WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
October 9, 2015
In This Issue
Upcoming Events

WCCF Pickin and Praisin
Sat Oct 10  3-9:30 p.m.
Willard Children's Charitable Foundation will host a community fundraiser on Saturday, October 10, from 3:00 - 9:30 p.m. at the Willard High School theater...  More

EAT BREAD TO RAISE DOUGH
 Willard Project Graduation
Willard Parks
Youth Basketball Registration Now Open
Oct. 1st - Oct. 17th
  
Youth Cheerleading Registration Now Open
Oct. 1st - Oct. 17th
  
Halloween Event
Halloween Dance - Boo Bash
Oct. 9th - 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Grades 5th - 8th
Dungeon of Doom
Oct. 23rd & 24th - 7:00pm to 10:00pm
$3.00 per person
Trunk or Treat
Oct. 24th - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Free Event
  
Turkey Trot
Nov. 26th
  
Christmas on the Frisco
Nov. 20th & 21st
  
  
    
District Office
First and second year Willard Teachers participate in a two year mentoring program.  This program assists new staff to gain relationships and understanding into the expectations and process of Willard Public Schools.  Yesterday, district Instructional Coaches worked with approximately a dozen of these new staff members. 
 
I was given the opportunity to have some time with these new staff members.  I asked if they had begun to learn what the performance expectations were at Willard?  One teacher shared that we had warned new staff prior to the start of school that they would leave school exhausted and that had proven to be true.  She went on to share, "I look around and see all these amazing teachers that are giving 120% and that sets the bar for me and my classroom.  However, when the school day is over I have nothing left!"
 
I asked what they found in Willard parents?  One teacher reported that her parents are really willing to help!  She was surprised because that was not her expectation.  She expected resistance from parents and an unwillingness to accept that their child needed assistance or was less than perfect.  She said, "When I ask my classes to go to work, they actually do it!"  
 
We hear in the media all the negativity associated with public schools.  We hear that parents won't help and kids don't care.  For the vast majority of Willard that is simply not true.  No doubt we have students who make bad decisions and parents that refuse to allow their child to accept responsibility but I believe that is in the minority.  I asked if they had received the support that they needed to be successful and they all shared unanimously that the support had been overwhelming. 
 
I enjoyed the discussion with these new staff.  They are clearly on the way to becoming Willard Teachers!  As this first quarter draws to an end be sure and make time to visit with your son / daughter about their academic progress.  Parent Teacher Conference is later this month and parents never want to be surprised at that meeting!  
 
Enjoy the weekend!
 
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent 
Athletics & Activities
Homecoming....Senior Nights....Cool evenings....I love this time of year!  Our Tigers have been busy making us proud as they continue to represent Willard in an incredible fashion!!!!
Please help us congratulate the members of Willard High School's "The Cutting Edge" Marching Band on their outstanding performances last Saturday at the Valhalla Marching Band Festival at Parkview High School. In preliminary competition, the band placed 2nd in Class D and won Outstanding Visual, Outstanding Percussion, and Outstanding Drum Major (Kelsey Jeffries, Zephan McGlasson, and Sarah Crain), In the open class finals competition, the band received 1st place and won Outstanding Music, Outstanding Visual, Outstanding Percussion, and Outstanding Soloist (Derek VanWyhe). 
The band will next be performing at the Tulsa Union High School Renegade Review on Saturday, October 10. Performance time is at 12:15 pm.

Congratulations to the softball Tigers on an outstanding season.  The girls ended their season last night losing to Jefferson City 2-3 in the district semifinals.  Their record ended at 15-12 and they finished 4-3 in the COC and in a tie for 3rd.  Great job ladies and coaches!!!!!

Congratulations to the volleyball Tigers on their wins over Webb City and Republic this week.  This runs their record to an impressive 27-3-1 on the season!  Next week they will travel to Ozark on Tuesday and to Marshfield on Thursday.  A special congratulations to the girls on earning the #1 seed in the district tournament which will be held at Willard on Oct. 19th and 20th.

The football Tigers proudly fought back against Republic last Friday during Homecoming but ultimately came up short in the end.  They will look to get back in the win column as they travel to Branson tonight.  Kickoff is at 7:00pm.

Congratulations to the soccer Tigers on their big win over Monett on Tuesday!  They will travel to Rogersville next Monday, to Neosho on Tuesday and will host Catholic on Thursday.  Good luck Tigers!

Congratulations to the Cross Country Tigers as they continue to set personal and team records this year!  Next week is the big COC meet on Tuesday which will be held at Nixa.  Races will start at 4:00pm.  

It's Good To Be A Tiger!
 
Jeff Staley
Director of Athletics/Activities
High School

WHS is an academically high-achieving school that touts many successes.  Our students perform above the state average on the ACT and the other state-required assessments annually.  However, improvement is always the goal.  To continue growing, WHS staff and administration have been researching, studying, and implementing aspects of standards-referenced grading.  Some may notice less emphasis on compliance within a grading scale, removal of extra credit opportunities, and loss of attitude points in various courses.  Parents and students may notice more opportunity for tutoring, remediation of missed concepts, and re-assessment opportunities.  Many of these additional opportunities for relearning and re-assessment of acquired skills may be before or after school.  The purpose and ultimate goal at WHS is to incorporate a grading system that facilitates student ownership of learning while authentically reporting what students have learned.  We are in year 2 of a lengthy journey to develop processes to reach our end goal.  But when students take ownership of their learning to an even greater extent than they currently do, even greater successes will be achieved!

