Willard Central Elementary

Just a reminder that there will be NO SCHOOl on Friday, September 26, 2008 due to teacher workshops.

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Individual pictures of students will be taken on Tuesday, September 23, by Lifetouch Pictures. Envelopes are going home with students on September 15 with package prices and options. Please send back the envelope with payment on picture day, as students will give the envelope to the photographer as they go through the line. All students will have their picture taken to be included in the yearbook.

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The Tour of Missouri Bike Race will be making its way through the Willard/Springfield area next Tuesday, September 9th.  To avoid closed roads, traffic congestion and buses behind baracades, Willard Schools will be dismissing early.  Willard High School and MIddle School students will be dismissed at 12:45.  Elementary and Intermediate School students will be dismissed at 1:45.  Thank you for your understanding and patience during this process.  We are hopeful that bike routes in the future will not interfere with instructional day of Willard students.  Please let the office or your child’s teacher know if their normal afternoon travel routines will change on the 9th.

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Football Mania Fundraising Tickets are due September 4th!!  Thanks for your support of WC’s students as we work together towards purchasing new playground equipment for our students.  Please make sure all tickets and money are returned to school by September 4th to be activated for the beginning of the football season this weekend.  Thanks again for your support and good luck in the sweepstakes contest!

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It has been an amazing start to the school year at WC.  We have so many things to celebrate already this school year!!  Our enrollment has increased by nearly 30 students, but with the addition of 2 classroom positions, our class sizes remain at desirable levels.  It is wonderful to walk down the hallways and already see students engaged in learning activities and eager to be successful!  We are also thrilled to announce that the preliminary MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) results are in and Willard 3rd grade students scored the highest in Communication Arts in the COC with 4th grade students scoring second overall.  I am so proud of our students, teachers, and parents for all of their hard work in working towards success on the MAP.

As we work towards success this year, please plan to join us for our Parent Orientation Night on Thursday, August 28th.  This evening is designed to help parents and teachers collaborate about the learning taking place in their students’ classrooms and grade level.  Your child’s teacher will be sharing information on how to make this is a successful year and learning experience for your child.  The information discussed will range from classroom routines and procedures to homework and grading practices to understanding MAP testing.  To help ensure productive educational dialogue, childcare will be provided while parents attend their classroom meetings.

To better accommodate parent schedules, each teacher will provide a parent orientation session from 6:00-6:30.  We will then allow a 15 minute transition for parents to pick-up/drop-off students before teachers repeat their information in a second session from 6:45-7:15.  By providing 2 sessions, our desire is that parents with siblings at Central will be able to attend both of their children’s parent orientation meetings while providing enough room for everyone in attendance. 

Thank you for making plans to join us for this important night to invest in your child’s education.  If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher or the office at 831-4440. 

It has been a wonderful start to the school year!  The staff and I are excited about the learning that will take place and the relationships we will get to build with students this year.

Partners in Education,
Mr. Shane Medlin, Principal

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I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.  Whether you are attending Summer School, playing at the pool or playing with friends, I hope this summer finds you safe and having fun.  As we look ahead to next year, here are some important things to remember:

• The 2008-2009 theme for Willard Central is “Wild About Learning” with a jungle motif. 
• New Student Enrollment Dates are July 29th and 30th from 8:00 to 4:00.
• Class lists will posted at the school’s entrance on August 1st at 12:00.
• Meet the Teacher Night will be August the 18th.  Times to be announced in August.
• First Day of School August 19th. 

Have an enjoyable and memorable summer!  Keep reading over the break and I can’t wait to see everyone for a great school year in August. 

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Willard Central is blessed to have a phenomenal group of teachers and staff members that support our students and parents as we provide a great educational experience.  While our staff is full of shining stars, we had the difficult task of identifying and recognizing those individuals who shone the brightest this year. 

Mrs. Renee Bass, 3rd grade teacher, recieved the Teacher of the Year Award.  Here is what one of her peers said about her: “After her some 20 years of teaching, she constantly demonstrates what it takes to be a model teacher for her students and for the staff here at Central.  She always finds that silver lining and has a positive outlook.  She is what holds our third grade team together.  She is always there for her students going the extra mile both literally and figuratively.   (Even breaking her ankle delivering a coat.)   
    She is always putting others first in front of her own needs and wants.    I look forward to seeing her each and everyday, because I know she is going to make my day brighter.  I see the same reaction from her students.   They love her and she loves and cares about them as she constantly worries and evaluates her relationships with her students.
     She was put on this earth to be a teacher.  Our children are blessed to have her as a teacher, we are blessed to have her as a model to strive for as a professional, and we are all blessed to be able to call her our friend.  
    I know we have MANY deserving teachers here at Central.  Mrs. Bass would be well deserving of this recognition.”

