Our Willard Schools
The Pride
January 18, 2013

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District Office

I have recently read a report entitled: "Tough Choices / Tough Times" The Report of the new Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce. The article suggests core beliefs which must change in America in order to meet the needs of the emerging workforce. The "Greatest Generation", America's pride and joy of the 1900's, helped build our country into the most powerful military and economic power. That Generation is quickly disappearing. The training required for our children to experience success is vital to our entire country. The article asserts that a key component of this cultural growth will be focused directly on the public school teacher. The following link will take you directly to the article.

http://tinyurl.com/byzyxvl
 

With that in mind I would like to throw my support behind an upcoming fundraiser. I normally choose to not be involved in the promotion of fundraisers however I believe strongly in this particular group. Willard Future Teachers of America will be working at Pizano's Pizza on January 28th, from 5-8p.m. FTA will earn 10% of the night's profits along with tips and dessert specials. The funds will be utilized to support student scholarships. These future teachers will change lives!!! They will be asked to continually improve, work harder, and do more than ever before. These students need our support and we need some of the best and brightest to become career teachers. Put it on your calendar January 28th- Pizza Night Out!!!


Dr. Kent E. Medlin 

Superintendent
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Athletics & Activities

 

I had the privilege of watching Jeff Collins, Director of Champions Committed to Kids, introduce our newest member of the Willard Tigers Wednesday night. I watched as our student/athletes welcomed him with open arms and his face lit up like the sun.

 

We recently welcomed another Champions kid to our cheerleading squad and it had the same effect on her as well as our cheerleaders. It reminded me that extra-curricular activities is so much more than just winning and losing. It affects lives. I encourage you to come to tonight's game to meet the young man. Hopefully, you too will see just how much change can happen through sports. It's truly awesome!

 

Speaking of awesome...our wrestling Tigers are taking it to a new level! Congratulations to Coach Stephens and his wrestlers on winning the Republic Tournament. This is second tournament championship in a row (first time in school history!). They also defeated Bolivar and Buffalo in dual meets this week. They will now take a break until the COC tournament in Webb City on Jan. 26th. By the way, we currently have 5 wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in their weight classes in the state!

 

The basketball Tigers got back on the winning track last Friday as they defeated district foe, Central. They will be hosting Bolivar tonight before playing in the Nixa Tournament next week. They will open with Mt. Vernon on Thursday at 6:00pm.

 

The Lady Tigers had a good start to the week by defeating Glendale on Monday. They struggled last night, losing to Ozark, but will look to get back on track next week when they travel to Catholic on Thursday.

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley 

Activities Director

High School

Willard High School students and staff have been participating in spirit week and the activities conclude this evening with Court Warming and the "Fire and Ice" dance. It has been fun to see students and staff members dressed in camo with crazy beards for Duck Dynasty as well as Glee outfits. However, I really don't remember wearing some of the attire I saw during 80's workout day!

Staff are organizing and preparing for EOC assessments coming in April. These assessments are important as they reflect student progress, student achievement, and instructional effectiveness. Student scores will be noted on state reports, included in grades, and indicated on transcripts. More communication will follow regarding these assessments from administration and instructors as the assessment dates approach.

Don't forget the Pop's Concert on Saturday evening, 7 PM, January 19. The fundraiser is fun for the vocal music students and an awesome showcase of our students' talents.

It is a GREAT time to be a Tiger!

Curt Graves
Principal 

Middle School

 

WMS PRIDE:

  • We would like to congratulate the winners for the WMS Geography Bee: First Place - Jeremiah Dowden, Second Place - Chas Bishop, Third Place - Christian Smart
  • The girl's basketball season is coming to an end this week. All the girl's worked very hard this season and we look forward to seeing them in the future.
  • Boy's basketball will conclude their season next week at the COC conference. 8th grade boys will be playing at home and 7th grade boys will be in Carthage.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • A parent meeting for 8th graders attending the Washington D.C. trip on February 5th at 7pm in the MS Library.
  • The annual WMS Valentine's Dance will be held on Friday, February 1 from 7-9 in the student union. Tickets will be on sale at lunch the week of the dance, beginning January 29th.

Thanks for checking in on us!!

Amy Sims and Stephanie Walters
Principal and Assistant Principal 

Intermediate School

 

North Elementary School

 

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South Elementary School
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East Elementary School

Last week we raised $400 for Care to Learn on our mis-match day! The classes that raised the most money celebrated with extra P.E. this week. Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

School-wide Book Club: Each Willard East family received a copy of The Trumpet of the Swan before Christmas. There are about 8 weeks to read the book before our Read-a-thon and Family Reading Night. We will host a variety of events on the evening of March 5th to celebrate reading.

Kindergarten Screening is set! If you have an incoming Kindergartener or know of someone who does please call Willard East to set up your appointment for Wednesday April 17th. We are looking forward to meeting all of you.

 

Melinda Miller

Principal

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Central Elementary School

 

 


Orchard Hills Elementary School
  
 
Special Services

 

This has been an extremely busy week! On Monday, all certified teachers participated in a district wide professional development day while the students enjoyed one more day at home. The day was spent developing and refining curriculum.

 

Cross categorical teachers contributed to the K-12 Communication Arts and Math department meetings, while the district program teachers (Life Skills, Autism) continued their work to address the unique challenges of the students they serve. It was a very productive day and we are excited to see the impact of the time invested on student learning in the future.

 

In addition to the professional development happening on campus, our staff continues to look for ways to better serve our students off campus. This weekend, Angie Havens (Occupational Therapist) represented our department at the Dyslexia conference held in Springfield.

 

Christine Chamberlain (SLP) and Randy Cline (Intermediate) also represented our district with their attendance at the Autism and Violence discussion sponsored by SouthWest Autism Network (SWAN).   We appreciate their commitment to the students at Willard and look forward to each sharing what they learned.

 

Also, our department would like to say THANK YOU to the Willard Board of Education for their continued support of our students. We appreciate you!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services




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

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