WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
April 15, 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
"The  BIG  SHOW"
 
I just finished selecting pieces for the Superintendent awards in The Big Show!  First of all I simply can't express how proud I am of the expertise and talent demonstrated through the Willard Art Program.  Teressa Duncan and Amanda Thatcher are OUTSTANDING Willard Teachers.  These ladies help young people to connect with their artistic talent and grow it into something quite special.  

This year I was so impressed with one piece, I offered to buy it from the student!  I could go on and on talking about the student art.  Colored pencil, charcoal, paint, digital, clay, multi-media, etc....  As I walked around with these two Master Teachers they shared about their students.  Some graduating and moving on to major in art in college, another student was dealing with the death of a close family member, another was living on their own, another had almost no artistic talent but loved art.  

Students walk into art class and quickly learn how much their teachers love art but also care about them.  It's not long before they are reaching out asking for personal advice, sharing life's concerns as well as hopes and dreams.  These ladies help them to learn that they can express themselves in their art.  Some of the art in the show are simply pieces to satisfy an assignment however, the vast majority of the work has a story to tell about the artist.  I am in awe of their talent as teachers and am thankful for their willingness to lead students to better understand the success that is inside each and every person!
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent
Athletics & Activities
Well the baseball Tigers had a huge COC victory last night over Nixa 5-3 as they raised their overall record to 12-6 and 1-1 in the COC.  They will travel to Joplin tomorrow to take on Joplin at 10:00am and Francis Howell Central at noon.  Next week they will be hosting Neosho on Wednesday and Republic on Thursday as they continue their league play.
 
The soccer Tigers had a big COC win over Webb City in PK's on Tuesday raising their record to 6-3 on the season and 2-0 in the COC!  The girls are playing in the prestigious Kickapoo Classic this weekend and will be playing Sedalia Smith-Cotton today at noon.  Tomorrow they will face Nerinx Hall at 4:00pm.  Next week they will host Carthage on Tuesday and Carl Junction on Thursday.  Good luck ladies!
 
Track and Field will be traveling to the Pitt State Relays today.  Next week they will be hosting the Jason Pyrah Invitational on Thursday.  Events start at 4:00pm.
 
The golf Tigers had the following results this week:
Results from Dual with Republic (4/12 @ Island Green)
Varsity Team Scores
Republic - 169
Willard - 179
 
Willard Varsity Individuals 
Jacob Shackelford 38 (Tied for Medalist)
Brayden Swearengin 48
Taylor Hession 48
Sage Whiting 45
Damian Engelbrecht 50
 
Willard JV
Ben Zweerink 61
Nathan MacLaughlin 54
Zach Gibby 57
Bobby Horn 58
 
Willard hosted the MSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival the past two days. Our guests were extremely complimentary once again of the facility and the professionalism exhibited by our students as they assisted judges and groups throughout the two days. It was a very successful and humbling experience and we are pleased to share our Willard groups performed very well and received the following results:
 
Concert Band (3rd Band) received a State Level Honor 2 Rating (two I's and two 2's) Symphonic Band (2nd Band) received a State Level Honor 1 Rating (four 1's) Wind Symphony (1st Band) received straight State Level Honor 1 Rating (four 1's) Woodwind Choir received straight State Level Honor 1 Rating (four 1's)

Willard also hosted the MSHSAA State Choir Festival.  The coordinators and judges raved about the quality of our facility, office staff, student workers, and the student body in general.

Both Willard Choirs that performed received 1 ratings from all judges in performance and sight-reading.  They sang beautifully and represent our school and community so very well.
 
It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley
Director of Activities/Athletics
High School
Grace is defined as unmerited or undeserved favor and we live in a society that, no doubt, could use a bit more of it!  I was recently able to witness an act of grace given by one student to another.  This act of kindness was not asked for and by no means deserved.  The compassion shown had a profound impact on both the giver and receiver.

I am reminded of the "chicken and eagle analogy" so eloquently written by T.D. Jakes in his book Let It Go.  He compares all of us to either desiring to be like the chicken who is constantly looking down, pecking at the ground, or the eagle who rises above and flies in the freedom of grace and forgiveness.  We have the power to soar above criticism and negativity and spread our wings of mercy and kindness to others.  As we head for the final homestretch of the 2016 school year, may we be mindful that kindness, compassion and forgiveness really do make a difference!  Let's finish this year strong and may we spread our wings and soar like eagles.

Jeff Wead
Assist Principal
Middle School

 
We are so proud of our WMS Academic Team.  They competed at Clever last weekend and they earned 3rd place.   Way to go!!! Thank you Mrs. Wright for your leadership with these students.


Last Thursday, WMS track had  some great results!  They are off to a great start and we look forward to much more!  A BIG THANK YOU to our coaches - Coach Hutcheson, Coach Henry, Coach Adamson, and Coach Bills

Sydney Pyrah had a personal best in both the 800m and the Mile. Pyrah's 800m time was 2:43 and her Mile time was 5:49.
Megan Mahan had a personal best in the High Jump clearing 4'8"
Elijah Aye also had a personal best in the High Jump clearing 5'2".

 
Amy Sims
Principal 

Intermediate
Congrats to our Red, Pink, and Silver team DARE graduates!  After 10 weeks of hard work these students are much better prepared to face the challenges they will face moving forward in their lives.  It was great to see all the parents, grandparents, and other family members of these students come out last night to support them in this awesome accomplishment.  As our guest speaker mentioned last night, we as parents set the example of what things are truly important by investing our time in them.  Life gets busy and if we are not careful we allow the not-so-important things to eat up the time that should be spent on the really important things.  We all want our children to be happy and successful in life and I can't think of more important skills to equip them with than the ones the DARE program teaches. 

A special thanks to Officer Danny Wroolie for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come into our school and work with our students over the last 10 weeks.  Also, a big thanks to Conco Quarries and Mid-Missouri Bank for their continued support in covering the cost of our student's DARE shirts!

Tom Davis
Principal
Orchard Hills
 
Central

Willard Central welcomed some young Tigers to school on Tuesday with our Kindergarten Screening.  The students and families were excited to visit the school and the students did a great job showing what they know as they prepare for Kindergarten in the Fall.  It was a wonderful day and we have a great group of learners joining us next year!


On Wednesday and Thursday, our 3rd and 4th grade students had  the chance to show what they know on the Math MAP test.  The students tackled the test with confidence, a smile and encouragement from the rest of the building.  They are ready to take on the ELA portion of the test next week. 


The busy week continued with our 4th grade students visiting Jefferson City.  This annual tradition to the state capital for our students is a beloved memory.  Our students enjoyed touring the capital building, the state penitentiary, and the American Dairy for a sweet treat.  


Dr. Shane Medlin
Principal
East

North
With Kindergarten Screening behind us, North now turns its focus to MAP testing this week.  The week began with a school-wide "run through," which featured the entire student body lining the halls, as our third and fourth graders ran through to cheers of encouragement.  

Another source of excitement in the building comes from our amazing and dynamic teachers in the Autism classroom.  Mrs. Lindsey Lovekamp, Mrs. Chelsea Sleme, and Mrs. Amy Willard have put a ton of thought in preparation into a month of activities to celebrate Autism Awareness Month.   Leading up to April, every student had a lesson on what Autism "is" and "is not."  With the staff supporting the effort by wearing their Autism Awareness T-Shirts each week, and each student decorating a puzzle piece to be put together in a collage in the cafeteria, as a school we've grown so much in understanding, not only how students with Autism think, but more importantly, how "We All Fit Together."

Looking Ahead...
Monday, April 18-3rd Grade History Maker Night 6-6:30
Friday, April 22-2nd Grade Music Program 6:30



Have a wonderful weekend!

Amanda Hambey
Principal
South

 

Special Education
April is Autism Awareness Month and there are many efforts being made across the district to bring awareness and education to us all.  Here is one fact that was shared by Lindsey Lovekamp at Willard North.
 
"Many know the symbol for Autism Awareness is the puzzle piece. Here is why: It represents the mystery and complexity of Autism. The different colors (red, yellow, and blue) represent the diversity of the families and people living with Autism."
 
I want to say thank you to all of our teachers who serve students with ASD and are helping us to understand that we are more alike than different.
 

Also, don't forget to check out the pics of the 9th Annual Partners In Strength!            http://willardspecialservices.weebly.com/
 
Have a great weekend!

Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment




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