South Callaway R-II Schools

Yours in Education,

Corey Pontius, Superintendent

South Callaway R-II Schools

We hope your summer has been filled with fun, rest, and time with family! While there's still some sunshine left to enjoy, we’re already buzzing with excitement here at South Callaway Early Childhood as we prepare to welcome our students—both returning and new—for the 2025-26 school year.

Ready for a Great Year Ahead

We can’t wait to welcome our students back for a year filled with learning, discovery, and joyful moments. Our amazing custodial team has been hard at work preparing the building, while our dedicated teachers are busy planning meaningful, engaging experiences for the year ahead. Classrooms will be warm, inviting spaces where curiosity and creativity can flourish. We look forward to partnering with our families to make this school year a wonderful journey of growth and connection for every child.

Welcome to Our New Team Members!

We’re excited to introduce two fantastic additions to our South Callaway Early Childhood staff! Please join us in welcoming Braden Ham, our new Physical Education teacher, who brings 11 years of experience and a passion for keeping kids active and engaged. We're also thrilled to welcome home Jennifer Hamilton, a South Callaway alum with over 8 years of experience in early childhood education, who will be joining our preschool team. We are lucky to have both of these talented educators joining our Bulldog family!

Looking Ahead

Mark your calendars for our Back-to-School Open House, where families will have a chance to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and get excited for the first day of school.

Also, if you have an incoming Pre-schooler or Kindergartener, check out our Camp Kindergarten & Pre-school Screening events.

Thank you for being a vital part of our school community. Your partnership and support help make South Callaway Early Childhood such a special place to learn and grow. We can’t wait to see our Bulldogs back in the building soon!

The EC, It Begins Here!

Leigh Dunlap,

SCEC Principal

Welcome Back, Bulldog family!

We are really excited to get the 2025/26 SY started here at the ES. Our maintenance and custodial staff have been working hard to get the building ready to go. The start of a new school year is always a thrilling time filled with anticipation and excitement. To our new students, whether you’re transitioning to 3rd grade or joining us for the first time, we welcome you to the building. We look forward to meeting and getting to know you more. To our returning students, welcome back to familiar halls and classrooms. We cannot wait to see you again! South Callaway Elementary works hard to meet all the needs of your child. Our motto we stand by is: Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day!

Please join me in welcoming our newest Bulldog teaching team member!

Joining us this year is Amy Lamar.

• Mrs. Lamar is no stranger to the district. She previously served as a para in our Early Childhood building last school year. She will join the Elementary this year in our Special Education department.

We look forward to seeing you all at a few events this summer:

• Bulldog Power Up Adventure is on July 28th-31st https://forms.gle/JgTe5M1DSVXXojsG7
• Device Distribution and Registration Assistance is on August 11th and 12th located in the HS.
• Open House will be held on Monday, August 18th from 5:00-7:00 pm.
• Our First Day of School is set for Wednesday August 20th.

Enjoy the rest of your summer Bulldogs and we will see you soon!

Let’s make SY 25-26 our best year yet!

Adam DuBuque,

SCES Principal

We are thrilled to open our doors once again and greet each of you with enthusiasm, optimism, and a shared commitment to growth and success. Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time—Welcome to the South Callaway Family!

Important Dates

• First Day of School: Wednesday, August 20th

• Device Distribution Days: Monday, 8/11/25 & Tuesday, 8/12/25

• Middle School Readiness Camp: 7/28/25 - 7/30/25, 9:00 am to Noon

• Open House: 8/18/26, 5:00-7:00 pm

Tips for a Successful Start

• Get back into a routine early—sleep, meals, and study time

• Set achievable academic and personal goals

• Reach out to teachers or counselors if you need support

• Stay organized with a planner or digital calendar

Enjoy the rest of your summer! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Gary Bonsall,

SCMS Principal

The first day of school marks more than just a return to routine—it’s a fresh start filled with opportunity, growth, and possibility. Our dedicated staff has been working hard to prepare classrooms, plan engaging lessons, and ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

This year, we are placing a strong emphasis on:

• Academic Excellence – We are excited about a new partnership this year with Truman State University to provide some additional dual credit math opportunities taught by our staff here at South Callaway. This is in addition to the long-standing partnership we continue to have with Central Methodist University for dual credit offerings. More information will be sent directly to parents of high school students this month.
  
  

• Student Well-Being – focusing on social-emotional learning and creating a positive school culture. We will continue our tradition of seminar lessons focused on building confident positive individuals who work well with others. We will also continue to build upon our tradition of community service.
  
  

• Community Engagement – partnering with families and the broader community to support student success. We are excited to announce a new position in our high school. We now have a RootEd Advisor! RootEd Advisors are a position partially funded by a grant that helps students and parents of Seniors plan for the transition from high school to the next phase of life! We are excited for Jasmine Wiggans to take on that role and are confident she will do an excellent job in that position. Please be on the lookout for more information from Mrs. Wiggans as the year begins!

