WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
January 22, 2015
In This Issue
Willard Parks

Youth Spring Soccer Registration Now Open
Registration Ends:  March 5th
 

Youth Tumbling Toddlers Registration Now Open
Classes begin: January 27th
 
 
Valentines Dance
February 5th @ THR REC
 
         
District Office
January is Board Member Appreciation Month.  Willard Board of Education members spend many hours each month supporting our school district.  I challenge you to think of how many volunteer hours you serve each month.  Maybe you teach Sunday School, volunteer at the Kitchen in Springfield, or help raise funds for great institutions like St. Judes Research Hospital. 
 
Willard Board of Education members average in excess of 10 hours of service each month with some serving much more.  These volunteer hours are on top of the time that is required by their families and occupations.  I appreciate the time that they spend to support Willard Schools.  BOE members have the opportunity to be a part of and share the many quality efforts which occur in our district.  The following community members currently comprise the Willard Board of Education.  If you know one of these individuals take a moment this week to drop them a note of thanks for their service.  
 
Julie Germann
 Kip Baker
Jeff Baker
Jennifer Fickbohm
Kathy Hampton
Devon Jarvis
Ron Crighton 
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent  
Athletics & Activities
Sometimes, Mother Nature wins.  However, she may have made us cancel events for the past three days, but our Tigers are back at it tonight!

The Lady Tigers game vs. Ozark that was scheduled for this past Thursday has been rescheduled for tonight.  It will be a three game night with the freshmen starting at 5:00pm.  Next week, the girls will travel to Fair Grove on Monday and to Joplin on Thursday.  Both games are two-game nights and will start at 6:00pm.

The wrestling Tigers had their double dual at Bolivar cancelled last night as well.  No make up date has been set but we are working on it!  The boys have some time off before wrestling in the COC Tournament next Saturday at Carthage.  Here are the results from last Saturday:
Tigers made the short track over to Republic High School this past Saturday for their 4th tournament of the season.  Tigers have finished 3rd, 3rd, & 2nd in their first three tournaments and tallied an 11-1 dual record so far.  The one dual loss came by the hands of the Republic Tigers so there was a little revenge on the docket for Saturday.  At the end of the day Willard took home the tournament championship, outscoring the 2nd place team by 62 points, and outscoring Republic by 97 points.  There were some great individual performances throughout the day.  Tallon Heimbach finished second losing a close match to a returning State Medalist while Alex Garrett lost 5-2 to the returning State Finalist in his championship match.  Cameron Caldwell had his best tournament of the season while winning the 160 pound championship, beating a State Champion from Arkansas and another MO state qualifier.  Tyler Carcione also had his best tournament of the season by finishing second and defeating the #1 seeded kid in his bracket.  Kyle Caldwell beat the #4 and #1 ranked kids in the state to go on and take the 170 pound championship.  There were many good performances which in turn provided for a great team effort.  See more....
High School
 
Middle School
 
Intermediate

Orchard Hills
 
Central
The winter weather slowed down student learning a couple of days this week, but teacher learning was in full force on Monday.  Teachers across the district gathered together to participate in professional development on math instruction.  It was a great day of learning with many strategies to immediately support student learning, not just in math, but in all areas.  

On Friday
 morning, we celebrated students' hard work for the 1st semester with our Terrific Tiger Celebration.  We recognized students with perfect attendance, special area awards and we were blessed to have some former WC students come back to speak with our students.  These HS student leaders are great role models demonstrating the 7 habits our students have been learning about.  Our students always love hearing from HS students and I appreciate their time investing in our students.

Our parent book study on the 7 habits begins Saturday at the Panera on Kansas Expressway at 8:00.  Even if you have not been able to read the book yet, all are welcome to join and share in this learning.  Keep reading on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and enjoying this school book club with your family!
Have a great weekend.
Dr. Shane Medlin 
Principal
East
North


South
Special Education
PETS
 
The Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) program offers work-related supports to public school students in Missouri who are not yet eligible for similar services through Vocational Rehabilitation. The program was made possible through legislative changes to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA). PETS is a collaborative partnership between several organizations around the state including the University of Missouri and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
 
PETS began at WHS on October 12th for all transition students in grades 9-12. Pat Baur from MU Extension visits Mrs. Erica Poulson's class once a month. He focuses his lessons on pre-vocational transition activities. These activities included focusing on character traits of an employee, what employers look for in hiring, appearance during interviews, and the difference in a "job" or "career". Students completed interest surveys and other group activities involving a "dream" job.
 
We look forward to continuing our partnership with PETS and finding partnerships to support our students as they prepare for the workforce.
 
Have a great weekend,
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers in Willard
Some may wonder what we do on our Teacher Professional Days.  This year the district K-12 is continuing math training for teachers.  With the shift in instruction with our Missouri Learning Standards, math has been a focus to strengthen learning for students and teachers. 

On January 18th, Dr. Juli Dixon, professor of mathematics education at the University of Central Florida brought her team of educators for professional math training with teachers on Monday.  Dr. Dixon and her team worked with teachers to understand the 8 mathmatical practices as well as the 5 shifts in math to support teachers in the district.

Along with our district math trainings, teachers have ongoing opportiunities locally as well as regionally and are encouraged to participate to increase student learning and promote teacher growth. Opportunies for teachers are:  Willard University,  Missouri Southwest Regional Professional Development Center, Regional Consortium for Education and Technology Southwest, and PBS Teacherline Online Course.

As we grow our students, we grow our teachers in Willard.  It's great to be a Tiger!

Angela Stevens
Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment




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