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The Pride
January 10, 2014

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Willard Parks
 

  
District Office
"New Years Resolution" or "Make a Difference"?

Weight Loss, Exercise, Eating Healthy, Date Night, Less TV, _______________________????  These are only some of the best intended New Years Resolutions.  Feel free to insert yours into the blank space!  As you look at the list you will notice one thing in common with most resolutions: they are selfish.  Most resolutions center around how can things become better for "Me"?  That may be the reason that the vast majority of resolutions are not fulfilled and quickly dropped at the first sign of a sore muscle, double bacon cheeseburger, or hectic schedule.  My commitment is greatly increased when I have committed to help someone else instead of myself. 

Maybe we should try to make a difference in the life of someone else and make their life better.  OK lets go one step higher: Maybe it is time to make a difference in the life of a child.   The district has social workers which organize a food pantry and clothing bank. They are often in need of items or volunteer time, to help specific families that have fallen on difficult times. Elementary teachers are often looking for reading and lunch "buddies".   If you really want to feel good about the new year make a difference in the life of a child, they will in turn make a difference in you!  

Have a great 2014!
Kent

Dr. Kent Medlin
Superintendent

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Athletics & Activities
I've ran out of weather jokes.  It's beyond funny now!  However, our Tigers have somehow managed to pull it together and have done some amazing things since we've been gone....

A HUGE congratulations to the wrestling Tigers on winning the championship of the Bob Kinloch Wrestling tournament over the holidays. This tournament has 24 teams from around the state and this is the first time in our school's history that we have taken home the championship!!!  A special congratulations to Hunter Yeargan on winning his weight division in the tournament!  They then went to the Branson Tournament and finished second behind defending state champion, Neosho, by 1/2 of a point.  The Tigers will look to build on this success as they travel to Monett for a tournament this Saturday.  They will then travel to Rogersville on Thursday to dual with Rogersville and Lebanon.

The basketball Tigers had a very successful break as well finishing 2nd in the Blue Division of the Blue and Gold Tournament.  The Tigers defeated Buffalo, Crane, and Ozark, before falling to Kickapoo in a hard fought championship game.  A special congratulations goes out to the team on winning the Sportsmanship Award!  This rarely gets awarded to a team that finishes as high as second.  It is a great honor!!!!  The Tigers will host Rogersville this Saturday in a make-up of a cancellation last week. Freshmen will start at 5:00pm followed by the JV and Varsity.  Next week, they will travel to Branson to start their COC schedule and then begin play in the Tournament of Champions on Thursday.  We will play at 5:00pm vs. Paul VI (defending tournament champion and currently ranked 5th in the nation). The tournament continues on Friday and Saturday.

The Lady Tigers had a big district win last night over Joplin!  This coming off a rough holiday break where they lost to Dupont Manuel, out of Louisville, KY, and Branson in the Pink and White.  The girls will look to build on last night's win as they will travel to Branson on Monday and to Lebanon next Friday.  Good luck ladies!

Please smile and congratulate two of our own! Clayton Carter and Adam McCann, both WHS Seniors, were notified that they were selected (by audition) to the 2014 Missouri All-State Band.  It does not get any higher of an individual honor for a high school student-musician to receive such an honor. Clayton is 1st chair and Adam is 3rd.  THAT IS IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF MISSOURI out of ALL PERCUSSION STUDENTS.  Adam was also selected as the 2nd alternate as a set drummer for the All-State Jazz Band as well.

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley
Directory of Activities
High School

With the weather we've had and rescheduling of activities, please be sure to check the school website for make-up dates and activity times.  The Pops Concert has been moved to February 3rd and 4th.  The WHS Tiger boys play basketball at home on Saturday versus Rogersville.  Also on the school website are snow make-up days so that plans can be made. 

 

Next Tuesday, January 14, sophomores will be meeting with the Jostens rep.  On Thursday, January 16, seniors will be meeting with Mrs. Jewel and principals regarding graduation details and pertinent information. Counselors are also preparing to meet with the current 8th grade class and begin preparations for transition to the high school.  Pre-enrollment information, 4-year plan documents, and preview night take place this month. These are great events to assist WHS students and parents.

