Waynesville R-VI School District

Officer David Gomez – a nationally renowned speaker – wants the community to know how to protect children from becoming victims online. Gomez will speak at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Waynesville High School Auditorium. This event is free of charge, open to the public and is being sponsored by: • Pulaski County Opioid Committee • City of Waynesville • Four Rivers Community Health Center • Waynesville RV-I Foundation Gomez will share what he has learned as a law enforcement officer who has operated multiple undercover social media accounts to arrest predators and track down missing children. He will also speak about the dangers of social media, normalization of drugs in social media, and the influence of drugs and alcohol on the youth population. You can find Gomez educating others on YouTube, giving a Ted Talk, positively influencing youth in his hometown, and traveling the country helping youth (and parents) make better choices about digital devices and drugs and alcohol.

Braylin Scott, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to play football at William Woods University. His signing was held at WHS on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. #wayschools

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. #wayschools

Hall recognized as District's Teacher of the Year Sam Hall was recognized with a standing ovation from the audience for being named the 2024-2025 Waynesville R-VI School District Teacher of the Year on March 24, 2025, during the Board of Education meeting. Courtney Long, executive director–secondary, and Mike Henson, executive director-elementary, presented Hall with a plaque. Hall is the teacher for the Missouri Options program at Waynesville High School. A retired Marine, Hall has taught in the district for 8 years. He has been responsible for approximately 70 students graduating from WHS in the past three and a half years. He works with students preparing them for the Hi-Set assessments and helping to make sure they meet all graduation requirements. The District Professional Development Committee designed and implemented the selection process. Hall will represent Waynesville in the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Regional Teacher of the Year process over the summer. The regional winner will represent the region in the Missouri Teacher of the Year process.

Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, presented the Community Recognition Plaque to the Military Police Regimental Association on March 24, 2025, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting. MPRA was recognized for their support of the district, including their generous monetary donation to the Snack in a Pack program. #wayschools

Bailey Poncia, a 7th grade math teacher at Waynesville Middle School, was recognized for being selected as one of Missouri's Outstanding Beginning Teachers for 2024-2025 by her educator preparation program at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She was presented with a certificate by Courtney Long, executive director–secondary during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. #wayschools

Fourteen Thespian students were recognized for receiving Excellent and Superior ratings at the Missouri State Thespian Competition during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. The following Waynesville High School students were recognized by Courtney Long, executive director–secondary: • Alexandra Kelley - Excellent rating, Scenic Design • Josie Andreasen and Hailey Sansom - Excellent rating, Hair & Makeup Design • Hailey Sansom - Excellent rating, Stage Management • Eli Prather and Maleah Johnson - Excellent rating, Acting Duo • Madi Waugh, Natalie Lockwood, Montara Owens and Payton Rushing - Excellent rating, Acting • Aeris (Liam) Kim competed - Excellent rating, Acting Monologue • Mycha Humphrey - Excellent rating, Costume Construction • Teegean Duke and Addison Bowling - Excellent rating, Musical Theatre Duet Solo • Citlali Arzabala - Superior rating, Musical Theatre Solo Performance

St. Robert Alderman John Moore who also serves as Mayor Pro Tem visited the Waynesville Middle School during Tiger Time to talk to students about his career on March 25, 2025. Moore shared with students his educational journey, encouraging students to stay in school and pursue an education. This is what our students had to say about the presentation: “Give back and help the community and don’t drop out of school cause it will make your life harder. I think it is important because if you don’t focus on your education, it will be harder to continue it later on” (Kelsey H). “Follow your dreams. Don’t quit school and become what you want. Wear your seatbelt. Don’t quit school!” (Nicole J). “Stay in school and enjoy life. It’s important for education and just life in general” (Brianna S.)

March is School Board Recognition Month in Missouri and the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education members were recognized on Monday, March 24, 2025, for their dedicated service. Pictured in front are President Janel Rowell, Vice President Rick Harne, Secretary Andy Anderson and Treasurer Charles Quinn; in the back row are members Mike Keeling, Layne Lercher Aaron Pondrom and Superintendent Hilary Bales. #wayschools

Summer School registration is now open online! For more details and to sign up your student, click here https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/o/wrv/page/summer-school. Please note that you should register your student for the grade they will be GOING INTO this fall. Partridge and WHS students, please note the locations of your summer school.

Vernon to become head WHS principal Brian Vernon, the head principal of Waynesville Middle School, will become the head principal of Waynesville High School, effective July 1, 2025. He will fill the vacancy created by Dr. Jason Whitt who is returning to the Kansas City area to be closer to family. “I’m excited for this opportunity to build on their success and lead future growth,” Vernon said. Vernon is committed to student success and fostering a positive school culture. He has served as the head principal at Waynesville Middle School since 2019 and has experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels in the Waynesville R-VI School District. He began his career as a middle school S.A.V.E. teacher, then became a PE teacher at East Elementary and later at Waynesville Middle School. Prior to his current role, Vernon served as an assistant principal at Wood Elementary and Williams, Waynesville High School and Waynesville Middle School. Vernon holds a bachelor’s in physical education from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo., a master’s in educational administration and an educational specialist both from Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Mo. He is a 1998 graduate of WHS.

Shanel Leighty, a teacher at Freedom Elementary and a facilitator of the Happy Helpers, was presented the 3rd Quarter Project Teach Award by Dr. Jamie Goforth, assistant superintendent of personnel services, during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. Leighty was recognized for her “Happy Helpers" group, which addresses community needs through hands-on projects that make a positive impact. One of their many projects included partnering with Court Appointed Special Advocate’s Wish Program to help more than 200 foster children celebrate their birthdays. The Project Teach Award comes with a $100 stipend from Personnel Services.

Thirteen students who are members of Beta were recognized for placing at the State Beta Convention at the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on March 24, 2025. The following Waynesville High School students were recognized by Courtney Long, executive director–secondary: • Don Cing - 1st place Biomedical • Siessa Kpessokro - 2nd place French • Kaydence Long - 4th place French • Serina Chen - 2nd place Math • Mason Thompson - 1st place Math • Elyssa Scarborough -1st place Psychology • Logan Giles - 4th place Psychology • Elaine Wu - 1st place Social Studies • Kyle Wilking - 1st place Social Studies • Carter Pondrom - 1st place U.S. History • Kimora Godwin - 5th place Speech • Citlali Arzabala - 3rd place Performing Arts Vocalist • Evelyn Carrol - 5th place Painting Pictured are Beta Co-sponsor Dawn Wilking, Mason Thompson and Beta Co-sponsor Tabitha Guzman.

Parker Preschool is taking applications for 2025-26 Parker Preschool is taking applications for students for the 2025-26 school year via a Google Form at https://forms.gle/xwNx74ykEuM8utWn8. Parker Preschool is a free preschool with the Waynesville R-VI School District. Students must turn age 4 by July 31, 2025, to be eligible for Parker Preschool, which is located inside the Parker Educational Center, next to Waynesville Middle School. In order to be eligible to attend the Parker Preschool program, the child’s birthdate must be between 8/1/2020 and 7/31/2021. Parker students begin at 8:15 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and dismiss at 3:05 p.m. Doors open at 8:05 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays, Parker begins at 8:45 a.m. and doors open at 8:35 a.m. Applicants will be chosen through a lottery drawing. The lottery drawing will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 9, at Parker Educational Center. Applicant families are welcome to attend the drawing. Parents will be notified by May 16 if their child is accepted into the program. Students must reside within the boundaries of the Waynesville R-VI School District. Please note that the link to the Google Form will close at 4 p.m. on April 13th. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Molinda Mitchell at mmitchell@waynesville.k12.mo.us.

Wood Elementary 4th and 5th graders performed their spring concert in March 2025. #wayschools

Freedom Elementary’s 4th and 5th graders presented a concert, “A Blast from the Past,” on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Waynesville High School Auditorium. These photos are from the 5th grade concert. #wayschools

Waynesville High School will host a Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at WHS. Egg hunts begin at 10:40 a.m. on the throws field at Waynesville High School. as follows: 10:40 a.m. Age 3 and under / pre-kindergarten - kindergarten 11:00 a.m. 1st - 2nd grade 11:20 a.m. 3rd - 5th grade The throws field is located on the east side of the WHS campus, near Tiger Stadium and the tennis courts.

SAVE THE DATE: 6 p.m. April 30 Community Salute to Service The community is invited to attend the Community Salute to Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Waynesville High School gym. This event is free and open to the public. The Community Salute to Service will recognize high school students from throughout South Central Missouri who are joining/attending any branch of the U.S. military, National Guard, Reserves, an ROTC program at a college/university and/or a military academy. Those being recognized are asked to scan the QR code, fill out the brief form and then arrive at 5:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. This event is open to high school students from throughout Missouri who meet the above criteria.

WMS StuCo wins Gold Award The Honor Council Committee of the Missouri Association of Student Councils is pleased to announce that Waynesville Middle School Student Council has been awarded the Missouri Association of Student Councils Honor Council Gold Award. The gold award recognizes the WMS Student Council’s outstanding performance as a council. Awards were presented at the 2025 MASC State Convention held March 13-15, 2025, at Poplar Bluff High School. The state convention brings together more than 1,000 student leaders from schools throughout Missouri for a three-day convention. Highlights include nationally known speakers, student-led workshops and breakout sessions, campaigning and election of state officer schools, scholarships and recognition of Honor Council recipients. Waynesville Middle School Student Council was recognized for its involvement at the local level, involvement in South Central District Student Council and involvement at the state level. Only 66 student councils in the state of Missouri met the criteria for the award. The honor is based on an application submitted by each school. Criteria are established to honor those councils that have a comprehensive program in promoting student activities and student leadership. Activities include school service, school spirit, community service, student and teacher recognition and leadership training activities. “Student Councils and student leaders make a positive contribution to their schools and help to create a positive educational climate,” said Honor Council Chair Jane Perrica in her letter to WMS. “We congratulate Waynesville Middle School for providing an atmosphere where students and Student Council can play a vital role in your school. Thank you to the Student Council advisors/sponsors for providing many opportunities for Student Council members to develop leadership skills. We also wish to recognize the principals and superintendents for supporting their student leaders in all of their endeavors.” #WaySchools

WHS StuCo earns Silver Award The Honor Council Committee of the Missouri Association of Student Councils is pleased to announce that Waynesville High School Student Council has been awarded the Missouri Association of Student Councils Honor Council Silver Award. Awards were presented at the 2025 MASC State Convention held at Poplar Bluff High School. Waynesville High School Student Council was recognized for its involvement at the local level, involvement in South Central District Student Council and involvement at the state level. Only 66 student councils in the state of Missouri met the criteria for the award. The honor is based on an application submitted by each school. Criteria are established to honor those councils that have a comprehensive program in promoting student activities and student leadership. Activities include school service, school spirit, community service, student and teacher recognition and leadership training activities. Student Councils and student leaders make a positive contribution to their schools and help to create a positive educational climate. “We congratulate Waynesville High School for providing an atmosphere where students and Student Council can play a vital role in your school,” stated Honor Council Chair Jane Perrica in her letter. “Thank you to the Student Council advisors/sponsors for providing many opportunities for Student Council members to develop leadership skills. We also wish to recognize the principals and superintendents for supporting their student leaders in all of their endeavors.”