To prepare for the return of secondary students who are enrolled in in-person learning, Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 will be asynchronous virtual learning days for students in grades 6-12. Please note: Students who have been attending Herndon Career Center will continue with their normal schedule for the remainder of the week.  Students attending  special programs will attend in-person on Thursday, February 25 and have asynchronous learning on Friday, February 26.

Information for those who will remain virtual for the remainder of the school year:

Students remaining virtual will resume their normal schedule on Monday, March 1.

Information for those who will return to in-person learning beginning the week of March 1:

Families are now able to log into their SISK12 parent portal to see if their child will attend A or B days. Once you log into the portal, icons will appear next to your student’s name. Two sample images of how this will appear are shown below:

• Sample B Day In-person Student

• Sample Virtual Learning Student

This week, schools will also send schedules with A/B designations to individual students and will discuss schedules during advisory.

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At this time we are unable to make changes to the in-person or virtual learning method that was chosen earlier in the year. Additionally, due to space constraints on buses and in classrooms, we cannot change students’ A or B designation.  

Thank you for your patience as we prepare our upcoming transition. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school. 

 

On Monday, January, 11 the Raytown Board of Education voted for a partial return to in-person learning beginning, Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Based on the Board’s decision, the following is set to occur:

 

• Tuesday, January 19, 2021 is scheduled to be a professional workday for all staff, no school; however, staff can work in-person or virtually on this date.   

• Starting Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Three Trails and Elementary students are scheduled to return to in-person instruction (for those who selected in-person instruction) Monday-Friday on a normal schedule.  

• Starting Thursday, January 21, 2021, Herndon Career Center B day students are scheduled to return at their normal times: 7:40-10:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. Herndon Career Center will continue on a 50% schedule with students coming twice a week. A day students will return on Monday, January 25. 

• Starting January 20, 2021, RSA elementary students are scheduled to return to in-person instruction (for those who selected in-person instruction) Monday-Friday on their normal schedule: 7:10 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. 

• Starting January 20, 2021, New Trails, Northwood, middle school and high school students in self-contained programs are scheduled to return to in-person instruction (for those who selected in-person instruction) Monday-Thursday. Fridays will continue to be virtual learning. 

• Secondary students (middle and high school) will remain in virtual learning until after Spring Break - Monday, April 5, 2021.  

Additionally, the Board voted on changes to the 2020-2021 calendar.

• January 18: no school, District offices closed, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• January 19: no school, staff workday
• February 11: no school, staff workday
• February 12: no school, District offices closed
• February 15: no school, District offices closed, Presidents’ Day 
• March 22-25: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• March 25: no school
• March 26: no school, District offices closed
• March 29-April 2: no school, Spring Break
• May 26: early dismissal 9-12
• May 27: projected last day of school PK-12 – early dismissal 

The Board will continuously reevaluate this decision at their monthly meetings. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to provide a safe and productive environment for our staff, students and families.

The National Weather Service (NOAA) currently predicts a 70% chance of snow on Monday, January 25. According to NOAA, rain will likely begin before 8 am, then snow will likely occur between 8 am and 5 pm with a chance of snow and freezing rain after 5 pm. During this time, the forecast predicts anywhere from three to five inches of snow accumulation. 

To prepare for the predicted inclement weather, we are planning for a potential virtual snow day for Monday, January 25. If we have a virtual snow day, it will have an impact district-wide, modifying the schedule for both elementary and secondary students. 

Students attending in-person school will bring home their Chromebooks/laptops and class materials on Friday, January 22. Families of students who are absent should receive communication from their student’s school to  pick up their Chromebooks/laptops and class materials by the end of the day. Additionally, staff has been directed to take home all supplies to prepare to work virtually from home, if needed. 

School Schedules

The virtual snow day schedule for all students will be synchronous/live teaching during the morning and asynchronous in the afternoon. Families will receive a specific schedule and information from their student’s teacher(s) later today. Please contact your child’s teacher or principal if you have any questions. 

Elementary and Middle School MO-LEAP Testing

The MO-LEAP benchmark math test for elementary and middle school is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 25 at schools across the district; however, if we have a virtual snow day, we will shift the start day for schools scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 26. More information about the MO-LEAP test will come from the District’s Assessment Office. 

Great Expectations Before and After School Care & Food Services

During virtual snow days, Great Expectations Before and After School Care will be closed. 

Additionally, if we have a virtual learning day on Monday, curbside meal distribution will be suspended for the day.

Staff

Should we have a virtual snow day, District offices would remain open during this time; however, all staff who can work remotely are allowed to do so as long as it is approved by their supervisor (Food Service, Facilities Operations, and Transportation employees will also receive more guidance from the supervisors). This means that during a virtual snow day, for families and patrons who need to communicate with district or school administrative offices, email is the most reliable form of communication during a virtual snow day. Staff email is firstname.lastname@raytownschools.org.  

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Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work to provide a quality education for our students while maintaining a safe learning environment. We will continue to monitor the forecast for Monday, January 25. Please keep in mind that this notice is a precautionary measure, families and staff will be officially notified if we have a virtual snow day either Sunday evening or Monday morning. We are also aware of the one to three inches of snow predicted for Wednesday, January 27. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s school. 

