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.

During Week 2 of Ag Ed on the Move, our third-grade students learned about the beef industry and the many products it provides. Through an engaging, hands-on lesson, students explored where our food comes from and the important role agriculture plays in our everyday lives.

Beef Product Bingo was a classroom favorite! Students enjoyed learning alongside our high school students, building connections across grade levels while discovering more about Missouri agriculture. A special thank-you to our high school students for helping bring agricultural education to life for our younger Pintos. We love seeing our students learn, collaborate, and grow together through meaningful educational experiences.

Our Transitions class took learning into the real world with a grocery scavenger hunt at Cal’s Thriftway!

This hands-on Community-Based Instruction (CBI) activity gave students the opportunity to practice essential independent living, social, and financial skills in a real-world setting. Students calculated total costs, compared prices to find the best values, and practiced making payments with cash using the “dollar-up” method.

And the best part? The items students “hunted” for will be put to use in their “Food is Fuel and FUN” nutrition class!

We love seeing our students build confidence and independence through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for everyday life. We are also incredibly grateful to the generous donors who have contributed funds to support these shopping experiences and provide our students with valuable opportunities to learn and grow.

Thank you for investing in our students and helping make real-world learning possible. It’s a great day to be a Pinto!

California High School JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) students attended Build My Future in Jefferson City, where they explored careers in construction and skilled trades. Students had the opportunity to learn about hands-on career pathways, connect with industry opportunities, and discover options available to them after graduation.

Experiences like Build My Future help students make connections between their education and future careers while gaining insight into the skills and training needed to succeed in the workforce.

Thank you to the event organizers and participating businesses for providing this valuable opportunity for our students to explore their interests and begin building their futures!

The Pinto Pride Marching Band wrapped up a rewarding competitive season filled with music, energy, and plenty of Pinto Pride! This year’s entertaining theme, “Movin’ and Groovin’ to the ’60s,” brought classic hits like “RESPECT,” “Wipeout,” and “My Girl” to the streets and the field.

Under the direction of Heather Armstrong and Assistant Director Sabra Mertens, the students demonstrated dedication, teamwork, and continued growth throughout the season. Their hard work paid off in a big way, as the band proudly brought home a trophy from every competition they attended!

A Look Back at the Season

Carrollton Band Day | September 26
Led by Drum Major Victor Salas, the band kicked off the season strong, earning 4th place in the parade competition.

Southern Boone Marching Festival | October 10
The Pinto Pride Marching Band continued to build momentum, earning 2nd place in the parade and 3rd place on the field, with Drum Major Salas leading the way.

Macon Marching Festival | October 24
For the season finale, Drum Major Temwa Nkosi stepped into the leadership role, helping the band finish on a high note with an impressive 2nd-place finish in the parade.

A Season Worth Celebrating!

From the first performance to the final parade, the Pinto Pride Marching Band showcased the talent, perseverance, and teamwork that make our students shine. Bringing home hardware from every competition is an accomplishment worth celebrating, and we are incredibly proud of these musicians and their directors!

Mrs. Flatt’s Life Skills class at California R-1 is putting real-world skills into action through the Pinto Pit Stop, a student-operated snack and drink cart designed to serve teachers and staff throughout the school.

Through the Pinto Pit Stop, students gain hands-on experience with a variety of important skills, including taking orders, handling money, managing inventory, stocking supplies, providing customer service, and working together as a team.

The project provides students with an opportunity to practice skills they can use beyond the classroom while also providing a convenient service for teachers and staff.

California R-1 would like to extend a special thank-you to SB40 for generously donating the cart, cooler, and the Pinto Pit Stop’s initial inventory of snacks and drinks. Their support played an important role in helping the student-run business get started.

The district also appreciates the teachers and staff who support the Pinto Pit Stop each week. Their participation helps provide students with continued opportunities to learn, practice, and build valuable skills.

The Pinto Pit Stop is more than a snack cart—it is a hands-on learning experience that helps students develop independence, responsibility, teamwork, and job-related skills.

