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The Pride
October 3, 2014

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Your Voice
 
Each week this section will feature a 2 minute survey asking for your input on an important school issue. Please take a couple minutes to let Your Voice be heard.
Willard Parks

 

Youth Basketball Registration

Oct. 1st - Oct. 18th  

 

Safe Halloween Trunk or Treat
October 25th 2014 from 6pm-8pm

 

Dungeon of Doom Haunted House

Friday, Oct. 24th & Saturday, Oct. 25th: 7-10 pm 

 

9th Annual Christmas on the Frisco - Nov. 22nd

www.christmasonthefrisco.com

 

3rd Annual Willard Turkey Trot 
Thanksgiving Morning November 27th 2014

 

Music Class Registration Underway

www.willardparks.com/music-classes

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

  
District Office

Willard Comprehensive Improvement Plan

2014-2015

 

Successful organizations continuously work to improve.  Improvement does not occur overnight and a plan must be in place to achieve success.  The Willard Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) is broken down into four main goals:

 

  I.         Student Learning

            II.        Developing and support of staff

            III.       Community Relations

            IV.       Facilities

 

The process begins with an evaluation of the previous year's plan.  The evaluation is developed by administration and submitted to the Board of Education for review.  The Board of Education provides input to support the development process. Action steps are developed to support each major goal.  A draft copy is submitted to the Board of Education for review and final approval is voted upon in September.  Each building, along with the Special Education Department, develops a specific plan unique to their school /department which supports the district plan.  Professional Development Plans are developed by each teacher outlining specific growth intended for the year.  Professional Development Plans are constructed to support building / departmental goals. 

 

Professional Development Plan - Building Improvement Plan - District Improvement Plan

 

I have attached the links below:

 

CSIP Evaluation 2013-14              CSIP Plan 2014-2015

 

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Medlin

Superintendent 

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Athletics & Activities

I can't believe how fast the Fall season is going.  Some of our Tigers have already had their district competition (golf), some are preparing for it next week (softball), and others are still in the middle of their seasons (football, soccer, cross country, and volleyball).  So lets get to the results!

  
Our softball Tigers defeated Cassville on Tuesday 10-0!  This puts them at 13-13 on the season.  They will travel to Marshfield on Monday to end the regular season.  We just found out that they received the #3 seed in the district tournament which will be held in Camdenton.  The girls will open play on Wednesday at 4:30pm vs. Central.  Semifinals are on Thursday and the championship game is next Friday.  Good luck ladies on defending your district championship from last year!
  
The football Tigers fought hard last Friday vs. Webb City but came up short suffering their first loss of the season.  They still are 5-1 and ranked #5 in the state as they travel to rival, Republic, tonight in a big COC matchup with playoff seeding implications.  Good luck Tigers!
  
Cross country ran (pun intended!) into a problem with Mother Nature last night as our Willard Highline Invitational was cancelled due to continuous lightning.  The teams will travel to Catholic next Tuesday in their last meet before the COC race in Nixa on Oct. 14th.
  
The VolleyTigers are 17-5 and 3-1 in the COC after defeating Branson last night!  The girls will travel to Licking this weekend for a tournament before resuming their COC schedule next week as they travel to Webb City on Tuesday and host Republic on Thursday.
  
Congratulations to our soccer Tigers on defeating Hillcrest, Rogersville, and Monett on their way to winning the championship of the Willard Tournament!  They will be traveling to Monett next Tuesday and to Branson on Thursday.  Tonight we will be hosting Bolivar in a rescheduled game from last night.  Varsity will play first at 4:30.
  
The Cutting Edge did a great job in Ozark last Saturday finishing 6th overall in the competition!  Tomorrow they will be performing at the Parkview Marching Festival.   Good luck band!
  
Good luck to our cheerleaders tomorrow as they travel to Columbia for the state cheer competition!  They will arrive in Columbia as the Regional Champions!
  
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
  
Curt Graves
Principal
High School

A major change for high schools this year is mandated ACT testing of all juniors.  Since ACT has been optional in the past for students, the Spring 2015 ACT data will set a new baseline for our building and for the state. Counselors, administration, and the ACT committee continue to coordinate and prepare for this spring testing. WHS offers an ACT Prep course, ACT tutoring sessions, and ACT practice assessments.  Next week, we will be learning more about the logistics from DESE.

 

Next Friday, October 10, is an early out day for students.  High School staff will be receiving Active Shooter-Intruder training.  Safety is always a priority!  While we hope to never have to use this training, preparation is key.

 

On October 6, WHS will be hosting a special guest, Jennifer Schiffman.  She will be conducting presentations for high school students, teachers, and even an evening session for parents on Digital Safety.  In the era of social media with facebook, twitter, snapchat, etc, the information and safeguards presented are extremely relevant for us all.  Parents and patrons are invited to attend the 6:30 PM presentation in the WHS Theater on October 6th.  More information is available on the high school website.

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal

 

  
Middle School

Coach Hutcheson teaches a course called lifetime sports.  During the class, students get to participate in the Department of Conservation Hunter Safety course.   This week students were practicing firearm safety and how to operate the different types of actions. Do not be alarmed however these firearms have no firing pin for them to actually fire a shot!  The conservation department provided them for the class and assure us of their safety.  

 

The Student Council dance will be this Friday, October 3 from 7-9 pm.  Tickets are on sale during lunch for $5 and can also be purchased at the door for $7.  A signed parent permission form is required to purchase a ticket. Permission forms were passed out and are in the rack outside the office. 

