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The Pride
February 14, 2014

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Welcome to THE PRIDE
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As a parent, staff member or fan of Willard Schools we hope you'll enjoy reading about school happenings each week. In addition to the new look we've included a few new features as well. 
 
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Willard Parks
Youth Soccer Registration Deadline is Feb. 21st

  

Kids Night Out - Feb.14th from 5pm to 9pm @ THE REC

 

Check the website for new fitness classes and times!

  
District Office
The 21st Century Board of Education
 
Structure for the Willard Board of Education has remained unchanged for many years.  The BOE has a standing meeting scheduled for the third Thursday of each month.  Special meetings are scheduled as needed. Closed Session begins at 6:00p.m. and Open Session at 7:00p.m.  

In the past 10 years there have been a handful of times when the meeting lasted past midnight.  Years ago meetings commonly lasted deep into the morning hours.  District leadership is not only working to identify the most effective practices of a 21st Century School, we are also questioning the most effective structure and practice for the BOE.  

Beginning in March, 2014 the district will host two meetings per month.  The normal business meeting will continue on the third Thursday of the month.  A Study Session will be scheduled monthly at a time TBD.  The goal is not to simply create more time to have meetings.  The goal is to have effective / efficient meetings.  It is easy to get bogged down in the weeds of an issue instead of focusing on growth, student learning, professional development, master planning, and other important issues.  The BOE will discuss the new structure next week.  I look forward to adopting strategies which helps us grow.

Dr. Kent Medlin
Superintendent 

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Athletics & Activities

 

I have mentioned before that, occasionally, our students' talents give me goosebumps.  Last night was one of those occasions.  I was fortunately enough to accept Mrs. Tobin's invitation to attend the WHS Night of Forensics.  I never stopped smiling for over an hour!  Our Speech and Debate program is doing some amazing things with the hard work of our coaches and students!
 

Last weekend Speech and Debate attended the Joplin Tournament with 19 other schools and came out with a 4th place sweeps finish!  In semifinals were: Mercer Martin and Matthew Walters in International Extemp., Conor Wadle in US Extemp., Jacob Burnett in Oratory, Katelynn Wilson and Hayden Onstott in Humorous Interp., Ashlyn Shipley and Maci Bowman in Duo Interp., Emily Raney in Story Telling, Ryan Largent and Timothy Olson in Radio, and Mrs. Tobin, Jacob Burnett, and Cole Baker in Group Improv.

 

In finals and Placing were: Cameron 4th and Ryan Largent 1st in Humorous Interp., Kayleigh Amstutz  3rd in Dramatic Interp., Dusty Bacon 4th and Katelynn Wilson 1st in Prose/Poetry, Kayleigh 6th and Lindsay Smith 4th in Story Telling, Matthew Harrison 5th in Radio Speaking and in Group Improv Cameron McMurtrey, Jeremiah Puckett, and Timothy Olson placed 3rd.  In Debate Courtenay Turner Placed 3rd in Novice Lincoln Douglas Debate! Great Job!

 

Congratulations to our Tigers as they have reeled off 5 wins in a row and are now 16-5 on the season and 3-0 in the COC!  They will travel to Carthage tonight in another COC showdown before traveling to Republic next Tuesday (need you there!), and hosting Neosho next Friday (Courtwarming). We will be recognizing Dr. John Crighton at halftime of the Neosho game as he is being inducted into our Activities Hall of Fame!


The Lady Tigers had a big COC win last night as they defeated Carthage 58-41 at Carthage!  They will look to ride this momentum into next week as they travel to Republic on Monday and will host Neosho on Thursday.

 

Congratulations to the wrestling Tigers on winning their division in the Francis Howell Central Wrestling Tournament last weekend!  This is a huge tournament and bodes well for our chances at state.  Speaking of state.....our Tigers will begin their journey to Columbia starting tonight as they compete in the district tournament in Branson.  It will finish tomorrow with the top four wrestlers in each weight class advancing to the state tournament next week.

  

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Director of Activities

 

High School

Teachers at WHS and throughout education really do care about what is best for students.  On Wednesday as I walked through several areas of the building, I was reminded and encouraged by the professional collaboration I was witnessing.  Here are some examples: 

  • Teachers discussing a student's progress and next steps.
  • Teacher and administrator collaborating over data and how to ensure student success.
  • Instructional coach and teacher working together with technology in the classroom.
  • Teacher team reviewing needs of student even after hours.

These were just a few examples. 

 

While I am bragging, let me also say how proud I am of our students.  Care and concern expressed for peers is tremendous.  The openness and regard for all fellow students is astounding.  The sportsmanship shown at activities is awesome.  The positive representation of our students at various activities and performances is tremendous. 

 

Next week, February 17 - 21, is spirit week including Court Warming on Friday night.  Details and information can be found on the high school website.  Also, WHS wrestlers will be in Columbia for State Wrestling; they are having a tremendous year!  Counselors continue to pre-enroll for the 2014-15 school year; counselors have been in classrooms working with students this week continuing next week.

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal  

Middle School

 

Intermediate School

Happy Valentine's Day!

 
Valentine's Day is always a special day in the lives of 5th and 6th grade students (and their principal!).  Although some of us think we have attained an advanced age and are "too cool" to do the Valentine's thing, the majority of our students still enjoy the fun and excitement the holiday brings to a pre-teens world.  Decorated Valentine boxes, cards, and candy were common sights today.  A big "thanks" to all our parents that came in today to organize class parties and send in treats to make this day special!
 
WIS wrapped the annual district WCCF "Change a life" change drive this week.  All class totals are in and our building collected a total of $448 in change!  This brings our total building WCCF contribution to $1622 for the year!!  We are proud to play a part in helping this awesome organization.
 
We also celebrated our belated 1st semester honors assembly today.  The recent snow days forced us to do this a little later than we had planned, but we had a great time celebrating the accomplishments of many individual students.  Just over half of our student body earned a spot on the first semester honor roll.  Great job to these students and we hope that number continues to increase in the second half of the year!
 
Enjoy the warmer temperatures this weekend!  

Tom Davis

Principal 

North Elementary School

 

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South Elementary School
Happy Valentine's Day from everyone at Willard South Elementary!

Yesterday, students celebrated this holiday with classroom parties and plenty of sweets.  It is always such a fun atmosphere with students delivering their valentines to their special friends and don't forget the decorated boxes.  This year the minions were taking over several rooms along with a four feet tree with a tissue paper owl inside, military tanks and sparkly castles...just to name a few of the creative Valentine boxes.  What an exciting time for elementary students!

Upcoming Events:
Monday, February 17th--SCHOOL IN SESSION (snow make-up day)
Friday, February 21st--MOVIE NIGHT at 6:00 (hosted by 1st grade teachers)

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the warmer weather!

Kara Crighton-Smith
Principal
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East Elementary School

Money! Money! Money! "Penny Wars" for the WCCF fundraiser got pretty exciting at Willard East. We raised around $1350. Our winning classrooms were K-Ferguson, 1-Jackson, 2-Whisler, 3-Letterman, and 4-Heller. A huge THANK YOU to Keegan's mom, Dalton & Ashley's mom, Nora's mom & Gatlyn's mom for helping count all the change.

 
Friday will be a very exciting day for our kiddos and staff. It's Valentines Day! Who doesn't love Valentines Day for kids? Lots of celebration and an early dismissal day makes for a great holiday!

Melinda Miller
Principal

 

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Central Elementary School

WC celebrated their 7th Annual All-School Book Club on Tuesday evening with our Family Reading and Fine Arts Night.  Hundreds of visitors poured into WC (braving the cold/snowy tundra) to share in activities from the book, eat some "duck gumbo", listen to Mr. Dave Wright and company share some great music, and take an old-time photo to remember the event.  

 

A special thank you to Mrs. Mello for the amazing student artwork that was displayed, Mrs. Chatman for connecting our students to the book and the evening's activities through music, and to Mrs. Roth for running the Book Fair for our students and guests.  It was an amazing evening and you can view pictures on our Facebook page and read more about the evening in the CrossCountry Times.


WC is looking forward to warmer temperatures and a full week of learning next week!

Enjoy the weekend!
 
Shane Medlin

Principal

 


Orchard Hills Elementary School
Willard Orchard Hills is in the middle of celebrating FABULOUS February! This month is dedicated to providing teacher and student appreciation as well as making the long months of winter go faster!  With the snow apocalypse continuing it sure helps to have a little pick me up!  This week we have had several activities including a coffee shop, lunch, and the chocolate fountain for teachers. Students have participated in jeans day and Wii Just Dance! Next week we have Beach Day, Pajama Day, Pirate Day, and Favorite Book Character Day.  It should make for some interesting Facebook and Twitter pictures!
 
Also congratulations to our WOHE students who had artwork displayed at our Central Office from January 19-February 7
 
Kindergarten
Kadence H.
Heivein L.
Keith S.
Allison B
 
First
Natalie H
Evie S
 
Second
Linsey B
 
Third
Karon J
Ollie B
Ian T
Roni Y
Nalani G
Maddie F
Brandon S
 
Fourth
Hunter L
Jaelyn O
Alli K
 
Remember Friday is a make-up snow day and is a half day with dismissal at 12:30 p.m.  Monday is also a make-up day with a full day dismissing at 3:00 p.m.
 
Have a great weekend!

Dr. Rhonda Bishop 
Principal
 
Special Services

It was so nice to see a little sun this week,  I think spring is on the way!  When spring comes, that means that lots of activities are getting ready to start.  In the next few weeks, you should be receiving information about Partner's In Strength.  

 

This year, the event will be held on Monday, April 14th at the WHS gym. Partner's In Strength is a night to celebrate the abilities of all of our students in the athletic arena with various activities and games that are unique to the needs of our special athletes.   Be watching for more details. We would love for you to come and be a part of this amazing night!


Have a great weekend,


Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services  

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

 




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