Image of the National ProStart Invitational Culinary Arts team at the June board meeting.

Herndon Career Center Culinary Arts National ProStart Team - June Ray of Hope Award

Congratulations to the Herndon Career Center Culinary Arts Team on being named our June Ray of Hope recipients. After countless hours of preparation, these talented students took the national stage in Baltimore and delivered an unforgettable performance to earn the title of National Champions at the 2026 National ProStart Invitational.

This team demonstrated incredible execution, focus, poise, and skill. Congratulations to each of these amazing students and a big thank you to Chef Mike for his dedication and mentorship along the way.

Link to the June Ray of Hope Video

Image of the RHS theater department, along with Dr. Andrew McCarthy, Principal at Raytown High School.

Raytown High School Theater Earns Multiple Awards

This spring, our talented students and staff from the Raytown High School Theater Department earned recognition from two of the Kansas City area's most prestigious high school theatre programs: the Cappies and the Blue Star Awards. At the Kansas City Cappies awards, Raytown High School's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition took home the top honor of Best Musical. Students were also recognized for their outstanding work in performance, music, design, technology, and ensemble acting. The celebration continued at Starlight Theatre's Blue Star Awards. Cameron Ritchie earned the Blue Star Award for Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role, for his portrayal of Hermes in Hadestown: Teen Edition, while the production also received nominations for Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Lighting Design. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Images of Robinson and Southwood students at JA Biztown

Robinson and Southwood Elementary Students Visit JA Biztown

4th and 5th grade students from Robinson and Southwood Elementary recently stepped into the roles of young professionals during a field trip to Junior Achievement's BizTown Kansas City. After learning about budgeting, financial literacy, and workplace skills in the classroom, students put their knowledge into action by helping run a simulated city for a day. Through hands-on experiences and teamwork, they gained valuable real-world skills while discovering how classroom learning can connect to future careers.

New Leadership Hires for the 2026-2027 School Year

The Raytown Quality Schools Board of Education recently approved the hiring of leadership positions for the 2026–27 school year.

Pamela Gill joins RQS as the new assistant principal at Raytown High School. She

currently serves as assistant principal in the Independence School District where she

has also worked as a business education teacher. Prior to education, she spent 10

years in financial management and leadership with Bank of America. Mrs. Gill has an

Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Park University and a

Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University.

Nathan Girard joins RQS as the new assistant principal at Raytown Central

Middle School. He most recently served as principal of Holy Name of Jesus

Catholic School. He previously served as an assistant principal at Central

Middle School and Aubry Bend Middle School and as a teacher at JC

Harmon High School, Overland Trail Middle School and Eisenhower Middle

School. Mr. Girard holds a Bachelor’s degree of Secondary English

Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University

of Kansas and a Master’s degree in Building Leadership from Baker

University.

Greg Farley joins RQS as the new assistant principal at Raytown South

High School. He currently serves as assistant principal in Lawrence

Public Schools in Lawrence, Kansas. His experience also includes serving

as math department chair, summer school coordinator and teacher in

Lawrence Public Schools, along with previous teaching positions in

Missouri and Nebraska. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

from South Dakota State University and a Master of Science in

Secondary Administration from Northwest Missouri State University.

Kaitlin (Katie) Green is moving into the role of assistant principal at

Raytown Central Middle School. She currently teaches art at Raytown

High School where she has also served as teacher leader and

administrative intern. In addition to her classroom leadership, she

founded the Raytown High School tennis program and has been

recognized as both Teacher of the Year and Coach of the Year. Mrs.

Green has a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the University of

Missouri and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the

University of Central Missouri.

Kelly Schoolcraft moves back to RQS as the new principal at Southwood

Elementary. She is currently an administrative intern at Bridle Ridge and

Raymore Elementary Schools in Raymore Peculiar. She previously worked

at RQS as an instructional coach/reading specialist at Little Blue and a

teacher at Norfleet. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood

Education from Missouri State University and a Master’s degree in School

Leadership K-12 from Central Missouri University.

RQS Communications Team Wins Multiple National School Public Relations Association Digital Media Awards

Congratulations to Marissa Cleaver Wamble, Chief Communications Officer, Colin Cloney, Digital Media Specialist, Hannah Shackles, Assistant Director of Communications, Melanie Olson-Cox, and our incredible RQS Communications Team for earning THREE digital media awards in the 2026 NSPRA National School Communications Awards!

The winning entries include:

• Ray of Hope video series — Award of Excellence

• Be the Hero They Need — Honorable Mention

• When Students Run the Board — Honorable Mention

The Award of Excellence is the highest honor awarded by NSPRA, making this recognition especially meaningful for our Ray of Hope series. We are proud to continue highlighting the achievements, talents, and stories that showcase the best of Raytown Schools.

Check out our YouTube channel at @RaytownQualitySchools to watch each winning video, and stay tuned for more exciting projects as we get ready for the 2026-27 school year!

Link to the Raytown Quality Schools Youtube Channel

Decorative Image Promoting the Back to School Carnival for 2026.

Raytown Quality Schools Back to School Carnival 2026

Get ready for the new school year at the Back to School Carnival on Saturday, August 22nd from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Raytown High School! This free, family-friendly event will feature food, games, prizes, and valuable community resources to help students and families start the school year strong. Connect with local organizations offering support in areas such as student health and wellness, food and basic needs, youth programs, family services, and more. We look forward to seeing you there!

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

Raytown Summer Lunch Ministry

Mark your calendars and make sure to visit the Raytown Christian Church (6108 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO) every Tuesday this summer from 5:00-6:30pm for the Raytown Summer Lunch Program. The next distribution will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd from 5:00-6:30.

Groceries are delivered to your car curbside in the parking lot of the church by the ramped entrance. Families with children (of any age) in the Raytown School District are welcome. You do not need an ID to receive a bag of groceries.

Make sure to follow Raytown Summer Lunch Ministry on Facebook for more!