District Newsletter

Willard R-II Central Office

I started to begin this article with "here are the things I am thankful for", but it did not take me long to mentally hit the backspace key. You know it is not the things in this world that I am thankful for as much as it is THE PEOPLE in this world that I am thankful for. We are blessed to live in the greatest country on Earth with brave men and women fighting to share that freedom. I am thankful for the people I work with because it allows me to come to work every day and be with friends. I am thankful for the kids we serve because they give back to us in very special ways. Walking up and down the halls of one of our elementary schools, I was able to read many thoughts about what our students are thankful for. If you want to laugh out loud all you have to do is ask a bunch of kindergartners what they are thankful for. Those little people will give you a new idea about what Thanksgiving is all about!! Most of all I am thankful for family. They are what living is all about!!!

I hope all of you have a very blessed and restful holiday!!

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin Superintendent of Schools

Director of Operations

Winter sports get a preview tonight as the Willard JV boy's will be hosting their own JV tournament tonight, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The boys will play Hillcrest tonight at 7:30. They will be preceded by the Rogersville v. Ozark game which starts at 6:00. Other teams in the tournament include: Nixa, Glendale, Republic, Buffalo.

The wrestling Tigers will open their season in the Neosho Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 1st. Coach Fletchall has high expectations for this year's squad and this first tournament will be a great test.

Next week, the Lady Tigers will preview their season by hosting the Willard JV Girls Tournament, Monday through Wednesday. Games will begin at 6:00 in both gyms.

Both varsity squads will open their seasons in the 20th Annual Willard Tri-State Classic. We are very excited about the quality of teams in this year's tournament on both the girls side and the boys. The tournament will start on Thursday, Nov. 29th with the Lady Tigers playing Greenwood, Ark. at 6:30 in the main gym. The boys will follow at 8:15. The Tigers will then play Ft. Scott, KS. on Friday and will wrap up the tournament on Saturday by playing Shiloh Christian, Ark.

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

Director of Special Services

Ho! Ho! Ho! and Bowl! Bowl! Bowl! was the theme this past Saturday as several students with special needs participated in both the local Christmas parade events and A Sporting Chance Bowling Tournament. What an exciting weekend it proved to be for these students! Many thanks goes to our special services teachers (and classroom teacher Scarlett Weis) who supported our students as they competed. Special thanks also goes to Dr. Santa Kent Claus for posing with numerous little ones for their portrait with Santa. All profits will be going to A Sporting Chance track and field competition and will allow even more students to participate in this yearly event. Thank you everyone for your help. We, in special services, want to wish everyone the best and most restful Thanksgiving! Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Willard High School

It's that time of year when fall events wind down and WHS is amid many banquets and recognitions of fall accomplishments. Successes of student's occurs everyday in classrooms throughout the high school, and not just in extra / co-curricular activities. We need to focus on the positive and continue to applaud the strides made by students in their academic endeavors. The WHS staff is making a commitment to recognize all students who have made improvements in their academic performance. The staff is examining what this system would look like and how to accomplish the task. Join us in supporting students who are making a commitment to improve their academic performance. Stewart Pratt, Principal

Willard Middle School

This week the students have donated items for our Thanksgiving baskets. We will be assembling the baskets next week to deliver to 5 local families. So far we have over 371 items with more to come. Thanks for all the students, parents, and teachers that have helped out with the food drive.

Our winter assembly is just around the corner. Students will be recognized for the following activities on Tuesday, November 20 @ 2:00 P.M.: newspaper staff, yearbook staff, drama play members, drama club members, Girls and Boys basketball, and wrestling. If you would like to attend , please plan on arriving by 1:45.

Happy Thanksgiving! Amy Sims, Principal

Willard Intermediate School

WIS is going to be well represented this weekend at the 1st Willard Christmas Parade. We have singers, runners and clowns who'll be showing their talents on Saturday. In our short week next week, we'll be having our new sound system installed, thanks to the awesome efforts of our fall fund raiser. We're also kicking off the last fund raiser of the year, selling Cookie Dough! There's nothing better at the holidays than the smell of cookies baking in the oven . .

