Since its inception in 2006, the District's Energy Management program has exceeded $3.5 million in energy savings and cost avoidance. Van McLain, Energy Manager, provided an update to the School Board on Feb. 19. The program began in 2006, when the district entered into a four-year contract with Energy Education, Inc. After the contract ended, the district continued implementing the program.

Each month, McLain logs the District's utility bills for electricity, gas, water and sewer. After adjustments for variables such as changes in weather, equipment, schedules, occupancy, and rates, the usage is compared to the base year. Using these calculations, the District would have been expected to spend more than $11.4 million on energy expenses since inception of the program. Actual energy expenditures over the nine years have been $7.89 million, or a savings of 31.1 percent. 

Energy Management

Children who eat breakfast start the day ready to learn -- reflected in higher test scores and better classroom behavior. But only half of the children who eat lunch at school also eat school breakfast, according to the Food Research and Action Council. To raise awareness of and increase participation in the School Breakfast Program, Ray-Pec schools will recognize National School Breakfast Week March 2-6. The 2015 theme, "Make the Grade with School Breakfast" reminds everyone that a healthy school breakfast sets students up for a day of learning and academic success. 

 "Too many children are showing up at school hungry, and we know hungry children can't learn," said Sarah Chellberg, Ray-Pec Child Nutrition Director. "A healthy breakfast helps students focus in the classroom and perform better. That's why we offer a healthy breakfast every morning in our schools." 

Cafeterias will promote school breakfast with special menus and decorations, activities, and events all week including special guests such as Ray-Pec graduate and current tight-end for the Tennessee Titans Chase Coffman and former Kansas City Chief and Green Bay Packer Paul Coffman, who will display NFL memorabilia and sign autographs. District administrators and School Board members plan to have breakfast with students, and a special visit is planned from Chewy, the Ray-Pec Panther mascot. The cafeterias will have giveaways, special guests, a design-a-poster contest and fun menu items. 

Raymore-Peculiar's breakfast program offers students items such as whole grain pancakes, turkey sausage breakfast pizza, oatmeal and homemade whole grain cinnamon rolls. Student breakfast prices are $1.50 for full price or 30 cents for reduced price. Every school breakfast served meets federal nutrition standards limiting fat, calories, and sodium. 

Ray-Pec Child Nutrition 

Luke Swartwood

The District welcomes Luke Swartwood as the new Coordinator of the Panther Pride School Age Child Care program. Swartwood began work Feb. 23. He has 15 years of experience working in after-school care, and emphasizes a program that extends the learning that happens in the classroom.

Swartwood comes to Ray-Pec from the Belton School District, where he had been Site Director for the district's after school program since 2009. He has experience in lesson plans, behavior intervention, managing staff, licensing and accreditation, and community involvement. He and his wife and two children live in Raymore.

 Panther Pride offers care for children in grades K-6. Each elementary school has a School Age Child Care site. Care is also available for students in 5th and 6th grade. The before school program is offered from 6:15 a.m. until the school day starts. The after school program is available from dismissal until 6 p.m. The daily schedule includes indoor and outdoor activities, snack and homework assistance. Read more about the District's school-age child care program: Panther Pride