WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
September 11, 2015
In This Issue
Your Voice

Back-to-School Survey

 

Please click on the link above to participate in a quick 5 minute survey asking for your input on an important school issue.   

Willard Parks
Willard Parks Upcoming Events
  
Doggie Dive - September 12

Youth Dance Class - Begins: October 13
    
District Office
All Missouri Public Schools are required to establish a tax rate by September 1st of each year.  Willard Public Schools has increased the total school levy by only 5 cents in the past 11 years.  We have worked very hard to maximize our efforts and minimize our costs to community patrons and businesses.  The following chart represents comparative data from Willard's peer districts.  Willard, along with all of our district peers, continue to create solutions to accommodate increasing growth in enrollments.  Missourians, as well as families from out of state, are moving to Southwest Missouri schools due to the high quality of education.  No one likes to pay taxes however, everyone wants quality public schools.  The Willard Board of Education, Administration, and staff appreciate the local support which is realized year after year.
  


Dr. Kent Medlin
Superintendent
Athletics & Activities
It has been a great start to the fall sports season for our Tigers, I can't deny that.  However, what has been even more impressive is how this school and community come together when something truly important comes along.  I got goosebumps last night as I watched countless community members exit our Middle School cafeteria with boxes of American flags.  Those flags are now in the yards of every house in Willard thanks to the efforts of the Willard Area Chamber of Commerce and those volunteers.  I love my town!  #itsgoodtobeatiger......but it's really good to be a WILLARD TIGER!
 
Congratulations to the softball Tigers on their fantastic start to their season as they improved to 5-1 on the season and 2-0 in the COC with their 4-2 victory over Webb City last night!  The girls had a game vs. Nixa get postponed due to rain and will be made up on Saturday, Oct. 3rd at Nixa.  Tonight they will open play in the Ozark tournament with two games (5 and 6:45).  The tournament will conclude tomorrow.  Next week they will travel to Carthage on Tuesday before hosting Republic on Thursday.
 
The football Tigers had an incredible comeback victory last week at Neosho to run their record to 3-0 to start the season!  The Tigers host Nixa tonight in a COC battle of two state ranked teams.  Gates open at 5:30pm with kickoff at 7:00pm.  Tonight'sgame is being sponsored by Missouri Sun Solar.
 
Congratulations to the VolleyTigers on their victory over Fair Grove last night.  The girls are off to an impressive 9-2 start and will play in the Hillcrest Tournament tomorrow.  Next week they will travel to Lebanon on Tuesday for their only game of the week.
 
The Soccer Tigers lost a heartbreaker last night to Carl Junction in double overtime but will look to get back in the win column next week as they will host Republic on Tuesday and Carthage on Thursday. 
 
The Cross Country Tigers will host the Willard Triangular next Friday and congratulations to Justin Johnson for finishing 12th at the SWCCA meet last Saturday!
 
The Lady Tigers golf team got rained out at the MSU Relays this week.  They have two tournaments next week as they play in the Pearson Invitational on Monday and host the Greene Hills Invitational on Thursday.  Good luck ladies!
 
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
 
Jeff Staley
Director of Athletics/Activities
High School
Social studies, ROTC, and other classrooms have discussed the events of 9/11/2001. The events of this day has marked our Nation and become part of history. During our announcements, a moment of silence was observed to honor those lost, those who served, and those affected by the tragic events of that day.
 
As a 1-1 technology school, we talk a lot about learning using technology. Staff and students learn to incorporate programs lik e Canvas. As I walked the halls this week, I was reminded how relational, personal, and human education at WHS is. I have included some photos of staff in action.
 
Mrs. Medders, family and consumer science, took time for a photo on her way to Mr. Sharpsteen's science lab where her students were going to be testing the flammability of clothing materials in Apparel and Textile class.
 
Mr. Lindsay, science, was individually tutoring and providing instructional support to a biology student before school. The science teachers, as well as all other teachers, are readily available before and after school to tutor, remediate, and provide additional learning opportunity for struggling students.
 
1st Quarter mid-term grades will be posted and available for review on Monday by 4 PM for parents. New TNT lists come out next week. Class of 2016 Senior Photos are on Tuesday, September 15. Be sure to check the school website and calendar to catch all of the activities for next week.
 
It is GREAT to be a Tiger!
 
Curt Graves 
Principal
Middle School
Our Fall Assembly was held on Friday during 8th hour to introduce the members of our Cheer, Volleyball, Cross Country and Football teams as we kick off the fall sports season. Parents, as always, were welcome to attend. Our first games/events are coming up next week and we would love to see you come out and support our Middle School Willard Tigers!!
  • �         Volleyball on 9/15 @ Strafford
  • �         Cross Country on 9/15 @ Bolivar
  • �         Football on 9/17 -  7th grade @ home against Republic
  • �         Football on 9/17 -  8th grade @ Republic

Student pictures were taken on Thursday of this week and parents who did not order at that time, or wish to order more, can still order online at http://www.inter-state.com/order using order code: 00983KB.  Picture retakes are scheduled on October 15

Thanks for checking in on us!

Amy Sims
Principal
Intermediate School
With four weeks of school complete it has already become clear that we have an awesome group of students this year.  From lunch room behavior to classroom effort to reading ability, WIS students are already exceeding our expectations.  This is a direct reflection of the time and energy that has been poured into them at home and school up to this point.  We are honored to continue the effort to grow our students into the young men and women our school community expects and needs in the future.

Speaking of "growing" our students, many of our after school clubs started up this week.  Activities such as Running Club, Drama Llamas, Reading Club, and Shooting Stars expose hundreds of our students to positive experiences and learning outside of the traditional school day.  These clubs are also a great way for our students to find a connection with their teachers and friends in like interests.  Here is a list of the clubs and sponsors WIS offers in case you are needing additional information.  Just click on the activity name in the window on the left side of the page.

Please note that the date for our student picture day has changed.  Pictures will be on Friday Sept. 18th.  Information and order forms went home with students today.

Have a great weekend!
Tom Davis
Principal
South Elementary School
Due to the continual commitment of our parents and fundraisers, students received their TIGER T-SHIRT on Tuesday.  This tradition started over nineteen years ago when Willard South became an Accelerated School. This was a reform process for schools across the United States.  The Accelerated School's program is one that focuses on three important key words, STRENGTH, UNITY & EMPOWERMENT.  Students and staff members will show their tiger pride throughout the school year by wearing their tiger t-shirt to school every Tuesday.

Next week we will kick-off our fundraiser for the year.  We will have a brochure, cookie and coupon book sale through the Great American Opportunities company.  The sale will run from September 18th-October 2nd.  This one and only brochure sale for Willard South Elementary has helped support the purchase of our sound system, new piano, playground equipment, tiger t-shirts and field trips in the past. This year our goal is to raise enough money to continue purchasing our tiger t-shirts, playground supplies, and field trips for each classroom. � CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW OUR COUPON BOOK
 

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, September 17th---PICTURE DAY & 2nd GRADE GRANDPARENTS TEA
Friday, September 18th---FUNDRAISER KICK-OFF
Tuesday, September 29th---TIGER PRIDE ASSEMBLY 
 
Kara Crighton-Smith
Principal
East Elementary School

I am excited to announce that we had an amazing turnout at our PTO kick-off meeting! We had about 25 parents attend and sign up for all our above and beyond committees. Reviving our PTO has been a work in progress for a few years. We think we have found our niche and are excited to get to work for our kids. We talked about our current budget and being able to use fundraiser money to make playground improvements. We also talked about various fundraisers and pros and cons. It was an exciting time to get to meet new parents and reconnect with veteran PTO members. If you are looking for an opportunity to get involved we would love to include you at Willard East!

 

Melinda Miller

Principal  

Central Elementary School

Habit 3 - Put First Things First was the focus of this week at WC.  Our Kindergarten leaders shared ways they take care of business with the school.  From finishing your school work before playing, to eating your food before talking with your friends at lunch, to getting dressed before you leave your house for school, they gave lots of great examples on how to Put First Things First. 

 

Our 3rd grade students modeled this habit beautifully this week as well.  When a classmate was having surgery this week in St. Louis, one of our 3rd grade boys asked if anyone would like to join him in praying for her.  One of our teachers snapped this photo of our students outside her classroom window putting first things first by showing their care and support for a fellow classmate over playing at recess time as they carried her in their hearts and supported her from half a state away. 

 

We are just reaching the 1 month mark of the school year and it is amazing to see our student leaders instilling the 7 Habits and the impact they are having on our school and one another.  

 

Shane Medlin

Principal 

Orchard Hills Elementary School
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, Richard Dufour and his colleagues began to propose a concept new to school culture called Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The PLC concept is still alive and well in our nation's schools and continues to have broad influence. Embedded within this approach is an understanding that teachers must be learners as well as facilitators of learning. Further, teachers must continually learn in order to effectively instruct students, to grow professionally, and be motivated to continue to work to improve their practice.
 
Schools across the country began to adopt this approach and began to spend time focusing on the learning of the adults in the school with the ultimate goal of improving the learning of students. Schools implemented the PLC concepts to varying degrees and with varying levels of fidelity. Willard Schools has historically shown a commitment to fostering the learning of all, including the adults in the school.
 
On Friday September 4th, the staff of Orchard Hills spent the day reflecting on our current practices, and learning new strategies that could help our students be more successful in the future. The morning was spent reflecting upon and discussing our school-wide behavioral management practice, PBIS. The time spent on this task was meaningful as we reflected upon what has gone well and what small tweaks we could make to improve.
 
Below are images of Orchard Hills teachers reflecting and dialoguing about their current and future practices.  Later in the day, a small group of teachers volunteered to present instructional practices they have found beneficial in their classrooms to their peers. Teachers were able to choose from a short list of options in order to find a presentation that met their current needs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I am thankful for those teachers who went above and beyond to prepare and share with their colleagues. The Orchard Hills staff is thankful for the opportunity to invest in their own learning and we have faith that the dividend of student learning will become evident in the near future.     

Wishing you a blessed weekend,

Dr. Garrett Prevo
Principal
Special Services
I've had the opportunity to witness many amazing interactions between teachers and students over the past few weeks. I love what I see!  I am proud to say that we have some of the most compassionate and caring students in the area who demonstrate patience and understanding with new expectations and with those that are learning what it means to be a Willard student. These are skills that cannot always be measured, but should be celebrated.

I am also proud to say that we have some of the most compassionate, caring and competent teachers in our area who work with our students with special needs.  The beginning of the year brings a tremendous amount of transition and new routines which is sometimes difficult for both students and teachers.  I want to commend everyone in the Special Services Department for their efforts to start this year with excellence.   I would love to officially welcome these new teachers to the district.

WE-Ashley Freeman
WN-Lindsey Lovekamp
WIS-Paige Thompson
WMS-Patrice Tuttle
WHS-Kylie Kilpatrick & Kirsten Hepola
SLP-Linda Collier

Have a great weekend!
 
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services
Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction





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