Our Willard Schools
The Pride
December 14, 2012

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District Office

I had a conversation with a parent during the 4-State Basketball Tournament about possible Christmas presents for their child. It was a great conversation because the parent was wanting ideas which would support learning. As you could expect my first question was "What do you want to spend?" With that conversation in mind I thought I might give some ideas:

 

A Great Book!!! There is nothing that you can do instructionally for your child that is of greater importance then helping them to become an avid reader. This week the Hobbit comes to the big screen. I truly believe that this book caused me to become a reader, and an educator. After the Hobbit I immediately read the Lord of the Rings, The Narnia series, The Sword of Shannara series, Tom Clancy, etc...

 

If you want to introduce your children into digital books and are willing to make a bigger investment the Amazon Kindle starts at approximately $70, Kindle Fire $150, Galaxy Tab $199, IPAD starts at $399. Laptops start at $350 and go up well over $1,000. Any of these devices can download digital books and do much more. You should talk to someone that is technology literate to help you choose a device that will meet your child's needs.

 

If you want to make the greatest investment it costs $20 or less. It is very simple. Buy a paperback book and commit to read the book along with your child. Then spend time 2-3 times per week discussing the chapters which both of you have agreed to read. This will model that you believe reading is important. You will not only be providing a simple Christmas gift, you will be helping to build a priceless love of reading! The love of reading will become an investment in their future.

Have a great weekend.

Read a book!

Kent

 

Dr. Kent Medlin

Superintendent of Schools

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Athletics & Activities

Hot....cold....hot....cold....hot....cold....I wish Mother Nature would make up her mind because my dogs are getting really confused on whether or not to shed!

 

The Tigers had a hard fought win last Friday over Lebanon which led to a #3 seed in the Gold Division of the Blue and Gold Tournament. We will open against Greenwood in JQH Arena on Dec. 26th at 9:30pm (yes, that is past my bedtime as well). The boys will be at Marshfield this Friday before traveling to Hillcrest next Tuesday and hosting Carl Junction next Friday.

 

The wrestling Tigers had another very good week as they defeated Reeds Spring, Central, and Republic and only falling to Nixa. This runs their dual record to an impressive 5-1 on the season! Next Tuesday they will travel to Ozark for a big COC showdown with Ozark and Carthage.

 

The Lady Tigers had a great win over Stockton this week and will travel to Central (Thursday night so I won't have results until next week) before going to Bolivar next Monday. The girls will be playing in the first annual Pink and White Classic over the holidays. This is a combination of two tournaments - the Pink and White, and the KTXR Lady Classic. The girls will open with Skyline at the O'Reilly Center on Dec. 26th at 9:00pm -yes, I realize the boys and girls will be playing at the same time... :(

 

On a side note, I received a phone call from an administrator from Carl Junction this week. It seems that he caught our wrestling team (who were there for a tournament last Saturday) doing something he had never seen before. Well, of course, this made me nervous. However, it seems that what they were doing was something GOOD! Not only were they cleaning up the area in which they were sitting in the cafeteria...they were cleaning up OTHER TEAM'S areas! Thank you Coach Stephens, Coach Presley, and the Willard wrestlers for being such great representatives of the community!

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley - Activities Director

High School

Willard High School is blessed with GREAT students. The following story exemplifies this. An anonymous tip was provided to administration out of concern for the well-being of another student who had posted comments on a social media site. As it turned out, not only had students reported their caring concerns so the student could garner assistance, but a specific student who did not know the other took time that evening to drive to the concerned students home checking on them.

Also noteworthy is the fact that more than 26 clubs, organizations, and teams have "adopted" a child or family this Christmas season at the high school. SGA has organized the "12 Days of Christmas Clothing Drive" and DECA raised funds and items for the local food pantry. Gaining academic knowledge and preparing for the future academically is vitally important. However, caring about others and understanding civic responsibilities is also a critical aspect of life.

Great students are a product of great parents. It is truly great to be a TIGER! Merry Christmas!!

