Our Willard Schools
The Pride
January 18, 2013

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District Office

My phone is dying and has to be charged overnight and at least once during the day. I was visiting with a friend (and complaining about the phone) and he asked if I was going to consider a different phone other than a new I-Phone. I said most likely not. He made the statement that he wished he could buy lots of Apple Stock and I shared with him that it was currently trending down and he may want to wait. In the last six months Apple has dropped from over $700 per share.

 

 I don't have to be Warren Buffet to know that is not a positive thing. I read an article and it had shared that other tech. companies were "catching up" with Apple. I share this story to say that great organizations have to be careful not to rest on their laurels. They must continually press forward to innovate and improve. Willard R-II has been a high quality school district for many, many, years. We along with most other educators believe that significant change is necessary to prepare graduates for a different world then the one in which we were raised.

 

Therefore, an important committee has been launched with the task of guiding this change. The Willard R-II 21st Century Schools Committee had its first meeting on Tuesday. This committee has several representatives from outside our district including:

 

Dr. Chris Craig, Associate Provost from Missouri State University

Mr. Bryan Stewart, CEO of Bryan University

Dr. Mark Wood, Department Chairperson from Drury University

Mrs. Jackie Jenkins, Director of Virtual Education at Ozark Technical College

Mr. David Cane, Regional Vice President Mercy Hospitals

Mr. Deuce Kauffman , Corporate Sales Manager Peterbilt Trucks

Mrs. Judy Brunner, Author and Consultant in Education

 

These powerful thinkers along with Willard administrators, teachers, librarian, counselor, board member, and students started to raise the questions of why? what if?? and really??? Our first meeting lasted almost three hours and barely scratched the surface. One, if not the, most important step has happened. That is the first step. I look forward to many more.

 

p.s. Anyone need a phone that only stays charged 6-8 hours????

 

Have a great weekend!

Kent

 
Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent

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Athletics & Activities

 

Next Thursday, Willard will be sending 5 head coaches and 10 student/athletes to the Champions Committed To Kids luncheon held at the University Plaza. This luncheon is held to honor both the children that have been placed in programs and the programs that serve them. I am proud to say that Willard will be recognized as the leading high school in Southwest Missouri in terms of number of students we have worked with. Anyone who was at last Friday's game vs. Bolivar would understand what it means to these kids as we introduced our newest Tiger, Spencer.

 

Our Tigers are starting to get hot as they have won three in a row running their record to an impressive 10-5 on the season after defeating Mt. Vernon last night in the first round of the Nixa Invitational. They will take on Kickapoo tonight at 9:00pm in the semifinals. Championship round will conclude on Saturday. Next week, the boys will travel to Rogersville on Tuesday before hosting Ozark on Friday. At halftime of the Ozark game, we will be inducting two new members into our Activities Hall of Fame, Flora Mitchell and Don Berry. Come out and support the Tigers!

 

The wrestling Tigers are not hot....they are on FIRE! After achieving team championships in the Monett and Republic Tournaments, they defeated both Bolivar and Buffalo in dual meets. This Saturday, they will be traveling to Webb City for the very tough COC tournament. Good luck to Coach Stephens and the wrestling Tigers!

 

The Lady Tigers have hit a bit of a skid lately but will look to get back into the win column next week as they travel to Seneca for a tournament. They will open with Diamond on Monday and will play on Friday and Saturday to finish the tournament.

 

Last weekend Willard Speech and Debate did an outstanding job at the Marion C. Early tournament. We had 21 in semi-finals, 11 in finals, and won second place as a team out of 19 schools! Students making it to Semi-Finals: in Original Oratory Irish Amundson and Emily Raney, Duet Acting Jacob Brunfield and Aly Manes, Humorous Interpretation and Prose Hayden Onstott, Poetry Dusty Bacon and Emily Raney, Radio Speaking Mercer Martin and Derby Davis and Slade Gunter in Improv Duet.

 

Students in Finals were:


International Extemp placing third Robert Mitchells and Mercer Martin first, U.S. Extemp Conor Wadle fourth. In Humorous Interp placing sixth Kayleigh Amstutz and fifth Cameron McMurtrey, Prose Debra Wekesa sixth, Katelynn Wilson third and Dusty Bacon second. In Story Telling Kayleigh Amstutz second and in Radio Speaking Conor Wadle fifth and Dusty Bacon second. Great job by the whole team!

Good luck to our Tigerettes as they will travel to Lee Summit on Saturday for a big dance competition! 

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Activities Director 

High School

illard High School counselors have been working with 8th graders this week in preparation for 2013-14. Visits at the middle school as well as Freshmen Preview Night took place this week. The 9th Grade-level team continues to plan a transition curriculum to use during TNT next fall in order to assist new students in the adjustment process to a new building.

 

ROTC is at a drill meet in Oklahoma City this weekend. WHS is hosting a Winterguard competition at the high school. Students are participating in the Speech and Debate tournaments at Central and Parkview this Friday and Saturday while Varsity Boys Basketball is at the Nixa Tournament.

 

Good luck to our students as they compete!

