The C-2 View Newsletter
May 2025
Dates to add to your calendar 📒
- Last Day of School: Friday, May 23, 2025
- First Day of Summer School: Friday, May 30, 2025
- No School: Thursday, June 19, 2025
- Last Day of Summer School: Friday, June 27, 2025
- First Day of School 2025-26: August 20, 2025
May 2025 Ray of Hope Honorees 💫
Congrats to Tyrone Townes and Jordane Cranston on being named the May Ray of Hope Awardees. They are both being recognized for their overall achievements as outstanding senior student-athletes. Thank you for both for being a Ray of Hope in the Raytown Schools Learning Community! Watch a short video that highlight Tyrone and Jordane's achievements here.
Graduation Livestream Links
South High | May 18 @10am
RSHS: https://youtube.com/live/7I3v8haVBok
Raytown High | May 18 @2pm
RHS: https://youtube.com/live/eUAfJIQfbGU
Three Trails Preschool Career Day
Students at Three Trails Preschool enjoyed an interactive and informative career day! Thank you to all of the guests that gave students a glimpse of future career choices. Students heard from these local leaders:
- Teela Maxwell | Director of Parks and Recreation - Kansas City & Fitness Instructor
- Todd Hembree | Assistant Branch Manager at the Raytown Mid Continent Public Library
- Officer Brittany White and Officer Gregory Jackson | Raytown School District Security Officers
- Charmanie Webb | Instructional Assistant at Three Trails Preschool and Small Business Owner, Nail Technician
Raytown High School Decision Day
Students at Raytown High celebrated Decision Day on May 2. Decision day is a day many students finalize their next step in their educational or career journey. Thanks to all of the colleges, universities, and military organizations that took part in the celebration. Students were treated to food, games and dessert from the ice cream truck. We wish all of our students the best as they begin the next phase of their lives.
Laurel Hills Focus Group
At RQS, student voices matter! Recently, students at Laurel Hills had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Martin-Knox and school administrators to share their thoughts on what’s important to them and their learning experience. Insights from these focus groups will help shape our strategic plans, ensuring student perspectives play a key role in future decisions. More photos below.
Blue Star Awards
Seal of Biliteracy
Jelly Bean Festival
The Jellybean Festival celebrates students in Community-Based Instruction with performances, fun, and recognition. Hosted by Student Council, students from Raytown High, South High, and LIFE U took to the stage in the new South High Performing Arts Center, showcasing their talents and receiving enthusiastic applause. After performing, students enjoyed food, games, and were awarded medals. Carl the Cardinal made a special appearance, adding to the fun!
📷 Photos courtesy of Sarah Apple.
Alex Kolster Named Quarter-finalist for Music Educator Award
Karen Atherton Named MSNA Employee of the Year
Karen Atherton, Nutrition Services Secretary at RQS is the 2025 Missouri School Nutrition Association (MSNA) Employee of the Year. Karen has worked for the RQS Nutrition Services Department for over 20 years. She is a wealth of knowledge in so many areas of child nutrition program operations and is highly valued by the entire department. Karen was also named the 2025 School Nutrition Association (SNA) Mountain Plains Regional Employee of the Year award recipient and was featured in the SNA virtual award ceremony on the SNA Facebook page.
Substitute Spotlight | Ghada Dabbagh
Please join us in celebrating a dedicated, committed and supportive Certified Substitute, Mrs. Ghada Dabbagh. We are honored to award the Substitute Spotlight to Mrs. Dabbagh. She shows UP and shows OUT for our students day in and day out. She supports our staff with her continued commitment to make a difference in our community. We are so lucky to have her in our buildings. If you are interested in substitute teaching, we are hiring. Apply today and be a part of our team.
Retirement Celebration
Congrats to all of our 2025 Retirees. Some of our retirees chose to celebrate at a district dinner on May 1. Pictured from left to right, Kimberly Alonzo, Lisa Orchard, Pam Fells & Kim Austin. We wish each of you the best in your retirement. We will miss you around RQS! If you'd like to see more photos from this celebration, you can visit our Facebook page.
Freshman Career Academies
We are excited to announce that beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, Raytown Quality Schools will introduce a Freshman Academy at both Raytown and Raytown South High Schools. This initiative is a key step in our commitment to transforming the high school experience to better prepare students for success in college, careers, and life. The Freshman Academy will serve as the foundation of this transformation. In 9th grade, students will enter a supportive and structured environment designed to ease the transition into high school while allowing time to explore the wide range of course offerings that will be offered within the Academies of Raytown in the coming school years.
For more information visit the Career Academies Web Page here.
Work at Raytown Quality Schools!
Mark your calendars for our open interview event! Our Human Resources team will be available EVERY Wednesday through June to chat about all the amazing things Raytown C-2 School District has to offer.
Make plans to join us on a Wednesday morning.
☕ Grab a coffee.
👥 Meet our team.
Take the next step toward your future! 🤝
Browse our current openings or share this link with others. https://raytown.schoolspring.com/
May 2025 Recognition and Observance Days
May 1-31: Speech-Language-Hearing Month
May 1-31: Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 2: School Lunch Hero Day
May 5-9: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
May 7: National School Nurse Day
May 18: Speech Language Pathologist Appreciation Day
May 23: Last Day of School
May 26: Memorial Day
Have something you want to see us share in our newsletter or social media? Email us at communications@raytownschools.org for consideration.