The Purple Pages
October 15th, 2025
Dear Laker Families,
As we reach the end of the 3rd quarter, we want to take a moment to connect with you as we prepare for a successful 4th quarter. We hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable spring break! We are refreshed and looking forward to a successful, productive spring as we finish the school year strong.
The Board of Education’s approved grade reconfiguration plan for the 2026-2027 school year is well underway. Building administrators, faculty, and staff are working to prepare for the shifts that will take place to make this transition as smooth and effective as possible for our students.
As you are aware, one piece of this reconfiguration process includes the addition of preschool at Hurricane Deck Elementary and Osage Beach Elementary. Preschool enrollment and registration are currently underway, and we are excited to see a great deal of interest in each location. Based on preliminary registration numbers, we may be able to add a preschool section at Dogwood Elementary next year. This not only reflects the District’s commitment to providing students with a solid educational foundation, but it also represents a significant interest from parents and guardians. The District’s partnership with parents and community members is integral to our students' success, and we are grateful for your continued support.
Additionally, as we prepare for the grade reconfigurations next year, we are planning student tours to help our students feel comfortable, confident, and prepared. These tours will be designed to familiarize students with their new hallways, classrooms, and common areas before the summer break. Keep an eye on your inbox in the coming weeks for specific dates and logistics for each building.
Finally, I want to congratulate our District Teacher of the Year and Educator of the Year candidates and recipients. Our annual banquet was recently held, and we celebrated several Camdenton R-III educators who were nominated as Teacher and Educator of the Year candidates. Please help me congratulate the Elementary Teacher of the Year, Melissa Bouchard; the Secondary Teacher of the Year, Cara Enos; and the District Educator of the Year, Bill Buxton! We are extremely fortunate to have wonderful educators in our school district who serve our students each day.
We are so grateful for your partnership and for the trust you place in us every day. Thank you for being such an essential part of the Laker community. It is an honor to serve as your superintendent.
With Laker Pride,
Brett Thompson
#LakersLeaveALegacy
