District Newsletter
Pride
The
Pride
The
Pride exists to update, celebrate, and inform, the community concerning weekly
events at Willard R-II
August
19, 2011
DISTRICT
OFFICE
Good
Afternoon,
"Pride"
communication articles will begin next Friday August 26th. However, I
thought I would pass along an e-mail I sent to the staff this morning. I
take a great deal of pride in the atmosphere which has been created in Willard
schools. This does not occur by chance. It is very intentional and
we work hard to maintain a positive status. The note also includes
direction in regard to Senate Bill 54. This new legislation becomes
effective on August 28th. Public Schools are working to find a path to
continue effective communication with students and at the same time remain
within legal boundaries.
Have
a great week,
See
you tonight at the Jamboree.
Kent
All
staff,
I
had a great time visiting hundreds of classrooms yesterday! Please know
that I will visit occasionally throughout the year. I normally don't stay
long, I simply need to get my kid "fix". I am not in an evaluation mode
when I come and I may get involved in the discussion, ask a question, or honor
the quiet learning that is taking place. I was a bit disappointed when I
went to North elementary at about 2:00. Kindergarten classes were having
"nap time". I was hoping to be invited to participate but no offers
were made :((. Please never feel like you need to stop teaching when I
walk in and introduce me to the students, or ask if I need anything. If I
need to visit with you I will ask.
As
a superintendent I am tasked with presenting the positive picture of our school
district. Many superintendent will communicate cliche' comments about the
positive atmosphere in a district even when there are rumblings of discontent in
the teacher lounge, locker rooms, and parking lots. (Some of you know
exactly what I mean!) I may be as gullible as those of you that believed
that truly was a video of Chris Church at age 3!! However, the "feel" in
the buildings up and down the halls, the excitement in the teacher voices, the
smiles on the face of staff members, communicated the pride and joy of teaching
in Willard. We are currently in a terrible economic state as a country,
our government is so divided they look like selfish children that refuse to
share their toys. Public schools are being attacked across the country and
even locally. I wish all children could experience learning in Willard
schools. I wish all teachers could know the professional, positive,
atmosphere, that are staff has created. We all must take stock
that this should not be taken for granted. I can't write the script, list
the steps, or verbally share all the bullet points that must be in place to
create this atmosphere
but I am committed to work to keep it
in place! Thanks for making the first couple days good for my daughter as
well at over 4,300 others.
I
don't want to end this on a "sour" note but I would like to communicate the
districts position on Senate Bill 54. This law truly has components that
are positive to schools and children. The section of the law which
restricts digital communication with students has been very frustrating for all
of us. The district has taken a stance of "caution". Administration
appreciates the fact that students must be protected from sexual
predators. Educators must be very careful in this area. Mere
allegations of inappropriate conduct with a student can be harmful to a
career. The Missouri School Board Association is presenting a webinar with
recommendations on August 23rd. Administrations approach will be to limit
teacher / student communication to the minimal degree allowed by the new
legislation.
Professional
relationships with students and personal relationships with other adults are at
times not appropriate for all to see in the same platform. At this time we
have made the following recommendations to staff:
- Invite
parents to be a participant in all media communication such as mass
texts, Face Book pages, mass e-mails. This is a good thing for
parents to be aware of what is occurring in the lives of their children.
- Include
an administrator on any Face Book page, or mass text
- Be
very cautious regarding "exclusive" digital communication with
individual students. If necessary simply acknowledge that a text
has been received with a one word answer such as: "OK" or
"understand". If greater communication is necessary then call the
student.
It
is my hope that clarification will be offered by MSBA next Tuesday. If I
feel comfortable relaxing these recommendations at that time I will communicate
that to the staff.
This is a perfect example of a few bad teachers causing a rule to be developed
for all. Think about that in your classroom discipline and be careful not
to do the same!
Have
a fantastic weekend!
Kent
__________________________________________
Jeff
Staley
Director of Operations
Willard R-2 Schools
HIGH
SCHOOL
Willard
High School is off to a fantastic start for the 2011-12 school year. Enrollment is up and the building is
bustling with excitement with fall sports and activities getting ready to begin
their seasons. We have many new
faces at WHS this year and within the next few Pride articles I would like to
introduce them. Michael Crews comes
to Willard from Hartville High School.
Mr. Crews will be teaching American and World History courses. Mr. Crews will also be helping with our
Girls Basketball program as an assistant coach. Sean Edwards is our new
Vocational Agricultural teacher.
Sean is replacing Dana Kimmons who moved to our full time Vo-Ag position
after the resignation of Steven Prewitt.
Sean has experience in livestock production and has plenty of shop
strengths. Matthew Herren
comes to Willard from Springfield Public Schools. Mr. Herren is assigned as Counselor for
the 9th Grade class.
Grant McDonald is joining the high school Social Studies department. Mr. McDonald replaces Mrs. Lotter who
resigned to stay home with her new baby.
Mr. McDonald comes to Willard from Belton schools and will be teaching
American History, World History, and will be assisting with the Willard Football
program. Our last introduction for
this week is Mike Percival. Mr.
Percival is a 20 year veteran teacher and comes to Willard from Hartville
Schools. Mr. Percival will be
working in our At-Risk program at the Success building and within the High
School. Mr. Percival also will be
serving as WHS Head Girls Basketball Coach. We hope you have an opportunity to meet
these outstanding educators within the next few weeks.
Football
begins tonight with the Jamboree at JFK Stadium (7:00pm start) and next week
Softball and Volleyball contests begin.
Have a
great weekend,
Stewart
Pratt, WHS Principal
MIDDLE
SCHOOL
WOW,
this is going to be a great year! The middle school kicked off the year
military style. Students are divided in to teams that represent the five
branches of the military. The first day was filled with nervous 7th
graders trying to find their way to class and figuring out how to open
lockers. Students in science class used team work to help "Rescue
Fred". Mrs. Rummel started the year off with a boom, having her students
make elephant toothpaste.
Today
was our annual activity day that incorporates events that go with our theme
"iSalute". The students were able to tour a humvee, make paracord survival
bracelets, play minute to win it games, learn about flag
etiquette, participate in flag folding, and experience how an MRE
taste.
Back
to school night is coming Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.
Thanks
for checking in on WMS!
Mrs.
Sims and Mrs. Walters
WILLARD
SOUTH
PEACE
Begins with ME...the Willard South Elementary 2011-2012 theme. This rang
true on our first two days of school. We are off to an amazing start
with 342 students and 20 classroom teachers. I would like to welcome all
of the new and familiar faces to Willard South. We have several new staff
members including Felecia Creed, Amelia Yates, Katie Dickie, Donna Creed,
Jessica Gomez, Phillip Miller, David Mann, Charlotte Williams, Michelle
Christensen, Kerri Pitts and Teresa Herman. Welcome to the Willard South
family!
Our
focus this year will be to promote our character education words and recognize
students for all of the wonderful things they do on a daily basis. To help
with this endeavor, we will be moving to monthly Tiger Pride Assemblies.
Please mark your calendar for our first assembly of the year on Tuesday,
September 27th at 2:30 in the cafeteria. We will be showcasing
students and our new sound
system.
Have
a wonderful weekend! Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal
