WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
May 13, 2016
In This Issue
Willard Parks
   
       
District Office
Teacher Appreciation Week!

You never truly know someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes.  -American Adage, Source Unknown

Can you even imagine walking in the shoes of a teacher???  Everyday you are responsible for a large group of children for the entire day.  You are given an expectation that the group must maintain order and you are responsible to help them learn complex material at a high level of proficiency.  Each and every day one of your young ones require extra special attention because something is out of balance in their life.  Often they look to the teacher to help restore balance. 
 
A student has no money for lunch so the teacher gives them money out of their pocket.  A student has head lice and is out for a day.  He returns back to the classroom the following day thinking to himself "everyone knows" and is greeted by the teacher with a smile and a comment, "I'm glad you're back!"  A student appears withdrawn and sad.  The teacher asks if they are OK and the student responds that their dad was just sentenced to prison.  The teacher makes a mental note to continually provide additional positive reinforcement to the child. 
 
I could go on and on about other real life teacher examples.  Anyone that decides to walk in the shoes of a teacher should be prepared for sore feet and calluses.  I appreciate the many outstanding teachers that helped me become who I am today.  I greatly appreciate Willard Teachers and how they are helping young people become the best that they can be today and tomorrow!

Have a great weekend!
Dr. Medlin
 Superintendent
Athletics & Activities
Well as long as Mother Nature allows us, we will be hosting baseball and soccer districts this next week.  Here is the plan:

Baseball districts will start this Saturday with games at 11:00am and 1:00pm.  The semifinals are on Monday at 4:30pm and 6:30pm.  Our Tigers will play the 6:30 game.  The championship is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00pm.

Girls soccer districts are scheduled to begin on Monday with matches at 4:30 and 6:30 with our Tigers playing at 4:30.  The championship match is on Wednesday at 6:00pm  If rain prevents us from using our natural grass field, then all matches will be moved to Hillcrest on their turf field.

Good luck to the track and field Tigers as they travel to Camdenton this Saturday for the district track meet!

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley
Director of Athletics/Activities
High School
Finals are finished; grades and credits have been finalized. Graduates attended an excellent baccalaureate on Wednesday evening hosted by the WHS FCS group and sponsors. This morning graduation practice in the main gym prepared all seniors for commencement.
 
It is an exciting time to be part  of an excellent cohort of graduates! The Class of 2016 is an outstanding group. I am looking forward to honoring our graduates and celebrating with them on May 14, 8 PM! The entire community is welcome and invited to attend WHS graduation ceremonies at JQH, parking and seating is available to all.
 
Students turn in their laptops and chargers on Tuesday, May 17. 9-11th finals begin next Wednesday. Students will be released at 11:25 AM on Friday following the completion of 5th hour final. It has been a tremendously successful year. Our WHS students are awesome!
 
It is GREAT to be a Tiger!
 
Curt Graves
Principal 
Middle School
Archery went to the National Archery Tournament this week and we are waiting for the results.  Coach Miller spends a lot of her personal time working with these students and we truly appreciate all she does for this program.

Choir went to their annual contest and received a top gold rating!  They also performed for the community on Tuesday night.  Mrs. Witt does an amazing job with the students every year and this year was no exception.  

We wrapped up MAP testing on Tuesday and the students celebrated on Wednesday during MAP reward.  Dodge ball, kickball, ice cream, basketball, park activities, and time to hang out with friends made this day a little extra special!

On Wednesday morning, 6th grade students came over to the middle school to learn a little about the school before starting next year.  Our current 8th graders performed to show them what opportunities are available for them once they enter WMS.  The students went on guided tours of the building and got to ask all the questions they wanted.  We are excited to have these students next year!

The current 8th grade students went on a visit to the high school on Thursday
This was a great opportunity for them to hear from the Assistant Principal, counselor, and a representation of the student body.  During the presentation, they learned about the clubs, activities, and sports that are available to them while in high school.  They also got to experience a pep assembly put on by the student council.  We wish them well as they take this next step and will miss seeing them next year.

Amy Sims
Principal 
Intermediate

Orchard Hills

Central
It was a big week for our 4th grade students.  They were dressed to impress on Wednesday as they visited the Intermediate School for Transition Day.  After school, they headed to the Springfield Tower Club to celebrate their time together at Willard Central.  We enjoyed dinner with family and friends while reliving some great memories from the past 5 years together.  You are an amazing group of leaders!  We wish you the best in your new adventure and we know you will shine like the stars in the heavens!

Our 2nd grade students also had the chance to shine this week with their annual Hotdog Restaurant.  After learning about business loans from a local bank, our students started their own class restaurants.  Students applied and interviewed for jobs such as cooks, kitchen managers, hosts, cashiers, wait staff and bussing tables.  Guests dined in style and enjoyed some gourmet hotdogs.  After repaying their loan, the students decided to donate the profits to there schoolmate Joey B. at St. Judes.  They raised $922.25.

Thanks to our wonderful PTO, our staff enjoyed Teacher Appreciation Week this week.  Thanks for the treats, meals and all of the ways you spoiled us!  It was a great way to recharge during a full week!
 
Dr. Shane Medlin
Principal
East

North

South
You could see a field of neon colors on Wednesday during our annual field day.  Coach Ferguson had plenty of inside and outside activities for our students. They enjoyed the water balloon toss, inflatables, wet sponge relay, and more!  I would like to thank all of the amazing parent volunteers, and Coach, for making this such a memorable event for our students.  They had a BLAST and the weather was perfect.

The Willard South Tiger Cubs Preschool celebrated a year of learning and growth with our graduation ceremony on Thursday evening.  They performed some great songs and showed off their dance moves before accepting their diplomas.  Congratulations to Beau, McKinley, Ryley, Ryan, Lillian, Alonzo, Kira, Ashton, Addison, Nola and Paul.  We wish you the best and brightest future!


Kara Crighton-Smith
Principal
Special Education

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment




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Willard, MO 65781

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