Freedom Elementary

Meet the Teacher Nights for Waynesville R-VI students will be held as follows: Early Education (Pre-K) Williams Early Childhood Center Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. Parker Preschool Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. ____________________________ Elementary Schools (K-5) East Elementary Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. Freedom Elementary Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. Partridge Elementary Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. Thayer Elementary Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. Wood Elementary Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. ____________________________ Sixth Grade Center (grade 6) Waynesville Sixth Grade Center Meet the teacher Aug. 15: 4 to 6 p.m. ____________________________ Middle School (grades 7-8) Waynesville Middle School Meet the teacher Aug. 14: 4 to 6 p.m. ____________________________ High School (grades 9-12) Waynesville High School Meet the teacher Aug. 14: 4 to 6 p.m. ____________________________ Career Center (grades 9-12) Waynesville Career Center Meet the teacher Aug. 14: 4 to 6 p.m.

From our Athletics Office: Elementary Baseball Camp is cancelled for tonight and will begin tomorrow at Bandy Field (1502 Ousley Lane) starting at 6:30 p.m. Camp dates will now run from July 17-19.

The 24/25 school year supplies list can be found on our website at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/wrv/page/school-supplies-lists and are also published below. #wayschools

Enrollment/Registration information for all families is at https://5il.co/2nmbj. This includes info about student medications school immunizations kindergarten enrollment sports physicals (required before tryouts/practice) which school an elementary (grades K-5) student will attend based on a street address days when school will not be in session information about which schools students in grades 6-12 attend. For more information about enrolling a new student, go to the district's main website at www.waynesville.k12.mo.us and click on the "Enrollment" tab. #wayschools

The 2024-25 school year calendar is at https://5il.co/2n1yl.

#wayschools

The “Happy Helpers” are a group of 24 individuals dedicated to community service who do everything from sending positive messages with Meals on Wheels, to helping students in foster care, to preparing discount key tags to encourage individuals to shop local. More remarkable than their actual work is that they are students in grades 2-5 at Freedom Elementary in St. Robert, Mo., who spent their 2023-24 school year dedicated to service learning. “Students learn about social issues, develop empathy and gain practical skills while making a positive impact on our community,” said Shanel Leighty, the teacher who facilitates the group, along with fellow teacher Carrie Spoorse. “This experience has fostered civic responsibility and teamwork among our young learners.” Students work on projects that benefit people both inside the school as well as throughout the community. One community partner is the Military Police Regimental Association. “We are working together to learn about the services MPRA provides their members,” Leighty said. “MPRA believes in the mission of the Happy Helpers and at the end of the school year, MPRA gave T-shirts to our students so they can better advertise their work in the community.” To further promote their work, an article about the Happy Helpers will appear in the July issue of the national magazine MPRA, “The Dragoon." It will highlight the services that the students have provided for the Waynesville, St. Robert and Fort Leonard Wood community. When a 4th grade student was asked what his favorite service learning activity was this year, he responded, “It was meeting Mr. Harne, who is involved with the Military Police.” In addition to working with MPRA, students created cards, letters, poems and drawings to be placed in the meals that go out to local senior citizens through the Meals on Wheels to brighten up their day. The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Happy Helpers to assemble key tags that will be given to new community members, which provide a discount at certain local businesses. It is the group's hope that more people will take advantage of the discounts and choose to shop locally, helping to keep the local economy strong. The group also partnered with the Court Appointed Special Advocate’s Wish program to start a service learning project to help more than 200 foster children celebrate their birthdays. The students collected an assortment of supplies to create birthday kits. Choices for People brought a team to Freedom Elementary to help assemble the kits together. The Fort Leonard Wood Thrift Shop helped fund the CASA’s Wish Service Learning project by awarding a grant to purchase items to complete the 200 kits. Happy Helpers, is one of the Leader in Me initiatives that is modeled after Steven Covey’s 8 Healthy Habits of Successful People. The program empowers students with leadership and life skills. Through various activities and projects, students learn to take initiative, set goals, prioritize tasks, work well with others and develop a strong sense of responsibility and teamwork. As part of the Leader in Me program, students select their area of interest. These groups encompass activities such as cheer squad, cooking, birthday brigade, snack cart, fitness and service projects, etc. Students then meet in their groups once-a-month with a teacher leader. Students from the Happy Helpers group were interviewed and asked questions about leadership. When asked about someone he looks up to as a leader, a 4th grader answered, “I look up to my grandpa because he served in the Army and helped everyone in our country.” Another 4th grader stated, “The definition of a leader is a well-behaved person who follows all eight habits.” She is referring to being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win, seeking first to understand and then to be understood, synergizing, sharpening the saw and finding her voice. This 4th grader stated, “A leader is someone who is able to show kindness, responsibility and growth. A 3rd grader was asked why leadership was important in children and said, “Leadership is important in children to show younger students ways to be responsible. It’s also important to remind ourselves as well.” A 4th grader who was asked how does a child show leadership said, “A child shows leadership by helping one another.” A 2nd grader answered, “I will be a helper to show leadership.” When asked about what leadership activities he has been involved in, a 4th grade student said, “I have been selected as the Leader of the Month.” One 5th grader was asked how she could continue to provide service learning activities outside of the school, and she stated, “I will help clean up areas in public like the parks and stores.” As their name “Happy Helpers” implies, students find it rewarding to help others in the community.

#wayschools

Would you like to work part-time? Would you like for your hours to be flexible to fit your schedule? If so, please check out the flyer about these positions: - District Afterschool Activity Driver - Activity Trip Driver Call 573-842-2199 to get your copy of the paper application for these positions. _____________________________________________________ Would you like to work part-time after school? If so, please check out the flyer about this position: - After School Activity Sponsor Contact personnel@waynesville.k12.mo.us or call 573-842-2030 to learn more about the after school activity sponsor.

Six Waynesville R-VI students have had their artwork published in the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA) Show Me Art Coloring Book; Missouri Literature, 4th edition. Students were asked to research, synthesize and create an engaging line-drawing based on the theme: “Missouri Authors, Poets, and Literature.” The drawings were collected and curated into a 162-page coloring book. The following Freedom Elementary and Waynesville High School students were selected to have their artwork included in the coloring book: Kyndal Osborne (Freedom), Samarah Soto (Freedom), Dahlia Sisson (Freedom), Kelise Johnson (Waynesville High School), Abbagail Johnson (Waynesville High School) and Madison Cox (Waynesville High School). “In being accepted, this student is now a published artist; an accolade many adult professionals cannot claim,” said Kim Powell of the Missouri Art Education Association. “Many thanks to your visual art teachers, Allyson Uhles, Christina Biart and Amy Rushing, for participating in this state-wide collection of artwork.” To celebrate their achievement, Freedom hosted an artist book signing for their students on May 24. Freedom families could purchase the coloring book or free labels were provided so that everyone who wanted one could get an artist’s signature. Books are $14 from Amazon an d are for sale at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3Y5TCRM?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_BK8PFT0753W63AAMAQFD_2&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_BK8PFT0753W63AAMAQFD_2&skipTwisterOG=1 All proceeds from the sale of MAEA coloring books go back to Missouri students. Funds are used for the MAEA Future Visual Art Teacher Scholarship. Pictured are Samarah Soto (Freedom), Superintendent Hilary Bales and Dahlia Sisson (Freedom). #wayschools

Free meals on Fridays during summer school for all children ages birth to 18 OPAA! and Waynesville R-VI Schools are partnering to provide free meals through a drive-through service each Friday during Summer School at Waynesville High School and Wood Elementary. All children in the community ages birth to 18 are eligible to receive the meals; however, families must register in advance to receive the meals by going to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdH-1wLysZ3zxKiBnm65FgPrfL7XUljE-GCD7p-_Y-VnVrOWQ/viewform and filling out the brief form. Details · The meals will be available on the following Fridays: May 31, June 7, 14 and 21. Please indicate on the form which Fridays you will be available to pick up the meals. · The WHS drive-through will be open from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. · The Wood Elementary drive-through will be open from 2:10 to 3:10 p.m. · Each bag will contain two breakfasts and two lunches for each child who has registered through the brief Google form at link above. · A family may only go to one site and must indicate on the form whether they will pick up the meals at the high school or elementary school. Frequently asked questions 1. Are there income guidelines for this program? a. No. All children ages birth to 18 are eligible. 2. Does my child have to be enrolled in summer school to be eligible for this program? a. No. This program is open to the community. 3. Do I have to fill out the form each week? a. No. Please indicate on the form which Fridays you will be picking up the meals. 4. How is this program being funded and why is it being offered? a. The Federal Government is funding this program and OPAA! volunteered to participate so that families in our community could receive the meals. Children are most hungry during the summer months when regular school is not in session and OPAA! is partnering with Waynesville R-VI schools to help ensure that children have food on the weekends during summer school.

Waynesville High School and Freedom Elementary students were recognized during the May 20, 2024, Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting for their work being displayed in Jefferson City. Missouri’s First Lady Teresa Parson selected artwork created by sophomore Brianna Brown-Myrick for the 2024 Missouri Governor’s Mansion Award. The painting will hang in the Governor’s mansion until March 2025. Avery Walker’s artwork was one of 34 chosen across the state of Missouri for the Senate Exhibit gallery. Senator Brown chose the fourth grader’s work to represent our senate district and her work will be on display until March 2025. Several Freedom Elementary students were recognized for having their art on display during Youth Art Month on the third floor of the rotunda at the Capitol in Jefferson City. They included Cove Cornforth, Ezekiel Techur, Amaryah Martinez, Emma Cottrell, Isabella Munoz, Zander Clopton, Emma Lofgren and McKenna Cain. The students are pictured with Dr. Trish Adkins, assistant superintendent of instructional services.

The annual district elementary track meet for 4th and 5th graders was held on May 10 and the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center’s track meet was held May 14. "I am proud of all of the students who qualified for the district meet," said Mike Rawlings, head track and field coach. "They had good times and results for their ages and I am grateful for our elementary coaches who help prepare our young athletes. We have a great program and it all begins at the elementary level." 6th Grade boys earning 1st place were as follows: 4 x 200 relay – Team Epic 4 x 100 relay - Team Epic 55 meter – Brady Newberry 100 meter – Kaden Mitchell 200 meter - Antoine Haggard 400 meter – Amare Walker Triple Jump – Javionn Rhodes Long Jump - Amore Walker Shot Put – Michael Stone 5th Grade boys earning 1st Place were as follows: 4 x 200 relay – Freedom Grey 4 x 100 relay – Partridge 55 meter – Jamar Robinson East Blue 100 meter – AJ Lee Thayer 200 meter – Kieran Prebla Freedom Orange 400 meter – Morris Bradley – East Green Triple Jump – Roland Drexler – Wood Long Jump – Hudson Wells – Freedom Grey Shot Put – Jarvis McLemore East Green 4th Grade boys earning 1st place were as follows: 4 x 200 relay – Partridge 4 x 100 relay – Partridge 100 meter – Owen Weiguilt Freedom Grey 200 meter Steven Phinn East Green 400 meter Owen Weiguilt Freedom Grey Long Jump – Jaysaun Presley East Blue Shot Put Devin Lewis East Green 6th grade girls earning 1st place were as follows: 4 x 200 relay – Team Spectacular 4 x 100 relay – Team Tremendous 55 meter – Rayven Clark 100 meter – Judith Holmes 200 meter – Kayla Bengstom 400 meter – Payton O’Bryant Triple Jump – Payton O’Bryant Long Jump -Zi’Yonnah Lawson Shot Put – Misa Charfauros 5th grade girls earning 1st Place were as follows: 4 x 200 relay – Freedom Grey 4 x 100 relay - Partridge 55 meter – Tara Robinson Freedom Grey 100 meter – Avery Anderson Partridge 200 meter – Cove Cornforth Freedom Grey 400 meter – Carson Pimentel East Blue Triple Jump – Jillian Linde Partridge Long Jump – Avery Anderson Partridge Shot Put – Raquel Joseph East Blue 4th grade girls earning 1st Place were as follows: 4 x 200 relay - Wood 4 x 100 relay – Freedom Orange 100 meter – Jordyn Bush – Freedom Orange 200 meter – Kayte Dye – East Green 400 meter – Aubrey Ross – Freedom Grey Long Jump – Kayte Dye – East Green Shot Put – Jessicah Njwguna – East Blue #wayschools

CTA hosted the annual Retirement Banquet on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Waynesville Career Center, where retirees were recognized for their years of dedication and service. The following individuals have announced their retirement from the district this year: Certified: Trish Adkins, Richard Beckett, Rodney Brown, Gary Cook, Robert Crabtree, Barbara Hunt, Ronni Jeter, Michelle Jones, Jenifer Munoz, Elizabeth Rawlings, Tammy Taylor, Angela Wilson and Mark Wilson Classified: Alvin Brown, Nellie Gladden, Joe Hensley, Sabine Labib, Edna Roberts, Jimmie Vogt, Erica Wheeler and Jim York Pictured are Michelle Jones, Tammy Taylor, Ronni Jeter, Edna Roberts, Liz Rawlings, Jenifer Munoz and Dr. Trish Adkins. #wayschools

Screenings for Pre-school age children May and July screenings for pre-school children ages 3 and 4 who live in the Waynesville R-VI School District are now being scheduled at Williams Early Childhood Center, 12225 Pulaski Avenue, Fort Leonard Wood. To schedule a screening appointment for May 28 or 29 or July 29, 30 or 31, please call 573-842-2650. Details: Students must be ages 3 or 4 by August 1, 2024, to qualify for screening. Students who have already been screened and are on a waiting list do not need to be re-screened. “Our highly qualified, certified teachers work with students on skills that help prepare them to be successful learners in kindergarten,” said Dr. Molinda Mitchell, principal at the center. “By engaging students early, our preschool students become successful kindergartners.” Williams Early Childhood Center’s pre-school program consists of PACE and ECSE. Both are free for Waynesville R-VI residents who are admitted to the program. PACE is the Parent And Child Education program and is for children ages three, four and five who are potty trained, have gone through the screening process used to place students and have been admitted to the program. Transportation is not provided for the PACE program. ECSE The Early Childhood Special Education Program is a free service provided by the Waynesville R-VI School District and services children who are three-years to kindergarten age with educationally disabling conditions. Children with disabling conditions are those who demonstrate significant delays in one or more of these areas: • vision/hearing • speech/language • intellectual functioning • overall development • rate of learning and/or • social/emotional development For information about the center, please call 573-842-2650.

Elementary Soccer Camp May 28-30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ($25) For students ages 8-12 years old Cost is $25 Registration Link: https://forms.gle/vcebWbA5UM7bcB31A Payment Link: https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/schoolevents If you have any questions, please call 573-842-2450.

Kindergarten kickoff and enrollment Kindergarten Kickoff was held on May 1, 2024, with a packed house of parents and students preparing for the start of their kindergarten school year. A popular spot was the "signing" table where students wrote their names and posed for photos. Kindergarten enrollment Kindergarten enrollment is under way in the Waynesville R-VI School District online at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/Page/13356. This is for students who will be enrolling as kindergartners at East, Freedom, Partridge, Thayer and Wood elementaries. If you have a student eligible (see eligibility requirements below) for kindergarten in the 2024-25 School Year, you will need the following documents: A. *Child’s birth certificate B. *Proof of residence: Any ONE of the following documents in the parent/guardian’s name meets the state’s proof of residence requirements: 1) property tax statement 2) utility bill/agreement (must be dated within the last 60 days). Utilities include water, electric, trash, gas and home phone/internet. Cell phone agreements may not be used to meet this criteria. 3) real estate contract 4) rental agreement/receipt 5) military housing contract If you have questions about these documents, please contact 573-842-2092. C. *Child’s shot record* If your child has not already received the 4-6 year old immunizations, here are the vaccines your child will need: • Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP) (5th dose) • Polio (IPV) (4th dose) • Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (2nd dose) • Chickenpox (Varicella) (2nd dose) These shots must be administered on or after their fourth birthday. D. Legal documents (for special circumstances/ e.g., custody, guardianship, etc.) Eligibility requirements To be eligible to attend kindergarten, a student must be age 5 before Aug. 1, 2024. According to Missouri law, a child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if the child reaches the age of 5 prior Aug. 1, 2024, or if the child is a military dependent who has successfully completed a state-accredited pre-kindergarten program or has attended a state-accredited kindergarten program in another state. Please note there are no exceptions made to this state law. Have questions? If you need help or have questions, please call 573-842-2092. NOTE for WILLIAMS and PARKER Early Childhood Center students: Williams Early Childhood Center and Parker Educational students who will be attending kindergarten in the Waynesville R-VI School District this fall will not need to complete the online enrollment process. The records of Williams and Parker students will automatically move forward to the elementary schools for those eligible for kindergarten.

From our Athletic Office: The Waynesville Elementary Tiger Wrestling Camp has moved from the High School to the Middle School main gym for May 9-10. Camp will begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. Please use the main gym entrance located at the front right of the school for drop-off and pick-up. #wayschools

Due to the forecasted weather, Community Salute to Service is being moved to Friday, May 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. #wayschools

Due to the forecasted weather this afternoon, the following schedule changes have been made: - There will be no afterschool activities this afternoon, which includes: o There will be no sports practices for grades 6-12. o There will be no WIN this evening grades 6-12. o Club Tiger will not be held this afternoon. o Elementary soccer camp for this evening will not be held. o JV/V Baseball vs. Bolivar has been canceled. o C Team Baseball at Bolivar has been canceled. As of now (12:15 p.m.), the Community Salute to Service scheduled for 6 p.m. this evening will be held as scheduled at Waynesville High School Gym. With the potential for severe weather later today, here are a few reminders regarding storms: The safety of our students is our priority. All buildings have designated areas and procedures for students and staff during a tornado warning. Our staff and students have practiced these procedures and are familiar with them. If a severe weather event occurs at dismissal time, we will keep the students in the building (as we have in the past) until we deem it safe to dismiss students. Should this occur, we will keep you informed via email, text and Facebook. If you feel anxious about the storm and want to pick up your child early, please do so at least one hour prior to dismissal.