District Newsletter

The James B. Staley Memorial Scholarship Fund has been set up at Commerce Bank in Willard. If you would like to donate to this Scholarship Fund, you may leave it at Commerce Bank or drop it by the Willard Schools District Office.

District Office

One of these days when I retire (or before) I have on my life checklist to write a book. The book will be about education, schools, leadership, relationships, power, etc.... I think one of the chapters will be titled: "What happens when people die??". I think most staff in two of our district buildings will be glad when the last bell rings today. Teachers and staff in these buildings are emotionally exhausted. Two separate accidents this week took the lives of three Willard students and the husband of one of our most respected staff members, Montene Staley. No books or college class prepares an administrator to deal with these situations. When this happens it all comes down to experience, common sense, compassion, and relationships. Teachers change their hat from instructor to counselor and mentor. Grades, curriculum, and MAP testing is repositioned to the back seat of things that are important. It has been my experience that great teachers and administrators shine brightly in times of tragedy. This week was no exception. Willard staff responded with outstanding performance.

My wife, Angie and I were talking last weekend and counted eleven incidents of student deaths in my career. Each one of these losses has created an etched memory that is very vivid. These losses leave us with many emotions including why? anger? sadness? and faith? As the grief begins to settle and time allows us to move forward we all need to take the opportunity to examine our own lives and realize that life is fragile. The end of the chapter in my book is mostly dependent upon each individual. I have seen lives changed because of another person's death. Lets all hope that there are eternal decisions made as a result of the accidents this past week. That would bring one positive ending to the chapter!

Have a restful weekend. Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin Superintendent of Schools

Director of Activities

Well, it has been several weeks since I have been able to sing the praises of our Tigers so, as you can imagine, the accolades have been piling up! The rain gauge has as well but I'm sick of that.

The football Tigers get a clean start as they begin district play tonight by hosting Bolivar. Game will start at 7:00 and bring a coat and blanket! They will then host Marshfield next week before traveling to Hillcrest after that. The top two teams will advance to the state playoffs.

The Volleytigers are ON A ROLL! After going through a bit of a dry spell, the girls responded by upsetting state ranked Nixa last week. They then defeated stated ranked Mt. Grove and Eminence on their way to winning the championship of the Licking Tournament!...and they were not done...They then capped the run off by defeating COC opponents Neosho and Carthage this week. The girls will be at Branson next Tuesday and at Marshfield next Thursday to wrap up their regular season.

The soccer Tigers are just trying to find a dry place to play! Over the past couple of weeks they have taken 2nd place in the Willard Invitational and defeated New Covenant. We will be hosting the Willard JV Tournament this Saturday before traveling to Rogersville, Neosho, and Catholic next week.

Congratulations to Kate Spangler and the Willard Speech and Debate kids! The Willard HS speech and debate program has earned significant recognition by the National Forensic League. Because your chapter achieved 100 degrees or more last year, it placed in the top 10% of NFL chapters nationwide and qualified for the NFL 100 Club. This award is important because it demonstrates your programs commitment to teaching essential life skills communication, research, listening, writing, and organization to a large number of students.

Congratulations to the following students for personal best times at the COC cross country meet Tuesday at Nixa: Jared Holmes, Caleb Shuck, Austin Mudd, Nick Freeman, Greg Hamilton, Rachel Flynn, and Layne Jackson; and Bailey Hession who finished 5th with a time of 19:38!

The softball Tigers have ended their season with a quarterfinal loss to Neosho in the district tournament. A BIG congratulations to the players and coaches who worked so hard all season long. They wore their Tiger uniforms with pride!

The Cutting Edge will be competing in the Ozarko Marching Festival this Saturday at MSU. They will then take their show on the road, as they will compete in Warrensburg next Saturday.

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

Director of Special Services

Special services administrative staff attended the MO-CASE Special Education Administrators' Conference at Lake of the Ozarks held September 20-23rd. The conference was the 32nd annual event and is an opportunity to inform, train, and advise districts on special education law and best practices of educating students with special needs. Break-out sessions attended by process coordinators, assistant director and myself include: Section 504, RtI & LD & Reading, autism, post-secondary transition, OSEP "After Thoughts," ECSE, Funds Management, DESE updates and writing defensible IEPs. Additional sessions were attended, as well as the law conference and key note address. Our staff found this to be a conference worth the time. We are currently sharing information from each session with one another and preparing to inform appropriate staff of new requirements and obligations. Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Willard High School

The high school has had an emotional week after suffering the loss of three students, Abreanna McCarter, Samantha Gossett, and Brady Laughlin in a tragic automobile accident. WHS students and staff have the families of the students in our hearts and prayers, and have done a fantastic job of remembering each of the students through cards, letters, and support of the families. We would also like to say THANK YOU for all the words of support and encouragement provided by parents, community, and friends in neighboring Southwest Missouri communities.

