Kirsten “Kris” Scott, the assistant principal at Freedom Elementary, will become the principal of Thayer Elementary, effective July 1, 2026. Scott will fill the vacancy created by Robyn Justice’s retirement in June.
“My goal is to foster a school environment where every child feels safe, supported and inspired to learn and grow,” Scott said. “Beyond mastering the basics and building a strong academic foundation, I want to help our students develop into confident leaders.”
After teaching at Success, Scott joined the Waynesville R-VI School District in 2008 where she served as a 4th and 5th grader teacher before becoming a principal intern and then assistant principal at Freedom Elementary. Prior to entering education, Scott served in the U.S. Air Force and served as an instructor/course developer at Fort Leonard Wood before retiring from the Air National Guard. Scott has a bachelor’s degree in general education, a master’s in middle school education and an educational specialist degree in educational administration.
For more information
Phone: (573) 842-2094
Email: personnel@waynesville.k12.mo.us
• Regan Grosvenor
• Riley Grosvenor
• Kaitlyn Sullivan
• Ruby Hisatake
• Lauryn Lercher
The team won the game over the Parkview Vikings.
More photos are on the WHS Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WaynesvilleHighSchool/posts/pfbid0eAkaimCAR2drd8wNynkhJV8YzpzSXur3pi5Q6ch7M5uirKtsmG6EmVtxAG4RVFoRl
4 pickleball tournaments to be held on Feb. 28
The Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation will host four different pickleball tournaments on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in the Waynesville High School gym, located at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville, Mo.
To register, go to https://forms.gle/oT51K6VAD1DY3G4cA
The first tournament will start at 8 a.m.; start times for subsequent tournaments will follow based on the pace of play.
The four pickleball tournaments are:
• Recreational Open Doubles: Teams consist of two players of any gender combination.
• Competitive Men’s Doubles: Teams consist of two male players.
• Competitive Women’s Doubles: Teams consist of two female players.
• Competitive Mixed Doubles: Teams consist of one male and one female player.
The registration fee is $50 per team per EACH tournament and must be paid at the event before play begins. There is a limit of 50 teams total.
Each tournament is double elimination but with a three-game guarantee (all teams will play one game prior to the bracket play to help with seeding).
Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams.
Concessions will be available as a way to further support the Foundation.
Proceeds from this tournament will benefit the Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation, which directs its resources toward enriching the educational experience for Waynesville R-VI students and staff.
For more information, check out the Pickleball Tourney info at https://www.waynesvilleschoolsfoundation.com/ or reach out to Scott Turner at sturner@waynesville.k12.mo.us and include these words in subject line: “Foundation Pickleball Tournament.”
The Waynesville R-VI School District will run mostly regular bus routes on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The exceptions are listed below.
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Snow routes
Routes 48 A&B, 49 A&B, and 82 AM & Noon will still be snow routes for Friday.
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Modified routes
The following routes will be normal routes except for the following changes:
29B Stops at Top and Bottom of Brookview will be at Settlers Pass and Brookview Pick up @ 7:21 AM Dropoff at approx. 3:57 PM
Rt 42A Top, Terrain, Triangle, Turkey, Terris Stops to be picked up at Texas and True @ 6:22 AM Please leave room for bus to turn around. Dropped off at approx 3:05 PM
Rt 42A Tundra, Talladega, Titan, and Twilight will be picked up at Texas and Twilight @ 6:27 AM Drop off @ approx. 3:05 PM.
Rt 45B on Talon Ln and Trolley will be picked up at Talon and Tango at 7:30 AM and dropped off at same intersection @ approx. 4:10PM All other stops normal.
Rt 52A Talon Ln and Trolley will be picked up at Talon and Tango at 6:21 AM and dropped off at same intersection @ approx. 3:17 PM
52B 15155 Texas Ln, Top, Terrain, Triangle, Turkey, Terris Stops to be picked up at Texas and True @ 7:59 AM Dropped off at approx 3:46 PM
52 B Tundra, Talladega, Titan, and Twilight will be picked up at Texas and Twilight @ 8:00 AM Drop off @ approx. 3:45 PM.
Rt 46B Rt 47B and Rt 51B will have very minor changes. These parents should have received an email and text.
This session, “Navigating Transitions Between Buildings,” is especially recommended for families of students who will be entering one of the following grades or stages during the 2026–27 school year:
Kindergarten
6th grade
7th grade
9th grade
Post-secondary transition (after high school)
During the session, families will gain insight into the behind-the-scenes planning that takes place to support students as they move to a new building. Parents and guardians will also receive practical strategies and tips to help their child feel confident and prepared for their next school transition.
Heighton receives FLW Leadership Award
Zacheriah Heighton, a senior at Waynesville High School, received the Fort Leonard Wood Leadership Award for January 2026 on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.
His nominator said that Heighton shows respect for himself and others. “Despite any challenges he has the courage to stand up for himself, his peers and what is right and honorable. It is admirable how Zacheriah demonstrates respect and courage in all he does each and every day.”
Master Sgt. Michael Self, 787th Military Police Battalion Operations noncommissioned officer, and Lt. Col. Steven Martin, 787th Military police Battalion commander, recognized Heighton for representing the word honor, one of the seven Army values. The seven Army values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
Cooper-Dwyer recognized for representing the word “selfless service”
Zachary Cooper-Dwyer, a senior at Waynesville High School, received the Fort Leonard Wood Leadership Award for November 2025 on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.
His nominator said, “Zachary consistently demonstrates a remarkable willingness to put the needs of others before his own, embodying true selflessness and humility. Whether supporting classmates, volunteering his time, or stepping in when help is needed, he acts not for recognition or praise, but out of a genuine desire to contribute to the greater good. His actions reflect maturity and integrity, as he quietly leads by example and shows that true character is revealed in the moments when no reward is expected. Through his kindness and sacrifice, he fosters a stronger, more supportive community around him.”
Master Sgt. Michael Self, 787th Military Police Battalion Operations noncommissioned officer, and Lt. Col. Steven Martin, 787th Military police Battalion commander, recognized Cooper-Dwyer for representing the word selfless service, one of the seven Army values. The seven Army values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
Buses will run snow routes.
Details:
The Waynesville R-VI School District will be in session, but buses will be running snow routes on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.
When the district runs snow routes in the morning, it will run snow routes in the afternoon.
Snow routes are available on the Bus Quest Mobile App. In some cases, the snow route may be the regular route.
More information about downloading the Bus Quest Mobile App is at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/wrv/page/bus-quest.
Buses will run SNOW ROUTES (add 30 minutes to your snow route pick-up time because it's late-start Wednesday)
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Details:
The Waynesville R-VI School District will be in session, but buses will be running snow routes on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. When the district runs snow routes in the morning, it will run snow routes in the afternoon.
Because Jan. 28 is late-start Wednesday, please add 30 minutes to the pick-up time for your snow route.
Snow routes are available on the Bus Quest Mobile App. In some cases, the snow route may be the regular route.
More information about downloading the Bus Quest Mobile App is at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/wrv/page/bus-quest.
Registration for the short-term Tiger Preschool at Waynesville High School is open
Tiger Preschool at Waynesville High School is a short-term, unique, hands-on program where WHS juniors and seniors in the Child Development 2 class create and lead engaging lessons for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old preschool students.
Beginning Feb. 25, 2026, and running through preschool graduation on May 7, the preschool will be offered as follows:
Morning session - Tues/ Thurs. 8:30 - 9:55 a.m.
Wed. 9:00- 10:25 a.m.
Afternoon session - Tues/ Thurs. 12:10- 1:35 p.m.
Wed. 12:05- 1:30 pm.
Through structured activities and play-based learning, preschoolers will build social, motor and early academic skills while being mentored by high school students who are gaining real-world leadership and teaching experience.
Click on this link https://forms.gle/N9Rugb7TLhspwFJq8 to complete the registration form for the short-term WHS Tiger Preschool. Families will be notified after the selection process. Meet the Teacher will be Feb. 24.
See the website https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/whs/page/tiger-preschool for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Chrystal Bohrer via email at cbohrer@waynesville.k12.mo.us.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT the district’s full day preschool program. Registration information about the district’s full-day preschool for the 2026-27 school year will come out later in the spring.
Photos are from last year's Tiger Preschool at WHS
School will be in session using an Alternative Method of Instruction (AMI online) from 8:30 a.m. to noon for grades K-12 and Parker, Pick and Freedom Preschool.
Williams Early Childhood Center AM classes will be online from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. and Williams PM classes will be online from 10:15 a.m. to noon.
Parents and guardians make check their email for additional details.
There will be no in-person school in the Waynesville R-VI School District Monday, Jan. 26, 2026; however, students will go to school virtually on Monday morning as this is an AMI day. Parents and guardians should check their email for more details.