The California R-1 Middle School Student Council recently recognized two outstanding teachers with its Foam Finger Award, celebrating educators who make a positive impact on students and the school community.

Mr. Felber was recognized for his dedication, hard work, and caring approach to teaching. Students highlighted the humor and laughter he brings to his classroom, as well as his involvement in activities beyond teaching. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Mr. Felber serves as a coach and assists with the law team.

Mrs. Hill was also honored for her outstanding work as a math teacher. Students recognized her ability to make learning engaging by incorporating fun, game-like activities to help students practice math concepts. Her positive attitude and welcoming smile also make a difference in her classroom each day.

The Middle School Student Council extends its appreciation to both Mr. Felber and Mrs. Hill for their continued dedication to students and for helping make California R-1 Middle School a great place to learn and grow.

Our kindergarten and first-grade students enjoyed a wonderful Community Helpers Day! We are incredibly grateful to the community members who took time out of their busy schedules to visit our classrooms and teach students about the important roles community helpers play in our community.

Students had the opportunity to learn from a variety of local leaders and professionals, including our mayor, superintendent, nurses, police officers, and many more! Through hands-on activities and engaging conversations, students discovered how these individuals help keep our community safe, healthy, and running smoothly.

These meaningful experiences help students make connections between what they learn in the classroom and the world around them. Our students had a blast learning, exploring, and discovering more about the people who make our community such a wonderful place to live.

A huge thank-you to all our volunteers for sharing their time, knowledge, and talents with our youngest Pintos. Your involvement makes learning memorable and strengthens the connection between our schools and our community.

During Fire Safety Week, our local fire department spent the afternoon with our students teaching important fire safety lessons! Students had the opportunity to learn more about fire prevention, safety practices, and how to help keep themselves and others safe.

We are grateful for the wonderful community partnerships that provide our students with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom. A HUGE thank-you to our local fire department for taking the time to visit our Pintos and share their knowledge and expertise!

We appreciate your continued support in helping educate, protect, and keep our students safe!

Our third graders celebrated Missouri Day by putting their knowledge of Missouri geography to the test! Students have been hard at work learning about the state’s cities, regions, rivers, and important landmarks, including Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri.

To celebrate, students decorated Missouri-shaped cookies that turned geography into a sweet, hands-on learning experience! They used colored sugar to represent Missouri’s regions, food coloring to mark important rivers, colorful sprinkles for important cities, a chocolate chip for Taum Sauk Mountain, and an M&M to identify Jefferson City, our state capital.

After creating their edible maps, students enjoyed eating their creations and participating in a Missouri-themed Quiz Bowl to show off what they had learned.

California High School invites all veterans to join us on Veterans Day for a special celebration honoring those who have served our country.

A free breakfast for veterans, provided by the CHS FFA, will be held from 8:00–8:30 a.m. in the high school commons. Following breakfast, veterans are invited to attend a special assembly in the CPAC as we recognize and thank them for their service and sacrifice.

CHS Student Council will also host a pancake breakfast from 8:00–8:30 a.m. for students and staff. Proceeds from the pancake breakfast will be donated to Operation Bugle Boy.

We are grateful for the opportunity to honor our veterans and recognize the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms. Thank you to our FFA and Student Council for helping make this day meaningful for our school community!

All veterans are welcome. We look forward to honoring you!

The California Middle School Student Council is hosting a Penny War November 9–11 to raise funds for a local veterans organization as part of its Veterans Day initiative.

This friendly competition will give students an opportunity to work together, have fun, and make a meaningful difference in our community. Through this fundraiser, CMS students hope to show their appreciation for the men and women who have served our country while supporting an organization that serves local veterans.

We are proud of our CMS Student Council for finding ways to give back, support our community, and honor those who have served. Stay tuned for more details about how students can participate!

California Middle School will host a Veterans Appreciation Assembly on Friday, December 18, from 9:00–10:15 a.m. in the middle school gymnasium.

