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The Pride
August 29, 2014

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Quick News
Willard Parks
 

Youth Soccer & Volleyball Registration Now Open

Aug. 14th - Aug. 30th


 

Adult Volleyball Registration Now Open

Aug. 14th - Aug. 30th


 

Doggie Dive @ THE WAC

Sept. 6th - 12:00pm to 3:00pm


 

Mighty Mites Cheerleading Registration Now Open

Aug. 14th - Aug. 30th


 


 

 


 


 

  
District Office
The Board of Education approved last week to place a question on the November election ballot to sell 15.2 million dollars in bonds.  This process began  over a year ago with listening sessions throughout the district.  I, along with other administrators and Board of Education members, offered opportunities for our community to provide input into possible solutions to accommodate continued growth.  District growth is continually evaluated through the use of a long range Facilities Master Plan.  Select projects had been on the plan for several years.  It is the goal of the district first and foremost to provide quality space for student learning.   Administration tracks continued growth and subsequently plans to accommodate student populations prior to a point of a facilities operational capacity.   Some district buildings have served Willard students for generations.  An example of this is North Elementary which was originally constructed in 1953.  North has experience 5 different classroom additions.  The last bond issue was approved in 2006 with several projects including the construction of Orchard Hills Elementary.  Since 2006 Willard Public Schools has grown by over 800 students!  The following projects were approved by the Board of Education to be placed on the ballot.
  • Renovation of North Elementary including the addition of new entry space
  • Renovation of Willard Intermediate School including a classroom addition 
  • New Willard High School Multipurpose Building
  • New classroom addition to Willard Orchard Hills Elementary
  • Replacement of athletic track surface and addition of artificial turf at the Willard Football Stadium
  • New Tennis Court facility located on the High School campus
  • Purchase of property for future district use
I am excited about the potential for these projects.  The slate will provide for new programs and learning opportunities, as well as room for continued student growth.  Stay tuned to next weeks Pride so that I may elaborate on each of the projects and share specifics on the financial impact to the district and community patrons.
  
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
  
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent
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Athletics & Activities
The only thing hotter than the temperature right now is our Tigers!  Wow! What a great start to the Fall season.....here are the highlights:
  
Congratulations to our football Tigers on their victory over Nevada last Friday. The Tigers are now ranked #6 in the state in Class 5!  They will take this ranking into their home opener tonight as they host Springfield Central. Game time is 7:00.  Monday's JV/Frosh games vs. Central have now been changed to one combo game due to lack of numbers at Central.  Game time is 5:30 at Harrison Stadium.
  
The softball Tigers are currently 3-0 on the season as they have defeated Hillcrest, Monett, and Kickapoo!  They will look to continue their great start next week as they travel to Bolivar on Tuesday and to Neosho on Thursday. Good luck ladies!
  
The VolleyTigers are undefeated in their young season as they have beaten Hillcrest and Buffalo.  They will host Central next Tuesday and will host Bolivar on Thursday.
  
The soccer Tigers have struggled to win games early on but have been very competitive and are getting better with each match.  They will look to get in the win column next week as host Webb City on Tuesday and Waynesville on Thursday.
  
Our Lady Tiger golf team will start their season next week as they play in the Marshfield Tournament on Tuesday and the Ozark Tournament on Thursday.
Cross Country will have their first meet of the season next Saturday, Sept. 6th at Lake Springfield.
  
A special congratulations to our cheerleaders on winning their Regional Championships this summer!
  
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
  
Jeff Staley
Director of Athletics/Activities
High School

It has been really fun and exciting to walk the halls this week observing classrooms.   I was excited to see teachers and students using technology in creative ways to learn math.  In one classroom, students were online using a platform called Canvas to complete problems and gain immediate feedback.  In another classroom, students were online going to a teacher's website and working through self-guided digital lessons.  In both cases, the instructors were moving about the classroom guiding and supporting students.  These sorts of examples can be observed throughout the high school.  Technology integration has truly become part of the culture of learning at Willard High.

 

Next week is homecoming week.  SGA has planned spirit days, a parade, an assembly, and Friday post-game activities.  The parade is on Wednesday, September 6, starting at 6 PM.  The crowning ceremony begins at 6:30 PM.  The high school post-game activities will include a dance and laser tag, 9 - 11 PM.

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves
Principal

 

  
Middle School

8th Social Studies is off and running with student projects.  Students have created maps of the United States with different land forms and each state in the correct location.  8th grade is the first year students learn the actual location of each state on a US map.  They have really taken hold of their learning and creating some outstanding projects.  Many students have spent hours working on this project and it shows!! Check out John Baker and his edible cake map - Yum!!

  

 
7th grade science is working on developing your next generation of engineers.  Students were given a challenge to build a box out of card stock that will hold a  specific volume (1000 cm3). In groups, they used the volume given to them to determine the best possible box size that a child could use to store small toys.  

 

 

Amy Sims

Principal   

Intermediate School
With two full weeks behind us, everyone is looking forward to the 3 day weekend and the unofficial end of summer.  Our students and teachers have settled into their routines and the 2014-2015 school year has gotten off to a great start.  Our building theme this year is "We are Willard".  We are excited about the unique ways this theme will translate into WIS throughout the year as we bring Willard to all our students.
  
In an effort to establish a strong school and home connection, each of our building teams will be hosting a team night over the next few weeks.  We encourage all of our parents to attend their respective team night to learn more about your child's teachers and their expectations for the new school year.
  
Aug. 25th 6:30-7:30 pm - Red Team
Sept. 15th 6:00-7:00 pm - Pink Team
Sept. 16th 6:00-7:00 pm - Maroon and Yellow Teams
Sept. 18th 6:00-7:30 pm - Lime and Blue Teams
Sept. 22nd 6:00-7:00 pm - Black Team
Sept. 23rd 5:30-6:30 pm - Purple Team


Tom Davis

Principal

North Elementary School
  
It has been a great week at Willard North!  We had our first Super Tiger on Wednesday and all the students received their school t-shirt from PTO.  It was awesome to see every student in their blue t-shirt and showing school spirit. We also took our school-wide picture on Wednesday, with over 300 students smiling for the camera! 

 

                                  

 

We are looking forward to the first Willard Tiger home football game tonight! There is a community tailgate party at District Office at 5:30, so come and get a hot dog and attend the football game for free!  Hope to  see everyone there showing their support for the Willard Tigers!

  

 

Looking ahead to next week...

Monday, September 1-No School

Friday, September 5-2nd Grade Grandparents Day, Elementary Night at the Willard Football Game (Community Tailgate at 5:30)

 

Have a great weekend!

Amanda Hambey

Principal

 

 

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South Elementary School

Willard South will be helping our community by participating in building wide "Hats on For Community Service" event which kicks off on Tuesday, September 3rd.  This is a monthly community service project that takes place the first Tuesday of every month. Students and staff members show their support by wearing a hat to school and bringing in a canned/boxed food item for the Willard Community Food Pantry. Current supplies are running low due to the summer months and the needs of families in our district. The Willard Community Food Pantry is located at 116 Mill Street in Willard. Their hours are every Tuesday from10:00am-2:00pm. Below is a list of the items needed to help supply our Willard Community Pantry.

  • Canned meats
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Peanut Butter
  • Jelly
  • Hamburger/Tuna/Chicken Helper
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Pasta
  • Canned Pasta
  • Canned Fruit
  • Soups
  • Rice
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner

Have your child participate by sending in a canned/boxed food item and wearing a hat to school on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd! Have a wonderful three day weekend!

  

Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal

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East Elementary School
We are sure hoping for some cooler weather in the next few weeks! Students are only outside about 10 min. each day due to the crazy heat. We are used to inside recess in the winter but not so much in the fall. Looking forward to cooler days.
  
Be on the look out for some photos of our new carpet next week. You may have visited and noticed we were missing some flooring the past couple weeks. Specialized carpet was ordered and it will arrive this week! 
  
Have a great 3-day weekend!
  
Melinda Miller
Principal

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Central Elementary School

WC parents filled Willard Central on Thursday evening for our Parent Orientation Night to learn about grade level learning objectives, classroom procedures and what to expect for the year ahead of us.  It was standing room only in many classrooms as teachers and parents aligned to support our students.  Thank you to all of our teachers making the evening a success and to our special area and special services teachers for providing childcare so the adults could have some time to talk together.

 

On Friday, WC kicked off our PTO Fundraiser.  Please connect with a WC student to support our school and PTO.  The school community generosity has allowed our PTO to purchase playground equipment, technology, classroom books, our school t-shirts and so much more!  Your support is greatly appreciated!
  
Enjoy the long weekend with family and friends and have a great Labor Day weekend!
  
Shane Medlin
Principal

Orchard Hills Elementary School

 
Special Services

 

Over the next couple of weeks, parents will have the opportunity to come to school, meet teachers, learn about instructional goals/technology and ask questions about daily schedules/routines and expectations.  You will be asked to join PTA's, Booster Clubs, Committees, etc.  It is always A LOT of information and can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if you have more than one child.  It might sound easier to not come to these events or just leave school at school and let the teachers teach.  While it might be difficult to make time to work at home with your child, connect with your child's teachers or volunteer in the classroom or activities, it is necessary and valuable!

  

 

Our students need support from home to be the best that they can be.   I would encourage every parent or guardian to be active in their child's education.  For parents of students with special needs, you have a great opportunity to take advantage of this at the annual IEP meeting.  Below you will find a link to frequently asked questions about parent participation in the special education process. We look forward to working with you this year!

  

FAQ's: Parent Participation

  
Have a great 3 day weekend!
  
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services 
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

This year started out with great success with the welcoming of new teachers to the district.  Tiger training was a great success with the participation of 42 new teachers from across the district.   The theme for this year was "Choice, Voice, and Creativity".  Instructional Coaches and staff did a great job of motivating new teachers and stressing the importance of instructional strategies, 21st century learning, and most importantly relationships.

 

The Curriculum Department wants to extend a special "Thank You" to everyone who was involved in training the new staff to the Willard Way:

 

� Willard Board of Education

� Dr. Kent Medlin

� Stewart Pratt

� Willard Administration

� Willard Special Services Department

� Willard CTA and PDC 

� Willard Chamber of Commerce

� Willard Technology Department

� Willard Library Staff

� Chrysta Forrest Social Worker

 Debbie Burks Social Worker

� Dr. Susan Langston Evangel Special Guest Speaker
� Renee Bass Hostess

 

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!
  
Angela Stevens
Interim Curriculum Director   



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

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