Waynesville R-VI School District

The Hope Squad, made up entirely of 6th grade volunteers from the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center, has a passion for making the world a better place. The Hope Squad’s efforts to make the world a better place will be featured during Tiger Pride Night from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center. The public is invited to attend this free presentation and to learn more about how sixth graders are giving back to their community. #wayschools

Victoria Lebioda, a senior at Waynesville High School, spoke at the Rotary Club of Pulaski County on Feb. 13 about her experiences during RYLA summer camp. Lebioda was selected to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) based on her application. RYLA is a leadership experience, which helps students: build communication and problem-solving skills become leaders in their school or community learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers and peer mentors unlock their potential have fun and form lasting friendships WHS students who are interested in applying to attend RYLA should see their counselor. #wayschools

Waynesville Middle School staff members received praise for their work to engage more students in leadership activities and for ensuring that students continue to learn and grow. #wayschools

On behalf of their students, teachers and staff, Waynesville R-VI elementary, middle and high school principals accepted plaques that will be on display in their buildings. The plaques, which recognize each school for being ranked among the top schools in Missouri, were presented during the Waynesville R-VI Board of Education meeting on Feb. 20, 2024. #wayschools

Thayer Elementary's Student Lighthouse group conducted a winter clothing drive from Jan. 8-Feb. 9, which resulted in 143 items of winter apparel being donated. Angela Chrisman's class collected the most items. "Our service project focused on helping others and doing what is right to help our community," said Thayer Principal Robyn Jutice. "I am proud of our students at Thayer and their leadership skills." The items were donated to Genesis - A Place of New Beginnings in Waynesville, Mo. The manager, Elaine, commented to the students, "Thank you so much for thinking of us and collecting items for others." #wayschools

Waynesville's JLAB team qualifies for Nationals For the first time ever, the Waynesville JLAB (JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl) Academic Team has qualified for the JLAB National Championship. "We were one of three teams that qualified from our Brigade (Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota)," said Col. (Ret.) Charles Williams, senior Army instructor with Waynesville's JROTC program. "To put this perspective there are over 1700 Army JROTC programs, and over 300 programs in our Brigade (3rd ROTC BDE)." Waynesville JLAB team members are Nathaniel Copeland, Marissa Esquivel, Joseph Mendiola and Julian Vassallo. The JLAB Academic National Championship will take place from June 21-25, 2024, at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. #wayschools

TEACHER RECRUITMENT EVENT Are you interested in teaching in the Waynesville R-VI School District? If so, please come to our Teacher Recruitment Event from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Feb 29, 2024, at the Parker Educational Center, 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville. #wayschools

The Waynesville JROTC Tiger Drill Team finished 2nd place overall in a field of more than 23 teams on Feb. 17 at the annual Smith Cotton invitational Drill Competition. This was the drill team’s second competition of the 2024 drill season. These are detailed results: 2nd Place Overall 3rd Place overall Armed Division 3rd Place Armed Exhibition (Commander, David Bennett) 2nd Place Armed Color Guard (Commander, Nathaniel Copeland) 3rd Place Unarmed Regulation (Commander, Nathaniel Copeland) 3rd Place overall Unarmed Division 2nd Place Unarmed Regulation & Best Unarmed Commander (Jennifer Boyd) 2nd Place Unarmed Exhibition (Commander, Jennifer Boyd) 3rd Place Unarmed Color Guard (Commander, Avery Higdon) 2nd Place Unarmed New Cadet (Commander Ta'Levake Fau) 1st Place Armed Dual Exhibition (Joseph Mendiola & Lord Torres) 3rd Place Unarmed Dual Exhibition (Jennifer Boyd & Annalyse Rivera) 2nd Place Unarmed Solo Exhibition (Addison Smith) 3rd Place Unarmed Solo Exhibition (Peyton Stuart) 9th place Individual Drill Down: Kaden Crone The team’s next competitions will be on Feb. 24 at Leavenworth Kan., and on March 2 at Blue Springs South. #wayschools

Lincoln Stearns, a sophomore at Waynesville High School, who wrestles in the 120-pound weight class, placed 4th at Districts (Class 4, District 3 Championships) to qualify for State. The State wrestling meet will be held Feb. 23-24 in Columbia.

An ambulance was dispatched to East Elementary at approximately 9:45 a.m. today (Feb. 13, 2024) to treat an individual student with a medical condition. The parents have been notified and will decide what, if any, further medical treatment is necessary. #wayschools

WHS girls wrestling finished 3rd at the Class 2 District 3 tournament behind Nixa and Lebanon who are both nationally ranked. Josie Moody, Dakota Nix, Maya Duncan, Haylee Fort, Mekenzie Moffet, and Yisel Perez will compete at the State Tournament on Feb. 23-24 in Columbia, Mo.