Veterans are invited to arrive at 8:00 a.m. to enjoy refreshments before the assembly begins. This special event will give our students and staff an opportunity to honor and thank the brave men and women who have served our country.

We are grateful for the sacrifices our veterans have made and look forward to celebrating their service with our school community!

All three California R-1 school buildings participated in Red Ribbon Week with fun dress-up days, engaging activities, meaningful conversations, and an assembly highlighting the importance of making positive choices. Throughout the week, students learned about the importance of staying healthy, making safe and responsible decisions, and being aware of the choices they make every day. Red Ribbon Week provided a great opportunity to bring students and staff together to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage students to make choices that support a bright future!

California R-1 continues to make progress on projects funded through the district’s bond initiative. Planning and scheduling are underway for several upcoming improvements to district facilities and athletic spaces.

Middle School Roof: Roof renovations at the Middle School are planned for summer 2027.

HVAC Improvements: Heating and cooling improvements at both the Middle and High Schools are planned for summer 2027 to support continued facility upgrades.

Athletic Turf Replacement: Replacement of the athletic turf has began!

Building Addition and Expansion: Planning continues for the district’s building addition and expansion project, with groundbreaking anticipated this winter, weather and site conditions permitting.

California R-1 looks forward to continuing these improvements as part of its commitment to providing students and staff with safe, functional, and supportive learning environments. Additional updates will be shared as projects progress.

California High School and California Middle School students attended the Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) School Series at The Learning Center in Jefferson City.

Throughout the event, students participated in hands-on activities, movement and fitness challenges, and educational opportunities focused on making healthy lifestyle choices. Students also received health screenings provided by fifth-semester nursing students from Lincoln University.

This year’s event welcomed the largest group of students yet! The SOMO School Series provides valuable opportunities for students to focus on physical fitness, student-athlete well-being, inclusion, and mindfulness while building confidence and developing meaningful connections with others.

California R-1 is proud to see our Pintos taking steps toward healthier lifestyles and embracing opportunities that support their overall well-being. We look forward to seeing even more students participate in these impactful initiatives in the future.

November 8 is Parent Educators Day!

We are proud to recognize Dana Lee and Angie Butts-Althoff for the wonderful work they do through our Parents as Teachers program!

Our parent educators play an important role in supporting families and helping our youngest learners build the skills they need before entering school. Through guidance, resources, and meaningful connections, they help lay the foundation for lifelong learning and future success.

Dana and Angie, thank you so much for your dedication, kindness, and all you do for the children and families in our community. We are grateful to have you helping our youngest Pintos grow, learn, and prepare for their school journey!

On November 20, we celebrate Substitute Teacher Day by recognizing the wonderful substitute teachers who support our district throughout the school year.

Our substitute teachers play an important role in keeping our classrooms running smoothly when our regular teachers are away. They step in when they are needed, support our students, and help ensure learning continues each day.

We are incredibly grateful for the time, flexibility, and dedication our substitutes give to California R-1. Thank you for stepping up when you are needed and for helping make a difference in the lives of our students. We appreciate all that you do for our district!

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!

Brandon Klein is being recognized as our Support Staff Winner for his dedication to keeping the high school clean, organized, and running smoothly each day. He works hard to make sure everything gets done and is always willing to help wherever he is needed. Beyond his hard work, Brandon is known for his warm, welcoming smile and the friendly “good morning” greetings that brighten people’s days. Thank you, Brandon, for all you do to keep our school in tip-top shape and make California R-1 a better place!

Mrs. Hees is our Pinto Pride Winner for her dedication to making students feel supported, valued, and excited to learn. Students describe her as kind, patient, understanding, and someone they can always trust. She goes above and beyond to make learning fun, explains lessons in ways that help students succeed, and makes sure they have the time and support they need. From celebrating reading milestones with sweet treats to checking in on students and creating a welcoming classroom, Mrs. Hees shows every day just how much she cares. Thank you, Mrs. Hees, for making such a positive difference in the lives of our Pintos!

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.

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!

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. https://www.courage2reportmo.com/c2r/submit