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal
Middle School
Intermediate School
Welcome to 2014!  We hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Christmas break and is ready to dive into our second semester.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can string a few full weeks together.  Grade reports will go home this Friday along with 2nd quarter fitness scores.  Please take some time to go over these items with your student and encourage them to find an area to improve in.  Whether it is a grade in a particular class, a behavior expectation, or a fitness area, setting specific goals for improvement is a valuable life lesson.  Just another way for us as parents to help our kids become more independent and own their educational growth!

Tom Davis
Principal
North Elementary School
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Central Elementary School
Happy 2014!!!  While it took a while for the new semester to get up and going, we are now running full steam ahead.  Our Willard Way Team is revisiting our Willard Way expectations for being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to Learn with students and our Community Team is working on our All-School Family Book Club.
The new semester has also brought us several new faces.  We would like to welcome our new students to WC as well as Ms. Amy and Ms. Melanee in our food services department.  They are busy taking care of the kids and the kids are working hard to take care of them too!  We have also added Miss Fullbright as a student teacher in 3rd grade (you know you are getting older when a former elementary student does her student teaching in your own elementary daughter's classroom!).

Please plan to join us for our next PTO meeting Monday, January 13th at 6pm and keep reading for our school book club!

Shane Medlin
Principal 


Orchard Hills Elementary School
Well the snow apocalypse continues! The snow days continue to add up for Willard and for schools in Southwest Missouri. Maybe next week, we will be able to get in 5 full days of school! 

Just a reminder that Mastery Connect reports will be sent home with students this Friday. You may log-in at anytime to see your child's progress for the first semester. Its a pretty quiet month for activities at WOHE this month. Dont' forget the make-up snow days!  These are listed on our Google Calendar on our website oh.willardschools.net

Stay warm!

Dr. Rhonda Bishop
Principal
 
Special Services

2014 has begun and it is a great time for the Special Services Department! The week may have been short, but it didn't lack progress.  Teachers continue to help students work towards the goals that have been set by and for them this school year whether it be academic, behavioral, communication, physical or other. In the next few days, you should be receiving reports related to those goals if you haven't already.  Please contact your child's case manager if you do not receive this and they will be more than happy to take care of it.  Our students have worked hard first semester, and there is still a lot of opportunity left in this school year to grow and learn. When things return to a normal schedule and the snow days decrease,  I look forward to sharing with you some of the incredible things that are taking place here at Willard and how you can help be a part of it.


Also, this week marks the beginning of the MAP-A assessment for students that have been found eligible.  The Missouri Assessment Program-Alternative (MAP-A) is tailored to assess the unique learning goals of students with the most severe disabilities. This year, we will also be participating in a field test using an innovative assessment program called the Dynamic Learning Map (DLM).  This computerized assessment will eventually replace our more traditional MAP-A portfolio currently being used. A big THANK YOU to Kristina Proctor, WMS Special Services Teacher; Danielle Sellenriek, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and our amazing technology guru's for helping us with this process.  We are anticipating great results with this new system as it unfolds.  


Finally, just a quick note that we will be launching our special services webpage soon, so keep watching for that as well.  You will be able to find important information about our services and resources that can assist you. A big THANK YOU to Janetta Garton and Amy Stroder for assisting with this effort.  Stay warm!


Sincerely,

Caryn McDonnell

Special Services Director

 
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Welcome back to school!  Although the recent weather temporarily stalled our start this semester, students and teachers across the district are ready to jump back into learning!  Many students will begin new courses at the middle school and high school, bringing new opportunities and experiences for them and their teachers.  

 

January also marks the kick-off of the district's large-scale assessments.  This month, some students will participate in either the MAP-Alternate (MAP-A) portfolio-based assessment, or the ACCESS for English Language Learners assessment.  There will be plenty of excitement with special projects at the elementary level, as well, and as one first-grade student recently informed me, "I'm ready to grow my brain!" How great is it that kids are that excited to be back in school and learn?! 

 

Before we know it, we'll be preparing for scheduling for next year...and perhaps a spring break and much-needed warmer weather.  2014 is going to be a great year for Willard Schools and students to shine! 

 

Danielle Sellenriek

Director of Curriculum and Assessment  




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Willard, MO 65781

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