District Newsletter

Inclement weather make up days: March 21 March 24 April 25 (early dismissal) May 21 May 22 May 23

Willard R-II Central Office

Missouri Principal Recognition

It was my sincere pleasure to attend the Missouri Association of Elementary Principals banquet on March 8, 2008, honoring Mrs. Rhonda Bishop as the Outstanding Principal of the Southwest Region in Missouri. The Willard Elementary Principals, Special Service Director and thirty teachers were in attendance. Rhonda Bishop, along with 12 other principals across the state, was recognized for their contributions as Educational Leaders. Rhonda was especially noted for her work with Early Childhood and Preschool Students. The Willard School District is very proud of Rhonda Bishop and her work with Willard Students.

Julie Germann will be honored on Monday March 10, as the outgoing President of the Missouri Association of Elementary Principals. Julies leadership this past year has provided an exciting venue for this years conference, an increase in regional involvement and a legislative update. Julie has made many special friends in the organization as she facilitates learning across the state.

Congratulations to Rhonda Bishop and Julie Germann! Dr. Janell Royal, Assistant Superintendent

Director of Operations: I'm not sure if I'm hallucinating or not, but I actually saw the sun this weekend! Spring is finally starting to arrive.

Congratulations to one act and readers theatre for their brilliant district performances. Both groups placed 3rd. E. Appleby and B. Mathis were recognized for All-District Readers Theatre and the entire ensemble of One Act were selected for All-District One Act.

Congratulations to the Willard High School Indoor Drum line and Color Guard for their performances over the weekend at the Ozark Indoor Festival. The drumline took second place in their classification and the color guard took 3rd place. Their next competition will be this coming weekend at the Kickapoo Invitational.

Willard High School was honored by MSHSAA to be a host site for the Class 2 boy's and girl's quarterfinals this past Saturday. In the girls game, Crane came out on top by defeating Mansfield in a close game. In the boys contest, Clever defeated Laquey in overtime to advance to the final four in Columbia. I would like to thank everyone who helped with this event. It was standing room only for both contests and the atmosphere was electric. I was overwhelmed by the response from the four schools when they saw our facilities. You couldn't help but to swell with pride!

It's Good To Be A Tiger! Jeff Staley, Director of Operations

Director of Special Services: The high school special services staff is gearing up for their annual Transition Fair. The Transition Fair will take place in the Willard High School Commons on March 18th. From 6:00-8:00pm, twenty agencies will be available to assist students and families with outside services ranging from financial assistance to gathering resources.

The agencies that will attend the fair include: ARC, Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Center of the Ozarks, Southwest Center for Independent Living, Social Security Administration, Missouri Career Center, Community Employment, OTC, Special Olympics, OATS Transportation, Greene County Family Support, MERS/Goodwill Career Center, Springfield Workshop, Inc; Show Me Kids, Angel Food Ministries, Family Bridges, Daybreak Adult Day Care Center, Springfield Regional Center, and Champion Athletes of the Ozarks.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Erica Poulson for coordinating our outside agencies!!! Willard Staff Members, Parents, and Community Members are invited to attend. Amy Stroder, Assistant Director of Special Services

Willard High School: We have several new faces in the HS building this semester, and no, they are not new students. Each semester we have several student teachers from local colleges and universities who come to learn and prepare for a career in education. What better place to learn than Willard Schools? We have been blessed with some outstanding student teachers in the fall semester and the spring semester is following up the same as the fall. The benefits are huge as WHS students are exposed to new teaching ideas brought to them through the new generation of teachers, and the student teachers are receiving some of the best mentoring in the area from WHS staff. Cooperation and collaboration with local education institutions is a Win / Winfor our school system. Stewart Pratt, High School Principal

Willard Middle School: MAP is sneaking up very quickly and with so many snow days the middle school is moving our test dates. This will allow teachers and students more time to get in the curriculum needed before taking the test. I think this will be a great relief for the teachers while they are making every effort to prepare students. Amy Sims, Principal

Willard Central Elementary: WC had a wonderful week last week. We culminated our Jump Rope for Heart drive to support the American Heart Association. Congratulations to Coach Brown and the WC students for raising over $4,500 for a great cause and to custodian, Andy Robinson, for receiving the most student pledges. For this honor, Mr. Andy showed off his jump roping skills while wearing a red dress, hat, and pearls at Fridays Community Time. While Mr. Andy did not make a pretty lady, the good work done by the students was a beautiful thing. You can see pictures of the fun on the Willard Central Blog.

In honor of Youth Art Month, artwork from students from all across the district was on display at WC Thursday evening. It was a wonderful chance to showcase the talent of student artists at Willard. A special thanks to Mrs. Bailey and the other art teachers for hosting such a wonderful evening.

The following events are planned for this month: March 10th PTO Meeting at 6:00 March 11th School Board Candidate Forum at WC to hear prospective Board Members share their thoughts at 7:00 March 18th McTeacher Night at West Chestnut McDonalds from 4:00-8:00 March 19th Spring Picture Retakes March 21st Make up day and Terrific Tiger Celebration at 2:30 March 24th Make up day March 25th- 28th Spring Break

Have a wonderful week and remember to Reach for the Stars. ~ Shane Medlin, Principal

Willard North Elementary: It is so nice to be appreciated! On Monday after school, I was given a surprise party by my PTO and staff. I entered the library thinking I was going to a PTO meeting, but was surprised to find it filled with teachers, parents and lots of children! It was so special and so thoughtful! The letters that were read that were written by parents took my breath away! I want to thank everyone for making my Distinguished Principal Award so special and personal. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by the best staff, parents and most of all students. As Jeff Staley says each week&.Its good to be a tiger!

Also, I want to congratulate Mrs. Melinda Miller for being chosen as an outstanding new principal. Mrs. Miller was nominated by another great principal in Southwest Missouri, Dr. Tammy Condren from Marion C. Early. The Southwest principals agreed that she was an excellent choice. Good Job Mrs. Miller!

And finally, congratulations go to Mrs. Julie Germann on a job well done! Mrs. Germann has served as the state president for the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals. This is a high honor and Mrs. Germann has made us so proud! She has worked hard at the state level for all the elementary principals of Missouri. Way to Go Mrs. Germann! Have a wonderful week!! Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Willard South Elementary: A BIG THANK YOU to the WHS Theater Department for an amazing production of the 2007-2008 Show-Me Reader and Dr. Seuss books on Friday, March 7th at Willard South. I appreciate your energy and message to other students to continue learning and reading! GREAT WORK!

Upcoming Events:

M 3/10-PTO mtg at 6:00; Buddy Reader Day

T 3/11-Spring picture day; Kindergarten music program 1:30 & 7:00

W 3/12-After School Actors perform for Kindergarten 3-3:30; Hat Day for PTO Read-A-Thon

TH 3/13-Stuffed animal day; After School Actors perform for 1st & 2nd grade 3-3:30

F 3/14-Guest readers in the library 9-2:30; After School Actors perform for 3rd & 4th grade 3-3:30; PTO Read-A-Thon fundraiser money due

Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal