Please note: This is NEXT YEAR'S calendar! The first day of school for the 2025-26 school year is Aug. 18. The 2025-26 School Year Calendar is at https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4597/WRV/5126636/25-26_School_Year_Calendar.pdf

For Teacher Appreciation Week, we invited families to share how their child’s teacher is making a positive impact—and the response was incredible! Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in kind words and stories. We’ll be sharing several of these messages each day this week. (We’ve included highlights from some of the longer notes.) I can honestly say Mrs. Sinclair’s patience, kindness and love for teaching has changed both of children’s lives. I couldn't imagine anyone else getting my girls through kindergarten. She leaves a positive impact on the students and parents. She (Mrs. Butler) goes out of her way to make sure she truly understands a student and is able to find a way to help motivate them. She has had my son this year and last, and was his case manager last year. She has gotten through to him when others couldn’t. She’s truly amazing! Mrs. Montgomery excels in building relationships with her students. My student feels cared for and loves coming to school each day. Mrs. Montgomery also incorporates hands-on learning experiences and emphasizes the importance of reading each day. Ms. Morris is my daughter’s amazing 5th grade teacher! Her kindness, patience, and dedication have made a difference. Thank you for creating a space where she feels seen, supported and inspired to grow. I believe these gentlemen (Waynesville Middle School band instructors) are making positive impacts on everyone they teach. This is literally one of the best school bands I've ever heard. I've never been so impressed by a school band. My daughter is more excited about school and life in general because of this opportunity. Mrs. Lane is very involved with the parents and has great communication skills. I know my child is in good hands with her. She is also one to give praise to the children and the parents, which I appreciate because sometimes it’s nice to hear you’re doing great or that your child is doing great. I have two students at Thayer and they both have developed a love of art through Mrs. Erlewine's art classes. My students love to come home and share about their art projects and as a parent, I love being able to see what they are completing through the Artsonia app. My daughter’s specific words yesterday were, "I wish I can take Mrs. Fuentes to 5th grade with me!" Thanks for loving my daughter and making her actually want to be at school. You have such a nurturing and comforting impact on her life and she expresses it every day! Huge thanks to Jessie at the front desk—you’re the heartbeat of the school! Your welcoming smile, calm energy and willingness to help do not go unnoticed. Thank you for being the first friendly face we see and for holding it all together behind the scenes. My son has been having trouble listening and paying attention and these 2 (Henson and Johnson) have been amazing with him this year. He can't stop talking about how much he loves them. She (Mrs. Harne) is there for my son when he needs to be comforted and always gets him his snacks. She also loves my son's smile and hugs him whenever she can. Mrs. Beauchamp brings her love of reading to all the students at Thayer. She provides engaging lessons in the library and is very helpful in finding exactly the right book for her students. My students enjoy visiting her library weekly and bringing home books to share with us! I appreciate Mrs. Williams for all the realness she serves to these spunky 4th graders. She is a rockstar and I love the patience and humor with the kids. Mr. Thorpe engages with his students on such a personal level, that it drives them to do well in class. He meets them where they are as a person and connects with them, which makes my child WANT to be there. My son says he is fun in class and makes them laugh while teaching. Mrs. Diedrich is not just an educator; she is someone who cares about her student's growth and success. She is patient, kind and explains concepts that make an impact on them. She inspires them. She is very much appreciated each and every day. Thanks for the patience and kindness you (Mrs. Brand) have shown! Our daughter loves you very much we are so grateful for you! Mrs. P. (Pimentel) has been a vital asset to my daughter's success this school year. She has gone through rough times and Mrs. P. ALWAYS goes above and beyond to help ensure she is safe, heard and helped. She is one of our favorite people! Shoutout to our incredible LEAP teacher Ms. Morris—you make all the difference! Thank you for your dedication to your students where they are and helping them grow with confidence! Mrs. Taylor makes learning about music fun and exciting. She is always bringing in new music and techniques for her students to try. My students have really enjoyed practicing and performing their grade level concerts this year. As a parent, I have also enjoyed the variety and engagement of the after school music concerts.

For Teacher Appreciation Week, we invited families to share how their child’s teacher is making a positive impact—and the response was incredible! Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in kind words and stories. We’ll be sharing several of these messages each day this week. (We’ve included highlights from some of the longer notes.) Ms. Godwin has been amazing for my son! She knows how to keep him grounded and focused on working hard! Mrs. Thornburg has made a challenging year for our little learner a good one. We moved mid-year and relocated to MO from SC. The progress our little learner has made in math is amazing. Thank you so much! Mrs. Tillott is my son's favorite teacher this school year. She makes it a point to encourage him to apply himself to his fullest, and she recognizes his potential as a gifted writer and reader. She has made him want to strive for better this school year, and onward into high school! My child has not told me the art teacher's name but comes home excited about the class and projects every week. We are lovers of arts and crafts in our household and it has been refreshing to see the teacher helping our little learner to foster growth in her artistic skills. Mrs. Babb has helped my Kindergartner to meet her fullest potential this school year. She has grown her into a confident reader. She loves each of her students, and never fails to embrace their unique attributes. She (Ashlee Hetzler) goes above and beyond for her students, and she cares about each one personally. Mrs. Brand always has a positive attitude and is also very encouraging towards her students. She has offered tutoring to her students and my daughter has improved so much this year and loves going to school even more. I have never encountered a more dedicated educator and he (Mr. Phinn) is a blessing! My son struggles with math and writing and Mr. Phinn has helped him so much. He is a master of differentiation! He has helped my son grow socially/emotionally and has been a wonderful role model. Ms. Koch will never know how much of a difference she has made in my child's life. My daughter has been through a lot and it was hard to even get her to school until she started FFA. Ms. Koch has consistently believed in my daughter so much that now she has more confidence and enjoys going to school. Mrs. Harrison is an amazing SPED teacher; she works hard to help all her students be successful at school. She is patient, kind, and loving. My student knows her room is a safe place when they need a break from the regular classroom. Mrs. Harrison builds strong relationships with her students. Mrs. Curran and Mrs. Romero have gone above and beyond to build relationships with my child. He requires substantial support and they always meet his needs. Academically he has grown and prospered this year. In the past he has had several office referrals, but they have worked with him and taught him strategies to be successful. Mrs. Vogtman made every single day special for her class. My daughter was challenged and inspired by being in her class. Most weeks she was sad to see Friday come because that meant no school for two days. Mrs. Vogtman is everything I could want in a kindergarten teacher. These two (Ms. Carr and Ms. Stephanie) are rockstars in my child's eyes. As my child's first teachers, these two have made an enormous difference in her confidence, skills and knowledge. They not only teach but encourage, love and guide their little ones and set them up to succeed. Mrs. Groves has helped my daughter come out of her comfort zone. She has pushed her academically, but also in her confidence and curiosity. Her encouragement and understanding doesn't go unnoticed. She is very much appreciated by our family! Mrs. T. Smith has always been kind, thoughtful and respectful both with us as parents and with the children as well. She truly is making a difference in the children’s lives and teaching them to be good human beings. She even made it a point to get to know my son who is very shy. She (Sabine Reed) has made such an impact in my daughter's life in such a little amount time. She is so understanding of her needs. Ms. Cooper shows endless support and commitment towards child development and education. My child constantly expresses how amazing his teacher has been throughout the school year. Mrs. Lund works very hard to build relationships and teach her students. My student has grown so much in their reading, writing and math skills this school year. They can write complete sentences and form paragraphs, read with fluency, and completes addition and subtraction. Mrs. Lindenmayer has been amazing at communicating with home and helping to support our son in all of his needs. He always leaves school with something positive to share and is excited to learn. Mrs. Oxendine has supported our son with his reading and he enjoys seeing her each day! We are grateful for all that she does!

Some Waynesville R-VI buses are running late this morning (Tuesday, May 6, 2025), due to a shortage of drivers. In addition, a couple of the tablets that power BusQuest, our online bus system, are not working. We apologize for the inconvenience.

An ambulance was dispatched to Waynesville Middle School at approximately 1:35 p.m. today, May 5, 2025, to treat an individual student with a medical condition. A parent/guardian has been contacted and will decide what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary. #wayschools

Sixteen of the 17 finalists whose essays qualified them for the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce Civics Bee on April 29, 2025, were Waynesville Middle School students. The top three winners from the live civics competition were: 1st place: Brandon Bullard from Waynesville Middle School (Trophy and $500 cash award) 2nd place: Charlie Fan from Ladue Middle School (Trophy and $250 cash award) 3rd place: Grant Good from Waynesville Middle School (Trophy and $125 cash award). These three are now eligible to compete in the state competition. A portion of the news release issued by the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce is below: Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber Hosts National Civics Bee® for Pulaski County Middle Schoolers The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 2025 National Civics Bee® in Pulaski County, Missouri, on April 29, 2025. This initiative, presented in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Seventeen local finalists advanced from the first-round civics essay competition to participate in the live event, which featured two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round. A distinguished panel of judges, Judge Kevin Hillman, Luge Hardmon, and COL James Scott evaluated the participants on their understanding of civic principles, the clarity and effectiveness of their responses, and their use of examples, evidence, and primary sources to support their answers. The judges were impressed by how well-prepared the finalists were, their thoughtful choice of topics, and their ability to confidently answer challenging questions. The event was held at the Parker Educational Center in Waynesville, with David Lowe as the emcee. The top three finalists of the local competition were as follows: Brandon Bullard from Waynesville Middle School (1st place), Charlie Fan from Ladue Middle School (2nd place), and Grant Good from Waynesville Middle School (3rd place). “This competition offers a wonderful opportunity for our middle school students to explore issues that matter to their communities, helping them understand the importance of civic engagement and responsible citizenship,” said Cecilia Murray, Executive Director of the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce. “We are proud to support young people as they discover their voices, build leadership skills, and take meaningful steps toward shaping a brighter future for us all.” Brandon Bullard, the first-place winner, shared, “My experience with the National Civics Bee was informative and brought insight into how my community functions. It also encouraged me to become involved with my community and educate myself on civics topics.” Brandon received $500 for placing first, the second-place winner received $250, and the third-place winner received $125 in cash prizes. All three finalists will advance to the state competition, hosted by the University of Missouri’s Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy on Aug. 6 in Columbia. They will compete for additional prizes and the chance to represent Missouri at the National Championship in Washington, D.C., this fall 2025. National prizes include a $100,000 529 college savings plan for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place. The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce congratulates all participants and encourages Pulaski County students to apply for next year’s competition. For more information about the National Civics Bee, visit: https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/ About National Civics Bee® The National Civics Bee a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s The Civic Trust, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The National Civics Bee helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state and local chambers across the country. The National Civics Bee is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, Citizen Travelers, and other funders. #wayschools

