South Callaway R-II Schools
Celebrating School Safety & Strong Community Partnerships!
I am pleased to share exciting news with our South Callaway R-II community—the opening of our new FEMA-financed multipurpose building on campus. This facility represents much more than a new structure; it reflects our district’s ongoing commitment to student safety, thoughtful planning, and strong community partnerships.
Funded through a federal FEMA grant awarded during the 2021–2022 school year, the building is designed to serve a dual purpose. First and foremost, it functions as a FEMA-approved storm shelter, providing a safe and accessible gathering space during inclement weather. Its location—adjacent to the Early Childhood Education building and across from our Athletic Complex—ensures quick access for students, staff, athletes, and spectators alike.
During the school day, the building adds much-needed flexibility to our instructional schedule. Early Childhood physical education classes can now take place outside of the cafeteria, allowing us to better balance lunch and PE schedules and make more efficient use of our existing spaces
Beyond the school day, the facility opens new opportunities for student groups, teams, and community organizations to gather, practice, and host events.
Most importantly, this project strengthens safety and preparedness for our entire community. Whether serving as a shelter during severe weather or providing protection for those attending activities at our baseball, softball, football, track, and cross-country facilities, this building is a long-term investment in the well-being and resilience of South Callaway R-II.
I am grateful to all who contributed to bringing this multi-year project to completion and proud of what it represents for our students, staff, and community. This includes our own Board of Education as well as our construction partners SAPP Design Architects, Glove-Con, Toth & Associates, and the internal contributions of Chad Mealy, Chad Hecktor, and Autumn Young. This new multipurpose building stands as a visible reminder that when we plan with purpose, we build not just facilities—but a safer, stronger future together.
Yours in Education,
Corey Pontius
Superintendent of Schools
Exterior Side View
Exterior From Athletic Complex
A New Home for Growth: Opening Our New Gymnasium
I am absolutely thrilled to finally announce the official opening of our newest athletic facility! This project has been a long time coming, and seeing it transition from a blueprint to a bustling hub of activity is a proud moment for our entire community. This expansion isn’t just about adding square footage; it’s about providing our students with the high-quality space they deserve to stay active and develop their skills.
One of the most significant impacts of this new space is the immediate benefit to our youngest learners. For the first time, our early childhood PE classes have access to a full-size gym for both their physical education curriculum and indoor recess. To ensure the space is truly "student-ready," we have installed adjustable basketball goals throughout the facility. This allows our younger students to practice on lowered rims that match their physical abilities, fostering better shooting mechanics and building confidence from an early age.
Beyond the hardwood, this facility is a game-changer for our softball, baseball and golf athletes. We have integrated two professional-grade indoor cages equipped with specialized dual-purpose netting. These nets are designed to handle not only baseballs and softballs but also the high velocity of golf balls, providing our teams with a dedicated space to refine their swings indoors. No longer will cold weather or spring rain delays hold our athletes back; they now have a year-round home to train. The facility is already in high gear, hosting a youth baseball camp led by our coaching staff on Sunday afternoons throughout the winter months.
We are so excited to see this building come to life and serve as a cornerstone for our athletic department and the community at large.
Expanded Space for Activities!
Allows for All-Season Practice Time!
Modern Restrooms!
Filtered Water Stations!
Handicap Accessibility!
A Place to Plan!
Emergency Shelter!
EC Synergy at Work!
At the EC, we intentionally teach students the Leader in Me habit of Synergize, working together and valuing one another’s strengths. Young children are learning that everyone has something important to contribute and that teamwork often leads to better solutions and stronger relationships. Families can support this habit at home by modeling cooperation, encouraging children to listen to others’ ideas, and celebrating moments when siblings or friends work together to solve a problem. Simple acts—like helping someone who needs assistance, sharing responsibilities, or finding a compromise—help children understand that when we work together, we all succeed.
Stronger Together: Building Success Through Teamwork
Stronger Together: Building Success Through Teamwork
Our greatest successes happen when parents, students, staff, and our community work together with a shared purpose. Education is not the responsibility of one group alone—it is a partnership built on communication, trust, and mutual support. When families stay engaged, students take ownership of their learning, staff provide guidance and encouragement, and community members lend their time and resources, we create an environment where everyone can thrive.
By working as a team, we strengthen not only academic achievement but also character, confidence, and connection. Let’s continue to support one another, celebrate our shared successes, and face challenges together. When we unite around our students, we build a stronger school and a stronger community for the future.
Upcoming Event @ the ES
Feb 17th: National Assessment of Educational Progress
4th graders participating in the NAEP Test. We have been selected to represent Missouri in a Nation wide test where our students can showcase their knowledge
March 5th: Student-Led Parent / Teacher Conferences
Mark your calendars for our student-led conferences, encourage students to activity participate in discussing their progress, fostering a sense of responsibility and ownership in their academic journey
March 11th: Central State 8 Knowledge Bowl
Teams of students in grades 3rd through 6th grade will compete against conference schools testing their knowledge. Over the last three years our building has come home with two 1st Place trophies, and one 3rd place trophy. We looking forward to competing again and bringing the trophy back to MOKANE MO!
