East and Freedom Elementary’s library media specialists were recognized in the September 2025 edition of the Missouri Association of School Librarians newsletter. Cassie Wilson, Jennifer Henson and Kristin Ross were recognized for going above and beyond to promote a love of reading, including:
launching the Tiger Express Bookmobile
highlighting State Award titles
hosting guest readers
creating a vibrant reading culture that extends beyond the library
Tiger Festival of Nations is Friday
Tiger Festival of Nations will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Waynesville High School. The entrance will be on the Ninth Grade Center (east) side of the building. Tiger Festival of Nations is free and open to the public.
Attendees will learn about different cultures, sample food from around the world and the WHS Steel Pan Band will perform.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. to Tiger Stadium, where the WHS Tigers will take on the Neosho R-5 Wildcats at 7 p.m. Admission to the stadium is $4 per person without a pass.
Photos are from the September 2024 Fall Tiger Festival of Nations.
Tiger Festival of Nations will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Waynesville High School. The entrance will be on the Ninth Grade Center (east) side of the building. Tiger Festival of Nations is free and open to the public.
Attendees will learn about different cultures, sample food from around the world and the WHS Steel Pan Band will perform.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. to Tiger Stadium, where the WHS Tigers will take on the Neosho R-5 Wildcats at 7 p.m. Admission to the stadium is $4 per person without a pass.
Photos are from the September 2024 Fall Tiger Festival of Nations.
Freedom Elementary hosted their annual Patriot Day parade on Sept. 11, 2025, honoring local first responders and soldiers, including Freedom's PIE partners -- the 84th Chem Batallion. In addition, the Waynesville JROTC Color Guard presented the Colors and the Waynesville High School Drumline marched in the parade.
Future Cheer will be held for students in grades K-6 at Waynesville High School.
The dates and times are as follows:
· Cheer clinic: Saturday, Sept. 13: 9 a.m. to noon at WHS Gymnasium
· Practice: Thursday, Sept. 18: 5 to 6:15 p.m. at WHS Gymnasium
· Performance: Friday, Sept. 19: Halftime of the home varsity football game at Tiger Stadium
To attend, a student must BOTH register and pay the clinic.
Register at https://forms.gle/q9d1nNbnWMvpPVv98
******Registration Closes Sept. 12, 2025******
Please make your $35 payment at https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/schoolevents after registering to confirm your registration.
Sign up for Future Cheer REMIND and announcements by texting the message @25fallyc to 81010
The dates and times are as follows:
· Cheer clinic: Saturday, Sept. 13: 9 a.m. to noon at WHS Gymnasium
· Practice: Thursday, Sept. 18: 5 to 6:15 p.m. at WHS Gymnasium
· Performance: Friday, Sept. 19: Halftime of the home varsity football game at Tiger Stadium
To attend, a student must BOTH register and pay the clinic.
Register at https://forms.gle/q9d1nNbnWMvpPVv98
******Registration Closes Sept. 12, 2025******
Please make your $35 payment at https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/schoolevents after registering to confirm your registration.
Sign up for Future Cheer REMIND and announcements by texting the message @25fallyc to 81010
Celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Sept. 5
Waynesville High School will celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, before and during the varsity football game at Tiger Stadium.
All active duty service members and military retirees with a military ID will be admitted to the game FREE of charge.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Waynesville High School will celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, before and during the varsity football game at Tiger Stadium.
All active duty service members and military retirees with a military ID will be admitted to the game FREE of charge.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Waynesville’s Homecoming is Oct. 3
Waynesville R-VI’s Homecoming will be held on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. This year’s theme is “Deep Sea Roar: A Homecoming Quest.”
Schools will let out early, with students in K-5 being dismissed at 1 p.m. and students in grades 6-12 being dismissed at noon. Parker Educational Center and Pick Educational and Volunteer Center students will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. There will be no afternoon session at Williams Early Childhood Center.
The Homecoming Parade will start at 2:30 p.m. The route begins on Benton Street on the square, turns onto Historic Route 66 and continues to Waynesville Middle School.
Following the parade, the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Community Pride Night from 4:30 to 6 p.m., featuring a free hot dog roast and celebration. There will be giveaways from area businesses and organizations in front of the Waynesville High School gym.
Homecoming Court Coronation will be at 6:25 p.m. inside Tiger Stadium. The Waynesville Tiger football team will play Ozark at 7 p.m.
Admission to Tiger Stadium is $4 per person for school age and up without a pass.
Waynesville R-VI’s Homecoming will be held on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. This year’s theme is “Deep Sea Roar: A Homecoming Quest.”
Schools will let out early, with students in K-5 being dismissed at 1 p.m. and students in grades 6-12 being dismissed at noon. Parker Educational Center and Pick Educational and Volunteer Center students will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. There will be no afternoon session at Williams Early Childhood Center.
The Homecoming Parade will start at 2:30 p.m. The route begins on Benton Street on the square, turns onto Historic Route 66 and continues to Waynesville Middle School.
Following the parade, the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Community Pride Night from 4:30 to 6 p.m., featuring a free hot dog roast and celebration. There will be giveaways from area businesses and organizations in front of the Waynesville High School gym.
Homecoming Court Coronation will be at 6:25 p.m. inside Tiger Stadium. The Waynesville Tiger football team will play Ozark at 7 p.m.
Admission to Tiger Stadium is $4 per person for school age and up without a pass.
There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in observance of Labor Day and all offices will be closed.
An ambulance was dispatched to Freedom Elementary at approximately 8:15 a.m. today (Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025) to treat an individual student with a medical condition. A parent/guardian has been notified and will determine what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary.
Celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Sept. 5
Waynesville High School will celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, before and during the varsity football game at Tiger Stadium.
All active duty service members and military retirees with a military ID will be admitted to the game free of charge.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
About 68% of Waynesville R-VI students are military impacted. Waynesville R-VI's tagline is where the orange and black unite with the red, white and blue.
Waynesville High School will celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, before and during the varsity football game at Tiger Stadium.
All active duty service members and military retirees with a military ID will be admitted to the game free of charge.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
About 68% of Waynesville R-VI students are military impacted. Waynesville R-VI's tagline is where the orange and black unite with the red, white and blue.
Waynesville R-VI’s LEAP program held an open house at Waynesville Middle School on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. Students in 1st-5th grades spend a full day each week with their gifted teacher at the LEAP Center, which is located inside Waynesville Middle School.
Learn more about special education on Sept. 9
Understanding special education will be the first topic in a series of Tiger Pride Nights focusing on special education. The first one will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Parker Educational Center, 909 U.S. Rte 66, in Waynesville, next to the middle school.
The session will provide:
· an overview of special education
· parent and student rights
· roles and responsibilities
Understanding special education will be the first topic in a series of Tiger Pride Nights focusing on special education. The first one will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Parker Educational Center, 909 U.S. Rte 66, in Waynesville, next to the middle school.
The session will provide:
· an overview of special education
· parent and student rights
· roles and responsibilities
Library media specialists recognized for traveling bookmobile program
Mike Henson, executive director of elementary, recognized the Waynesville R-VI library media specialists who provided the Tiger Book Express bookmobile two days a week throughout the summer. Kristin Ross, Cassie Wilson, Kennedy Beauchamp, Lori Crabtree, Raquel DeSouza and Jennifer Henson, were recognized during the Aug. 18, 2025, Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting.
Their efforts provided an opportunity for kids throughout our community to experience a traveling library and to continue their Love of Reading during the summer months in the Waynesville and St. Robert City Parks.
Pictured are Lori Crabtree, Raquel DeSouza, Kennedy Beauchamp, Jennifer Henson, Kristin Ross, Cassie Wilson and Mike Henson.
Mike Henson, executive director of elementary, recognized the Waynesville R-VI library media specialists who provided the Tiger Book Express bookmobile two days a week throughout the summer. Kristin Ross, Cassie Wilson, Kennedy Beauchamp, Lori Crabtree, Raquel DeSouza and Jennifer Henson, were recognized during the Aug. 18, 2025, Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting.
Their efforts provided an opportunity for kids throughout our community to experience a traveling library and to continue their Love of Reading during the summer months in the Waynesville and St. Robert City Parks.
Pictured are Lori Crabtree, Raquel DeSouza, Kennedy Beauchamp, Jennifer Henson, Kristin Ross, Cassie Wilson and Mike Henson.
