Regional Education News
COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS
College of the Ozarks to host Homecoming 2026: ‘Together We Welcome’
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College of the Ozarks will host Homecoming 2026, themed Together We Welcome, Friday - Saturday, Nov. 6 - 7. Homecoming weekend will consist of several events for each day, including the alumni golf game, alumni breakfast and a C of O homecoming parade.
“Homecoming provides a special opportunity to reconnect, reflect and celebrate all that we share,” said Angela Williamson, director of alumni relations. “Welcoming alumni back to campus is one of the highlights of the year, as they renew friendships, reconnect with faculty and staff, and experience again the community that helped shape their lives.”
The entire weekend of events for Homecoming 2026 will be centered around the theme Together We Welcome.
“Together We Welcome is a celebration of the relationships that make College of the Ozarks unique,” Williamson said. “Whether alumni graduated recently or decades ago, they remain an important part of our campus family.”
The event welcomes alumni to return to the College to celebrate their legacy as part of the history of the institution. The alumni will participate in many events alongside current students.
Schedule of events
Friday, Nov. 6
● 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Alumni Registration, The Welcome Center
● 10 a.m. — Alumni Golf Game, Pointe Royale*
● 4 p.m. — Alumni Council Meeting & Dinner, Lakeside Dining Room, Pearl Rogers Dining Center
● 7 p.m. — Lady Cat Basketball vs. Champion Christian University, Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex
● 8 p.m. — 1980s’ Remix, Main Level, Robert W. Plaster School of Business
Saturday, Nov. 7
● 8 a.m. — Alumni Breakfast, Dobyns Dining Room, The Keeter Center*The Alumni Association Annual Meeting will immediately follow the breakfast at 9 a.m.
● 8:30 a.m. — 5K Run/Walk, Meet at Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex*
● 9 a.m. — Alumni Registration, The Welcome Center
● 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Student Activity Booths & Alumni Registration, Activities Field
● 10:30 a.m. — Alumni Memorial Service, Williams Memorial Chapel
● 11:30 a.m. — 1960s’ Reunion, Christian Ministries Lounge
● 12:30 p.m. — Firehouse Alumni Honors Ceremony, Firehouse Pavilion
● 1 p.m. — Class Reunion Photos, Williams Memorial Chapel Lawn
Class reunion years will report at designated times for photos.
● 1:00 — 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961 HS, 1961 JC
● 1:10 — 1966 HS, 1966 JC, 1971, 1976
● 1:20 — 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996
● 1:30 — 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021
● 2:15 p.m. — C of O Homecoming Parade
● 3:15 p.m. — Bobcats vs. Ecclesia College, Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex
● 6 p.m. — Alumni Meritorious Awards & Celebration Dinner, The Hook Activities Center*
*Ticketed event
For more information, call the alumni office, 417-690-2208.
GALENA SCHOOLS
Galena R-II announces superintendent transition
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Galena Schools will welcome new leadership for the 2027–2028 school year. Earlier this year, longtime superintendent Dr. Danny Humble announced his retirement to the Galena Board of Education. Dr. Humble has spent the last 21 years of his career at Galena R-II Schools, with the last 18 years as superintendent and prior to that as elementary principal. The district extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Humble for his leadership and longstanding commitment to Galena’s students, staff and families. His years of service have made a lasting impact on the district and the community.
“Serving the Galena School District for the past 21 years has been an honor and a privilege,” Dr. Humble said. “I am grateful for the students, staff, families and board members who have made those years so meaningful. As I prepare for retirement, I look forward to seeing the district continue to grow under Dr. Baker’s leadership.”
Succeeding Dr. Humble will be longtime Galena High School Principal Dr. Bob Baker. Dr. Baker brings 28 years of experience in education, including 14 years as principal at Galena High School. His established relationships and familiarity with the district will provide a strong foundation as he assumes his new responsibilities.
“It is an honor to be selected as the next superintendent of Galena Schools,” Dr. Baker said. “I sincerely thank the board of education for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I am excited to serve our students, staff and families in a new role. I have seen firsthand how much this community cares about its schools, and I look forward to building our future together.”
As superintendent, Dr. Baker looks forward to strengthening relationships across both campuses, supporting teachers and staff, and working alongside families and the community to help every student succeed.
The Galena R-II School District congratulates Dr. Humble on his retirement and welcomes Dr. Baker as its next superintendent.
KIRBYVILLE SCHOOLS
Kirbyville School receives grant to reduce preschool tuition
BY AJ FAHR, Staff Writer
Kirbyville R-VI School District will be able to help families of their youngest Braves.
The district was recently awarded a $10,000 Hope Grant from the Silver Dollar City Foundation. The monies will help provide financial support to make the preschool enrollment more affordable for families in the Kirbyville community.
School officials announced the grant with enthusiasm, celebrating the opportunity to invest in early childhood education and provide meaningful assistance to families with young children. The district plans to put the funding to work immediately by reducing preschool tuition for the remainder of the current school year.
“We are thrilled to share that Kirbyville R-VI School District has been awarded the Silver Dollar City Foundation Hope Grant in the amount of $10,000,” the school said in a statement. “We are putting these funds to work right away for our youngest Braves and their families.”
The school said starting next month tuition to their preschool classes will cost less.
“Beginning Tuesday, November 3, preschool tuition will be reduced by $5 per day for the remainder of the school year,” the statement said. “This reduction will be applied automatically, so there is nothing families need to do.”
For families balancing the costs of childcare, education and other everyday expenses, even a modest reduction in tuition can make a meaningful difference over time.
Studies have shown early childhood education plays an important role in preparing children for future academic success. Preschool provides young learners with opportunities to develop foundational skills, build social connections, explore their interests and become more comfortable in a structured learning environment. By helping reduce the cost of preschool, the district hopes to support families as they take these important first steps in their children's education.
The Kirbyville R-VI School District expressed its gratitude to the Silver Dollar City Foundation for selecting the district to receive the Hope Grant.
“A big Brave Brag and a heartfelt THANK YOU to the Silver Dollar City Foundation for investing in our students and our community,” the school stated. “Support like this helps us continue building strong foundations for bright futures, right from the very start.”
The Silver Dollar City Foundation Hope Grants are designed to create hope for students and parents in our area.
“Over the past three years, nearly $700,000 has been distributed between 14 school districts serving Stone and Taney County children. These grants empower schools to address life’s hardships such as food insecurities, parental engagement, lack of daycare providers and early childhood education opportunities,” states the Silver Dollar City Foundation website. “During the 2025-26 school year, these projects directly impacted more than 3,000 students plus countless other individuals including educators, parents, siblings and community members.”
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