Moniteau County R-1 School District

It is the mission of the Moniteau County R-1 Schools to equip our students to be productive citizens who will have positive attitudes and be value oriented, career directed, competent in communications, capable of problem-solving, skillful in creative and critical thinking, and knowledgeable of business and technology for future challenges and the 21st century.

Mr. Onstott’s Ag classes participated in a hands-on Safety Day designed to prepare students for safe and responsible work in the Ag Shop. Students learned about important safety procedures, how to respond to various emergencies, and the proper use of safety equipment, including fire extinguishers and tourniquets. The day provided students with practical knowledge and opportunities to learn how to respond appropriately in emergency situations.

The California Police Department, MID-MO Ambulance, and California Fire Department collaborated with Mr. Onstott to provide students with valuable safety instruction and real-world examples. Students were able to engage with local professionals, ask questions, participate in activities, and put their learning into practice through hands-on games and demonstrations.

Safety is an important part of preparing students for success in the Ag Shop, and this experience provided a meaningful opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world skills. We appreciate our local departments for partnering with our school and helping provide our students with this valuable learning experience.

FFA kicked off the 2026–2027 school year with a fun-filled first meeting during the first week of school! Approximately 120 students attended and enjoyed a variety of activities, including slip-and-slide kickball, pickleball, cornhole, and more. It was a great opportunity for students to come together, have fun, and build connections as they begin another exciting year in FFA.

We are excited to see so much enthusiasm and participation from our FFA members and look forward to a great year ahead!

FFA Junior Officer Interviews

One upcoming opportunity for students to become more involved in FFA is the Junior FFA Officer Interviews, which will be held after school on September 25. Students who are interested in applying for a Junior FFA Officer position will have the opportunity to interview and gain valuable leadership experience within the chapter.

Junior FFA Officer positions are open to freshmen and sophomores and provide another great way for students to get involved, develop leadership skills, and take on a greater role within the FFA chapter. FFA also works with coaches to help accommodate students who are interested in interviewing but have a scheduled sports practice.

Upcoming FFA Activities

• September 8: MU Bradford Field Day – Principles Students, Columbia
• September 10: Fall Ag Teachers Workshop @ Osage – 4:30 p.m.
• September 16: Area FFA Leadership Workshop & Rituals – 3:00 p.m., California High School
• September 19: California Ham & Turkey Fest Petting Zoo
• September 20: 2nd FFA BBQ Officer Parent Meeting – 7:00 p.m., Ag Building
• September 21: FFA Officer Meeting – 7:15 a.m., Ag Building
• September 25: Jr. Officer Interviews – 2:00 p.m., California High School
• September 26: Area Trapshoot Linn Fall Classic – Linn Creek
• September 30: September FFA Meeting – Mud Volleyball, 6:30 p.m., CPAC/Ag Building

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the FFA BBQ on October 4! We look forward to another great year of FFA activities, leadership opportunities, and memories made together.

Big progress is happening at the middle school as we prepare to introduce a new outdoor area for our students!

Thanks to the tremendous support of our students, families, and community partners, our middle school will soon have a dedicated area featuring a pickleball court and four-square courts for students to enjoy during outdoor activities and designated times throughout the school day.

This project has been made possible through student fundraising efforts, including Shakespeare’s Pizza fundraisers, as well as generous contributions from community partners such as the E.M. Burger Foundation. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make this project possible. Striping for the courts will take place after Labor Day, bringing us one step closer to having the space ready for our students to enjoy!

While this is an exciting addition to our middle school, we hope to continue expanding the area in the future. For now, we are thrilled to provide our students with a new space to be active, have fun, and enjoy time together outdoors.

We are so proud of the hard work and generosity that made this project possible and cannot wait to see our students enjoying this new addition to their school! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this vision a reality.

California Elementary School is starting the school year off strong! We have had several exciting new additions to campus for our students to enjoy, and the new playground has already been a big hit. Students have loved exploring and playing on all of the new equipment!

There are plenty of learning, smiles, and joy happening throughout CES each day. We are excited to see all the wonderful things this new school year will bring and look forward to making it a great year for our students!

We’re off to a great start! We had a wonderful first day back and loved seeing all the smiling faces throughout our schools. Our students and staff kicked off the new school year strong, and we’re excited for all the learning, growth, memories, and fun ahead. Here’s to an amazing school year! Go Pintos!

For 100 years, the name Pinto has represented pride, tradition, perseverance, and community at California R-1. The Pinto tradition began in 1925, when the California High School basketball team was searching for a name. The community submitted suggestions, and the name “Pintos,” suggested by R.R. Conrad, was selected. Just one day after the announcement, on November 13, 1925, the team played its first game as the Pintos.

A century later, the Pinto remains a proud symbol of California R-1 and the generations of students, staff, families, and alumni who have carried the tradition forward.

Throughout the 2026–2027 school year, California R-1 is celebrating 100 Years of Pinto Pride! Special 100 Years of Pinto T-shirts are available for purchase as part of the celebration.

Show your Pinto pride and order your shirt today! The online store closes soon!

Order your 100 Years of Pinto Strong T-shirt

One hundred years ago, a name was chosen. Today, it is a legacy.

