High School

Please help us welcome our next new teacher feature, Mr. Trevor Turner!✨ About Mr. Turner: "My name is Trevor Turner and this is my first year as a teacher. I graduated from Missouri State University back in May with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. I am originally from Joplin, but I have really enjoyed my time in Willow so far! I have previously written music, written drill, and helped teach several marching bands in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Carolina, and I've been privileged to perform with two World Class groups from Iowa and Ohio. Band and music have always been really big parts of my life, and I hope to give students the same great opportunities and experiences I was blessed with as a performer and student." Welcome to Bear Nation Mr. Turner, we are so glad you're here!🐻 #OneWillow

Today is the day to stop by Pizza Americana to help support Project Prom!🍕 If you place an order from Pizza Americana any time today, 10% of your order total will go towards 2024 Project Prom. You have to show this token when you pay, either on paper or on your phone. Thank you to Pizza Americana for partnering with us on this!

Katlyn Brixey hosted a pink out volleyball game on October 10th for her senior project and she raised a total of $906 from selling shirts, bracelets and putting on games! Katlyn donated the $906 to the Ozarks Healthcare Cancer Treatment Center! #OneWillow

Join us Saturday, November 18th at 10:00 am for the Bears for a Better Christmas cornhole tournament! All proceeds from the tournament will go to Bears for a Better Christmas to purchase toys, books, and warm winter clothes for kids. There will also be a bake sale and silent auction going on. If your family lives within the Willow Springs school district, has kids 0-15, and needs assistance with gifts, warm items, and books for Christmas stop by MUNCH to sign up as soon as possible.

On Friday, we honored and celebrated those who have sacrificed so much for us!🇺🇸 We appreciate everyone who joined us for our Veterans Day breakfast and assembly that was student-led and organized by Kaylee Pendergrass and the Willow Springs FACS and FCCLA! Thank you to Mrs. Courtney Foster and Mr. Jeff Conger for speaking at today's assembly! We also want to thank the 4th grade choir, high school choir and Mr. Good for performing! Thank you, veterans! We are forever grateful for your sacrifices.❤️🇺🇸 #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

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.

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.

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 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

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.

🚨Important reminders! • Today, Thursday October 26th is an EARLY DISMISSAL day at 12:45 pm. Parent/Teacher Conferences will be from 1:00-6:00 pm today. • There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 27th for Fall Break. • There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 30th for Professional Development Day.

We want to thank the Arrive Alive Tour and the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety for bringing the nation's number-one ranked impaired driving and texting simulator for our high school students to experience! The Arrive Alive Tour uses a high-tech, state-of-the-art simulator that allows participants to drive while distracted or impaired in a fully functioning vehicle without moving or being intoxicated. The simulator allows participants to experience the real-life dangers without the real life consequences. Students also signed a pledge to put their phones down and buckle up! #onewillow #BUPDDay #ArriveAlive

We are very proud of our Willow Springs FFA Members tonight. Our Opening/Closing Ceremonies team placed 2nd 🥈. Katy Spence placed first🥇 with her Sheep Speech, and Kolton Stolba placed third 🥉with his Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives speech! Katy and Kolton will be moving to the district level! There were 9 other individuals that presented a speech tonight, but did not place high enough for districts. Nevertheless, preparing and presenting an 8 minute speech takes time and effort and we are proud of them.

On Saturday, the Willow Chess Team hosted the annual Sally Hatton Memorial Chess Tournament! The high school was represented by six players and won the second team spot. Kyle Collins-Redd was the undefeated winner, Caleb Leichliter was in fourth and earned 4.5 points out of six matches, Isaac Miller and Joseph Mansfield won three games each, Matt Sabulao earned 2.5 points, and Sophia Barrett earned two wins. The middle school was represented by six players and won the second team spot. Sabastian Puher and Otto Schuette earned four wins out of six games, tying for the third place. Heidi Bennett, Kyell Robertson, Ayden Bennett and Aubrey Miller got three points each, and tied for seventh. The elementary school was represented by Kane Bennet, who won first place, Michael Iacovlev, who was in third place, and Tristan Bennet, in fourth place. They helped the school win the first team overall. Great job, Bears!🐻♟ #OneWillow

🚨 Important information regarding Parent/Teacher Conferences! Thursday, October 26th will be an early dismissal day due to Parent/Teacher Conferences. Dismissal will be 12:45 PM. All buildings (except for preschool) will have Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, October 26th from 1:00-6:00 PM. 🐻 High School Information - Parents should have been contacted by their student's GAP teacher to schedule an appointment for their conference. If you have not made an appointment, contact your student's GAP teacher. If you're unsure who your student's GAP teacher is, you may contact the High School office. 🐻 Middle School Information - Teachers have scheduled times to meet with each parent. If a parent has a specific teacher they want to meet with, you will be given time to meet with that teacher. If you don't have an appointment scheduled, contact the Middle School office. 🐻 Elementary School Information - Teachers have scheduled times to meet with each parent. If you don't have an appointment scheduled, contact the Elementary School office. The Get Roasted Coffee Company truck will be set up from 2:00-6:00 PM. The book fair will also be set up in the elementary and middle school libraries for families to shop at until 6:00 PM. #OneWillow

Last night we honored Mr. Adam Webb for all that he does for our school district and we also celebrated our seniors and their families! ❤ #OneWillow

October is #NationalPrincipalsMonth! Today we're highlighting and celebrating Mr. Nick Schmitt, Willow Springs High School Principal. Mr. Schmitt has worked in education for 28 years, 7 of those years in administration. Here's a short Q&A with Mr. Schmitt! Q: What do you want students and staff to know about you? A:That I want what is best for the students. Sometimes we have to make decisions that people may not agree with, but we do what we feel is in the best interest of students to help them learn, grow and be prepared for life after high school. We are always looking for ways to provide our students and staff with new opportunities so we can make this the best school possible. Q: What do you like most about being an educator? A: Being able to see students learn and grow over time. I have always been at the High School level, so seeing kids come in as a Freshman and then seeing where they are as a Senior and how they have grown and changed and to know that you played a small part in that is the best part of being in education. Q: What advice would you give to someone seeking a career in education? A: A career in education is a great choice, but it is important to find the fit. It can’t be just a job. You have to love what you do and where you are doing it. Who you work with is important. They can help you during tough times and celebrate with you through the good times. The good times definitely outweigh the tough times. Being able to see students learn and grow over time is what it is all about. Thank you Mr. Schmitt for all that you do, we appreciate you! #OneWillow