The secret to succeeding as a school superintendent is to surround yourself with excellent leaders. I believe that Willard R-II is blessed to have some of the best administrators that can be found in Missouri. The Willard Administrative Team is comprised of smart, hard working, committed individuals that love kids and are dedicated to their success. These individuals are people of character and integrity. This summer, I challenged them to become even better as a team. District administrators are participating in a book study called the “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team”. This study has caused us to self examine and grapple with strategies to improve. I have seldom praised this leadership group in order to avoid appearing arrogant. I offer this example not only to praise our administrators, but to show that we must be willing to examine every aspect of our organization looking for ways to improve. If we are going to be a learning organization we must be willing to stretch and grow professionally. I believe that this group will continue to learn and implement new methods to help Willard children succeed.

This is going to be a great school year!!

Have a great weekend.

Kent

This morning we had our FIGHT FREE kick-off assembly.  A BIG thank you goes out to Ashleigh, Emily, Anna, Tristyn, Bailey, Dylan and our very own SUPER TIGER for helping with the assembly.  Students also received their Accelerated School tshirt.  I appreciate the continued support of our PTO for purchasing these shirts for all of our students and staff.  It is a wonderful way to show our unity by wearing these each Friday.

This afternoon our second graders showed their true appreciation to their grandparents by hosting a tea in their honor.  We had a wonderful turn out and lots of cookies were consumed! 

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

 If you’ve ever had to move to a new town, taken a new job, or moved to a different school,  the “newness” can be stressful as you search to find answers or make connections.  This senario causes the same rollercoaster of emotions that many new students to the high school feel in those intial first weeks of class.  Our counseling department had a fantastic idea to assist these (new to the district) students  in making connections,  and also wanted to show them that there were other  new students that felt like they were “in the same boat”.  This week the WHS counseling department hosted a “New Student Luncheon”. We invited all the new students in (grades 9 & 10 on Tuesday and grades 11 & 12 on Wednesday) to eat lunch together and socialize with each other .  Although many of the participants blamed Ted Keller and Ron Hurst for poor weather which prevented the groups from outdoor grilling of burgers and hotdogs they still were able to enjoy a great meal that the counseling staff provided ( although its tough to beat a grilled hotdog ). The counseling staff then guided the groups through some teambuilding activities to answer questions and to introduce each other.  I heard a highly successful principal from another school district once make a statement about his school staff and students, ” we want to build relationships, to overcome obstacles“.   This is  another example of why our school system is so successful, it is demonstrated in the willingness of our staff to build faculty / student relationships. 

Welcome new WHS students and a great job by our counseling department!

Willard Central is ready to “Reach for the Stars.”  Today was our Accelerated School’s kick-off assembly.  We introduced the 3 Principles of an Accelerated School through a “Star Wars” skit.  Through this performance, students learned the importance of being united and working together for a common purpose.  [In this case it was to help the young Jedi Starreacher (Mr. Medlin) save Princess Amedallia (Mrs. Jones) from Darth Disrespecto (Mr. Nichols).]  After the assembly, students were given their Accelerated School t-shirts and we braved the rainy weather for our schoolwide picture outside. 

It has been a wonderful week of learning and fun.  Have a great weekend and please remember that we will be dismissing 25 minutes later on Wednesday, September 12th for the Tour of Missouri bike race.

The busy season has hit us and we will be hosting several events next week.  On Monday, our 2nd grade students will welcome their grandparents to the building.  We also have a PTO meeting beginnning at 6:30 p.m. First grade parents are invited to school on Tuesday night for orientation-there will be childcare available for this event.  On Wednesday we will be right in the middle of the Tour de Missouri Bike Race and will have ringside seats for the events- please remember that AB and 160 highway will be blocked off right during release time. On Thursday, we will have kindergarten open house. Friday is mid-quarter!  Can you believe it?  Mid quarters will go home the following week.  Have a wonderful weekend!

 Rhonda Bishop, Willard North Principal

Please join the Willard East family at McAlisters north side, Kansas Expy & Kearney, THIS Monday Sept. 10 from 5pm – 9pm! You don’t have to cook that night and the money goes to a good cause……….WILLARD EAST KIDS!!!! See you there! Check out the menu below for all the delicious options for dinner!

McAlisters Menu

I mentioned last week that our school launched a fund raiser, selling business discount cards.  WOW!  The response has been wonderful!  It certainly looks like our 2nd computer lab will be equiped with a new smart board system in the near future, and we’ll have money to set aside toward an upgraded sound system for our gym, for music programs and assemblies.  Our goal was to sell 600 cards, and as of today, we believe we have sold well beyond that.  We’re having to re-order cards a second time!  Thanks to all the parents, grandparents, relatives and friends of students in our community who helped out with this project.  Happy Shopping!

Special Services would like to recognize and celebrate the seven building principals and their assistants for the incredible work they are doing on behalf of the teachers and students in their buildings.  As we have the opportunity to visit the various sites, each principal’s personal touch is evident and reflected in the activities and projects displayed. Artwork, written reports, and club posters line the walls, and classrooms are decorated to demonstrate building and school pride.  The transitioning from ECSE to kindergarten, elementary to intermediate, intermediate to middle school, and middle to high school could not have been so smooth and successful without the dedication of our principals and assistant principals.  Seeing how easily our students with special needs have made the big leap to the next step in their education is an indication of the collaboration that occurs throughout our district and reassures our parents of the long-term picture of education we envision for our special students.  Thanks to each principal for providing a positive climate for learning for all students.