📚As the school year quickly approaches, please keep the following dates in mind as you prepare for the upcoming school year.
🕗 School Hours:
The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and students are dismissed at 3:24 p.m.
🚌 Transportation Reminder
If you have not already been contacted, parents/guardians should contact the Willow Springs School District Transportation Office or your child’s appropriate bus driver before the first day of school to confirm your child’s exact pickup and drop-off times.
Please be aware that route schedules and designated stops have been adjusted or changed for the upcoming school year.
During the first week of school, bus pickup and drop-off times may not be exact as routes are being established and adjusted. Please have students ready earlier than the communicated time and allow for some flexibility as drivers and routes settle into their schedules.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work to ensure a safe and smooth start to the school year! 🚌💙🐻
| Live: https://youtube.com/live/9NV_xei3FYY
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=26448
As we prepare to welcome students back, Willow Springs R-IV Schools will be making some adjustments to daily bus routes for the 2026–2027 school year.
These changes are being made after carefully reviewing several factors, including:
🟡 Declining ridership in certain areas of the district
🟡 Ongoing school bus driver shortages
🟡 Limited transportation funding for Missouri school districts
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and we will continue to evaluate and improve our transportation services while following recommendations and guidelines from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
📞 Beginning August 11, families affected by route changes will receive a phone call with information specific to their bus route.
If you have any questions about school transportation, please contact the Transportation Office at 417-469-3260
We appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support as we work to provide safe and reliable transportation for all of our students.
💙🐻 Thank you, and GO BEARS! 🐻💙
Immunization Reminder
As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, don’t forget that students entering preschool, kindergarten, 8th grade, and 12th grade must meet Missouri immunization requirements before attending school.
If you’re unsure whether your child is up to date, please contact your healthcare provider or take advantage of the FREE monthly immunization clinic offered by the Howell County Health Department.
Let’s work together to keep our students healthy and ready to learn!
The first day of school is just around the corner, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back for another amazing year at Willow Springs Schools!
Be sure to save this Upcoming Events schedule so you don’t miss important dates for:
New Student Enrollment
Open Houses
Grade-Level Orientations
High School Schedule Changes
These events are designed to help students and families start the school year prepared and confident.
We can’t wait to see our hallways filled with smiling faces, reconnect with familiar friends, and welcome new members to the Bear family.
| Live: https://youtube.com/live/HX3Sf8DI6VI
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=26197
Free/Reduced meal applications are available now on Parent Portal.
Go to portal.willowbears.com.
Follow the directions found by CLICKING HERE.
If you prefer a paper application or have any questions, please contact:
Regina Roberts, Food Service Director, at (417) 469 - 3260 ext. 414 or reginaroberts@willowbears.com.
If you need access to or assistance with Parent Portal, please contact:
Chris Waggoner, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at chriswaggoner@willowbears.com.
It's never too early to save the 2026-2027 Willow Springs School Calendar for quick reference.
Go ahead and screenshot it, print it, put it on the fridge, or save it to your favorites, you'll thank yourself later when you're trying to remember if there's school on a random Monday.
Enjoy every last bit of summer, Bears! We'll be ready to welcome everyone back on August 24!
#OneWillowOneFuture #BearPride See less
| Live: https://youtube.com/live/byrty8KVhaM
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=25963
| Live: https://youtube.com/live/v_zzRsYNz10
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=25168
Free meals will be available to all children ages 18 and younger, as well as eligible disabled adults, from May 26 through June 18, 2026.
Meals will be served Monday through Friday at the Willow Springs Elementary Cafeteria during Summer School:
Breakfast: 7:30 to 8:10 a.m.
Lunch: 10:50 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
For more information, please contact Regina Roberts at 417-252-6223.
#OneWillowOneFuture #BearPride
April 2026 Regular Session Board Meeting
| Live: https://youtube.com/live/eIgeus7FxHE
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=24932
| Stream: https://youtube.com/live/J_D44ieBt2o
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=24689
The Tooth Truck is here to help students achieve a healthy smile at no cost to families.
The Tooth Truck provides preventative cleanings and needed dental treatment to help children become cavity free.
Apply here:
https://bit.ly/2B0lauk
Eligibility Requirements:
• Ages 3 to 18
• Qualify for free or reduced school lunch
• Do not have private dental insurance
• Not currently established with a local dental office
Medicaid is not required. We accept both Medicaid eligible and uninsured students.
Please note: Children seen last year are not eligible for a new cleaning and exam this year, but any new dental concerns will be addressed.
If your child qualifies, we encourage you to apply and take advantage of this opportunity for a healthy smile.
| Live: https://youtube.com/live/BIf9WLpBSxI
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=23815
❤️ February Is National Heart Awareness Month ❤️
This month’s Essential Wellness highlights simple ways to care for your heart:
✔ Stay active
✔ Eat smart
✔ Schedule regular checkups
✔ Manage stress
📖 Read the full February 2026 Essential Wellness newsletter here: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3379/Wssd/17c7aeb2-823a-4676-adc1-6774cd6e1c51/February-2026.pdf?disposition=inline
Here are a few key dates to help you plan ahead:
• August 24, 2026 – First Day of Classes
• November 23–27, 2026 – Thanksgiving Break (No School)
• December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 – Christmas Break (No School)
• May 19, 2027 – Last Day of School (12:45 p.m. dismissal)
The full calendar to download is available here. https://aptg.co/j3Tsn4
| Stream: https://youtube.com/live/LDigz8b6ODA
| Agenda: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=208&MID=23551