Last Saturday I had the privilege of traveling to Branson with our contestants for the Sporting Chance Track meet. Rylea, Dalton, and Kylie spent the morning participating in track and field events and the afternoon at Silver Dollar City. Yes, they even talked me into riding the roller coaster Wild Fire against my better judgement. That was probably a once in a lifetime experience that I do not care to repeat!

On behalf of Willard East students and staff we hope you have a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Principal Miller

Willard High School Special Services would like to thank Mike Crocker, Zoo Director, and Angela Gibson, zoo keeper, from Dickerson Park Zoo.  Mrs. Poulson’s Transition Class has been participating in a community-based program with the zoo and with the support of both Crocker and Gibson.  Students have been helping with clean-up of ice storm debris, trash pick-up and cleaning of various buildings at the zoo.  Each week when the duties have been completed, Angela Gibson provided our students with a zoo enrichment activity which included feeding lemurs and giraffes, observing monkeys being fed, and a very special visit to the lion’s den.  We appreciate the special treatment given to our students, which will contribute to the many wonderful memories from this zoo experience.  Five students from Mrs. Stonebarger’s Life Skills class also had animal experiences this past Tuesday as they visited the Gold home where they met Penny, a thirteen year old palomino Fox Trotter mare and Spunky, her four-year old offspring.  Learning hands-on how to pet and groom a horse while remaining safe, were components of this visit.  Mrs. Stonebarger and paraprofessionals Aimee Sims, Mitzi Albert, and Jenifer Irwin had instructed students by reading books about horses and reinforcing safety issues.  The students were well-prepared for their visit and used their newly-acquired skills with Penny.  Sounds of laughter and even groans were heard as  students hand-fed carrots to Penny and watched as horse-slobbers and carrots were flung everywhere.  This horse visit was such an enjoyable event for students, staff and parents who attended, and even for Penny.  She hasn’t been spoiled so thoroughly in a long time!

Districts teachers in Grades K-5  met this week to update and align the Social Studies curriculum.  With each GLE (grade level expectation) teachers developed an assessment and determined a DOK (depth of knowledge) level.  Lots of hard work was done and the Social Studies curriculum will soon be ready to be added to our district curriculum.