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we are excited to share an update on the progress of projects made possible through the passage of Prop SAFE. These improvements are designed to enhance our facilities, provide safe and supportive learning environments, and ensure our schools continue to meet the needs of our students and staff.

Projects Completed

Elementary School Roof Renovation: The Elementary School roof renovation was completed this summer.

HVAC Improvements: HVAC improvements at the Elementary School were completed this summer. HVAC improvements at the Middle and High Schools are planned for completion during summer 2027.

Elementary Playground: The new elementary playground and swing set are complete and are already being enjoyed by our students. Seeing students' excitement as they experience the new playground has been a wonderful part of this project.

Cottage of Knowledge: The Cottage of Knowledge has been demolished to make way for the district's upcoming building addition. The Cottage itself is not being expanded; its location was necessary for the planned addition.

High School Furniture: New furniture was added throughout the High School, including updated desks and chairs for students and teachers, along with new cafeteria tables.

Flooring Improvements: Flooring projects were completed in areas of the Elementary and Middle Schools, as well as the High School library, media rooms, and band rooms. The remaining stair tread installation in the Middle School is scheduled to take place during Christmas Break.

Security Improvements: Security improvements throughout the district have been completed, further enhancing the safety and security of our schools.

Projects Underway and Coming Next

Middle School Roof: The Middle School roof renovation is planned for summer 2027.

HVAC Improvements: HVAC improvements at the Middle and High Schools are planned for completion during summer 2027.

Turf Replacement: Replacement of the athletic turf is currently anticipated to take place in November.

Building Addition and Expansion: Planning continues for the district's building addition and expansion. Groundbreaking is anticipated this winter, with the exact timing dependent on weather and site conditions.

These projects represent a significant investment in the future of California R-1 School District. We are grateful to our community for the support and for helping make these improvements possible. We look forward to continuing to share updates as projects move forward and our facilities continue to improve for our students, staff, and community.

On September 15, we celebrate National IT Professionals Day and the incredible people who keep our schools connected, supported, and running smoothly!

A huge thank-you to Mike Moon, our district IT professional, who always seems to know the answer and goes above and beyond to help our staff and students. We also appreciate Wendy Barker at the middle school, who is always willing to lend an extra hand when technology challenges arise.

We’d also like to give a special shout-out to Shane Dunnaway, our newest addition to the team! Shane is working hard to learn the ropes, jump in wherever needed, and become part of our technology team. We appreciate your willingness to learn and help!

We are so grateful for all three of you and everything you do behind the scenes to keep California R-1 connected and moving forward!

Each month, we celebrate a staff member who shows outstanding kindness and dedication through our Pinto Pride Monthly Award. Voting is open to everyone—students, staff, and community members! Know a teacher, bus driver, custodian, or staff member who brightened your day? Nominate them! Every nominee receives recognition, and each month we will now recognize two winners—one staff member and one support staff member. Both winners will receive a prize basket and be featured in our newsletter and local media.

We are excited to continue growing this tradition of celebrating kindness and excellence in our schools. Voting for our December winner is now open! We also want to give a big thank-you to our community businesses—those interested in donating toward prize baskets can contact ashley.benton@californiak12.org.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us spread kindness and Pinto Pride!

A huge thank you to the following people who donated toward the gift for our Pinto Pride winner! We are so grateful for the support and love seeing our local businesses step up for our staff!

California R-1 has launched a new communication platform to connect our schools, families, and community in one central location.

Parents & Guardians: The app will be your primary tool for teacher communication, classroom updates, school information, and more. You can log in using the phone number or personal email connected to Infinite Campus. You can also access everything through the school website.

Important: This platform will replace SportsYou, ClassDojo, and Remind. Classroom communication through Rooms will begin this school year.

Language Access: The app supports multiple languages, and messages can be translated automatically.

Notifications: Please enable app notifications and check the app regularly for updates. Text alerts will be reserved for urgent information such as emergencies and school closures. To opt in, text START to 98900.

September 7 — No School (Labor Day)

September 18 — No School (Professional Development)

October 2 — Homecoming Early Out

October 12 — No School (Professional Development)

October 20 — End of 1st Quarter

October 22 & 27 — Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 11 — Veterans Day

November 25–27 — Thanksgiving Break

December 18 — Early Out

December 21–January 3 — Christmas Break

January 4 — No School (Professional Development)

January 18 — MLK Day (No School)

February 15 — No School (Professional Development)

March 5 — End of 3rd Quarter

March 22–26 — Spring Break

March 29 — No School (Professional Development)

April 23 — No School (Professional Development)

May 16 — Graduation

May 21 — Last Day of School

This is an anonymous tip line linked to the Missouri Highway Patrol's Courage2Report Missouri. To prevent school violence, they offer three ways to anonymously report a concern. When a tip is submitted it immediately goes to law enforcement and notifies the school administrators. Please take the time to watch the video below, and to read the Student and Parent Frequently Asked Questions.

Exciting news—substitute teacher pay has increased to $136 per day!

With just 20 hours of training, you can become a substitute teacher through our alternative pathway—no college hours required. You will get a background check reimbursement and the chance to be part of an amazing school community in California!

Start your certification through DESE: Substitute Teacher Certification
Apply online: California R-1 Employment

California R-1 School District would love to have you on our team—apply today and make a difference in students’ lives!