Waynesville AmeriCorps to host Service Project for 9.11 Day at WMS



Waynesville AmeriCorps will host a Service Project for 9.11 Day from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Waynesville Middle School.

WMS students will stay after school and volunteer to pack Snack in a Pack meals for the Thanksgiving break. Waynesville AmeriCorps members will lead the project and a grant from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is helping fund food for the long holiday.

“Service is a meaningful way for our students and community to honor September 11,” said AmeriCorps Director Tina Rowden, “By giving our time to help others, we can remember those who were lost while also carrying forward the extraordinary spirit of unity and service that emerged across our nation.”



@911Day and @AmeriCorps #WaySchools

Tiger Festival of Nations will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Waynesville High School on the Ninth Grade Center side of the building.



Attendees will learn about different cultures and sample food from around the world. Tiger Festival of Nations is free and open to the public.



Following Tiger Festival of Nations, Waynesville R-VI will host Military Appreciation Night at Tiger Stadium with all Soldiers and Veterans with an ID being admitted for free. Stadium gates will open at 6 p.m. with the WHS Tigers taking on Neosho at 7 p.m. Regular admission to Tiger Stadium is $4 for school age children and up without a pass.

Waynesville to celebrate Military Appreciation Night



Waynesville R-VI will host Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Waynesville High School’s Tiger Stadium.



All Soldiers and Veterans with a military ID will be admitted free to the game.



Activities will begin at approximately 6:45 p.m. with Soldiers marching on the track. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. against Neosho.



Tiger Stadium is located at 200 G.W. Lane St. in Waynesville.

This weeks's #TeacherProud Tuesday shout-out goes to Mollie Smith, teacher at East Elementary School. #WaySchools

The AUSA Mid-Missouri Chapter hosted its 3rd Annual Jeep Fest, collecting new shoes, socks, toothbrushes, clothing and other essentials for Waynesville R-VI students. AUSA also collected new and gently used clothing for school nurses’ offices. Pictured are AUSA representatives Brianne Sisti and Brittany Raines and Waynesville R-VI Superintendent Hilary Bales.

WHS AP scholars receive $29,200



Waynesville High School students and recent graduates were presented checks totaling $29,200 on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, before the home varsity football game. The students received $100 for each AP test they scored 3 or higher on this past spring.

The students were congratulated by Waynesville R-VI Board of Education members (President Layne Lercher, Secretary Mike Keeling, Treasurer Charles Quinn, Richard Oxendine and Mike Rawlings); Superintendent Hilary Bales; Courtney Long, executive director of secondary instruction; and AP teachers.

The following were recognized:



Kae-Lynn Adams

Danely Aguilar

Gideon Aho

Abigail Alford

Alexander Alvarado

Autumn Asbell

Bri Ash

Abigail Augenstein

Stephanie Ayers-Torres

Andrew Bagnall-Tullis

Jude Bailey

Emma Bailly

Maria Barrera

Jacoby Bates

Logan Batey

Breanna Bednarik

Alayna Beels

Alan Bell

Christie Bennett

Ziarlene Bituin

Faith Bohrer

Benjaman Borchardt

Landon Boswell

Aliyah Bowers

Addison Bowling

David Boyd

Justin Brickey

Kyle Briner

Brianna Brown

Abbegale Brownfield

Gabrielle Buhler

Oliver Bulmer

Sophia Campbell

Christian Campbell

Shelby Cannon

Aiden Capps

Griffith Carroll

Markell Carter

Inna Casto

Selena Charbonier

Serina Chen

Juliet Choi

Aleksander Cichocki

Vung Ciin

Don Cing

Evan Cloutier

Kevin Connor

Jeramyah Creighton

Kaden Crone

Gunner Cruz

Nicolas Cruz

Connor David

Mykaela Delarosa-Colon

Cole Denham

Alan Desouza

Ella Dewitt

Ahmed Diallo

Ali Diallo

Damien Dickow

Kahlan Dobbins-Quiriarte

Nicholas Duncan

Daniel Em

Haley Emmett

Emmalie Erlewine

Miguel Fontecha

Noah Forte

Grace Foster

Olivia Frommelt

Klaus Gillette

Wyatt Glaspell

Noah Goerl

Ulysses Gonzales

Keegan Graves

Oliver Grife

Myra Gutierrez

Jashon Hamilton

Gregory Harless

Carson Harlow

Aminah Harmon

Alexandra Harris

Royce Hayes

Cassandra Hays

Braden Hays

Zoey Heacock

Myla Hendricks

Shy'Ira Hendrix

Jeffrey Hickey

Tianna Hill

Jay'Merie Howard

Erica Hull

Taj Jackson

Abbagail Johnson

Haley Johnson

Sophie Johnson

Sheila Jones

Braden Joyce

Evelyn Kelley

Christopher Knight

Kameren Knox

Cameron Knuckles

Siessa Kpessokro

Levi Kriebs

Grey Landreth

Askold Lebedynskyi

Nicolas Lederle

Haneul Lee

Danica Leet

Lauryn Lercher

Brooklynn Lercher

Jalen Lymon

Withney Martinez-Ayala

Christian Matras

Arianna Mcgarvey

Hailey Melchiorre

Elizabeth Meyer

Tyler Millius

Liam Moore

Chloe Moredock

Isabella Moredock

Ixayah Moua

Sunshine Moua

Eulalia Moynihan

Victor Munguia

Savannah Nelson

Katherine Novakoski

Aiden Odle

Mckenna Ogden

Alexander Olds

Benjamin Ornburn

Dejah Pelliccia

Juliet Piper

Luke Pollman

James Puett

Ivy Radwan

Claire Reed

Kalee Rhoades

Jackson Roby

Darrell Rodriquez

Victoria Roman

Kaden Rosensteel

Conner Ross

Trisman Santos

Elyssa Scarbrough

Ethan Scarbrough

Braedon Serrano

Joshulynn Shipp

Sainisha Simram

Chloe Smith

Ivy Smith

Tristan Smith

Amber Smith

Eve Smith

Logan Spahn

Chloe Steiner

Gage Stilwell

Daytwon Stitts

Joe Miguel Telebrico

Jackson Thibodeau

Paige Tiegs

Phoebe Tiegs

Clarence Torres

Hannah Ussery

Emily Van Loan

Caden Vaughn

Ki Ventura

Shylon Vinson

Jesslene Vinson

Sophia Wagasky

Cooper Walkup

Clay Walkup

Aidan Walsh

Madyson Washbourne

Caydence Washington

Xavier Weston-Rios

Cambria Wilcox

Chloe Williams

Aaron Williams

Reese Wilson

Elaine Wu

Elina Wu

Brooklyn Zamora

This month's #TeacherProud Tuesday shout-out goes to the Parker Educational team. This team includes Tammi Schneider and Sherry Parker. #WaySchools

The Waynesville R-VI School District Foundation presented a record-breaking $14,000-plus in grants to Waynesville R-VI teachers during Convocation on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.

The grants, which support innovative classroom projects and learning opportunities for students, were awarded to the following teachers:



EAST ELEMENTARY



Crystal Light



Teresa Vogtman



Emmalee Dameron



Makaela Diedrich



Sara Allen



Niki Dailey



Dori Grebas



Ashley Hendrix



Katie Sloan



Andrea May



FREEDOM ELEMENTARY



Cara Kelley



Amy Weigelt



Traci Simpson



Amber Ferrell



Isabella Kowal



Katy Henson



Jocelyne Orndorf



Virginia Rehm



PARKER EDUCATIONAL CENTER



Tammie Schneider



PARTRIDGE ELEMENTARY



Renae Smith

THAYER ELEMENTARY



Joni Harris



Kim Connolly



WAYNESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL



Kymberly Mccall



Sarah Hall



Bridget Jones



Katelyn Hawk



WAYNESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL



Gina Mccoy



Eriq Kristek



Taylor Tetreault



Michael Johnson-Gonzalez



Becky Douglas



Kayla Atchison



LEAP



Christina Wallace



Caitlin Selle



WAYNESVILLE SIXTH GRADE CENTER



William Beistel

Karlee Dirck

Jonathan Durrett

Andrea Santana

Abby Swearingen

Jody Taylor



Angela Houf



WILLIAMS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER



Hannah Husted



Dixie Solomon



Rebecca Beal



Manuela Phinn



Christina Sazonov



Allison Sylvester



WOOD ELEMENTARY



Jennifer Schaub



Karin Smith



Lisa West



Vanessa Mason





The Waynesville R-VI Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students and teachers across the district. Through scholarships for graduating seniors, teacher grants, Snack in a Pack and assistance with shoes and other essential supplies for students, the foundation helps make a difference in classrooms and throughout the Waynesville community.

Barnes and Smith receive awards;

Drawing winners who helped recruit new staff named



Emily Barnes received the Rising Star Award and Logan Smith received the Support Super Star Award during Convocation on Aug. 21, 2026. 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.



Barnes is the agriculture instructor at the Waynesville Career Center. The Rising Star Award honors a teacher who is new to the field of education and has demonstrated a positive impact on students.



Smith is a paraprofessional at Freedom Elementary. 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, $200 for their classroom or helping hands for their classrooms. The winners were Amber Ferrell, Darlena Poynter, Sara Hall, Andrea Santana, Mary Myers, Michellle Lintz and Susan Shultz.

District honors milestone years of service

The Waynesville R-VI School District honored its staff members celebrating 30, 25 and 20 years of service during Convocation on Aug. 21, 2026. Together they have 670 years of service.

Celebrating 30 years of service is Melanie Rogers.

Celebrating 25 years of service are Chrystal Bohrer, Kristin Dye, Tammy Headrick, Amber Johnson, Jason Jones, Kymberly McCall, James Rehm and Diana Howser.

Celebrating 20 years of service are Angela Collado, Shauna Darley, Charlton Dunkel, Alvin Hoffman, Theresa McNutt, Kimberly Pashia, Neftali Perez, Tina Rowden, Eric Thornburg, Lisa Thornburg, Kelly Tillott, Danina Ashley, Patricia Bay-Fadgen, Tim Hamilton, Anna Hartley, Sharon Kempen, Kevin Robinson, Billy Thompson, Melinda Tronstad, Zachary Wall, Carmen Watterson, and Christiane Zornes.

Start and end times for our schools for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are listed below.

Late-start Wednesdays
-On Wednesdays, schools begin 30 minutes later.
-Buses pick up 30 minutes later on Wednesdays.
-Drop-off times are also 30 minutes later on Wednesdays (except at East and Freedom).
-Dismissal times do not change on Wednesdays.

________________________
________________________
PRESCHOOLS
________________________

Freedom Elementary (see listing below under elementary schools)
________________________
Parker Educational Center
Building hours: 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Class time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.*
Student Drop Off: 8:05 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 3:30 p.m.
________________________
Pick Educational & Volunteer Center
Building hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Class time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.*
Student Drop Off: 8:15 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 3:30 p.m.
________________________
Williams Early Childhood Center
Building Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
AM Class Time: 8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.*
PM Class Time: 12:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Student Drop Off: 8:05 a.m. (AM)* and 12:05 p.m. (PM)
Student Pick Up: 11:30 a.m. (AM) and 3:30 p.m. (PM)*
• Full Day PreK Class time: 8:30 a.m. -
3:30 p.m.*.
• Full day drop off: 8:05 a.m.*
• Full day pick up: 3:30 p.m.

________________________
________________________

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
________________________
East Elementary
Building Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Class time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.*
Student Drop Off: 7:30 a.m.
Student Pick Up: 3:30 - 3:45 p.m.
________________________
Freedom Elementary
Building Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.*
Class time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.*
Student Drop Off: 7:30 a.m.
Student Pick Up: 3:30 p.m.
________________________
Partridge Elementary
Building Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Class time: 8:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m.*
Student Drop Off: 8 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 3:30 p.m.
________________________
Thayer Elementary
Building Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.*
Class time: 8:30-3:30*
Student Drop Off: 8 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 3:30 p.m.
________________________
Wood Elementary
Building Hours: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.*
Class time: 8:30-3:30*
Student Drop Off: 8:00 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 3:30 p.m.

________________________
________________________

SECONDARY SCHOOLS
________________________
Waynesville Sixth Grade Center
Building Hours: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
Class Time: 7:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. *
Student Drop Off: 7 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 2:35 p.m.
________________________
Tiger Learning Center
Building Hours: 7:30 a.m .- 4 p.m.*
Class Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Student Drop Off: 8 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 3:30 p.m.
________________________
Waynesville Middle School
Building Hours: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
Class Time: 7:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Student Drop Off: 7 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 2:35 p.m.
________________________
Waynesville High School
Building Hours: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
Class Time: 7:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.*
Student Drop Off: 7 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 2:35 p.m.
________________________
Waynesville Career Center
Building Hours: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
Class Time: 7:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. *
Student Drop Off: 7:30 a.m.*
Student Pick Up: 2:35 p.m.
________________________

*Please note that the start times and drop off times are listed for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
On Wednesdays, schools begin 30 minutes later and drop-off times are also 30 minutes later on Wednesdays for most schools. Dismissal times do not change on Wednesdays.

We look forward to welcoming our students back to school tomorrow (Aug. 24, 2026)!

Waynesville High School students who earned a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam in spring 2026 will receive a $100 award for each qualifying score, with checks totaling $29,200 being presented to students on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

The Advanced Placement Achievement recognition will begin at 6:30 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff for the first home varsity football game of the season at Tiger Stadium.

Notifications were sent to the parent or guardian's email address on file last week. Contact Naomi Austin with any questions at naustin@waynesville.k12.mo.us or 573-842-2422.

REMINDER:
Meet the Teacher for grades Pre-K to 6 (Parker, Pick, Williams, East, Freedom, Partridge, Thayer, Wood & Waynesville Sixth Grade Center) will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.

Marie Freeman, administrative secretary for the Community Resources Office and Pick Educational and Volunteer Center, has been named president of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP) for 2026-2027. Freeman previously served as president of the Missouri Association for Educational Office Professionals and as vice president for NAEOP.

OPAA! awarded Community Recognition Plaque


Aaron Harrison, assistant superintendent of operational services, presented OPAA! Food Management Inc. with the Community Recognition Plaque for August 2026 during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Aug. 17, 2026. OPAA! was recognized for hosting the Community For Kids event, which helped bridge the hunger gap for local students and families. The July 30 event brought the community together for a day of fun while supporting an important cause, raising approximately $5,600 to assist families who may need help covering the cost of student meals.



Pictured are Superintendent Hilary Bales, Rachel Wright, Vanessa Crosby and Aaron Harrison.

Waynesville R-VI School District’s school nurses came together this morning (Aug. 18, 2026) to participate in the Missouri University Simulation Lab, gaining valuable hands-on experience in preparing for a variety of medical emergencies.

Each group participated in four staged scenarios, covering critical situations including anaphylaxis, asthma, trauma and CPR/AED use.

Nurses also had the opportunity to strengthen hands-on skills through additional skill labs, including choking response and Stop the Bleed training.

"We are grateful for opportunities like this that allow our school nurses to practice, prepare and build confidence in responding to medical emergencies," said District Lead Nurse Michelle Mulligan. "Their dedication to keeping our students safe and healthy is truly appreciated!"

Did you know? Waynesville R-VI transports more than 4,100 students every day?
Drivers will be out practicing the 48 bus routes this week during the mornings.
#PublicEducation #CommunityImpact #WaySchools

Waynesville High School will host its annual Meet the Tiger for fall sports and activities beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Tiger Stadium.