District Newsletter

Kindergarten screening dates for FY2009-10 Willard Central/Willard North: May 4 & 5 Willard East/Willard South: May 7 & 8

Parents should call the school the student will attend for an appointment after Spring Break. Children who will be attending Orchard Hills will be screened at Willard South and Willard Central. Mrs. Rhonda Bishop, Orchard Hills Principal, will be attending screenings at Willard South and Willard Central, to greet her new students. Please bring the following items with you to the screening: immunization records, proof of residency, social security card, birth certificate. All kindergartners are required to have an eye exam before entering kindergarten.

Willard Central: 831-4440 Willard East: 742-4639 Willard North: 742-2597 Willard South: 862-6308

Make-up days will be scheduled as follows: February 16 President's Day March 23 First Day of Spring Break April 13 Monday after Easter

If we miss one more day, we will make it up on Tuesday, March 24. Any additional days will be made up the last week of May.

Willard R-II Central Office Yesterday (1-29-09) while everyone else was enjoying their last snow day of the week the Willard Chamber Choir was on task representing their school in fine fashion. Wow can those kids sing!!! The performance was very special because they were selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association. This conference consists of Music teachers from throughout the state of Missouri at every level and Willard was the showcase. Mr. Lawley invited the string section from the Kickapoo orchestra as well as a guest musician from the Springfield Symphony to participate in the concert. This collaboration of efforts not only enriched the program but also demonstrated the high level of respect that other organizations have for the Willard program. It becomes very easy for us to misinterpret the case that the level of music instruction which is received at Willard is not normal throughout the state. Our district continues to set the bar of excellence that others wish to emulate. I am sure that some think that we have multitudes of students taking private lessons and we spend twice the normal amounts of money as other schools our size. Neither is true. The fact is simple; we have exceptional instruction and great kids. If you also include the fact that they have fun in the process you have an instant recipe for excellence. I would like to congratulate Mark Lawley, Candy French, and the Chamber Choir on an inspirational performance. I had a front row seat to the best show in the state! The standing ovation was only a small indication of the quality that is produced through your gifts and talents.

Have a great weekend!

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin Superintendent of Schools

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

Willard Parks and Recreation (417)742-2262 <http://www.cityofwillard.org>www.cityofwillard.org

2009 is going to be a big year for the Willard Parks and Recreation Department. Our major focus this year will be offering family friendly events. These events will be free to attend. For example we are offering Movie in the Park and Music in the Park this year. Please go to <http://www.willardparks.com>www.willardparks.com periodically to view upcoming family friendly events.

Check out below for Parks News and Upcoming Programs, Sports and Events.

Website: Willard's Parks and Recreation website is full of information and news. Log on to <http://www.willardparks.com>www.willardparks.com and check out the site. While you are at the site please take part in our online polls.

Program Guide: Copies of Willard's 2009 January June Program Guide are going fast. If you still haven't picked up your copy please stop by the Recreation Center to do so.

Volunteers: Willard Parks and Recreation wishes to thank all of our Recreational Basketball and Cheerleading coaches. This season is our largest basketball season ever in the history of the Willard Parks Department. It would not be possible without you. Thank you!!

Baseball Field Renovation: The renovation has begun on the Willard Baseball/Softball Complex. Stop by periodically to check out the progress. Thank you also to everyone who made this renovation possible. Stop by the Recreation Center to view the official plans of the project.

Valentine Dance: Come to the Willard Recreation Center on Saturday February 7th for the 2009 Valentine Day Dance. The dance will be held from 7:00pm 10:00pm. Adults and children of all ages can attend. Music played will be everything from 50s music to modern music. The dance is free to attend and concessions will be available.

Spring Break Camp: Willard Parks and Recreation will be hosting a Spring Break Camp for grade K 6th from March 23rd - March 27th at the Recreation Center. The fee to attend is $17.50 per day or $85 for the entire week. Camp hours are 7:00am 6:00pm. Registration forms are available online at <http://www.willardparks.com>www.willardparks.com and are available at the Recreation Center.

Baseball Tomorrows Fund Grant: PLEASE HELP!! Willard Parks and Recreation has applied for a grant from the Baseball Tomorrows Fund. The amount applied for is $34668.98. The grant is through Major League Baseball. If awarded we will receive:

15 new size and weight appropriate metal baseball bats

40 new size appropriate masked helmets

15 new dozen baseballs

500 uniform tops

500 uniform bottoms/500 pairs of socks/500 hats

8 sets of safe and size appropriate catchers equipment

8 catchers mitts

500 size appropriate gloves

50 team equipment bags

50 scorebooks

50 first aid kits

Grant winners will be announced in the spring 2009. If awarded, this grant will provide uniforms and proper equipment for our teams. To help get approved we need your help. If you believe that Willard will benefit from the above items, then please write an email stating how much this grant will benefit our kids who play baseball or softball. After you type this email please send to <mailto:parkdir@cityofwillard.org>parkdir@cityofwillard.org and we will forward to the Baseball Tomorrows Fund. Thank you for your help!

