District Newsletter

District Office

Public Education has received a great deal of attention in the past weeks.  NBC's "Education Nation" and "Waiting for Superman" are two media events that have heavily criticized schools across the country.  You that follow my weekly Pride know that I am firmly supportive of public education and believe we are the backbone for our country.  I read the article below this week that offered a bit of a unique understanding from two Asian Businessmen.  Their thoughts are very interesting and present a very convincing argument that while US public education is far from perfect, the products of the system continue to produce world-wide leadership.

 

Enjoy the article.

Have a great Homecoming weekend.

Kent
 

Who is most likely to come up with the next Apple or Google?

Not China, not even Asia. Most probably the United States of America, according to Dr. Kaifu Lee, founding president of Google China and former vice president of Interactive Services of Microsoft, who also worked at Apple as a research and development executive.

This is because American entrepreneurs can think outside the box because of their education,said Dr. Lee at the World Economic Forum's Summer Davos held in Tianjin, China last week (September 13-15, 2010). Lee, an immigrant from Taiwan, attended high school in the US, received his undergraduate education at Columbia and earned a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. After resigning from Google last year, Lee established a venture capital firm to stimulate hi-tech innovations in China.

Lee was using Apple and Google as examples of big innovations. China may not be able to come up with an Apple or Google in 50 or 100 years because it requires a completely new education system,said the very influential icon of innovation in China.

I would agree with Lee's observation if not for the education reform efforts China and the US have undertaken recently. The degree to which their respective efforts become successful will determine the accuracy of Lee's prediction.

Keenly aware of how a nationally centralized and standardized education system coupled with high-stakes testing squelches creativity, reduces diversity of talents, and destroys passion and hopeall essential ingredients of an innovation-based economy, China has launched  comprehensive efforts to reform its education system. These efforts include broadening the curriculum, increasing local autonomy, reducing student academic burden, minimizing the
use of test scores in teacher and school evaluation, and diversifying the definition of achievement.

The US has been reforming its education too, but toward the opposite direction. Through No Child Left Behind and now Race to the Top, the US has been working on increasing the
power and frequency of testing, standardizing and narrowing the curriculum, simplifying teacher and school evaluation, centralizing education decision making, and reducing the definition of achievement and success to test scores.

In essence, what China wants is what the U.S. has and is eager to throw away, while what the US wants is what has and is eager to cast away.

The success of either country's reform will prove Dr. Lee wrong. If China succeeds in its  education reform, it could become a powerful innovative economy and thus increases the
likelihood to come up with major innovations such as the next Google, hence proving Dr. Lee's prediction wrong. If the US succeeds in its education reform, it will lose its capacity for innovation, also proving Dr. Lee wrong.

Judging from existing evidence, China's reform does not seem to have much success because testing has been in place for so many years that it has become part of the education
culture and developed many social and business institutions that reap tremendous benefits from supporting a testing-oriented education.

But the reform in the US is going very strong and gaining tremendous success: test scores have already been used nationally as the only indicator of quality of schools and soon teacher performance and compensation; national standards and assessment are in the works; and states and local communities have already been stripped of much of their authority in policy making. With billions of dollars of borrowed money, the Federal government is pushing for more testing, standardization, and centralization.

American reform proponents claim these efforts are necessary to ensure America's global competitiveness and provide a world-class education to all its citizens. But their claims
are not backed up by evidence. National standards and curriculum neither raises achievement nor closes gaps. Test scores are hardly indicators of what students have learned and what they can do in the future, nor are the predictors of a nation's economic prosperity or livability. Using
student test scores to assess teacher performance evaluation and determine compensation does not improve student test scores. Charter schools do not necessarily do better than public schools.

Their damages however have been clearly documented. High stakes testing results in rampant cheating, demoralization of teachers, narrowed curriculum, and teaching to the tests (hence learning what is tested). Curriculum standardization and standardized testing stifles creativity, reduces talent diversity, and constraints educational innovation.

In other words, the reform efforts in the US threaten to destroy the strengths of American education. As I have written in my book, Catching Up or Leading the Way: American
Education in the Age of Globalization, American education is far from perfect, but it has a few unique characteristics that makes it a system that cherishes individual talents, cultivates creativity, celebrates diversity, and inspires curiosity and a system that many other countries are working hard to emulate. The characteristics include: a broad definition of education, broad definition of talent, multiple criteria for judging success, decentralized decision making, and a strong belief in individual differences.

Unfortunately, these features have been precisely the target of the current reform. The definition of what education means has been reduced to what is testedreading and math. Talent in schools has been reduced to the ability to obtain good test scores. Decentralized decision making and local autonomy have been viewed as the source of inequality and inefficiency. Respect for individual differences has been criticized as holding low expectations of students.

The more successful the current US education reform becomes, the more likely these features will be gone.  In its place will be national standards, national curriculum, and national assessment, just as the Obama administration has been pushing through the Race to the Top program, although these are called common core and viewed as voluntary by states (but the voluntary action of states was in response to billions of dollars). In the end, the US will have
China's education system and that will prove Dr. Lee wrong.

The next Apple or Google may not be invented in the United
States.

Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent of Schools
Willard, MO

 
Activities

You want to talk about a busy and exciting week!  The Tigers have been winning games, awards, festivals, and recognition all over the place.  I wish there were 4 or 5 of me so that I could witness it all!

We will start with Homecoming.  This has been Homecoming week and it has been full of activities which included an assembly and parade yesterday.  The crowning of the queen will take place at 6:30 tonight before our Tigers take on Central in a district contest.  The Senior candidates are: Brittany VanNostrand, Rennie East, Taylor Wright, Brittni Smith, and Amelia Montgomery.  Come out early and enjoy the event!

Last Saturday, 33 bands from across the State of Missouri came to JFK Stadium, at Parkview High School, to compete in the Annual Valhalla Marching Festival. After the preliminary round Willard placed 1st in the large band category. During the Open Class Finals (top 12) Willard was crowned Champion of the Festival! The Percussion Section received the Outstanding Percussion Award both times and as did Madi Giesler, Carrie Church, and Morgan Church for being the Outstanding Drum Majors of the Festival.
The Willard Band will next compete this coming Saturday at Ozarko on the campus of Missouri State University at 2:57 in the preliminary round.

Congratulations to the soccer Tigers on winning the Willard Fall Classic last weekend!  The Tigers defeated Bolivar in the championship game.  After those three wins, they defeated New Covenant on Tuesday.  The boys will be at Branson next Thursday.

Watch out for our softball Tigers....they are getting hot at the right time!  The girls have won three in a row including their victory over Waynesville on Wednesday in the first round of the district tournament.  The girls will play in the semifinals today at 2:00 vs. #1 seed Rolla.  The game is at Cooper Sports Complex in Springfield.  If, and when, the girls pull off the upset the finals will be at 1:30 on Saturday at Killian.  Good luck ladies!

Volleyball had a convincing COC victory over Branson last week before falling to Webb City on Tuesday.  The girls will travel to the Licking Classic this Saturday before hosting Ozark next Tuesday and traveling to Nixa next Thursday.

Cross Country is taking full advantage of the weather and their times are showing it.  Congratulations to Bailey Hession on her 4th place finish with a time of 19:58 (10 seconds faster than last year on that course). Congratulations to Daniel Nilsen, Greg Hamilton, Austin Mudd, Harrison Palmer, Shawn Clutter, Nick Crowson, Charlie Bird, Kienen Wilson, Austin Dean, Kyndal Sloan, Kim Pearl, and Angela Dodson on setting new personal best times.

It's Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley - Director of Operations

High School

Whew...what an exciting week. It's Homecoming folks. With Homecoming  comes activities, events, and plenty of spirit. We have had a great week with students supporting activities and athletics, with all culminating Friday night with Football game, Coronation, and the Homecoming Dance. Student Government Association (SGA) has been working like an army of ants scurrying about preparing and setting up all week. SGA has classes competing against each other for "Spirit" awards. Of course the faculty is competing and going to win...but of course look who is writing the "HS Pride". A strong case for bias writing.


Monday was "Sport day" - wear your favorite team gear. Tuesday - "Neon day" - enough said.  Wednesday was "Nerd day"...wow some crazy outfits..plenty of jokes. Thursday was class color day, and of course Friday was "Spirit day" wear all black. Thursday night SGA sponsored a Homecoming parade
and bon fire / pep rally. A big thanks to the Willard Fire and Police for their help. It's been a great week..come and join us at the Football game against Central, game time 7:00pm, better come
early.

Have a great weekend
Stewart Pratt, WHS Principal

Middle School

Greetings from Willard Middle School. We are getting close to wrapping up our first quarter of school, and the much anticipated 1st grade cards are on the horizon. I encourage all students who would like to proudly show off their work for this quarter to really concentrate over the coming days to make sure and give their best effort and finish the quarter strongly. Any assistance in that area by parents/grandparents would be appreciated as well. This week has been busy as always, and great things continue to happen at WMS. For example, on a single night (Tuesday), I was able to witness the girls volleyball teams, both 7th and 8th, defeat Bolivar on the courts, see the 8th grade football team chalk up another win on the field, see a fantastic display of hard work and talent at the Science fair in the cafeteria, and see students and parents alike crawling into what is known as the"Digitarium" in our Black Box theater. If you are not familiar with the Digitarium, it could be described as a huge igloo type structure that is blown up and maintained by air pressure, and you can enter into the structure to get a fantastic simulated view of outer space. It is provided to us by Beth Whitehead from NASA, who has done this for several years through our science department. The kids really enjoy it, and I hope the parents did as well. That was all in just one night, and all AFTER school was out for the day! So many things are going on, and so much to be proud of each day. Thanks to all who make this happen.  Have a great weekend.    Tom Merriott   Asst. Principal  WMS

Willard East

We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who participated in all the Willard East events this week. Principal Miller was duct taped to the wall at lunch, school-wide skating party, and Wii fundraiser parties.

Friday is our 2nd "Costumes for Community Service." We don't really wear costumes but this is a way we can choose different activities for each month. This Friday will be "Crazy Hat" day and all proceeds will
go to the American Cancer Society.

Special Services

It continues to be an eventful year in the Special Services department. Sandy Gold, Director; Amy Stroder, Asst. Director; and the building process coordinators Susie Thieman, Janet Turner, Mindy Huslig, and Kelli Akers; have recently returned from the annual MO-CASE (Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education) conference at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach where they received information on a number of topics ranging from legal matters to funding to current practices in special education. We came back to the district with new ideas to consider, helpful (and necessary) information, and even confirmation of the things that are being done well and in compliance with state and federal law.

In other news, progress continues to be made in the construction of Our House, the district transition house for secondary students with significant needs. In fact, that progress is becoming more and more evident with each passing day as the foundation takes shape in preparation for the framing, which is anticipated to begin sometime this month. Already, students in building trades, journalism, and applied communications have benefited from hands-on learning experiences related to this project. Speaking as an educator, it's a thrill to see! More later.

Kelli Akers, HS Process Coordinator

Willard Parks and Recreation: When you're ready to play!

Parks Director: Kevin McDonald

Sports Coordinator: Shawn Trent

Recreation / Aquatics Specialist: Brandon Eckhardt

Mission Statement:

-To provide the City of Willard the highest quality of leisure opportunities and programs to people of all ages in the following ways:

-To provide a Parks and Recreation system that is responsible and directed by the needs of the people of Willard

-To preserve, protect and enhance the city's park lands as a way to improve the physical and mental health of the people of Willard

-To invite and encourage individuals, families, schools, businesses and other community groups to become partners in our efforts to invigorate and sustain the city's natural and  leisure resources

-To provide safe and fun sports programs, camps, senior activities, classes, courses and outings in a organized and positive manner

Fall Clean Up: The Willard Parks Department will be hosting a fall clean up event behind the Willard Recreation Center on Saturday October 23rd from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Items accepted include: Washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters, air conditioners, freezers, scrap iron, metal, tin, fence wire (if rolled up), car parts of any kind and more. For more information please call Jim Roberts at 742-9833.

FLU SHOTS: The Springfield Greene County Health Department is teaming up with the Willard Parks Department to offer flu shots to the community. The flu shots will take place at the Willard Community Building on Tuesday October 26th from 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. For more information please call 742-2262.

Recreational Bowling League: Willard Parks and Recreation is teaming up with the Willard High School Bowling Team to offer a recreational bowling league for 5th - 8th graders. The season will run October 12th - November 30th and will be held on Tuesdays. The league will be held at the Holiday Lanes in Springfield. During Willard's League, the bowling alley will be smoke and alcohol free. The fee to participate is $70 and includes a bowling ball, team shirt, shoe rentals, and two games per night for eight weeks. For more information please call 742-2262.

Youth Basketball Registration: Registration for Willard Parks Youth Basketball League is going on now. The deadline to register is October 1^st. The fee to play is $40. Teams are available for ages 3-16. For more information call 742-2262.

Free Trees: Willard Parks and Recreation has been approved for FREE trees from the Missouri Forest ReLeaf Project CommuniTree program. These free trees include a variety of different species. The Parks Department will be picking up these trees in mid-October.

New Equipment: Willard Parks and Recreation has received $250 from a local organization. This money was used to purchase new volleyballs for the teams and new nets in the big gym. Thank you to the group that donated.

Facility Rentals: Willard Parks and Recreation Facility Rentals: Holding Fee: $25, Refundable Deposit: $75 (excluding the Pavilion). Rental Areas: Willard Community Building: $30 hour / kitchen $30 flat fee, Large Gym at the Recreation Center: $35 hour, Small Gym at the Recreation Center: $30, Murray Community Room/Patio/Kitchen: $35 hour, Jackson St Park Pavilion: $10 per hour. For more information contact (417) 742-2262.

New Park Land: Did you know that the Willard Parks Department has new park land at Hunt Road and Farm Road 94 in Willard? Planning is underway for development. If you have any ideas for this new park please call Kevin (417) 742-2262. 

Soccer & Volleyball Registration: Soccer and volleyball has begun. Log onto www.willardparks.com for official game schedules.

Adult Basketball: Adult Basketball games continue at the Recreation Center. For information on the Willard Adult Basketball League please call Shawn at (417) 742-2262.

Willard Play Group: COME OUT & PLAY with Willard's Playgroup! Come play every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. at the Willard Recreation Center. This is an opportunity for parents and kids to play, socialize and just have fun. Moms and Dads are invited to bring their infant through Pre-K aged children for FREE PLAY, STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES & MONTHLY WORKSHOPS.  This playgroup is free and open to the community.

2010 Fall/Winter Out of School Camps: These camps are held at the Willard Recreation Center and are$17.50 per day. Camp is for grades K- 6th. Registration forms are at the Willard Recreation Center. Camps will be held on most days when school is not in session.

Senior Activities: Willard Parks and Recreation is doing its best to try and offer senior activities and programs to the senior citizens in the community. Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Willard Community Building. All seniors are invited to attend.

Movie in the Park: Come to the Movie in the Park Series on the dates listed below. Bring your entire family for a night of fun and movies. We will be selling hot-dogs and hamburgers.

October 23rd 7 p.m.: The Haunted Mansion

Fall Rummage Sale: Willard Parks and Recreation will be hosting a fall rummage sale on Saturday October 9th from 8 a.m. 12 p.m. at the Willard Recreation Center. This is a huge yard sale but indoors of course. Booth spaces are $15 per booth (booths are 10X10). Sign up for booths begins in August.

Safe Halloween: Saturday October 30th 6:00 p.m

Attend the 2010 Safe Halloween Festival! Enjoy Trick or Treating, Trunk or treating, getting your face painted, playing games, walking through the Parks Haunted House and much more. Admission is a canned food item.

Frisco Highline 5K Race: Saturday November 20^th 8am. Beginning at the Willard Community Building.

Children's Dance Classes: Dance classes for children ages 3 and up are held at the Willard Recreation Center.

Fall Session: Oct 12th-Dec 9th

Winter Session: Jan 11th-Mar 3rd

Spring Session: Mar 15th-May 3rd

Dance Review: May 3rd 6:30 pm

 Creative Dance classes for ages 3-5

Ballet & Tap classes for ages 5+

Ballet, Tap & Jazz classes for ages 9 & up.

 Classes are 8 weeks.  The fee is $50-$65.  For class availability and registration forms please contact Ms. Patrice at 818-3659.

Willard's 2010 Zumba Classes: The Zumba program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got a Zumba class!

August 30th - December 16

Monday and Thursday Classes: 6:30pm -7:30pm at the Willard Community Building. First session is free. Classes are $45 for 10 visits. Punch cards will be available at the first class.

Mighty Mites Football 2010: Willard Parks and Recreation is proud to announce that we have teamed up with Mighty Mites Football for the 2010 Season. The Mighty Mites Football Program hold their games at the Willard Recreation Center on Thursday nights. Willard Parks looks forward to continuing this relationship in years to come. For more information on this please call Shawn or Kevin at (417) 742-2262.

Veterans Memorial Garden: The City of Willard Parks and Recreation Department has developed plans for a Veterans Memorial Garden to be located at Jackson St. Park. This Veterans Memorial Garden is still in the planning stages.

T-Mobile Tower: Have you noticed the new T-mobile tower behind the Willard Recreation Center? T-Mobile has installed a tower. This tower brings additional revenue to the Willard Parks and Recreation Department. This tower will help enable us to continue to offer the Parks and Recreational needs of the community.

Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks: The Willard Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with the Down syndrome group of the Ozarks for various activities in 2011. A meeting was help with the group leaders on Wednesday September 1st to begin planning.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Kevin McDonald

Willard Parks and Recreation Director