Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age 5, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and the State of Missouri.
Every child from birth to age 5 in Missouri is eligible to participate - sign your child up today by clicking this link!
https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
The Willow Springs Middle School Staff Member of the Week is Mr. Tanner Barnes!
A little info about Mr. Barnes:
🐻 He is in his second year teaching and second year at Willow
🐻 "I love helping kids do and learn things they never knew they were capable of. That's where my passion of teaching and coaching comes from. In my free time, I have a love/hate relationship with golf, I enjoy deer hunting and really doing anything outdoors, I like Kansas basketball, and I enjoy watching football on Sundays. Go Bills!"
Congrats Mr. Barnes and thank you for all that you do!
#OneWillow
On Tuesday, the Willow Springs chapter of the National Honor Society held their induction ceremony!
Ten students from Willow Springs High School were inducted as new members of the National Honor Society. The guest speaker for the ceremony was Willow Springs Superintendent, Dr. Marty Spence. Members were selected by the chapter’s faculty council for meeting high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
Students inducted include: Senior Allie Martin, Juniors Sophia Barrett, Kristen Buster, Will Clarkston, Hynlie Johnson, Jackson Lee, Everett Smith, Mary Spencer, Heidi Wehmer, and Emma Wiles. They join the current members Isabella Autrey, Tate Cochran, Luke Mansfield, Alex Moritz, Allison Pearson, Madalyn Poor, Emma Spence, and Melaina Wilson.
The National Honor Society ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students. There are chapters in more than 16,000 high schools and, since 1921, millions of students have been selected for membership.
#OneWillow
The first edition of the Willow Springs District Digest is available now!🐻
See all the exciting things that happened during the first quarter by clicking this link: https://go.willowbears.com/newsletter
Join us tomorrow evening for the 3rd and 4th grade Fall Choir Concert!🎼
It will be a Veteran's Day/Thanksgiving themed concert!
#OneWillow
This week is National School Psychology Week!✨
We want to take this time to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive.
This year's theme is "Let's Grow Together," inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life. The theme recognizes every aspect of growth, as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning!
#OneWillow
Pizza Americana is partnering with the high school to help raise money for the 2024 Project Prom!
They are going to do three Give Back Nights where they donate 10% of the profits from those nights' sales to Project Prom. When customers order pizza those nights, they will need to show the paper/digital token that Pizza Americana has given to the school (attached below).
The first Give Back Night is November 15. Paper copies of the token will be given to each high school student the week of the event as well.
The 4th grade team had so much fun on their field trip at the Dickerson Park Zoo!🐯
#OneWillow
Reminder!
The annual Willow Springs FCCLA Veterans Day assembly and breakfast will be this Friday, November 10th!
The breakfast, for veterans only, will be at 8:15 am in the Bears Den (FEMA shelter).
The assembly, open to the public, will begin at 9:45 am in Munford Gymnasium.
Join us this Friday, November 10th!
#OneWillow
Aspen Crudgington is hosting a food drive from now until November 17th for her senior project!
Food items can be sent with students or dropped off at one of the school offices.
Mrs. Chaney's Kindergarten friends went back in time to the 50's to celebrate the 50th day of school on Thursday!
#OneWillow
Here's what Mrs. Drake's students have been up to recently!
The 7th grade Intro to Business students learned how to calculate cost of goods sold by calculating the unit price of a cup of “dirt and worms”. After the calculations, students made their own dirt and worms and enjoyed the sweet taste of success! They also talked about how COGS effects profit and the adjustments that companies might be forced to make.
Mrs. Drake's Project STEM students were tasked with creating paper rollercoasters. Students were required to stay within design and time constraints while learning about potential and kinetic energy!
The Willow Springs girls tennis team had 3 players receive post-season honors!
Join us in congratulating these athletes:
🥇Melaina Wilson - 1st team All-District Doubles
🥇Briana Hann - 1st team All-District Doubles
🏅Lilian Weimer - Honorable Mention All-District Singles
Congratulations!🥳
#OneWillow
The Willow Springs Middle School Staff Member of the Week is Mrs. Simandl!
A little info about Mrs. Simandl:
"I began my journey in education as a paraprofessional at Willow Springs Elementary 12 years ago. I loved working in the school system so I became certified and taught 2nd and then 3rd grade Special Education for 6 years. This is my 1st year in the middle school as the 6th grade special education teacher. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, kayaking and traveling!"
Congrats Mrs. Simandl and thank you for all that you do!
#OneWillow
The Willow Springs Volleyball team had 5 players receive post-season honors for Class 3 District 11!
Join us in congratulating these athletes:
🥇Katlyn Brixey
🥈Aspen Crudgington
🥈Sydney Stuart
🏅Aleisha Shanks
🏅Karson Gilbert
Congratulations!🥳
#OneWillow
Please help us welcome our next new teacher feature, Ashley Freeman!
About Ms. Freeman:
"Hello! My name is Ashley Freeman. This is my 5th year teaching, specifically in early childhood education. I previously taught in the West Plains school district for 4 years. I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach Kindergarten here at Willow!
I am involved with the youth ministry and worship team at my church and absolutely love it! When I’m not at school you can more than likely find me at church or spending time with family or friends. I love the the community in Willow Springs!"
Welcome to Bear Nation Ms. Freeman, we're so glad you're here!🐻
#OneWillow
Mrs. Cooper's 7th grade science class embraced the Halloween theme yesterday and created “Boo Bubbles” by combining water (H2O) and dry ice (frozen CO2) to produce carbonic acid (H2CO3) through a process called sublimation.
The students had fun trying to make the biggest bubbles and trying to make bubbles that would sit still and not pop right away!🫧
#OneWillow
Mrs. Pitts' class recently participated in a fun pumpkin estimation project!🎃
#OneWillow
October is #NationalPrincipalsMonth! Today we're highlighting and celebrating Mr. Jon Johnson, Willow Springs Middle School Principal. Mr. Johnson has worked in education for 18 years, 14 of those years in administration.
Here's a short Q&A with Mr. Johnson!
Q: What do you want students and staff to know about you?
A: I really enjoy being an educator and working with people who are trying to accomplish a common goal. I also love God, my family, working on the farm, hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Q: What do you like most about being an educator?
A: Everyday is a new adventure, and no two days are ever the same. Over the course of my career I have met some really incredible people, most of which were students. I really enjoy talking with students 5-10 years after high school and hearing about what all they are doing.
Q: What advice would you give to someone seeking a career in education?
A: I believe teaching is a calling. I would encourage them to observe and talk with as many teachers as possible before making a career decision. Education is a lot of work, but it can be some of the most rewarding!
Thank you Mr. Johnson for all that you do, we appreciate you!
#OneWillow
Desie DeWitt is hosting a blood drive on Friday, November 3rd for her senior project!
The blood drive will be held in the Bears Den from 1-5 pm for students and faculty and from 3:30-5 pm for the public.
Please call 1-800-733-2767 or visit this link and enter WSHS to schedule an appointment: https://www.redcrossblood.org/
If you are 16 or under you will need a parent signature. Donors will get a shark week shirt, first come first serve.
