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Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success  Driven
The Pride

January 16, 2015

Administration
Board of Education
 

Time for a new name tag!!!!!


 

Last year the district had two positions become available very late in the year.  Our former Director of Curriculum and Instruction accepted a position with a private software firm which resulted in a vacant position.  I asked Angela Stevens, former Willard North Principal, to help the district by becoming the interim Director of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I).  This was not on Angela's immediate career plan but she was willing to help the district by accepting this position as Interim. 

 

This change then created a vacancy at the Willard North Principalship.  Amanda Hambey, a former teacher in Willard, had left to be a principal in Springfield.  Amanda was excited to return to Willard even though the North Principals position would also be an interim status. 

 

"Fit" is incredibly important in leadership positions.  The "Interim" status allowed both these ladies as well as myself and the Board of Education determine if it was a correct fit.  I am excited to share that last night both interim titles were removed from the respective positions.  Both individuals have worked exceptionally hard during the last nine months to form relationships and demonstrate their leadership capabilities.

 

Congratulations to both Mrs. Stevens, Willard Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Mrs. Hambey, Willard North Principal.  Both bring strength and a deep level of student learning to our district.  The Willard Administrative Team is stronger because of their involvement.

 

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Medlin

 
  
  
  

 

 


 
At last night's school board meeting, the board members enjoyed "School Board Appreciation Month" with posters, letters, photographs, video thanks, and other tokens of appreciation from the staff and students. 
 
One part of the meeting was perhaps an unintentional "gift" to the board, the opportunity to extend contracts to our administration and district office staff.  One component of that rehiring process was the opportunity to review what we call the 360 degree review of each group's performance.
 
For many years, the performance evaluation of our staff has rested solely on the shoulders of their immediate supervisors.  A few years ago, the concept of the 360 review was introduced and adopted, allowing employees who work for an immediate supervisor a "voice" in how they believe that person is executing their job, in an anonymous survey platform .  While this idea isn't without it's flaws, what it does provide to both the employee and the board, is a snapshot from a wider audience of how each person's performance is viewed.
 
We as a board often hear feedback from patrons about how good or bad one of our employees is.  These opinions are generally a result of either a positive or unpleasant personal experience.  But, when given a broader view "from the trenches" it most often tends to temper some of those individual perceptions with a slightly different view.  What these reviews do provide, more importantly, is direct feedback to those being reviewed.  From listening to accounts from our staff, those reviews likely do much more toward bringing growth and improvement of performance than any individual evaluation from a supervisor.  No one wants to see or read comments from their peers indicating a problem, and the likelihood that folks will try harder to "fix" any concerns is much greater based on those reviews. 
 
Knowing that each of our administration from the superintendent through to each director  takes these opportunities to grow seriously makes our job of rehiring staff an easy one.  So, thanks to all the students and staff who provided us with tokens of appreciation, and most importantly, thanks to our administrative team for striving to continually grow, learn and provide an outstanding educational environment for our students.
  
Julie Germann
President
  
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Athletic & Activities
High School
Lets get right to what our Tigers have been up to this past week.....
  
Congratulations to the wrestling Tigers on an outstanding week!  After finishing 2nd in the Monett Tournament on Saturday they followed it up with resounding victories over Lebanon and Rogersville last night!  The boys will wrestle in the Republic Tournament this Saturday before hosting Bolivar and Buffalo next Thursday.
  
Congratulations to the Tigers on starting their COC season 1-0 as they defeated Branson on Tuesday 53-52!  They don't play again until next Friday when they will look to build on the momentum and host Carl Junction.
  
The Lady Tigers will host Lebanon tonight as they look to get back in the win column.  Next week the girls will travel to Glendale on Monday and to Ozark on Thursday.  Good luck ladies!

Speech and Debate had a great weekend at Carthage and Webb City! 

 

At Webb City the Novice won 5th place in Sweeps!  Going to semi-finals: In IX Elijah Pitts, in USX Ashlyn Wadle, in HI Jonah Perry and Zach Kauffman, and in Duo Hayden Windmiller and Kaitlyn Textor!  Placing in Finals: John Dickens 12th in Student Congress,  Hayden Windmiller 5th in Oratory, Grace Black 3rd in HI, and Grace Black and Ashlyn Wadle 3rd in Duo! At Carthage the Varsity placed 4th in Seeps!  Going to Semi-Finals: Wyatt Gregory in HI, Hayden Onstott and Macy Greenup in DI, Jerry Puckett/Wyatt Gregory and Jacob Burnett/Cole Baker in Duo. Placing in Finals: Hayden Onstott 5th and Ryan Largent 3rd in HI, Katelynn Wilson 3rd and Kimberley Jones 2nd in DI, James Ritzendollar 12th and Emily Raney 2nd in Student Congress, and Katelynn Wilson 1st in Prose/Poetry!  In Debate Cole Baker Placed 4th in Champ Lincoln-Douglas!

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!
  
Jeff Staley
Director of Activities and Athletics

 

 

On Thursday, January 15, a senior meeting for the class of 2015 was held during TNT.  Mrs. Montgomery and Mrs. Kiesewetter communicated several expectations and reminders as we prepare for those final days with our seniors.  The presentation notes will be posted on the high school website so parents can also view the details.  A key note was to remind students that we will be conducting graduation ceremonies at JQH Arena, May 16 at 8 PM.  There will be NO tickets to distribute or limits to the number of family members attending!
  
Counselors have begun going into classrooms to visit with students and beginning the scheduling process for the 2015-16 School Year.  Freshmen Preview is next Thursday, January 22.  Courtwarming is also next week on Friday, January 23.  SGA has been planning activities for the week including the 2nd Annual Dodgeball Tournament after the basketball games.
  
It's great to be a Tiger!
  
Curt Graves
Principal  
    
  

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 Central Elementary


Middle School

 

Willard Central students are ready to thaw out and enjoy the 3-day weekend!  While students are off on Monday, our teachers will be meeting on Monday for professional development.  Teacher trainings will include math instructional support, engagement strategies and technology support.  Teachers will also participate in team meetings to continue their study of The Leader in Me and prepare for kicking off our all-school book club next week.  It will be a full, productive day!
 
Coach Brown also kicked off the Heart Obstacle Course this week.  This unit combines heart-healthy instruction and activities while students learn the process for how the heart oxygenates the blood through a challenging obstacle course.  It is a memorable way of instilling this process and learning!  (Secretly, several teachers are hoping to go through the obstacle course on our PD day!)
  
  
Enjoy the long weekend and the warmer weather.
  
Shane Medlin
Principal

 The Willard Middle School Archery Team has started out their season with a bang!  Coach Miller does an amazing job with the team and we really appreciate the countless hours she dedicates to the program. 

 

This year they have competed in two tournaments, Crane and Springfield.  At Crane, they took 1st place and this past weekend they took another first at the Springfield tournament.  Cara Driskell, an eighth grader at WMS, took 2nd place in the middle school female division this past weekend.  Way to go Cara!!!  We are very proud of all the team members and wish them luck in the upcoming months. 


Thanks,
  
Amy Sims
Principal
  
  
  
  
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  Orchard Hills
South

 

 

Two weeks of January left!  It is hard to believe how fast time is flying.  There is a lot of learning going on as we launch the second semester.

  

Last weekend, Willard Orchard Hills was the site where the Block Kids Competition was held. This is the 4th year this event has been held in our building. Willard had a first place winner!  Congratulations to Austin a student at WIS who won first place!
  
The teachers and students showered our school board with posters and letters Thursday for School Board Appreciation!  We appreciate all they do for us!
  
Monday, we are looking forward to having some building professional development. We are focusing our day around a book we purchased this year for teachers titled The Next Step in Guided Reading by Jan Richardson. We are looking forward to a day of collaboration! 
  
Friday the 23rd is the 100th day of school as long as we have NO snow days!  Have a good weekend and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather!
  
Dr. Rhonda Bishop
Principal
  
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January is School Board Appreciation month. They were honored on Thursday evening during their monthly meeting.  They enjoyed posters, cards, letters and banners made by students and staff members.  On behalf of the Willard South faculty and staff, I would like to personally thank them for their countless hours and dedication to our community. You make a difference!
  
Students will enjoy a day off from school on Monday, January 19th.  Our teachers will be immersed in our building professional development activities for the day. Teachers will be facilitating various topics throughout the day to one another.  We are looking forward to learning more about various topics such as formative/informal assessments, Front Row math, Special Education process and more.
  
Upcoming Events:
  
January 27th--Tiger Pride Assembly at 2:45
February 2nd-6th--WCCF Change a Life Fundraiser
  
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the warm weather!
  
Kara Crighton-Smith
Principal
  

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North

Special Services
 

Willard North held our 2nd Annual Family Reading Night on Monday.  It was a great night of celebrating our school wide book "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane."  Students were able to choose from different activities that were focused on different parts of the book.  

 

One of the favorite activities was the photo booth, where they got to take their picture with Edward Tulane on a sailboat.  The students who came to Reading Night and participated in the activities were entered into a drawing for an ipad mini.  Thank you to all the families who came out to share in the love of reading with us!

 

Looking Ahead.......

No School-Monday, January 19

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Amanda Hambey      

Principal 

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This week's Pride article is dedicated to the men and women that comprise our Willard Board of Education.  This group of individuals spend countless hours and an immense amount of energy and focus in leading this school district.  I strongly believe that one of the primary reasons why Willard is known for quality special education services is because of the support that we receive from the administration and board members each year to do what we do.  They challenge us to strive for excellence and look for innovative ways to serve kids.   On behalf of the many teachers, parents and students involved with the Special Services Department, we say THANK YOU!

 

Have a great long weekend!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services

 



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

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