Hawthorne Elementary School

06/03/2026

Join us for Soccer Camp June 29th-July 1st from 6:30-8:00 at the Mexico High School Soccer Field. Registration is now open.

06/01/2026

We will miss Mrs. Pascoe so much! She is teaching summer school so make sure you get your goodbye's in before she's gone! Thanks for all you've done at Hawthorne!

Congrats on your retirement, Mrs. Pascoe!

For 27 years, Jennifer Pascoe has helped shape the learning experiences of countless students at Hawthorne Elementary through her kindness, dedication, and love for children and literacy.

Jennifer began her career with Mexico Public Schools in 1999 after moving to Mexico from Kentucky with her husband, Dustin, for his job. At the time, she was a stay-at-home mom with her first daughter, Abby, when an unexpected connection helped open the door to a new opportunity. Through Sunday School, Jennifer knew then-Hawthorne Principal Rick Boyce, who was looking to fill a part-time position and remembered Jennifer’s background in education. That conversation ultimately led to a career that would span more than two decades with Mexico Public Schools.

Jennifer spent the first eight years of her career teaching Kindergarten at Hawthorne Elementary, where she helped young students build confidence, curiosity, and foundational skills during some of their earliest school experiences. She later transitioned into the role of librarian at Hawthorne, where she continued encouraging a love of reading and learning in generations of Bulldogs. In addition to her classroom and library work, Jennifer also served as a TOP facilitator at Mexico Middle School for approximately five years.

Throughout her career, Jennifer became known for creating welcoming spaces for students, building relationships with families, and helping children discover the joy found in books and learning.

Hawthorne Principal Katie Lehnen shared that Jennifer’s influence reached far beyond the classroom. Lehnen completed her student teaching with Jennifer and credits her with teaching the importance of routines, consistent expectations, and relationship-building. She added that throughout her own career in education and administration, Jennifer has remained a trusted mentor, sounding board, and source of encouragement for both staff and students alike.

Outside of school, Jennifer treasures time with her family. She and her husband, Dustin, will soon celebrate 32 years of marriage. Together they have three grown children: Abby and her family, Wesley Oetting and daughter Blair; daughter Betsy; and son Brett.

As retirement begins, Jennifer is looking forward to slower mornings, more time with family, and enjoying life a little closer to home. Her plans include watching her granddaughter Blair one day each week, drinking coffee on her screened-in porch, and happily leaving behind the daily commute from Columbia.

Mexico Public Schools thanks Jennifer Pascoe for her years of service, care, and commitment to students. Her impact on Hawthorne Elementary and the lives of the students she served will continue to be felt for years to come.

05/23/2026

One last “PAW”sitive referral to wrap up an amazing year 💙

Image: student smiling, holding referral

05/22/2026

Celebrating 3rd and 4th grade achievements at the end of year awards assembly.

Image 1: Mrs. Curtis' 3rd grade class
Image 2: Mrs. Hooker's 3rd grade class
Image 3: Ms. Jorgensen's 3rd grade class
Image 4: Miss Mosley's 3rd grade class
Image 5: Mrs. Hooker's 4th grade class
Image 6: Miss Stephens' 4th grade class
Image 7: Mrs. Tutt's 4th grade class
Image 8: Mrs. Webber's 4th grade class

05/22/2026

Thats a wrap! 1st and 2nd grade end of year awards assembly.

Image 1: Mrs. Brown's 1st grade class
Image 2: Mrs. Dodd's 1st grade class
Image 3: Mrs. Hobbs' 1st grade class
Image 4: Miss Smith's 1st grade class
Image 5: Miss Crile's 2nd grade class
Image 6: Miss Hyde's 2nd grade class
Image 7: Mrs. Mahnken's 2nd grade class
Image 8: Mrs. Schutte’s 2nd grade class
Image 9: Mrs. Reid's 2nd grade class

05/21/2026

Elementary has come to an end for our 5th grade students. This class is full of talent, creativity, kindness, and heart. We were glad to be able to celebrate their achievement at the 5th grade award ceremony.

Image 1: Leader of Tomorrow Recipients with Mr. Rentschler.

Image 2: Glory of Missouri recipients with Representative Haden.

Image 3: Mr. Eick's class

Image 4: Mrs. Femrite's class

Image 5: Mrs. Medina's class

Image 6: Miss Willis' class

05/21/2026

Peoples Bank Assistant Vice President, Mexico Branch Manager Tanner Smith, far left, and Audrain County Health Department (ACHD) History Takes A Walk Program Lead Chris Newbrough, far right, presented gift certificates to the winners of the ACHD History Takes A Walk Youth Walk Essay Contest winners Thursday morning at Hawthorne School.

The winners were Brynlee Kirklin, middle left, and Madelynn Musgrove, middle right. Brynlee pointed out in her essays her favorite part of the walk was the story of the gunfight between two Mexico lawyers in 1902. Madelyn said in hers that Mexico had six famous hotels and was a railroad hub.

People's Savings Bank donated a $25 gift certificate from Dagwood Jr.'s in Mexico to each girl for their winning essay.

A total of 31 students from the Hawthorne Elementary Student Council and PCKL program took part in the tour of downtown Mexico and learned about its vast history on May 7. The tour guides were Jim Dye and David Maupin. The tour was put together by Thomas Augustus Dobyns II (Tad).

Thanks to everyone involved with this endeavor to exercise the body and the mind!

Mexico Public Schools #59

05/19/2026

Hawthorne has talent. Yes, we do! We have dancers, singers, musicians, actors, and so much more. Well done on putting on an entertaining talent show!

05/19/2026

Our Staff vs. Student Kickball Game was a huge success!

Students earned their spot on the field by scoring 80% or higher on the Attitudes & Efforts portion of the MAP scoresheet — showing that hard work, positive attitudes, and consistent effort truly pay off.

We’re proud of all the students who qualified. Thank you to our staff for joining in the fun and helping make it such a memorable day!

05/18/2026

Congrats, Brandi! Thanks for all you do to keep us going at Hawthorne!

Congratulations to Brandi Schlemmer for being recognized as the May Support Staff Employee of the Month!

Brandi is the Principal's Secretary at Hawthorne Elementary School. Her nominating colleague shared, "Brandi always makes me feel welcome at Hawthorne. She is intentional in including me in what goes on at Hawthorne, even though I do not spend all my time in that building. She makes me feel like I belong!"

Thanks to Show Me Credit Union for supporting our Employee of the Month program with a $100 CD and some Bulldog swag!