The counselors office is focused on MAP and scheduling for the next several weeks.  This is quite the task and they do an outstanding job!

After looking at Mrs. Jennings recent experiment, you may want to carry hand sanitizer with you.  Her students went around the school swabbing different surfaces to collect germs.  They grew out the cultures, and it was very shocking to everyone.   The kids loved this experiment – WAY TO GO Jennings!  You never know what migh be lurking on the door handle!

Students and teachers are back after a restful and fun spring break.  Everyone is hard at work making preparations for the state MAP test which WIS students will take on April 17th,18th and 24th, 25th.  More information to come your way!  Our spring pictures will be taken on Monday.  Bring your best smiles.  This will be both individual and class picures. 

Mrs. Morris and the WIS honor choir put on a wonderful performance last night.  This group will also be performing at an upcoming Springfield Cardinals game in May.  5th grader Carter Havens will represent Willard in the KY3 spelling bee this weekend.  We wish him the best of luck!

Everyone at Willard East hopes you had wonderful Spring Break! I think Spring Break brought spring weather and we are very happy to be able to be outside for recess. We would like to invite you our 1st Grade Music Program Tuesday. There is an afternoon performance at 2:45 and an evening performance at 7:oo. You are welcome to attend one or both. Thank you for all your donations of MAP test supplies. The only supplies we still need are small Kleenex packages and bottled water. MAP testing is scheduled for April 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26. Our MAP parent meeting was very successful last night. A BIG thanks to all who attended.  Have a great weekend and tune in next week!

Spring, learning and excitement are in the air at Willard Central.  Thursday evening, Mrs. Chatman and the 1st grade students did an amazing job performing their concert entitled, The Great Outdoors.  We have also been keeping track of Danielle Roeder’s trip to Washington D.C. and her adventures meeting Miss America, President Bush, and touring the White House. 

As we look ahead to next week, we hope that you can join us for WC’s Fine Arts Night on the evening of Tuesday, April 3rd from 6:00-7:30.  Central students will be performing grade level musical selections and each student will have artwork on display.  The Book Fair will also be open in the library.  It is a wonderful event and I hope all can attend!  Next Friday, April 6th, we will be having our 3rd quarter Terrific Tiger Celebration at 10:30.  We will be dismissing school early at 12:40 on Friday.  I hope you can join us for for a great week of celebrating Central students’ hard work!!

Getting back into the routine of school has been the order of business at Willard North.  We realize we are on the downhill slide as the third quarter comes to an end today!  We celebrated our students and activities at our monthly Super Tiger Celebration on Wednesday!  Congratulations to our PTO and most of all our STUDENTS who read over 6,000 books during our first annual Read-A-Thon.  The event grossed more that $5,000.00!  Thank you Susan Wilcox, middle school librarian and Willard North Mom for helping organize this event!  Thank you to Mrs. Patricia Mann, Willard North Librarian for all her hard work also!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Rhonda Bishop, Principal

Willard North Elementary

Ratings from the 22 agencies represented at last night Special Services Transition Fair were very positive and reflected the thoughts of teachers, support staff, parents and students.  Several representatives commented the Transition Fair was the best organized, best hosted and attended they have experienced.  Many commented on how interested and involved the students were with exploring services options from the agencies and I contribute that to our high school staff which has encouraged student participation in post-secondary training.  Although geared toward students and their needs, two parents attending were able to connect with services which can potentially change and impact their lives, as well as their childs.  While attendance was down somewhat from last year, the number of people who is choosing to utilize services is high.

Very special thanks and congratulations for jobs well-done go to Erica Poulson and Laurie Stonebarger for their part in this successful event.  Erica has, for the second year, spear-headed the organization to include contacting each outside agency.  Her work and dedication to this project is outstanding and was reflected throughout the evening.  Laurie, besides encouraging parent and student participation, catered the delicious meal offered to agency representatives and staff members.  The food was incredible and greatly appreciated.  Thank you to all high school special services teachers for their work and planning.

Last night’s event and the effect it will have on many lives will be a treasured memory for me as another reason our district is known for excellence in education.

I am going to warn you now…this Pride entry is going to be extremely long! We have Willard students making us proud everywhere we look!!!

First, I’ll start with Mr. Lawley and the Choir department. On Saturday, March 17th WHS Choir students competed in the district MSHSAA solo/ensemble festival. 73 WHS Choir students earned the highest rating possible qualifying them for the State Solo/Ensemble Festival tobe held Saturday, April 28th at Mizzou! WILLARD HAD MORE STUDENTS QUALIFY THAN ANY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE STATE!!!!!!

Soloists earning “I” ratings were: B.J. Lyons, Drew Lawley, Chad Bolin, Brooke Lawley, Grant Bolton, Sadie Phillips, LeAnna Warren, Lindsey Sloan, Erin Scott, Sean Scott, Zach Nilsen, Hannah Masters, Bryan Whisler, Tyler Bracamonte, Kaitie Giesler, Britney Badger, Raeshel Askren, and Sterling Thedell.

Ensembles earning a “I” rating: Men’s Group – Chad bolin, Andre Benson, Michael Dodson, Matt Carleton, Sterling Thedell, Grant Bolton, Drew Lawley, and Evan Rippee. Mixed Group – Chad Bolin, Sterling Thedell, Grant Bolton, Bobby Lean, Hannah Masters, Stephanie Yonke, Regina Bodine, and Raeshel Askren. Women’s Group: Andrea Malardey, Heidi Plummer, Stephanie Yonke, Lacee Schultz, Amanda Askren, Leta Loveland, and Brittany Kragel. Men’s Group – Matt Dalton, Zach Hamilton, Chris Scott, Nathan Wallace, Bryan Whisler, BJ Lyons, Tyler Bracamonte, and Tyler Hartley. Mixed Group – Sadie Phillips, Holly Duncan, LeAnna Warren, Abby Adams, Michael Dodson, Zach Hamilton, Tyler Bracamonte, and Bryan Whisler. Mixed Group – Erin Scott, Katelyn Woody, Jerusha Skaggs, Amanda Helmifck, Chris Scott, Nathan Wallace, Silas Skaggs, Jacob Scott. Women’s Group – Erica Malicoat, Ashley Hughes, Andrea Malarkey, Kala Thomson, Abby Adams, Li Nadeau, Melissa Bock. Women’s Group – Cassis Reinhart, Laura Padgett, Erica Malicoat, Lauren Nix, Brittanie Lewis, Brittany Story, Chelsey Mullins, Amanda Helmick. Mixed Group – Borrke Lawley, Lecil Thedell, Lindsey Sloan, Tori Craft, Mitchell Bolton, Lance Wagner, Geoff French, Jon Carleton. Women’s Group – Brooke Lawley, Kylie Burch, Morgan Highfill, Hannah Sherertz, Alisa Lechner, Amey Malarkey, Brianna Ballance, Alicia Gawith. Women’s Group – Lecil Thedell, Natalie Harr, Glenda Adams, Nancy Ann Adams, Jaylee Kennard, Tori Craft, Chyra Moore, Mallory Tuck.

Congratulations to Erinn Johnson and her DECA students! WHS had 4 students qualify for International Competition!!!! These students are: Amanda Robertson, 4th place winner Apparel and Accessories Marketing, Will Patton, 3rd place winner Quick Service Restaurant Marketing, and Ashley Huches and Stacy Nothum, 3rd place winners Community Service Project Written Event. The International Competition will be held in Orlando, FL, April 27-May 2.

A very special congratulations to Megan Jewell, Alex Henderson, and Travis Wilkins! Travis was named to the 2nd Team All-State as well as earning 2nd Team All-Ozarks and 1st Team All-District. Megan and Alex both earned 1st Team All-State as well as 1st Team All-Ozarks.

Spring sports is underway and the baseball Tigers are tearing up the field. They are currently 5-1! Weather permitting, play will resume in the Willard Lead-Off Classic this Saturday.

The Lady Soccer Tigers are undefeated! After defeating Joplin McAuley and Hillcrest they played a very good Joplin High School team to a 1-1 tie last night. The girls have key COC matchup tonight vs. Ozark. Game time is 4:30