WillardPublicSchools
 
 
 
Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success  Driven
The Pride
November 7, 2014

Administration
Board of Education
  
  
Tuesday of this week the Willard community voted down a proposed 15.2 million dollar bond issue.  Wednesday morning, the day after the election, 4,520 young people walked into a Willard classrooms and received an outstanding educational experience.
  
That reality will continue into the future just as it has existed in the past.  We have a highly respected school district which is supported by a great community.  The resounding message from the vote is ultimately very simple:  A majority of the Willard community was not supportive of proposed projects which required an increased cost in property taxes.  The result of the election in no way minimizes the challenges of growth in enrollment and needed facility reinvestment.  These problems continue to exist and will not disappear.  In the coming months, we will seek alternate solutions to meet these continuing needs.  I have asked my staff to focus on 4 goals:
  
1.  How do we convince the community that we want to hear from them?
2.  How do we provide the opportunities for patrons to let their voice be heard?
3.  How do we ensure that we understand the message?
4.  How do we demonstrate to the community that we value what they have said?
  
We will be working on these goals in the months ahead.  Tonight I look forward to helping Mike Graves (The voice of the Tigers) provide a bit of color commentary on the radio as Willard takes on Carthage for the district football title.  Monday I will be thrilled to refocus my time and effort on student learning!
  
Have a great weekend!
  
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent 
  

 

 


 

I recently saw two quotes that seem to sum up my week as a board member.  The first was by Bill Gates, who said "It is fine to celebrate successes, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure".  The second was a post on social media that says "Life is too short, grudges are a waste, laugh when you can, apologize when you should and let go of what you can't change".  Clearly, we have much to learn from the message sent during the bond election.  It was a great turnout of support for people's choices, which sent us a clear message that our priorities didn't match theirs.  So, to the second quote, I apologize to the patrons, and most importantly to the students and families for not getting this right the first time.  We can't change the outcome of this past election, but we can learn from it, in fact we must learn from it, for the future of our district and it's students.  

 

There is much to be proud of in our schools these days.  The Middle School has had a focus on service for some time now, and I recently learned that to that end, they are turning their attentions to raising funds for a fellow student who is in the hospital being treated for a serious illness.  That's just how these kids roll!  There are examples of that type all around the district.  If you saw KY3 news on Thursday, you know that the high school has launched yet another multi-disciplinary unit which includes many classes incorporating a theme of poverty and survival, including a simulation that students can participate in.  The best part of this is, it is a collaboration that was initiated between students and their teachers.  I had a chance to visit with one of the student leaders of the project, and listening to her enthusiasm and passion for the project literally gave me goose bumps. 

 

Of course, we are always proud of our teams which have had great success on the fields and courts this season.  Volleyball, softball, soccer and of course, our state ranked football team have enjoyed great seasons, and we hope the football team continues their drive. 

 

Finally, Willard is blessed to have seen a number of students reach the national level of recognition in many different areas.  The most recent addition to the national spotlight is Mercer Martin, who earned a National Champion award in extemporaneous speaking at the National FFA convention earlier this week.   Congratulations to Mercer!

 

As the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas come upon us, may the blessings of these days and every day remind us we have much to be thankful for!

 

Julie Germann

School Board President

  
Athletic & Activities
 Athletics, cont. 

 

I didn't know if this year's group of Tigers could top what last year's Tigers did (which was historic! - 8 district championship games, 5 district championships won) but they are doing their best to make it happen!

 

Congratulations to the soccer Tigers on an outstanding season.  They started out 1-9 and instead of quitting or shutting down, they rallied together and won a district championship for the third year in a row before ending their season Wednesday night against Jeff City Helias.  Great job Tigers!

 

Well, football is trying to do something that hasn't happened in a long time.....win a district championship.  Tonight's showdown with Carthage will be just for that and the winner will move on to the Elite 8 in the state and play next week for a shot at the Final Four!  Kickoff is at 7:00pm.  Due to it being the playoffs, no passes are accepted and admission is $6 for everyone 6 and up.  We need to fill the stands tonight so dress in layers and come out to watch some history!!!

