Our Willard Schools
The Pride
March 1, 2013

 
 
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District Office
 
Sequestration??? What does it mean? How will it affect education?? What is the truth???

The federal government has not approved a budget for several years. I am not a politician however, in my simple ways of thinking, that does not seem like a good thing! Another simple truth is that if you are spending more than you are receiving that is not good either. Maybe that is why there is no budget! If no budget exists then I guess no one is accountable for spending.
  
Since a resolution could not be reached to create a budget both parties said lets create "Sequestration". Sequestration was designed to impose automatic cuts to the highest priority programs if resolution to the budget could not be achieved. The associated theory was that no one will be willing to see cuts in those programs and therefore be willing to compromise in lesser important areas.
  
Unfortunately, politicians don't always play by the rules of common sense. As of tomorrow all of congress will effectively communicate their priorities. Education is one of the priority areas which will face significant cuts. I fail to understand how politicians always have education as one of their most important political platforms when running for office. After elected, politicians are faced with hard decisions and for many lower priority programs are protected and education is placed on the chopping block. I would much rather them tell me up front that Education is only a priority until it threatens my special interest group!
  
Willard has not received specific information how much funding will be cut from our federal revenue. Initial communication was that cuts could be close to $75,000. Willard Schools will not close due to this loss of funding. However, our district does have to create and approve a budget. Two ideas communicated in an article I read this morning suggested that the funds could simply be taken from the "new furniture" and "travel" budget. The author needs to examine my budget and identify $75,000 in these two areas! I guess this is a reminder to all of us why voting is important.
I have great confidence in Willard educators. We believe in doing what we say instead of what is easy.
  
Have a great weekend!

Kent 
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Athletics & Activities

Having grown up in a family that farmed for a living, I learned at an early age not to complain about rain or snow. It didn't matter when it came or how much of it came down....you did not complain. I've been trying to convence our spring sports coaches of this as they have spent the first week of practice trying to play baseball, soccer, and track in our gyms. All the while, working around our basketball teams who were still practicing. Needless to say, it was crowded with Tigers!

 

Speaking of basketball....what a night it was for our Tigers and Lady Tigers. Our Lady Tigers, led by Coach Percival, played for a district championship and fell behind big early on. But in true Lady Tiger fashion, they did not quit and came back to make a game of it only to fall a little short at the end. I am extremely proud of our girls and our coaches for ending the year the way they did.

 

Our Tigers, led by Coach Frazier, then took the court and demonstrated why they have such a big following...they played together, they played hard, and they did it with class! And in the end they took home the district championship over Parkview. They will play on Wednesday at 6:00 at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. A special congratulations to Chris Kendrix on scoring his 1,000th point as a Tiger last night!

 

A special congratulations to our Tigerettes as they placed 4th at the state dance competition last weekend! Great job Coach Williams and the Tigerettes!

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley 

Activities Director 

High School
Willard DECA is hosting the 2013 Men's Volleyball Tournament on Friday, March 22nd. All proceeds benefit theCare to Learn Foundation. For more information or an entryform, please contact a DECA representative or Mrs. Wyatt.

Next Tuesday, March 5, from 5:30 - 8:30 PM, WHS will be hosting parent-teacher conferences. Communication is a vital aspect of quality learning. If an appointment is preferred, please contact the high school main office to schedule.

Congratulations to our Academic Team garnering a 3rd place finish at Southwest Baptist on Monday! Chris Kendrix, Kolbe Kinghorn, and Amber Percival have been named to the All-COC Basketball teams for this season. This is a great honor to them and our teams competing in a quality league. Also, congratulations to our wrestlers and wrestling coaching staff on a fine season where 5 qualified for state and where WHS was represented extremely well at every competition.

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!