Freedom Elementary welcomed families to Meet the Teacher Night on Aug. 14, 2025.
As a reminder the first day of the 2025-26 school year is tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
As a reminder the first day of the 2025-26 school year is tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
The Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation awarded a record amount – more than $8,400 – to teachers in the form of Foundation Teach Impact Grants during Convocation on Aug. 11, 2025. The winners of 2025-26 Foundation grants are as follows:
LEAP
Christina Wallace, $489 for micro bit kits
EAST ELEMENTARY
Haley Jones, $150 for a Free Little Library project
Teresa Vogtman, $204 for a TonieBox with stories for comprehension
Deena Kitchens, $100 for “Project Me” to build self-awareness and management
Emmalee Damson, $61 for “Mathematical Mind Work” puzzles
Tammy Nelson, $263 for “Friendships and Foundations” Learning through play
Elizabeth Knisell, $110 to support ELA through LETRs strategies
Makaela Diedrich, $337 for Wipebooks for math collaboration
FREEDOM ELEMENTARY
Cara Kelley, $206 for math and literacy manipulatives
Christina Underwood, $107 science experiment supplies
Amanda Wadkins, $107 science experiment supplies
Andy Scott, $107 science experiment supplies
Keisha Bostic, $107 science experiment supplies
Sydney Kunneman, $107 science experiment supplies
Bella Kowal, $107 science experiment supplies
Alexis Smith, $107 science experiment supplies
Pamela Earls, $300 for sound/syllable mapping soundboards
Denise Holtzscher, $494 for “Composing in Color”
Stephanie Sanders, $348 in coins for practicing real world math
Traci Simpson, $247 for a Toniebox with story characters
Jessica Babb, $246 for “Imagination Station” to enhance imaginative play
PARKER EDUCATION CENTER
Tami Schneider, $213 for “Under the Big Top” circus performance
PERIMETER EDUCATION CENTER
Kim Bahr, $496 to start an art program at Perimeter
THAYER ELEMENTARY
Joni Harris, $412 for a “Cooking with Kindness” project
Kim Connolly, $70 for STEM and ELA activities to reinforce skills
WAYNESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Marielle King, $260 to start a heritage club for archaeology and anthropology
Amy Rushing, $167 to create 3D printed printing presses
Stephanie Peace, $250 for morning work and early finishers activity supplies
WAYNESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Taylor Tetreault, $110 for Vertical Non-Permanent Work Spaces
Michael Johnson-Gonzales, $110 for Vertical Non-Permanent Work Spaces
Becky Douglas, $110 for Vertical Non-Permanent Work Spaces
WAYNESVILLE SIXTH GRADE CENTER
Terri Heiby, $258 to purchase headphones for music students learning to play the keyboard
WILLIAMS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Allison Sylvester, $320 for dramatic play items to promote language and social/emotional skills
Lora Thompson, $177 for a sensory wall
Manuela Phinn, $100 to purchase CD players and Bluetooth headphones for listening/tech center
Patricia Bay-Fadgen, $315 for chick brooder heating plates
WOOD ELEMENTARY
Jennifer Schaub, $146 for interactive decodable CVC text set for learning to read
Jennifer Schaub, $236 for Rekenreks and mini writing boards
Karin Smith, $365 for supplies for a “Junior STEMgineers Club
The Waynesville R-VI Foundation awarded more than $8,400 in teach grants to Waynesville R-VI teachers during Convocation on Aug. 11, 2025. The grant recipients are pictured with Foundation President Cheryl Vernon.
