WMS Tiger Baseball falls to Lebanon 11-5 in the first game of the night. The B game is up next.
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.
Here is the WMS Athletic schedule for the week! Go Tigers!
The WMS Softball season is underway! The Lady Tigers are competing in the Branson Festival today. They start the day against Ozark. Go Tigers!
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
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.)
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.
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
There will be no school in the Waynesville R-VI School District March 17-21, 2025, for Spring Break.
Jarrett selected for Disney teacher celebration
Keisha Jarrett, a music teacher at Waynesville Middle and High Schools, is one of only 12 teachers in the nation to be selected to attend the Imagination Campus Teacher Celebration sponsored by Disney on May 1-4, 2025.
“I’m incredibly excited to represent Waynesville and bring back valuable professional development insights to share with my colleagues and students,” Jarrett said.
The celebration is part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, when educators from across the country are being recognized for their dedication to inspiring students every day. The teachers will be challenged to use problem solving skills and collaboration in a variety of educational settings. They will also explore how Disney Imagineers marry imaginative design, storytelling and practical considerations in theme park design. They will also practice proper breath control, diction and character development in a musical theater setting.
Waynesville Middle School hosted its Second Annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) night for students and their families. Missouri University of Science and Technology brought information on summer camp opportunities and displays including a mobile planetarium. WMS teachers hosted additional STEM activities in their classrooms. Student Council members assisted with organizing the event and supporting various STEM activities. #wayschools
Waynesville Middle School students were among those that attended the Vietnam-Era Veteran Commemoration Ceremony on Feb. 28, 2025, at the Parker Educational Center. WMS 8th graders who have 6th hour social studies and WMS students who submitted essays in the 2025 National Civics Bee through the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce attended the event.
The event was hosted by the FLW Mid-Missouri AUSA Chapter. The Vietnam Commemorative Program was signed into law in 2012 and created a 13-year period to recognize Vietnam-Era Veterans and families of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. In 2021, CSM (R) Freddie Brock on behalf of the FLW Mid-Missouri AUSA Chapter, applied to be a Commemorative Partner. Currently the chapter, under Brock’s leadership, has recognized 770 Vietnam-Era Veterans. The Commemorative Program ends in November 2025. #wayschools
Mrs. Douglas is our Leader of the Month! Here’s what her coworker said about her:
"Mrs. Douglas' dedication to helping students, as well as the other teachers on her team, is amazing and makes a difference in each of their days. Her ability to foster and provide support to her peers, as well as her students, is one of the many reasons we are happy to have her here at the middle school. She does a great job engaging her students and holding them accountable in the math classroom. She always goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone succeeds and thrives. She is an incredible asset to the math community here at the middle school."
Thank you, Mrs. Douglas, for everything you do!
Go Tigers!
Flag football - Sign up by 3 p.m. Friday
Flag football will be available for 6th-8th grade boys and girls this spring. The details are below.
Who: Currently enrolled (2024-25 school year) Waynesville 6th-8th grade boys & girls
Location: Waynesville Middle School
Dates: March 24 through May 10
Practices: 4:15-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays
Games: Saturday (to be scheduled)
REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE at 3 p.m. March 7
Students may stay after school for W.I.N. and a shuttle will be provided to and from the practice fields.
You must BOTH register your student and then pay separately. See the two links below.
Google Registration Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekIsIrgdQK5dbkLziuAHUHwyS-fXiOkS-5QVsEVjM40zFzHA/viewform?usp=sharing
Cost: $25 (Shirt and Equipment Provided) Payment will be made at https://www.msbtickets.com/Athletics/schoolevents
Today, our 7th-grade students spent time in the library working on building their 8th-grade schedules, with guidance from our counselor, Mr. Perez.
This opportunity allowed students to take responsibility for their education and develop important skills in planning and decision-making. Students will return to the library on Friday after visiting with their guardians to input their classes into PowerSchool and create their schedules for next year.
We appreciate our students for their efforts as they prepare for the next step in their academic journey. #LeaderInMe #Education
Waynesville Middle School Student Council completed the Polar Plunge in Springfield, Mo., in support of Special Olympics athletes on Saturday, March 1, 2025. WMS Student Council raised $1,445, which supports local athletes.
March LIM Newsletter
This week's district basketball games!
Five Waynesville Middle School students participated in the 4th annual Missouri State University CODERS Olympiad on Feb. 27, 2025. CODERS stands for Computer Science Opportunities, Development, and Education in Rural Schools. Leah Fledderman, John Kefalas, Conner Hamelin, Keldon Loar and Naomi Sanchez demonstrated their ability to code effectively effort by completing Olympiad challenges.
CODERS will showcase their coding skills during the STEAM night from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at WMS on March 7, 2025. Students will have the opportunity to sign up for coding happening during Saturday Savers (April and May) as an enrichment activity.
The students are pictured with Dr. Raquel DeSouza, library media specialist. #wayschools
