WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride

 
February 6, 2015
In This Issue
Your Voice

District Communication Survey

 

Please click on the link above to participate in a quick 2 minute survey asking for your input on an important school issue.   

Willard Parks

 

Valentines Dance @ THE REC

Date: February 6th

Time: 7pm - 10pm

http://www.willardparks.com/valentines-day-sweetheart-dance.html

 

Youth Soccer Registration

Opens: February 23rd - March 14th

http://www.willardparks.com/youth-soccer.html

 

Youth Volleyball Registration

Opens: February 23rd - March 14th

http://www.willardparks.com/youth-volleyball.html

 

Summer @ THE WAC

Register today for Willard Aquatic Center Activities

http://www.willardaquatics.com/

  

  
  
  
District Office
Willard Names New Principal for Orchard Hills Elementary
  
Willard Public Schools is proud to announce the hiring of Dr. Garrett Prevo as the new principal for Orchard Hills Elementary School beginning with the 2015-­16 school year. The Board of Education approved the administration's recommendation during the February Study Session.
  
Willard Orchard Hills' current principal, Dr. Rhonda Bishop, is retiring at the end of this school year after 15 years in the district. She has served as the school's founding principal since it opened in 2009.
  
Dr. Prevo comes to Willard from the Republic school district where he has been since 2004. For the past 7 years he's served as an Assistant Principal.  Prior to serving in administration he taught science for 4 years in Republic and one year in the Hurley school district.
  
Dr. Prevo holds an Educational Doctorate in Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He's also earned a Master of Science in Education Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Education, both from Missouri State University in Springfield. He is married and has 4 children. "It is an honor to join the Willard School District and, particularly, the Willard Orchard Hills Elementary family," Dr. Prevo said. "I look forward to working with students, teachers, parents, fellow administrators, and the community to continue the excellent tradition established by Dr. Rhonda Bishop. I firmly believe that great things are ahead of us and I am ready to start the journey."
  
Dr. Prevo was the district's top choice following an extensive search and review process that included interviews with two different selection committees before being presented to the board. Representatives from Willard Orchard Hills, other district schools, administration and the Board of Education all participated in the selection.  Willard Schools are proud to welcome Dr. Prevo and believe that his abilities will add to the collective capacity of the district.
  
Have a great weekend,
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent   
Athletics & Activities
This week I want to share something I read.  It is from Proactive Coaching.
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have!  One of the reasons that challenges are so important to our growth."
As parents and coaches, it is up to us to allow our youth to face these challenges and learn from them!
  
The wrestling Tigers have had some time off and are getting ready to head to the Francis Howell Tournament this Saturday.  This is the last tournament before the district tournament next Friday and Saturday in Branson.  A special congratulations to Hunter Yeargan on winning a COC championship last Saturday in the 195lb division!
  
The Tigers had some time off but will resume COC play tonight as they host Ozark.  The Tigers are 1-0 in conference play and will look to build on that start.  Next week, they will travel to Webb City on Tuesday and will host Carthage on Friday.
  
The Lady Tigers will look to end the Seneca Tournament on a winning note tomorrow as they play for 5th place at 3:00.  Next week, the girls will travel to Webb City on Monday and will host Carthage on Thursday.
  

Last weekend the speech and debate team braved the elements on the MSU campus for the Gloria Deo/MSU speech and debate tournament.  We competed against 27 other schools and won 3rd place in sweeps!  

 

Making it to Semi-finals on Saturday were the following students: Elijah Pitts in IX, Hayden Onstott and Brie Jarvis in HI, Kimberly Jones in DI, Debra Wekesa, Alyse Christensen, and Macy Greenup in Prose, Kimberly Jones in Poetry, Jacob Burnett/Cole Baker in Duo, Ryan Largent in Radio, and Chance Curtis in Student Congress.

 

Placing in Finals:  Ryan Largent 5th in HI, Landon Summerville in 5th in Prose, Matthew Harrison 4th in Radio, Jacob Burnett 3rd in Story Telling, and Emily Raney 1st in Student Congress!

 

In debate John Dickens /Carson Kroenke placed 4th in Novice Policy, Cole Baker placed 4th in Champ LD, Derrick Barger placed 4th in Novice LD, and Elijah Pitts placed 2nd in Novice LD. Great job!

 

A special congratulations to the following student/athletes on signing letters of intent this past Wednesday:

Robert Richmond - Missouri Western - football

Forrest Merrill - Missouri State - football

Dylan Owens - Abilene Christian - soccer

Chase Gehring - Evangel - football

Quinton Puckett - Evangel - soccer/football

Michael Emery - William Penn - football

 

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

 

Jeff Staley

Director of Athletics/Activities   

High School

 

This Friday, February 06, FCCLA held its annual spring blood drive.  WHS's FCCLA has 155 scheduled blood donors.  Student leaders assist professionals to ensure a safe and efficient process.  This event is well-organized and well-run every semester.  Mrs. Hession, Mrs. Baxter, and Mrs. Medders do a tremendous job organizing.

 

February is a big month for the counselors.  Tentative scheduling for the 2015-16 school year is in full swing.  This scheduling information and data drives the March development of the master schedule for next school year.  The months of April and May are used by administration to verify staffing and by counselors to resolve any conflicts in a student's schedules.  This process assists in welcoming approximately 1,300 students the following August.   

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!

 

Curt Graves

Principal

Middle School

Willard Middle School appreciates all of the community support and volunteers that are willing to come in and share their expertise with our students. 

 

Last week, Larry and Nancy Knepper came in to share information about birds and how to create an appropriate habitat.  Students learned about different types of homes, how to drill the appropriate size hole, and which direction to face the birdhouse. After learning about birds, students worked with Mr. Knepper to finish a birdhouse of their own to take home.

  

 

Today, students learned about the importance of wearing their seat belts from Kayleigh Stark

and Jamie Sheets, two specialists from the Mercy Injury Prevention Department.  After learning about wearing seat belts, students were given water bottles and t-shirts as a gift from the program. 

 

 
We are blessed to have many community members that invest in the lives of our  students every day.  Thank you for your support.
 
Amelia Yates

Assistant Principal

Intermediate School

 

North Elementary School

 

South Elementary School
 
East Elementary School
The kids were super excited about the Change-a-Life fundraiser this week! We will post our totals to our school website and Facebook page once they are finalized. One class at each grade level will win a "Dance Party" during the school day.
  
Next week we are looking forward to Valentine's Day! Not only will the kids enjoy parties but Student Council also sells Valentine Grams each morning to be handed out on Valentine's Day.
 
Melinda Miller
Principal
Central Elementary School

Even with the snow day, we had a full week at Willard Central!  Students and families continued to read about Humphrey's adventures in our All-School Book Club.  We welcomed back Mrs. Archdale from maternity leave, but she got Thursday off to snuggle with Sylvie. 

 

Mrs. Gromer, Coach Brown, Miss Siebert and Mrs. Collins attended the Leader in Me Symposium in St. Louis and will be bringing back information for our staff at our Professional Development Day next week. 

 

In addition to these activities, our students worked hard this week while supporting the WCCF's "Change a Life" fundraiser.  While the money raised supported very worthy causes, the students had fun voting/donating for their favorite male staff member to receive a pretty princess makeover at Community Time.  The race is still too close to call,  but students are excited to hear who will be crowned the princess!

 

As we look ahead to next week, we will have our PTO meeting at 6:00 on Monday evening in the library.  All are welcome to attend!  On Thursday afternoon at 2:45, we will celebrate our PTO Valentine's Day Parties.  
Have a great weekend and make plans to enjoy the beautiful weather together with your family! It isn't often we get a sunny, 70 degree Saturday in February, so take advantage of this blessing and enjoy some time outside with the kids.  It is an investment with a high return!
  
Shane Medlin
 Principal  
Orchard Hills Elementary School

 

Special Services

 

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment




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