WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
September 4, 2015
In This Issue
Your Voice

Back-to-School Survey

 

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Willard Parks
Willard Parks Upcoming Events
  
Doggie Dive - September 12

Tumbling Toddlers - Starts: September 2

Youth Dance Class - Begins: October 13
    
District Office
It is my pleasure to introduce a new member to the Willard Administrative Team, Dr. Garrett Prevo, Principal of Orchard Hills Elementary.  Dr. Prevo began his career teaching science in Hurley.  After a short tenure in Hurley he accepted a position teaching science in Republic and then accepted a position in Republic Administration in 2008. 
 
Dr. Prevo graduated from Missouri State University earning his Bachelors, Masters, and Specialist Degrees.  He completed his terminal degree earning his doctorate from the University of Missouri, Columbia focusing on Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. 
 
During the hiring process when references were contacted one message was always the same:  Dr. Prevo is a man of integrity and high character.  Dr. Prevo brings enthusiasm and leadership skills to Willard and has already made his presence known to the Orchard Hills community.  I look forward to watching and helping Dr. Prevo grow as a Willard Tiger.  I have no doubt that he will work to help us grow and improve as a district.  
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Dr. Medlin
Athletics & Activities
Before I get to our Tiger updates, I want to mention that next week from Sept. 8-11, Willard High School will be celebrating Pink Week in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.  I realize that this is traditionally done during the month of October, however, we chose a week that had numerous home contest in multiple sports.  On Tuesday, the volleyball team will be wearing pink uniforms and on Thursday, the softball team will wear pink uniforms, and on Friday the football team and cheerleaders will be wearing pink accessories.  So if you are coming out to one of those games, feel free to wear your pink with pride and support Breast Cancer Awareness!!!
 
A HUGE Tiger congratulations to Coach Jamalee Hancock on getting her 400th career victory last night over Bolivar.  Willard is lucky to have the best volleyball coach in the state!  Meanwhile, the girls had a great Lori Endicott Tournament last Saturday as they went through pool play undefeated, beat Rogersville in the semifinals and then lost a close one to St. Francis Borgia in the championship match.  The girls then defeated Central and Bolivar this week running their record to an impressive 9-1 on the season!  They will host Glendale on Tuesday and will travel to Fair Grove on Thursday of next week.
 
The football Tigers are ranked #8 in Class 5 this week and are 2-0 as they head to also undefeated, Neosho tonight in a huge COC showdown.  Come out and support the Tigers as they start their difficult COC schedule!  A special "Welcome" to our newest football Tiger, Skyler Turner as well!  Skyler joins the team through the Champions Committed To Kids program.
 
Let's see......4-1.....has won 3 in a row....1-0 in the Large COC....Yeah, that's a pretty good start to your season!  Congratulations to the softball Tigers on their victories over Bolivar and Neosho this past week.  Next week, the girls will travel to Nixa on Tuesday and will host Webb City on Thursday.  Good luck ladies!
 
Our soccer Tigers got a big COC win on Tuesday, defeating Webb City 4-1.  The young Tiger squad will be on the road next week as they travel to Ozark on Tuesday and to Carl Junction on Thursday.
 
Congratulations to the girls golf team on an excellent performance at the Marshfield Tournament this week.  Here are the results:

Team Score: 395 (Best team score since 2007)
Team Place: 7th out of 21 teams
 
Brooklyn Teague - 92
Hannah Scott - 99
Tory Butler - 99
Kamryn Amstutz - 105
Jordyn Staley - 106
 
Good luck to the Cross Country Tigers as they start their season tomorrow in Nixa at the SWCCA Meet!
 
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
 
Jeff Staley
Director of Athletics / Activities
High School
Students are out of school today, Friday, September 4, but our teachers are learning.  Math teachers are working with a math specialist, other department staff are developing curriculum, and all are receiving training on how to use Canvas.

If not familiar with Canvas, it is our Learning Management System (LMS) adopted by our staff for this school year.  Several colleges are beginning to use Canvas throughout the country including Evangel.  Other school districts including Springfield Public Schools and Joplin Schools are also using Canvas.  Our goal is to continue developing resources, activities, and instructional supports for students through Canvas. 

On Thursday, we had two special visitors.  Two of our recent graduates returned in full dress uniform as U.S. Marines.  They looked awesome and proud.  We were proud to see them and the accomplishments earned.  This was another example of the awesome successes of Willard students.  I love getting to visit with our alumni when they return and hear of all their great successes.

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!  
 
Curt Graves
Principal
Middle School
WMS students and staff are settled in and now is the time it gets busy!  Check out what is happening:
  • Tutoring after school on Tuesday and Thursday is up and running full force.   
  • Drama club draws in a lot of students each year and this year is no exception.  The club meets right after school every Thursday.
  • Experts in their field will come on Tuesday, September 8th to talk to some students in eTime.  These students will learn about food preparation, catapults, escape rooms, and animal service.   
  • OHHS - Operation Home Town Heros will begin meeting Wednesday, September 9th.  If your child is interested in supporting veterans, encourage them to attend.   
  • Say cheese!! Students will take their school picture on Thursday, September 10th.  If you would like to order online, please visit inter-state.com/order and use the order code: 00983KB
  • Fall sports are getting ready for the upcoming competitions.  Volleyball, football, cross country, and cheerleaders will be recognized at our Fall sports and activities assembly Friday, September 11th.  Parents are always welcome!

Amy Sims

Principal 

North Elementary School
It has been a great couple of weeks at Willard North!  We had our first Super Tiger last Wednesday and all the students received their school t-shirt from PTO.  It was awesome to see every student in their gray t-shirt and showing school spirit.  
 
We had some special guests at our first Super Tiger.  Four  of our varsity players from the Willard Tigers football team came over to talk to WN students about what it takes to be a champion.  They did a great job and we appreciate them coming over to see us!
 
Looking ahead to next week...
Monday, September 7 - No School
Friday, September 11 - 2nd Grade Grandparent Day

 

Have a great weekend!

Amanda Hambey

Principal  

East Elementary School
This week our 1st 
graders welcomed
members of the community talking about careers. Thank you Ashely
Reynolds from KY3 and our dental hygienist for sharing your stories with our 1st graders. 


3rd and 4th graders have been able to use their Chromebooks in counseling this week too. We are so fortunate to have lots of technology resources available to engage our students.

 
Melinda Miller
Principal
Central Elementary School
This week our students worked on Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind.  To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.  Student goals ranged from tying their shoe laces to earning their black belts to learning to play the violin to reading all of the Mark Twain Award nominated books.  Not only are students focusing on setting goals, they are working on the action steps to accomplish these goals and monitor their own progress along the way.  We are excited to see our students grow to new heights this year!
We would also like to thank all of our parents who came out for Parent Orientation this week.  Your partnership in learning is greatly appreciated!

Enjoy the 4 day weekend!

Shane Medlin
Principal




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