 

The student collaboration room on the second floor is in the final stages of preparation.  The furniture is in.  The technology has been connected.  Custodial, maintenance, and technology departments have worked to help us create an awesome 21st Century learning environment.  Teachers and students will be able to access this room to conduct interdisciplinary activities, facilitate conversations, and initiate creativity.  We are anticipating to begin use of the room in the coming couple of weeks.

Friday is the end of the 1st quarter.  Students will be on the early-release schedule with dismissal at 11:30 AM.  Teachers will be finalizing quarter grades and posting to SIS in the afternoon.

It's GREAT to be a Tiger!

Mr. Curt Graves
Principal
Central Elementary School
It was a full week at Willard Central!  Our 7 Habits focus this week was on Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw.  Habit 7 is all about finding ways to take care of yourself: body, heart, mind and spirit. Student generated examples of habit 7 have been exercising, reading a favorite book, helping someone else, find a place to relax, and spending time in prayer or meditation.  Each morning at Community Time, we focused on one of these four areas.

Beyond knowing and living out the 7 habits, we want students to be leaders! This week was also filled with 2nd-4th grade students applying and interviewing for student leadership positions.  Student Leadership Positions included Art and Music Leaders, Student Ambassadors, Public Speakers, Office Workers, Grounds/Landscaping, Student Enterprise Team and many more.  Students were excited about the interview process and we are eager to see them grow as leaders while serving our student and school community!
 
Shane Medlin
Principal
Orchard Hills
It has been a great week at Orchard! Fall weather is here and so are many activities. Our PTO has been extremely busy lately with many things to support our school community. Fall parties in each classroom took place on Friday morning. This was a time to celebrate all the good things that have happened so far and to invest in positive relationships in our classrooms. The PTO also recently delivered our school shirts. All students wore these to our first Tiger Pride Assembly of the year which occurred on Wednesday Sept. 30th. Many students were recognized for exhibiting our PAWS behavioral expectations at the assembly (see picture).
 
The PTO is also in the process of fundraising to help our school. Our annual fundraiser was kicked off at the Tiger Pride Assembly and the WOHE 5k is coming up as well. This year's run will be on Saturday October 31st and will be themed the "Pumpkin Run." Participants are encouraged to make this a fun-filled morning and are allowed to wear a costume while running if they wish. We look forward to this event with great anticipation. If you would like more information on this event please feel free to contact the Orchard Hills office at 417-869-0600 or follow this Link. We sincerely thank our PTO for all they do for our school and our kids. They are a blessing!

Wishing you a great weekend,

Dr. Garrett Prevo
Principal
East
This week we are celebrating our fundraiser winners. Even though we didn't reach our goal for playground improvements we still have some prize winners. Students who sold 7 or more items get a popsicle treat at recess today. Next week our students who sold 20 or more items will get a Limo ride to McDonald's for lunch!
Thank you to everyone who supported Willard East and our fundraiser.

Melinda Miller
Principal
South
On Thursday, it was quieter than usual at Willard South. It was all because our fourth grade hallway was empty! They set out on an adventure to Jefferson City for their annual grade level field trip.  It was a wonderful hands on learning experience. They had an amazing experience touring the Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Lewis and Clark Park, and Central Dairy for ice cream!

We wrapped up the week by celebrating with our fall classroom parties.   A special thank you to all of our Homeroom Helpers for coordinating this special day for students.  I know the students enjoyed all of the treats and crafts that you provided. 

Have a great weekend!

Kara Crighton-Smith
Principal
North
We have been working hard at Willard North this week!  We kicked off S.T.A.R, our school wide reading program.  S.T.A.R stands for Super Tigers Actively Reading.

The past couple of weeks we have had several guests at Willard North to discuss what it takes to be a  champion.  Last week, Liza Fruendt and Danielle Gitzen, Missouri State Lady Bears came to visit us!  This week a Willard graduate, BJ Flores, came to share with us his successes as a professional boxer.  The students enjoyed  learning about what it takes to be a champion and work hard.    


Looking ahead to next week...
Monday, October 12-PTO Meeting 6:00

Have a great weekend!

Amanda Hambey
Principal
Special Services

In May 2011, the Missouri legislature passed House Bill 555, which authorizes school boards to require the provision of disability history and awareness instruction in public schools during the month of October of each year. House Bill 555 further requires the month of October to be designated "Disability History and Awareness Month".

The goals of disability history and awareness instruction in House Bill 555 are:
  • Instilling in students sensitivity for fellow students with disabilities and encouraging educational cultures that nurture safe and inclusive environments for students with disabilities in which bullying is discouraged and respect and appreciation for students with disabilities is encouraged.
  • An understanding that disability is a natural part of the human experience; we are all more alike than different; and regardless of disability, every citizen is afforded the same rights and responsibilities as that of any other.
  • The creation of a more inclusive school community, where students with disabilities are included in every aspect of society, and every student is acknowledged for their unique gifts, talents, and contributions.
  • Reaffirmation of the local, state, and federal commitment to the full inclusion in society of, and the equal opportunity for, all individuals with disabilities.
     
We are looking forward to sharing out some of the wonderful things that are happening throughout the month at Willard for our students.

Have a great weekend!
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services




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