District Newsletter

Willard R-II Central Office

Many people are asking the questions: How far are we removed from the problems happening in Washington and Wall Street? How secure is my personal money? How secure are the organizations that I depend upon? I can attempt to answer one of those questions. The Willard School District is the largest employer in our area and maintains a budget of over thirty five million dollars. During the last five years, the district's cash reserves have risen from 11.4% to over 25%. DESE, (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) reports that districts having reserve funds over 10% are considered to be in excellent financial condition. Why is that important? It is my opinion that schools will not experience the fallout of the economic problems for another six months to a year. Currently the Willard district receives a major portion of revenue from state funds. The state depends upon sales tax for funding and therefore, if spending decreases so does sales tax. It is my belief that most Missouri patrons are similar to my family and are finding ways to reduce spending. Sooner or later that will transfer into less sales tax revenue for the State of Missouri. The big question is how the state will respond to less funding. The current public school funding formula is still 4 years from being fully implemented. No pro-ration factor currently exists for the formula. Transportation is being funded at approximately 50% and IDEA, NCLB, and other programs remain under funded. Bottom line, I am glad that we have been able to build reserve balances that can be a safety net in hard times. This reserve balance translates to over 7.3 million dollars. This balance is invested into secured accounts which earn interest revenue for the district. All reserves are invested in the following manners:

1. $100,000 increments with FDIC secured banks. This allows for governmental protection. This protection has been increased for 2008 to $250,000. We currently invest with over 30 banks in this manner.

2. Investments in banks that have secured the amount with 115% pledged securities. This allows for all dollars to be collateralized by the bank for an amount that is greater than the investment. This is similar to using your home for collateral when buying a new car.

The Willard district has lost zero dollars due to the financial issues. I have worked hard to earn the trust of staff and community in regard to finances. We will continue to guard against any type of unsecured investment which would threaten our reserves.

I pray for wisdom for our current governmental officials as well as those that will be elected in November. The financial crisis was not created overnight and it will not be solved overnight. However, if we remain good stewards of our resources we will weather the storm.

Have a great weekend!

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin

Superintendent of Schools

Director of Operations

Is the glass half full or half empty? This is a question commonly asked to determine whether you see the upside of a situation or the downside. Well, in the Volleytiger situation the glass is starting to overflow! After overcoming several injuries during the season, the tigers are back to full strength and dominating the court. They took home the championship trophy from the Licking Tournament last weekend and followed that with victories over COC opponents Neosho and Carthage. The girls will finish up the regular season next week as they host Branson on Tuesday and Marshfield on Thursday. Good luck volleytigers!

A special congratulations goes out to Coach Killingsworth, SGA, and the entire student body for putting on what was truly a special homecoming day on Friday. Not only was the school spirit at a fever pitch during the homecoming assembly but it carried over to the parade which took place right after school. Also, congratulations to Michelle Martin on being crowned Homecoming Queen. Afterward, the boys fought a hard fight before falling to Neosho in the homecoming game. They get a fresh start as they start district play tonight traveling to Bolivar. Game time is 7:00.

Congratulations to Kacy Hession on her 5th place finish at the COC cross country meet on Tuesday! Her time was a personal best of 19:48. Congratulations also to Ryne Cook who finished 17th. He set a personal best with a time of 17:37. Other athletes that set personal bests at the conference meet were: Zach Nilson, Nick Freeman, Aaron Stark , Daniel Nilson, Drew Raby, Caleb Shuck, Bradley Childers, Kim Pearl, and Lindsey Gaddis. Coach Giboney and Coach Hession are proud of the entire team for their strong races and great class!

Have I mentioned that you need to come out and watch the soccer tigers? Coach Magee has the tigers roaring as they defeated Branson last night in overtime. The boys will host Rogersville on Monday, Neosho on Tuesday, and are at Catholic on Thursday.

One last thing...The Willard Parks and Recreation department will be hosting "Movie in the Park" this Saturday. Movies include "Monster House" and the classic "E.T." and will start at 6:45. Bring plenty of blankets and enjoy a great time.

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

Director of Special Services

The special services administrative group continues working diligently to perform the many duties required in referring , evaluating and diagnosing students as having special needs and ensuring appropriate services are provided. This past week has been a time of having many reminders of what outstanding people we have working as process coordinators, assistant director and secretaries. Principals, parents, regular education teachers and others have proven vocal with various words of praise for how well these ladies step in to solve problems, assist in discipline, and genuinely strive to ensure compliance is balanced with student learning and success. I want to recognize process coordinators, Susie Thieman, Janet Turner, Kelli Akers, and Shannon Roberts; assistant director Amy Stroder, and secretaries Melissa Baker and Cindy Farmer. I also want to recognize substitute secretary Cindy Gamble who is filling in for Cindy Farmer as she recovers from surgery. I personally and professionally appreciate each for their contributions and dedication (and humor) and am proud to be a member of such an outstanding, effective team.

Monday is the final ride for the students participating in Horses of Hope and we want to encourage you to visit. A special evening has been planned which includes a continuation of therapy and practice, a picnic dinner for students, parents and the many volunteers, and presentations of certifications. KSPR will be on site to film this program which was a result of their Oprah Big Give contest. Please plan on stopping by and watch our proud riders! Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Willard High School

This week the high school is gearing up on being trained with some new tools to expedite lesson preparation and student resource access. This process made me reflect the importance of using the right tool on the right job. The high school staff has attended and focused on using different intervention techniques to reach all students. Equipping our staff with multiple "tools" to reach all students is vital to our success. Each year we focus on professional development for our staff and what practices (tools) can we add to improve our overall performance. We appreciate the resources our community has provided to help us in selecting interventions, practices, and techniques that help our children. Stewart Pratt, Principal

Willard Middle School

Well, we have made it to the end of the 1st quarter, and what a start it has been. This week the students of WMS had opportunities to see and do some very neat things. We had field trips to Wilson's Creek Battlefield, The Titanic exhibit in Branson, and Campbell's Maze and Daze Pumpkin Farm in Clever. We also had the Star Lab visit our campus early this week, and the science classes got to learn more about astronomy first hand. Next week will be Red Ribbon Week, and we ask everyone to wear red on Tuesday, as we focus on drug awareness and prevention all week. Our fall sports teams are winding things down, with both volleyball and football having their last contests next week. Finally, we would like to invite everyone to keep our parent teacher conferences in mind, coming the last week of October, and our special Veteran's Day Assembly, which will be November 7th. All of this, and our cooks even made peanut butter cookies this week, and they were fantastic!!! Who could ask for a better place to be? Thanks for checking on us, and have a great week. Tom Merriott, Asst. Principal

Willard Intermediate School

WIS looks forward to an exciting Red Ribbon week as we prepare ourselves for a drug free life. Here is the schedule for the week of October 20th:

Mon--Hat Day--Hats off to a drug-free life! Wear your favorite hat. Tue-Twins (or multiples)--Be a drug-free friend. Find a friend (or several!) and dress alike. Red ribbon assembly with Mrs. Chappel's theatre group. Wed --Team Day--Being drug-free is a team effort. Wear your favorite team's gear. Thur--Career Day--You've got a future ahead and drugs are in it. Dress in clothes like you'll wear to work someday. Fri--Decade Day--Be drug-free through the decades. Dress in your favorite decade.

Congratulations to Miss Ellis and Mr. Hayes along with the 95 students, parents, and teachers that represented WIS in the St. Johns Sunshine run last weekend. We are very proud of everyone's effort and self discipline that went into preparing for this run. Female participants from WIS swept the 10-14 age group for the 2nd time in the last three years!

We will be hosting our parent-teacher conferences on October 28th and 30th. 1st quarter grade cards will be distributed at this time. Parents are encouraged to contact their child's teacher at 742-4242 to set up a conference time if they have not done so yet. Tom Davis, Principal

Willard Central Elementary

We have successfully completed the 1st quarter of school. Time flies when you are having fun learning!! Thank you to all of the parents who made the Fall Party a success on Friday. Your partnership with our school is priceless!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the following events:

Thursday, October 23rd 4th Grade Music Program at 7:00. (Final rehearsal will be at school at 2:30) Friday, October 24th 1st Quarter Terrific Tiger Celebration at 2:45 Week of October 27th 30th Red Ribbon Week and Book Fair Tuesday, October 28th & Thursday, October 30th Student Led Conferences 4:00-8:00 Friday, October 31st No School

Have a wonderful weekend! Shane Medlin, Principal

Willard East Elementary

2nd Grade Program: It's a little bit country at Willard East this week. 2nd graders at Willard East celebrated their music program and Hoedown this week. Our performances at 2:30PM and 7:00 PM were to a packed "house."

