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Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success  Driven
The Pride
January 24, 2014

Administration
Board of Education
Approximately two and a half years ago, Joplin, Missouri was hit by a devastating F-5 tornado.  Damage to schools and the entire community was catastrophic.
 
This morning, I along with other Willard administrators, visited three new Joplin schools which just opened this month. Dr. C.J. Huff, Superintendent of Joplin, is a friend and colleague.  He has effectively led Joplin Schools through a traumatic time period. The school districts rebuilding effort totaled over 200 Million Dollars.  One thing which amazed me was the insight and thought which was included in the design.
 
Months ago while looking forward to a future bond issue for Willard Schools I immediately posed the question of: "What is different about a 21st Century School Building?"  Many philosophies which identify 21st Century Learning can occur in any type of building no matter the design or age of the structure.  However, are there specific building features which could help facilitate learning?  
 
C.J. and his team asked those exact questions and were committed to utilize the tragedy as an opportunity to build innovative learning centers.  The three new buildings are beautiful and several other structures are scheduled for completion in August of 2014.  
 
C.J. reminded me that Willard Schools / Community helped organize one of the first relief efforts for the Joplin community.  I am proud of C.J. and his team, he is an educational leader and is already helping others to look toward future educational possibilities.  I appreciate Dr. Huff taking two hours out of his busy schedule to give us a personal tour!
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Dr. Kent Medlin
Superintendent

 

 

 

 


 
School districts rely heavily on finding and maintaining a positive working relationship with companies that provide guidance on how to maximize patron's investments in the school through bonds that are passed and sold.  

Willard has had such a relationship over the years, and especially with one gentleman, Dick Bartow, who believes in the work of helping schools save money.  Dick's father was a well respected Missouri educator (in fact, he was one of my college professors too many years ago to think about!).  

 

Last night, in a special meeting, Dick came to the board with a proposal to refinance a set of bonds, the savings over the next 6 years will amount to over $580,000.  Those kind of figures make my head spin, but this is the second time in my 3 years on the board that he has advised the district to refinance bonds, saving the district now into the millions of dollars in interest payments.

 

While we are talking about savings, let me say "Thank You" to the patrons of the district for the trust placed in Jeff Baker, John Hartley and me.  As the three 'incumbents' who re-filed for 3 more years of board service, we learned earlier in the week that we run unopposed.  Since we do not have to pay to hold a board election, this saves the district several thousand dollars, but even more important, it allows all of us to focus on the work ahead, and enables the flow of that work to continue uninterrupted through these busy times.  I think I speak for my colleagues that none of us take that trust for granted!

 

Sneak preview of coming attractions:  Beginning in March, the BOE will be holding "study sessions" prior to each regular meeting.  These study sessions will be held to gain further information, ask questions and in general have more time to reflect and consider major decisions prior to the regular meeting where the votes will be taken.  These meetings are open to the public, just as the regular meeting.  Once the dates for these meetings are determined, they will be posted.

Julie Germann
Board President

  
Athletic & Activities
High School

 

Congratulations to Miki Andrus, Tori Thomas, and Maddi Reynolds on earning Academic All-State in softball! This is a huge honor and shows just how well rounded our Tigers are.  Great job ladies!
 
Congratulations to our wrestling Tigers on their championship in the Republic Tournament last Saturday.  The boys then defeated Buffalo and Bolivar in duals on Thursday.  This completed an undefeated dual season for the Tigers!  They will have a small break in their schedule before hosting the COC Tournament on Feb. 1st.  Come out and support Tiger wrestling!
 
Congratulations to our basketball Tigers on their effort in the Tournament of Champions.  They lost to Paul VI on Thursday before losing to nationally ranked Weslyan Christian in overtime on Friday.  They then lost a one-point heartbreaker to Kickapoo on Saturday.  A special congratulations to Chris Kendrix on being named to the All-Tournament Team!  The boys bounced back with a good win at Carl Junction on Tuesday and are traveling to Bolivar tonight.  Next week, they will host Central on Friday.
 
The Lady Tigers have fallen on hard times but are still playing hard as they lost to Ozark last night in a tough game.  They will host Bolivar (make-up of previous cancelled game) on Monday and will host Catholic on Thursday.
 
Congratulations to Jenna Robinson, Kayli Owen, William Dickens, who will be leaving this afternoon to attend the MMEA Conference and participate in the Missouri All-State Choir and Band.  This is the top individual honor a high school music student can achieve and it is outstanding that we have 5 Willard HS students who will be attending and representing our school and district. 
 

Last weekend speech and debate competed at the largest tournament in the KC area.  Even though it was a rough tournament we still held our own.  The Varsity competed against 45 schools and ranked 17th in sweepstakes.   While the Novice competed against 36 schools and received 16th in sweepstakes!    At the varsity tournament we had the following students in semifinals: Cameron McMurtrey in Humorous Interp., Kathryn Bushnell in Dramatic Interp., and Debra Wekesa, Dusty Bacon, and Lindsay Smith in Prose.  Emily Raney went to finals in Student Congress and placed 5th. 

 

At the Novice tournament in semifinals: Luke Murray in Humorous Interp., and Katie Schroeder and Landon Summerville in Duo Interp.. In quarter finals of Public Forum debate and placing 4th were Jackson Uckele and Landon Summerville!

 

Great Job Tigers!

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Director of Activities  

 

SGA continues to prepare for court warming which will be February 21st.  The students have also been studying personalities and relationships using the "Color Code".  The self-assessment provides students with a primary or core personality type.  The class has been discussing how to relate to other personality types and the impacts to leading based on these "colors".

 

Counselors have been meeting with 8th graders this week to begin preparations for 2014-15 enrollment.  Freshmen Preview Night at the high school was held on Thursday evening, January 23rd.

 

Counselors, 9th/10th Assistant Principal Jeff Wead, and club sponsors were available for questions and provided information to incoming students and parents. 

 

Counselors and administration welcome questions; please feel free to email, call, or visit with us.  We want the transition to high school to be positive.

 

Next week, Mr. Burns and Ms. Rose will be visiting with freshmen and sophomore students to begin the pre-enrollment process for 2014-15.  February is a busy month for scheduling, tryouts for groups, and beginning phases of building a master schedule for the next school year.  The process truly works to meet the needs of all students.

   

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal
  
  
 

 

 
  

East Elementary



 

We revived our Prize Patrol this week. Every Monday teachers will select students with good behavior and send them to the prize closet. This is a huge reinforcer for our kiddos who have great behavior. Sometimes our good kids can get overlooked and we want to celebrate them!

One of my additional responsibilities as the principal at Willard East is to supervise the Parents as Teachers program. I had the pleasure of attending the National 30th Anniversary Luncheon for this program. Did you know that P.A.T. started in Missouri in 1981 and has since been adopted in all 50 states and 6 countries?

Parents as Teachers serve families in our district that have children under the age of 5 not yet in school. We have two great Parent Educators waiting to serve you! If you would like more information or to have your child screened or schedule a home visit please call Tonia East at 417-838-3552. 
 

Melinda Miller
Principal

 
  
South Elementary
Special Services
Every month the Willard Board of Education spotlights a particular building or program in the district.  This is a time for individuals across the district to showcase all of the wonderful things that are occurring on a daily basis. Willard South hosted this special highlight in December. Below are the details about the two programs that were featured.

The first program was our Willard South Tiger Cubs Preschool.  This is the first year for this program.  It is a tuition paid program focusing on four and five years olds that will enter kindergarten here at Willard South Elementary next school year.  Mrs. Karen Flores is our preschool teacher who has been a friendly face in our district for several years.  She was the former two year old teacher at Tiger Cubs Preschool located on the north part of our district.  She has been an amazing asset to our program.  We have 12 preschoolers who attend a full day program.  We can already see the benefits of having this incredible resource for our students and parents.  

The next program that was highlighted was our Third Grade Tiger Team.  At the end of last year, Mrs. Yates and Mrs. Vaughan approached me about implementing a team teaching classroom. This is a concept where two teachers instruct, plan, and work closely together to maximize student learning.  It is a very unique and cohesive environment where two classrooms come together at various times throughout the day and have very flexible student groups based on learning outcomes.  This idea then spread to two other third grade teachers.  Mrs. Hayter and Miss Hodum have also formed this new learning community with a co-teaching approach.  

It is always hard to choose just one or two programs to highlight to the Board of Education.  We have so many amazing things that happen on a daily basis here at Willard South. To find out more about these particular programs, click on the links below!

Have a great weekend!

 

Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal 



   

What a great week to be in school!  This week, the Special Services staff enjoyed a "late" Christmas party that had been postponed due to snow back in December.  It was a perfect night filled with food and laughter. I enjoyed seeing the people that work so hard relaxing, and being entertained and re-energized for 2014! They definitely deserved it because I know that they invest all they have to serve students EVERY day.

 

The week wasn't all play however, the Special Services Office Administration and Process Coordinators have been working overtime reviewing files for the state review that is completed every three years.  Although this process doesn't directly involve building staff or students, the impact of the review will.  

 

We are continually looking for ways to improve our services, our communication and our program so that our Willard students will be among the top in whatever they pursue.  We continue to believe that ALL students deserve a quality education from people who truly care. We look forward to discovering how we can do this in the months to come as we work through this process.


 

Have a great weekend!


Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services


 


 

 

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