WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride

 
February 20, 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

 

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

 

NEW PROGRAM: 

Youth Flag Football Registration

Opens: February 23rd - March 14th

http://www.willardparks.com/youth-flag-football.html

  

Summer @ THE WAC

Register today for Willard Aquatic Center Activities

http://www.willardaquatics.com/

  

  
  
  
District Office

Last night, at the February Business Meeting, the Board of Education approved the refinancing of bonds which will save the district over two million dollars over the next eight years.  This refinancing effort significantly reduces the interest rate of the bonds and does not adjust the dates of maturity.  Basically, we cut the interest rates over 2% resulting in the savings. 

 

The district is bound by many regulations in regard to the sale and / or refinancing of bonds.  Many investors are eager to purchase "Missouri Public School Bonds".  They are considered a very safe investment.  Willard Public Schools has an A+ credit rating designated by Standard and Poor, which is a high quality rating.  The refinanced bonds were locked in at a rate under 2%.  Willard administration and board of education have worked together to capitalize on these opportunities.  I appreciate the support and trust that the BOE has demonstrated in these efforts.  Saving two million dollars for the school district changes a long cold dreary week into a bright summer day!!!

 

Have a great weekend and keep warm

 

Dr. Medlin

Superintendent 

Athletics & Activities

Winter sports are quickly coming to an end and despite Mother Nature's attempts to keep us in winter, spring sports start practice in a week!


The wrestlers are in Columbia at the state tournament. Willard had 7 kids qualify!!!  This ties a school record set last year. As of now, 5 are still alive in the tournament. I will have a full update next week. 

 


The boys and girls basketball teams both received the #4 seeds in the district basketball tournaments. The girls will play Joplin next Saturday in Republic at 1:30. The boys also play Joplin at 3:00.

 
Last weekend speech and debate competed against twenty schools and won 4th place in sweeps!

 

The following students went to semi-finals: Derrick Barger and Kimberly Jones in Oratory, Grace Black in HI, Kelsey Christianson/Joe Amundson in Duo, Kateynn Wilson and Debra Wekesa in Prose/Poetry, Lindsay Smith and Alyssa Baade in Story Telling, and Landon Summerville and Emily Raney in Radio.

We also had several students place in finals: Mayr Hannah Miller 3rd in HI, Kimberly Jones 2nd in DI, Wyatt Gregory/Jerry Puckett 5th and Jacob Burnett/Cole Baker 3rd in Duo, Landon Summerville 3rd and Irish Amundson 2nd in Prose/Poetry, Emily Raney 6th and Jacob Burnett 5th in Story Telling, and Wyatt Gregory 3rd in Radio.

 

Going on to quarters in debate and placing 4th were: Cole Baker in Varsity LD, John Dickens/Carson Kroenke in Novice Policy, Elijah Pitts in Novice LD, and Jonah Perry/Gage Voss in Novice Public Forum.  Finally, placing 3rd in Novice Policy was Jessi Schoolcraft and Hannah Scott.

 

Its Good To Be A Tiger!!!

 

Jeff Staley

Director of Athletics/Activities

High School

 

Middle School
WMS is hosting their annual archery tournament this weekend.  We have over 40 students competing in this tournament which consists of 23 teams ranging from 4th grade through the high school level.  We are hoping the weather will cooperate for this tournament that we have really been looking forward to hosting! 
  
Next Friday, the Peer Ambassador group will be holding a dodge ball tournament for Willard Middle School students.  They held one earlier in December and had a great turn out so we are looking forward to this event.  
Middle school softball tryouts will begin on Monday, February 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the hitting facility located behind the Intermediate School.  Tryouts for the 7th graders will be from 6-7 and 8th graders will be from 7-8.
  
Thanks for checking in on us!
  
Amy Sims
Principal 
Intermediate School
It seems that Winter has not forgotten about us after all.  After a surprise 5 day weekend, everyone was ready to get back into the swing of things this week.  The fact that it was only a 2 day school week helped keep everyone's spirits up!  Today was $1 PJ day at WIS and based on the fact that the majority of our students looked like they just rolled out of bed I would call it a success!  All proceeds raised today will go towards our spring field trips.
  
Make sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Spring Showcase Night on Thursday, March 5th starting at 6:30 PM.  This evening is a time for students to show off what they've learned to their families. We'll have a living museum, reader's theater, art and academic work displays, and student interest displays.  Our Spring book fair will be going on that same week so make plans to stop by.
  
Enjoy the weekend!
  
Tom Davis
Principal 
North Elementary School

 

South Elementary School
 
East Elementary School

 

Central Elementary School
WC would like to congratulate Mrs. Owen, her husband Adam and big brother Kanton on the birth of baby sister Blayne Addison.  Mom and Blayne are home enjoying snuggle time together. 
 
WC would like to say a special thank you Mr. Jeff, Ms. Linda and Mr. Keith and our district's grounds department for taking care of the parking lots and sidewalks during this winter blast.  Also, thank you to our great bus drivers for keeping us safe as we got back to the business of learning.
 
Looking ahead to next week, WC will have Spring Pictures on Tuesday.  March is around the corner so that means 1st grade students are busy preparing for the music program while students and teachers will be finishing the 3rd quarter strong and thinking warm thoughts for Spring Break!  Keep reading along for the adventures of Humphrey for our All-School Book Club.  Next week's chapters are 12 and 13.  
  
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