 

Check out the following website about the upcoming Willard Schools bond issue: http://www.willardbondissue.net/
 


Thanks, 
Amy Sims
Willard Middle School Principal
Intermediate School
Students and teachers recently wrapped up fall DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) testing in our building.  This same assessment is administered to all K-6 students in the district a minimum of twice a year.  DRA data is used by our teachers to determine the comprehension and fluency level of each student which helps to guide instructional groups and instructional support in the classroom.  It also tracks student success by showing reading growth over time.  We all know how important reading skills are in every subject which makes this tool incredibly powerful for our students, teachers, and parents.  Data from the fall DRA assessment will be shared with parents during our upcoming parent/teacher conferences the week of October 27th.
  
Enjoy your Fall weekend
  
Tom Davis
Principal
North Elementary School
 

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South Elementary School

The last Tuesday of every month we recognize students and individual classrooms for their achievements during our Tiger Pride Assembly. We kicked off our first one of the 2014-2015 school year on Tuesday, September 30th.   We had a great crowd of parents and family members in attendance to help celebrate. Congratulations to all of the students and classrooms who earned awards. I would also like to thank some student helpers Austin, Kassidy, Klayton, Kira, Megan, Katelyn, Hannah, Stella, Yulissa and Milena for helping with music, announcements and dancing. THANKS!  Below you will find a list of the awards that are presented each month during our Tiger Pride Assembly.

  • Academic, Character, Improvement, Teamwork, Attendance, Special Class Awards, Most Valuable Tiger, Fight Free, Tiger Tales and Golden Tray Award
You don't have to worry about cooking dinner for your family next Tuesday, October 7th.  You can grab a bite to eat while supporting Willard South Elementary at McDonald's on West Chestnut Expressway from 4:00-8:00 for another McTeacher Night!!  I hope you and your family can stop by or drive-thru to help support Willard South.  All of the proceeds from this event will go back to the teachers who worked.  They will be using the money to purchase classroom materials.  

UPCOMING EVENTS:
DateTimeEvent
Tuesday, October 7th4:00-8:00McTeacher Night-West Chestnut Expressway
Friday, October 10th12:30Students Dismissed
Tuesday, October 14th6:00Bond Information Meeting-Orchard Hills Elementary
Thursday, October 6th6:303rd Grade Music Program

 

Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal

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East Elementary School

 

Tuesday night we held our annual Open House. With one of the best turn outs in a few years, we were able to showcase lots of student work. We also displayed the Bond Issue drawings for additions to buildings and other district facilities improvements. It was a very successful night. Thank you to Ms. Mathers for our super fun photo booth and Smokin' Wheels BBQ for dinner.

 

 

  
  
  
  
  
  
Next week we host a V.I.P. Parent Night Thursday night at 6:30. This is an opportunity to find out what's going on at Willard East and how parents can be engaged in our school community.
  
Melinda Miller
Principal

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Central Elementary School
  

Orchard Hills Elementary School

The 5th Annual Run for the Orchard is in the books. It was another beautiful day for a race!  Nearly 100 of our 300 runners were students from Willard!  This was awesome.  Orchard Hills managed to snag the Traveling Orchard Trophy with 53 runners. Thanks to everyone who participated and worked to make this a successful event. As soon as we know a final total, we will let everyone know our fundraising efforts!

 

Have a great week!  Next Friday, October 10th is Fall Party Day AND an early-out day where we dismiss at 12:30pm
 
Have a good one!
  
Dr. Rhonda Bishop
Principal  
 
Special Services

 

 

If you want to see a miracle, come on out to The Miracle League Ball Field on Monday evenings between 6-8 PM.  Students from across the county, including 8 of our own Willard students are participating in an amazing baseball league for students with disabilities.  Here's more:

  

 

Our Mission is to:

  • Provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities.

  • Promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues.

  • Promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.

The Betty and Bobby Allison Miracle League Ball Field is a specially equipped, custom designed field with a cushioned synthetic turf that allows players utilizing wheel chairs and walkers to glide unrestricted without fear of injury. This is a level playing field where players with disabilities can hit, run, catch and play ball.

 

If you are interested in participating or supporting this program, please follow the links below for more information.  Miracle Baseball League

 

You can also check out the Willard Special Services website for more community resources and information! http://willardspecialservices.weebly.com/

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

This year the district has restructured the gifted program to transform two classrooms in the Middle School to become the Gifted Center.  This week the parent meeting was launched on October 2nd with great success from our gifted teacher and Instructional Coach Cassi' Harper.  Along with Mrs. Harper is a team of Instructional Coaches who will be helping to assist inside and outside of the gifted classrooms.  Below is a snapshot of the classrooms as they sit anxiously arriving the first day of classfor students on October 7th.

 

Gifted students this year will be engaged under two major umbrellas of study.  The humanities and STEM.  This instruction will be facilitated by collaborating Instructional Coaches in a classroom atmosphere as well as virtually.  STEM instruction will be facilitated in the Tigers Lab (a mini makerspace).  Learning will not be confined to these two spaces.  It will be extended through a virtual environment hosted by Edmodo. 

 

We look forward to the structure of the gifted program this year as well as the use of these two spaces for the Gifted Center.  Thank you to Principal Amy Sims for allowing us the use of the Middle School to launch this program.
  

Angela Stevens

Director of Curriculum 




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

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