts.
Our staff has been lauded for their work with the Kauffman Foundation’s Real World Learning Initiative, and Ray-Pec’s program has been described as a leader for the Kansas City Metropolitan area. We are in the middle of developing a new strategic plan, which will serve us with great ideas and opportunities for our future.
We have seen students excel at service-learning projects throughout the district. Our Ray-Pec Academy has been “revamped” to include project-based learning and a higher level of engagement. We are now at full implementation of a K-12 curriculum called Project Lead The Way (PLTW), which provides all students the opportunity for hands-on inquiry-based learning.
Without a doubt, we have used this year to move forward for the betterment of students.
Challenges And Uncertainties Remain
There are many reasons to celebrate the year thus far. I also know that challenges remain, as we continue to make our way through the pandemic. The road to a new hope is definitely filled with promise, but there have been several speed bumps along the path. We had significant learning interruptions from last year that will continue to be addressed. In my spirit of honesty, this will not be a short-term fix. Additionally, some student behaviors we have seen this year have been troublesome and numerous. With these challenges, we are committed to doing what we can to address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
We have made significant investments toward mitigating learning interruptions and assisting with the mental health concerns of our students. Several academic program interventions have been expanded or introduced. We have more professionals than ever dedicated to helping families make connections for mental health and behavior support. We are getting better, but it will take time. As I said, the road to the new hope is promising, but the path is challenging.
Of course, there is the continued challenge of the pandemic. I know that legal directives and requirements change what is required of the school district and sometimes can change rapidly. We will continue to keep you informed of how these changes affect the Ray-Pec School District.
All through this, the Ray-Pec staff has been wonderful. But in my spirit of honesty, many are feeling the stress of the year. Aside from the aforementioned issues, a persistent labor shortage in several key areas has contributed to additional challenges. This labor issue is being felt nationwide and has been particularly challenging for us in the areas of substitute teaching, paraprofessionals, child nutrition, and transportation. We have tried to mitigate that as much as we can by reallocating resources and have even had central office personnel fill in at the classroom level when substitute teachers were not available. I know you support our teams at our buildings and those that work behind the scenes throughout the district. Please let them know, as that spirit of gratitude goes a long way towards helping get through the challenging times.
We Will Remain Focused On Our Y
In our back-to-school convocation, and at several points throughout this school year, I have shared with our staff the importance of our “Y.” All of us have a "Y" that drives us. Author Simon Sinek describes this as "a deep-seated purpose, cause or belief that is the source of our passion and inspiration." Our "Y" can also be a source of strength in good times and not-so-good times. Transparently, I have had to remind myself of my “Y” at several points throughout this first half of the school year. It has helped sustain me.
As a way to highlight the importance of our “Y” and how that is being lived out on a daily basis by our staff, I have shared several interviews that we’ve done this year with our team. We call them Staff Spotlights, and I encourage you to check out this link. Please see how our staff is answering the call of this year and how their “Y” is made manifest each and every day.
About Our Tomorrows
I learned early in this pandemic not to make promises about “tomorrows.” However, this is what I will promise. Our guiding principles for dealing with our current situation will remain strong. We are on the road to a new hope and will do that by focusing on our “Y.” That is what a great organization does as it makes its way through difficult and challenging times.
On behalf of the Ray-Pec Board of Education, thank you for entrusting your children to the Ray-Pec School District. Have a great winter break!
Mike Slagle