Project Playground: Willard Parks & Recreation is under taking a project for 2009. The project is entitled Project Playground. The goal of this project is to raise $12,000. The raised money will be used to purchase and install a new playground at the Highline Soccer Park (home of the Willard Soccer & Flag Football league). Events will be planned throughout 2009 to raise funds.

1st Event: Silent Auction Information: Willard Parks and Recreation will be hosting a Silent Auction on Saturday February 28th, 2009 to raise funds for Project Playground. The Silent Auction will be held in the community room at the Willard Recreation Center from 1:00pm 8:00pm. Auction items include sports memorabilia, tickets to area attractions, gift cards and much more. We encourage everyone to come and support Project Playground.

March Madness Basketball Tournament: Willard Parks and Recreation will be hosting a basketball tournament March 6th -8th at the Willard Recreation Center for 3rd 6th grade. Fees are $115 for in town teams and $130 for out of town teams.

Kansas City Wizards Passback Program: Willard Parks and Recreation has been selected to take part and receive donations in the Kansas City Wizards / US Soccer Foundation Passback Program. The Passback Program is a grassroots initiative designed to help meet the soccer uniform and equipment needs of all communities, regardless of income, gender or location. The Kansas City Wizards will be collecting new soccer equipment from March June of this year. After the drive, a large portion of the donations will be coming directly to the Willard Parks and Recreation Department. The donations will be distributed to the Willard Soccer teams for the fall 2009 season.

Scholarship Program: Willard Parks and Recreation is bringing back the Sports Scholarship Program. 2 scholarships will be awarded per sports season. Only one scholarship is allowed per person per year. The scholarship only covers the $35 registration fee. Scholarship forms are available at the Recreation Center. For more information please contact Kevin McDonald at (417)742-2262. Thank you to Jackie Stiles of the Jackie Stiles Basketball Camp for donating money to bring the scholarship program back.

KenKarJu-Ruy 2009: Register now for KenKarJu-Ryu martial arts. This family oriented art focuses on courtesy, respect, self-discipline, self-defense, self-improvement, physical fitness and FUN! Classes are offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30pm 7:30pm at the Willard Community Building for anyone ages 7 and up. The fee is $50 for the entire eight week session. Registration forms are available at the Recreation Center.

Session 1: 1/5 2/26 Session 2: 3/2 4/30 Session 3: 6/1 7/23 Session 4: 8/3 9/28 Session 5: 10/5 11/23

Beginner Belly Dancing: Willard Parks and Recreation will be offering Belly Dancing Classes. All adults are eligible to attend. The cost is $40 per participant. This program is a 5 week session and will be held on Wednesdays from 7:00pm 8:00pm. Spots are limited. Beginner belly dancing is for ages 15 and up. Registration forms are available at the Recreation Center.

Upcoming Sports Registrations:

Spring Soccer Registration: March 2nd - March 31st Spring Soccer is for grades pre-k 6th. The fee to participate is $35. Games: April 25th May 30th (Saturday games)

Flag Football Registration: March 2nd - 31st Flag Football is for grades 1st 6th. The fee to participate is $35. Games: April 25th May 30th (Saturday games)

Spring Volleyball Registration: March 2nd - 31st Spring Volleyball Registration is for grades 1st - 6th. The fee to participate is $35. Games: April 28th May 26th (Friday games)

Competitive Baseball Registration: March 2nd - March 31st Competitive Baseball Registration is for 3rd 6th grade. The fee to participate is $200 for in town teams and $225 for out of town teams.

Competitive Soccer Registration: March 2nd - 31st Competitive Soccer Registration is for U8 U15. The fee to participate is $200 for in town teams and $225 for out of town teams.

April Sports Camps: In April, Willard Parks and Recreation will be hosting 3 sports camps instructed by the Willard High School Athletic Department.

Camp: Soccer Location: Highline Soccer Park Day/Date: Saturday April 18th Times: K thru 2nd grade 9:00am 12:00pm & 3rd thru 6th grade 1:00pm 4:00pm

Camp: Volleyball Location: Willard Recreation Center Day/Date: Saturday April 18th Times: K thru 2nd grade 9:00am 12:00pm & 3rd thru 6th grade 1:00pm 4:00pm

Camp: Flag Football Location: Highline Soccer Park Day/Date: Sunday April 19th Times: 1st thru 6th Grade 1:00pm 4:00pm

Mark Your Calendar: Willard Easter Egg Hunt: April 4th at 9:00am at the Recreation Center Blood Drive: April 4th from 9:30am 12:30pm at the Recreation Center Movie in the Park: Friday May 22nd at Jackson St. Park: Movie is Kung Fu Panda Willard Outing to the Springfield Cardinals Game: June 4th. Tickets go on sale in May Willard Golf Scramble: Friday May 8th at Green Hills Country Club

Please email me if you have any question.

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