WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
April 8, 2016
In This Issue
Quick News
 
As we head toward the end of the school year, it's time to start thinking about summer school.  Get more info and register here.

 
Willard was recently recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Only two districts in Missouri received the designation, Willard and Liberty.
Willard Parks
   
       
District Office

Personal Thank You from Dr. Medlin

Superintendent

 

District Says Thanks to Community for Support of Bond Issue 

 

Athletics & Activities
"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else.  It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells "can't", but you don't listen.  You just push harder, and then you hear the voice whisper "can", and you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are." - unknown

Congratulations to the soccer Tigers on their victories over Bolivar and Branson this week!  The girls are now 5-1 on  the season and 1-0 in the COC.  Tonight they travel to Poplar Bluff and next week they host Catholic on Monday, travel to Webb City on Tuesday, before playing in the prestigious Kickapoo Invitational next weekend.  Good luck ladies!

The baseball Tigers raised their record to 7-5 on the season after defeating Pattonville and Carl Junction in the Lead Off Tournament on Saturday.  The Tigers will be hosting games for the Hollister Tournament starting today at 3:305:30, and7:30.  On Saturday, games are at 10:0012:00, and 2:00.  Next week, they start COC play as they host Webb City on Tuesday and travel to Nixa on Thursday.

The track Tigers had a great week as they competed in the Bolivar Relays.  The girls finished in 3rd place as a team and the boys finished in a tie for 2nd place (just 0.5 point away from first!).  Next week they will travel to Pittsburg State on Friday.


High School
In "Life's greatest lessons: 20 Things that matter most", Hal Urban devoted an entire chapter titled, Attitude is a choice-the most important one you'll ever make.  This week was coined, Positivity Week, at WHS.  A tremendous thank you to our SGA students and sponsors for organizing activities that remind us to stay positive daily.

WHS hosted State Choir competition on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 5-6.  Great performances, 1-ratings by both WHS choirs, and a well-run event in the typical Willard quality was exhibited.  SW Mo District Ag Mechanics testing and performance competition was also conducted at WHS.  Again the event was organized and run very well; judges and visiting instructors spoke very highly of the facility and event organization.  Next week, we host State Band competitions on April 12 and 13.  With all of these events, our staff and students pull together representing Willard High School and community with pride!

Several clubs and organizations are completing state competitions or are making final preparations.  We are starting to receive notices of national qualifiers in several areas such as Speech & Debate, DECA, and FCCLA.  Results at state competitions are just amazing.  Congratulations to those who have competed and good luck to those preparing.

With Prom and graduation also on the horizon, this is a very busy time for students and staff.  As always we welcome inquiries and invite our community to visit with us. 

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!  

Curt Graves 
Principal 
Middle School
This week began with a wonderful event at the high school.  It was amazing to see middle and high school students so involved in the activities.  They built strong relationships while they were there and really showed what it means to be a Willard Tiger!



The musical this year is truly an amazing production.  Ms. Graves and Mrs. Witt have put together a show that definitely knocks your socks off.  As I watched the show last night, I had to keep reminding myself that these were middle school students (12-14 years old).  It is truly wonderful to see their talents shine!



Amy Sims
Principal
Intermediate

Thank you!  WIS is very grateful for the support our school community demonstrated in the recent school Bond issue.  Our future students and teachers will directly benefit from this through HVAC upgrades in two of our 5 hallways.  It will be awesome to have heat and air conditioning in those classrooms when we need it to create a comfortable environment for learning!

 

Another portion of this bond money sets the stage for a second Intermediate building through land acquisition and architectural drawings.  Although we are apprehensive about this potential change as it would create a "split" in our school community, our current building continues to suffer from overcrowding.  From packed hallways during transitions to insufficient restroom facilities, we simply need more room.  Since our opening in 2006 WIS has grown over 150 students (6 classrooms) and that trend will only continue moving forward.  WIS is prepared to embrace these challenges and we appreciate both the forward thinking vision of our Board of Education and the continued support of our community!

 

Tom Davis

Principal

Orchard Hills

  
Spring is a busy and fun time in any elementary building and Orchard Hills is no different. Recently, a portion of our staff, along with key support from other buildings, had  our first kindergarten screening of the year. We had the opportunity to interact with approximately 35 students and their families who will become a part of the WOHE family next year. This screening process allows our teachers the opportunity to meet these students and provide parents some information on key skills they can be working on to help their student be successful next year. It was a great day and we look forward to our next screening date on May 3rd.

 
We also wanted to express our thanks to the Willard High School Jazsz Band
 
for joining us at our recent Tiger Pride Assembly. Their performance was amazing! It was also a great opportunity for our students to see what they could be a part of later in life. Our students (and staff) greatly enjoyed their performance. Thanks, WHS!
  
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Willard Schools community for the support of the bond issue that passed with overwhelming support on Tuesday. I appreciate your support and we look forward to getting started on the addition to Orchard Hills. Thank you for your investment in our kids. 

Dr. Garrett Prevo
Principal
Central
Last night our students shone like the stars in the heavens as we celebrated our all-school music concert at the high school.  It was a wonderful evening enjoyed by all.  Thank you to Mrs. Chatman, Mrs. Kuchta, and Mrs. Reed for helping organize an amazing performance that let our students shine.











As we look ahead to next week, we will welcome new WC Tigers with our Kindergarten Screening on Tuesday.  Our 3rd and 4th grade students will start the MAP test in mathematics and our 4th grade students will be visiting Jefferson City.  Springtime in an elementary school is in full gear.

Dr. Shane Medlin
Principal
East

North

South

This week was all about kindergarten.  We started off with our kindergarten screening on Tuesday. We had eager parents and students here at WS ready to start school!  A special thank you to all of the amazing staff members who helped with screening.  We are looking forward to welcoming these new students full time in August. 



We also had a crowd in attendance for our last grade level music program on Thursday evening.  Students performed the musical Swamped.  It was a wonderful story about encouraging others to spread their wings and fly and the true meaning of friendship.  The stage was filled with frogs, owls, turtles and more.  It was another amazing production lead by our talented music teacher Mrs. Christensen.  

Just a reminder to parents that we are serving FREE BREAKFAST to all students at Willard South.  We averaged around 230 students for breakfast each morning.  We encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity for students.  

Have a great weekend!
Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal
Special Education

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
MAP testing for students in grades 3 through 8 is right around the corner!  The Missouri Assessment Program is a mandated state assessment that is given every year to students.  This gives students an opportunity to show off what they have learned this year.  Attached is a letter from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that explains components of the MAP test in greater detail.


Grades 3 and 4 will be testing the weeks of April 11th and 18th.
Grades 5 and 6 will be testing the week of April 25th.
Grades 7 and 8 will be testing the week of May 2nd.

Angela Stevens
Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction




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