WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
February 28, 2014

Join Our Mailing List
In This Issue
Welcome to THE PRIDE
We've updated our look & added friends! 
 
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. 
 
* Easy Sharing
Just use the buttons at the bottom to send this issue to friends & family or post on social media. 

* Manage Subscription
Use the link at the bottom to change your  subscription. If you'd rather not receive The Pride or would like it sent to a different email address simply make  the changes to your subscription.

* Connect with Your School
Each school's news section has a link to their website and Facebook page so you can get connected and stay informed.

* Quick Sign Up
The Join Our Mailing List box above let's anyone sign up instantly to receive their own copy of The Pride. 
Willard Parks
Check the website for new fitness classes and times!
  
District Office

"There is a good "Vibe" in Willard!"

 

During the Fall Semester I agreed to teach Advanced Education Law for Lindenwood University.  Lindenwood's main campus is in St. Charles, MO however they Cooperate with Ozark Technical Schools to host a large cohort program.  The program offers the opportunity for teachers to obtain an advanced degree.  

 

I teach specifically in the doctorate program.  It has been a great opportunity to enjoy helping young ambitious educators to advance in their career.  Last fall I had an excellent group of students from all over Southwest Missouri. One student who is a current special educator in one of our fellow conference schools demonstrated great passion.  Special Education Law is a significant portion of the curriculum and as expected she excelled in class discussion.  I was able to share many of the positive, unique, programs which Willard has developed to advance this important program. 

 

This week she asked permission from her Superintendent to visit Willard.  I caught up with her during the day and had an opportunity to visit.  She was excited and shared that she had toured the Roar Coffee Shop and the Transition House and was extremely impressed with the program as a whole. Then she said, "Dr. Medlin, I want you to know that the feeling of all the buildings I have been in today was very positive.  I don't think people are putting on a show for me, I simply believe people were enjoying themselves and their kids.  There is a good vibe in Willard".  Even though I have always experienced that to be true it is fulfilling to hear it from visiting educators.  Thanks to Mrs. McDonnell and the Special Service staff for sharing some of Willard's best practices with a colleague from a fellow district.

 

Congratulations to Willard East winning the 2014 "Change a Life" contest.  The contest challenges each building to raise funds for the Willard Children's Charitable Foundation.  This year students raised over $5,700 and Willard East raised the highest amount per child.  Willard East will proudly display the championship plaque for the next year.  Thanks to Mrs. Miller and all the Willard East students for their efforts.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Dr. Kent E. Medlin

Superintendent 


Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter     willardschools.net

Athletics & Activities

I've been told that my Pride articles are too long.......NOT SORRY!  Our kids are doing so many amazing things that we just can't list everything in one paragraph!  

 
A HUGE congratulations to the wrestling program on an outstanding year. The team finished in 8th place out of 47 schools at the state tournament last weekend.  A special congratulations to Hunter Yeargan (3rd), Connar Loderhose (4th), and Nicolas Chavez (5th) on medaling at the tournament. Great job Coach Stephens, Coach Presley, Coach Jennerjohn, Coach Gibbons, and the entire team!
 
Congratulations to the basketball Tigers on their big win over Nixa on Tuesday!  This runs their record to an impressive 19-6 overall and 6-1 in the COC.  It also secured a tie for the COC championship!  The boys will take on the winner of the Neosho/Central district game on Tuesday at 6:00pm.  The championship game will be on Thursday at 7:30pm.
 
The Lady Tigers have been on a roll of late as they defeated Carthage and Neosho!  The 2nd seeded Lady Tigers will face Neosho in the district semifinals on Monday at 7:30pm.  The championship game will be on Thursday at 6:00pm.
 

This last weekend we had our final speech and debate invitational at Neosho High School.  Out of 33 schools our team placed 13th is some of the toughest competition around the state. Going to semi-finals in Individual events were: Matt Walters in International Extemp., Conor Wadle in Original Oratory, Katelynn Wilson in Humorous Interpretation, Molly Sullivan and Maci Bowman in Duo Interpretation, and Dusty Bacon and Timothy Olson in Student Congress.

 

Moving on and placing in finals: Conor Wadle placed 6th in U.S. Extemp., Emily Raney Placed 6th in Student Congress, and Wyatt Gregory and Jeremiah Puckett placed 5th in Duo Interp.!  What a great season by the whole team and good luck the next two weekends at districts to qualify for State and Nationals!

 

Good luck to our Readers Theatre and One Act performers on their competition in districts being held today at MSU!

 

Also, congratulations to Tanner Moore and Nicolas Hooper.  Tanner will be signing to play football at Northwest Missouri State this afternoon and Nick will be signing to play baseball at Jefferson County.  Great job guys!

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Director or Activities  

High School

Students and staff had a lot of fun with the dodgeball tournament last Friday night.  I hope we see lots of pictures in the yearbook later this spring.  It is always good to see students and staff interacting, socializing, and smiling.  Thank you SGA for all the hard work and flexibility to adapt!

 

WHS is hosting the Walnut Grove Class 1 Districts.  The first week of March is the Willard Class 5 District beginning with play-in games on Saturday afternoon.  Additional game times and dates can be found on the high school website. 

 

I want to brag on our students.  Students in DECA and FBLA have been competing and qualifying for state competitions.  Culinary students observed a pro-start competition in preparation for next year.  The Tigers versus Nixa last Tuesday night, as the boys' team captured a share of the COC Championship, our student body was awesome.  The atmosphere was tremendous and our students cheered loudly supporting our team.  Great sportsmanship, school spirit, and school pride abound!