The first tryout/practice date for spring sports will be Feb. 26 for both Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School. The spring sports are: Baseball Track Boys/Girls Girls' Soccer Boys' Tennis Boys 'Golf MS Track Boys/Girls MS Baseball MS Softball More information is in the flyer and at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=14037. #wayschools

East Elementary's 2nd graders will perform "Big Dreams," a musical revue, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Waynesville High School Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. #wayschools

Courtwarming was held Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, between the boys JV and varsity basketball games. Fatima Ajmed was named queen and Nathan Wilking was named king. Pictured are the court members: Richard Peace Danely Aguilar Ahmaun Fowler Ryen Spiker Erial Courtright Fatima Ajmed Nathan Wilking Mackenzie Pearson Sonte Keys JayZen Blake and in front are Amaya Santos and Mael Kom Kelsey who carried in the crowns. Photo 2 The senior members of the court were JayZen Blake Erial Courtright Fatima Ajmed Nathan Wilking Sonte Keys Photo 3 Pictured are Courtwarming court members and their families. #wayschools

Waynesville High School hosted AP night to promote the Advanced Placement courses offered at WHS. AP students wore matching t-shirts and talked with visitors about their courses before the Jan. 29, 2024, girls varsity basketball game. They were also recognized between the JV and varsity games. Additionally, two AP students—Grace Parker and Bella Simmons—were presented with STEM Star Awards. The STEM Star Award is a $500 National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) funded award for students in AP math, science, English Language and/or computer science courses. The students were nominated by their AP teachers to recognize their hard work, dedication and willingness to take on the challenge of advanced coursework. NMSI has partnered with WHS to increase access and achievement in AP math, science, computer science and English Language courses. WHS has been allotted five $500 awards from NMSI, so there are still three more yet to be awarded. Nomination Criteria for the STEM Star Award • Demonstrate growth in NMSI supported AP coursework throughout the year • Demonstrate leadership, self-advocacy and/or commitment in the classroom • Actively engage in course both in and outside of the classroom In the group photo, the following are pictured: Row 1 kneeling (L to R) Thomas Walters, Alexis Bennett, Deanna McLane, Adrienne Yarbro, Julian Matras, Teyla Byrom, Peyton Cummings, Nathaniel Copeland, Julian Vassallo Middle Row: Citlali Arzabala, Sofia Mejia, Kylie Gravette, Kamden Raines, Kelise Johnson, Samantha Gadsden, Isabella Moredock, Chloe Moredock Back Row: Shannon Moynihan, Eric Glover, Brayden Weigelt, Ethan Cole, Peter Johnson, Bella Simmons, Rikku Carlson, Grace Parker, Evan Beck, Emma Hanson, Connor Long, Keegan Henson, Katelyn Hubbard, Nicholas McMurray, Aiden Smith #wayschools

TEACHER RECRUITMENT EVENT Are you interested in teaching in the Waynesville R-VI School District? If so, please come to our Teacher Recruitment Event from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Feb 29, 2024, at the Parker Educational Center, 909 U.S. Route 66 in Waynesville.

To prepare for the upcoming week-long Spring Break in March, Snack in a Pack is asking now for monetary and food donations to help feed more than 500 students. Below is a list of kid-friendly food items to donate • Packets/Canned Tuna • Packets/Canned Chicken • Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s • Ramen • Canned Soup/Chili • Vienna Sausage • Mac & Cheese cups • Pork & Beans • Fruit Cups • Veggie Cups • Canned Vegetables • Applesauce • Oatmeal Packs • Granola Bars • Individually Wrapped Snack • Peanut Butter* • Jelly* *Plastic Containers About Snack in a Pack (SIAP) SIAP is a supplemental food program that feeds approximately 550 students in the Waynesville R-VI School District over weekends and extended school breaks. SIAP is a 100% donation-driven program that relies on the generosity of its partners, donors, and community volunteers to continue its mission to feed hungry children and improve educational success. Mail checks to: Snack in a Pack Community Resource Office 12225 Pulaski Ave, Bldg. 8041 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473 For more information AmeriCorps Snack In a Pack Coordinator Community Resource Office (573) 842-2250 spack@waynesville.k12.mo.us

Nathan Wilking, a senior at Waynesville High School, has signed to play tennis with Kaskaskia College in Illinois. He is the son of James and Sara Wilking. His signing was held at the high school on Dec. 13, 2023.

Third grade students at Partridge Elementary helped kick off Black History Month in February with drawings of Martin Luther King Jr. after hearing about his "I Have a Dream" speech. #wayschools

Update: The main gate (north gate) is now open. The main gate (north gate) of Fort Leonard Wood is temporarily closed to inbound and outbound traffic. If the temporary closure continues to be in place at dismissal time, bus delays may occur this afternoon, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.