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The Pride
March 28, 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
Check the website for new fitness classes and times!
  
District Office
Willard named one of the Nations Best Communities for Music Education 
 
It is impossible to put into words how proud I am of this award.  This award is much larger than one person, one teacher, or even one special year of talented kids.  I can sum this award up in one word TRADITION.  Quality music programs in Willard are multi-generational.

Current students have parents and even grandparents that have helped to build this long standing tradition of excellence.  When Willard attends a music contest vocally or instrumentally other districts automatically know that they have come not only to compete but plan to WIN!

This process starts prior to kindergarten.  Family members sit in the stands at Football Games watching the Cutting Edge, basketball games listening to Jazz Band, National Anthem Soloists, Theater musicals, parades, grade level music programs and many other performance opportunities. These family members point out their brother, sister, nephew, grandchild, etc... with pride and tell their 3-4 year old  "If you work hard you can be a member of that group!"  Young people grow up in Willard looking forward to being part of something special!

This special award should be accepted by the entire community. Generations of students and teachers have made music in Willard Special. Boards of Education, Administration, Teachers, and a host of volunteers have continually demonstrated their unwavering support of music education.   That is how traditions are created.  That is how excellence is achieved! 

Congratulations to the entire Willard Community for being named one of Americas Top Communities for Music Education!  Well Deserved! 
 
Have a great weekend!

Dr. Kent Medlin
Superintendent
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Athletics & Activities
Well that didn't take long!....Spring activities have just begun yet I've got more celebrations for our Tigers than you can imagine, so let's get started.

Congratulations to our baseball Tigers on their victories over Columbia Hickman and Kirksville last Saturday.  This gets them off to a 2-0 start!  The Lead-off Tournament has started but Mother Nature is playing havoc with the schedule.  As of now, Thursday's games are scheduled for this afternoon and the tournament will be played all day on Saturday.  Next week the Tigers go to Branson on Friday and Saturday to take on Brookland High School, Green County Tech, and Nettleton High School, all from Arkansas.

The Lady Tigers lost a heartbreaker to Rogersville to open their season but will look to rebound next week as they travel to Hillcrest on Monday and host Joplin on Thursday.  Good luck ladies!

Boys golf had their first tournament of the year down at Ledgestone CC in Branson finishing 8th out of 15 teams.  Their next tournament is April 7th at Hickory Hills CC.

Track had its first meet cancelled thanks to Mother Nature but will try it again this Saturday as they travel to Festus, MO for the Early Bird Invitational. Next week they travel to Carthage on Thursday for another varsity meet.

The WHS Choir students had a great day at the District Solo & Ensemble Festival yesterday.  Students earned 34 "1" ratings and qualified 61 different students for the State Music Festival on May 3rd.  Willard students earned more "1" ratings than of the 23 schools that participated in the event. Despite the numerous snow days all the students did a wonderful job and delivered great performances.  They represented our school and community exceptionally well and we should all take pride in their accomplishments.
 
Congratulations to the Instrumental Music students for outstanding performances yesterday at the MSHSAA District Solo/Ensemble Festival. They earned 17 Honor I Ratings with 43 students qualifying for State Music Festival.
 
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
 
Jeff Staley
Director of Activities
High School

Spring break is always good!  While staff and students rest and rejuvenate, it is also fun and rewarding to visit with alumni on their breaks.  One student shared how he enjoys going to work every day fixing jets. Another informed high school students of the importance to prepare for the future.  Listening to their decisions, opportunities, and career choices reminds me why we do what we do and reinforces our purpose!

 

On Thursday evening, I was honored to participate in the National Honor Society banquet.  Induction of new members and congratulatory for leaving members highlighted the agenda.

 

This weekend the building will be busy.  The MCCGA Championships with several hundred students and patrons from across the region will be at the high school building.  The practice ACT will also be completed on Saturday morning. 

 

Next Friday, April 4, will be a half-day for students with staff participating in professional development activities.  A finals schedule for seniors and 9th-11th grade students will be made available soon given consideration of all the make-up snow days.

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal

Middle School

Tickets are on sale now for the musical, The Little Mermaid - April 3-5 at 7 pm in the Black Box Theatre. All tickets are $5. See Ms. Graves to purchase tickets.  You have to come out to see this amazing musical!!!

For the calendar: tryout dates for current 6th and 7th graders interested in being on next year's cheer squad:


*       Mandatory parent meeting: Tues., May 6 at 4:00 pm in the lower gym


*       Cheer Clinics are scheduled for May 12-14 in the lower gym. 7th graders will participate from 3-5 pm and 6th graders will participate from 4-6 pm.


*      Tryouts - May 15th begin at 3 pm for 7th graders and at 4 pm for 6th graders. Tryouts will be over at approximately 7 pm.
 

For current 7th graders: there will be an informational meeting about the 2015 Washington DC trip on Thursday, April 17 at 7 pm in the WMS library. If you are interested in going on the trip next year, make sure you attend this meeting. There are only 45 guaranteed spots available. If you cannot make the meeting, see Mr. Biggers for more information.
 
8th grade Social Studies have been studying about Citizen Rights.  Yesterday, Officers Cozzens and Hiembach spoke to the classes about the rights of a middle school student and juvenile law.  
Thanks,
Amy Sims
Principal 
Intermediate School
Mark your calendars for the 8th annual WIS talent show on Thursday April 3rd at the H.S. theater starting at 6:00 PM.  We are looking forward to seeing some amazing student and teacher acts.  Pizza and soda will be available in the commons starting at 5:30.  

The drawings for our chance-to-win fundraiser will be during intermission of the talent show.  If you have not purchased your tickets for this, they are $1 each or 6 for $5.  Catch your favorite WIS student to buy them.   Prizes include an 11 inch Acer Chromebook, Xbox 360 system with Kinect, and an Apple Ipad Air.  Prizes will be awarded after the drawing Thursday evening but you do not have to be present to win!

Enjoy your Spring weekend!

Tom Davis
Principal
North Elementary School
Willard North had a great turn out for McTeacher Night on Monday for grades K-2.  All the profits from the cookie sales go back to the teachers to spend money on their students in the classroom.  In addition, Willard North gets 20% of the food sales for the night. 

Please join us next week for a great meal with grades 3 and 4 and special area teachers next Monday, March 31st from 4-7 pm.  Thank you to all the parents, students, and staff who came out.  If you didn't get a chance to come, please visit us next week!!! 

 

Have a fun and safe weekend.

Angela Stevens
Principal  
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South Elementary School

 

 

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East Elementary School
It's Tiger Pride Friday at Willard East! Once a month we host a Tiger Pride assembly to recognize students for various accomplishments in academics and good character. You should join us some time!

Each principal in the district has additional responsibilities other than their assigned building. One of my additional assignments is the Tiger Cubs Preschool. This week I had the pleasure of providing and observing some technology training for these important teachers. If you have young children you know how tech savvy even the youngest child can be when given the opportunity to explore. 

Each elementary classroom has an interactive white board. Teachers create interactive lessons for the students. Tiger Cubs Preschool will now have this tool as a learning tool for their students as well. You haven't seen anything until you have seen the little guys and girls using an interactive whiteboard! If you are not familiar with an interactive whiteboard feel free to click on the link below and see how it is used.

3 min. video:

Melinda Miller
Principal
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Central Elementary School

 


Orchard Hills Elementary School

 

 

 
Special Services

 

There are great things happening!

Check out our new webpage at http://willardspecialservices.weebly.com


March 21, 2014 was recognized as Down Syndrome Awareness Day.  Willard Intermediate hosted a week full of events to help raise money for the Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks (DSGO).  They raised over $985.00 by making and selling bracelets, buttons, serving McCallisters Tea, dressing as their favorite superhero and more.  Great job and great big THANK YOU to Summer Kern, Special Services, for leading the efforts.  (Pictured below: TopCoach Highfill , Bottom-Summer Kern's Team)


 

 

Also, on March 25, 2014, the Willard High School Special Services team under the leadership of Mrs. Erica Poulson, hosted the Annual Transition/Resource Fair.  Over 20 community agencies were available on site to provide information, answer questions and share resources for parents and students. This is always a great time to connect with area agencies to help support students with disabilities.  If you would like more information about this event, please contact Mrs. Erica Poulson, Special Services Teacher at the High School.  


Don't forget about these important events coming up that YOU can be part of!


April 1-4- Autism Awareness Week

April 9- Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

April 14- Partner's in Strength Night 5:30-8:00 PM at Willard High School. Sign up now!

May 10- A Sporting Chance Track Meet (contact Mrs. Christine Chamberlain for more info)

May 13- Fishing With Friends Day (more details to come)


Have a great weekend!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services  
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

 




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Willard, MO 65781

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