District Newsletter

Willard R-II Central Office

This month the Board of Education will discuss the district Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. (CSIP) This plan for improvement is required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for purposes of accreditation; however it is just plain common sense to have goals and a plan to reach those goals. I am proud of the quality school program that we are able to offer students at Willard R-II. I am not naive to believe that we cannot find ways to improve. I have seen sample improvement plans from other districts and they are large enough to be held in a 3-ring binder. Many times these plans sit on a shelf gathering dust after they are complete. These plans are many times unfocused and vague. I believe if we are to make change we must be very specific and focused on the goals. The shotgun effect is never the best when you are attempting to improve in any organization. The BOE will be presented with a 1 page CSIP Thursday night. The district plan is supported by building plans that are attached. Very specific goals have been set and can be verified by measurement for improvement. Next year we will review the plan to determine levels of success. The CSIP will be posted on the district website for review after the meeting.

Merry Christmas and many blessings to all during the break!

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin Superintendent of Schools

Director of Operations

Well, we missed the storm of the century and our winter season rolls along!

The basketball Tigers had a great week as they defeated Camdenton and Morrisville to run their record to 4-3 on the young season. They will host a big game this Tuesday with Mt. Vernon in a possible preview of a second round matchup in the Blue and Gold. They will then travel to Webb City on Thursday before taking a break and playing in the Blue and Gold Tournament.

The Lady Tigers had a memorable win last Thursday at home vs. Central. The lady bulldogs are one of the premier teams in the area this year and the Lady Tigers overcame a 15 point deficit to roar back with a 3 point win! The ladies will also travel to Webb City on Thursday. The games will be as follows: Main Gym - Lady Tigers @ 6:00, Tigers @ 7:30 Auxiliary Gym - Tigers JV @ 6:00, Lady Tigers JV @ 7:30.

The wrestling Tigers had a first in Willard wrestling history on Tuesday as they tied Nixa! The Tigers had to win the last 3 matches by pin if they wanted to salvage a tie....and they did! They then pounded Hillcrest on Thursday. They will be hosting Lebanon tonight before traveling to Ozark on Tuesday in a big COC showdown. The boys will then wrestle in the Springfield Holiday Classic on Friday and Saturday at Parkview High School.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Coach Mike Fletchall and his family. Coach Fletchall suffered a heart attack this past Sunday and is in Cox South hospital. The good news is that he is expecting a full recovery and the doctors say he can resume normal activities soon. Obviously, the doctors don't know Coach Fletchall!!!!

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

Director of Special Services

How exciting it is to celebrate the Holiday season by watching performances which include students with special needs and to see the progress they are making! Scarlett Weis' (Central) first grade class presented, "The Ginger Man Kids' Caper", which was an adorable treat for parents, teachers, and friends of her students. Scarlett does an exceptional job welcoming our students into her classroom and involving them in all classroom events. One of our little ones was so excited, she could hardly contain herself and the other one was the star of the show (with a little help from paraprofessional Jo Boyd). We congratulate all her students for an outstanding performance!

We are eagerly anticipating "My Time to Shine 2007," a celebration of students with special needs, which will be December 18, 3:00 in the Willard High School Theater. This year's program will include students from Willard Central, Willard High School, Willard North, and Willard South and is a result of several practices and efforts by our teachers and paraprofessionals. We want to recognize Laurie Stonebarger and paraprofessionals Mitzi Albert, Jenifer Irwin, Abby Fugitt, and Delana Freedle for organizing this very special event and inviting others to participate. Based on last year's program, this should be an afternoon of heart-touching performances.

Special Services wants to wish all a very joyous Christmas. We hope your time with family and friends is blessed and sustains you throughout the year. Merry Christmas! Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Willard High School Leading Others;

In the past few months WHS has experienced many hardships within our student family. Accidents, illnesses, family hardships, have struck a few of our students. How do WHS students respond? With student initiated, student led, and student supported drives at school. They take time from their busy lives to focus on others who are in need. Clubs and activity groups join forces in support of other students. At the beginning of the year we asked all students to be a role modelfor other adults and students. Once again, we should be impressed with our school and the positive character our students demonstrate every day. Stewart Pratt, Principal

Willard Middle School

Last week the dance was a big hit for the kids. They had a great time dancing Friday night away. Student Council members stayed after the dance for an all night lock-in. Hide and go seek was the game of choice for most of the evening. Walking through the classrooms last week I saw several exciting activities taking place. Archery with compound bows in the Lifetime Sports class was definitely a treat along with student made game boards in 7th grade Social Studies. Industrial tech. students are working diligently on skateboards for the holidays. 7th grade science students had outstanding electrical projects.

This week will be filled with the excitement of the upcoming break. The Middle School will be having their annual Grandparent's Tea on Thursday, October 20 from 8:00 - 10:00 A.M. Amy Sims, Principal

Willard Intermediate School

The Intermediate School is pleased to be part of the "Parent Link" through our Student Information Systems student records program. Parents of Intermediate Students can request their e-mail be included on their child's record, and will be issued a password that will give them access to such things as grades, attendance, lunch account information, health room information and more. This program is being used at the Middle and High Schools, and we are glad to finally have our program up and running. If you are a parent of a fifth or sixth grader, and have not submitted your e-mail information to participate, please contact our office to get set up!

A big THANKS to Emily Gehring and Candace Starkey, our Title I teachers, for coordinating a fun parent involvement evening this past week. In spite of the weather, we had a great turnout on Tuesday evening. Julie Germann, Principal

Willard Central Elementary

Tired of the cold, the ice and the snow? How about Christmas in a tropical island paradise? This was the theme of the 4th grades music program on Thursday evening. Mrs. Chatman and the 4th grade students did great job with their lines, sets and songs in their program entitled Surfin Santa. It was a wonderful program and left us all wishing for a wonderful Christmas (in the tropics).

Our fourth grade students also did a wonderful job presenting their Famous Missourian projects this past week. They worked hard to research information in the library and online in their classrooms to make into a powerpoint presentation for their class. From Walt Disney to Daniel Boone to Laura Ingalls Wilder, it was great to see students dressed up and reliving famous faces from Missouris past. In addition to these activities, Mrs. Hornes class also completed their first Podcast of their famous Missourian biographical poems. Visit the following link to listen to their amazing work. http://tecteacher.edublogs.o rg

Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday break with family and friends. Stay warm and continue to Reach for the Stars. Shane Medlin, Principal

Willard East Elementary

Kudos to our 4th Graders, teachers, music teacher, and art teacher!!! Last night was an amazing performance of "The Incredible Reindeer" Our students performed to a packed house once again!

Thank you to the HS students for inviting our students to "Hey Diddle Diddle." We are privileged to be right next door to the HS and our children can walk to their special events.

Willard East welcomes a new family member to the Pliler family. Mrs. Pliler is a 2nd grade teacher and finalized the adoption of her daughter Autumn this week. Congratulations!!!

Next week will be a busy week of celebrations and excitement and we get closer to Christmas Break. Parents/family members are welcome to attend Winter Parties. Please RSVP to your child's teacher so she knows how many will be attending. Melinda Miller, Principal

Willard North Elementary

Our building is in the holiday spirit! All our doors are decorated and today they will be judged. The categories this year were: Make It Rhyme, Through The Eyes Of A Child, Let It Snow, and A Green Christmas (recycled). The teachers and students have been very creative! Monday Night is our 4th grade Christmas Program at the Willard High School Theater. The program is titled A Place In The Christmas Choir. You are welcome to join us at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, I will be taking students caroling around Willard after school. Look for us, we will be everywhere!!

Have a wonderful weekend! Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Willard South Elementary

We had another busy week at Willard South. Tuesday our second graders performed "The Littlest Reindeer" in front of a packed house. On Friday, I enjoyed reading a special story to each grade level in the library. We also enjoyed our final fundraiser assembly. Two students were lucky enough to play Deal or No Deal. Congratulations to Lauren and Kailey for winning cash prizes and participating in our fall PTO fundraiser.

I would also like to thank the outstanding WHS Theater Department for putting on a fabulous performance last week. I truly appreciate your hard work and inviting the elementary buildings to your performances. Our kindergarten through third grade students were thrilled to attend!

UPCOMING EVENTS: December 17th-Faculty Christmas Tea in the library after school

December 19th-20th-Santa Store on the stage from 8:30-3:00

December 21st-Winter classroom parties

Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal