Our Willard Schools
The Pride
February 15, 2013

 
 
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District Office
I sometimes have trouble visualizing the final picture of a construction project from a set of blue prints. We ask architects to submit "mock-ups" and landscape drawings depicting the final structure. However it is difficult to see all the details in the final project. As the project proceeds items will appear and I will find myself thinking "That is how that was supposed to look." or "I did not see that detail in the blue prints".
  
An example of this would be the inclusion of tinted windows in one of our current projects. I did not realize that the windows would be tinted to block glare by examining the blue prints. It was included in the spec book however it was a detail that I had not noticed in the planning stage. (I am glad that someone thought about it and included it in the plans!!)
  
This year I have asked many, many people: What is a 21st Century School??? Everyone has some general thoughts to this "vision of the future". However, none (including me) have been able to offer significant detail. When I go play golf I will have some INCREDIBLE shots. These "perfect" swings are few and far between in my golf game, but they give me a glimpse of the great golf.
  
 I don't have the complete vision of the 21st Century school but this week I saw a glimpse. The high school created an interdisciplinary unit called "The Women of Lockerbie" The unit was based upon the true events involving the 1988 bombing / crash of Pan Am 103. Teachers 9-12 Language Arts, Art, and Drama, all participated to help the unit come alive for students.
  
Over 250 lives were lost in this act of terrorism. Deborah Brevoort, author of the play, flew from New York and attended one of the Drama performances. She interacted with students throughout the day helping them to understand the tragic event. The Art Department created a plane that fills the skylight in the commons. Portraits of passengers of Pan AM 103 who lost their life were drawn by art students and can be seen in the plane.
  
Learning became real because of this effort. Students did not simply read a review of the incident. These efforts helped students "experience" learning. The details came together, the golf swing hit the sweet spot on the club, 21st Century Learning was demonstrated. It was a glimpse of the future! Thanks to all the efforts of the teachers who participated.

Have a great weekend!
Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent of Schools 
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Athletics & Activities

I have always been a strong believer in the positive effects of sport on our students. Even when an event seems so negative or cause negative reactions from people, sport can turn that into a positive by teaching them how to deal with those situations. Too many times, we shelter our youth from negative experiences. It is a natural reaction as parents. Not all of our experiences have to be positive in order to help us grow. But by allowing them to experience failure along with success, it builds within them the ability to handle negative situations later in life......it teaches them to be adults. It teaches them to be successful adults.

 

Over the past few weeks, our Tigers have reminded me of this. I have seen 5 of our wrestlers qualify for the state tournament (positive) but one senior tear his ACL the week before districts (negative). Only to watch that senior, Cody White, cheer and coach his teammates through the district tournament and demonstrate leadership that can't be taught in the classroom. And, yes, Cody will be going to the state tournament this weekend to continue to lead his team. I've watched our Lady Tigers go through some tough times this season, only to rebound back and have played some of their best basketball the past few games. I wouldn't put it by them to win the district tournament. The same could be said for our Tigers. They have come back from early season struggles and are now a team that NOBODY wants to play! Just ask Webb City, Carthage, and Republic. Anyway, sorry for the lengthy start to my Pride but our kids have that effect on me!

 

Back to the updates....Congratulations to Kaleb Crook, Conner Lodderhose, Thomas Massengale, Duane Faller, and Hunter Yeargan for qualifying for the state wrestling tournament! The tournament starts tonight and will continue through Saturday in Columbia. A special "Thank You" to everyone who volunteered during the district tournament. It was a huge success!

The Lady Tigers have been turning things around and will look to defeat district and conference opponent Neosho tonight in Neosho. Next week, the girls will travel to Nixa on Monday before getting ready for the district tournament at Parkview. The girls will probably be the #2 seed and will play on Monday, Feb. 25th at 7:30.

 

The Tigers took care of business last Friday at the old gym by defeating Carthage. They continued their roll on Tuesday as they handily defeated Republic to run their record to an impressive 15-7 on the year! The boys will be at Neosho this Friday and will travel to Nixa next Tuesday. They did receive the #2 seed in the district tournament at Parkview and will take on Joplin on Tuesday, Feb. 26th at 7:30. The championship games for both boys and girls will be held on Thursday at Parkview.

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Activities Director

High School

This week has been "Safe Driving Awareness Week" at WHS. The SGA students organized the event using several statistics specific to teens and driving from the Missouri Highway Patrol. Activities included a student survey, a digital presentation of statistics and information, a video, and a student pledge.

"The Women of Lockerbie" interdisciplinary unit concludes this week. Students and staff have done a tremendous job working together and learning together. If you haven't seen the art and student work displayed in the commons, it will be shown through February 22.

WHS qualified 5 wrestlers for state competition. They are competing through this weekend. Students and the Drum Core sent them off on Wednesday afternoon.

It is a GREAT time to be a Tiger!

Curt Graves
Principal

Middle School

WMS Information:

  • A group of 8th graders will be taking the NAEP test next week during 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hours. Those students will be notified.
  • Yearbooks are $25 and orders are due no later than March 1.

WMS Important Dates:

  • 2/15: NJHS - roller skating at Skateport Roller Rink from 7-9 pm.
  • 2/15-18: No School on Friday for Teacher Professional Day and No School on Monday for everyone.
  • 2/21: Any student wishing to try out for next year's WHS cheer squad must attend a mandatory meeting to be held on Feb. 21st at 3 pm in room 117 at WHS. Please sign up on the yellow sheet in the office if you will be trying out. You must have a current physical on file (get a verification from the office) or a new one turned into the coach at the time of tryouts.
  • 2/25: Softball tryouts will begin on the February 25th.
  • 2/27: Any 8th grader that would like to audition for Thespians next year needs to see Ms. Graves. Auditions will be held after school on the 27th.
  Amy Sims
  Principal
Intermediate School

Willard Intermediate stepped up in a big way with the recent change drive to help support WCCF. Students brought in over 80 pounds of change that totaled $740! This is another example of the generosity of our students and their interest Thank you to everyone that contributed and to our student council for organizing this. Our building is buzzing with energy today as students are preparing for their Valentines Day parties this afternoon and the 4 day weekend.

If you have a 6th grade student in the building you might ask them about the duct-tape project they are working on in art. This is a super cool activity that our students look forward to all year long. If everything goes well they will end up with a durable and functional wallet they can show off to you. WIS is glad to support the duct-tape industry with this project!

Enjoy the 4 day weekend!
  
Tom Davis
Principal 
North Elementary School
  
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South Elementary School

 

 
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East Elementary School
Happy Valentine's Day from Willard East! You may not read this until after Valentine's day but as I write this there is excitement in the air! Our children LOVE Valentine's Day! When I was growing up we decorated shoe boxes and/or paper bags. Some students still do that and others create quite elaborate Valentine boxes. We have Rapunzel's tower, a "minion" from Dispicable Me, a dinosaur/crocodile creature, gumball machines, and many more! Check our school website and Facebook for pictures.

We would also like to congratulate one of our 4th Grade teachers, Mr. Bennett on the adoption of Brynlee Rose Bennett this week! We are keeping an extra pot of coffee on in the office for Mr. Bennett as he adjusts to the sleepless nights of taking care of a new baby.

Next week we kick off our school-wide Read-a-thon! This is one of our most fun and successful fundraisers of the year. Be on the look out for students seeking pledges for reading. It's a win, win for everyone. Students improve their reading AND we raise money.

Have a GREAT 4-day weekend.

Melinda Miller
Principal
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Central Elementary School
  

Orchard Hills Elementary School
The season of LOVE has hit Orchard Hills! We are very excited about our Valentine parties at the end of the day. BIG thanks go out to our wonderful PTO and our "Party Posse" for their hard work for our kids.
  
We have been committed for the past few years to bringing healthier menu items to our parties. Today we will feast on strawberry shortcake, cherry 7-Up floats and chocolate! Each child gets a goodie bag to take home as well.
  
Today is also Twin Day at WOHE! Watch for the pictures on Facebook! Remember, no school tomorrow for kids, the staff has professional development and also no school on Monday for everyone! Have a great weekend!
  
Rhonda Bishop
Principal   
 
Special Services

This week I don't have anything new to report, there haven't been any major events or honors given, and I am not aware of anything that would make you stop in your tracks and say "WOW!" I just want to report that this has been a "typical" week at Willard.

 

Typical in the sense that teachers are using every tool they have to teach students, students are engaged in learning with amazing amounts of energy and effort and our parents and community continue to demonstrate support of our district in a variety of ways such as the "Change A Life" coin drive for WCCF, Valentine's Day programs, Athletics and much more! I guess that being amazing and outstanding on a daily basis is just our "typical" way of doing things. I am proud to be part of the Willard family.

 

Have a fantastic four day weekend!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services 




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

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