Effective Wednesday, January 20, secondary hours for virtual learning will be modified to more closely mirror students’ in-person learning schedule. Classes will normally be 45 minutes in length followed by 30 minutes of tutoring or time for students to complete work. Middle school and high school hours will be as follows:

Middle School

• 8:00 - 9:15 am (1/2)
• 9:30 - 10:45 am (3/4)
• 11:00-12:15 (5/6)
• 12:15-12:45 (lunch)
• 1:00-2:15 pm (7/Advisory)

High School

• 7:30- 8:45 am (1/2)
• 9:00-10:15 am (3/4)
• 10:30-11:45 am (5/6)
• 11:45-12:30 pm (lunch)
• 12:30-1:45 pm (7/Advisory)

Additionally, we will move to a 50-point grading scale for the second semester in all secondary buildings. In short, this means that the lowest grade a student can receive will be a 50%, even if they do not turn an assignment in. The lowest grade for an assignment that is turned in with substantial effort will be a 60%. 

This modification to grading is being made to address the needs of our students. We recognize the negative impact a zero grade can have on students who are struggling to adjust to the obstacles presented by the unconventional learning environment created by the pandemic. We believe a student’s grade should reflect the student's understanding of the content and capacity to apply the content more than on their responsibility defined by turning their work in.

Our district also recognizes that accountability is an important lesson we teach our students. Please keep in mind that this is a pilot; we do not have long term plans for this new process. We appreciate your partnership as we continue to work to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. 

If you have any questions, please contact your student’s school.

Beginning March 1, curbside meals will be available from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at Raytown High School and Raytown South High School. On Wednesdays, meals will be offered 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Raytown Central Middle, Raytown Middle and Raytown South Middle in addition to the high schools. 

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The District will return to virtual learning for all grades, PK-12, Monday, December 14 through Tuesday, December 22. While secondary has remained virtual for the entire first semester, this will be a change for elementary, special education, and Herndon Career Center students currently attending in-person instruction. Additionally, due to staffing limitations related to COVID-19, students attending Northwood School will return to virtual learning on Wednesday, December 9.

The decision to return to virtual learning was made in accordance with recommendations from local health authorities. District data, as well as data from Eastern Jackson County, supports the projected post-Thanksgiving uptick in COVID-19 cases predicted by local health.  As a result of this trend, the District continues to struggle with staffing key positions while maintaining a quality learning environment for in-person students.

Students currently enrolled in-person learning will be required to take all supplies home with them on Friday, December 11 to prepare for virtual instruction. Additional communication (including medication pickup information) will come from individual schools. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s classroom teacher or school administrator. Staff emails are firstname.lastname@raytownschools.org and can also be found on each schools' website under “staff.” School sites are listed here: http://bit.ly/33prO7l.  

District administrative offices will not be staffed in-person during this time. District phone lines and voicemail will be monitored; however, some staff will not have regular access to phone lines. District staff will be expected to be responsive via email during business hours. 

Thank you for partnering with us to protect the health of our students, staff and families. Below, you will find additional information pertaining to our district-wide return to virtual learning.

Food Service

During virtual learning, drive up and walk up meals will continue to be offered through Friday, December 18. Curbside meal pick up will be available from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at Raytown Central Middle, Raytown Middle, Raytown South Middle, Raytown High School and Raytown South High School. 

Technology Help

For technical support on using your Chromebook or laptop, please contact studentsupport@raytownschools.org. Please note that student account information will only be provided if you send an email address associated with SISK12 parent portal account. Families can also call the Helpdesk at 816-268-7172. This line should only be used for tech-related phone calls, additional contact information is provided at the bottom of this message. 

Great Expectations

Great Expectations Full-day care scheduled for December 23 and December 28-30 will no longer be offered. Families who signed up for Full-day care will receive a separate communication with additional information. No essential care will be provided at this time.

Winter Break

The District, including all administrative offices will be closed for Winter Break December 23, 2020 - January 1, 2021. 

Virtual Social-Emotional Learning Resources

For mental health support:

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline  1-800-273-8255 (24 hour access)
• CrisisTextLine.org or text 741741  (24 hour access)
• CommCare Access Crisis Intervention 888-279-8188  (24 hour access)

Safety Resources:

If you are having a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

If you need a Safe Place, go to any QuikTrip, Police Department or Fire Department and tell them you are in need of a "Safe Place" and they will help. 

• You can also call 816-741-8700. OR
• Text the word “safe” and your current location (city/state/zip) to 4HELP (44357).

If you are in need of other community resources or assistance, visit 211kc.org or dial 211 (United Way).

Communication

The most up-to-date information is posted on the District’s dedicated website for coronavirus updates at https://www.raytownschools.org/coronavirus. 

• Technology Help Desk  studentsupport@raytownschools.org
• Interpreter/Translations interpreter@raytownschools.org 
• Food Services foodservices@raytownschools.org
• Great Expectations greatexpectations@raytownschools.org
• General Inquiries communications@raytownschools.org