by Jessica Smoot

The 8th Grade Agriculture Education class recently worked a litter of pigs on campus after finishing up a unit in Introduction to Swine Production.

Students were responsible for clipping needle teeth, castration, giving a 1cc Iron shot, 1/2 cc wormer shot, docking the pig’s tail, and applying nose rings to the piglets.

The students learned about livestock health and focused on how, through proper booster shots and livestock handling, the health and well-being of the livestock are actually improved for a more productive life for the animal.

The Willow Springs Middle School Lady Bears played host to the Licking Lady Wildcats last night. This was the final home game of the season.  It took the 7th grade Lady Bears 3 games to win it, and the 8th grade team “got ur done in two,” said Coach Valarie Jackson.

7th Grade Scores: Willow Springs  22, 25, 25 and Licking 25, 7, 20.

The Bears had 6 straight possessions of a missed service opportunity in game one. Mikaela Deeds led  in service points with 8 service points in game one. Michaela Cox added 7 service points. Gina Wood contributed 4 service points, 3 aces and a kill.

The Bears bounced back in the second game. Devin Perkins led with 3 kills. She had two in the second game and one in first game. Kelsey Walton led in service points with six.  Maribel Garcia-Espana scored 5 service points and 3 aces, and Cassidy Crewse also had 5 service points to help the Lady Bears to victory.

In game three, Deeds again led with 8 service points, Maribel added 4 points and 3 aces.

8th Grade Scores: Willow Springs 25, 25 and Licking 22, 22

In the 8th grade match, Allie Tooley led the Bears with 4 kills and two service points. Dayla Davis had a good night, she finished with 3 kills and 9 service points, and 7 of those were aces. Kendra Aldridge chipped in with 3 service points and 2 aces. Kassidy Alexander added 3 service points. Shilo Letterman finished the night with 4 service points and a kill.

The next contest will be at West Plains on Monday night.

For attendance, students get points for being at school, no tardies, and turning in their assignments on time.  For the points they receive, each grade level, once they reach their goal, will get rewarded for their great effort.

The 5^th grader’s award was a movie day and snacks. The reward for the 6^th graders was a trip to the park.  7^th grade has not yet received their reward, but on May 14^, the entire grade will go on a field trip to Twin Pines in Winona.  The 8^th grade received an extra recess.  Way to go Middle School and keep up the good work!

6th graders have fun at the park

 Kindergarten Screening will take place in the Elementary Library on Thursday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, May 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

You must have the child’s birth certificate, social security card and updated shot records at screening.  For more information and for appointments, call the Willow Springs elementary office at 469-2474 ext.100.

As summer school is a vital tool for many students, the fact that it may be  changed and reduced brings forth some problems.

“I feel that summer school is important because kids need it for credit recovery and remediation,” stated Curriculum DirectorJennifer Douglas.

As the decision may not be made for another month, students as well as parents will just have to wait for the final outcome.

In total, there were 1,369 food items raised and donated during the food drive.  Over 700 of the items raised were brought in by 7^th graders alone.   What a life-touching experience by reaching out to needy families among us.  Way to go 7^th grade!

With the school year well underway, it is hard to believe that we are finally celebrating our 100^th day of school.  Kindergartners reminded the entire Willow Springs school with a 100^th day parade complete with 100 day hats and glasses and of course Zero the Hero, also known as Senora Griffith, headed up the ecstatic students.

Throughout the day the kindergarten classes celebrated this momentous occasion with several different activities.  Donning their hats, glasses, and necklaces, the students were ready to begin their day.  Singing the 100^th day song and snacking on a bag of ‘Gorp’, which includes ten sets of different types of food such as marshmallows, students also wrote their numbers to 100.

“This is the best day of my whole life!” remarked enthused student Wade Plank-Feldman.

Clearly the kindergartners enjoyed their celebration as the older students cheered them onto a brighter future.

Kindergarten students parading through the school

Experiencing the devastating after effects of the earthquake disaster, citizens of Haiti are in need of not only food as most of us would expect, but also hygiene items. With the call for help going forth, many organizations across the world are stepping up and providing the necessary items to aide this country in need. Not only are organizations offering assistance, but the students of Willow Springs are also doing what they can to help these unfortunate disaster victims.

The Elementary has broken the donations up and are asking each grade level to bring a specific hygiene item. This has turned into a competition as the class that brings the most items will be allowed the opportunity to help load the Convoy of Hope truck that will arrive to pick up donations on February 12. Smiley’s, the new ice cream parlor downtown, has also agreed to sponsor the elementary class that brings in the most items and reward them with an ice cream sundae party.

Middle School has opted to go the money route. Hoping to raise a total of $1,000 to send to Haiti, the students will attend an assembly explaining the details of the project on January 22 at 2:40. Last but not least, high school is taking the same approach that the elementary has chosen. Freshmen were assigned to bring toothbrushes and combs, sophomores should donate a standard sized bottle of shampoo, juniors are to bring a full-sized tube of toothpaste, seniors were chosen to donate a bar of antibacterial soap, and faculty were given the duty of bringing a small hand towel. Community members are encouraged to donate any item of their choice, whether it be a bottle of shampoo or money.

The items collected throughout the course of the donation period will be arranged into a gallon sized hygiene pack which will include one of each item reported above. This drive is a great way to help others and to show students that when we work together as a team, things can be accomplished and a difference made.

Completed hygiene kit