March 26th: STEM Night
Back by popular demand, the ES will host a STEM night in the basement of the EMS. The night will be filled with science, technology, engineering, and math activities. Attendance prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening. We hope to see you there!
April 24th: Grandparents/Grandfriends Day
One of the most exciting days of the year is when we can celebrate with our grandparents. The morning is filled with stories, singing, snacks, and much more. Come join us for our favorite community event of the year!
Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day!
Middle School is So Much More...
It's a vibrant, living tapestry woven together by every achievement, connection, and act of growth.
It is about the thrill of victory—from winning the first annual conference STEAM competition to
celebrating a football game or a masterful band performance. It's about the power of community,
as neighbors and professionals step onto campus to connect with students and observe their incredible work.
School is where teamwork triumphs and lifelong friendships are forged. It's where the classroom
fundamentals of reading, writing, and math unlock the doors to the future, and where exciting
field trips open your eyes to the world of trades and industry.
Ultimately, school is about something bigger than yourself. It is a dynamic place for learning, for
laughter, for service, and for fun. It is the essential journey where you grow, step by step, into a
productive citizen—ready to contribute your unique talents to the world.
It is what happens at South Callaway Middle School every day!
School is so much more than a grade, a test score, or a single moment captured in a picture. Please take a look just a few of our Middle School first semester moments history by clicking on the link below.
English II students attended a field trip to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum where they toured the facility and heard a Holocaust survivor share her testimony. Students chose an artifact in the museum that stood out to them and will create a writing piece around this artifact. This annual trip for our students is always very impactful for them.
High School Upcoming Events:
March 23rd - 27th Academic Week
March 24th ACT Day
A Season of Impact...
Teaching and Learning: The Work That Shapes Our Future
As the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, I am often asked what makes the greatest difference for students over time. The answer is not a single program, initiative, or moment of inspiration. It is our district’s consistent dedication to the purpose of teaching and learning—day after day, classroom by classroom, student by student.
The long-term impact of this commitment reaches far beyond test scores or report cards. When teaching and learning are intentionally planned and thoughtfully delivered, students gain more than academic skills. They develop confidence, curiosity, resilience, and a belief that effort leads to growth. These habits stay with them as they move through school and into their adult lives, shaping how they approach challenges, work with others, and contribute to their communities.
Families feel this impact as well. We hope that our consistency in teaching and learning builds trust. Parents and caregivers can be confident that each school day matters, that time is used wisely, and that their children are being supported by educators who are purposeful in both planning and practice. Over time, it is our intent to strengthen the partnership between home and school—an essential ingredient in student success.
Change, innovation, and learning for all do not happen by accident. They are the result of careful planning and a daily dedication to our moments at school—those lessons prepared with intention, those conversations that spark understanding, and those routines that create safe and engaging learning environments. It is in these everyday moments that meaningful progress takes root.
The collective commitment of all South Callaway R-II employees to teaching and learning is an investment we know will yield lasting returns. By staying focused on our purpose and honoring the importance of each school day, we ensure that our students and families benefit not just now, but for years to come.
That is why we try our very best to approach Teaching & Learning…the SC Way!
Mary Van Orden,
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Building Independence Through Everyday Routines
Academic Focus / Parent Tip:
One of the most effective ways to support students with diverse learning needs is by
strengthening predictable routines at home. Routines help students:
● Build independence
● Decrease anxiety
● Improve executive functioning
● Transfer skills learned at school into daily life
Parent Tip:
Choose one routine to reinforce—such as morning prep, homework time, or packing a
school bag. Create a simple visual checklist and encourage your child to complete each
step independently. Celebrate progress, not perfection!
Upcoming Event:
February 4, 2026 - Special Olympics Basketball at Russellville
School web-traffic filtering efforts.
All public schools are required to filter Internet content on school devices.
When we work to implement that mandate we take several concepts into consideration. We filter certain Internet sites / services on student devices in order to ...
- prevent students from using sites which will do their schoolwork for them
- protect students from sharing personal information on sites which do not protect that information and may expose that information to unsecure parties
- prevent unfiltered online interactions with other users of such sites
- filter content on such sites which may not be appropriate for school settings and school-aged users
- eliminate potential distractions to legitimate classroom activities
- follow Missouri law requiring us to implement, maintain, and update filtering of Internet content on our devices
- keep our network safe from harmful malware which could potentially affect our network if accessed on devices (i.e. student iPads) which have access to our school's network
The overall safety and academic success of our students while using school-issues devices is at the forefront of our priorities.
Clarifications about the User Technology Agreement / iPad Protection Program.
During summer registration for the school year, each parent / guardian who registers a student checks the box to acknowledge that they (and by proxy the registered students) understand the SC User Technology Agreement. An idea professed in that mutual agreement is that access to technology at SC is a privilege, not a right. At times SC will restrict student access to devices or services based upon a student’s behavior and adherence to standards we set for their use of school technology. Please emphasize to your student(s) the importance of the integrity with which they utilize technology provided to them by the school.
Similarly, some of us sign up for the iPad protection program over the summer. Doing so is an opportunity which we heavily endorse that SC families participate in. Please bear in mind, though, that this program only covers repair costs for accidental damage to the iPad itself. It does not cover repairs to the iPad case / keyboard / trackpad / etc.
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding.
Thanks for reading. Here’s to a great start to the second semester!
Transportation is Gearing Up for Winter Weather!
Our Transportation Department is gearing up for winter weather. We are making sure the entire fleet is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us. We work closely with MoDot and the County Road and Bridge Department to ensure we can get our students to and from school as safely as we can. We will try our best to make decisions as quickly as we can. If you ever have any concerns or questions please feel free to reach out to the Transportation Department.
Upcoming Events!
Our date for our yearly Highway Patrol Inspection is on March 4, 2026. We will be going over our entire fleet to make sure they are in tip top shape.
Are You Seeking a Great Job in a Great District?
Keep in mind if you ever call the Transportation office early in the morning for a bus change of any kind and don’t get an answer, please know that we are all on routes. Please be patient with us as we still need a Full Time Route Driver. We provide on-site paid training, insurance, retirement and other benefits as well. Could be just mornings or afternoons or both. If interested, fill out the application online at South Callaway R-II website: https://scr2.schoolspring.com/
South Callaway R-II has a School Family Community Liaison to Help Our Bulldog Families Succeed!
Welcome!
I'm here to support your child -- and your whole family -- so that nothing stands in the way of your child's success in school. Whether it's a small challenge or something bigger, I'll walk alongside you to help find real solutions that make life a little easier.
💬 So, what do I actually do?
I work closely with students, parents, school staff, and community programs to help remove roadblocks that might affect your child's learning, behavior, or well-being. That could mean helping with:
Food, clothing, or housing needs
Health care, counseling, or mental health services
Transportation or attendance issues
Understanding school expectations and paperwork
Or simply being someone you can talk to who's here to help
🤝 What does "meeting you where you're at" mean?
It means I don't come in with judgment or a set plan -- I listen first. We'll talk about what's going on right now, what's working, and what areas feel overwhelming. Then, together, we'll find ways to move forward -- step by step.
No concern is too small, and no situation is "too much". If it's on your mind or heart, it matters.
📞 Reach out anytime
- Call 573-200-6719 or 573-676-5225 ext. 5116
- Email cassandra.oliver@sc.k12.mo.us
- Check Our Website at: https://www.sc.k12.mo.us/page/sfcl
- Reach Out by filling out this form: http://bit.ly/4lxTgan
Even if you're not sure where to start, just reach out. I'm here to help your family feel supported, valued, and connected. When families and schools work together, students thrive -- and that's what we all want.
Have a great second semester!
Cassandra Oliver,
SC R-II School Family Community Liaison
By Phone & E-Mail
Main Number: 573-676-5225
South Callaway R-II Early Childhood: PAT & Grades PK-2, Dial 1
- E-mail the Principal - leigh.dunlap@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II Elementary School: Grades 3-5, Dial 2
- E-mail the Principal - adam.dubuque@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II Middle School: Grades 6-8, Dial 3
- E-mail the Principal - gary.bonsall@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II High School: Grades 9-12, Dial 4
- E-mail the Principal - tucker.bartley@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II Special Services Department: Dial 5
- E-mail the Director - gary.ash@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II Transportation Department: Dial 6
- E-mail the Director - michelle.alford@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II Athletics Department: Dial 7
- E-mail the Director - tony.brandt@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II Maintenance Department: Dial 8
- E-mail the Director - chad.mealy@sc.k12.mo.us
South Callaway R-II Central Office: Dial 0
- For the General Inquiry & Reception Desk - therese.nichols@sc.k12.mo.us
- For the Human Resources Dept. - debbie.popplewell@sc.k12.mo.us
- For the Accounting Dept. - autumn.young@sc.k12.mo.us
- For the Technology Dept. - chad.hecktor@sc.k12.mo.us
- For Curriculum & Instruction - mary.vanorden@sc.k12.mo.us
- For the Superintendent - corey.pontius@sc.k12.mo.us
Website: www.sc.k12.mo.us. USPS: 10135 State Rd C, Mokane, MO, 65059
~
This digital newsletter is published by the South Callaway R-II School District on a quarterly basis throughout the school year. In SY 25-26, newsletters are published on 7/21/25, 10/6/25, 1/12/26 & 4/13/26. A weblink to the newsletter will be sent by SchoolMessenger to parents, by email to employees, and available on the website and all District social media accounts.