The Pride newsletter is now located at:

http://willard.k12.mo.us/blogs/pride/ 

It was our privilege to host a Veteran’s day assembly Friday afternoon.  The last week in October we notified parents through our email system that we would be having an assembly and if they knew of a Veteran we invite them to join us.  We received numerous email responses thanking the school for supporting the Veteran’s.  The Veteran’s represented theaters of combat from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq.   WHS NJROTC provided leadership for the assembly along with amazing armed and unarmed drill work.   Captain Tong was our guest speaker and provided a powerful message discussing the history of Veteran’s Day and the meaning to serve our country.   The end of the assembly was a moving experience, the WHS students and staff gave our Veteran guests a standing ovation with cheers, whistles, and thunderous applause.  For at that moment, 1200 clapping, cheering students and staff demonstrated honor and respect for our guests who gave, or currently giving, for our country.  After school on Friday I went home and reflected upon the assembly.  I logged on to my computer and looked at scanned pictures my father gave me of my grandfather in WWI with gas mask and full gear ready for departure for France.  Grandpa is gone, and I do not think I ever comprehended the price he paid for my freedom to think, speak, and demonstrate my beliefs in our great country.  I challenge you to find a Veteran and thank them for their service.  Have a great Veteran’s Day weekend.

Stewart Pratt

One aspect of life around Willard that becomes quickly apparent is the fact that our community supports children! Three years ago the Willard Children’s Charitable Foundation was started. Last Friday night, the WCCF Board of Trustees held a “Harvest Gathering” to say thank you to all those that have donated. Since the inception of the WCCF, donations totaling well over $60,000 dollars have been received. Several grants have been disbursed to children for several different needs including:

 Willard Fire Department
 Willard Intermediate Library
 2006 Two $1,000 College Scholarships
 2007 Three $1,000 College Scholarships
 Health / Dental Grants (individual)
 Skin Disorder
 Neurological
 Counseling
 Dental
 Vision
 Hearing

I am very proud to be an active donor to the WCCF. What is important is that I share that honor with over 200 other Willard Community Members. I believe that the WCCF has a vision for the future generations of Willard and is helping that vision come to life with every dollar donated to the cause. If you have questions or would like to become a partner in the WCCF, please contact Sherri Callahan at 742-2584.

Kent

Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent

The Special Services Department would like to send out a special thanks to the administrators and CARE teams that participated in the Response to Intervention (RTI) training this week.  We’d also like to thank Conco Quarry for allowing us to use their training center.  Karen Kroh, an RTI trainer from the
Kansas City area, spent two days with our CARE teams, helping them to develop a plan for implementing research-based intervention strategies in our schools.   The teams worked very hard to develop an efficient way of coordinating efforts for at risk and struggling learners.  They established group norms, defined roles and duties for each team member, and developed a plan for marketing this innovative approach to our staff, parents, and community. 

We are very excited about the opportunities that RTI allows us.  Other districts who have implemented this approach have seen marked improvement in MAP scores, attendance, student motivation, positive school climate, and community support.    RTI, combined with our already established programs through the Special Services department and alternative school programs, will allow the Willard school system to meet the needs of an ever-growing population of struggling learners more effectively.  We are truly blessed to work in a district with so many faculty members dedicated to improving student achievement; and, we look forward to seeing the positive effect this program has in our district.  Thank you again to all who took part in this ground-breaking endeavor.      

Willard North has been so busy the past few weeks!  We had a wonderful Red Ribbon Week!  We had Crazy Hair Day, Wear Your Oldest WOW Shirt Day, Pajama Day and Twin Day!  The kids had so much fun!  Thanks to Kenda Chappell and the drama students from the high school for putting on an excellent show!

I would also like to take this time and thank our wonderful PTO!  They provide us with so many things!  Last week during our conferences, a wonderful meal was served to our staff that was prepared by our PTO families.  As a school we are thankful and blessed! 

Tonight our Read-A-Thon Reward Party will take place!  Louie from the Springfield Cardinals will be here, we will have inflatable jump houses, dinner, limousine rides, and I will be dealt my fate with “Deal or No Deal”.   The Read-A-Thon was a huge success and the PTO profited $5,800.00 !  Over 60,000 minutes were read by Willard North students!

Have a wonderful week!

Rhonda Bishop

Willard North Principal

Willard Central students were “treated” to a great week this week. On Wednesday, nearly 100 parents flooded WC for the Fall Parties. Students were spoiled to have their parents provide candy treats and fall games and activities. The time together made for a memorable afternoon. On Thursday, the 2nd grade treated the entire school to a sneak preview of their musical concert “No Turkey for Perky”. In this program, Perky is the Hanks’ dog who unfortunately is no longer treated to Thanksgiving Day turkey when pepperoni pizza becomes the substitute for the traditional Thanksgiving meal. The 2nd grade did a wonderful job on their concert Thursday evening while getting everyone in the mood for the upcoming holiday.

As we look ahead to next week, please plan to stop by school and pick up your Mr. Z’s fundraising items on Thursday, November 8th after school. Items will be prepackaged and ready for pick up in the gym after the dismissal bell.

Have a wonderful weekend, GO TIGERS, and continue to “Reach for the Stars.” — Shane Medlin, Principal