Life is returning to normal around Willard R-II.  If you have not heard about the scheduled make-up days due to the ice storm that would be a good discussion to have at the dinner table this weekend.  If you have High School kids and it is hard to pin them down to the dinner table, you can check out the days on the district web site.  Due to the ice storm it forced us to cancel our regularly scheduled January meeting of the Board of Education.  We did have a special meeting and discussed a few items.  Consensus was made at the meeting to explore placing a bond issue before the patrons on the June election.  Willard continues to grow at an unprecedented rate.  I am sure that some of you will be asking?  Didn’t we just build a new high school???  We have to remember that to build a building we must think two years down the road.  It also can take up to six months to prepare before construction with the process of architects, purchase of land, and bidding contractors.  During the time since we bid the new High School in 2004 and began the building process, the district has grown approximately 350 kids.  If the district continues to grow at the same rate (Which is hard to believe that it will not!) we will add 125-150 kids over the next two years.  We must face facts that in order to keep up with growth we will be building a new school to open every 3-4 years.  If the Board of Education does move forward to place this issue on the ballot it would be a “No Tax Increase” bond issue.  That simply means that the levy would remain the same, which would cause no increase in the amount individuals pay on a year to year basis.  I love the items which we are considering including in the bond. The major items include:   

• New elementary school in the South part of our district   
• New Vocational Agricultural building directly behind the High School   
• New Gym at Willard South Elementary   
• New locker room facilities at the Football Field Complex 

The district will be announcing informational meetings to help inform patrons about this upcoming issue.  The district will again be asking for your support.  I am truly glad that this time we will be able to ask for your support without a raise in your yearly taxes.  Have a great weekend!
 

Kent 

Dr. Kent E. Medlin Superintendent of Schools

I believe that students and staff are readjusting to a full week of school here at Willard South!  It is great to be getting back to a regular schedule. Last night was the Willard South basketball night at WHS.  We had a great time watching the girl’s play Branson.  I discovered some very talented WS students and staff members during half time!  Our very own fourth grader Mallory Kurts won $50 at the half time shoot out.  WOW! We also had our honor choir sing the national anthem along with teachers Becky Moore, Lori Ferguson & our very own Willard
South “IDOL” Rachel Reynolds. What amazing voices!  Today we celebrated second quarter with our Tiger Pride Assembly. Congratulations to everyone who received an award this month.  GREAT WORK!  Have a great weekend and try to stay warm! 

“Willard South is ROARING with excitement!”

Kara Crighton-Smith, Principal

Willard North was very excited about getting into the 5 day school week routine this week!  Hopefully, we will have many more!  Next week we have two exciting events!  We have Willard North Night at the ballgame on Monday, February 5th, and our 3rd grade program is Tuesday night February 6th.  This morning we had a Ground Hog Day ceremony with our very own Puxatoni Kitty. Unfortunately, our ground hog did see it’s shadow and proclaimed that there will be 6 more weeks of winter. Hopefully, it will be the mild portion of winter!  Have a wonderful week! 

Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Today Willard East is hosting our semester Tiger Pride assembly. We will be recognizing 4th grade Honor Roll students and other accomplishments for the semester and/or month of January. We will also be recognizing Jacque Gray and Sally Klein, former Willard East Principal and Librarian for their donations at Christmas and throughout the year. Our February newsletter went home yesterday with some requests for MAP testing supplies. We will be needing bottled water, Hershey Kisses, Peppermint candy, Smarties candy, Tootsie Rolls, and Dum Dum suckers. These requests may seem rather odd to the average Pride reader but there really is a method to our madness! Some of our teachers are participating in “The Biggest Loser” contest with Willard Central Elementary. Last we our “losers” lost a total of 40 pounds!  We will join Willard Central in a celebration breakfast before Spring Break to share our successes and “crown” the Biggest Loser! This week also begins our Fabulous Friday’s in February, an idea we borrowed from Willard North. 

Melinda Miller, Principal

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold this week to share in some exciting things happening for Willard Central students.  Tuesday night, Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. Collins hosted a Title 1 family night.  There hard work is greatly appreciated.  Tuesday afternoon, the SEEDS (Students of Environmental EDucation Standards) teachers and students bundled up to measure, chart and explain ground temperatures at different depths and conditions.  These hands-on activities are engaging to students and are great to prepare students for the MAP.  Friday afternoon, students were recognized at our Terrific Tiger Celebration for their perfect attendance, positive behavior and making the academic honor roll.  The Central Family would also like to congratulate and recognize 4th grader Kelly Dole and her team for taking 1st place in Duet and Grand Champion in the Team Acapello division at the National Clogging Competition in Knoxville.  Kelly shared her talent with us at the 1st Quarter Terrific Tiger Celebration, and we could not be more proud of her. As we look forward to next week, we have a PTO meeting at 6:30 on Monday night and a Math MAP Night on Thursday evening for 3rd and 4th grade students and their families.  We hope you can join us as we stay On Track for Success at Willard Central.  

Shane Medlin, Principal

Willard Intermediate held their first ever student recognition assembly today, and with the help of some creative teachers entertaining the students, we were “blazing” with student successes.  Over 150 students scored in the advanced category on the MAP test last year, nearly 1/2 of our students earned honor roll status, over 60 students have perfect attendance, plus a host of other classroom and team awards were given.  I’d also like to say a BIG THANK YOU to some of our business partners.  Conco Quarries continues to support teacher grants, Mrs. Brenda Ball and Ball Paving recently donated some items to help our students, and last night at the basketball game I learned that we are receiving a $1000 grant from Walmart, thanks to Mrs. Rhonda Parker, a parent and department manager of one of our area Walmart stores.  What would we do without the additional support of great folks and businesses like these! 

Julie Germann, Principal

The Middle School is off to an icy start.  Attendance is picking up after a recent flu episode.  Maybe some of the cold weather will freeze the flu bug. Remember the Valentines Dance February the 5th.  We hope this one will not be iced over.  Navy team is collecting food for the Willard Food Pantry.  Give what you can. The counseling center is doing career exploration with the 8th grade. Parent Volunteer Day is February 8th from 8am to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm.    Dennis Twitchel, Assistant Principal

Last week I was able to travel to Tan-tar-a for the Missouri Music Educators Conference.  It is hard to describe the pride that I felt as I enjoyed the performance of the Willard High School Concert Choir under the Direction of Mr. Mark Lawley and Mrs. Candace French.  Their performance was outstanding as was apparent based on the ovation that they were given by the audience.  I might add that this was no typical audience, but one made up of mostly music educators from across the state of Missouri.  I commend Mr. Lawley, his staff and students for their representation of the Willard R – II School District.  I also want to recognize Mr. Chris Church, Mrs. Victoria Meraz, and Mr. John Paul Chapman for their instrumental accompaniment during the performance.  There have been several moments in the past three years that stand out for me as principal of WHS, this moment goes on the list. 

Have a good weekend,

Don Tuck, Principal

Special thanks and recognition goes to first-year teacher, Matt Reynolds, for his positive attitude, willingness to help, and confidence in two of our students with special needs.  Matt, who teaches Industrial Technology at the middle school, welcomed the boys, both of whom require extensive modifications, and actually sent away the paraprofessional assigned to assist them during class.  Matt understands the extra help they will need to be successful and continues to maintain they will “be just fine.”  We appreciate you, Matt, for working with our students.  Willard Special Services will be receiving recognition Feb.9 at the Children’s Mental Health Conference in Branson for outstanding services and collaboration between parents, mental health agencies and our school.  We are pleased, on behalf of our staff and parents, to be receiving this award.   The conference, Making the Connection, will feature experts in the areas of reactive attachment disorder, teen self injury, hot-line issues, and other mental health issues.  This conference is geared for parents/caregivers, service providers, educators, and others interested in children’s mental health.  Currently, we have four staff planning on attending the Saturday sessions and encourage others to attend.    

Sandy Gold,

Director of Special Services

Congratulations to the Wrestling Tigers on their 4th place finish in the COC Wrestling Tournament on Wednesday.  The wrestlers will be in Branson next Friday and Saturday for the district tournament.  They will also host Bolivar next Tuesday at 6:00pm.  This is a make-up of a match that was cancelled during the ice storm.  It will also be Senior ight so come out and support our wrestlers!  Basketball is also starting to prepare for the district tournament.  The boys will be at Hillcrest tonight at 6:00pm.  They will then get back into COC play next Tuesday at Rogersville and next Friday at Ozark.  The girls will host McDonald County this Saturday at 6:00pm before getting back into COC play hosting Nixa on Monday with a 5:00pm start on a 9th/JV/Varsity night and will visit Buffalo next Thursday. The district seeding will take place next Wednesday and we will know then when our Tigers will play. 

Go Tigers!
Jeff Staley

Director of Operations