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The Pride

 
December 19, 2014
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Christmas Time???  Already????
  • It doesn't look like Christmas.  There is no snow on the ground, frost on the windows, and sleds parked on the front porch.
  • It doesn't feel like Christmas.  The past week has had several days above 50 degrees with one day above 60 degrees.
  • I don't have all my presents purchased.  Actually that is not out of the ordinary.  I am like most other guys that wait until the last minute!
  • It doesn't smell like Christmas. This year my family has installed a fake Christmas tree!  As you can probably tell I like real trees!  They make the house smell great.  
  • Is it really Christmas time?  The answer is ABSOLUTELY!!!  
The truth is if we wait for outside circumstances to lead us into Christmas then I doubt we ever get to the true center of celebration.  Christmas is not about the weather, gifts, or satisfying our senses.  Christmas is about celebrating Hope, Family, Faith, and New Life.  Don't wait until circumstance make you "feel" it is Christmas.  Set your attitude on the best attributes of Christmas and shine it out to others.  That is when Christmas is at it's best. 
  
This will be the first year that my immediate family are not all together.  That somewhat makes me sad but we will still celebrate "together" even though we are 1300 miles apart.   I pray that during the next two weeks you experience an incredible Christmas time for yourself.  I challenge you to "Be Christmas" for those you love!  
  
Merry Christmas,
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent   
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Athletics & Activities
"A good coach improves your game....a GREAT coach improves your life!".  Willard is blessed to have many great coaches and directors.  They spend countless hours away from there own families in order to help change the lives of our Tigers for the better.  If you see one of our coaches or directors, give them a hand shake or a pat on the back and tell them "thank you" for everything they do!
  
Congratulations to our wrestling Tigers as they are undefeated in dual matches this year at 7-0!  They will take a break from competition during the holidays before competing in the prestigious Kinloch Classic Holiday Tournament on Jan. 2nd and 3rd.
  
Congratulations to the Lady Tigers on their victory over Central last night 63-33!  The girls will look to add to their win total starting tomorrow as they compete in the Lebanon Holiday Tournament.  They will take on Crocker at 10:00am on Saturday.  The tournament will conclude next Monday and Tuesday.
  
The Tigers will look to continue their improvement as they travel to Marshfield tonight.  Tomorrow they will travel to Sedalia for a shootout.  Game time is 9:00pm (way past my bedtime!).  The boys drew Camdenton in the first round of the Blue and Gold and will play them on Dec. 26th at 2:00pm.
  

The National Speech & Debate Association proudly recognizes Emily Raney, Kimberly Jones, and Ryan Largent from Willard High School as Academic All-Americans! To receive this honor, students must have 750 points through speaking and service activities. Each competition round is worth about three to six points, with limits set on daily point recording.  They also have to have a GPA of 3.7, an ACT score of 27 or higher, and a character reference from the coach.  All three of these students do an outstanding job representing Willard Speech and Debate Team and our Community!


 
It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Director of Activities/Athletics  

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High School

On December 16, WHS held the 1st Annual Academic Breakfast.  Students who had earned an academic letter and/or scored 25 or higher on the ACT were cordially invited to attend the honorary breakfast.  Parents and guests of each student were also welcome.  By the end, more than 450 students and guests attended.  Office staff, administrators, and counseling staff did a tremendous job of organizing and conducting the event.  It was an awesome time to greet, congratulate, and honor the academic successes of WHS students.  We have already placed the event on the 2015-16 school calendar.

 

Be sure to check out the high school website and note all the positives WHS students are achieving.  Beginning in January, students will also be recognized on the TV monitors located in the offices and main hallway.  We continue to look for ways to recognize and honor students.

 

We look forward to seeing students again in January.  Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

It's good to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal

 

  
Middle School
The WMS Student Council hosted the annual Grandparents Tea this morning which was well attended. It was wonderful to see so much support and pride of the grandparents as they sat with their grandchildren and the students were excited to have their family participate in this fun event. As always, our WMS Student Council members did an outstanding job providing great refreshments and a fun time for all. 
  
As I am writing this, the annual WMS Talent Show is underway and we have already had some amazing performances and still have more to come. This is an assembly time that parents are invited to attend and many have shown up today to watch. We are so excited to have the opportunity to showcase the talents of many students and look forward to watching them through the years as some of them take those talents and turn them into careers.
  
This week has been a busy week at WMS. The wrestlers finished their season, our Archery team took first place in their tournament on Saturday and the 8th grade girls basketball team took second place at their COC tournament! We finished decorating the halls in eTime and Ms. Kimmons Ag classes made ribbon trees and wreaths for the teachers. We dressed "tacky Christmas" on Monday and ate a wonderful lunch prepared by our Great food service team on Thursday. We are ready for Christmas break and I know you are, too!! 
  
From the staff and faculty of Willard Middle School, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
  
Amy Sims
Principal  
Intermediate School

 

North Elementary School

Willard North has been very busy this week celebrating the holidays!  Monday we celebrated by wearing our crazy holiday socks, Tuesday we wore red and green, Wednesday we wore our crazy holiday hats, Thursday we celebrated with wearing our pajamas, and Friday we wore our best holiday outfit or ugly sweater.  On Wednesday we held our December Super Tiger.  We recognized students for character, academics, teamwork, and improvement.  Coach Bills also spread some holiday cheer with a song he wrote to Winter Wonderland.  There is a link below if you would like to watch Coach Bills singing!  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday break and we will see you in the new year!

    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBmwfsgFA-A&sns=em

 

Have a wonderful and blessed holiday!

Amanda Hambey

Principal

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South Elementary School

Our holiday break has officially started.  It is hard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away.  That also means that our school year is at the halfway point. It has been a wonderful first semester here at Willard South.  We have celebrated many great moments on a daily basis.  I am looking forward to many more second semester.  

 

On behalf of the Willard South Elementary faculty and staff, I would like to wish you and your family a very memorable holiday break.  We will see you back here  in 2015!

 

Kara Crighton-Smith
Principal

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East Elementary School

 

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Central Elementary School

The end of the semester is here and the holiday season is upon us.  Students and teachers have been busy combining some Christmas fun with their learning.  From geometric gingerbread houses to Christmas reader's theaters performed by students, WC is in the holiday spirit while applying what students have been learning about.

 

Mrs. Chatman and the 4th grade students also helped spread Christmas cheer with their performance of Super Claus, and our parents joined us on Thursday afternoon for our PTO Christmas parties.

 

On Friday, WC welcomed back Mrs. Miles from her retirement vacation to share our annual Christmas read aloud.  Staff and students were excited and blessed to have her back with us and to share a book with her.  We also celebrated our students hard work from the 2nd quarter in showing the Willard Way of being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to Learn.  Students who modeled these characteristics throughout the quarter were treated to hot chocolate, some festive Batman cookies and  some heroic/holiday tales.  It was a fun morning to celebrate together before the holiday break!
  
Enjoy the time together over the break as a family by reading together, talking together while playing some board or card games, and take the chance to carry on or start a new holiday tradition.  We would also encourage you to talk about the 7 habits with your child and to begin using this language in your conversations with them.  Have a blessed and joyous Christmas and enjoy the break together! 
  
Shane Medlin

Principal


Orchard Hills Elementary School

 

  
Special Services

As we end the calendar year and take time to celebrate special holiday times with friends and family, don't forget to take time out to reflect on all that has happened this year.  You'll be surprised at how much has happened and how much has been learned.  The Special Services Department wants to extend best wishes to you and your family and we look forward to seeing you in the coming year!

 

With Pride,

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services  

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment




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