WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride

  
April 10, 2015
In This Issue
Willard Parks

   

Summer @ THE WAC

Register today for Willard Aquatic Center Activities

http://www.willardaquatics.com/

 

Summer Adventure Camp

Register today for Summer Adventure Camp

http://www.willardparks.com/summer-adventure-camp.html

    

District Office

Dandelions!

 

Last week I spent hours spreading weed and feed fertilizer on my yard.  I mow over two acres weekly and have worked on improving the lawn for almost 10 years.  Every year I fight the dandelions.  This year I waited until the grass was wet, the temperature was right, and it was prior to the normal dandelion bloom.  I spread the granules heavy on the yard hoping for adequate treatment.  Even with doing everything as the instructions indicate I still get dandelions struggling to grow.  No doubt I have killed the vast majority however, these little guys are TOUGH! 

 

The change process is a bit like this epic battle of the lawn.  An organization decides to instigate change.  Support and enrichment is provided to help the good grass (idea) grow.  A good dose of "intervention" is applied causing the weeds (hurdles created by the change) to be killed while not hurting the good grass.  Even though caution and careful exercise of good practice occurs unfortunately after a decade the battle continues. 

 

Change works the same way.  I have learned that it takes many years to embed a new idea and practice.  Some people may like the dandelions (former method of operation) and want you to quit trying to kill them off!!!  Needless to say, the mission of improving my yard motivates me to keep working hard pressing toward the goal!

 

These are the kinds of things I think about during the two+ hours that I am mowing!  Go figure!!!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Dr. Medlin

Superintendent 

Athletics & Activities

Well it is has been awhile since my last update because of the break last weekend so I will get right to our Tiger's accomplishments:

 

Congratulations to the soccer Tigers as they have started their season 5-0!  They had a big win over previously unbeaten Bolivar last night and will look to build on their great start this Friday as they host Poplar Bluff.  Next week they will travel to Catholic on Monday and will host Webb City on Tuesday in their COC opener.  A special congratulations to Dylan Owens on becoming the first soccer player in Willard history to score over 100 goals!!!!
The baseball season has been up and down so far but the Tigers have shown they can beat the best early on.  They are currently 6-6 on the season and will play in the Hollister Tournament starting tomorrow.  We will host two games tomorrowstarting at 3:30.  Next week they will start COC play as they travel to Webb City on Tuesday and host Nixa on Thursday.
Track is underway and we've had some great performances so far!  A special congratulations to Nate Swadley for setting a school record in the javelin last week!  The team will be at JFK tonight and tomorrow.
The golf team had a great start finishing 6th at the Neosho Invitational.  They are at the MSU Relays today and I will have more results next week.
Congrats to the following Ensembles for earning "1" ratings and qualifying for State Contests on Saturday, May 2nd in Columbia:

3rd Hour: Girls Brock   
4th Hour: Girls Badger  
5th Hour: Girls Chittum  
6th Hour:  Girls Hein, Girls Crews, Boys Inglett, SAB Howard, SAB Krueger, and Mixed Double Irwin   

Congrats to the following Solos that qualified for State today:

Shayna Sanders, Brianna Howard, Zephan McGlasson, Ryan Largent, Savannah Irwin, Ashley Pendleton, Maya Westberg, Kayli Owen, Nina Todea, Alec Inglett, Amanda Maggard, and Corrienne Thedell.

In all 50 WHS Singers will be performing at State Contests which is an awesome accomplishment.  Thanks to our wonderful accompanists Cathy Green, Becky Woodall, and Suzanne Bradshaw for all their hard work today and over the past 8 weeks.  Willard Proud!
Speech and Debate results:

Our Districts was this weekend also and we qualified 5 to State with 3 District Champions!  Ryan Largent District Champ in HI, Katelynn Wilson District Champ in poetry, Conor Wadle 4th in USX, and Kimberly Jones 4th in Oratory! Also, in finals was Jacob Burnett 5th in Story Telling, Jacob and Cole Baker 5th in Duo, Wyatt Gregory 5th in Radio, and Kimberly also got 6th in DI!  In debate Conor Wadle is our District Champ in LD! Also, in Quarters and receiving medals were Cole Baker in LD and John Dickens and Carson Kroenke in Policy!

And this from Band!:

Just want to share with you the incredible day we had this past Saturday. We participated in MSHSAA District Solo/Ensemble Contest held at Glendale High School and are pleased to announce we came home with a total of 14 Honor I Ratings and 21 Honor II Ratings! 
Of those 14 entries that received Honor I Ratings, the following 32 students have qualified for MSHSAA State Solo/Ensemble Contest to be held on the campus of MU on May 2:
Jordan Fancher, Kimberly Jones, Kendall Wooldridge, Alisha Dalton, Justin Bearden, JJ Collister, Jewel Caudill, Gabby Caudill, Eli Gonzales, Megan Wilson, Courtney Weatherford, Morgan Garoutte, Bailey Hays, Derek Van Wyhe (three entries), Morgan Earl (two entries), Kaden Bledsoe (two entries), Justin Randall (two entries), Hayden Windmiller (two entries) Emily Collins, Troy Grider, Zephan McGlasson, Chelsea Fiedler, Katie Harlan, Sarah Stenberg, Rebecca Stephenson, Caitlyn Carpenter, Wyatt Gregory, Haley Schweighardt, Zach Gibby, Kendyl Rodman, Nathan Raney and Emily Raney. 
Also on Saturday, the Willard Band Program hosted the MCCGA Color Guard Championships. We had 56 color guards take the floor for competition and hosted more than 3,000 patrons throughout the day. It was an extremely successful day and I want to take this opportunity to personally thank the administration for allowing us to host this event. I also want to thank the countless volunteers of band parents and students along with Andy Robinson and my colleagues Aaron Scriven, John Paul Chapman and Molly Meyer for making this entire day the tremendous success it was!
  
It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley 

Director of Activities/Athletics

High School

 

Middle School

Last night was the first performance of the Black Box Theatre presentation of Into the Woods Jr.  I was privileged to be in the audience for this awesome presentation and was totally blown away by the professionalism displayed by these 7th and 8th graders. Their hard work put them seemingly at ease with their parts which they performed flawlessly. The costumes, props and lyrics of this steam punk themed musical was

entertaining from start to finish. A short intermission gives ample time to browse through silent auction steam punk jewelry, fairy gardens, and other student made items.   We applaud the efforts of Director Amanda Graves, Vocal Director Emily Witt, Choreographer Brandon Compton and Assistant Kristin 
Maerke for the hundreds of hours spent on this complicated production. Performances continue Friday and Saturday nights, 7 pm, Black Box Theatre, Willard Middle School. Tickets are $5.  You don't want to miss this one!

 

 

Amy Sims

Principal 

Intermediate School
 
North Elementary School

 

South Elementary School
Each year, our amazing music teacher, Mrs. Christensen, puts together grade level music performances.  These performances are performed for our students, faculty and parents.  This month was our kindergarten music program titled "This is America".  It was filled with patriotic songs and a very special solo performance by our kindergarten teacher Mrs. Lindsay Wallace.  Mrs. Wallace performed the song "American Tears" and dedicated it to our special guest...Officer Aaron Pearson!  Officer Pearson and wife Amanda, were our guests of honor.  We were truly touched by their appearance and continue to keep their family in our daily thoughts and prayers. 
  
Kara Crighton-Smith
Prinicpal   
East Elementary School

 

Central Elementary School

This week we celebrated our great paraprofessionals and instructional aides for their service to our students, staff and school.  We are blessed to have such dedicated staff members with willing hearts to serve our students at a moments notice!  Thank you to Michelle Henslee, Heather Wallace, Beth Ryan, Julie Aye, Jill Chambers, Amber Kittle, Courtney Sly, Scott Madden, Patrice Tuttle, and Dagny Ogle for countless unsung things they do for our school.

 

Thank you Mrs. Chatman, Coach Brown, Mr. Fornshell and Coach McDaniel for your collaboration in connecting music and physical education the last 2 weeks with our 3rd and 4th grade students.  Students combined music, lyrics, rhythm, coordination and cup stacking to perform "Roar" for our students at Community Time on Thursday morning.  The students and teachers gave up recess time and planning time to coordinate this event and our students loved their performance.  It was a great treat for our school family!  Look for a video of this performance on our WC Facebook page.
  
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
April 13 - Leader in Me Introduction Meeting - 3:30
April 13 - PTO Meeting - 6:00
April 14 - Kindergarten Music Program - 2:45 Rehearsal / 7:00 Performance
April 21-24 - MAP Testing
May 2nd - Family Fun Night - 5:30
  

Shane Medlin

Principal 

Orchard Hills Elementary School

Today is a big day at Willard Orchard Hills Elementary!  We are hosting our first of two kindergarten screenings! Today we get to meet 40 bright new WOHE stars! 

 

Thanks to the 4 Willard elementary schools who have sent help our way! Thanks especially to our rock star counselor Ashley Perryman who works so hard on these events. Check out our Facebook page for pictures of the great day!
  
Dr. Rhonda Bishop
Principal 
Special Services

Here are a few highlights of the week!

 

*Willard Intermediate raised over $1046 to support the local Autism Speaks chapter through their week of awareness activities. (They also duct taped Mr. Highfill to the wall, but only briefly...)

*Willard Central has a new snack shack in town!  This small business model teaches students money recognition and value, how to tell time and schedules, teamwork and following directions among many other skills that can be utilized for years to come.  An ingenious idea to create excitement for learning and motivation.

 

*Willard Orchard Hills and the entire group of staff and students wore blue in recognition of Autism Awareness Day, April 2nd.  

Every time I walked through the hallways this week, I was proud of the culture and creativity that our district is known for.  This is an incredible place to work, with incredible teachers who are focused on students, which ultimately creates incredible levels of success for all kids. We are finishing this year strong!

 

Have a great weekend.


 
Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services  

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
  





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