As the 2023-2024 academic year draws to a close, note West Plains R-7 School District officials, it's time for parents to “start planning your summer adventures,” and among them is the option for students to participate in summer school programs at West Plains Elementary, Middle and High schools. more

Officials with the Missouri State University-West Plains office of advancement and the MSU Foundation invite alumni, friends and community members to the annual Alumni & Friends Picnic May 2 in the exhibit hall at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. more

Lana Snodgras, director of communications for West Plains R-7 School District, has been recognized with a state public relations award by the Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA). more

The Missouri State University-West Plains campus recently expanded by about 40 acres, thanks to a generous gift from Dr. Linda Wulff-Risner, a professor of agriculture there for about 30 years. The donation of her property, Risner Stables, will allow the university to expand its agriculture program as part of the matching portion of a MoExcels grant applied for through the Missouri Department of Higher Education. more

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains on Tuesday were mourning the passing of former chancellor Kent Thomas. more

Administration, faculty, staff, patrons and students of South Fork School have long been supporters of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, raising funds for the facility each year. They outdid themselves this year by surpassing their $21,000 fundraising goal by about $1,000. more

The West Plains R-7 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the West Plains High School library, following a brief closed session set to begin at 5 to discuss legal, real estate, personnel and student matters. more

Area students eligible for the TJ Swift House A.S.C.E.N.D. Program at Missouri State University-West Plains will not have to pay the program fee for the next two academic years. more

The Richards School Board is set to hold its monthly session at 6 p.m. Thursday in the school boardroom. more

Over the weekend of Feb. 2 through 4, three Willow Springs High school students traveled to Kansas City with team leader Matt Knapp and sponsor Sabrina Lee to compete at Make48 on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, shared district Communications Director Jenny Hayward. Make48 is an invention competition in Which Willow Springs against six other schools from across the state. more

West Plains R-7 School District officials have announced the appointment of Michelle Miller as the new social worker for the district, effective immediately. Miller, a dedicated and experienced counselor, has been a valued member of the West Plains Elementary team, where she has made a significant impact on students' lives, said district officials. more

Howell Valley and Junction Hill schools have set dates for kindergarten and preschool screening sessions for incoming students planning to enroll for the 2024-25 school year. more

The final three candidates for the next president of Missouri State University will take part in a series of open forums across the university system in February, officials announce.  more

West Plains R-7 school board members voted on Jan. 16 to continue with early-release Fridays for the foreseeable future after weighing the pros and cons, including bringing the district's calendar more in line with surrounding rural K-8 schools and the likelihood of teachers would losing lesson planning and collaboration time if early-release Fridays were eliminated. more

Fairview School is offering two dates for preschool and kindergarten screenings for the 2024-2025 school year. more

The December meeting of the West Plains R-7 School Board began with a wrap-up of fall high school student activities, including a visit by many sports and extracurricular activity participants. The students were introduced by Activities Director Dr. Ashley Cooley, and the activities spotlighted included cheerleading; girls tennis, softball, golf, and volleyball; boys soccer; girls and boys cross country; football; speech and debate; and theater. more

New Willow Springs High School facilities and the programs housed within them were showcased at an open house held Tuesday evening, hosted by the district with tours guided by instructors and students. The facility, off of Springfield Road, was formerly the site of Missouri Department of Transportation offices and recently purchased by the school district from the City of Willow Springs for $1. more

The Richards School Board is set to hold its monthly session at 6 p.m. today in the school boardroom. more