Curt Graves

 

Principal 
Middle School
WMS Information
  • The Willard Middle School Jazz Band participated in their first ever jazz festival this past Saturday at Missouri State University. The band performed very well and received an Honor 1 rating. Special recognition was also given to Landon Summerville and Jonathan Herald for Outstanding Musicianship.
  • Check out WMS "The Growl" newspaper developed by students: http://tinyurl.com/wmsthegrowl
  • Track and softball are underway! Looking forward to a great spring season.
  • Drama team is practicing for their next performance of Mulan.
WMS Important Dates
  • March 8th @ 7:45 a.m. Spring Sports/Activity and Team Assemblies will be held in the upper gym. We will be introducing our track and softball teams and introducing Color Guard and Tiger Tones participants.
  • March 9th all day - Archery tournament @ Willard Middle School
Check out other events @ http://ms.willardschools.net/

Thanks for checking in on us!!
  
Amy Sims and Stephanie Walters
Principal and Asst. Principal 
Intermediate School
  
North Elementary School
  
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South Elementary School

 

Don't miss the Willard South Elementary McTeacher Night on Tuesday, March 5th from 4:00-8:00 at the McDonald's on West Chestnut Expressway. This is a great opportunity to enjoy an evening with your teachers outside of the classroom while eating dinner! All teachers who work this event will receive a portion of the sales from the evening to spend on classroom supplies. So, don't worry about making dinner...let McDonald's do it for you while helping out your child's school!

The first graders at Willard South would like to invite you to attend their upcoming program "Get Hoppin!". They will be performing next Thursday, March 7th at 3:00 and 7:00. The musical is a story of a stubborn baby bunny who refuses to hop. Her very loving and patient parents believe that she will hop when she is ready. It is sure to be another fantastic production directed by our talented music teacher Mrs. Reynolds.

Our "MARCH Against Hunger" food drive will take place from March 4th-8th. The Willard Food Pantry is always in need of supplies. To do our part, Willard South is hosting a food drive to help stock the shelves. Boxes will be placed in front of the office for the duration of the food drive. Please drop off any food or hygiene item next week.

Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal
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East Elementary School

 

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Central Elementary School

Willard Central students enjoyed the winter wonderland this week before getting back in to the full swing of learning! 1st grade students enjoyed the Birds of Prey exhibit as staff members from the Dickerson Park Zoo brought some special guests into the classrooms on Wednesday. Our 2nd grade students have been researching and preparing their museum displays making presentation board and the Educreations app on the iPads. They have been excited to use this new tool and to present to their family members this week.

 

Next week WC will be collecting food items to "March Out Huger" to support the Willard Food Pantry. We will also be celebrating Read Across America week. Check our school website for activities and food items to donate.

 

http://willardcentralparents.wordpress.com/

 

Shane Medlin

Principal


Orchard Hills Elementary School
 

Happy First Day of March and WOHE says goodbye to another Fabulous February! I think the snowfall this week was just what the students ordered. If you check our Facebook page, you will see many pictures of our kiddo's playing outside, building snow people and igloo's and having fun creating! Our social media team enjoyed posting these fun moments for our families!

 

Another week and Spring Break will be here! When we return, our 3rd and 4th grade students will gear up for Camp MAP. Students will stay after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays to improve their test taking skills. We are in our third year of CAMP MAP and we enjoy doing it every year. We also provide a meal for all students after studying so hard!

 

Have a great weekend and the countdown to Spring Break is officially ON!

 

Reminders: March 8th- End of the 3rd quarter and 1/2 day for students

March 11-15th- Spring Break

March 18- Return to School.

 

Rhonda Bishop

Principal

 
Special Services
 

Researchers say that music is a universal tool in helping improve how students learn and retain information. Music instruction and therapy can help a student to excel in literacy, mathematics, memory skills and other abilities such as creativity, jobs, the environment and culture as well as many other areas.

 

Several students at Central Elementary are learning first-hand how instrumental music can be in their own learning. Every Friday night at 6:30 PM, you can hear the sounds of music coming from the library where 5-6 students gather and work with a credentialed music therapist from Drury University for about an hour.   The students range in age from 5-9 and are predominantly students from the Willard School District. There is a small fee for the therapy, but the dividends are great. Parents are happy with the results and say that they have heard their students singing about things like colors, numbers, letters, days of the week and much more. I believe that this therapy time will have a direct impact on the students in the classroom.

 

I would like to say thank you to Mr. Medlin, Principal of Central Elementary, for allowing the group to meet at the school building for this unique therapy. I love hearing about creative ways to reach and teach students, it is music to my ears!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services




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

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