LEAP
Christina Wallace, $489 for micro bit kits
EAST ELEMENTARY
Haley Jones, $150 for a Free Little Library project
Teresa Vogtman, $204 for a TonieBox with stories for comprehension
Deena Kitchens, $100 for “Project Me” to build self-awareness and management
Emmalee Damson, $61 for “Mathematical Mind Work” puzzles
Tammy Nelson, $263 for “Friendships and Foundations” Learning through play
Elizabeth Knisell, $110 to support ELA through LETRs strategies
Makaela Diedrich, $337 for Wipebooks for math collaboration
FREEDOM ELEMENTARY
Cara Kelley, $206 for math and literacy manipulatives
Christina Underwood, $107 science experiment supplies
Amanda Wadkins, $107 science experiment supplies
Andy Scott, $107 science experiment supplies
Keisha Bostic, $107 science experiment supplies
Sydney Kunneman, $107 science experiment supplies
Bella Kowal, $107 science experiment supplies
Alexis Smith, $107 science experiment supplies
Pamela Earls, $300 for sound/syllable mapping soundboards
Denise Holtzscher, $494 for “Composing in Color”
Stephanie Sanders, $348 in coins for practicing real world math
Traci Simpson, $247 for a Toniebox with story characters
Jessica Babb, $246 for “Imagination Station” to enhance imaginative play
PARKER EDUCATION CENTER
Tami Schneider, $213 for “Under the Big Top” circus performance
PERIMETER EDUCATION CENTER
Kim Bahr, $496 to start an art program at Perimeter
THAYER ELEMENTARY
Joni Harris, $412 for a “Cooking with Kindness” project
Kim Connolly, $70 for STEM and ELA activities to reinforce skills
WAYNESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Marielle King, $260 to start a heritage club for archaeology and anthropology
Amy Rushing, $167 to create 3D printed printing presses
Stephanie Peace, $250 for morning work and early finishers activity supplies
WAYNESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Taylor Tetreault, $110 for Vertical Non-Permanent Work Spaces
Michael Johnson-Gonzales, $110 for Vertical Non-Permanent Work Spaces
Becky Douglas, $110 for Vertical Non-Permanent Work Spaces
WAYNESVILLE SIXTH GRADE CENTER
Terri Heiby, $258 to purchase headphones for music students learning to play the keyboard
WILLIAMS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Allison Sylvester, $320 for dramatic play items to promote language and social/emotional skills
Lora Thompson, $177 for a sensory wall
Manuela Phinn, $100 to purchase CD players and Bluetooth headphones for listening/tech center
Patricia Bay-Fadgen, $315 for chick brooder heating plates
WOOD ELEMENTARY
Jennifer Schaub, $146 for interactive decodable CVC text set for learning to read
Jennifer Schaub, $236 for Rekenreks and mini writing boards
Karin Smith, $365 for supplies for a “Junior STEMgineers Club
The Waynesville R-VI Foundation awarded more than $8,400 in teach grants to Waynesville R-VI teachers during Convocation on Aug. 11, 2025. The grant recipients are pictured with Foundation President Cheryl Vernon.
Chavez and Schierding receive awards;
Drawing winners who helped recruit new staff named
Meghan Chavez received the Rising Star Award and Maranda Schierding received the Support Super Star Award during Convocation on Aug. 11, 2025. Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, presented the awards and also named the winners of the drawing for staff members who helped recruit new teachers to the district.
Chavez is a science teacher at Waynesville High School. The Rising Star Award honors a teacher who is new to the field of education and has demonstrated a positive impact on students.
Schierding is a paraprofessional at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center. The Support Super Star Award honors a staff member for being a support person who has demonstrated a positive impact on students and on education.
In addition, staff members who helped recruit new teachers to our district and who met the criteria for recruitment were entered into a random drawing for either an iPad or $200 for their classroom and the following are the winners Naomi Austin, Jake Kloeppel, Sarah Luttrell, Josh Mize and Tim Wallace who selected iPads and Vanessa Mason and Melissa Vernon who selected $200 for their classroom/school.
Drawing winners who helped recruit new staff named
Meghan Chavez received the Rising Star Award and Maranda Schierding received the Support Super Star Award during Convocation on Aug. 11, 2025. Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, presented the awards and also named the winners of the drawing for staff members who helped recruit new teachers to the district.
Chavez is a science teacher at Waynesville High School. The Rising Star Award honors a teacher who is new to the field of education and has demonstrated a positive impact on students.
Schierding is a paraprofessional at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center. The Support Super Star Award honors a staff member for being a support person who has demonstrated a positive impact on students and on education.
In addition, staff members who helped recruit new teachers to our district and who met the criteria for recruitment were entered into a random drawing for either an iPad or $200 for their classroom and the following are the winners Naomi Austin, Jake Kloeppel, Sarah Luttrell, Josh Mize and Tim Wallace who selected iPads and Vanessa Mason and Melissa Vernon who selected $200 for their classroom/school.