Local FFA members receive grant from Growing America’s Farmers, Farm Credit, and Cencora Impact Foundation
A $1,000 National SAE grant has been awarded to Lillian Brock, Justus Laughlin, Garrison Stewart and Angelina Zuno—members of the Waynesville FFA Chapter at the Waynesville Career Center—by Growing America’s Farmers, Farm Credit and Cencora Impact Foundation. Their application was selected from among 1,468 applications nationwide.
SAE grants are designed to help FFA members create or expand Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, a requirement that all FFA members must complete. An SAE requires FFA members to create and operate an agriculture-related business, work at an agriculture-related business or conduct an agricultural research experience. Upon completion, FFA members must submit a comprehensive report regarding their career development experience.
This year 23 different sponsors funded SAE Grants. A full list of sponsors can be found on the National FFA Organization website on the SAE Grants webpage.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
About National FFA Organization
The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. A separately registered nonprofit organization, the foundation is governed by a board of trustees that includes the national FFA president, educators, business leaders and individual donors.
The Missouri FFA Foundation is awarding a SAE grant to Natasha Lappi, a Waynesville FFA member.
All FFA members are required to participate in a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE), which may include launching an agriculture-related business, working at an agriculture-related business or conducting an agricultural research project.
Lappi’s agribusiness SAE project brings farming to life through hands-on work raising chickens, goats, pigs and bees. At Stund Acres, located just outside Waynesville, these animals are carefully managed to produce high-quality products for the local community. By selling animal byproducts at her farm stand, Lappi combines sustainability, entrepreneurship and real-world agricultural experience. The grant from the Missouri FFA Foundation will be used to expand her bee operation in hopes of providing honey to the community this summer.
Emily Barnes, the agriculture education teacher at Waynesville Career Center, said, “SAE grants from the Missouri FFA Foundation have been instrumental in growing our chapter’s SAE projects by giving students the chance to build a real business. These opportunities take learning beyond the classroom and develop real world problem-solving skills that strengthen our entire agriculture program. We’re excited to see how this grant helps Natasha expand her bee operation and continue growing her SAE.”
Heather Dimitt-Fletcher, executive director of the Missouri FFA Foundation, said, “These projects speak to the entrepreneurial spirit of our state and represent the future of agriculture. FFA members generally pay the expenses associated with their SAE themselves. Many students and their families do not have the personal financial resources needed to start or expand their projects. That's why the Missouri FFA Foundation’s SAE Grant program is vital. " MFA Inc. Charitable Foundation and the Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council help fund the program.
Four Waynesville R-VI schools—Freedom Elementary, Thayer Elementary, Wood Elementary and Waynesville Middle School—have been named 2025 Leader in Me Lighthouse Academic Honor Roll Schools.
The schools were recognized at the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Jan. 20, 2026. To earn this distinction, each school first achieved Lighthouse Certification through deep implementation of Leader in Me leadership practices. They then demonstrated exceptional academic growth or proficiency on state assessments.
According to FranklinCovey Education, the designation represents dual recognition—sustaining a strong leadership culture while also delivering outstanding academic results.
Eight Waynesville High School students were recognized for earning national recognition from the CollegeBoard BigFuture Program because of their high performance on AP tests and/or the PSAT as 10th and 11th grade students.
Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, presented certificates to the following students during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Jan. 20, 2026:
• Brionna Ash
• Serina Chen
• Vung Ciin
• Kaden Crone
• Keegan Graves
• Brooklyn Lercher
• Kalee Rhoades
• Carson Sutphin
The awards were presented in the following categories:
School Recognition Award: Serina Chen, Vung Ciin and Kaden Crone, Keegan Graves, Brooklyn Lercher and Carson Sutphin
Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award: Kaden Crone, Brooklyn Lercher and Carson Sutphin
First Generation Recognition Award: Brionna Ash, Vung Ciin and Kalee Rhoades
Students are eligible for awards by scoring in the top 10% of PSAT/NMSQT test takers in their high school, state's first-generation test takers and/or state's rural and small-town test takers OR earning a 3 or higher on two or more distinct AP exams in the 8th, 9th and/or 10th grade. Students must also have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 or higher.
Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, presented Jessie Dickinson with the Community Recognition Plaque for January 2026 during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Jan. 20, 2026. Dickenson was recognized for volunteering to teach nutrition and wellness to student athletes and parents.
Pictured are Superintendent Hilary Bales, Jessie Dickinson and Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services.
