WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
December 11, 2015
In This Issue
Willard Parks
  
        
Board of Education
There are many blessings to be grateful for in our school district. Each month, we hear about teachers and staff who go above and beyond the norm for the benefit of our students. 

A few times each year, we hear from our administration about the compliments and concerns they have.  As a testament to hard work in molding teachers to be models of the 'Willard way', it's encouraging to hear the stories of improvements, and excellent instruction going on throughout the district.  

The board and administration have worked hard, too, to recognize not only the needs of the district, but to listen to the community.  In the coming months, we will be sharing more specific information about some short term and long term goals of the district, related to additions and improvements to buildings, and to adding another school to our ever growing school community.  It goes without saying that nothing is "free" when it comes to education, so part of this growth and progress will include asking for financial support from the patrons, too. Please stay tuned to our district home page for more information in the coming months, and stay informed!  

On behalf of the Board of Education, I wish you all a safe and MERRY CHRISTMAS and a prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Julie Germann
President
Athletics & Activities
Well another successful Four-State Tournament is in the books and, again, I can't say "thank you" enough to everyone who played a part in making the week so special.  But let's move on to our Tigers!!!!

Tiger wrestlers opened up their season at the Neosho tournament this past Saturday where they finished 3rd as a team behind a tough Farmington program and the 3 time defending State Champion Neosho Wildcats.  The Tigers held second place all day until the medal round where we battled Farmington back and forth as we would win a medal match and they would win one.  Hunter Yeargan was our last medal match of the day, he would pin his opponent in about 30 secs which put us ahead of Farmington meaning they had to win both matches to take second from us.  At 220lbs and 285lbs Farmington had a kid in each of the final 2 matches and unfortunately for the tigers we could only watch as Farmington would win both matches and claim second place from us.  All in all it was a pretty good start to the year for the tigers with 8 of the 14 weight classes placing in the top 4 of the tournament. 
 
Individual Results
106 - Open
113 - Tallon Heimbach  3-1  2nd Place
120 - Alex Garrett  3-1 3rd Place
126 - Bruin Wildermuth  2-3  4th Place
132 - Open
138 - Niko Chavez  5-0  1st Place
145 - Tyler Carcione  2-3  6th Place
152 - Morgan Earl  4-1  3rd Place
152 Extra - Craig McKeel  INJ Def  DNP
160 - Kyle Caldwell  3-0 1st Place
170 - Cameron Caldwell  1-3  7th Place
182 - Christian Smart  3-1  2nd Place
182 Extra - Matt Kirkland  2-2  4th Place
195 - Hunter Yeargan  4-0  1st Place
220 - Austin Hymer  1-3 6th Place
285 - Martin Eidson  2-3  7th Place

The Tigers then defeated Rolla 58-18 and Kickapoo 64-15 to start their dual season at 2-0!  They will wrestle Marshfield and Camdenton tonight and will host Branson and Republic next Tuesday.

The basketball Tigers will be hosting Jefferson City Friday night with the JV starting at 5:30pm followed by the varsity.  Next week, they will travel to Hillcrest on Tuesday before traveling to Sedalia for a Shootout next Saturday.

The Lady Tigers have this week off before traveling to Rogersville on Monday of next week and then hosting Central on Thursday.  Both games will start at 6:00pm.

Both the boys and girls will find out next week who they will face in the Pink and White and the Blue and Gold Tournaments.

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley
Director of Activities / Athletics
High School
Only a few days from Christmas break!  WHS Staff have been decorating the
halls as part of a fun competition.  Administrators and others will be invited to judge the decorative hallways.  The winning team will earn a catered lunch served by the high school building principals.  This has become a great activity to encourage morale, community, and even gotten students participating.   

The SGA Annual Christmas Assembly will be on Tuesday, Dec 15.  

The 2nd Annual WHS Academic Awards Breakfast will be on Tuesday, Dec 15, 7 - 8 AM in the auxiliary gym.  Mrs. Kiesewetter and the counseling office have been organizing and planning.  This is a great event as we recognize and honor students who score a 25 or higher on their ACT and/or have earned an academic letter. 

Holiday concerts for band and choir are this weekend.  Choir is on Saturday evening beginning at 7 PM.  Band is on Sunday beginning at 2 PM.

1st Semester Finals are scheduled for December 16-18.  Finals information is posted on the website.  Students can pick up a finals schedule in the office.

It is GREAT to be a Tiger! 
 
Curt Graves 
Principal
Middle School
8th grade students have been studying about cells and organelles.  One of the projects that students completed was a cell model with each part clearly identified.  Check out their picture below!

Willard Middle School Black Box Theatre invites you to attend this one-of-a-kind retelling of J.R.R. Tolkien's, The Hobbit.  
The plot follows Bilbo Baggins' adventure with a band of 13 dwarfs' and a Hobbit to reclaim the dwarfs' fortune stolen by the dragon, Smaug. Along this trail, Bilbo and company encounter trolls, elves, goblins and, of course, a gold ring and it's former owner, Gollum. The immersive audience experience will set the viewers in the middle of the action and captivate the imaginations of all ages.

Shows will be performed December 11th & 12th at 7:00 pm in Willard Middle
School Black Box Theatre. Tickets are $5 per person.   All seats are general admission and doors will open at 6:30 pm nightly.   Special Offer- Any audience member that dresses in a "Middle Earth" costume for Saturday night's show will get a discounted ticket for only $2.00 and get to take a picture with the cast after the show. (Saturday night only).

Amy Sims
Principal
Intermediate

Orchard Hills

Central Elementary School
It was an exciting week at WC as our student leaders took on more leadership roles across the school.  Our Student Lighthouse Team shared about our Circle of Control with our student body.  They lead our students through practical daily examples of situations that are inside and outside of our control while sharing how we have the choice of how to respond to these events.  It was great to see 342 students engaged in learning this together! 
One of our Public Speaker Leaders, Payton G., facilitated our Community Time morning assembly this week.  He did a great job engaging the audience while we celebrated the start to our day as a school family.  With all of these student leaders stepping up, a 1st grade student asked me if I had retired!
We are looking forward to finishing the 2nd quarter strong next week.  Our students are getting in the Christmas spirit and Mrs. Miles visited to spread some holiday cheer. 


Shane Medlin 
Principal
East
North
South
Thursday evening our 4th graders rocked the house with their musical Santa's Holiday Playlist.  The stage was full of holiday characters including elves, reindeer, toy soldiers, toy bears and more! This was another fabulous production by Mrs. Christensen.  


We will be busy next week with several special events.  Don't miss our December Tiger Pride Assembly on Tuesday, December 15th at 2:45.  Students will also celebrate the holiday season with classroom parties on Friday, December 18th before being dismissed at 12:30.  
 
 
 







Have a wonderful weekend!

Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal
Special Education
I surveyed several people this week about what to include in this week's PRIDE.  The overwhelming response was "We made it to Christmas break!" That may not seem like much to the average person, but to those in education, it's HUGE! Think of all the progress that has been made since school started way back in August.

It hasn't been easy.  Hours and hours of preparation, study and instruction have gone into growing kids and teachers to this point. Some days, I don't know how it all gets done, but it does... every year...as long as we stick with it.

Stick-with-it-ness or tenacity is a great character trait to have.  I've never seen someone fail that kept trying. Our students with special needs are perfect examples of this and I watch them regularly live out this principle. Things that seemed impossible in August are beginning to seem more "doable." I've heard it said, "Whenever you have taken up work in hand, you must see it to the finish. That is the ultimate secret of success. Never, never, never give up!

I encourage us all to not give up on our goals, to keep trying in the face of adversity and be confident that someday we will find success.  Take time this week to celebrate with your student the AMAZING progress that was made this first semester on their goals.  Good GREAT things are happening here in Willard!

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




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