The Waynesville R-VI School District honored its staff members celebrating 30, 25 and 20 years of service during Convocation on Aug. 11, 2025.
Those celebrating 30 years of service are Maria Butler, Melissa Childs and Jason Helton.
Those celebrating 25 years of service are first row: Donna Murray, Robyn Justice, Ruth Ann Justus, Tina Budding, Kellie Scott, Jeanie Wade, Andrea Wessell. Back Row: Jason Davis, Jon Dye, Peggy Arnold, Maranda Beck, Mary Myers, Saralice Campbell, Matthew Johnson and Michael Thompson.
Those celebrating 20 years of service are first row: Jenni Robbins, Linda Luckritz, Denise Holtzcher, Amy Benson, Candace Turner, Jaime Erlewine, Priscilla Perez, Rebecca Robertson, Traci Simpson, Melissa Vernon, Annette Salcedo. Back row: Dawn Smith, Shelly Oliver, Olivia Horton, Jack Berger, Amaris Breton, Kelly Jackson, Kelly Gard, Tabitha Guzman and Scott Turner.
Please join us in welcoming our 2025-26 Paraprofessionals: Kaili Craig, Tina DeHaan, Morgan DeNoon, Andrew Dixon, Jennifer Eberhard, Tiffany Elsenraat, Amber Ferrell, Kendra Fosberg, Christina Gore, Denise Gregg-Read, Jennifer Hobbs, Danielle Johnson, Angela Jones, Angeline Knights-Pelletier, Savannah Koen, Kristina Macdonald, Jorsan Morales, Colton Motsinger, Rachel Nardone, Brenton Noble, Gisela Perkins, Tyler Pouncy, Timothy Rideout, Chloe Riedle, Hannah Rymers, Jennifer Serna, Ashlyn Sinclair, Ariel Slavin, Heather Twenter, Nagomi Watanabe, Meghan Weyerbacher, Nathan White, and Cassandra Wilson.
Waynesville R-VI bus drivers will be driving their routes today-Aug. 15, 2025, practicing their schedules for the first day of school. The first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
Please note that buses will be running late in the afternoons during the first few days of school.
Please join us in welcoming our new teachers to Freedom Elementary: Keisha Bostic, Jamie Cook, Megan Dahms, Gina Hartt, Jessica Kincaid; second row: Sydney Kunnemann, Kristan Sadler, Stephanie Sanders, Forrest Porter, Amanda Wadkins. Not pictured: Malorie Eaton, Jennifer Fisher and Janelle Flatt.
As a reminder, Meet the Teacher will be held at Freedom from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.
As a reminder, Meet the Teacher will be held at Freedom from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.
Waynesville R-VI students: New law goes into effect this school year
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Missouri law (Senate Bill 68 https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/pdf-bill/tat/SB68.pdf pages 62-64) prohibits students from using or displaying electronic personal communication devices from the beginning until the end of the school day, including, but not limited to, during instructional time, meal times, breaks, time between classes and study halls.
The majority of our students (PreK-8th) have already been following this policy.
The law defines an "electronic personal communications device" as a portable device that is used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images, or data electronically. All student phones and devices will now need to be stored for the entire school day.
More details regarding enforcement and consequences of violating the district’s electronic devices policy will be available in an updated Student Handbook and Discipline Policy.
More details will be communicated to families in the future. We look forward to your support as we implement these new policy changes.
Please send your questions to questions@waynesville.k12.mo.us. We will use your questions to develop follow up communication.
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Missouri law (Senate Bill 68 https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/pdf-bill/tat/SB68.pdf pages 62-64) prohibits students from using or displaying electronic personal communication devices from the beginning until the end of the school day, including, but not limited to, during instructional time, meal times, breaks, time between classes and study halls.
The majority of our students (PreK-8th) have already been following this policy.
The law defines an "electronic personal communications device" as a portable device that is used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images, or data electronically. All student phones and devices will now need to be stored for the entire school day.
More details regarding enforcement and consequences of violating the district’s electronic devices policy will be available in an updated Student Handbook and Discipline Policy.
More details will be communicated to families in the future. We look forward to your support as we implement these new policy changes.
Please send your questions to questions@waynesville.k12.mo.us. We will use your questions to develop follow up communication.
