What does a school counselor do?????

• MAP Testing     
• NAEP Testing
• Career Education
• Special Education Testing       
• Sex Education
• MAP Field Test Testing      
• HIV / AIDS Education
• Career Education Testing
• Eating Disorders    
• Sexual Harassment Education
• Multi-Cultural Education
• Class Scheduling     
• Parent Communication
• Lunch Supervision       
• Character Education
• Record Keeper      
• At Risk Programs
• Stranger / Danger Elementary Programs  
• Child Abuse Monitoring
• Tech. Prep 
• Gang education
• Bus safety  
• Gun safety
• Water safety     
• Bicycle safety
• Death and grieving
• Implement Tobacco, Alcohol, Drug, prevention programs
• etc….

AND in their spare time deal with the child that just lost their boyfriend or girlfriend and it is the end of the world as they know it.

Needless to say the school counselor is critical to the growth and development of every child that is in the Willard School District.  They work their hearts out to help kids to be successful in school, prepare them for life after graduation, and deal with the emotions of growing up.  I was a building principal for 13 years.  I quickly found out that this is a person that you need to be of highest quality and character.  I believe we have many in the Willard District that fit these criteria.  Please join me this month in thanking all our district counselors for everything they do.

Have a great weekend!
Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent of Schools

It has been an exciting week at Willard North!  We had a wonderful turnout at Willard North Night at the Lady Tigers Game. I want to thank Matt Rosebrough and Jeff Staley for helping fill in during my absence. Our 3/4^th grade Honor Choir sang the National Anthem and did a great job! Our Third Grade Program was Tuesday night and very well attended.  I would like to thank Miss Tricia Judd for her hard work and dedication to each of these events for our students. 

Without a doubt, Willard North Rocks!

Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Willard East’s annual February Fling is just around the corner. Every year we host a business expo for Willard businesses to set up booths free of charge to display the products/services they have to offer. This year’s Fling will be held Saturday February, 24th from 9AM – Noon. We will also have a student “Variety Show” where Willard East students have applied to perform in front of our live studio audience. There will be games, prizes and delicious food. We hope to see you there!!! If you are an area business and would like more information, please contact us at

742-4639 and we would happy to set you up with a booth for the day!!! This is our way of saying THANK YOU to all the businesses who support our school throughout the school year.

Melinda Miller, Principal

Today marks the 100^th school day for the year.  Classroom teachers celebrated this milestone in their classrooms and we passed out 100 Grand candy bars to students and teachers for making the last 100 days so Grand! 

Thursday evening the gym turned into a mathematical winter wonderland of activities as the Math Cadre hosted A Really Cool Math Night for 3^rd and 4^th grade students.  Students and parents participated in cool winter math activities, enjoyed hot chocolate with marshmallows, and were provided with information about the MAP test.  Thank you to all of the families who participated and to the teachers who gave of their time to make math cool.

Please remember to join us Tuesday evening at Willard High School for WC Night as we cheer on the Tigers to victory.  Students can wear their red school shirts for free admission to the game. 

Have a great weekend and I will see you at the game Tuesday evening.  Until then, keep On Track for Success.    

Shane Medlin, Principal

Last night WIS celebrated with the second graduating class of the D.A.R.E. program.  We appreciate the hard work these students have put into learning how to better themselves and make positive choices in their life.  A special thanks to Chief McClain for his efforts in this program and to all who were in attendance for this event.  We hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Tom Davis, Assistant Principal

Parents came to volunteer day and really helped out.  Not only did they come in the day time but was here after school also.   Those who put in a full day at work and help with chores that had piled up here we thank you and the students thank you. 

The Dance is Friday night.  We need good behavior and no ICE!

As things get back to normal at the Middle School we plan to hit the MAP review hard.  Please talk to your student about doing his/her best.

Dennis Twitchel, Assistant Principal

Willard High School staff and students are always up to something that deserves special mention.  Many times it is the more visible programs, such as athletic teams, vocal and instrumental music, theater, and JROTC that get the spotlight.  This morning as I made my rounds through the building, I happened to step inside Mrs. Laurie Stonebarger’s classroom to take a peek.  Mrs. Stonebarger and her staff work with our severely handicapped students.  The work that these educators do with our students never ceases to amaze me.  They are currently completing a project on the building of birdhouses.  I was able to view several of these and I see the need to recognize these students as well as the staff that serves them.  These students are learning so many practical things that will help them to be successful in life after high school.  I commend Mrs. Stonebarger, Mrs. Albert, Abby Fugitt, Jennifer Irwin, and Aimee Sims for their efforts.  You are making a difference for these students.
Have a good weekend,

Don Tuck, Principal

Our special services office would like to thank not only our special services teachers, but also general education teachers who have attended the many make-up IEP meetings and evaluation conferences that were missed during our days out from the storm.  Special education time-line are federally and State mandated and each district is accountable for meeting these guidelines.   Six days of missed school meant over 40 meetings and staffings had to be rescheduled very quickly to maintain our time-lines.  Our process coordinators have done an outstanding job making sure appropriate documentation is in place for the rescheduling of these meetings and case managers have worked extra hard making parent contact, as well.   Thanks to all for your continuing efforts to maintain compliance and serve our students with special needs. 

Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Well, we’re starting to get to that time of year when district tournaments are starting and dreams of moving on to the state tournament are everywhere!

The wrestling Tigers will start their district tournament tonight at Branson.  Weigh-ins will begin at 4:00pm with wrestling starting at 6:00pm.  The tournament will continue tomorrow with weigh-ins at 8:00am and wrestling starting at 10:00am.  The top four wrestlers in each weight class will move on to the state tournament next week.  The boys ended their regular season with a resounding victory over Bolivar on Tuesday after finishing 4th in the COC tournament last week.

The basketball Tigers had an impressive win over Hillcrest last Friday before losing a heartbreaker at Rogersville on Tuesday.  They will be at Ozark tonight, game time is 6:00pm.  They will then have a busy week hosting Marshfield on Monday, Nixa on Wednesday, and Bolivar on Friday(Courtwarming and Senior Night) ending their regular season.  All games will begin at 6:00pm.  We will then host the Class 4, District 9 Tournament starting next Saturday, Feb. 17th.  The first round game will be between Buffalo and Bolivar at 7:30pm that Saturday.  The Tigers received the #1 seed and will play on Tuesday, Feb. 20th at 7:30pm against the winner of the Buffalo/Bolivar game.  The other semifinal game will pit Marshfield vs. Eldon.  They will play on Tuesday at 6:00pm.  The championship game will be on Friday, Feb. 23rd at 7:00pm.

The Lady Tigers had a good night last night as they defeated COC opponent, Buffalo.  They will host Ozark on Monday (Senior Night) and will be at Marshfield next Thursday.  Both nights will start at 6:00pm.  We will also be hosting the Class 4, District 9 Girls Tournament starting next Saturday, Feb. 17th with Eldon vs. Buffalo at 6:00pm.  The Lady Tigers received the #3 seed and will play Marshfield on Monday, Feb. 19th at 6:00pm.  The championship game will be Thursday, Feb. 22nd at 7:00pm.

Go Tigers!
Jeff Staley
Director of Operations