I would like to address two Presidents in my article this week.  The first is the new President of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, better known as Mrs. Julie Germann.  Willard R-II is blessed to have top of the line employees.  I do not publicly praise administrators enough, but this is clearly a time to say congratulations to Mrs. Germann.  Julie is a long time elementary principal in our district.  Her work ethic and dedication to education is clearly respected by the people in our community and around Missouri.  Julie will not only be an advocate for all Missouri educators in this position but will spread the good things occurring at Willard to the entire state.  Please join me in dropping Julie a line and a pat on the back for a job well done!

The second President I would like to address is the President of the United States. 

Dear President Bush, I voted for you, but you are leaving me behind.  I have supported the “No Child Left Behind” program and have worked hard to help students achieve the predetermined levels of success.  However it will not be more than a couple years until our school will fail, just like every other school around.  One of the most important elements of a successful educator is to help all kids succeed.  If you don’t quit claiming that NCLB is perfect then you have doomed all schools to failure.  I admit that NCLB has pushed schools to get better.  I do not think your original intent was to push all kids to failure instead of success.  This program should not be trashed but you must open it for review and improvement or we will all fail.   
Kent 

I have included an article from the Washington Post below.

Have a great Spring Break!!!

Congratulations again to our local President Germann.

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin

Dozens in GOP Turn Against Bush’s Prized ‘No Child’ Act
The Washington Post, March 15
WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 50 GOP members of the House and Senate — including the House’s second-ranking Republican — will introduce legislation today that could severely undercut President Bush’s signature domestic achievement, the No Child Left Behind Act, by allowing states to opt out of its testing mandates.  For a White House fighting off attacks on its war policy and dealing with a burgeoning scandal at the Justice Department, the GOP dissidents’ move is a fresh blow on a new front. Among the co-sponsors of the legislation are House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a key supporter of the measure in 2001, and John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Bush’s most reliable defender in the Senate. Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.), the House GOP’s chief deputy whip and a supporter in 2001, has also signed on. … [A] spokesman for Blunt said that after several meetings with school administrators and teachers in southwest Missouri, the House Republican leader turned against the measure he helped pass.

Miracles can happen in the blink of an eye or gradually over time.  Over the past few years, Willard Central has been blessed to see a miracle happening right before our very eyes.  From 6 months of age, Danielle Roeder’s parents had concerns with her development.  Danielle started Kindergarten at Central confined to a wheelchair and completely dependent on others for assistance.  Upon a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota at the beginning of her 1st grade year, doctors were finally able to diagnose and treat her condition.  From that point on, we have witnessed a miracle as Danielle has blossomed into a strong, independent student who has a confident voice and gained control of her physical motor skills.  We have watched Danielle progress into a student who canstand for The Pledge of Allegiance and belt out songs at our morning Community Time.  As a principal, I cannot wait for the day to see Danielle running down the halls of Willard Central and having to ask her to slow down. 

To celebrate this miracle, Danielle was chosen to be the Missouri Champion for the Children’s Miracle Network.  Today, the Willard Central Family had the privilege of celebrating her story at a special assembly in her honor.  As Missouri’s Champion, Danielle received a $500 shopping spree from Wal-Mart, a trip to Disney World and a trip to Washington DC to possibly meet President Bush.  You can see highlights of the assembly on KY3.

Danielle is a once in a lifetime miracle that we have been fortunate to witness.  She truly lives out our school’s motto as she “Keeps on Track for Success.” 

Have a great Spring Break!!  Shane Medlin, Principal

It’s a busy time for Willard students who are involved in extra curricular activities. The Winter season ended with a bang as the Tigers took home 3rd place in the State Tournament in Columbia. Congratulations to Coach Travis Evans and the entire Tiger team on a memorable ride!

A special congratulations to Willard sophomore Jackie Fugitt for placing second in Original Oratory at the National Forensic League District competition held at MSU last weekend. This is a very special honor and it qualifies her for the Nationals! Great Job Jackie!!!

Also, congratulations to Readers Theatre and One Act! Readers placed 3rd and One Act placed 1st in District Theatre. The all-district cast is as follows: Evan Rippee, Tiffany Eoff, and Chad Bolin.

Spring sports is getting under way with both baseball and soccer starting their seasons during Spring Break. The baseball Tigers will open in the “Cold Rain” Invitational on Monday while the girls soccer team will open their season on Tuesday at Pleasant Hope. The soccer game will start at 4:30. The girls will then be at Joplin McAuley on Thursday. Willard will host the Willard JV Baseball Tournament starting next Friday and ending on Saturday.

If you have ever doubted Coach Hartley’s ability to coach baseball I have a story that will change your mind. He has actually trained his players to hit foul balls into my truck! Now that takes some serious coaching!

It’s good to be a Tiger!

Jeff Staley

Diretor of Operations

I am not sure who is more excited and anxious about spring break.  Is it the students or the teachers?  I want to wish everyone a safe and relaxing week.  Please enjoy the warm weather and the time with your family.  When we return we look forward to the upcoming events.

• March 27th     3rd & 4th Grade Parent MAP Night 6:00-7:00
• March 28th    Chili Cook-off for staff at WHS starting at 4:00
• March 29th    4th Grade Flip Flop Girls Fashion Show at 6:00
• March 30th    PTO Carnival 6:00-8:00

I would also like to thank everyone who helped support Willard South last Tuesday during our McTeacher’s Night.  It was a huge success because of your participation.  THANK YOU!

Greetings from East! I would like to take this opportunity to recognize another building principal or two. This week I had the privilege of attending the state principal’s conference at the Lake of the Ozarks. Julie German, the principal of Willard Intermediate, will be the 2007-2008 President of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals! Rhonda Bishop, the principal of Willard North Elementary also serves on a state committee of public relations. Both of these ladies represented our district and region very professionally and enthusiastically. I am humbled to be able to call them friends and colleagues. Congratulations to both of them.

I would also like to thank everyone for the wonderful words of gratitude for Principal’s Day last week. You were very kind with your phone calls and notes.

After Spring Break - Cookie Dough from our fundraiser should be delivered after Spring Break. We will let you know more specifics after break.

MAP Parent Night will be held Thursday March 29 from 6:30-7:30 and we will be serving pizza!

WillardWebTV – Don’t forget to check out the “Miller Minute” video podcast on webtv each week.

Hmm, spring means Mrs. Germann has already forgotten how to post a blog!  Usually, we think of spring when we see robins, budding trees and flowers starting to bloom.  Anyone who works in schools knows you can tell spring is here by the activity level of the students!  Intermediate school is no exception!  There are some rites of passage beginning to take place here that tell me the end of the year is coming soon.  Our sixth grade have been meeting, filling out schedules and taking placement tests to prepare for Middle School.  We’re also planning some transition activities for our students across the district who will be making their trek to another building next year.  Spring also means baseball, and Mrs. Morris, our music teacher is coordinating a “Willard Intermediate Night” with the Springfield Cardinals.  Our honor choir will be singing the national anthem, and we’ve sold over 200 tickets and are starting on our 2nd batch of tickets!  If you’re interested in joining us, please contact the office when we get back from spring break!

You can feel it in the air!  Spring Break is just hours away!  I have to say that there is about 450 0f us from Pre-K to adult that are ready for the day to be over!  I was out of the building on Monday and Tuesday and I appreciate Mr. Ron Owens holding down the fort for me while I attended the Elementary Principal’s Conference at Tan Tar A.  We are so proud in Willard of Julie Germann who will preside as President of our state organization.  We have over 1000 members of MAESP, and knowing one of our own is at the helm is very comforting!  Good Luck Julie!

I also want to congratulate the Willard Boys Basketball team for a great season!  You guys made basketball addictive!  It was a joy to watch you play and you represented our school so well!   We are proud of you!

Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Rhonda Bishop, Willard North Principal