Our Willard Schools
The Pride
January 11, 2013

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District Office
New Years Resolution???
  • Lose weight
  • Read 1 Book per month
  • Exercise regularly
  • Wash the car at least once a week
  • Date night with my wife
  • Go back to school
  • Get a new job
  • Take a bath regularly
  • ??????????????????????
One of these thoughts may have been running through your head during the last 2 weeks. For some people these good intentions may have already become implemented in your life, for most of the rest they have already been dismissed. This morning I was invited along with several other area superintendents to meet with Governor Nixon. He communicated his plans for the new year. If these are his "New Years Resolutions" I am certainly supportive and hopeful that he is able to successfully accomplish his 2013 goals. The three components to the plan were:

  • Early Childhood Education - Financial cuts to this program from FY12 would be restored and revenue would be increased for support of the program
  • Add six student days to the calendar. - All students in Missouri are required to attend 174 school days. Governor Nixon's recommendation would increase this "Time on Task" to 180 days minimum.
  • Expand A+ Scholarship Opportunity to all students in the state. - Willard has been an A+ Designated School District for 15 years. In order to receive A+ designation each district must meet rigorous standards. Students graduating from an A+ District are eligible to receive free tuition at a Missouri Community College for two years. The Governor's proposal would allow students from any school district to qualify for free tuition.

The Governor's new years resolutions are supportive of public education. However, each of the three goals will carry a significant price tag. The state Foundation Formula which is the financial support mechanism for public schools was not mentioned. This formula is currently hundreds of millions of dollars underfunded. I will look forward with great intention to see the specifics strategies proposed to successfully fund these new initiatives. The experts say you have to set goals in order to reach them. I hope Governor Nixon is able to successful in these "New Years Resolutions" for public education.

Have a great weekend!

Kent
  
Dr. Kent Medlin
Superintendent   
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Athletics & Activities

ll it has been a long break and my wife is glad I'm back to work! However, our Tigers have been very busy so let's get caught up.

 

A huge congratulations to our wrestling Tigers as they took home the team championship of the Monett Tournament last Saturday! This is a very prestigious tournament and it is the first time in our program's history that we have won it. They then defeated Rogersville in a dual on Wednesday as they prepare for the Republic Tournament this Saturday. Next Thursday, they will double-dual with Bolivar and Buffalo.

 

The Tigers entered the break with a resounding victory over Carl Junction. They then defeated Greenwood in the first round of the Blue and Gold before falling to Branson. They then opened COC play Tuesday night vs. Branson and lost a heartbreaker in overtime. The boys are now 7-6 on the season and will look to get back on track as they visit Central tonight. Courtwarming is next Friday and they will host Bolivar.

 

The Lady Tigers had a tough time in the Pink and White losing to Skyline and Parkview but came back strong as they defeated district opponent, Joplin last Thursday. They, too, opened COC play hosting Branson and lost in a close, hard fought, game. The girls will be at home tonight as they host Lebanon. Next week they will be on the road as they travel to Glendale on Monday and to Ozark on Thursday.

 

Willard Speech and Debate traveled to Fair Grove on the Saturday before break. Placing at the tournament was; Mercer Martin 4th in Extemp., Greg Hamilton 3rd and Dusty Bacon 1st in Radio, Irish Amundson 5th in Oratory, Derby Davis 4th in Humorous Interp., Mikala Dotson and Allie London 7th and Greg Hamilton and Derby Davis 2nd in Duet, Dusty Bacon 6th, Mikala Dotson 4th, and Emily Raney 3rd in Poetry, Kayleigh Amstutz 3rd in Storytelling and finally Derby Davis and Slade Gunter 3rd in Improv Duet. The whole team won 2nd place in Sweepstakes points beating out 21 other schools!

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Activities Director  

High School
Willard High School students and staff are back and off to a great start of 2nd semester. A safe and positive learning environment is critical to learning. Willard students are afforded this environment on a daily basis.
  
This week administrators, counselors, and SRO used TNT time to discuss the topic of  harassment with our students to ensure a continued positive and quality learning environment. The information from the discussion is available for review on the high school website. The intent of the presentation was to bring awareness, provide strategies if encountering, and recognize potential consequences of harassing behaviors.

Senior wrestlers were honored on Wednesday night at our final home wrestling meet of the year. It is always fun to recognize students who have given so much effort in their high school career. Best wishes to our seniors as they continue with future endeavors and the remainder of their
season.

Congratulations to Hunter Hein, senior, on qualifying for DECA Nationals. Hunter finished in the top 2 of regional competition while competing against several students from several other states in the Virtual Business Challenge.

In the coming weeks, students will be preparing for EOC assessments, graduation, 2013-14 scheduling, Prom, and spring ACT tests. It is a busy, busy time of year with lots of daily activities as well as future planning. If you have any questions or input, please feel free to let me know.

It is a GREAT time to be a Tiger!

Curt Graves
Principal
Middle School

 

Any 8th grade student that is going on the Washington DC Trip: There will be a parent meeting on February 5th at 7pm in the MS Library. If you are unable to make it please see Mr. Biggers ASAP.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Students meets every Thursday morning at 7:10 in the upper gym. All are invited to join for devotional and prayer.

Speech and Debate will be meeting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school until 3:30 for the month of January. They will be finding performance pieces and beginning to work on those pieces. Members are not required to attend both days each week but should choose the times that work best for them.

The 2012-2013 issue of "Paws In Time" are on sale!!!! Books are $25 and an order form can be picked up form from Mrs. Loveland. Pre-Orders are due no later than March 1. Prices go up after that date.

8th Grade Parents Save the Dates:
 

* January 23-24 - high school counselors will meet with students to discuss class options for next year. A signature will be required on the scheduling form.


* January 24 - Freshman Preview Night at the high school. Come and go 5:30-7:30 pm


* January 31 - high school counselors meet with students to finalize and input class choices. Your student must have the signed form returned for this to happen.

Thanks for checking in with us!

 

Amy Sims and Stephanie Walters

Princpal and Assistant Principal

Intermediate School

Is it just me or does it feel like we are all in some sort of time warp that has pushed us forward in time a few years? It seems very strange to write that '13 for the date.

 

Second semester is in full swing and our students are settling back into their school routines. Some of us looked a little tired on Monday morning (myself included!) but we all made it through the first full week of January relatively pain free.

 

Students visited our iChoose store today to redeem stamps they had earned during fist and second quarter. Thank you to everyone that donated items and/or volunteered time helping out with this. Our students really enjoy "buying" things at the store and we are glad to be able to encourage their positive behavior.

 

Teachers are looking forward to their professional development day on Monday. It is not often that we get a day to work on curriculum and assessment so early in the semester and I am sure the time will be well spent. We hope our students enjoy the three day weekend!

 

Tom Davis

Principal   

North Elementary School

Happy New Year!!! It was very exciting to see all students this week after our break. Willard North did not miss a beat when getting back into the routine of school.

 

Early childhood classes are continuing to learn their alphabet and read different versions of The Three Pigs while studying the letter "P".

 

Kindergarten students are full swing into their geography project. Before the break, they mailed gingerbread men to family members out of state for the purpose of learning about different places globally. As they are receiving letters back, they are coming from places like Alabama, Texas, and Germany! Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 are working on non-fiction writing with Snow and Winter themes, weather, and economics. This has been a great start to the new year.

 

Have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to another great week!

Angela Stevens
Principal  
  

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South Elementary School
 

I hope everyone enjoyed their break. It was great to have two full weeks off and enjoy time with family. However, there is nothing like getting back to work and a routine. I always enjoy hearing about all of the exciting adventures that students and teachers had over the break.

 

Don't forget there is no school for students on Monday, January 14th. Teachers will be actively involved in a district wide curriculum meeting at the high school. It is sure to be a very productive day.

 

Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal

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East Elementary School
Happy New Year from Willard East! It's "Mismatch Day" and we are raising money for the Willard Care to Learn program. Last month we raised over $300 and we hope to match that this month. Students are dressed in their finest mis-matched outfits today! The class at each grade level that raises the most over $10 will earn extra P.E. with Coach J. Tune in next week for the results.
 

Congratulations to our 4th grade teacher Mr. Bennett as he recently welcomed his adopted daughter Brynlee to the Willard East family! There is still some work to be done before baby Brynlee can come as she was born 6 weeks early! Everyone is doing fine and Mr. Bennett will be back next week. We can't wait to meet Brynlee!

 

On Monday we are excited to have a professional development day to work with other teachers across the district. It is always helpful to our teachers to share ideas and collaborate district-wide. We will be working hard on the new Common Core academic standards.

 

Today is our monthly Tiger Pride so it's a celebration day for Willard East.

 

 

Melinda Miller

Principal

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Central Elementary School

 

WC continues to Reach for the Stars in 2013. Our students and teachers returned from the holiday break refreshed and rejuvenated ready to learn. Students are diving into new units of study, developing untold adventures in their writing and learning new concepts in math and science. Teachers too will embark on new learning and units of study Monday with our district's Professional Development Day. Teachers in K-12th grades will be working together to dive into the Common Assessment Standards (Common Core) to evaluate and align our current curriculum and instructional practices with these new federal standards. It will be a full day of learning as we continue to best meet the learning needs of our students. ~ Shane Medlin, Principal Reach for the Stars

 

Shane Medlin

Principal 


Orchard Hills Elementary School

Willard Orchard Hills is back and going strong for the second semester! The break was enjoyed by all. As I have been in and out of classrooms, I have seen students eager to be back in school and ready to learn.

 

The winter brings us more than cold weather. Illness is also quite prominent. Its always a good reminder to keep the germs at bay by doing a lot of handwashing and sanitizing. We are making a lot of effort at school to keep things extra clean. It also helps if your child goes to the doctor and is diagnosed with an illness to let us know at school so we can help minimize the sickness spreading.

 

Thanks for your help! Remember, no school for students on Monday! Have a great weekend!

 

Dr. Rhonda Bishop

Principal

 
Special Services

 

The Willard Special Services Department values our parent partnerships that are developed in working to educate children with special needs. Many of our families feel as if they are alone. Their children are facing tremendous physical, emotional/social and intellectual challenges both in and out of the school environment. One of the most effective ways our department can serve our students is to encourage our parents to realize that they are not alone! Be part of the discussion and help improve better awareness, education and support of students with autism and special needs. All are welcome.

 

YOU ARE INVITED!

 

The Southwest Autism Network (SWAN) and the Missouri Autism Report (MAR) is sponsoring a discussion this weekend about autism and violence. Discussion points will include:

  • Changing Perceptions of Autism
  • What should our response be?
  • How do we protect our children"
  • Postive Interventions = Positive Change

This is a great opportunity to meet with parents, professionals and counselors on this timely subject!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services




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

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