WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
April 29, 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
These past two weeks have been very intense as Willard students participate in Statewide MAP testing.  Opinions regarding state assessment are varied.  Some individuals believe highly in the practice to ensure accountability and quality while others believe that the local school district should be able to decide upon the manner in which student learning is monitored.  Ultimately, it is a legislative mandate in Missouri.  However, there is much that we are able to learn from the process. 
 
Willard curriculum is locally developed by our teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators.  We work to ensure that it reflects the necessary rigor and content which will allow students to be successful on the state exam. 
 
Understanding that student learning cannot be assessed 100% accurately by a digital exam other measures are developed at the district, building, and classroom level.  These measures are both formal and informal in nature.  Ultimately, a comprehensive approach is required to determine student mastery of grade level content.
 
Angela Stevens, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, is in charge of the assessment process for Willard Schools.  She has worked tirelessly this past two weeks to oversee the distribution of thousands of tests, training of teachers, counselors, and administrators, work with technology staff to deliver digital testing and content, and trouble shoot problems which arise.  Great job to her and her department for a job well done!!!  I look forward to results in the fall giving us reason to once again celebrate student learning!
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Dr. Medlin
Superintendent
Athletics & Activities
About this time of year, I start to run out of adjectives for our Tigers.  I will just say it is an honor to watch these students represent our school, community,and district every single day.  It truly is good to be a tiger!

It was a great weekend at State for Speech and Debate!  Cole Baker placed 12th and Emily Raney paced 3rd in Lincoln-Douglas Debate!  Evan Kirksey placed 14th in Oratory, Cole Baker 5th in Radio Speaking, Ethan Gambriel 5th in Story Telling, and Katelynn Wilson 5th in Humorous Interpretation.  Great Job Tigers!

Over the last 3 days, 24 of our Willard FBLA members competed at the 2016 State Leadership Conference.  They all competed very well, and participated in valuable leadership workshops, college fairs, etc.

I am pleased to announce that we will be taking students to Nationals for the 7th consecutive year.  Johnny Dickens and Lucas Slaughter competed, and placed 2nd, in the Computer Game Simulation event.  They created a computer game, writing all the code, designing the graphics, and even writing the music score.  This is a very difficult event that pretty much the same schools win every year.  We beat 2 teams that placed in the top 10 in the nation last year!  We will be traveling to Atlanta in June to see how we can do against the nation's best teams.

The boys track team made it two in a row as they took home first place in the Republic Relays on Thursday!  Next week they will travel to Ozark on Thursday for the COC meet.  

Republic Relays Results

Boys Team 1st Place of 11 Teams
Boys Medalists
Brock Howard, Ryan Kern, Corbin White, and Wayd Davis Silver Medal in the 4x200m Relay
Hunter Yeargan, Ryan Kern, Corbin White, and Wayd Davis Silver Medal in the 4x100m Relay
Michael Henderson Silver Medal in the 300m Hurdles
Zach Manes Silver Medal in the 800m 
Ryan Kern Silver Medal in the 200m
Josh McGuire Silver Medal in the Shot Put and Bronze in the Discus
Ryan Kern Silver Medal in the Long Jump
Nate Swadley Bronze Medal in the Discus

Girls Team 4th Place of 11 Teams
Girls Medalists
Savannah Yeargan Silver Medal in the Shot Put and a Silver Medal in the Discus
Brooklyn Bolin Bronze Medal in the Pole Vault
Morgan Johnson, Chloe Andrews, Brittney Mahan, and Rachel Milburn Bronze Medal in the 4x800m Relay
Timberlyn Barnett, Kaitlyn Williams, Abby Woods, and Morgan Gaunt Bronze Medal in the 4x200m Relay
Sarah Crain Bronze Medal in the 300m Hurdles

Congratulations to the soccer Tigers on their win over Monett yesterday.  The girls will be hosting the Willard Tournament today and tomorrow if Mother Nature will let us!  Next week, they will host Neosho on Tuesday and will travel to Nixa on Thursday.  Good luck ladies!

The baseball Tigers got a big COC win on Tuesday over Branson!  They will be busy this next week as they travel to Kickapooon Saturday for a double header vs. Kickapoo and Rogersville.  Games start at 11:00am.  Next week, they travel to Carthageon Tuesday and will host Harrison, Ark. on Thursday before traveling to Bolivar on Friday.  

Here are the results from the COC golf tournament:
Team Score: 364
Team Place: 5th out of 8

Individuals
Jacob Shackelford - 89
Brayden Swearengin - 94
Sage Whiting - 90
Taylor Hession - 91
Damian Engelbrecht - 113

The golf team will be competing in the district tournament on Monday in Joplin.