Thank you for making Willard High School the premier high school in the Ozarks!

Curt Graves
Willard High School Principal

Middle School
This year the middle school has developed an intervention and enrichment time for students during the school day. As we look to the future, we have created a committee of faculty and students to exam the current practices. It is insightful to have students on the team to help develop new ways to expand their learning.
  
We are excited that 1:1 technology for the middle school is right around the corner! We have a team of staff and students that will be meeting throughout the year to discuss what 1:1 technology will look like next year at the middle school. As always, we encourage parents to give their input; please contact Mrs. Sims by phone or email if you have ideas, suggestions or concerns about 1:1 technology. We will continue to update as decisions are made.

Check out the middle school website for upcoming events and activities: http://ms.willardschools.net/
  
Thanks for checking in on us!!
Amy Sims and Stephanie Walters
Intermediate School

This week was a busy but fun one at WIS as we took some time to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of some of our student groups. Tuesday night we celebrated the first DARE graduation of the year with our Red and Pink teams. It was great to see so many parents and community leaders present to celebrate this important accomplishment with these students. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Chief McClain as he has worked over the last 10 weeks to give these students the tools they will need to make positive choices in their futures.

 

Thursday night was the second Title 1 reading night of the school year at WIS. These students, teachers, and parents enjoyed the evening together with some fun games and good food. We are proud of the improvement these students have already made this year and are confident this growth will continue!

Thank you to all those that have already contributed to our annual Mitten tree. Our once bare Christmas tree is now decorated with all sorts of colorful hats and gloves. We encourage everyone to help us decorate and make the season a little warmer for those in need in our community!

A few important dates to keep in mind:

-Holiday grams on sale next Monday-Wednesday
-Hat day, iChoose assemblies, end of first quarter/semester, and early out for students next Friday
-Enjoy your Holiday Break Dec. 24th-Jan.4th! 


Tom Davis,

Principal

North Elementary School
  
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South Elementary School
 
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East Elementary School

"Costumes for Community Service" is back! For the past few years we have hosted dress-up days to raise money for various causes. This event seemed to have lost it's energy until Student Council intervened! At the November Student Council meeting the students decided to bring back our dress-up days. They also decided all our proceeds will go to the Willard chapter of the Care to Learn Foundation.

Our first day was today and it was "Western Wear Day" at Willard East! In order to spark lots of interest we added a little bit of a challenge for the kids. The class that raises the most money at each grade level will earn an extra 30 min. P.E. class with Coach J. But there is a catch! The class has to at least raise $10 to qualify for the extra P.E. The kids are really excited about the extra P.E. so we will let you know next week how it turned out.

Upcoming costume dates are listed below:
Mismatch Day - Jan. 11th
Rockstar Day - Feb. 8th
Favorite Book Character - Mar. 8th
Dress as your favorite teacher - April 12th

 

Melinda Miller, Principal
Willard East Elementary
 

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Central Elementary School

Santa's New Playlist was fabulously performed by WC 4th graders on Tuesday! Students had a full dress rehearsal for the entire school in the afternoon and then had a final production that night. The auditorium was full of laughter and holiday music...everyone definitely felt the Christmas spirit!

 

 A big "Ho Ho Ho" goes out to the 4th grade cast as well as their wonderful music teacher Mrs. Chapman! You can see pictures of our stars in action by visiting the WC blog at http://willardcentralparents.wordpress.com .

Mrs. Jamie Jeffries,

Computer Lab Instructor


Orchard Hills Elementary School
  
 
Special Services

This week, our staff celebrated the holiday season with a special evening of food and fellowship at the Willard Community Center. It was a wonderful time to talk with friends, enjoy some delicious food and show off those tacky sweaters that have been hanging in our closets for the past several years.  

 

Times like these are the things that make the holidays memorable. We would like to say thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the fun and we celebrate the gifts that you use each and every day working with our students with special needs.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Caryn McDonnell,

Director of Special Services




Willard School District | 4177422584 | [email protected] |
460 E Kime
Willard, MO 65781

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