Middle/Elementary School

With the school year well underway, it is hard to believe that we are finally celebrating our 100^th day of 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.

The question still remains whether the WII Fitness program is worth the hefty asking price.  Sure, you’re getting the nifty new WII Balance Board for your money, but can it really get the nation in shape or are we simply paying for a glorified set of scales?

According to many users, it’s far more convenient than going to a gym to work out.  Here’s why: If you feel self conscious at a gym, not to mention the actual act of going to a gym is a pain, then WII Fitness program is just the thing for you.  Many users have reported their progress results within days of using it and say that having the WII Fitness at your home is far better than going to a gym.

 For the people who are new to this, a WII pack comes with one Nintendo game console, one controller, one controller charger, and a WIIPlay game. The average cost for a Nintendo WII game system varies around $200 to $400, depending on what you want in it.  Individually, the WII board costs around $100.  You can also buy many different varieties of games, controllers and accessories to liven up your fun!!  

Here are five great reasons why the WII Fitness is convenient at your home:  One, it’s cheaper than a gym membership.  If you live even a short distance from the closest gym, let alone a lengthy drive, traveling back and forth to the gym and then back home adds up, especially today with the gas prices, if you exercise on a daily basis.

Secondly, there are several different kinds of motivation.  While you are doing your body test, the WII Fit is recording your progress which will show up on a chart, along with all the other stats from previous times.  The advantage of having a WII board character is that it’s always thinking in a positive way, even if you aren’t doing well or you slip up.  Also, for the time spent working out, you get credits.  The more credits you get, the more work out activities you unlock which is to your great advantage.  There are many different work-out games such as yoga poses, additional balance games, etc.

Third, there is a large variety of exercises and as mentioned before, the more you do, the more you get. There are four sections: yoga, strength, aerobics and balance. You start out with 4 different exercises available in each section, and as you work out and earn credits, more activities are unlocked. So there are plenty of varieties to choose from and new ones are always opening.

Fourth, it is FUN! For example all the balance exercises are games, but they DO work your muscles. With the run, the scenery is nice, you can do it in any weather condition, any time of the day, and you can even work out in your jammies.  Many of the WII’s games are simple and easy to grasp, but ridiculously fun – even for hardcore gamers.  “I love the WIIFit. If you use it properly, you can feel your muscles working. I also love that it is convenient in the privacy of my own home,” replied Junior Jessica Brooks.

Fifth, it works you harder than you think. The yoga and strength training exercises work with balance too. You have to not only do the exercise but hold yourself steady…this works your muscles even harder. Your balance is tracked right on the screen…this helps you to make sure you are working both sides equally and it helps improve your posture. “It’s really neat and fun.  Playing the WIIFit makes you feel like you’re in a class working with a trainer, and it keeps track of your weight,” quoted Nurse Kyle.

 Many users all over the world today are continually encouraging people to give the WII Fit a try, but they also are advising them to not forget to wear their shoes.

The Middle School Art Club has been busy in December.  A fundraiser for the club began on December 1st through December 10th.  The purpose of this fundraiser was to raise enough money to invest in park benches for the Middle School playground area. The Art Club decided to create Christmas cards to sell to Middle School students for fifty cents.  The Art club also spread the Christmas cheer to the Middle School staff by making gingerbread men Christmas ornaments.

Passion. Honor. These are just some of the elements that are clearly seen in the writing of WSHS students honoring the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars.  Every year, the VFW holds an annual essay contest for grades 8-12.

In the year 1987, in a small town of Willow Springs, a very respected student by the name of Charles Rader graduated with a passion to do something great for his country that  he loved.  That is just what he has done! The well respected veteran came back to Willow Springs and spoke to Mrs. Melby’s 7^th grade classes about his job in the military.

Cameras flashed as the entire Kindergarten class recited poems and sang songs for the pleasure of parents and friends on Tuesday, November 24.

Middle School students recently learned a lesson that will be useful on their next deer hunt.   

“It was real good success and there were a lot of smiles from students, and parents are really pleased,” replied MS art teacher Mrs. Pitts.  The Middle School hosted a Pottery Night on November 5th.  Twenty-four parents and students attended Pottery Night, a total of fifty people all together.  Overall, the new club had a great turn-out and students and parents had a lot of fun!

During the month of October, Willow Springs Middle School  participated in National Red Ribbon Week.  The red ribbon is the symbol of an anti-drug effort which began in 1985.  Teachers, students and community leaders wore red ribbons to represent the dangerous efforts of drugs and why it’s important to choose healthy alternatives.  The following Red Ribbon Week theme days took place on October 26^th-30^th.

v     Monday—“Sock it to Drugs”—Wear your craziest socks.

v     Tuesday—“Hats off to Drugs”—Wear a crazy hat.

v     Wednesday—“Tie down Drugs”—Wear your craziest tie.

v     Thursday—“Join the fight against Drugs”—Wear anything camouflage.

v     Friday—“Stay in the Game”—Wear your favorite team jersey or t-shirt.

Students sport their craziest ties