 

Thirty-seven Willard High School choir students were performed as part of the South Central All-District Choir on Saturday, November 1st at Southwest Baptist University. The 37 WHS students were the second most selected from one school out of the 43 schools participating.  Willard High School students earning All-District Choir honors were: Corrienne Thedell, Sabeena Lopez, Maci Bowman, Jordyn Staley, Shayna Sanders, Kaylee Brock, Mariah Krueger, Maya Westberg, Molly Sullivan, Elijah Speer, Stone Jackson, Bryce Hicks, Josh Wilson, Gunnar Penell, Sam Bird, Christian Smart,  Chris Haviland, Brianna Howard, Kayli Owen, Amanda Maggard, Rachel Williamson, Tessa Peterson, Kendall Wooldridge, Savannah Irwin, Nina Todea, Megan Hein, Ashley Pendleton,  Troy Grider, Zephan McGlasson, Ryan Largent, Alec Inglett, Tyler Pfeifer, Hyrum Adams, Jacob Lasher, Quinton Puckett, and David Matei.

 

A big congratulations to Kayli Owen, Amanda Maggard, and Zephan McGlasson who were selected to the Missouri All-State Choir this past Saturday.  Over 400 students participated in this audition process with only 24 being selected.  These three WHS singers will rehearse and perform with the Missouri All State Choir on January 28-31, 2015 as part of the Missouri Music Educators Convention.

 

Last night at Parkview High School, we had several band students audition for the All-District Honor, Concert and Jazz Bands. We are pleased to announce the following results: Zephan McGlasson and Derek Van Wyhe not only made the All-District Honor Band but they both received FIRST CHAIR in their respective sections. Lucas Slaughter, Haley Schweighardt, Caitlyn Carpenter, Ben White, Johnny Dickens, Zach Gibby and Tanner Gardner made the All-District Concert Band. Derek Van Wyhe, Tre Choate and Nathan Raney made the All-District Jazz Band and as a side note (pun intended), not only did Derek Van Wyhe make first chair in the Honor Band but he also made LEAD ALTO in the Jazz Band! Anne Gravagna and Troy Grider were also named Honorable Mention in the All-District Jazz Band. Because of chair placement, the following students are now eligible to audition for the All-State Band and Jazz Band in December: Derek Van Wyhe, Zephan McGlasson, Lucas Slaughter, Caitlyn Carpenter, Tanner Gardner, Zach Gibby, Tre Choate, Nathan Raney, Anne Gravagna and Troy Grider. Congratulations to all these students on a job well done!

 

What an amazing tournament the Speech and Debate Team had at Republic last weekend!  Here are the Novice Results: Making it to Semi Finals in USX Ruby Hobbs, Original Oratory Jessi Schoolcraft, Dramatic Intrep. Kira Ray, Poetry Reading Meg Brower and Sammy Jo Presson, Story Telling Meg Brower, and Congress Super Session Carson Kroneke!  Placing in Finals were the following: IX 5th Derrick Barger, 1st Elijah Pitts, USX 3rd Ashlyn Wadle, Original Oratory 3rd Serena Stump, Humorous Interp. 6th Joe Amundson and 5th Jonah Perry, Dramatic Interp. 6th Alyse Christensen and 4th Hannah Scott, Prose 6th Ashlyn Wadle and 1st Alyse Christensen, Story Telling 6th Sammy Jo Presson and 3rd Kelsy Christianson, Radio 4th Elijah Pitts and 1st Derrick Barger, and in Student Congress 6th Londin Welton and 1st James Ritzendollar!   

 

In Novice Debate Jessi Schoolcraft and Hannah Scott places 4th in Policy along with Londin Welton and Carson Kroneke.  In Lincoln Douglas Debate Ashlyn Wadle placed 4th, Elijah Pitts 3rd and Derrick Barger 2nd!

 

Now for the Varsity: Making it to Semi Finals in Dramtic Interp. Irish Amundson, Prose Landon Summerville and Hayden Onstott, Poetry Landon Summerville, Duo Interp Jacob Burnett and Cole Baker, and Student Congress Super Session Kate Vincent and Evan Kirksey.  Placing in Finals USX Cole Baker 5th and Conor Wadle 3rd, Humorous Interp 5th Hayden Onstott and 2nd Katelynn Wilson, Dramatic Interp. 6th Macy Greenup, Poetry 1st Katelynn Wilson, Story Telling 4th Jacob Burnett and Lindsay Smith 2nd, Radio 5th Wyatt Gregory and Conor Wadle 1st, and In Student Congress Emily Raney 1st!

 

In Varsity Debate Champ LD Emily Raney placed 4th and Conor Walde placed 2nd. In Regular Lincoln Douglas debate Lindsay Smith and Wyatt Gregory placed 4th and Cole Baker placed 2nd!

 

The team won 1st in Novice Sweeps, 1ST in Varsity Sweeps, and 1st Overall in Sweeps! 

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!!!

 

Jeff Staley
Director of Activities / Athletics 
  
    
High School
  
Go figure.  Alone in the building and I am able to get more observations done in one day than I have all last week!  Every day is an adventure.  I observed as many teaching styles as students.  No two styles the same and each instructor doing something different.  For all the variations I witnessed, three consistencies appeared in every observation.  First, I witnessed students engaged and learning.  Second, I saw teachers asking questions while helping students to grow.  Finally, I witnessed students and teachers a like having a good time.
  
It would be nice for those outside education to experience a day like this and see the good that goes on in a public school.  I am not sure this would convince everyone but it would help with some.   What I do know is that today was a good day and we should all recognize a good day.

 

 Jeff Wead

 Assistant Principal 
    

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 Central Elementary
Intermediate School
As we look ahead to the coming week, we hope you can join us for our Katrosh Cook-Off Fundraiser for our 3rd grade teacher, Lindsay Katrosh on Thursday evening from 6-8pm.  Proceeds from the evening will go to support Mrs. Katrosh and her family as she battles breast cancer. 
 
We will have hot chili for dinner to warm up on this cold night!  $5 buys your spoon and a mustache at the door.  We will also have a live dessert auction and numerous silent auction items that range from VIP Family Rodeo Passes, chiropractic visits, family photography session, Panera bagels for a year, and much, much more!! 
 
Dallas Jones will provide musical entertainment while we dine with the live auction starting at 7pm.  We will be posting silent auction items to our WC Facebook page soon to browse before bidding at the silent auction. 
 
You can call our school office at 831-4440 for more information.  Willard teachers support our students daily!  Thank you for taking this chance to love on, bless and support one of our Willard teachers!
 
Shane Medlin
Principal
 

In conjunction with our building theme this year, "We are Willard", WIS has identified several ways for our students and staff to give back to our community.  Over the last two weeks WIS has been collecting used shoes to support Sole Food which in turn raises funds for Friends Against Hunger.   Although both of these organizations are locally based, they benefit people in need throughout the world. 

 

                                                                                                          This WIS effort culminated Thursday afternoon with students, parents, and teachers volunteering their after school time to help package 36,000 nutritious meals that will be distributed throughout the world by Friends Against Hunger.  Thank you to everyone that supported these efforts and a special thanks to Ms. Harron for making this opportunity happen for WIS!

 

Tom Davis
Principal
  
 North
Special Services

 

 

Willard North has had a busy 3 day week of learning.  We kicked off our Willard North Reading Initiative, called S.T.A.R. (Super Tigers Actively Reading).  S.T.A.R is aimed at providing students with reading instruction focused on their specific level.  S.T.A.R time is every day from 1:40-2:40.  

 

 

Teachers and students have also been working very hard on getting ready different pieces of art for the firs t Willard North Art Walk.  This will be held Monday night at 6:30 and parents, grandparents, and friends can come out and have a chance to look at and bid on different pieces of art.  There will also be cookies and hot apple cider to enjoy!    

Looking Ahead...

 

Monday, November 10- Veteran's Day Assembly @ 1:30

Willard North Art Walk @ 6:30

Have a great weekend!

 

Amanda Hambey

Principal 

 

 

Need directions?  Most of us need some type of a guide to help us navigate the road when we travel to a new destination.  It's fairly difficult and frustrating to try to get somewhere without knowing where to turn and what road to take.  

 

In the Special Services Department, we have personal guides to help you navigate the special education process which sometimes seems overwhelming and confusing.  These people are called process coordinators and they are some of the most important people you need to know and connect with if you are anywhere on this path.  

 

This week, I would like to say THANK YOU to our process coordinators who are always behind the scenes helping to manage special education paperwork, parent communications and supporting the teachers with specific situations that arise so that teachers can teach!  They are often a hidden hero and they give a tremendous amount of effort towards making Willard Special Education what it is!  Tell them thanks if you get a chance.

  • Kathy Duncan-Willard East and Willard Middle School

  • Kathy Davis-Willard South and Willard Orchard Hills

  • Rene Flatness-Willard High School

  • Mindy Huslig-Willard North and Early Childhood Special Education

  • Janet Turner-Willard Central and Willard Intermediate

Have a great weekend!

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services 

  


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

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