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We've updated our look & added friends!
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Fall Volleyball and SoccerRegistration Deadline
Saturday, August 24th. The Recreation Center is open 8:00am to 5:00pm
Doggie Dive @ The WAC
Saturday, September 7th 12:00pm-3:00pm
Don't forget to Like us our
New Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/WillardParksAndRec |
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Welcome to the Grind!!!!!
Each year the Willard staff comes together as a group on two different occasions. At the start of the year and at the end of the year. This year my message to the staff was entitled, "Welcome to the Grind!" (Wow Dr. Medlin that is pretty motivating. How long did it take you to think up that title??)
I have always felt bad for people that hate their job. I don't care how much their salary is if they dread their job day in and day out. It is simply not worth the money. If a teacher or administrator has begun to look upon their building or classroom as a "grind" they should pack up and do something else that will make them happy. However, just because those of us that love our job don't view the day as a "grind" doesn't mean that it is easy.
For the last eleven years I have spoken to teachers at Willard and encouraged them to hang on while we work through this difficult new improvement plan or teaching initiative. I can hear myself in the past saying "In two years we will be over the hump and the hard work will be complete". This year I stepped back and realized that I had probably been lying to them all these many years. Therefore I tried my best in a humble way to share with all teachers that it is not going to get easier. The work is hard but it is valuable. Change is difficult but it is necessary for improvement. The future is unclear however I believe there is a path forward and we must find it.
Teaching is not for everyone, it is not easy, and it is not lucrative, but it has a great reward in the end! I love it!
Welcome to the Grind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Kent Medlin,
Superintendent |
Most of you have heard of "Shark Week", well this is "Jamboree Week" for the Tigers.
Softball is jamboreeing (Is that a word?) at Monett tonight starting at 5:00pm
Soccer is jamboreeing (yes, I'm sticking with it!) at Kickapoo starting at 6:00pm. and football is jamboreeing at Parkview at 7:00pm.
The volleytigers will be jamboreeing at Willard next Tuesday starting at 5:30pm vs. Mtn. Grove and Reeds Spring.
Next week the softball Tigers will host Hillcrest on Wednesday and will travel to Kickapoo on Thursday.
The football Tigers will open their season on the road as they travel to Marshfield on Friday.
Cross Country and Golf will not start their seasons until the following week.
Be sure to catch all of the updates and results as Willard Athletics is now on Twitter and Facebook. Can't believe I just said that! It's Good To Be A Tiger! Jeff Staley Director of Athletics/Activities |
What a great Meet the Teacher turnout on Thursday evening!Our new freshmen counselor, Mr. Burns, expressed to parents that they should feel welcome in our building.I want to extend that sentiment.Please feel free to visit.Communication is a vital component to a successful school year.If you were unable to attend the Meet the Teacher event, all the presentations from counselors can be found on the WHS website for review.
It is GREAT to be a Tiger!
Curt Graves
Prncipal |
Physical Fitness Monday
Monday was a very special day at WIS! Every student in the building spent 50 minutes in our main gym listening to a brief explanation of the how and why of our new fitness program followed by the opportunity to get their heart rates up with some of our new equipment. From the red faces and excitement I saw on our students as they came out of the gym I think it is safe to say that the time was both fun and purposeful! This success is due in large part to Coach Highfill and our other special class teachers. Students will begin their first round of fitness assessments next week which will help guide the development of our ability groups. Monday's are going to be a great day at WIS this year!
Here are a few dates to make sure you have on your radar:
-Wednesday 8/28 is Picture day
-Thursday 8/29 is our Tiger Savings Card kick-off assembly
-No school Monday 9/2 for Labor Day
-Thursday 9/5 is our first ever parent information night from 6:30-8:00
Tom Davis
Principal |
It has been a full week of learning at Willard South! Students are learning about our school wide behavior expectations. This consistent routine helps to ensure students are learning and safe. We follow our ROAR expectations...Respect each other, Observe Safety, Attitude is everything and Responsible for your choices. This is our fourth year to implement these procedures and the results are paying off for our entire building!
I would also like to thank all of the amazing teachers here at Willard South. They are doing an amazing job at starting the school year off on the right foot. They work extremely hard to ensure students are learning both academically and socially. I have walked through classrooms and been amazed at the progress, focus and dedication of both teachers and students. I am confident that we will have another productive year due to their countless hours of preparation, dedication and commitment. THANKS again for all you do to ensure students are learning!
Student Focused|Strongly Connected|Success Driven
Kara Crighton-Smith
Principal |
Central Elementary School
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Students got in to the swing of learning during this first full week of school. From Kindergarten students diving in to good books and writing their own stories to 4th grade teachers and students embarking on the use of Chromebooks for learning, students are showing they are Wild About Learning.
We will have Parent Orientation next week on Thursday, August 29th, to discuss classroom expectations, learning standards and routines. Classroom teachers will be offering 2 sessions and Mrs. Jones and I will be offering 2 sessions to discuss Standards-Based Grading and our district's assessment platform, MasteryConnect.
6:00-6:25 Session 1-Classroom Orientation
6:30-6:55Session 2-Classroom Orientation OR SBG/MasteryConnect
7:00-7:25 Session 3-SBG/MasteryConnect
We hope you can join us for this evening to partner together to support student learning.
Shane Medlin
Principal |
Orchard Hills Elementary School
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Willard Orchard HIlls is up and running for the 2013-2014 school year. This year we celebrate our 5th school year. Our first kindergarten class are now fourth graders! Its hard to believe so much time has passed.
We would like to welcome our new faculty and staff to WOHE this year. Mrs. Mary Blackburn teaches fourth grade, Mrs Autumn Farmer and Miss Devin Bowen are new to the second grade team, Mrs. Dana Mead new to our building for reading and Mrs Janet Fortney is new to our building in special services. We also welcome Miss Heidi in the cafeteria and Mrs. Plummer in special services.
In addition to new staff, we welcome over 50 new students and families to our WOHE family! We are so excited about the upcoming year!
Rhonda Bishop
Principal |
The first full week of school was a success! Students are working hard to develop routines and procedures that will carry them through to the end of the school year. Teachers have done a fantastic job helping students to feel comfortable with their new surroundings, new faces and new schedules. As I visited several special education classrooms over the last few days, I saw students smiling and enjoying the process of learning. No matter what the subject or topic, learning should be enjoyable! I appreciate our teachers providing excellent instruction, but also the effort they make that creates a positive climate for their learners. As a parent of two children in this district and as a Willard employee, there's a piece of mind that comes with knowing that when your child goes to school, they are happy and safe. I am confident with these things in place, student learning can be maximized and growth can occur.
Have a great weekend!
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services |
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
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The first full week of school has been filled with exciting new changes in curriculum and learning activities district-wide. In elementary classrooms, teachers have teamed to provide new learning environments, implemented new strategies to provide mathematics support, and have gathered a first writing sample from our budding authors. In the middle grades, new programs are being implemented to support technology initiatives and brain-healthy learning. The high school has added to its repertoire of virtual and blended learning environments. I am not sure who is more excited to be back to school - the students or the teachers! As we embrace the changes and progress in curriculum and instructional practices, we hold fast to the most important thing - doing what is best for each individual student. In Willard, our students, teachers, and parents know that is something to count on and be proud of. It's going to be a full year of learning and we are well on our way!
Danielle Sellenriek Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment |
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