Willard Central Elementary

The partnership between home and school is an important factor in a student's success.  This partnership was enhances through several activities this past week at Willard Central.  I am so proud and blessed to work with such wonderful parents through our PTO.  Monday evening we met to discuss the success of the fall fundraiser and plan for future activities.  Mark your calendars now to join us on December 10^th for our next meeting.  Tuesday and Thursday evening, Mrs. Gromer, WC Guidance Counselor, worked with her fellow counselors across the district to host Love and Logic Parenting Nights.  Through dinner, childcare and interactive training videos and discussion, partnerships with parents were fostered through this great philosophy for raising successful children.  Tuesday evening was also a great opportunity for future WC Tigers to come to Central to participate in the Parents As Teachers Art Night.  As the father of a one and two year old, my family enjoyed coming to school to play, paint, and sculpt some creative art pieces (without making a mess at our kitchen table).  As a principal, it is great to see such a bright group of students with active and engaged parents coming to Willard Central in the near future.  Finally, I have loved the conversations I have shared with students and staff members over The Tale of Despereaux as we read this story together as a school/home family.  I can't wait for the WC Family to come together at our Communication Arts Night in December to celebrate this story together.

As we look ahead to next week, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy the time with your family and celebrate all we have to be thankful for.  Keep reading about the adventures of Despereaux and keep Reaching for the Stars.  Shane Medlin, Principal


Willard East Elementary

This week Sondra Gray, author of the book According to Punkin visited our students. Each grade level enjoy a brief meeting with Mrs. Gray and she told about the joys and adventures of being an author. Feel free to check out her website at: http://www.accordingtopunkin.com/ 3rd Graders put on the very exciting musical From the Inside Out and featured many of our character words and beliefs about showing good character. Excellent performance and we are very proud of them.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize a fellow principal in our district. Rhonda Bishop, principal at Willard North Elementary will be representing the Southwest Missouri Principals Association as our Distinguished Principal candidate. She is very deserving and will represent her school very well. Congratulations!!!

Please enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. As a school and district we have much to be thankful for. Often times we have the good intentions to write thank you or say thank you but in our busy lives we forget. I want to thank teachers for everything they do for our children. Knowing what goes on behind the scenes in our school I know that our teachers work tirelessly for our children. To my teachers......THANK YOU!!!!  Melinda Miller, Principal


Willard North Elementary

It's hard to believe that we are at mid-term of the 2^nd quarter and Thanksgiving is next week!  The time does fly!  We are looking forward to our 3^rd grade music program Monday Night.  Mrs. Sharon Reed is doing a fantastic job and it is going to be an awesome event.  The program will be at Willard High School in the auditorium.  Thank you to Mrs. Kendra Chappell and Mr. Stewart Pratt for allowing us this opportunity.  Our cafeteria just does not have enough room because of our great turnouts! 

Upcoming events at Willard North:

November 21^st-Novemebmer 23^rd- NO SCHOOL
November 28^th- Super Tiger Celebration-2:30 P.M.
December 11^th-Title One Reading Night 3:30-5:00
December 11^th-13^th-Santa Shop
December 14^th-Preschool Screenings at Willard North
December 17^th- 4^th Grade Music Program at Willard High School
December 18^th-Tiger Cubs Christmas Program at Willard North
                      Mrs. Bishops Christmas Caroling after school grades 2-4 and Tiger Tales
December 19^th Super Tiger Celebration- 2:30 p.m
December 21^st-Winter Parties and last day of school for Winter Break

Have a wonderful week!  Rhonda Bishop, Principal


Willard South Elementary

What do kittens, pigs, bears and mice have in common?  They all come in three's!  On Tuesday, our third graders performed "Three of a Kind" to a full house.  It was a great music program for the whole family.  It is always a joy to see the entertaining programs that our talented music teacher, Mrs. Moore, puts together each year. I truly appreciate her energy and enthusiasm! 

I want to wish everyone a very safe and happy Thanksgiving break.  I hope that your holiday season is filled with rest, relaxation and quality time with your loved ones. Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal