August Ray of Hope Honorees

Congratulations to Graceway Church, our August Ray of Hope honoree! Through their generous donation of backpacks filled with school supplies, Graceway is helping kindergarten students begin the school year equipped and ready to learn, grow, and succeed. Their commitment to supporting Raytown students and families is a wonderful example of the power of community partnerships and the meaningful difference they can make in the lives of our students.

Link to the August Ray of Hope Video

Back to School Resource and Information Event Saturday, August 22nd

Get ready for the new school year at the Back to School Resource & Information Event on Saturday, August 22nd from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Raytown High School! This free, family-friendly event will feature valuable community resources to help students and families start the school year strong.

Questions? Contact the Student Support Services department at 816-268-7000.

Exploring Non-Traditional Health Careers

Three Raytown Quality Schools students recently had the opportunity to explore non-traditional careers in healthcare through the Non-Traditional Health Careers Externship. During the two-day experience, students visited the Community Blood Center and Samuel U. Rogers Health Center to learn about community health and accessible, high-quality care. They also explored healthcare programs at the MCC/Penn Valley Health Science Institute, including Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and the new Respiratory Care program. The experience concluded with a tour of the new Parkinson Center at John Knox Village and a panel discussion with physical and occupational therapy assistants. Through these experiences, students gained valuable insight into diverse healthcare careers as they begin to plan for the future.

Image of Dr. Penelope Martin-Knox and a summer graduate of RQS.

Raytown Summer Graduation Celebration

This summer we proudly celebrated graduates from Raytown High School, Raytown South High School, and our very first graduating class from Ray of Hope Academy! Ray of Hope Academy provides a flexible, supportive pathway to graduation for students who need an alternative to a traditional high school experience. Congratulations to all of our summer graduates! We are so proud of your accomplishments and can’t wait to see what your future holds.

Learn more about Ray of Hope Academy: Ray of Hope Academy

Coach Reggie Morris Receives Shut Out the Stigma Advocate Award

Congratulations to Coach Reggie Morris on receiving the Shut Out the Stigma Advocate Award from the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation! With more than 30 years of coaching experience, Coach Morris has earned numerous honors, including KC Metro Basketball Coach of the Year twice and District Coach of the Year four times. His impact reaches far beyond the court, as he is dedicated to developing student-athletes and helping them build skills for long-term success both on and off the court. We are proud to celebrate Coach Morris and the positive difference he continues to make in the lives of his students and athletes.

Welcoming Our New Teachers

We are excited to welcome our newest teachers to Raytown Quality Schools! Over the past few weeks, educators have participated in New Teacher Orientation and professional learning designed to help them feel prepared and confident for the school year ahead. From learning more about our district, schools and students to connecting with colleagues and enjoying some fun along the way, our new teachers have been engaged and enthusiastic every step of the way. We are thrilled to have them join the RQS family!

Oasis Tutoring is Coming to Raytown Quality Schools

Raytown Quality Schools is excited to welcome Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring to our district this school year! Through this program, volunteers work one-on-one each week with K–3 students to provide reading support, encouragement and meaningful connections. No teaching experience is required! Oasis will launch at Spring Valley, Southwood, and Westridge this year, with the possibility of expanding to additional schools in the future.

Interested in making a difference? Oasis tutors will complete the same background check process required of all RQS volunteers. When completing the district’s volunteer application, simply select Oasis Tutoring as your volunteer opportunity. We’d love to have you join us in helping our youngest learners grow.

REF Trivia Night

Get ready to test your knowledge and have some fun at the Raytown Educational Foundation (REF) Trivia Night on Saturday, September 26! Gather a team of up to six adults (21+) and enjoy a night of trivia, games, prizes and plenty of laughs. Teams are $150 and registration is online only, with registration closing September 12.

The event will be held at Southwood United Christian Church, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and games beginning at 7:00 p.m. Bring your snacks, beverages and table décor.

Register online: Link to register for Trivia Night