Kitchen Appreciation Day: Today we celebrated kitchen appreciation day by recognizing all the little things our kitchen staff does to make mealtime at Willard East an enjoyable time. They not only cater to our students but also our teachers and they do a great job!

Next week Red Ribbon Week: Next week we will have a lot of "spirit" days of dressing up against drugs!

Monday "When you Snooze you Lose Against Drugs" (wear your pajamas)

Tuesday "Put a Cap on Drugs" (wear a crazy hat)

Wednesday "Winning the Race Against Drugs" (wear Nascar/racing clothing or any sports clothing)

Thursday - "Get Your Red On" (red from head to foot!)

Friday- "Willard Tigers say NO to Drugs!!" (Wear any Tiger Gear)

Tiger Pride: Our October Tiger Pride assembly will be Friday the 24th. Come and see Principal Miller get "silly - string'd":):):) We raised approximate $6,000 with our Fall fundraiser. Any student who sold 20 or more items will spray Principal Miller with a can of Silly String.

Veteran's Day Invitation: We invite all of our Veteran's to attend our Veteran's Day celebration at 9:30 November 11. Please call our school office to RSVP or for more information.

Melinda Miller, Principal

Willard North Elementary

Fall has finally arrived! It is so nice to have the cool mornings and warm afternoons! First grade students took a leaf walk around the building. They read "Leaf Man" in class. They did leaf activities including rubbings, sorting, and made a real leaf man! Fall also means trips the pumpkin patch! Friday, Willard North Kindergarten students headed to the Campbell Daze pumpkin patch for a day of fun!

All third grade classrooms are now installed with Smartboards! Thank you to the PTO and Matt Young for helping make this happen!

Have a wonderful weekend and GO Tigers!! Rhonda Bishop, Principal

For information on the Willard Children's Charitable Foundation, please contact Judy Craig at 742-2506 or Dr. Kent Medlin at 742-2584.

Willard Park Board News

NEW WILLARD PARKS AND RECREATION WEBSITE: LAUNCH DATE IS DECEMBER 1ST. 2008

Movie in the Park: TOMORROW NIGHT The Parks Department would like to announce our first ever Movie in the Park on Saturday October 18th at 6:45pm. Come join us at Jackson St. Park next to City Hall and enjoy watching MONSTER HOUSE and E.T. The event is free to attend. Bring your family, friends, lawn chairs and blankets. Come hungry and leave happy as we will be selling hot-dogs, hamburgers and many Halloween treats!

Safe Halloween: The Parks Department would like to invite you to attend Willards Annual Safe Halloween Festival. This years festival will be held Saturday October 25th at 5:45pm at the Willard Recreation Center. Major changes have been made to make this years event the best ever!

New Willard Horseshoe Pits: Willard Parks and Recreation has added a new horseshoe pit at the Willard Recreation Center. The new pit is located behind the Recreation Center by the baseball fields. Horseshoes are available for checkout everyday inside the Rec. Center for free. The horseshoe pit will be open everyday that the Recreation Center is open. For more information please contact (417)742-2262.

Christmas at the Willard Recreation Center: On Saturday December 13th at 6:30pm, come to the Willard Recreation Center. We will be watching a Christmas movie in the gym and you can come and get your picture taken with Santa. Also we will be hosting a Silent Auction (items include sports memorabilia and gift certificates from local businesses). All proceeds from the night will benefit the Willard Baseball Program. Dont miss the first annual Christmas in Willard at the Recreation Center.

Winter Camp Registration: Are you looking for a place for your child to go during the Winter Break? Sign them up for the Willard Parks and Recreation Winter Camp. Registration will be held November 17th December 12th. The camp days are December 22, 23,26,29,30 2008 & January 2, 2009. Ages accepted will be K 6th grade and the fee is $17.50 per day.

Fall Competitive Basketball Registration: Sign up is going on now for Willard's 2008 Fall Competitive Basketball League. The league is for grades 3rd-4th and 5th-6th boys and girls. Fees are $200 for in town teams and $225 for out of town teams. All games will be held at the Willard Recreation Center. The deadline to register is November 2nd. Registration forms are available at the Recreation Center. For more information call 742-2262.

For more information on the activities listed and all of the Willard Parks and Recreation activities please call (417)742-2262.

Thank you so much!

Kevin McDonald Director of Willard Parks and Recreation 133 N State Hwy Z PO Box 187 Willard, MO 65781 (417) 742-2262 fax - (417) 742-6868