Dear Comet Families,
I am writing to share an important update regarding leadership in the Alton R-IV School District. After 27 years of service, I will be retiring at the conclusion of this school year.
Serving the Alton R-IV School District has truly been the honor of my career. This district is more than my place of work; it is my home. I grew up here, attended school here, and have been blessed to spend my entire career serving the community that helped shape who I am today. To be able to end my career in the same district where it began is something I will always treasure.
Alton R-IV has been, and always will be, a very special place to me. I love this district deeply, and while I may be retiring from my role, I will always be a Comet.
As part of this transition, the Board of Education has selected Mr. Ryan Chowning as the next Superintendent of Alton R-IV Schools, effective July 1.
Mr. Chowning is a 2004 graduate of Mountain View–Birch Tree and brings extensive experience in education and school leadership. He has served as an elementary principal, middle school principal, and currently serves as Assistant Superintendent in the Mountain View–Birch Tree R-III School District. His background includes district-level operations, transportation, safety, facilities, and instructional leadership, giving him a strong understanding of the unique needs and strengths of rural school districts.
Mr. Chowning and his wife, Candice, are the parents of three children. Their oldest, Avary, is currently a freshman, and twins Eli and Aliya are currently in sixth grade. Mr. Chowning values family deeply and brings that same sense of care and commitment to his work in education.
I am confident Mr. Chowning will continue to build upon the strong foundation in place and lead Alton R-IV forward with care, integrity, and a focus on what matters most, our students.
I am incredibly proud of our students, our staff, and the supportive community that surrounds our schools. Thank you for the trust, encouragement, and partnership you have shown me over the years. I look forward to finishing this school year strong and ensuring a smooth transition for the future of Alton R-IV.
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Chowning to our district and in celebrating the bright future ahead.
With sincere gratitude and Comet pride,
Holly Reese
Superintendent, Alton R-IV School District
We are proud to recognize the following students as our Comet of the Month winners! These students have demonstrated outstanding behavior, leadership, and effort in their classrooms. Keep shining bright! ☄️✨
🎒 Kindergarten
Willard – Elsa Bettis
Hitch – Lorlin Long
Hollis – Arie Holesapple
📚 1st Grade
Bandy – Lexie Lihs
Wright – Levi Patterson
Bridges – Nathan Bettis
✏️ 2nd Grade
Fettig – Theo Keesey
Brown – Harley Crabtree
Holman – Daniel Fritz
📖 3rd Grade
Holesapple – Justice Bradford
Morrison – Lynlee Briggs
Leonard – Madelyn Orchard
📝 4th Grade
Orchard – Brianna Gonzalez
Trobaugh – Raylynn Goode
🎓 5th Grade
Hunt – Warren Cecil
Lapham – Caleb Bland
Johnson – Charlie Palmer
Congratulations to each of these amazing students! We are so proud of your hard work and positive example. Keep up the great work, Comets!
ORDER NOW!
Meet Aleasha Simmons – Class of 2026!
Meet Cody Armstrong – Class of 2026!
Officer Huddleson plays an important role in keeping our students and staff safe while building positive relationships within our school.
We are grateful for his dedication, support, and commitment to our school community.
Thank you for all you do!
Meet William Mueller – Class of 2026!
Congratulations to the following FBLA members who participated in FBLA Districts, and to the top 5 who qualified for the State FBLA Competition! 🎉
Having these amazing ladies as our counselors is truly a blessing. They bring a wealth of experience, empathy, and understanding to their roles. Their unique perspectives and nurturing approach create a supportive environment where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered. Their dedication and compassion make them invaluable assets to our Alton R-IV family.
Shipping Address is School or Group Prefill:
Our checkout through PayPal requires us to prefill the school physical address to validate the record. The products are currently shipped to your school not to individuals. Shoppers usually realize they just need to type over for their credit/debit card mailing address. If they have payment method autofill their browser will overwrite the default school/group address.
There will be a drop down menu where you can choose the student you are ordering from, so they get credit for the sale.
Thanks for your support of Beta Club!
STEAM Club is canceled today, February 4, due to a mandatory staff meeting.
STEAM Club will also be canceled next week on February 11 due to Valentine’s Day parties.
We will resume STEAM Club on February 18.
Thank you for your understanding! 💙
In November, 7th graders attended STEM Day at Rolla S&T. They toured the on-campus foundry and the Kummer Student Design Center and watched demos, participated on teams with their peers, and got to ask current S&T students questions about their work stations and degrees. They also attended a seminar about job opportunities in the world of STEM.
