WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
March 25, 2016
In This Issue
Quick News
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Willard School District has a bond issue on the April ballot that WILL NOT INCREASE TAXES! This issue will address 3 urgent needs in the district. Visit willardbondissue.net to learn more. Then please vote April 5!
 

School Board Election April 5  


 
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 and one director for an unexpired one year term.


 
 
Willard's MSTA is hosting a candidates forum on March 29 at 6:30pm in the District Office Training Room, 500 Kime,  in Willard. All patrons are encouraged to attend to learn more about each candidate.
Willard Parks
 

   
       
District Office
April Bond - Simple / Straightforward / No Tax-Rate Increase

The Bond issue that the Board of Education has placed on the ballot for April 5th, 2016 is the most simple, straightforward, bond that I have been a part of my entire career.  The board of education and administration was intentional about focusing on urgent needs in our district.  This Bond will not increase Tax-Rates!  The Bond is focused on three projects:

  1. Orchard Hills Elementary Classroom Addition:  The district opened Orchard Hills Elementary in 2009 and it is already over capacity.  The district was forced to purchase portable modular classrooms (trailer) and place it behind the school.  The modular unit houses two classrooms.  WOHE continues to be our fastest growing building in the district and urgently needs additional classrooms.
  2. New Heat and Air System at North Elementary and part of Willard Intermediate:  Two old steam heat boilers are still in place after over 50 years of use.  The old system has failed twice in the past two years leaving the building for two days without heat each time.  The system is very difficult to regulate due to 50 years of calcium build-up in the system.  These systems have given over five decades of service but are in serious need of replacement.
  3. Prepare for the future:  Growth continues in the Willard District.  The district has increased enrollment over 300 students since FY13 and over 1000 students in the last decade.  Analysis of the birth rates in Greene County indicates that the numbers of students headed toward Kindergarten are larger than any other class currently grades K-12!  That continued influx of students will require the construction of another building in the future.  The BOE and Administration intends to secure property and proceed with construction drawings of this future building.  
The Willard community loves their schools.  Pride is evident every time I see a "W" in a back car window or a T-Shirt.  This bond is needed to continue providing the level of excellence expected in our district.  If you have questions regarding the projects or the bond, give me a call at the district office.  (417) 742-2584

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Medlin
Superintendent
Athletics & Activities
"Talent is God given, be humble.  Fame is man given, be grateful.  Conceit is self given, be careful." - John Wooden

To say that our Tigers had an incredible week is an understatement!  I'll just leave it at that and get to the recognition.

Congratulations to the girls soccer team on getting their season started off right by defeating Rogersville 4-0.  The girls will host Clinton tonight and then will host Hillcrest next Monday and Joplin on Thursday.

The baseball Tigers had a huge win over district opponent, Lebanon, on Tuesday winning 10-0!  The Tigers are 2-2 on the young season and will travel to Jackson, MO tomorrow for a double header vs. Jackson and then Sikeston.  They will then have a quick turn around and play two games on Saturday at Glendale starting at 11:00am.  Next week, they will host the Willard Lead-Off Tournament Thursday - Saturday.

The track Tigers got started on Monday as they traveled to Warrensburg for an indoor meet. here are the notable performances that would have scored team points had they kept team scores. It was extremely competitive with 20 schools from Class 4 and 5. I would guess there were a whole lot more 5's than 4's, but I'm not real familiar with the KC area schools.  See more...

Orchard Hills
This past week, Mrs. Miranda Bryant hosted the annual book fair at Orchard Hills. It has been quite a success. It is a joy to see students excited about reading and finding books that are relevant to them. A number of staff assisted Mrs. Bryant in pulling off this event. I am so thankful for their efforts. 

A special part of the book fair is the grandparent breakfast which was held on
Tuesday morning. Orchard Hills hosted approximately 350 grandparents and students at this event.  We are also thankful for those grandparents who invested time and resources in
their students and our school.

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Garrett Prevo
Principal
Special Education
     
Many of us know someone with a disability, but we may not understand exactly why they have that disability or how it impacts their education and life. This month our goal is about awareness and education. Our students and staff have participated in special days including crazy sock day at Willard Central (pictured above) to help us debunk the myths and illustrate how we have more in common than we might realize.
  • World Down Syndrome Awareness Day is recognized on March 21st.
  • International Cerebral Palsy Day is recognized on March 25th.  
These are just two of the wide variety of disabilities that exist.  It is helpful to know how you can support individuals with disabilities as co-workers, friends and family.  I've included links below to more information about each of these efforts and items related to serving students in this district with special needs. Please take time to visit, read and see the amazing things that are happening.
We are thankful that we have a district that is supportive of ALL students and recognizes the unique abilities of each person and pushes them to be the best they can be!

I also encourage parents to get involved and find out how you can help provide policy guidance on special education and related services in MO.  Here is a link for an application to be part of the Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP). SEAP

Have a blessed weekend!
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services





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