WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
March 4, 2016
In This Issue
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This week the district launched a new website with details about a bond issue on the upcoming April 
ballot.  www.willardbondissue.net contains details about the needs, specific projects, process,  costs, ballot language  and much more.
 
 
The last day that patrons can register to vote in the April election is March 9. School Board members and a district bond issue will be on the ballot in that election. Patrons can register during regular business hours at:
 
Greene County Court House
Willard City Hall
Willard Schools District Office
Willard High School
Willard Branch Library

In addition, a special Voter Registration table will be set up for Willard Patrons at these times & locations: 

North Elem, Tues, 3/1, 7:30-10a
Orchard Hills, Wed, 3/2, 7:30-10a
Intermediate, Mon 2/29 - Fri3/4, 10a - 4p
 

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. 


Willard Parks
 
Youth Spring Soccer Registration Now Open
Registration Ends: March 5th  
 
Youth Spring Volleyball Registration Now Open
Registration Ends: March 5th  

The Great Easter Egg Hunt
March 19th @ THE REC
Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast
March 5th @ The Community Building 
http://www.willardparks.com/green-eggs--ham-breakfest.html  

   
       
District Office
 
This week Willard Schools participated in Read Across America Week.  The week is highlighted by Dr. Seuss's Birthday on March 2nd.  In February, invitations begin to arrive in my inbox requesting calendar dates and times to read to elementary students.   The Walt Disney Corporation used the slogan, "where the magic happens", however the true magic is in the eyes of children when family members, and even administrators read a great story aloud.  

One of my favorite movie scenes in the 1987 film, "The Princess Bride" is Grandfather (Peter Falk) reading to his grandson (Fred Savage) who was sick.  The scene illustrates an epic example portraying how a dusty old    book can come to life in the minds of adults and children.

As we emphasize reading this week and celebrate Dr. Seuss, I encourage adults to take a few moments, grab a book, read to your student and then allow them to choose a book and read to you.  

Have a great weekend,

Stewart Pratt
Assistant Superintendent

Athletics & Activities
Well Winter sports has finished up and Spring sports is just starting practices for what promises to be an outstanding season for our Tigers!  But that also means a shorter version of my Pride.

This last weekend the speech and debate team went to their last invitational tournament in Neosho.  This is our roughest tournament of the year and our students represented Willard well!  Out of 37 schools from across Missouri we placed 11th overall in sweepstakes!

Going to Semi-Finals: Evan Kirksey in OO, Ethan Gamberial in HI, and Taylor Gibbs in DI.  Placing in Finals: Elijah Pitts 4th in IX, and Katelynn Wilson 3rd in HI. 
Now wish us luck for both MSHSAA Districts to qualify for State and National Speech and Debate Association Districts to qualify for Nationals! 

A special congratulations to Jessica Drennan and Brady Dawson for signing with Evangel to continue their athletic endeavors.  Also to Garyn Stewart for signing to play baseball at Three Rivers CC.  Great job Tigers!  We have more signings to come!

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley
Director of Activities/Athletics
High School
WHS administration continues to develop a new program for the 2016-17 school year.  Career Explorations course will include employability skills, resume building, career interest assessments, and even internships off campus.  An instructor has been hired, Mr. Tom Tobin, and students have enrolled in both sections of the course for fall and spring.  Mr. Tobin and Mr. Graves will be working diligently in the coming months to present information and inquire of local businesses for participation in the program.  We are very excited about this program where academia and scholar mix with real-world and application to create a relevant learning experience.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to partner with us.

Next week is spring break.  Prom and graduation are just around the corner.  Mrs. Keeth is in her first year of leading prom activities.  We have a new venue, new times, and new format.  On April 30, prom will be held at The Old Glass House in Springfield.  Students can anticipate a reduction in ticket prices as well. 

Seniors received caps and gowns from Josten's this week.  Graduation is scheduled to be held at JQH Arena on May 14, 8 PM.  Last year's graduation was an amazing ceremony at JQH.  It is tremendous that we can use this facility having plenty of parking and seating for all who desire to attend.  We estimated over 5,000 attendees last year to watch the Class of 2015 walk and anticipate another awesome crowd for the Class of 2016!

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!  
 
Curt Graves
Principal
Middle School

Intermediate

Spring has sprung at WIS!  This picture is from one of the flower beds at the front of our building but we do not need the flowers to tell us it is time for Spring.  The building has been full of energy the last few weeks with class projects wrapping up and after school activities keeping our students and teachers busy.  Our hallways are full of artwork, posters, and writing assignments that evidence their effort and abilities.  We are blessed with a super hard working group of students and we are proud of all they have accomplished so far this year.

Many of our students got to show off some of their hard work in a different way last night with our 10th annual WIS Talent Night.  We had 28 awesome student acts with a few teacher acts sprinkled in that entertained and amazed our audience.  It was obvious that we have an extremely diverse group of talents at WIS.  Thanks to everyone that came out last night to support these students as well as Mrs. Morris and her crew for making it possible!

Today marks the end of our 3rd grading term and WIS celebrated the positive behavior choices our students have made over the last 8 weeks with our iChoose reward day.  Over 550 students (80%!) got to spend their 1/2 day relaxing watching a movie with their classmates while enjoying some snacks and drinks.   What a great way to spend the day before Spring Break!

We hope everyone has a safe, fun, and relaxing break!!

Tom Davis
Principal
Orchard Hills
 
Central
March came in like a lion with a storm of family events and activities this week.  On Tuesday, we welcomed nearly 500 guests into our building for Grandparents' Day.  Student leaders served as greeters, hosts, shared about the 7 Habits and the Leader in Me, and escorted grandparents to their child's classroom before the real festivities with their grandchildren began.  It was a wonderful day to enjoy being with loved ones while celebrating the learning taking place at school.  

On Thursday, our school hosted the Family Reading Night for our 9th Annual All-School Book Club. Families enjoyed activities together inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Favorite events of the night included floating down a chocolate river, playing a giant game of CandyLand, creating in the
Inventing Room, and enjoying some chocolate treats of course.  Thank you to everyone for making our 9th Annual All-School Book Club such a success.  
 
On Friday morning, our students concluded the 3rd quarter and our book club activities with a Read-in and school viewing of the movie of Charlie and Willy Wonka's adventures.  

We hope everyone enjoys a great Spring Break and comes back well rested and recharged to tackle the 4th quarter!

Dr. Shane Medlin
Principal
East

North

Willard North had a wild and crazy week celebrating Read Across America Week!  We had read to a buddy day, crazy hair day, dress as your favorite storybook character day, and hat day. 
  
The 3rd graders performed "All That Jazz" on Thursday night.  It was a great performance and the students had a blast.  Thank you to Mrs. Reed and the students for all of their hard work.   
 
Have a wonderful spring break!
 
Amanda Hambey
Principal
South

Special Education

 

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment





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