Join our team! For more info, to see other openings, and to apply, visit the link below:
https://gcosdr2.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
https://gcosdr2.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
Phones are currently down across the district. Please e-mail administrators or use the Rooms app should you need to contact the building.
Please join us at OHS to Save a Life, tomorrow, April 15, 2026!
Please see the brochure in the images below for information about summer school at Owensville High School. Physical education, Personal Finance, Cadet Teaching, and Credit Recovery classes will be offered for OHS Summer School.
Session 1 will be from May 27th - June 8th.
Session 2 will be from June 9th - June 19th.
Use the links below to sign up for sessions:
Session 1
https://forms.gle/2WA5YaRE4XWfEsCK7
Session 2
https://forms.gle/Np9sX6KZaKzUvQkr9
Session 1 will be from May 27th - June 8th.
Session 2 will be from June 9th - June 19th.
Use the links below to sign up for sessions:
Session 1
https://forms.gle/2WA5YaRE4XWfEsCK7
Session 2
https://forms.gle/Np9sX6KZaKzUvQkr9
This flier is for our Kindergarten through 8th-grade summer school. We will have summer school for our high school students, but this incentivized summer school option described in the flier is for elementary and middle school students.
Summer school enrollment forms were sent home for OES students last week on Friday, and forms wil go home for OMS and GES students today.
Summer school enrollment forms were sent home for OES students last week on Friday, and forms wil go home for OMS and GES students today.
Yesterday was the SMArts Summit sponsored by MAAE (Missouri Alliance for Arts Education). Students from across the state could attend sessions on civic dispositions, arts legislature and funding, and create elevator speeches. The knowledge and confidence gained in the day was profound.
OHS Student Arts Advocates who attended represented all of the OHS arts disciplines:
Visual, Theater, and Music Mrs. Bethanie Ward (OHS/OMS Vocal music teacher) and Mrs. Jessie Bayless (OHS Art teacher) were their chaperones.
They happened to catch Representative Bruce Sassmann as he was coming off from a day on the floor, and he welcomed the students onto the empty floor gallery to deliver their elevator speeches. They did a phenomenal job! Representative Sassmann was an excellent “first politician” and mentor for them. He was patient, kind, and gave them constructive critique. We are so appreciative of his support and generosity.
What a great day to be a Dutchmen/Dutchgirl!
Welcome to team GCR2!
At the end of last month, 33 OHS Troubadours students traveled to Orlando, Florida, where they participated in Disney's Imagination Campus Soundtrack Sessions: Vocal Workshop.
These 33 students loaded up a charter bus for a very long drive before enjoying and experiencing 3 days at Disney World (most for the very first time). On day 2, while at Epcot, they met in the rotunda of the America pavilion to watch/listen to the professional ensemble, Voices of Liberty, and then went backstage for a 2.5 hour workshop with actual Disney professionals (performer, teacher, sound engineer).
A HUGE thank you to community sponsors for financially helping our choir students and program this year. These community partners not only helped with trip, but the resources received will help with other educational experiences for these students!
Sponsors Include:
The Fitness Parlor
Reinhold Electric
Maciejewski Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning
The Maries County Bank
Lane Building Products
DBA Hearst Group (David & Sharon Hearst)
For more information about all things vocal choir at GCR2, check out their Facebook page 'Owensville Choirs'.
These 33 students loaded up a charter bus for a very long drive before enjoying and experiencing 3 days at Disney World (most for the very first time). On day 2, while at Epcot, they met in the rotunda of the America pavilion to watch/listen to the professional ensemble, Voices of Liberty, and then went backstage for a 2.5 hour workshop with actual Disney professionals (performer, teacher, sound engineer).
A HUGE thank you to community sponsors for financially helping our choir students and program this year. These community partners not only helped with trip, but the resources received will help with other educational experiences for these students!
Sponsors Include:
The Fitness Parlor
Reinhold Electric
Maciejewski Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning
The Maries County Bank
Lane Building Products
DBA Hearst Group (David & Sharon Hearst)
For more information about all things vocal choir at GCR2, check out their Facebook page 'Owensville Choirs'.
Join our team! For more info, to see other openings, and to apply, visit the link below:
https://gcosdr2.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
https://gcosdr2.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
Congratulations to OHS Art Teacher, Jessie Bayless, who was awarded the Missouri Secondary Art Educator of the Year! She received this honor at the MAEA Art Conference in Cape Girardeau at the end of March.
We are very thankful to have Mrs. Bayless at GCR2! To see more of what our high school art students are up to, be sure to check out her Facebook page for all art news, "Mrs. Bayless' Art Class".
We are very thankful to have Mrs. Bayless at GCR2! To see more of what our high school art students are up to, be sure to check out her Facebook page for all art news, "Mrs. Bayless' Art Class".
ATTENTION 5th-grade parents/guardians of students at OES and GES. Next week, on Monday, April 13th, OMS will host their "Kickoff" informational meeting for all incoming 6th graders next year. This will take place from 5pm - 6pm in the Owensville Middle School commons. Please park in the back parking lot and enter through the back door.
The Gasconade County R-2 Board of Education is pleased to announce that Mr. Jesse Janssen has been named assistant superintendent and will officially begin his role on July 1, 2026.
Mr. Janssen currently serves as Superintendent of Schools at Waconda School District in Cawker City, KS, a position he has held for seven years. During his tenure as superintendent, Mr. Janssen secured and managed over $3 million in competitive grant funding to support transportation, technology, and infrastructure improvements. With a passion for career technical education, he has led the Waconda district to triple the number of career and technical education pathways and expanded college and career readiness opportunities for students. He credits his team for their hard work in achieving statewide and national recognition, including the National Blue Ribbon School (2023), the Challenge Award (2024), and the National ESEA Distinguished School (2025) for excellence in elementary academic performance. Prior to that, Mr. Janssen served as a high school principal, assistant principal, and business and math teacher in various districts in Kansas, bringing 20 years of experience to this new role.
Mr. Janssen is a 2001 Owensville High School graduate and is excited to serve a district and community that gave him such an excellent educational experience as a student. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Webster University, a Master's degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University, and a Master's degree in School Administration from Fort Hays State University, where he also pursued a Specialist degree.
“I am truly honored to return to Owensville and serve the students, staff, and community that played such an important role in shaping who I am today. Gasconade County R2 is a special place, and I am excited to work alongside our staff and community to continue building on that strong foundation while expanding opportunities for all students. My goal is to support our team, build strong relationships, and always keep what is best for kids at the center of our work.”
“I am a proud father of four boys—Jeremy (15), Jesse (12), Alexander (8), and Matthew (5). We are all excited to become part of GCR2 and its surrounding communities. Being able to raise my boys in a district and community that reflect the same values and positive experiences I had growing up makes this opportunity especially meaningful for me and my family.”
Mr. Janssen currently serves as Superintendent of Schools at Waconda School District in Cawker City, KS, a position he has held for seven years. During his tenure as superintendent, Mr. Janssen secured and managed over $3 million in competitive grant funding to support transportation, technology, and infrastructure improvements. With a passion for career technical education, he has led the Waconda district to triple the number of career and technical education pathways and expanded college and career readiness opportunities for students. He credits his team for their hard work in achieving statewide and national recognition, including the National Blue Ribbon School (2023), the Challenge Award (2024), and the National ESEA Distinguished School (2025) for excellence in elementary academic performance. Prior to that, Mr. Janssen served as a high school principal, assistant principal, and business and math teacher in various districts in Kansas, bringing 20 years of experience to this new role.
Mr. Janssen is a 2001 Owensville High School graduate and is excited to serve a district and community that gave him such an excellent educational experience as a student. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Webster University, a Master's degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University, and a Master's degree in School Administration from Fort Hays State University, where he also pursued a Specialist degree.
“I am truly honored to return to Owensville and serve the students, staff, and community that played such an important role in shaping who I am today. Gasconade County R2 is a special place, and I am excited to work alongside our staff and community to continue building on that strong foundation while expanding opportunities for all students. My goal is to support our team, build strong relationships, and always keep what is best for kids at the center of our work.”
“I am a proud father of four boys—Jeremy (15), Jesse (12), Alexander (8), and Matthew (5). We are all excited to become part of GCR2 and its surrounding communities. Being able to raise my boys in a district and community that reflect the same values and positive experiences I had growing up makes this opportunity especially meaningful for me and my family.”
We are so excited to bring Josh Varner to GCR2 next week! All parents will benefit from learning about how social media and smartphones are impacting our children's mental health. Dinner is provided free of charge. Click on this link to RSVP https://forms.gle/u13WhzDfToFkXYE48
💥 FREE for all members of the Gasconade County R-2 Community!
🥗 Diabetes-Friendly Meal Prep & Cooking Workshop 🍽️
Ready to feel more confident in the kitchen and take control of your meals? 💙 Join us for this hands-on workshop focused on simple, healthy cooking!
📅 Dates: April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
🕕 Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Owensville Middle School FACS Classroom
Contact Lori Angel loria@dutchmen.us or Richard Powers rpowers@dutchmen.us to sign up
Each session will focus on easy meal prep, practical recipes, and tips you can use right away to support better blood sugar control.
👥 Perfect for:
• Adults with diabetes or prediabetes
• Caregivers and family members
• Anyone wanting to cook healthier meals
💡 Why join?
✔️ Save time with simple meal prep ideas
✔️ Reduce stress around “what’s for dinner?”
✔️ Learn realistic, everyday recipes
✔️ Build confidence in the kitchen
Come, cook, learn, and take home ideas you can actually use! 🍳🥦
🥗 Diabetes-Friendly Meal Prep & Cooking Workshop 🍽️
Ready to feel more confident in the kitchen and take control of your meals? 💙 Join us for this hands-on workshop focused on simple, healthy cooking!
📅 Dates: April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
🕕 Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Owensville Middle School FACS Classroom
Contact Lori Angel loria@dutchmen.us or Richard Powers rpowers@dutchmen.us to sign up
Each session will focus on easy meal prep, practical recipes, and tips you can use right away to support better blood sugar control.
👥 Perfect for:
• Adults with diabetes or prediabetes
• Caregivers and family members
• Anyone wanting to cook healthier meals
💡 Why join?
✔️ Save time with simple meal prep ideas
✔️ Reduce stress around “what’s for dinner?”
✔️ Learn realistic, everyday recipes
✔️ Build confidence in the kitchen
Come, cook, learn, and take home ideas you can actually use! 🍳🥦
We would love to have every current 5th grader in the district come and join us on April 13th for more information about the middle school.
Owensville DECA had an outstanding showing at the 2026 Missouri State Career Development Conference, and we are excited to share that six members have advanced to compete at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
🏆 Jenna Hoffman — 1st
🥈 Joleen Braun & Kerrigan Griffin — 2nd
🥉 Carly Julius — 3rd
🎖️ Addie Scheer & Lily Barker — 5th
⭐ Payton Myers & Rachel Koepke — Top 10
⭐ Piper Koelling & Abbey Quilacio — Top 10
These students put in countless hours preparing and competed against some of the largest schools in the state—truly representing GCR2 well. Check out the Owensville DECA Facebook page to stay tuned in to see how they do at Internationals in Atlanta, GA at the end of April!
🏆 Jenna Hoffman — 1st
🥈 Joleen Braun & Kerrigan Griffin — 2nd
🥉 Carly Julius — 3rd
🎖️ Addie Scheer & Lily Barker — 5th
⭐ Payton Myers & Rachel Koepke — Top 10
⭐ Piper Koelling & Abbey Quilacio — Top 10
These students put in countless hours preparing and competed against some of the largest schools in the state—truly representing GCR2 well. Check out the Owensville DECA Facebook page to stay tuned in to see how they do at Internationals in Atlanta, GA at the end of April!
✨ FREE OPPORTUNITY ✨
Taking Care of You is a multi-session program that offers practical strategies and experiences to help people deal with the stress in their lives. Each week, participants explore topics through small-group discussions, self-reflection, and activities. The program’s activities are aimed at increasing mindfulness, positive emotions, optimism, resiliency to stress, coping skills, and self-care of the body, mind, and spirit. The program is designed for adults and welcomes participants from throughout the community.
📅 March 25th, April 8th, 29th & May 5th
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Owensville Middle School
💲 Cost: Supported by the Owensville School District & 21st Century Grant
📞 Register by phone: 573-266-2701
Or online: https://extension.missouri.edu/.../taking-care-of-you...
Contact:
Rachel O’Halloran
rachelohalloran@missouri.edu
#FreeOpportunity #SelfCare #MentalWellness #StressRelief #CommunitySupport #OwensvilleMO #AdultPrograms #HealthyLiving #Mindfulness #TakeCareOfYou
Taking Care of You is a multi-session program that offers practical strategies and experiences to help people deal with the stress in their lives. Each week, participants explore topics through small-group discussions, self-reflection, and activities. The program’s activities are aimed at increasing mindfulness, positive emotions, optimism, resiliency to stress, coping skills, and self-care of the body, mind, and spirit. The program is designed for adults and welcomes participants from throughout the community.
📅 March 25th, April 8th, 29th & May 5th
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Owensville Middle School
💲 Cost: Supported by the Owensville School District & 21st Century Grant
📞 Register by phone: 573-266-2701
Or online: https://extension.missouri.edu/.../taking-care-of-you...
Contact:
Rachel O’Halloran
rachelohalloran@missouri.edu
#FreeOpportunity #SelfCare #MentalWellness #StressRelief #CommunitySupport #OwensvilleMO #AdultPrograms #HealthyLiving #Mindfulness #TakeCareOfYou
OHS will be hosting the annual Golden Age Dinner again this year on Wednesday, March 25th from 5:30pm-7:00pm for anyone ages 55 and up. Please RSVP and join us for a FREE meal catered by Rustic Garden, entertainment, and door prizes.
For more information or questions, direct them to the emails in the image.
For more information or questions, direct them to the emails in the image.
Join our team! For more info, to see other openings, and to apply, visit the link below:
https://gcosdr2.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
https://gcosdr2.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
🚨Attention Community Members 🚨
OHS is teaming up with the American Red Cross for a blood drive in the Owensville High School small gym on Wednesday, April 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to give blood, please call 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter OwensvilleHS to schedule an appointment. When you arrive at OHS you will check in at the main office before going to the small gym.
Feel free to share to help us spread the word and save lives!
OHS is teaming up with the American Red Cross for a blood drive in the Owensville High School small gym on Wednesday, April 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to give blood, please call 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter OwensvilleHS to schedule an appointment. When you arrive at OHS you will check in at the main office before going to the small gym.
Feel free to share to help us spread the word and save lives!
