Saturday’s weather was perfect for our ten special needs students participating in A Sporting Chance track and field meet.  Our athletes won gold, silver and bronze medals with each one competing in as many as three events as they represented Willard High School, East Elementary, Willard Middle School and Central Elementary. 

Our district organizer, Amanda Swadley, was surprised and totally speechless as she was presented a $1000.00 check from the SAM’S CLUB FOUNDATION.  What an incredible surprise for our group!  This funding was made possible from a grant Jan Harvey, aunt of twoof our participants and employee of SAM’S, had written.  Jan has attended A Sporting Chance events in the past to support her two nephews and has witnessed the many opportunities for competition this nonprofit organization offers students with special needs. This unexpected money will allow more students to attend the track/field event and additional activities planned for May 19 in Branson.  We greatly appreciate Jan’s thoughtfulness and support, as well as the support of parent Pam Jackson who presented the check.       Thanks to all who cheered our students as they competed.  Taking time to support, cheer, and witness the medal ceremonies is a reminder of why our students need these special opportunities and why it could not happen without support from staff and family . 

Special Services wants to recognize and say a huge “thank you” to Melissa Baker who serves us well as department secretary.  We cannot count the ways Melissa is instrumental in the functioning of our department and maintaining the sanity of those of us in the Special Services office. She calmly and consistently deals with questions from teachers, parents, administrators and staff, solves problems the rest of us cannot, and performs the daily routines her job requires.  Melissa adds greatly to the fun atmosphere in a demanding environment with her wonderful smile, sense of humor and outlook.  She often obtains the responsibility of serving as  personal counselor as well as dear friend.  We couldn’t find a better and more loved secretary if we went to the top of Mt. Everest…….nor would we want to!  Although Wednesday of this week was the designated Administrative Assistant Day reserved for special recognition, we hope Melissa knows every day how much we appreciate the many ways she serves our department and especially us in this office.  Thank you, Mis!

Students with special needs are once again preparing for participation in A Sporting Chance track and field events and are eager to compete!  The first competition will be held Saturday, April 28, at JFK Stadium at Parkview  High School in Springfield.  Eighteen students, district-wide, will jump, run, throw baseballs, and demonstrate their skills against students with similar disabilities in surrounding districts.  The second, and bigger event, will be held Saturday, May 19, in Branson.  Details on exact location and time will be announced closer to that date.  A Sporting Chance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing students with disabilities opportunities to compete athletically and experience the thrill of success.  They additionally provide a special weekend in Branson for many those competing on May 19th.  Willard Special Services has chosen to be a part of the track and field events for thirteen years and has also participated in the bowling tournaments this past year.  We are grateful to this wonderful organization for providing these opportunities and encouraging our participation.  We are also grateful to Amanda Swadley, high school LD teacher, who organizes our volunteers, teachers, and students and coordinates with A Sporting Chance ensure we are ready for the big events. Come join us on the 28th and support our special athletes!

The 46 paraprofessionals working in the Willard Schools were recognized Wednesday as the district celebrated “Para Day.”  Cards of thanks, flowers, and food are only some methods of letting our paras know just how much we appreciate all they do to help in the school setting.  Performance responsibilities as outlined in the job description include:  assists in the organizational environment to promote learning; assists in the management of individual or small group behavior; accepts directions from supervisors; willingness to assist disabled students with toileting skills and eating, as needed; and, conducts themselves in professional manner when dealing with students, immediate teacher/supervisor and others.  The list continues but cannot describe the daily ways our paras impact the lives of our students with disabilities and others around them.    

Each building, along with the transportation department, is blessed with dedicated support staff which performs the job assigned because of their love of children and dedication to our district.  The individual teachers who are fortunate to have those paras working beside them in the classroom understand this love and dedication and appreciate the many ways they contribute to student achievement and success. 

Our department is grateful to the many wonderful paraprofessionals in our district.

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.

March is looking to be a very busy month for students and staff in the special services department.   Special services will host an in-service Thursday, March 15th, for principals and counselors from Willard and Logan-Rogersville .  Presenters Aubrey and Ryan Knight will be introducing the Response to Intervention method of identifying students with learning disabilities.  Aubrey currently is a school examiner and ECSE educator at Olathe School District at Heartland ECSE Center and husband Ryan is principal at Edwardsville Elementary inBooner Spring School District.  We are looking forward to hearing their experience and successes using RTI.  The second annual Special Services Transition Fair is planned for March 29 at the high school and has indications for being as successful as last year’s event.   Erica Poulson reports 22 outside agencies are planning on participating.  Each agency will host a table complete with pamphlets, videos and a representative who can guide parents, students and teachers in efforts for better preparing students for post-secondary living.  We encourage everyone to join us for the unique experience of having these important resources on-site. 

A special “thank you” goes again to Murfin’s Market in Willard for welcoming students into their work environment.  For the past several weeks, ten high school students from Mrs. Poulson’s Transition class have experienced first-hand the various job duties on-site at Murfin’s.  These students helped in the areas of bagging groceries and stocking shelves, fresh produce and frozen foods.  The purpose of the Transition class is preparation for post-secondary living and employment. The employees at Murfin’s Market continue to be wonderful models and inspiration for our special services students.  For the second year, these dedicated employees have given our students their time, attention, friendship, and even gifts.  We appreciate all their efforts on behalf of our students for their wonderful hospitality.

Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Despite the busyness of this time of year, it is a real pleasure to do drop-in teacher evaluations and observe the various learning activities taking place daily in the special services classrooms.   Wednesday the students in Colleen Appleby’s high-needs classroom at Central were introduced to the concepts of “under” and “over” through a variety of well-planned activities.  Shoestrings tied to items throughout the room, placed at various heights, were the basis for learning the new words.   Students maneuvered over and under the shoestrings, and those in wheelchairs had an especially fun time as they participated.  It was obvious with the following table activity all students accomplished their goal.   Practicing “She’ll be Coming around the Mountain” for Fine Arts Night was the finale, with Mrs. Appleby and paraprofessionals Heather Abney and Jo Boyd assisting each student at his own level.  A very special thank you goes to all three for providing our students with such an outstanding learning experience. 

Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Fifteen Willard staff attended the Children’s Mental Health Conference in Branson this past Saturday and were provided practical tools for working with children with a variety of disabilities.  It was a pleasant surprise to see Melissa Massey and seven of the North Tiger Tales workers sitting at the next table during the keynote. Others attending were Janet Turner, Maria Hobbs, Shannon Roberts, Amy Hall, Doris Wallace and Candi Price from Central. The conference, which included workshops on teen self injury, reactive attachment disorder, daily living skills for students with autism, and writing for mental health (presented by former Willard SLP Judy Young), was an opportunity to hear from experts from across the country.  Thanks to all who were in attendance.  

Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Our special services office would like to thank not only our special services teachers, but also general education teachers who have attended the many make-up IEP meetings and evaluation conferences that were missed during our days out from the storm.  Special education time-line are federally and State mandated and each district is accountable for meeting these guidelines.   Six days of missed school meant over 40 meetings and staffings had to be rescheduled very quickly to maintain our time-lines.  Our process coordinators have done an outstanding job making sure appropriate documentation is in place for the rescheduling of these meetings and case managers have worked extra hard making parent contact, as well.   Thanks to all for your continuing efforts to maintain compliance and serve our students with special needs. 

Sandy Gold, Director of Special Services

Special thanks and recognition goes to first-year teacher, Matt Reynolds, for his positive attitude, willingness to help, and confidence in two of our students with special needs.  Matt, who teaches Industrial Technology at the middle school, welcomed the boys, both of whom require extensive modifications, and actually sent away the paraprofessional assigned to assist them during class.  Matt understands the extra help they will need to be successful and continues to maintain they will “be just fine.”  We appreciate you, Matt, for working with our students.  Willard Special Services will be receiving recognition Feb.9 at the Children’s Mental Health Conference in Branson for outstanding services and collaboration between parents, mental health agencies and our school.  We are pleased, on behalf of our staff and parents, to be receiving this award.   The conference, Making the Connection, will feature experts in the areas of reactive attachment disorder, teen self injury, hot-line issues, and other mental health issues.  This conference is geared for parents/caregivers, service providers, educators, and others interested in children’s mental health.  Currently, we have four staff planning on attending the Saturday sessions and encourage others to attend.    

Sandy Gold,

Director of Special Services