Mrs. Janet Miller, WC Secretary, was honored as Staff Member of the Year.  Here is what one of her peers said about her:  “Janet is a dynamic, caring woman.  She has been a blessing to me during my first year at Central.  I would call Janet my “Great Big Book of Everything”.  She almost always has the answer to my question (there were many!) or has a great plan to find the answer.  She wears many hats in the absence of other members of our staff.  I have seen her as a nurse, counselor, custodian and sometimes principal.  It takes a very special person to fill all of those BIG shoes!”

Congratulations to these wonderful ladies on this honor!  WC is an amazing team who puts the needs of students first.  I applaud Mrs. Bass and Mrs. Miller for standing out this year in a crowd of very elite professionals.

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The WC theme for this school year was “Reach for the Stars!”  We have had the opportunity to celebrate our successes of MAP testing, “Star Studded” assemblies, Miss Roeder starting to take steps down the hallway, and seeing students become confident learners.  It takes parents and teachers working together to help our students shine.  Some of the people who have helped WC shine brilliantly have opportunities to “Reach for the Stars” in different capacities next year and will be leaving the WC Team.  They include:

Mrs. Carpenter, Reading Recovery, will be retiring but coming back to help us out as she continues to share her vast knowledge of reading instruction.

Mrs. Bailey, Art, will be relocating to West Virginia.  As a WC fixture since the building opened, Mrs. Bailey has developed an unequalled art program that supported classroom instruction and developed successful, award winning artists in the process.

Mrs. Robinson, Kindergarten, will be moving back to Texas to be near family and will continue teaching Kindergarten in the Lone Star State.

Mrs. Underhill, Kindergarten, will be relocating to Ohio and working to get dad, Claire and Drew ready for a new adventure!

Mrs. Bougher, Computer Lab, will be moving up the road to Willard North to put her skills to good use as a teacher in a 4^th grade tech room.

Mrs. Barnett, Special Services, will also be moving up the road to WIS to continue serving students in their Success Program.

Mrs. Roberts, Special Services, will move from the classroom to a Process Coordinator’s position to serve students in buildings across the district.

Mrs. Follis, ESL, will be taking a full-time classroom position at Springfield Catholic as she continues to share her smile and kind heart for kids.

Thank you to all of these individuals for your service to Willard Central’s students as you helped them “Reach for the Stars!”

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Willard Central student, Danielle Roeder, received the Excellence in Education Award at the April 17^th meeting from the Willard Board of Education.  Danielle and her family have a miraculous story that embodies the spirit of hard work and determination.  As a baby, it was easy to see Danielle had something special. Her big brown eyes screamed stardom but it wasn’t long before her body was in need of nothing short of a miracle. From early on, Danielle struggled in her muscle and language development. As a toddler, her developmental milestones were put on hold. Danielle’s family tirelessly searched for answers. Soon, her body was trapped in a wheelchair while her spirit was shining through those beautiful brown eyes.  Danielle entered kindergarten with a big smile and a soft spoken eagerness to learn. She was supported throughout the day by her teachers and paraprofessional. Tirelessly, her family continued to search for the miracle to help Danielle. An eager student by day and a country music lover by night, Danielle was developing into a social Willard Tiger.  As she entered her first grade year at Willard Central, she was diagnosed with L-Dopa Responsive Dystonia at the Mayo Clinic. The miracle was in the form of a pill. Within hours, her voice had strengthened.  Within months, her body became stronger. Within a couple of years she no longer was trapped in that wheelchair. Shortly after Danielle started taking that miracle drug, the world began to take notice. On more than one occasion, TV camera crews were following her around school. Danielle was honored with the title of Missouri Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network.  Today, we can see Danielle walking down the halls of Willard Central just as it was visualized by all of her classmates years ago. As we have witnessed Danielle’s perseverance we have also observed the kindness and compassion she has shown to those who are less fortunate than herself.  Danielle’s path has not been easy.  She has had to work harder at the smaller things, but Danielle’s trying experience has afforded her the wisdom of offering that compassionate hand to others. Willard Central has been blessed to be a small part of Danielle’s journey. Her hard work and determination has been an inspiration. She is an optimist who believes in a happy ending for all situations. As a member of Willard Central’s Student Body, Danielle Roeder sets the standard for excellence.  We are so proud that she received this honor.

                                                                                    ~Shane Medlin, Principal

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Willard Central students were surprised by a Star-Studded Red Carpet event last week.  The talented performers inspired our 3rd and 4th grade students to do their best on the MAP test with inspirational skits and songs.  We were honored to meet Jack Black, Princess Giselle, Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Dave (from Alvin and the Chipmunks), Hannah Montana, Dora the Explorer and Pink.  The Willard Central teachers and staff know our students will be MAP Stars!

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