Local Control, Bonding Capacity, Open Enrollment, Vouchers, Attendance Forgiveness, School Funding, Property Taxes, Assessed Valuation, No Child Left Behind, etc…

All of the above topics were discussed last night in a community meeting sponsored by MSTA (Missouri State Teachers Association).  MSTA invited Missouri State Representative Shane Schoeller to share his position on these issues.  First of all, I would like to publicly thank Mr. Schoeller for his willingness to gather input from those whom he serves.  He has e-mailed me for input into educational issues which I believe has been helpful to our school district and in the end our students and staff.  We have not totally agreed on every issue but I firmly believe he has listened and considered my opinions in his decisions.  I will try to give a brief comment on the above issues.

Shane is very supportive of Local Control of education and shared that he believes this is the best level for decision making in public schools.

Shane has signed on to the bill that will increase bonding capacity from 15% of assessed valuation to 20%.  This is positive for districts like Willard that are exhibiting growth.

Shane has submitted an alternate proposal of open enrollment that will allow districts to decide if they would like to participate.  This concerns me because it opens the door for state tax revenues flowing to private schools.  His proposal would only affect school funding on a minimal basis, however I am concerned that this could be the start of a dangerous snowball effect in the future.  If this concept expanded it could direct more and more money away from public schools to private school organizations.

No decision has been made at the State Level concerning forgiveness of days due to the 2007 Ice Storm.

Mr. Schoeller recognizes that concern exists for the No Child Left Behind mandates.  NCLB is a Federal issue and not controlled by the State Legislature.

Once again, I appreciate Shanes willingness to come and listen to our concerns.  He is the first Missouri State Legislator that has made these efforts to gain my opinions in the last four years.  I will never expect us to agree on every issue but I certainly appreciate his listening ear!

Have a great weekend!

GO TIGERS!

Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent of Schools

I know that I’ve already recognized the wrestlers who qualified for state, but I feel that one more recognition is well deserved.  Congratulations to Taylor Ball, Garrett Mayfield, Caleb Gibbons, and Chris McMullin on participating in the state wrestling tournament last weekend.  Caleb officially became the first Willard wrestler to medal at the state tournament earning a 6th place finish!  Chris then became the first Willard wrestler to bring home a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!  Good job men!!!

Congratulations to the Lady Tigers on their upset victory over Marshfield in the district tournament on Monday.  The girls then played in their first district championship game in 23 years against the #1 ranked team in the state, Bolivar.  They fought hard before falling 51-56.

Good luck to the Tigers tonight as they will play Marshfield for the Class 4, District 9 championship.  They defeated Bolivar 71-39 in the semifinals.  Game time is 7:00pm and doors will open at 5:00pm.  If the Tigers should win tonight they will play in the Sectional game in Sedalia on Wednesday.  Game time will be 6:00pm.

Spring sports will start up on Monday and Mother Nature is trying to blow them away!  Good luck to all the athletes who will be trying out for track, girl’s soccer, boy’s golf, and baseball.

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

The Missouri State Board of Education announced this week that they are going to replace the current MAP tests for high school students with end-of-course exams that will be required in all public schools starting in 2008-09.  The board approved a recommendation by the Commissioner of Education to move forward with replacing the current Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests which have been mandatory for high school students (grades 10 and 11) for nearly a decade.  The board gave the go-ahead to develop statewide “final exams” for algebra I, English II and biology.   Grades 3-8 will continue to take the current MAP tests. 

Susan Marcum, Director of Curriculum

Despite the busyness of this time of year, it is a real pleasure to do drop-in teacher evaluations and observe the various learning activities taking place daily in the special services classrooms.   Wednesday the students in Colleen Appleby’s high-needs classroom at Central were introduced to the concepts of “under” and “over” through a variety of well-planned activities.  Shoestrings tied to items throughout the room, placed at various heights, were the basis for learning the new words.   Students maneuvered over and under the shoestrings, and those in wheelchairs had an especially fun time as they participated.  It was obvious with the following table activity all students accomplished their goal.   Practicing “She’ll be Coming around the Mountain” for Fine Arts Night was the finale, with Mrs. Appleby and paraprofessionals Heather Abney and Jo Boyd assisting each student at his own level.  A very special thank you goes to all three for providing our students with such an outstanding learning experience. 

Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

It has been an extremely busy week as many of our programs have been in high gear.  In addition, our FACS department is hosting a blood drive with the Community Blood Center, Friday.  The Counseling Center is excited to report that Spring scheduling will start next week.  Although illness has struck hard at the high school, we want to commend Charlotte and Elaine on the great job that they have done caring for all the students during this difficult time.  We also want to thank everyone who helps make the district tournament possible and run so smoothly.  Have a great week! 

Eric Ramsey, Assistant Principal

Multi Cultural Day was a huge success at WMS.  Although, Ms. Olson would not allow red-neck cowboys as a multi culture.   Kids had fun reading, writing and speaking foreign languages, viewing customs of other cultures, and sampling food of the different cultures.  A huge attraction was seeing what your name looked like written and spoken in a different language. 

Hee Haw Hayride is coming our way March 1-2, 2007.  Come see this musical directed by Mrs. French and Dr. Summers. 

Thanks also for the helping hands and support of our food and clothing pantry.

Question:  Mr. Twitchel’s birthday was February 22nd.  How old was he?  Free prize for the right answer.  

Dennis Twitchel, Assistant Principal

When I was young, one of my favorite things about grade school were our spelling bees.  Thursday, the Intermediate School held a Spelling Bee with a representative from each of our 23 classrooms, and the competition was lively!  After 4 rounds, the competition was down to three students, then two.  Those two battled for over 20 minutes before a victor claimed the title of winner of our first ever building spelling bee.  Congratulations to Carter Havens who was crowned our spelling champ, and congrat’s, too, go to Amanda Bradley who gave him a spirited run for his money, and to Matt Gaede, who finished as our 2nd alternate.  Carter and Matt are 5th graders, and Amanda is a 6th grader.  We wish them good luck at the next level, which will be a county event on Monday. 

Julie Germann, Principal

It has been a beautiful week in the Ozarks and the students (and teachers) have enjoyed the fresh air and chance to get outside.  As we look ahead to next week, Willard Central will be celebrating Dr. Seuss birthday next week by participating in the Read Across America campaign.  Look for flyers to be sent home with your students describing next weeks dress up days and information for the school-wide reading challenge to slime the principal.  To help culminate the week’s reading activities, please plan to join us for our Communication Arts Family Night hosted by the Communication Arts Cadre on Thursday night from 6:00-7:30.  Teachers have planned reading activities and games for you and your students to share in together.  Bring a proof of residency (utility bill, housing contract, etc.) and you will be able to sign up for a Greene County Library Card. 

Come read with us next week and remember to keep On Track for Success! 

Shane Medlin, Principal

February Fling tomorrow 9:00-12:30! Area business will have booths set up to display their products and services. There will games, prizes, performances, and food! Please come and check out all that Willard has to offer. I would like to compliment our MSTA representatives for planning a very nice legislative dinner last night. These ladies worked very hard to put on a successful event and our representative Shane Schoeller was very generous with his time. Monday evening our Reading Recovery teachers, Natalie Miller and Suzanne Roeder hosted a very successful family night. Again our teachers work overtime to provide our students and their families with unique and quality educational events. As always it is an honor to work such a dedicated staff.

See you tomorrow! 

Melinda Miller, Principal

The weather this week has brightened our outlooks on school!  It has been great for our kids to get outside to run and play!  It doesn’t hurt the outlook of our staff either!  We had a great Volunteer Day with parents and volunteers getting many big projects done for us!  Today is Crescent Roll day for the staff and our thanks go out to Mary Crighton for these wonderful treats!  The High School Chamber Choir will be here to entertain us this afternoon and we can’t wait.  We appreciate Mr. Lawley always putting us on the schedule.  We also kick-off Read Across America Week with the Middle School Drama Team coming to see us! 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Willard South students and staff enjoyed the warm spring like weather this week.  It was great to actually get outside and feel the warm sun!  On Tuesday we had a great time celebrating our 100 day fight free party.  Students enjoyed popcorn, drinks and music. Today we celebrated the Chinese New Year with a parade thanks to our fourth grade students and Mrs. Kynion, our art teacher. Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days from Feb. 18th-March 4th.  Gung Hey Fat Choy! (Happy New Year in Chinese) 

“Willard South is ROARING with excitement!” 

Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal