Supporting students with special needs during school transitions

The Waynesville R-VI School District will offer a free special education training session for parents and guardians of students with IEPs and 504 plans from 5:30–6:30 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2026, at the Parker Educational Center. The Parker Educational Center is located at 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville, next to the middle school.

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.

This event is the third and final session in the district’s Tiger Pride Series for the 2025–26 school year, which is designed to empower families through information, collaboration and advocacy.

The session will be presented by Dr. Elizabeth Washington, executive director of student services, and Shauna Smith, district special education coordinator.

Students will dismiss early on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, as follows:

• Noon students in grades 6-12 will dismiss

• 12:45 p.m. Full day preschools (Parker, Pick and Freedom) will dismiss

• 1 p.m. Students in grades K-5 will dismiss

• There will be no afternoon sessions for Williams Early Childhood Center
  

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  There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Dec. 22, 2025 - Jan. 2, 2026.
  District offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 1.
  

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  Students will return to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
  

UPDATE:  Route 47 to be only snow route this afternoon

Waynesville R-VI buses will run their regular routes this afternoon, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, EXCEPT Bus Route 47. Bus Route 47 will also run its snow route this afternoon and in the morning on Thursday, Dec. 4.

While we typically stay on snow routes all day if we use them in the morning, rising temperatures are allowing us to make an exception and return to most regular routes this afternoon.

The afterschool WIN activity buses will run their regular routes as well this evening. 

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ADDITIONAL INFO: Because today is late-start Wednesday, please add 30 minutes to the pick-up time for your snow route.

Red: The Waynesville R-VI School District will be in session, but buses will be running snow routes on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. 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.

The Waynesville R-VI School District will host the following upcoming Pre-K and elementary holiday music programs.

Program Schedule

• 5:30 p.m., Dec. 1 – All full-day preschools (Parker, Pick, and Freedom) Holiday Program at WHS Auditorium

• 5:30 p.m., Dec. 3 – Thayer 5th Grade Concert at Thayer Elementary

• 5:30 p.m., Dec. 8 – Elementary VOICES Concert at WHS Auditorium

• 5:15 p.m., Dec. 9 – Wood 4th & 5th Grade Holiday Music Program at Wood Elementary

• 5:30 p.m., Dec. 9 – Freedom 4th & 5th Grade Music Program at Freedom Elementary

West House: 5:30 p.m.

East House: 6 p.m.

South House: 6:30 p.m.

• 6 p.m., Dec. 11 – Partridge 2nd Grade Concert at Partridge Elementary

• 5 p.m., Dec. 16 – Williams Holiday Concert at WHS Auditorium

Morning Classes: 5 p.m.

Afternoon Classes: 5:30 p.m.

UPDATE as of 11:10 a.m.: Water is restored to East, Perimeter and Transportation

Water has been restored to East, Perimeter and Transportation as of 10 a.m. today (Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025). East Elementary students are in class and learning as usual.

 While the water has been restored, we are postponing today’s and tomorrow’s (Nov. 21 and 22) Gratitude With Grown Ups at East Elementary. Make-up dates will be sent at a later time.

 Attendance is at 92 percent and our staff and students quickly adapted. Bottled water was available by request. An ample supply of bottled water and hand sanitizers continue to be on hand. Custodians were able to flush the toilets using water provided by the Waynesville Rural Fire Department.

 While the majority of our students are in attendance today, if you ever feel anxious about circumstances, you are welcome to check out your student.

 A huge thank you goes to our staff, students, maintenance, parents, the City of Waynesville, Waynesville Rural Fire Department and the Pulaski County Health Department for collaborating with us.

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Previously published 

East Elementary, Perimeter Education Center and the Transportation Department are temporarily without water this morning, Nov. 20, 2025.

Water service is expected to be restored to the area by noon.

Extra bottles of drinking water and hand sanitizer are being delivered to the impacted buildings. Additionally, the fire department is providing water for flushing toilets.

We will make a decision about whether or not we will host today’s Gratitude with Grown Ups by noon today, so look for an email and/or text.

A big thank you goes to the Waynesville Rural Fire Department and our district’s maintenance team.

Happy Veterans Day

All Waynesville R-VI schools have been or will be honoring Veterans with activities including concerts, breakfasts, assemblies, round table discussions with Veterans and writing heartfelt letters of thanks.  

Today (Nov. 11, 2025) our JROTC and Waynesville High School Tigers Pride Marching Band will participate in the Veterans Day Parade in St. Robert. The parade follows the  11 a.m. Veterans ceremony that is hosted by the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce.

There will be no school and all offices will be closed today (Nov. 11, 2025) in observance of Veterans Day.