Let’s work together to make this school year the best one yet!

Tucker Bartley,

SCHS Principal

Welcome Back, South Callaway Bulldog Families!

As we open the doors to another exciting school year, I want to extend my warmest greetings to both new and returning families. The start of school brings fresh energy, renewed focus, and endless possibilities for learning and growth.

At school, our teachers have spent the summer working hard to create engaging, well-structured lessons that build knowledge, encourage curiosity, and support every student’s academic journey. But learning doesn’t end when the dismissal bell rings. One of the most powerful ways to support your student’s success is by establishing a consistent, supportive study routine at home.

Now, before you imagine hours of flashcards and frustration, let me reassure you—it doesn’t have to be long or hard. Just 15 minutes each evening can make a significant difference. Whether it's reviewing vocabulary, organizing assignments, or simply talking through the day, these small moments add up. Think of it as academic “muscle memory”—short, steady practice keeps skills sharp and builds confidence over time.

To get started, consider setting aside a regular time and quiet space each evening. Some families use this time for reading together, others for checking planners and prepping for the next day. Even younger learners benefit from routines that include sorting backpacks, organizing materials, or talking about what they learned.

One of the most effective tools you can use at home is conversation. Asking open-ended questions helps your student process what they’ve experienced, and gives you insight into their world. Try asking:

• “What was something new you learned today?”
  

• “Tell me about a moment that made you smile.”
  

• “Was there a part of the day that was tricky? What helped you get through it?”
  

• “What’s one goal you have for this week at school?”
  

These questions not only invite reflection, but also show your student that what happens at school matters at home.

As we begin this new school year, know that we’re here to partner with you every step of the way. Together, we can build a strong foundation for learning—at school and at home—that helps every student thrive.

With appreciation for all our parent partners,
Mary Van Orden,
Director of Curriculum & Instruction

We are thrilled to announce some exciting changes taking place in our Special Education Department here at South Callaway! We are dedicated to providing the best possible education and support to all of our students, and these changes reflect our commitment to excellence. Amanda Wogan retired at the end of this past school year as the Director of Special Services. After being district’s Processing Coordinator for the past 4 years, I stepped into the Director role effective July 1.

Filling the role as the district’s Processing Coordinator will be Mrs. Crystal McCaulley. Mrs. McCaulley has served as a special education teacher for the past 3 years, and had been a 4th grade teacher at South Callaway Elementary for 5 years prior to moving into the role as a special education teacher. Mrs. McCaulley brings a wealth of knowledge with her to the new role, and we are excited to have her as our Processing Coordinator.

We are delighted to welcome Mrs. Amy Lamar to our team at South Callaway Elementary. Mrs. Lamar was a para professional at the Early Childhood Center this past year, and did a fantastic job as part of our special services team. She earned an Associate degree in Business Administration and later completed her Bachelor’s degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Finance from Columbia College. Mrs. Lamar has previous experience as a kindergarten aide and Title I interventionist, and received her teaching certification through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE).

We are incredibly proud of all of our wonderful special education teachers we have in our district, and excited to see what great things they will accomplish during the 2025-2026 school year.

Gary Ash, Director

SC Special Services

Greetings!

This summer the SC Technology Department has been busy preparing for the 2025/2026 school year.

This will be year two of the use of our 10th Generation iPads. Our department has been busy processing them to return to 4th through 12th grade students during our Device Distribution and Registration days, and to the rest of our students after school begins.

Regarding Device Distribution and Registration Assistance.

Device Distribution and Registration Assistance for the 2025/26 school year will be held on Monday August 11th, 12pm through 7pm, and Tuesday August 12th, 11am through 6pm.

Families with students in grades 4 through 12 will be able to pick up student iPads during those times.

Early Childhood students (grades K through 2) and 3rd graders will get their iPads distributed to them, when needed, after school begins.

All families at this event will be able to interact with ...

• the transportation department

• school nurses

• representatives from each building’s office

• the SC special services department

• representatives from the athletic department

• the SC community health representative

• the SC school, family, and community outreach representative

• volunteers who assist families in completing student PowerSchool registration forms

• central office staff who can help register students new to the district

• human resources staff who will have information on becoming a substitute teacher or bus driver in our district

New Cybersecurity & Best School Technology Use Practices Begin.

In other news, we want to inform parents that the use of YouTube is blocked on student devices for SY 25/26 at school and at home. After a great deal of consideration by administrators and staff, South Callaway R-II has made the decision to block access to YouTube on devices operated by students for the safety and protection of all. Teachers will still be able to choose content from YouTube, but they will either present it in class, or utilize a service provided by SafeShare.tv to provide the videos to students through Schoology or Class Dojo.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Chad Hecktor,

Director of Technology

The flow chart that follows summarizes the decision-making the SC Technology Department and administrators employ when working to repair iPads and iPad cases.

Repair costs typically increase each year, and are generally considerably more expensive then the cost of participation in the iPad protection program

To help safeguard families against the ever-increasing costs of repairing student iPads, South Callaway offers participation in an iPad Protection Program. Here are a couple of things to consider regarding the iPad Protection Plan.

• Participation in the iPad protection program will cover the costs of repair to student iPads, for unintentional damage, up to the purchase cost of the device each school year.
• Those who do not participate in this Protection Plan will be fined for any costs to repair their school-issued iPad. The plan must be joined before the damage occurs.
• The iPad Protection Plan covers costs to the repair of the iPad itself. Students who damage their iPad multiple times may have their iPad privileges reconsidered by SC administration.

Greetings!

I hope that everyone has had a great summer break. There are plenty of days left to enjoy, but the start of our school year is right around the corner.

As we head back to school I would like to encourage our students to consider participating in a sport, activity or club this year. Research shows that students who get involved in extracurricular activities have a much higher chance of earning good grades and having good attendance. If athletics is not your thing there are plenty of other opportunities for you. Band, choir, Esports (video game team), scholar bowl, and clubs are all great options.

For those that plan to play a fall sport (XC, softball, football, cheerleading) our practices begin in less than a month. Below are dates to put on your calendar:

AUGUST 11 - HS Fall Sport 1st Practice Date

AUGUST 18 - MS Fall Sport 1st Practice Date

Time and location will be sent via school messenger.

Please make sure that your child has an updated physical for this school year. If a physical is not on file with the athletic office the student will not be allowed to participate in practices or contests. Reminder, all sports and activities (HS/MS band, HS/MS Choir, HS/MS scholar bowl) are now required by MSHSAA to have a current physical on file in order to participate.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• If you are looking for SC gear before next school year, you should check out our new online team store at https://bit.ly/3W1bmpJ .
• All HS and MS activities and sports teams will be using the SPORTSYOU app for communication. Information will be given by coaches on how to signup for team communications.

If there are any questions regarding athletics or activities please feel free to contact me at:

tony.brandt@sc.k12.mo.us

Enjoy the rest of the summer break.

Tony Brandt,

Director of Activities & Athletics

The Transportation Department has been busy over the summer making sure our fleet is up and running for the upcoming school year.

We are hoping to only make minor changes to our existing bus routes for the upcoming year. We will have detailed bus information available for parents and students at the District Device Distribution & Registration Assistance Day on August 11 & 12. Make sure you stop by our table located in the High School Commons.

We hope to have a few new faces in our department and are anxious to introduce them.

Exciting News!

We will be receiving our new air conditioned Trip Bus some time in late September or early October. We look forward to putting this new member of our fleet on the road soon thereafter.

Bus Safety is Everyone's Foremost Concern!

In order to make sure we all have a great trip to school and home, we're asking parents to review the bus rider rules with students now. On the first day of school, students of all ages will be asked to sign an agreement to follow a set of expectations for all riders. These rules were created to keep all students safe during the bus rides to and from school each day and are directed & enforced by Board Policy JCCF-R1.

For a complete review of the South Callaway R-II Bus Rules, see the image below.

To download a printable copy, click on the image or go to:

https://bit.ly/3RIC0lE

Enjoy the summer days and know that we are counting the days until we get to see our students again!

Michelle Alford,

Director of Transportation

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 rest of the summer,

Cassandra Oliver,

SC R-II School Family Community Liaison

1. 🤝 Strong Sense of Community

At SC, you’re more than an employee—you’re family. Here, students, families, and colleagues know your name and value your contributions.

2. 🎩 Opportunity to Wear Many Hats
From leading clubs to coaching sports or serving on committees—your talents have room to grow and shine.

3. 🤗 Close Collaboration
Enjoy open communication and true teamwork. Fewer layers of bureaucracy mean your ideas and input are heard and valued.

4. 🎯 Personalized Student Impact
Know your students deeply and support them every step of the way—from their first day of school to graduation.

5. 🏡 Stability with Heart
Generations of families return to SC. With high staff retention and strong community ties, this is a place where tradition and pride run deep.

6. 💰 Affordable Cost of Living
Stretch your salary further in beautiful central Missouri. Enjoy more house, more space, and less stress.

7. 🌳 Peaceful Environment
Short commutes, wide open spaces, and quiet evenings support your well-being. Add excellent pay and benefits—and you’ve found balance.

8. 📣 Leadership and Voice
SC empowers staff to take the lead, innovate, and shape the future of education. Your voice matters here.

9. 🐾 Meaningful Traditions
Be part of something bigger—Friday night football, holiday parades, and time-honored Bulldog spirit connect us all.

10. 🛡️ Safe, Supportive Environment
From administrators to support staff, everyone is committed to a safe, secure, and welcoming workplace for all.

📍 Located in Mokane, Missouri - Southern Callaway County!

Where community, commitment, and quality of life meet.

📞 Ready to make a difference?

Join our team and become part of the South Callaway legacy.

Visit https://scr2.schoolspring.com/ to apply today!

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

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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, 1/12/25 & 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.