Reminder for Aurora R8 Families Thursday, May 21, 2026, is the last day of school for the 2025–2026 school year! All Aurora R8 schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. Thank you for a great school year, and we hope everyone has a safe and fun summer!

May 21st 12:30 Dismissal

May 11, 2026
Reminder for Aurora R8 Families Thursday, May 21, 2026, is the last day of school for the 2025–2026 school year! All Aurora R8 schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. Thank you for...
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Aurora R8 Summer School: Your Summer Learning Adventure Starts Here We’re excited to bring back our engaging, hands-on approach to summer learning that goes beyond the classroom and into the real world. This program is designed to make learning fun, meaningful, and memorable for every student. • Hands-on, real-life learning experiences • Integrated ELA and Math activities • Games, teamwork, creativity, and outdoor fun • Field trips that connect classroom concepts to the world around us We are asking all families to complete the summer school form, whether or not your child plans to attend. 🔗 Please complete your form here. If you have already submitted a form, you do not need to complete another one. Current PK–7 students: https://forms.gle/CoTVREtXxbbPSPkw8 Current 8–12 students: https://forms.gle/qMgNU8UssbCKqwHy5 If you have any difficulty accessing the form, please contact your child’s school for assistance. We can’t wait to learn, laugh, and make memories together this summer!

Summer School 2026

May 11, 2026
Aurora R8 Summer School: Your Summer Learning Adventure Starts Here We’re excited to bring back our engaging, hands-on approach to summer learning that goes beyond the classroom...
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⛰️ What an Adventure! ⛰️ End of Year Celebration Tuesday, May 12, 5-6:30 PM @ Pate Early Childhood Center 📝 Student Showcase: Students will select work they are proud of to showcase in their classroom that evening! 📚 Free Book Giveaway: Take home a few new books to add to your home library. There’s nothing better than reading with your kiddo! 🧮 Math & Reading Games will be set up in the cafeteria for your family to enjoy! ☀️ Aurora Library, YMCA & other resources for summer programs will be available. ❓Questions? Contact your child’s teacher via Seesaw or Pate’s front office at 417-678-1552.

Pate End of Year Celebration

May 4, 2026
⛰️ What an Adventure! ⛰️ End of Year Celebration Tuesday, May 12, 5-6:30 PM @ Pate Early Childhood Center 📝 Student Showcase: Students will select work they ar...
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This event is designed to welcome incoming families and provide a consistent, informative screening process for 🐾 Aurora’s Class of 2039 🐾! Date: April 30, 4:30-6:00 PM Student Screenings: These quick screenings given by our 2026-27 Kindergarten team, will focus on identifying key learning objectives and provide parents with immediate feedback and summer development resources. Students currently enrolled in Parents as Teachers or Pre-K, will not need to complete the screening. Building-Wide Activities: °Tours: Mrs. Heinrichs and Mrs. Pitchford will lead building tours every 15 minutes. We are setting up a "Silver Dollar City style" waiting area for groups! °Transportation: A school bus will be on-site for students to explore. °Health & Logistics: The Nurse will handle medication info, and staff will be available for registration, summer school sign-ups, and transportation/carline details. °Fun & Community: PTO is hosting a craft, and there will be a photobooth and refreshments for families. Parents as Teachers Educators will be on site to connect and answer questions. What to Bring: °Birth Certificate °Proof of Residency °Immunization Record °ANY Legal Paperwork

26-27 Kindergarten Screenings

April 10, 2026
This event is designed to welcome incoming families and provide a consistent, informative screening process for Aurora’s Class of 2039 ! Date: April 30, 4:30-6:00 PM Studen...
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We are excited to share the official 2026–2027 Aurora R8 School Calendar! For easy reference throughout the year, the full calendar is also available on each Aurora R8 school's website. First Day of School: Monday, August 24, 2026 Last Day of School: Thursday, May 27, 2027 (12:30 dismissal) Thanksgiving Break: November 25–26, 2026 Winter Break: December 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027 Half Days / Early Release: • December 17, 2026 – End of 2nd Quarter (12:30 dismissal) • May 27, 2027 – Last Day of School (12:30 dismissal) Quarter Dates: • 1st Quarter Ends – October 15, 2026 • 2nd Quarter Ends – December 17, 2026 • 3rd Quarter Ends – March 18, 2027 • 4th Quarter Ends – May 27, 2027 Summer School: • First Day – June 1, 2027 • Last Day – July 1, 2027 Important Note About Makeup Days: Makeup days will be used after 5 AMI Days. Possible makeup dates include March 5, April 2, April 23, May 14, and May 21. Let’s make it another great year, Houn’ Dawgs!

2026-2027 Aurora R8 Calendar

April 3, 2026
We are excited to share the official 2026–2027 Aurora R8 School Calendar! For easy reference throughout the year, the full calendar is also available on each Aurora R8 school's w...
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Pate School Assistant Principal Jessica Pitchford

Pate School Assistant Principal

March 30, 2026
Aurora R8 is proud to announce the appointment of Mrs. Jessica Pitchford as the new Assistant Principal of Pate Early Childhood Center. Mrs. Pitchford will join the leadership tea...
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Graphic announcing Aurora R8 is hiring, featuring adults seated with laptops and tablets, the Aurora R8 logo, and text highlighting a four-day school week (Monday–Thursday), staff paid daycare, board-paid health insurance stipend, paid sick and personal leave days, and a call to complete an application at auroramo.schoolspring.com.

Aurora R8 Job Openings for the 26-27 School Year

February 7, 2026
Now Hiring – Join the Aurora R8 Team Aurora R8 Schools are currently accepting applications for certified positions for the 2026–2027 school year. We are looking for passionate, ...
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Parents as Teachers January Newsletter graphic. Includes Pre-K screening dates at Pate Early Childhood Center on February 3, March 12, March 30, April 10 (3-year-olds only), April 20, May 1 (3-year-olds only), and May 12, with times listed for each date. Also includes information about serving on the Parents as Teachers Advisory Committee with contact details, and details for Valentine’s Pizza Night on February 23 from 5:30–7:00 PM at Pate

Parents As Teachers January Newsletter

February 6, 2026
Aurora R8 invites families with children from birth to Pre-K to join us for an upcoming Family Night at Pate Early Childhood Center. This event is a great opportunity for families...
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Aurora R8 weather updates

Inclement Weather Procedures

December 2, 2025
Aurora R-8 Inclement Weather Information With winter weather on the way, we want to remind families how Aurora R-8 will share information if there’s a change to the school day. ...
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Aurora R-8 APR 2025 Data graphic in red, black, and white. Large text reads ‘Aurora R8 – Houndawg Strong.’ A section titled ‘APR Success’ lists key points: 10.5% Growth, Strong Community Partnership to Support Growth, Districtwide Progress, Dedicated Staff, and Student Success. A banner reads ‘Tireless Effort, Big Results.’ The bottom includes the Aurora R-VIII logo and website. Two photos appear on the right: one of a teacher surrounded by smiling elementary students wearing red, white, and blue; the other shows a teacher reading to a group of young students sitting on the classroom floor.

APR 2025 DATA

November 15, 2025
Aurora R-8 Sees Significant Growth in APR Scores The Aurora R-8 School District is proud to announce a 10.5% increase in its Annual Performance Report (APR) score from 2024 to 2...
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Senate Bill 68

Missouri Senate Bill 68

August 6, 2025
Dear Aurora R8 Families, This message provides updated information about a new Missouri law (Senate Bill 68), which requires all public schools to restrict student use of persona...
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No Cost Meals 25-26

No Cost Meals

July 16, 2025
Free Meals for All Aurora R-VIII Students! Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, students at Aurora High School, Alternative Learning Center, Aurora Junior High, Robinson E...
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25-26 Aurora R8 Calendar

25-26 Calendar

July 1, 2025
We are excited to share the official 2025–2026 school year calendar ! First Day of School: Monday, August 18, 2025 Last Day of School: Thursday, May 21, 2026 (with 12:30 d...
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Spring Photos 4/9/25

Spring Picture Day

April 11, 2025
Say cheese, Pate ECC families! Picture Day is coming up on Wednesday, April 9, 2025! Skip the lines and save some time — pre-order your photos now at WagnerPortraitGroup.com u...
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Community and Parent Survey

Community and Parent Survey

February 25, 2025
REMINDER: Survey closes the evening of Tuesday, March 4! PARENTS and COMMUNITY MEMBERS, Aurora R8 is conducting a survey, and we need YOUR input! This is a great opportunity to ...
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