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal 

Middle School
MU President, Tim Wolfe, will be making a stop in Willard on March 5th.   The 8th grade class was selected to hear his presentation, therefore, on March 5th, Mr. Wolfe will talk to 8th graders about the value of a college education. This will take place in the upper gym from 8-9 am.

Congratulations to the WMS Archery team. They took first place with a score of 3,096 in the SW Missouri Invitational tournament this past weekend!  They have now qualified to go to the State Tournament at Tan-Tar-A in March! Individual congratulations to Dalton Striegel who placed third with a score of 272 and  McKenna Townsend who placed third place with a score of 266.

Until April 7th, students in eTime will be working on projects around the theme of animals.   On Wednesday and Thursday this week, area businesses and organizations in the animal field came to the middle school and talked with students.  Check out some of the pictures below!
 
Amy Sims
Principal
 
 
 
Intermediate School
Just outside our office there are a string of banners that represent all of the organized efforts our school has done to benefit groups or organizations in our community.  This display is titled "The Great Give Back" and serves as a reminder to our building of the good we have done this year.  From the American Cancer Society to the scope of these efforts is very broad and probably touches the life of each member of our WIS family in some way.  

The most recent banner reads "WIS students who participated in Hat Day on February 21st raised $155.46 for the Hailey Owens fund".  Although this is not the largest dollar amount listed on our display, I think it best exemplifies the type of students we have at WIS.  This particular fund-raising effort was 100% initiated and carried out by our students.  The donation amount was not nearly as important as the intent behind it.  Another good reason to be proud of our students.

Try to stay warm and dry this weekend!

Tom Davis
Principal  
North Elementary School

Willard North wrapped up the month with an extra special Super Tiger Celebration on Wednesday.  Students had a visit from the Springfield Canine Club as well as Pet Therapy of the Ozarks.  The dogs put on a great performance showing students how well they are trained and obey commands from their owners.  Owners shared what the dogs do as well as how they service the community and schools they live in.  It was a great treat!  

Willard North currently has two therapy dogs that visit students several times a week.  The dogs, Tela and Charlie, work with our students in early childhood education as well as grade level students.  The dogs love being read to as well as helping students in numerous ways.  We are very fortunate to have both Charlie and Tela and look forward to their visits every week!

 

Angela Stevens

Principal

Like us on Facebook      WillardNorth  

South Elementary School

Each year the Willard South Elementary staff members work McTeacher Night to raise money for various school activities and resources.  Next week, staff members will be working at the McDonald's on West Chestnut Expressway to help raise money for one very special little girl....Olivia Eaton!


Last month, second grader Olivia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  She is currently receiving treatment at St. Jude's.  We encourage you and your family to participate by stopping by the McDonald's on West Chestnut Expressway on Tuesday, March 4th from 4:00-8:00.  A portion of the profit made during those hours will be dedicated to Olivia and her family.

You can also purchase a BAKER'S DOZEN COOKIE COUPON for $5 with 100% of the profits going to help Olivia Eaton and her family.  You can purchase these coupons at school February 27th-March 4th or during our McTeacher Night event. You can stop by the office to purchase one in person or send money to school with your child.  If we sell 500 coupons, our school will also receive a school wide HAPPY MEAL party!!!!

We hope that you and your family are able to participate in this special fundraiser.  Your continual support is truly appreciated.

Your partner in education,


Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal  

Like us on Facebook     WillardSouth 

East Elementary School

We are super excited to accept our award for raising the most money for WCCF Change-a-Life Fundraiser! A representative from WCCF will be presenting Mrs. Ferguson's class our award since they raised the most money at Willard East. We will display the award plaque with pride!

 

You're also invited to Family Reading Night!

Thursday March 6th

5:30 - Hamburger/Hot Dog dinner $5

6:00-7:30 Family reading activities

 

Teachers will be on hand to facilitate lots of reading activities for you and your family.

 

This year's Family Night is a celebration of our school-wide book club reading Charlotte's Web.

 

Melinda Miller

Principal 

Like us on Facebook      WillardEast  

Central Elementary School
The 3rd quarter is quickly coming to an end.  Students have been busy working on improving their craft in writing, solving long division problems and tackling comprehension strategies in their reading.  They have been working hard and growing as learners!
As March roars in like a lion this weekend, please keep the following events/dates in mind:

Tuesday 4th - 1st Grade Music Program at 7pm
Friday 7th - End of 3rd Quarter
Friday 7th - Early Dismissal at 12:30
Monday 10th-Friday, March 14 - SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
Monday 17th - PTO Meeting 6pm
Tuesday 18th - Spring Picture Day

Shane Medlin
Principal  

Orchard Hills Elementary School
 
Special Services

 

  

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Dr. Medlin and I had the opportunity this past weekend to engage in conversation regarding the Missouri Learning Standards and what public schools are doing in order to prepare students for the 21st Century.  We met with other panelists at the Lincoln Days event in Springfield.  Our goal was to bring to light the best practices that Willard is engaging in.  

We had the opportunity to focus the discussion on a growth mindset, how technology is integrated into the learning process, and how our teachers are moving learning forward in numerous ways.  Most importantly, we were able to share how we have created our own curriculum to meet the standards - we weren't given a curriculum, nor did we purchase one - we created it ourselves.  

Our district curriculum is rigorous and supported by the teachers who created it, and we are proud of this work.  We are excited about the learning opportunities that all Willard students have to prepare them for a successful future!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Danielle Sellenriek
Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Pre-K~12

 




Willard Public Schools | 417-742-2584
500 E Kime
Willard, MO 65781

 The Pride is a publication of Willard R2 School District.


Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.