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We've updated our look & added friends!
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Fall Basketball Registration
Ends Oct. 12th @ 5pm
Boo Bash - Costume Party
Oct. 18th 7pm-10pm
Open to Grades 5th-8th
$5.00 admission
Fall Fitness Classes
are underway.
Come check us out. |
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On September 12, 1962, our 35th President John F. Kennedy took the platform on the football field of Rice University. The United States Congress and Administration was in the midst of discussion concerning the loss of leadership in science and technology as the Soviet Union jumped out in front in the space race. President Kennedy met with his cabinet and firmly believed in our country and its potential, however, he knew that change was necessary for the future. On the stage at Rice University, President Kennedy challenged our best education and science minds with his speech promising a man on the moon before the end of the decade.
What made this so significant was the distance. Not the distance from the earth to the moon, but the distance of thought. At the time of his Rice University speech, the United States had just placed the first US astronaut into space on May 5th. President Kennedy and our Congress mobilized resources to achieve a very lofty dream. When we reflect on this achievement, we swell up with pride when thinking of the outcome of this monumental effort by our nation. On July 20th, 1969, my father awakened me to watch the black and white RCA television (for the young people ...it had one remote, "Son get up and turn up the volume!") as the astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin began their descent from the lunar module.
There are many similarities to the discussions in the early 1960's with the current educational conversations regarding a need for education change. A theme of "We are behind" hovers over educators from every state. The message today is not to "scrap" our public school system, but to question, "Is this 1950's school model the best model for today's students?" and "How can we best meet each child at their current learning location to move them forward in the most efficient and effective manner?"
Many thoughts are available from every type of "professional" about what students will need in the next 10 years. What will school look like? We do not know. However, like President Kennedy, Willard believes we can meet the challenge. Our community, our parents, and our staff will partner together to meet every child's needs and to provide each student with a tool belt of skills for success in the 21st Century. I believe change is coming- The way students learn, how we access information and the types of skills necessary for their next 50 years is vastly different from 20th century.
Willard Schools has never been reactionary in its thinking. We work tirelessly to be out in front of change to provide the very best for our students. We invite you to partner with us in seeking the better way for all students. "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win". Like President Kennedy in 1962, Willard should not look at just keeping up with others, but take our children to the "moon".
Link to Rice Speech with Video:
Stewart Pratt
Assistant Superintendent |
"EXCITING" does not even begin to describe what this week been like! All of our Tigers are walking around the halls a little taller and with their chests out a little further. It has been Homecoming Week and it has been amazing!
We will start with softball as our Lady Tigers are playing in the District Championship game after defeating Lebanon 7-1 in the semifinals! The girls will take on Waynesville for the championship today at 5:00pm at the Willard softball field. Come out and watch some great softball and support our Lady Tigers before the football game! Speaking of football game.....our Tigers will be hosting Republic tonight in a huge COC showdown. They gave Webb City all they wanted last week and are currently 4-2 on the season. By the way, it's also Homecoming! The festivities will start at 6:30 so come out early and see who gets crowned Homecoming Queen and then stay for what promises to be a great footbal game! A special "Thank You" to SGA, Coach Larson, Coach Moon, Willard Chamber of Commerce, and everyone who came out and made the Homecoming Parade on Wednesday something I won't soon forget.
Congratulations to Brooklyn Teague on qualifying for the Secitonal golf tournament this Monday in Marshfield! Brooklyn finished in the top 15 up in Kansas City this week to move on. The top 12 from the Sectional tournament will qualify for the State Tournament. Good luck Brooklyn!
Congratulations to the Soccer Tigers on their huge victory over Nixa this week! The Tigers are now 4-1 in the COC and are currently in 2nd place. They will play in the Kickapoo Invitational this weekend before having a very busy week. We will host New Covenant on Monday. This game has been moved to 6:00pm and will be our Senior Night. We will then host Monett on Tuesday and Branson on Thursday. Good luck Tigers!
Congratulations to the VolleyTigers on their two COC wins over Carthage and Branson this week! The girls will play in the Licking Tournament this Saturday before hosting Webb City next Tuesday and traveling to Republic on Thursday.
Congratulations to Chloe Andrews on her 2nd place finish at the cross country home meet, and 7th place finish at Camdenton. Congratulations also to Garron Schweighardt for his 3rd place finish at our home meet and and 11th place finish at Camdenton. Great job! Cross Country will run in the COC meet next Tuesday in Nixa.
