WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride

  
April 24, 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

 

The Great Easter Egg Hunt

Date: March 28

Doors Open: 8:00am

Hunts Start @ 9:00am

http://www.willardparks.com/the-great-easter-egg-hunt.html

   

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
Board of Education
  
It is my pleasure to introduce Mrs. Kathy Hampton as the newest member of the Board of Education.  Kathy has a background in banking and has had children graduate from Willard Schools.  Mrs. Hampton replaces two term board member Dr. John Lilly. 
  
Dr. Lilly was presented the Board of Excellence award in recognition of his dedicated service to the district.  Dr. Lilly was a staunch advocate of public education and was a continual support of Willard staff and students. 
  
Mrs. Jennifer Fickbohm was re-reseated for another three year term. Mrs. Fickbohm is a second generation BOE member and I have often called her "The heart of the Board".  Jennifer is fiercely devoted to children staff and leadership.  She is simply an encourager and loves Willard Schools. 
  
The Board of Education is a key to the success of our district.  They represent 4500 sets of parents and approximately 18,000 people that live in the Willard District.  Their opinions and ideas help to guide policy and district direction.  They all give significant volunteer hours to the district. 
  
In order for districts to be successful and continually improve the Board Of Education and Administration must share a common vision and work together to achieve the district Mission.  Both leadership groups in Willard are committed to that work.  We are: Student Focused / Strongly Connected / Success Driven.
  
Join me in welcoming Mrs. Hampton to the BOE.
Have a great weekend!
  
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent  
Athletics & Activities
From Proactive Coaching - "One of the most difficult things for leaders to learn to do....Lead with your ears.  Nobody ever learns anything by talking.  It requires listening and reading.  Leaders...this week see if you can let your ears do more of the work.  People around you will appreciate it."
  
Congratulations to the Lady Tigers soccer team on their 4-0 victory over Carthage this week!  The girls are now 8-4 on the season and 2-0 in the COC.  They have a busy week coming up as they will host Republic on Tuesday, Monett on Thursday, and the Willard Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
  
A HUGE congratulations to the coaches, athletes, and volunteers who helped make the Jason Pyrah track meet such a success last night!  Mother nature finally cooperated and the Willard track program shined!  Couldn't be more proud of everyone.  Next week, the varsity teams will travel to Republic for a big meet on Thursday.
  
Baseball has gone through some tough games recently but I'm confident they will get back on track very soon and they will have that  opportunity tomorrow 
as they host Marshfield and Hillcrest.  There will be four games starting at 9:00am with our Tigers playing in the last two games.  Next week, they will host Joplin on Monday, Branson on Tuesday, and travel to Ozark on Thursday.
  
Boys golf has been busy.  Here are the results from the past two tournaments:
Carthage Invitational
Team Score: 389
Team Place: 16th out of 22
Individuals
Austin Driskell - 90
Sage Whiting - 91
Taylor Hession - 103
Jacob Shackelford - 105
Ridgley Harless - 112
Greene Hills Invitational
Team Place: 3rd out of 8
Team Score: 361
Individuals
Austin Driskell - 80 (finished 4th place individually)
Sage Whiting - 102
Jacob Shackelford - 93
Taylor Hession - 98
It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley

Director of Activities/Athletics  

High School

This week was EOC week.  Everyone, staff and students, have worked tirelessly to organize and prepare for our state assessments.  Regardless of the statistical outcome, I am proud of the efforts by our staff and students.  Honestly, a score of itself is not the only mark or sign of success for students, staff, or a building.  Great signs are also visible in the art work, writings, National qualifiers, behaviors in the hallways, vocational skills acquired, and more....  Our students exhibit these regularly and consistently. 


 
Next Tuesday, April 28, will be the mandated state-wide ACT test day for juniors.  During this time, freshmen and sophomores will be completing a practice ACT to receive the experience and feedback.  Students and staff have prepared for this assessment very well.  Our counselors have worked hard to make this day meaningful for everyone.

 

Seniors will be practicing for graduation on Tuesday as well.  Mrs. Kiesewetter and a couple of students visited JQH arena and produced a very fun informational video for our seniors.  Additional information will be posted to the website as this date approaches.  Remember, we are at JQH on May 16, 8 PM

 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!  #ProudWHSPrincipal

 

Curt Graves

Principal  

Middle School
Congratulations to three Willard Middle School speech students who competed at the SMSAT Invitational tournament at Republic Middle School last Saturday against 8 other schools from across our district.  Lacey Holland competed in Prose Poetry Reading, placing third place in Round 2, and tied for 8th place overall out of 24 competitors! Joey Anderson competed in Humorous Interpretation winning 1st place in Round 2, and also tied for 8th place overall out of 23 competitors! Jayce Burney competed in Humorous Poetry Reading, placing 3rd in Round 1, 1st in Round 2, advanced to the Finals round, and placed 5th overall out of 21 students! Jayce and Lacey also competed in two rounds of a very difficult event, Improvisational Duet Acting. An outstanding performance for all three students who have worked hard on their individual events all year. 

 

Great job to all!  A special thanks to all six of the Willard High School Speech and Debate students that came out and volunteered to judge for their future classmates!  Go WMS Tigers!

 

Thanks for checking in on us!
  
Amy Sims
Principal
Intermediate School
WIS has a very special group of students and teachers that will soon be representing our district and state at an international competition.  The Willard Odyssey of the Mind group entered two teams into the state competition on Saturday March 28th at Missouri S&T in Rolla.  Both teams came away with an invitation to participate in the World competition in Lansing Michigan May 20-23.  We wish these students and teachers the best of luck as they show off their problem solving skills to the world!
  
Pandora's Box
  
Bryce Clark
Louren Harsh
Mikayla Ward
Bridget Miles
Hadley Jarvis
Melody Tate
Sabra Laschanzky
Runaway Train
  
Ariana Patillo
Jacob Oursbourn
Braydon Roth
Cayden Jarvis
Macy Aye
Andrew Stuart
  
Coaches Dena Cathey and Susie Harsh
  
Tom Davis
Principal  
North Elementary School

 

South Elementary School

Last night we held our first G.R.O.U.P. Game Night for our fourth grade boys.  The G.R.O.U.P. (Guys Reaching for an Outstanding Unique Purpose) was created to empower students to be positive role models, demonstrate great character, accountability and to reach their full potential. 

 

The students had guest speakers and demonstrations over the past several weeks during their recess time.  The culminating activity was held on Thursday evening.  Each student invited their own male role model to participate in the games and other activities at Willard South Elementary.  They enjoyed various stations such as; duck shoot, bow and arrow game, fingerprinting observation, Willard Fire and Police Department, Jiu Jitsu, food and more!  The evening concluded with a character building strong man demonstration by Grant Rhodes.  Students also received a backpack filled with donations from Incredible Pizza and other area businesses.  It was a GREAT evening!

 

A special thanks goes out to our Social Worker Intern, Tina Hofmeister, for creating this event.  I would also like to thank our special guests and community members; Kirk Bouse, Harrison Puckett, Cross Trail Outfitters, Willard Fire and Police Department, Officer Glenn Cozzens, Incredible Pizza, Chrysta Forrest, and our fourth grade teachers.  Their generosity put a big smile and left a lasting impression on each child who participated.
  

Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal  

East Elementary School

 

Central Elementary School

The elementary schools had a full week with MAP testing this week.  3rd and 4th grade students worked hard to show what they know on the new online state assessment.  We are so proud of our students' efforts and they finished the test confident in a job well done!

 

As we look ahead to next week, we will be meeting with our future Kindergarten students at K Screening on Tuesday.  Our 4th grade students will be taking part in etiquette training on Thursday morning as we prepare for lunch at the state's capital on our 4th grade field trip and our 4th grade celebration dinner.  We are looking forward to supporting our student leaders in the coming week's events.
  
Don't forget to mark your calendar for Saturday, May 2nd and our PTO Family Fun Night!  Games, food and the Book Fair will be available for students.  You will also have the chance to dunk some staff members, bid on silent auction items and purchase some delicious treats to support our PTO.  It will be a great evening and wonderful time together as a school community!
  
Shane Medlin
Principal
Orchard Hills Elementary School

 

Special Services

Thanks to everyone who made the Annual Partner's In Strength Night a success! We have added a slideshow and link to the KSPR coverage of the event to the Special Services website.  Please check it out: http://willardspecialservices.weebly.com/

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Caryn McDonnell

Director of Special Services

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Willard is currently right in the middle of assessment time with MAP testing for grades 3-8 and EOC testing for the high school.  This assessment time is an opportunity to show all the great teaching and learning that has been occurring in our buildings all year.  This year students are testing on laptops and chromebooks.  Our one-to-one technology initiative has allowed for a great transfer into testing on-line this year.  Students have not only been well prepared for the technology aspect of testing, but also traditionally in taking care of themselves with continued good eating and sleeping habits and good attendance.  

 

As we are quickly approaching the end of the school year, please keep in mind the deadline for Summer School enrollment is May 1st.  You can request a form from your child's school or teacher.  Also, if you know of a student or have a child who will be going into kindergarten, that student will need to go through kindergarten screening at the school within your attendance area. Times for screening at the elementary locations are posted on our district website:  www.willardschools.net.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Angela Stevens,

Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

 





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