WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
February 12, 2016
In This Issue
Quick News
Click on headline for more details.
 
Snow Make-Up Days
School will now be in session on Monday, March 28 & Friday, May 20.

The Board of Education unanimously approved language for a $5.5 Million No-Tax-Increase Bond Issue to be placed on the April 5, 2016 ballot. 

Candidates for School Board
Seven patrons have filed to run for the three open school board seats in the upcoming April 5 election. Voters will elect two directors for three-year terms. 

The district calendar for next school year (2016-17) has been set.
Willard Parks

Youth Spring Soccer Registration Now Open
Registration Ends:  March 5th
         
District Office
The Libraries in the Willard District have undergone an incredible transformation over the course of the last several years.  Within the district these professionals are supporting student achievement before, during, and afterschool to make their libraries a destination for local families across the district.
 
Today's students are moving beyond the basics and embracing "super skills" that they need for a promising future.  Those skills are communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Our school libraries have been a great support in the partnership for 21st century skills.
 
Just a few of the programs (if I listed them all it would take up the whole Pride!) that are led by our district librarians are:
 
Directives for Young Leaders
After School Artists
Maker Spaces 
Leadership Teams
Advisories for FTA
Books4Blessings
 
Along with supporting students, our librarians also support teachers with classes and training in:
 
Maker Spaces 101
Scholastic Reading Summit
Using Social Media to Promote Your Library
 
The things I have presented are a VERY short list on what our district libraries are doing to support student as well as teachers in "super skills".  I know I don't do justice to the programs in each building.  Please check out the link below to see what our district librarians are doing to support.  Changing libraries, changing lives. 

 
Have a great weekend!
 
Angela Stevens
Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction
Athletics & Activities
Lots of activities to report on so lets skip my usual philosophical ramblings and get straight to our Tigers!

On Thursday, 36 DECA members competed against other schools in our district for the opportunity to move on to state level competition. I'm proud to say we qualified 19 students in 17 different events!

There are 15 schools in our district, including Springfield, Branson, Republic, and Ozark. Our students did an outstanding job with this tough competition! State qualifiers compete March 12-14, for a chance to move on to Internationals in Nashville. I am extra proud of these students, because I have been on maternity leave from mid-November until just the end of last week. They absolutely went above and beyond to prepare and make sure they advanced onto the state level contest! For each of these contests, they wrote lengthy papers and created presentations, or took a 100-question test along with presenting high stakes role plays. It's no easy task!

I have to give a special thank you to Melissa James and my substitute, Jason Terry, for helping them prepare so well. I know several other teachers were asked to assist with proofreading papers, etc, while I was away, so THANK YOU! :) You make us look good!


More......
High School
Court warming activities have been planned for next week.  Spirit days, a Friday pep assembly, and a dance after the game are planned. 

Counselors have been in classrooms this week scheduling with high school students for 2016-17.  Parents should be seeing information brought home; questions can be directed to the appropriate grade-level counselor.  Near the end of this month, the administrative and counseling staff will begin building the 2016-17 master schedule for next year based from the pre-enrollment numbers.

At the 3rd quarter community meeting this past Wednesday, we discussed the new internship program that will begin next fall.  We are receiving excellent feedback and continue to move forward with plans.  Career Exploration 1 and 2 are the course titles.  More information will continue to be shared.  Students, business leaders, and/or parents interested in participating are welcome to contact me. 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!  

Curt Graves
Principal 
Middle School
Keeping up with 734 student health needs and emergencies is no small task.   I want to take a moment to brag on our wonderful school nurse, Kendra Craft.  If you have ever worked with her, you would know that she has a passion for kids and staff.   This week was no exception!  Thank you so much Kendra for all you do to help keep our students and staff safe and healthy.  
 
This week 8th grade math students used a writing strategy called R.A.F.T.  The R stands for the Role, A is for Audience, F is for format, and the T is for the topic.  Students have been working on linear and nonlinear functions so they took that a little further with some fun.  The students used the R.A.F.T. strategies to create a break up letter.  In this case the Role was they were Y, the Audience was X, the Format is a break up letter, and the Topic they are so dysfunctional.  They were to write why they were so dysfunctional.  Enjoy reading a couple of the letters below.   
 
My Dearest x,
I don't really know how to say this, but I'm breaking up with you...yes, I know, we were in love and all that gushy stuff, but I just think that we are too dysfunctional. When we went out to eat, all the other tables had couples that looked like they were having a good time. I saw you with another Y sometimes. I never said anything, because I thought it wasn't too big of a deal, but it went on and on. Also like when we went to the fair and on that Ordered Pairs ride, you "accidentally" got into the wrong cart and you rode with someone else. Oh, and remember when that Mapping ride line supervisor put you with that one blonde Y? Or when you wanted to ride the brand new Graphing ride, only because of the Y in the cart in front of you. I'm done with you cheating on me. You just aren't the old x I thought you were. So bye! Hope life treats you well, and I hope you find another Y to cheat on. :)
Best Regards,
Y (Natile Golden)
 
Journal Entry- 2/9/16
Hello again, to myself. I got asked today by my best friend , y=3x2+34.6, why I always take the straight and narrow path. My line is always straight, perfect, never wavering from its defined path, continuing forever, on and on and on, while his is all curvy and cool, and goes in every which way. He has an end-somewhere... but why don't I?
I sometimes get made fun of because of it, because I'm different. No one is like me at my school, besides the girl with dirty blond hair that sits in the back of the classroom. I also get made fun of because of my equation, clearly printed on my back, just like everyone else. The same equation I've had since I was born, y=4x+32. Everybody else's' equation has three or more variables, and even exponents. But I got none.
I still remember the time at the table competition, when I got beaten by y=45x3-4.5, just because my values on my x side always went up by 1, and my ys always went up by 4. I was depressed for days. I just hope things get better. Well, I gotta go now, the food deliver people are here. Bye.
Written By:
y=4x+32 (Ethan Jones) 

We Learn. We Lead. We Succeed. 

Amy Sims
Principal 
Intermediate
Willard Intermediate has taken on several "outside the box" ideas this year in an effort to continue our growth as a building.  We are blessed to have a group of teachers that are always searching for ways to improve their craft of teaching to better serve students.  One of these ideas, Genius Hour, has been piloted on our Red team this year. 

This w eekly time gives students the opportunity to learn about and explore a topic or skill of their choice.  This culminates with these students sharing what they have learned with their peers in a formal presentation or demonstration.  Student projects have included practical things like how to build a shelf or how to cook a birthday cookie, while others are more knowledge based like how a computer works or information on a particular animal.  Genius Hour has been a huge hit with the students as they get to explore things of their choosing instead of just being teacher directed.  Thanks to our Red Team teachers for showing us this awesome idea and how to make it a reality with our students.  I would not be surprised to see Genius Hour on other teams in the future!

Tom Davis
Principal
Orchard Hills
On Thursday February 11th, several of our students had quite a treat thanks to our PTO. Students who sold twenty or more items during our PTO fundraiser were given a ride in a limo and were treated to
lunch at Pizza Hut. We had 3 different groups of kids who were able to participate and they loved every minute of it. Special thanks to the Orchard PTO for loving our kids the way they do!
 
Wishing you a great weekend,
 
Dr. Prevo
Central
It was another full week of learning at Willard Central.  Our Kindergarten Students and Public Speaker leaders shared about the 7 Habits and how to use them in Cafeteria and Community Time.  It was wonderful seeing leaders across all grade levels leading each other to make our school better for everyone.  Coach Brown also recognized "The Clean Crew" student leadership team for modeling servant leadership.  These students are an excellent example of working to serve others and are role models for all of us to follow.

On Thursday afternoon, our students enjoyed the PTO Valentine's Day
Parties.  Students enjoyed treats and games with their friends andValentine Grams from the Student Enterprise Team.  A great time was had by all as love filled the air at WC!

Love was especially in the air for one of our 3rd grade students this week.  Joey was diagnosed with cancer for a mass in his throat and he will be heading to St. Jude's this weekend to begin his treatment plan.  The students and Joey were excited for some together time at the Valentine Party.  It was the perfect chance for the students to love on Joey and to spend downtime together as a class family laughing and playing together.  Joey and his family are in our hearts and prayers and we are anticipating having our "dynamite in a small package" back with us soon!

Dr. Shane Medlin
Principal 
East
North
 
South
Thank you to all of the students, parents and teachers who helped last week with our Change a Life fundraiser.  We raised over $500 to support our local Willard Children's Charitable Foundation.  Their mission is to raise, manage and distribute funds to benefit children in the Willard community and school district. WCCF provides both direct assistance to children and families in need and supports programs that benefit children throughout the district.  We are proud to support this local organization!  

Our building enjoyed celebrating Valentine's Day a little early with classroom parties this morning.  Students had plenty of sweets and games to keep them busy.  I enjoyed seeing all of the Valentine's Day boxes.  We have some very creative students....and parents!

Upcoming Events:
Monday, February 15th--No School
Tuesday, February 23rd--Tiger Pride Assembly at 2:45
Wednesday, February 24th--Spring Pictures
Thursday, February 25th--1st Grade Music Program at 2:45 and 6:30

Kara Crighton-Smityh
Principal
Special Education
The weeks are moving quickly and the end of 3rd quarter is just around the corner.  That means that our end of the ye ar celebrations/activities are also coming up!  One thing that you will want to take part in is our Annual Partners In Strength Night on Monday, April 4, 2016.  This year we are planning some exciting new events, all centered around our superhero theme. You won't want to miss out!  Mark your calendars and be watching the PRIDE and our webpage for details to come next week.
http://willardspecialservices.weebly.com/
Have a wonderful 3-day weekend,

Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services 
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment




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Willard, MO 65781

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