Congratulations goes out to the Willard Marching Band for taking First Place Honors at the Parkview Valhalla Marching Festival this past Saturday. Due to the rain/cold finals was cancelled. The Band had the highest score of the day and also earned the Outstanding Percussion and Outstanding Color Guard Awards in Class D. The Marching Band will next compete at the Missouri State University Ozarko Marching Festival this coming Saturday.
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
Jeff Staley Activities Director |
We have had an awesome week of homecoming activities.The parade and bonfire were awesome.During celebrity day, we had Tim Tebow (Coach Williams) and Bob Marley (school nurse) visit the building in addition to several others.On superhero day, lots of supermen and wonder women as well as a few Greek gods were present.It has been a great week.Kudos to our student government students and their sponsors for organizing such great events!
Next week, sophomores will take the PSAT on Wednesday and several students will take the ASVAB on Thursday.Friday, October 18, FCCLA will be hosting the annual blood drive in the auxiliary gym while several sophomores visit OTC.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for October 22, 5:30 - 8:30 PM.Appointments can be made through the high school office if parents choose.Come and go visits are also welcome.There will be no school on October 25.
It is GREAT to be a Tiger!
Curt Graves
Princpal |
Central Elementary School
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WC wrapped up the first quarter by celebrating students' hard work in demonstrating the 3R's of the Willard Way (be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn). Students caught modeling these expectations receive powerbands to recognize their positive choices. On Friday morning, students were celebrated for this positive behavior with an outdoor adventure activity. Using GPS coordinates, compasses and smartphones, students and teachers worked together to find hidden clues around the entire school campus. Students enjoyed working together to solve this scavenger adventure activity and were treated to a "build your own trail-mix smorgasbord" to celebrate their hard work. A huge thank you to Coach Brown, Mr. Madden and our resident geo-caching expert and parent, Jay Roth, for their efforts in creating this great memory for our students.
WC would also like to thank everyone for their support in helping us with our PTO fundraiser. We kicked this off this week and it will continue until Monday, Oct. 21st. Thanks to our school community and PTO for their partnership in purchasing technology, books, playground equipment, our school shirts and so much more through their support of this fundraiser. Teachers are busy preparing for student-led conferences on Friday's early dismissal. We are looking forward to conferences and celebrating our students' learning! Have a great weekend and best of luck to the Tigers on homecoming! Shane Medlin, Principal |
Orchard Hills Elementary School
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There are amazing things going on across the district to promote October as Disability Awareness Month. I hope that you have been able to be a part of some of the many great activities taking place.
Dr. Chris Craig came to speak at Community Time at Willard Central last week. Dr. Craig is a professor at Missouri State University and a gifted musician. He shared about his own visual impairment and helped students learn to view everyone equally, despite our differences.
At Willard South Elementary, Sarah Baumgartner is using her weekly counseling time to conduct lessons about disabilities to educate students across all grade levels. The middle school 7th grade ELA classes are discussing disabilities while studying the novel Freak the Mighty. Activities are planned throughout the district for the remainder of the month so please get involved. The Special Services office wants to commend all the buildings on their efforts to bring awareness this month. Thank you for partnering with us! Amy Stroder Assistant Director |
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
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In Willard, we believe one of the best ways to support a new teacher is to support professional growth opportunities. On October 3, 2013, Willard Schools had the pleasure of hosting the Beginning Teacher Assistance (BTA) Workshop. The CIA Department, represented by Instructional Coaches Carolyn Nixon and Michelle Sechler, welcomed 12 first-year teachers for an all-day workshop presented by Deana Layton, Southwest District MSTA Field Representative. Nine teachers from Willard and three from Walnut Grove attended the workshop, which fulfills the state of Missouri's certification requirement for all beginning teachers.
Training topics included classroom management, communication, instruction, family involvement, motivation, and education-related law. Additional guest speakers addressed a topic specific to an area of expertise in relationship to beginning educators: Cindy Rozier, Public School Retirement System; Dr. Scott Fiedler, MSU Director of Student Services; Dr. Michele Smith, MSU Coordinator of Marketing and Recruiting; and Kyle Farmer, staff attorney for MSTA. It was a great day of learning and discussion for our new teachers, and while I listened to the teachers talking, it reminded me of what it felt like 24 years ago when I began my career in education - a lot of excitement, but a little bit of feeling overwhelmed, as well. Many things have changed since my first day in the classroom, but one thing has not - new teachers need support in their profession to be successful, and ultimately, how we support our teachers is what's best for kids.
Enjoy a wonderful Homecoming weekend!
Danielle Sellenriek Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment |
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