Two Memorial Funds have been established:

The Brady Laughlin Memorial Fund - is established through Liberty Bank at 210 N West Bypass; Springfield MO

The Samantha Gossett Memorial Fund - is established through Fazoli's Restaurant at two locations: 2137 N. Glenstone and 2055 E. Independence; Springfield MO

Stewart Pratt, HS Principal

Willard Middle School

Greetings from Willard Middle School,

Another busy week is coming to an end, and with it comes the end of the 1st quarter of the school year. It is hard to believe, but the semester is half over, and the 1st quarter grades will be sent home next week. We encourage you to discuss how things are going with your student(s), and then come in the following week for the parent teacher conferences to address any questions that you may have. Our students, teachers, and staff are doing a great job as usual, and the school year is going well. As always, this is made so much easier with the support of the parents and community, and we thank you all for that.

This week we sent many of our students to the campus of OTC, and they were able to explore and examine some of the opportunities that await them in the near future. This has proven to be a great field trip for the kids, and many of them come back with a better understanding of what may be available to them as far as furthering their education, and preparing for a career after school. Making the connection between education and choices for the future is vital in motivating students to do their best, and this is one tool that will help in making that connection.

We are wrapping up fall sports, as the volleyball teams travel for the COC tourney this weekend, and the football teams conclude their seasons with a showdown with our old friends from Republic next week. With the end of fall sports comes the start of the winter seasons, and the wrestling team will begin practice on Monday, with basketball to follow soon thereafter. Neat things I noticed at WMS this week included the addition of a saltwater aquarium in Mrs. McDowell's room, with fish and other things that live in the sea to follow. This is really an exciting project, and we invite you to stop by and see it if you can. Mr. Reynold's class put their engineering skills to the test this week, in the building and then breaking of bridges, which is always an interesting display. Finally, it has been great to walk down the halls and enjoy the smells coming from Mrs. Robinson's Family and Consumer's Science classes, as they have been cooking up some great stuff all week. Of course, I feel it is my duty to stop by and sample these things if possible, and give positive comments to our future cooks. What a tough job I have! Great things are going on in all of our classes, and we thank you for checking on us. Tom Merriott WMS Assistant Principal

Willard Intermediate School

The cool and dreary weather has not kept things from moving at warp speed at WIS! Last Saturday 50 members of our running club along with 13 staff members and parents participated in a very chilly Sunshine Run. Several runners earned honors for placing within their age group. Way to go! Our fall fund-raiser winds down this week. As of today our students have sold over 1300 of our Tiger Savings cards! If you have not gotten your hands on one of these great money savers you have really missed out. You can still purchase one from our office.

WIS hosted our first skate night of the year last night. Thanks to our student council and sponsors for organizing this event! 180 of our students spent the evening having fun and helping a great cause. All of the proceeds will be donated to the families of the WHS students that lost their lives last week. Our next skate night is scheduled to take place in the spring.

A reminder that next week is red ribbon week at WIS. Students are encouraged to participate in each of our spirit-themed days as we strive to remain drug free. Have a great weekend! Tom Davis, Principal

Willard Central Elementary

It has been a busy week at WC. Thank you to Nurse Tammy Dock for helping organize a successful health screening on Tuesday for our students. All of her hard work and the time and energy from our volunteers is greatly appreciated! We would also like to thank our PTO parents for their support and work in providing our Fall Parties this afternoon. The students had a wonderful time and enjoyed the mental break at the end of the day from all of the hard work this week!

As we look ahead to the coming weeks, please be looking for information on our next all school book club. This year we will be reading The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane. This is a wonderful story that our home and school family will be able to enjoy together. One book will be provided for each family at Student-Led Conferences. Look for reading activities to follow as we share in Edward's miraculous journey together.

Please mark your calendars for the following events:

Oct. 20 3rd Grade Music Concert at 7:00 Oct. 27/29 Student Led Conferences Oct. 26-29 WC Book Fair Oct. 30 No School

Shane Medlin, Principal

Willard East Elementary

Upcoming events at Willard East:

• Oct. 20th = Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast
• Oct. 22nd = 2nd Grade Program 2:30 and 7:00PM
• Oct. 23rd = Fall Parties Oct. 27th = Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Oct. 29th = Tiger Pride "Slime the Principal"/Parent/Teacher
• Conferences Oct. 30th = NO SCHOOL

For the most current Willard East information and updates please tune in to our building website at: <http://willardeastelementary.edublogs.org/>http://willardea stelementary.edublogs.org/

Willard North Elementary

Willard North is finishing up Fire Safety Week. Our students had our local fire department come to the school for a demonstration on fire safety. Students were allowed to sit on the fire truck and see all the gear firemen have to wear during a fire. We had a blast!

This week North is gearing up for the big Fall Carnival. This is our big PTO fundraiser. Carnival is this Saturday, October 17th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Feature events will be the 3 in 1 Obstacle course, Two Man Joust, and the Wizzer. There will be fun for all.

Please come and join us on Saturday. This carnival is open to all! Angela Stevens, Willard North Principal

Willard Orchard Hills Elementary

It has been an exciting week at Willard Orchard Hills!

Tuesday, the staff celebrated Breast Care Awareness Month with PINK Day! The staff wore pink, we had pink treats and we celebrated Stacy Gray being Cancer Free! Here is a link to our pictures!

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/43515229@N04/sets/721576224527 88863/>http://www.flickr.com/photos/43515229@N04/sets/721576 22452788863/

We also celebrated getting our first WOHE shirt! The kids and staff looked great when we took our school-wide picture! We also had our first WOHE Tiger Pride assembly. Thanks to the Willard Varsity Cheerleaders and their sponsor Ms. Goldschmidt for coming to our assembly! Also big thanks to our Parent and Family Cadre for planning a great assembly.

WOHE gives a big WOHE Tiger Roar to the Willard Football Tigers as they take on Bolivar tonight! Good luck!! Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Willard South Elementary

Tonight we will be celebrating FALL with our annual PTO Chili Supper from 6:00-8:00 here at Willard South Elementary. Please come and join us for great food, fun games and a silent pumpkin auction. This year we will also have a special parent/child game time beginning at 7:00. You and your child will enjoy a pie eating contest, hall fill, people scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt. The cost is $5 per team with prizes being awarded to the winner of each game. We hope to see you here this evening! Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal

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

The WCCF Fall Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the High School Commons Area. Join us for free hamburgers and hotdogs, a dessert auction and loads of fun for the entire family. Live music by The Old Wire Road!

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Homemade Ice Cream Auction at 6:30 p.m. Pie and Cake Auction at 7:00 p.m.

Proceeds from the auction benefit the Willard Children's Charitable Foundation. (Special auction items to benefit the Clint Anderson Medical Fund.) We hope to see you there!

Willard Parks and Recreation

Kevin McDonald: Director Shawn Trent: Interim Sports Coordinator Brandon Eckhardt: Recreation/Aquatics Specialist Tina Christiansen: Front Desk Programmer

Willard Parks and Recreations month of fun has begun. Check out some of the upcoming special events that the Parks and Recreation Department is offering in the coming weeks.

Halloween Movie in the Park: DOUBLE FEATURE Come to Jackson Street Park on Saturday October 17th, for Willard's 2nd Annual Movie in the Park Double Feature. This event is free to attend and hot dogs and hamburgers will be sold. Showing will be Beetle Juice & Ghostbusters. Go to <http://www.willardparks.com>www.willardparks.com to view the official trailers for the event. The movies begin at 7pm.

Kelly Miller Circus: Sponsored by PAL Youth Boxing Get your tickets fast before they sell out!

Willard Parks and Recreation Presents the KELLY MILLER CIRCUS on Tuesday October 20th at Jackson St. Park in Willard. This one ring wonder is a traveling Tent Circus that features clowns, elephants, tigers, horses, trapeze artists, and much more. For more information on the Kelly Miller Circus visit <http://www.kellymillercircus.com/>www.kellymillercircus.com Tickets are on sale at the Willard Recreation Center for $10 for adults and $6 for kids. Two shows will be held. One show at 4:30pm and one show at 7:30pm. For more information on this event call Kevin McDonald at (417) 742-2262.

Safe Halloween 2009: Saturday October 24th at 5:30pm at the Willard Recreation Center. This year we will be collecting new and used toys for deserving area children. This event is FREE to attend. Wear your costume and trick or treat from local businesses, play games, and walk through the Willard Haunted House. For more information call 742-2262.

Harlem Legends Celebrity Basketball Show: TICKETS ON SALE NOW!! Willard Parks and Recreation and CoxHealth Fitness Centers present the Harlem Legends vs. the Willard All-Stars on Monday November 2nd at Willard High School at 6pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students in advance at the Willard Recreation Center. The Harlem Legends are a group of professional athletes, former players from the Harlem Globetrotters, NBA, NFL, past USA Olympians, and other professionals. Legends include, Michael Douglas, Tyrone Hollywood Brown, Larry Shorty Coleman, Brandon McDonald, Woody Carter, Gator Rivers, Mike Glenn, Jimmy Bolden, L.T. Trahan, Wayne Arnold and Somer Easterwood. For more information call (417) 742-2262.

Willard Park Board Openings: Are you interested in serving on the Willard Park Board? If so call Kate Gould at 742-5300 for more information.

Trees at Jackson St. Park: As you may have noticed, Empire Electric has cut down trees at Jackson St. Park. Empire Electric is offering a tree replacement program. At the next Park Board Meeting we will be selecting trees to plant at Jackson St. Park for replacements.

