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The Pride
April 11, 2014

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In This Issue
Quick News
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Willard Named Best
Community for Music

For the 6th time Willard has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as being among the best Communities for Music Education (BCME) in the United States.  Read more


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Superintendent Honored by Peers

Superintendent Dr. Kent Medlin was among seven Missouri superintendents nominated this year for the prestigious Robert L. Pearce Award which is presented annually by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA).
Willard Parks
Check the website for new fitness classes and times!

The Great Easter Egg Hunt: April 12: 8:00am - 11:00am @ THE REC

 

Summer Baseball Session 1 Registration April 7 - April 25     

  
District Office

  

There is a popular commercial, which frequents primetime television, advertising a specific automobile. The advertising agency researched all the great ideas that began from humble beginnings in the family
garage, overcame the odds and became the mega-corporations. High stock value organizations such as Amazon (1994), Apple (1976), Google (1998), Mattel (1945), along with others began in the most modest places...the garage. The band "The Ramone's" did not start in a garage as indicated by the commercial; they began in John Cummings apartment, but it is close enough. The message of the advertisement is simple, people with a dream, passion, and a garage have rose to the highest levels of the American Dream.


Using the analogy of the commercial, Willard is a small town, with a small school in comparison to all schools in the U.S. We, as a collaborative team of parents, community, and school with small humble beginnings have had significant people leave our little "garage" and achieve great things. Individuals such as Vernon (Tom) Williams (Class of '67) left Willard and became the Commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Mark Kirk (Class of 72) with his leadership in Biomedical Research, Kathy Staley (Class of '71) is a top executive in Gannet News Service, and Jeff Baker (Class of '82) left Willard and began his investment & finance career on Wall Street. Willard has had many great people leaving our humble "garage" and making a difference. Great things and great people do come from small places. I am looking forward to the next group graduating from our "garage" and who will head out to be world changers.

 

Stewart Pratt

Assistant Superintendent

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Athletics & Activities
Spring sports is in full swing (yes, that is a golf pun!) and our Tigers have gotten off to a GREAT start!  Here are the latest results:
  
The baseball Tigers went 3-0 last weekend in Branson to run their record to an impressive 8-1!  They will be hosting Parkview and Miller tomorrow at Tom Greenwade Field with games starting at 1:00pm.  Next week, they will host Webb City on Tuesday and will travel to Nixa on Thursday in two huge COC matchups!
  
The Lady Tigers soccer team rebounded from a tough loss to Bolivar with a resounding 4-0 victory over Branson to start the season 1-0 in the COC and 3-2 overall.  The ladies are traveling to Poplar Bluff tonight before hosting Catholic on Monday and traveling to Webb City on Tuesday.  Good luck ladies!
  
The track team has had some great performances up to this point and will look to improve on their times as the boys will be competing in the Hillcrest meet tonight at JFK.  Both squads will be traveling to West Plains next Thursday for a big varsity meet.
  
The golfers are getting some tournaments in and here are some results:
MSU Relays - 
Team Score: 349
Team Place: 12th out of 21
Individuals
Marshall Faulkner 81
Robert Mitchals 87
Eric Rodocker 92
Lance Parrish 89
Ridgley Harless 102
Dual Match vs. Republic
Willard - 178
Republic - 185
Willard Individuals (Varsity)
Marshall Faulkner - 35 (Match medalist)
Robert Mitchals - 43
Eric Rodocker - 49
Ridgley Harless - 51
Austin Driskell - 51
Springfield Invitational:
Team Score: 354
Team Place: 11th out of 16
Individuals
Marshall Faulkner - 84
Robert Mitchals - 88
Eric Rodocker - 91
Lance Parrish - 91
Ridgley Harless - 104
  
Yesterday the Speech and Debate Team went to Student Congress Districts which was their last qualifying tournament for Nationals this summer.   In the Senate Landon Summerville and Dusty Bacon went to Super Session.  In the House Irish Amundson made it to Super Session and qualifying to Nationals in the House was Emily Raney!  Willard now has a record four events going to compete in Kansas City this summer at Nationals!  Great Job!

It's Good to be a Tiger!
  
Jeff Staley
Director of Activities  
High School

Next week, April  16 - 17, we will be hosting the MSHSAA State Band Festival.  This is another way Willard's community pride and quality schools are showcased.  It never gets old hearing what great facilities we have! 

 

Please remember due to the winter weather, school is in session on April 18 and 21. 

 

EOC's are coming April 21 - May 2.  Students and staff continue preparations for another successful year of assessments. 

 

Congratulations to Emily McCroskey and Katie Larson for qualifying for FCCLA Nationals!  They qualified in the Star Event category, Life and Event Planning.  Nationals will be this summer.

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal  

Middle School

 

Intermediate School
  
North Elementary School

 

The halls of Willard North are alive with history.  After a month of researching individuals who were history makers, 3rdGraders compiled their information into a PowerPoint presentation, a poster board display, and a timeline.  And if you were in the hallways on the evening of April 1st, you probably witnessed these history makers come to life, as some reports say that Jim Henson, Pocahontas, Orvill Wilbur, and many others were on hand, giving speeches to many as they walked through the hall.

 

The spring season has not only brought out the sunshine, but also a warm HAPPY feeling that makes you want to dance. Click on the link below to see some very HAPPY Willard Northerners.

 

HAPPY WILLARD Northerners

 

Angela Stevens

Principal

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South Elementary School

Our Kindergartners were very colorful and full of energy on Thursday to showcase their grade level music program.  They performed You've Got the Power to a full house.  Students were decked out in their tie-dye headbands, bright shirts and sunglasses.  A big thank you to Mrs. Christensen for creating another wonderful program and keeping 90+ Kindergartners on task!  You are a pro!  

 

Spring is in the air and that means that MAP testing for our 3rd and 4th graders is right around the corner.  Our teachers have been busy with our MAP Attack on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to help prepare our students for testing.  Please make sure you mark your calendars for the dates below.  It is important that student receive plenty of sleep, arrive to school on time and eat a healthy breakfast.  Testing will start each day at 9:00....don't be late!
  
3rd Grade---April 22, 23,24,29,30
4th Grade---22, 23, 29, 30
  
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the warm weather!

 

Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal

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East Elementary School
   
  
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week! We hosted a volunteer breakfast this week to honor all of the people who help out at Willard East. It really does take a village to raise a child. We are so thankful for all the parents and community members who volunteer their time for the children in Willard Schools. 
  
    
  
  
  
  
THANK YOU from Willard
East Elementary!
  
Melinda Miller
Principal
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Central Elementary School

Orchard Hills Elementary School

 

 
Special Services

It's almost here!  The Annual Partner's In Strength Night where students celebrate ABILITIES, not DISABILITIES! It's not too late to join us and take part.  Please check out our website for information at http://willardspecialservices.weebly.com/  It's all happening this Monday, April 14th, 5:30-7:30 PM at the WHS Gym/Commons Area.  This year, students designed the t-shirts and are participating in record number, it's going to be an incredible night.

 

Don't forget that it is Autism Awareness Month.  Thank you to Lindsey Lovekamp and the District Autism Committee for providing daily facts and tips, videos and awareness activities last week.  Shirts are being worn every Monday in support of awareness and education about autism.  Check out the video on our webpage!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services  

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

 




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

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