 

It is a GREAT time to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal

Middle School
This week the 8th graders have been hearing all about high school. Many of them are excited, yet nervous, about their freshman year. Last night, the high school had a freshman preview night. The students and parents were able to hear about the A+ program, scheduling, activities, and clubs at the high school level.
  
The 7th and 8th grade boys basketball season ended this week at the COC tournaments. All the boys worked really hard this year and we were very proud of their efforts.
  
Important Dates
  • The King and Queen of Hearts dance will be held on February 1 from 7-9 pm
  • Mulan auditions will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31 and Friday, Feb. 1 from 2:30-5:30

 Amy Sims

 Principal

Intermediate School

Our first semester honors assembly kicked off the week here at WIS. We recognized 59 of our students for perfect attendance which means they did not miss a single minute of any day for the first semester. Way to go!

 

We also celebrated the academic accomplishments of 370 students that made our honor roll. This number represents well over half of our student population and we are very proud of their success here at school. It was awesome to see so many parents come out to help us celebrate the accomplishments of their children as this is very much a group effort!

WIS is now an official drop off site for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Check out their website for more information: http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/index.php and we would greatly appreciate your donation of used cell phones!

Winter time and cold weather make going outside for recess a challenge. Please remind your student to dress appropriately to go outside for recess.

Have a great weekend! 

Tom Davis

Princiapl

North Elementary School
Friday is the 100th day of school! North has several activities on that day. Below are just few activities students will do. What a fun day!

  • Writing about what they could spend $100.00 on.
  • 100 day pattern pictures
  • Do 100 exercises
  • 100 day piece puzzle utilizing teamwork strategies.
  • Making 100 Day Hats
Thank you to all who attended the first Willard North Skate party. It was a great time to visit with students and parents out of school. We had over 100 students attend the party from kindergarten through fourth grades. Thank you to the Student Council who put together this party! They work very hard and have really done a lot of great things for our school.

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe!

Angela Stevens
Principal
  
  

   

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South Elementary School

McTeacher night was a huge success on Monday evening. We had a great crowd of parents and students in attendance. Teachers and staff members always have a great time interacting with families. All of the students enjoy seeing their teachers outside of the classroom too! The teachers who participated will share the profit to use on various classrooms supplies this year. THANKS again for all of your support.

 

Upcoming Events:
January 29th--Tiger Pride Assembly at 2:30
February 4th-8th--WCCF Change A Life Money Drive
February 4th-14th--Student Council Smencil Fundraiser
  
Kara Crighton-Smith
Prinicpal
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East Elementary School

It's the 100th Day of school!!! We are celebrating all day and dressing up like we are 100 years old. Be on the look out for pictures on the school website and Facebook.

On Wednesday Student Council met and shared the results of their "Secret Mission." The kids were assigned 7 Random Acts of Kindness and received a packet to record their activities. Some of the "missions" included making their parents bed in the morning, cleaning their rooms without being told, buying someone who didn't have enough money lunch, and many more.

 

Children always amaze me with the depth of their understanding and ability to genuinely care about something. Random Acts of Kindness is a fun activity to try as a family too. So we challenge you to perform Random Acts of Kindness in your own life.

 

Melinda Miller

Principal

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Central Elementary School

As we near the 100th day of school, it is amazing to look back and see just how much our students have grown already this year. From visits to Nurse Tammy to help students who are losing their baby teeth, Kindergarten students reading books to one another, 1st grade students writing persuasive letters to the principal for extended recess time, and up to 4th grade student council members helping lead our Terrific Tiger Celebrations, WC students are growing up before our very eyes.

 

Thank you to our teachers, staff and parents for helping guide our students as they grow up to be Respectful, Responsible and Ready to Learn in school and the world beyond!

As January winds down, we are getting ready for an action-packed February. Mark your calendars for these events:


4th - McTeacher Night 4pm-8pm @ West Chestnut McDonalds location
4th - 8th - WCCF Fundraiser - Staff Jeans Days and Student Hat Days
11th - PTO Meeting 6pm
14th - PTO Valentine Parties 2:45
15th - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Development
18th - NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

Shane Medlin

Principal 


Orchard Hills Elementary School
 

This month Willard Orchard Hills has been reading Charlotte's Web as our schoolwide book study. Each chapter has been read by a staff member and we post those on our Facebook Page. Check out Chapters 1 and 2 on Facebook and other chapters are coming quickly!

 

This month we celebrate our school board members for their service to our school district. Thank you Mr. Jeff Baker, Mr. Kip Baker, Mr. John Hartley, Mrs. Jennifer Fickbohm, Mrs. Julie Germann, Mrs. Sherry Frazier, and Dr. John Lilly for all you do for us!

 

Next Wednesday is our Tiger Pride Assembly at 2:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!

 

Rhonda Bishop

Principal 

 
Special Services

We are entering into a very busy time of year with lots of great activities for all students. Here are a few dates to add to your calendar, you won't want to miss out!


SAVE THE DATES!

  • April 9, 2013
    • Special Education Resource Fair K-12 students and their families are invited!
  • April 29, 2013
    • Annual Partners In Strength K-12 students
  • May 7, 2013
    • Annual Outdoor Day at Bois D'Arc Conservation Area K-12 Life Skills/Autism Classes

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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