Parks and Recreation Website: Log onto <http://www.willardparks.com>www.willardparks.com to keep up with everything going on in the Willard Parks and Recreation Department.

Current Sports Registrations: Register NOW!! Recreational Basketball Session 1: Registration September 16th October 16th Willard Parks and Recreation will be offering Recreational Session 1 Basketball for ages 3 -14. All games will be played at the Willard Recreation Center. Fees are $35 per person. Games will be played on Saturdays beginning November 7th.

Recreational Cheerleading Session 1: Registration September 16th October 16th Willard Parks and Recreation will be offering Recreational Session 1 Cheerleading for grade K 8th. All games will be played at the Willard Recreation Center. Fees are $35 per person. Games will be played on Saturday beginning November 7th.

Willard Child Care at the Recreation Center: Willard Parks and Recreation has begun child care at the Willard Recreation Center. This child care service is sponsored by the City of Willard and CoxHealth Fitness Centers. The child care takes place in the small classroom at the Recreation Center. Fees are $4 per child for up to two hours or an ALL ACCESS PASS for $24 for 12 times (up to 24 child care hours). This child care service may be used for any activity held at the Recreation Center including the Cox Fitness Center, Sports activities, etc. The parent or guardian must remain on the property while their child is in child care. The child care is only available for 18 months to 10 years old.

The hours for the child care at Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8am 10am Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 5pm 9pm Tuesday & Thursday: 3pm 9pm

Fun 5K Run: Saturday 8am 11/21/09 at the Willard Community Building. The Race will be held on the Frisco Trail. The fee to participate is $15 for those who pre-register. Registration forms are at the Recreation Center.

Willard Parks and Recreation Facility Rentals: Holding Fee: $25, Refundable Deposit: $75 (excluding the Pavilion). Rental Areas: Willard Community Building: $15 hour / kitchen $25 flat fee, Large Gym at the Recreation Center: $25 hour, Small Gym at the Recreation Center: $20, Murray Community Room/Patio/Kitchen: $15 hour, Classroom/Conference Room: $12 hour, Jackson St Park Pavilion: $7.50 hour. For more information contact Tina at (417) 742-2262

Camps: Out of School Camps:

Willard Parks and Recreation offers various camps throughout the entire year. All camps will be held at the Willard Recreation Center.

School Holiday Camp: October 30th Camp is for grades K - 6th. The fee to attend is $17.50. A snack lunch must be brought to the camp. Camp hours are 7:00am - 6:00pm.

Holiday Camp: 12/21/09, 12/22/09, 12/23/09, 12/28/09, 12/29/09, 12/30/09, Camp is for grades K - 6th. The fee to attend is $17.50 per day. A snack lunch must be brought to the camp. Camp hours are 7:00am - 6:00pm

Willard Play Group: COME OUT & PLAY with Willard's Playgroup! Come play every Wednesday from 9am - 11am at the Willard Recreation Center. This is a new opportunity for parents and kids to play, socialize and just have fun. Moms and Dads are invited to bring their infant through Pre-K aged children for FREE PLAY , STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES & MONTHLY WORKSHOPS. This playgroup is free and open to the community.

Christmas in Willard: Willard Parks and Recreations Annual Christmas in Willard Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 12th at the Willard Recreation Center. This years activities include a silent auction, a Christmas Movie and pictures with Santa. Log onto <http://www.willardparks.com>www.willardparks.com for more information.

Ongoing and Upcoming Classes: Beginner Belly Dancing: The Willard Parks & Recreation Department will offer Belly Dancing Classes. All adults are eligible to attend. Costs for the lessons are $40 per participant. Please make all checks payable to Willard Parks and Recreation. This program will be a 5-week session and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm 8:00pm. Limited spots available. Classes will run October 21st - November 18th. Classes will be held at the Willard Recreation Center.

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.

YOGA: 8 week sessions at the Willard Recreation Center. Classes are every Monday night at 6pm. Fees are $25 for Cox Members and $65 for non Cox members.

Childrens Dance Classes: Let your child grow through dance and experience its magic. These children dance classes offer an excellent way to keep fit, learn coordination, rhythm, social skills, confidence, and its FUN! The fall eight-week dance session will begin October 13th thru December 10th. Creative Dance is offered on Tuesday afternoons for ages 3-5; Ballet & Tap classes are available and offered on Tuesday or Thursday depending on age and/or level for ages 5 & up, fee is $50. Combination classes of Ballet, Tap, and Jazz for children ages 9 & up with prior dance experience will be taught on Tuesday evenings, fee is $65. Limited spaces are available so call Ms. Patrice today for class availability and registration information at 818-3659.

Kevin McDonald Parks and Recreation Director City of Willard

_________________________ Bob Andrus, Technology Director Willard R-II School District