A special congratulations to Devin Hendrix on being the first ever Willard student to continue his academic career by signing a scholarship for bass fishing.  Great job Devin!

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley
Activities/Athletics Director
High School
Graduation is quickly approaching.  In visiting with several seniors, I am so impressed with their thinking and planning for the future.  To hear students say, "I'm going to give back" or "I've had great role models" or "I need to do this next" shows the skill development, problem solving ability, and preparedness of our seniors to move to the next level.  The Class of 2016 is an outstanding group and I am looking forward to honoring them on May 14, 8 PM, at JQH!

On Wednesday we honored our administrative assistants, or as they correct me "secretaries".  However, we all know they do so much for our school.  More often than not, these people sort through issues before they get to an administrator providing assistance immediately and directly for students and parents.  If you get a moment, please show them your appreciation as well.

Next week is staff appreciation week.  Student groups and administration are planning activities throughout the week.  SGA and DECA have partnered with us.  Administration is planning to end the week with a luncheon in the library for all staff.  Mr. Wead and I will be grilling brats and burgers.  Again, please take a moment to communicate your appreciation to our teachers and support staff that spend endless hours grading papers, supervising, mentoring, sponsoring, and guiding our youth.

Prom tickets are being sold at $25 and may be purchased by students during lunch.  Detailed information about date, times, locations, as well as other details can be accessed through the WHS website.  It is always fun to see our students dressed in their best!

It is GREAT to be a Tiger!


 

Curt Graves

Principal

 

Middle School
7th grade band students headed to Strafford last  Thursday.  According to the band director Molly Meyer the students did VERY well! They received a 1 rating, and performed like true professionals!   Way to go 7th graders!!

This past weekend the 8th grade band performed in Kansas City at the Worlds of Fun Festival of Music. They received an Exemplary Honor One Rating, one of only four middle school bands to achieve this honor. Special recognition for outstanding musicianship was also given to flute soloist Jessica Baird. We are extremely proud of our students and their band teachers!  

Amy Sims
Principal
Intermediate

Orchard Hills

Central
We have an exciting end of the year lined up at Willard Central!  On Thursday, May 5th we will celebrate our students' hard work at Fine Arts Night from 5:30-7:00.  On Friday, May 6th we will celebrate 20 years of learning at WC.  We hope you can join us for the festivities!  If you have not had a chance to RSVP, please call the school office at 831-4440 so we can plan for your visit.
This week we also celebrated Ms. Sherry, Ms. Carrie, Nurse Becky and Mrs. Gromer for taking such great care of this year!  We sent the ladies to lunch for a happy "Administrative Assistants/School Nurse/School Counselor's Day".  They loved having lunch out on the town and fortunately, the school didn't fall apart in their short absence!

This week our 4th grade students have also been busy making book trailers.  Mrs. Roth and Mr. Madden have been co-teaching together as our students have read, reviewed and promoted books for others to read.  We are excited to view their book trailers and share some great reads!  

Our 2nd grade students also went on an adventure to the Smallin Civil War Cave in Ozark.  The trip combined historical events with geology and was enjoyed by all!

We would also like to congratulate Mrs. Ausmus, 4th grade teacher, and her family on their new addition this week.  The students were excited for the news of baby Josiah and they can't wait to see Mrs. Ausmus and meet her little guy in the future.

Dr. Shane Medlin
Principal

East

North

South
On Tuesday evening, we held our G.R.O.U.P. game Night for our fourth grade boys.  The G.R.O.U.P. (Guys Reaching for an Outstanding Unique Purpose) was created to empower students to be positive role models, demonstrate great character, accountability and to reach their full potential. 

The students had guest speakers and demonstrations over the past several weeks during their recess time.  The culminating activity was held on Tuesday evening.  Each student invited their own male role model to participate in the games and other activities at Willard South Elementary.  They enjoyed various stations such as dodge ball, bow and arrow target shooting, boxing, and the Willard Fire Department.  The evening concluded with a character building strong man demonstration from Grant Rhodes.  Students received a backpack filled with donations from area businesses.  

 
A special thank you goes out to Chrysta Forrest, Callie Sare, Kirk Bouse, Cross Trail Outfitters, Willard Police Department, Grant Rhodes, Jake Hayes and the Evangel football players, Glenn Cozzens, and everyone who helped make this a successful evening for our fourth grade students.  You made this a memorable evening that will leave a lasting impression on each child who participated.  
 
Shane Medlin
Principal   
Special Education

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment




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