The Waynesville Middle School bands presented their concert to a standing room only audience on April 28, 2025. #wayschools

The Waynesville Middle School choirs held their Spring Concert on April 28, 2025, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. #wayschools

From our Athletic Office: Waynesville 6th-8th Grade Soccer Camp Who: Currently enrolled (24-25) 6th-8th grade boys & girls Location: Waynesville MS Dates: May 12-15 & May 19-22 Time: 3:00 PM-5:00 PM REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON May 8, 2025 @ 3:00 PM For more information you can email Eric Thornburg ethornburg@waynesville.k12.mo.us or Jessica Babb @ jbabb@waynesville.k12.mo.us. Register Here: https://forms.gle/RAjLPL9QjgzvDohD8

Register for Waynesville 6th-8th soccer camp here! https://forms.gle/Kbs335jwULUGKT5f7

Lady Tiger Softball falls to Nixa in game two, concluding their season. We are proud of the girls for all of their growth this spring! 🥎

Lady Tiger Softball falls in a nail biter to Neosho in the 1st round of the COC Tournament. They will play again at 3.

An ambulance was dispatched to Waynesville High School at approximately 8:30 p.m. this evening (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) to the Waynesville Middle School track meet to treat an individual student with a medical condition. The individual's parents have been notified and will determine what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary.

Waynesville R-VI will host a Kindergarten Kickoff at 5:30 p.m. on May 2, 2025, at the Parker Educational Center. This is for parents of students who will be going into kindergarten this fall. Future kindergartners are welcome to attend as well. Please see the flyer for more details or call 573-842-2092. #wayschools

WMS Softball finished out the Conway Tournament with a 16-12 win over Licking. Go Tigers!

Congrats to the WMS Baseball Tigers on their 3rd place finish at the Conway Tournament!

Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction, recognized Waynesville Middle School Student Council for receiving the Gold Award from the Missouri Association of Student Councils. This award recognizes councils for their involvement at the local level, the South Central District Student Council and state level.

Dunning to head Waynesville Middle School; Palmer to be WMS assistant principal Brent Dunning, the assistant principal of Waynesville Middle School, will become the head principal of Waynesville Middle School, effective July 1, 2025. He will fill the vacancy created by Brian Vernon who will become head principal of Waynesville High School. April Palmer, the interim principal at Fort Irwin Middle School in Fort Irwin, Calif., will become an assistant principal at WMS to fill the vacancy created by Dunning moving to head principal. “I am looking forward to continuing to develop positive and collaborative relationships that lead to increased student achievement,” Dunning said. “Middle school is such a critical time in a student’s life, and I’m committed to creating a safe, supportive and engaging environment where every student can thrive—both academically and personally.” Dunning has served as the assistant principal at WMS since 2024, and prior to that was an assistant principal at Parkview High School. He is a former special education teacher and coach. Dunning holds a bachelor’s in communications from Missouri State, a master’s in special education from Drury, a master’s in educational administration from Missouri State and is pursuing a doctorate degree from Liberty University. Prior to serving as the interim principal at Fort Irwin Middle School, Palmer served as a special education RSP teacher/admin designee. She also has served as a 6th-8th grade special education teacher and an elementary teacher. Palmer earned her bachelor’s degree in human development/English and a master’s in teaching curriculum at Azusa Pacific University and a master’s in educational leadership at Western Governors University. “I am passionate about fostering academic excellence, building strong relationships with students, staff, and families and driving continuous improvement within the school community,” Palmer said. “I am passionate about inspiring students and educators to reach their fullest potential while promoting a culture of respect, innovation and lifelong learning.”

🎶🎺 Middle School Band Shines in Strafford! 🎺🎶 On April 16th & 17th, our middle school band students traveled to Strafford, MO to perform their prepared pieces for a panel of judges—and they did an amazing job! Each group received top marks and helpful feedback from experienced professionals. We’re so proud of their hard work and dedication! Check out their incredible results: WMS Beginning Band: GOLD Tiger Pride Advanced Band: GOLD Tiger Winds and Percussion: GOLD Want to hear these awesome performances in person? Come to our Spring Band & Choir Concert on April 28th at the middle school! Choir starts at 6:00 PM Band takes the stage around 7:00 PM Come out and support these talented young musicians!

Here is the WMS Athletic schedule for the week. Go Tigers!!