WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
November 6, 2015
In This Issue
Willard Parks
  
Turkey Trot
Nov. 26th
  
Christmas on the Frisco
Nov. 20th & 21st
        
District Office
On a chilly Tuesday in December 2012, three superintendents sat down together in a restaurant in Springfield to commit to a vision, a seed of thought to be planted and cultivated.  The three leaders dreamed of a way to assemble educators to grow, to share, to learn WITH and FROM each other.  Although the districts of Ozark, Nixa, and Willard fiercely battle each other in the competitive arenas, they are unified in their passion on student learning. 
  
The dream led to the creation of the first STAR Summit (Shaping Teachers Across the Region) held November 5th 2013.  The welcomed addition of Republic in 2014, led to several requests from other schools to participate.  Fast forward to Tuesday (Nov 3rd, 2015), the 3rd Annual STAR Summit.  The four Central Ozarks Conference Districts added limited participation seats to Springfield Public Schools and Bolivar. With the additions, attendance was
bolstered on Tuesday to nearly 1,800 educators.  

The morning session located at James River Church was an incredible venue for nationally renowned keynote educator Rick Wormeli (pronounced warmly). Wormeli delivered a high energy message titled, Cultivating Perseverance and Creativity in Teachers and Students.  Using humor and a myriad of analogies, he addressed topics of increasing student creativity, motivation, resilience, and handling student failure in a healthy way.

After the morning session, attendees escaped to grab a quick lunch and head to either Ozark (Grades 6-12) or Nixa (PreK - 5th Grades). Breakout sessions were proposed and presented by staff representing each of the four districts.   District participants selected three 40 minute breakout sessions in the afternoon to complete their day. Although STAR Summit 2015 is completed, continued collaboration opportunities will occur Tuesday November 10th 8:00pm - 9:00pm to keep the energy flowing.

The STAR Summit vision continues to grow as a powerful learning event.  Breaking away from working in isolation, Willard Schools and neighboring districts are harnessing the power of multi-district educator connections and collaboration to improve student learning.   

Stewart Pratt
Assistant Superintendent
Athletics & Activities
"Because of their dedication to others and feeling responsible to the team, selfless athletes will work longer and harder than those who are in it for themselves.  Be a great teammate." - Proactive Coaching.  I have witnessed first-hand just how many "great teammates" we have in Willard.  We are a very fortunate community to have such amazing students!
 
Well volleyball had some post season honors after a great season.  Congratulations to the following:
 
1st Team All-COC - Kenzie Bouse
2nd Team All-COC - Kate Bushnell and Kara Finkbiner
1st Team All-District - Kenzie Bouse, Kasey Brower, and Kara Finkbiner
2nd Team All-District - Kate Bushnell
Honorable Mention All-State - Kate Bushnell
 
Awesome season ladies!
 
Good luck to the cheerleaders as they head to Columbia for the state competition this weekend!
 
We want to share some good news about some of our WHS students. Last evening we took several WHS band students to Marshfield to try out for the All-District Honor, Concert and Jazz Bands. There were close to 500 students who auditioned from all across the South Central District and we are pleased to share the following WHS results with you. 
 
All-District Honor Band
 
Derek Van Wyhe (2nd Chair Alto Saxophone; Eligible to try out for State)
 
All-District Concert Band
Hayden Windmiller (1st Chair Tenor Saxophone; Eligible to try out for State)
Johnathan Dickens (2nd Chair Euphonium; Eligible to try out for State)
Tanner Gardner (1st Chair Tuba; Eligible to try out for State)
Jonathan Herald (3rd Chair Percussion)
Lucas Slaughter (4th Chair Bass Clarinet)
 
All-District Jazz Band (All Students Eligible to try out for State)
Derek Van Wyhe (Lead Alto Saxophone)
Hayden Windmiller (2nd Chair Tenor)
Eleanor Crawford (5th Chair Trumpet)
Nathan Raney (Bass)
Dyllon Schmehl (Alternate Trumpet)
Zach Gibby (Alternate Piano)
 
Also, Winter Sports have started practicing and I've been very impressed with basketball and wrestling.  It's going to be a great winter!
 
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
 
Jeff Staley
Director of Athletics/Activities
High School
By now, many have heard that the high school is using Canvas as a learning management system.  This is different from SISK12 which is a student information system.  Access to Canvas will allow viewing and awareness of course materials, syllabi, and instructor information.  SISK12 provides information about attendance, discipline, and grades.  Parents can gain access to their students' information in both Canvas and SISK12.  If a parent does not have a login and password, they are welcome to contact the registrar's office. 

Next Friday will mark mid-2nd quarter.  Winter sports practices are beginning.  Thanksgiving is on the horizon.  Fall EOC testing is coming in a few weeks.  Semester finals are scheduled for December 16-18.  1st Semester will be over before we know it! 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!  
 
Curt Graves
Principal
Middle School
The middle school is excited to honor our veteran's on November 11th.  This is a very special recognition assembly that the OHHS (Operation Hometown Hero Supporters) Club members have been working on really hard.  Mrs. Loveland has been working with students on the program since the beginning of September.  Please join us on this special day!


Following the Veteran's Day assembly, students involved in winter activities will be recognized at our winter assembly.  This will take place from 1:50-2:30 in the upper gym.  

Amy Sims
Principal
Intermediate

Orchard Hills
The Orchard Hills family is so grateful for a healthy and active PTO. This organization of parents has done so many great things for our school. They have purchased new equipment, organized meals for teacher during conferences, and supported our students in so many ways.
 
One of the reasons they are able to bless our school is because of the fundraising efforts they orchestrate. Last Saturday, Orchard Hills hosted our annual 5k event. Because it fell on Halloween this year it was titled, Run for the Orchard: Pumpkin Run. This event was, again, a huge success for our school, the community, and ultimately our students.
 
I would like to express my thanks to the group of individuals who consistently choose to go above and beyond the call of duty for the good of our students. Without active, involved parents our school would not be what it is. Thank you to all the local business who chose to support our cause through a sponsorship and thank you to all those who chose to participate in the run. We are thankful!!!

Wishing you a blessed weekend,

Dr. Garrett Prevo
Principal
Central Elementary School
Students and teachers seemed to enjoy the long Fall Break weekend to recover from the late nights of conferences and all of the October festivities.  While students recharged on Tuesday, teachers from neighboring school districts joined together for a day of professional development.  Willard Central teachers presented on the topics of Student-Led Conferences, Child Abuse and Neglect, and The Leader in Me.  Thank you to Adrian Laflen, Ron Keys, Bethany Siebert and Luciana Brown for sharing their knowledge and passion with other professionals.  
As we look ahead to next week, we hope you can join us for our Veterans Day Assembly at Community Time (8:25) onWednesday, November 11th.
Shane Medlin
Principal
East
We have some exciting clubs beginning at Willard East this Fall!
  
Mrs. Hillenburg is offering Lego Club on Wednesdays after school. There is a limited number of spots available due to limited supplies but the club filled up over night! Her second club is a book club for the book Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstien. This also filled up quickly.


Melinda Miller
Principal
North

South
Willard South will be hosting our Annual Veteran's Day Assembly on Thursday, November 12th from 1:30-2:45.  This assembly will be a celebration of all those who have served and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Below is an outline of our assembly.  We welcome all Veteran's to this special event.  Please RSVP to the Willard South Elementary office. 

Willard South Elementary Veteran's Day Assembly
1:30-2:00    Pictures, cookies, and drinks in the library
2:00             Veteran's may be seated in the cafeteria for the program
2:00-2:15    Announce Veterans in attendance
2:15-2:45    Patriotic performance from our 2nd grade students directed by Mrs. Michelle Christensen

Kara Crighton-Smith

Principal

Special Education
CREATIVITY!  It was the topic of discussion this week at the Annual Star Summit for educators across Southwest Missouri.  Students should be encouraged to be creative, but teachers must model this.  We are always looking for creative ways to serve our students with special needs at Willard!  One unique opportunity is just around the corner and we would like you to join us in supporting quality programs that benefit kids.

The Annual Pancakes with Santa Breakfast will be held in the Willard Middle School cafeteria.  All proceeds will benefit the Occupational Therapy department and ultimately kids across our district.  Bring a friend, enjoy the craft fair, watch the Christmas parade and eat lots of pancakes!  More information can be found at http://willardspecialservices.weebly.com.  

Sincerely,
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services 




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