What is happening at the Football Field???

Tonight we are hosting our opening game vs. the Central Bulldogs.  Coach Wickwar has amassed the largest team in the last several years.  Ironman football played in the old days causing everyone to play both ways will not win big games in the COC.  The greater numbers clearly show that interest is growing in the program.  I wish the coaches and the players the best as they take the field tonight.  

Last year Willard was forced to play its home football games at MSU.  The decision was made to demolish the old stadium due to safety concerns and cost associated with fixing the old facility.  The board of education and administration made the decision that it was time to update the facility.  Little had been done to improve the facility other than a new track surface in decades.  During the past two years the complex has received the following upgrades:

• New lights
• New scoreboard (Thanks to Coke and the WHS booster club)
• New grass and irrigation system
• New flag pole (Thanks to Morelock Ross for the donation)
• New bleachers / press box  (Seating for 2,350 spectators)
• New sound system
• New Goal Posts (Thanks to Booster Club)
• New Restroom (unfinished)
• New Concession Stand (unfinished)
• New entry (unfinished)

The district is currently constructing an entrance that will include a large restroom and concession stand.  Our hope was to have these elements complete however we were forced to bid the project two times and appeal to Greene County.   Within a few months we hope to go out on bid for the last component which is a new athletic locker room.  Some patrons have asked if we were spending too much on football.  My response is that when it is time to do something …. lets do it right.  I believe this will be a facility that we can be proud of for many many years.  This complex will affect 80+ HS Football players, over 100+ Jr. High Football Players, 240 Band Members, 30+Cheerleaders, 15+Tigeretts, 100+ Track Athletes, etc…  The facility will also offer the option of an outdoor Graduation Ceremony.  This facility will be an integral part of the education of Willard children for many years to come.  If you ask me, it is money well spent!!!

Have a great weekend!

Kent

We are so blessed to have such talent that surrounds us in our building!  I have been in every classroom, and I have been so impressed with the teaching and learning taking place!  Our students are doing an exceptional job and the start of school has been fantastic.  Thanks to all the parents that have given the little “extras” that make a great school year even better! 

We are looking forward to a relaxing 3 day weekend and THE FIRST NIGHT OF FOOTBALL!  The day could not get any more perfect!  Have a great holiday and GO TIGERS!!

We are off to a GREAT start here at Willard South. We have an amazing staff and several new students who have made Willard South their new “home”. Our enrollment is up from the beginning of last year by almost 40 students! It just goes to show you that the Willard School District has a great reputation. As this area continues to grow, I am sure our enrollment will do the same. Have a WONDERFUL three day weekend!
Please make sure you mark your calendar for the upcoming events at Willard South.
September 3rd-NO SCHOOL
September 7th-School wide picture/assembly 9:00
September 10th-PTO mtg 6:00

The temperature has started to cool off but the Tigers are just heating up!

Football begins their season tonight with high expectations. They will host Central and the game will start at 7:00. The new temporary entrance into the stadium will be located on the south end of the grandstands. Tonight’s contest is being televised on MediaCom channel 14. Come on out and support the Tigers and see the newly renovated Tiger Stadium!

The volleytigers are up to their usual success. They defeated Central, Fair Grove, and Hillcrest to start their season at 3-0. What is equally impressive is that the freshmen team and the JV team are both undefeated as well! The girls will open COC play next Tuesday at Branson and will host Webb City on Thursday. The Webb City match will start at 6:00 since they do not have a freshmen team.

Congratulations to the softball Tigers on their victory over Joplin in the Joplin Tournament. They lost two heartbreakers to Marshfield and Reeds Spring last week but look to rebound as they go to Morrisville on Tuesday and then to Republic on Thursday.

The soccer Tigers stumbled out of the gate last night losing a close one to New Covenant 0-1. They will look to get back to their winning ways tonight as the Willard Kick-off Classic resumes. The tournament will continue tomorrow with games starting at 9:00am.

Cross Country will start their season tomorrow at Monett. Good luck to all the runners!

It’s Good To Be A Tiger!

Jeff Staley, Activities Director

Cookie Dough Reminder – You can purchase the most delicious cookie dough ever from a Willard East student. If you do not know a Willard East student please call our office and we will make sure you can enjoy these treats!

Our 4th Grade teacher began the week with our MRI trainer Becky Freeman. Thank you to Mr. Gann’s class for allowing us to observe in his classroom.

Under construction – “To The Point” will be an informational Blog hosted by Principal Miller to keep you up to date on the happenings at Willard East. Currently this project is under construction but feel free to take a look and submit comments.

http://principalmiller.edublogs.org/Have a GREAT 3-day weekend and GO TIGERS!!! 1st home football game in our beautiful new bleachers. Enjoy an evening of Tiger Football!

Principal Miller

WIS is kicked off our fall fund raiser yesterday, and the kids are excited at the possibility of turning Mrs. Germann into a human hot dog, or an ice cream sundae!  Tiger Savings Cards, which have opportunities for savings at over 20 area restaurants, fast food stops and other businesses in the Willard and Springfield area.  If you are interested in finding out more, check out our website, or contact our office.  Once again, our building’s running club is off and well . . .running!  Wednesday over 100 students took to the streets for their first official run!  Thanks, again, to all the staff who make that possible, but especially to Coach Ellis and Mr. Hayes who coordinate the event.

August is drawing to a close and we are looking forward to cooler school days in September.  We have many exciting activities in the coming days and we hope you can join us.  On Friday, September 7th, we will have our Accelerated Schools Kick-Off Assembly during Community Time.  While I will not be riding in on a powder blue Cinderella car this year, the planned festivities will be memorable and connect with our school’s theme, “Reach for the Stars.”  (If anyone has the Millennium Falcon or the Starship Enterprise for me to ride in on, I would be eternally indebted to you.)  Students will also receive their school t-shirts on Friday and we will be taking our all-school picture for the yearbook cover.  It should be a great week of learning and fun! 

On a personal note, I want to thank all of the students and their families for donating to the penny drive to raise my bail money for the MDA Lock-Up for a Good Cause.  Thanks to your generosity, WC was able to contribute $554.88 to this worthy cause that serves Willard and local students, while keeping me from being hauled off to the slammer and locked away.  I am blessed to be a part of such a wonderful and supportive school community. 

Have a great Labor Day and enjoy your 3 day weekend.  We will see you Tuesday for another amazing week at Willard Central.

If you need a lift in your spirit, drop by the Early Childhood Special Education classrooms at either Willard North or Willard South.  Wonderful learning opportunities are happening and lots of love and care are evident by the interactions of the teachers and paraprofessionals who daily work with our 3-5 year old children with developmental delays.  ECSE teachers Stacey Wade and Colleen Appleby, and Process Coordinator Susie Thieman, are the foundation for this outstanding program and collaborate constantly with paraprofessionals Sarah Pringle, Melissa Freeze, Beverly Dela Torre (North), Connie Bohr, Kari Sealine, and Stephanie Koenemann (South) to ensure students are given abundant opportunities to explore, learn, interact with others and play. The genuine love and care for each child is evident as teachers and paras assist with eating, activities and even tears. 

Currently, both North and South ECSE programs have morning and afternoon sessions where children are provided speech/language therapy with Susan Shikany, occupational and/or physical therapy (Angie Havens and Maria Harless), library time, center time and other scheduled activities.  Each student receives individualized instruction and opportunities to best support their needs.  These environments are rich with learning, excitement, wonder, and friendships that are amazing to observe. Stop by and see what our ECSE programs are about! 

The first week of school we experienced a heat wave. The second week of school the flood waters rose. I guess that is just good old Missouri weather. Staff and students have done a good job getting through these first challenges. Lets all pray for good weather!!

We have had an excellent start. Teachers and children are getting back into the groove of learning. This year the district theme is:

Work Hard

Work Together

Do It With Class

There is no doubt that the efforts of a team will out produce the collective efforts of individuals. When people work together it provides energy for success. If teachers isolate themselves in their classrooms they will never learn what is possible when people team their efforts. If teachers, coaches, sponsors, administrators, support staff, board members, etc… are all working in concert then great music can be made. If they don’t work together then it is simply noise. I believe we have worked well as a team for many years. It is my goal this year to improve on our teamwork. If this improvement is realized it will be awesome for kids!!!

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin

Superintendent of Schools

A Rose:    To WHS Students who are welcoming our newly enrolled students entering the High School

A Rose:    To HS Communication Arts ( #1 in COC ) and HS Mathematics ( #3 in COC ) Students and Faculty for leaving ”claw marks” all over the MAP test.

A Thorn:   To the lightning which “knocked out” our phones and air conditioning on Tuesday.

A Rose:   To AT&T for repairing the phone system along with WHS Maintenance Dept. and Allen’s Mechanical for repairing the AC on Tuesday.

A Rose:   To WHS Students who “chewed up” the ACT test and raised out ACT Composite scores for 2007.

A Rose:   To WHS Students for their questions and feedback in the class assemblies held on Tuesday.

A Rose:  To WHS Students, Parents, and Faculty who have made 2007-2008 begin with a smooth start.

  “Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one’s level of aspiration and expectation.”

                               Jack Nicklaus (1940 – )
                               American golf champion

The first full week has flown by!   We are lucky to have the following new staff members in our building.  They are doing an outstanding job and we are glad to have them on our team.

Wendi Brower – 8th grade Special Services Teacher 

Jennifer Dinamarca - 8th grade Language Arts Teachers

Josh Graves – ISS Teacher

Tom Merriott – Assistant Principal

Jan Michaelree – Speech Path Teacher

Matt Stone – 7th and 8th grade  Social Studies and Study Skills Teacher

Doris Wallace – Paraprofessional

Thanks – Amy  Sims, Willard Middle School Principal