District Newsletter

Inclement weather make up days: March 21 April 25 (early dismissal) May 21 May 22 May 23 (tentative last day of school)

Willard R-II Central Office

Shotgun vs. Sniper ???

This comparison represents the two types of professional development that occurs in school systems.

Shotgun: The shotgun approach allows teachers to find workshops / classes that are presenting new information / techniques. The teacher has a direct interest in the workshop material. The teacher attends the workshop and incorporates the new information into their classroom. Different teachers attend various workshops.

Sniper: The sniper approach is very specific in nature. The district targets an area of instruction in which to focus intensive development for all teachers. The new information exhibits a direct reflection of the building Comprehensive Improvement Plan. (CSIP) All teachers participate in the workshop allowing for continuity and understanding.

Willard is working very hard to develop the Sniper approach to professional development. Teachers hate nothing more than jumping on one band wagon (new idea) only to realize that it lasts only a couple years until the next new band wagon comes along. Then teachers must start over again with a new idea or program. It is our goal to only enter into long term focused professional development. This allows teachers to develop a keen understanding of specific teaching techniques. Currently Willard is involved in an extremely comprehensive professional development effort. The Missouri Reading Initiative is a three year program involving all buildings K-6. All teachers are involved in this development. The High School has also implemented elements of the program. I believe this focused approach will provide great dividends in the development of reading skills of our students. If you would like to be a volunteer reader for a classroom please contact one of our four elementary principals. Believe me, you will enjoy it more than the kids!!

Have a great week!

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin Superintendent of Schools

Director of Operations

I grew up on a farm so I never thought I would be saying this...please stop the rain! Spring sports officially starts practice today as baseball, girl's soccer, track, and golf will start preparing for their seasons. Hopefully, the weather will allow them to go outside soon! First baseball game is March 17th.

A special congratulations to the Speech and Debate teams on their incredible showing at the COC tournament. The Tigers finished 3rd in the individual events and took home 2nd in COC debate! The following individuals earned medals in individual events: D. Wroolie, 2nd extemporaneous; J. Fugitt, 2nd original oratory; D. Harrington, 7th dramatic interp.; T. Bankston, 5th prose reading; C. Tharp, 7th prose reading; C. Tharp, 1st poetry reading; B. Dunn, 3rd poetry reading; B. Dunn, 6th story telling; T. Onstott, 3rd radio speaking. Great job to Coach Spangler, Coach Grass, and all of the students who participated.

Mr. Lawley took the Chamber Choir to Kansas City this past week and performed at the regional ACDA conference. I have never received so many emails about a rubber duck! As we have come to expect, the kids out did themselves and took everyone's breath away! They are truly Tigers with a beautiful roar.

It's good to be a Tiger! Jeff Staley, Director of Operations

Director of Special Services

Willard Special Services would like to thank our visual impairment specialist, Trish Buchanan, for using her grant-writing skills to benefit a North student who is diagnosed with a visual impairment. Because of Trish, our student will be receiving a laptop, audio headset, JAWS, Open Book and scanner as a result of the $5,000 grant. Last year, Trish wrote a similar grant which provided funding for a Pac Mate, which enables students with visual impairments to access the curriculum. Trish provides contracted services for our district and nine hours weekly of direct Braille instruction to our student. She additionally conducts visual assessments as needed. We appreciate her willingness to seek funding for assistive technology for student need in the Willard system. Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Willard High School

The times have vastly changed in the number and type of experiences available to students outside of the physical school building. Our media centered world has many educational focuses for learning to take place. This week the science department will be taking students to see the Body Worlds 3 exhibit in St. Louis. Technology has allowed a three dimensional visual model of the body function and structure. This "hands on" type of interaction assists students in visualization of anatomical structures which a few years ago were only accessible to pre-med students in a collegiate program. Educational field trips utilize visual and tactile ( hands on learning ) to improve student understanding. Stewart Pratt, Principal

Willard Intermediate School

Mark your calendars for April 4, Willard North and Willard Intermediate choir students will be selling tickets for the Springfield Cardinals game that evening. Each group will be performing, and each group will be selling tickets! Let's fill the stadium with Willard fans and support our students, and the Cardinals! For information, contact our office, at 742-4242. Julie Germann, Principal

Willard Central Elementary

With all of the ice and snow, we have not been able to share some exciting events that have happened in the last couple of weeks. Back on February 7th we were blessed to have a wonderful turn out for our All-Star Family Math Night hosted by the Math Cadre. These teachers developed math sports stations and cooked concession stand food for more than 600 people. Students enjoyed activities such as charting and graphing their shot attempts and passing attempts, purchasing items to make math pennants, and playing math baseball. Most students found the highlight of the evening to be throwing water-soaked sploosh balls at the principal in a game of dodgeball. It was a memorable evening and success thanks to the teachers and parents who worked hard to prepare the activities and food to make it a truly All-Star Family Math Night.

Central also had the pleasure of welcoming back Jennifer Fisher, the proud wife of Staff Sgt. George Tony Fisher and mother to kindergarten student Aden. During Community Time , Mrs. Fisher presented WC with a beautifully framed certificate of appreciation and picture of Charlie Company 2/504 PIR. It is hanging in our entrance to remind us of those who are serving to protect freedom around the world and of their families here with us that we need to support.

Here is what is happening in the near future at WC: Monday, February 25 PTO Meeting @ 6:00 Thursday, February 28 1st Grade Concert @ 7:00 Tuesday, March 4 McTeacher Night at West Chestnut & West Bypass McDonalds from 4:00-8:00

Spring Pictures have been rescheduled for March 19th.

Have a wonderful week and think spring!! Shane Medlin, Principal

Willard North Elementary

The goal this week at Willard North is to attend all five days! While the students have enjoyed their snow days, its time to get back to work! We have several big events this week. 2nd grade is hosting a Family Game Night and Tiger Tales will be having their Parent Night on Thursday.

Upcoming events:

February 25th- 2nd grade family night 27th- Super Tiger Celebration 28th-Tiger Tales Fun Night 6-8 p.m.

March 4th-McTeacher's Night-Willard McDonalds Read Across America Week Starts!

Have a wonderful week!! Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Willard South Elementary

Willard South students will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart during PE on February 25-28. Students will be raising money for the American Heart Association. Our goal this year is $7500. If we meet our goal this year, our very own Stan Miller and David Suits will be gracing the hallways of Willard South in red dresses on March 14th. We can wait to see these lovely "ladies" in their new attire! Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal