Middle/Elementary School

With the music volume cranked up, Kindergartners, dressed in jeans paired with white t-shirts and poodle skirts, twirled in time to the beat.

Several students in the surrounding area entered the No-Smoking Poster Contest that was held by H.O.M.E. (Heart of the Ozarks Medical Equipment).

Walking into the elementary, visitors may be surprised to see students running around in odd attire.  The week of October 26 through October 30, students participated in Red Ribbon Week.  During this time students were allowed to dress up each day according to the stated themes.

Willow Springs School is a very caring school and is always involved in donating gifts to those in need.  Different clubs and organizations donate to different communities and even to other countries!  This year the Willow Springs Middle School Art teacher Mrs. Pitts has started a club called the Outreach Club.  In this club, the students in any grade 5^th-8^th learn how to crochet and crochet different projects.  The Club’s main goal is to “give back to those in need”.  Every other Tuesday, members meet for eight weeks.  The members have started a project where they crochet little blocks to form an afghan.  After the afghans are finished, they send them to a Foundation called Warm Up America.  That foundation goes to different agencies to reach out to those in need and saving lives in agencies such as nursing homes, homeless shelters, American Red Cross chapters, daycare centers, children’s hospitals, churches, and Veteran’s homes.   The Outreach Club would like to reach as many people as they possibly can before the club ends in December.  To find out more about the Foundation of Warm Up America, visit them on the web at www.warmupamerica.org!

 Another fun and educational club that sixth grade Language Arts teacher Mrs. Conway has introduced is the Book Club.  It started the first week of November.  It’s available for any student who would like to participate that is currently in the grades 6^th-8.^th   They meet weekly.  This club consists of reading, eating snacks, and visiting.  Mrs. Conway would love for any student who is interested to join, because it would be a great opportunity to increase your reading skills, and do it in a fun way!

In the Middle School office, there is a basket filled with highlights from the first quarter of good character demonstrated through action.  One note in the basket recalls a student who was trustworthy during a inter-class competition.  The teacher of the class miscalculated the points earned by the student’s team and was about to award the team first place based on this error.  The student spoke up about the error despite the fact that it caused his team to forfeit first place.  Another not in the basket recognizes a student for compassion.  The student reached out to a staff member who needed a helping hand by carrying several heavy boxes for them from the building to their car.

For Middle School students and staff, these special notes are known as Bear Paws.  Each Bear Paw is a certificate that recognizes a student for demonstrating on of the seven “Principles At Willow Springs” (PAWS) by being responsible, respectful, cooperative, compassionate, flexible, trustworthy, or mission-driven.  Students can exchange these Bear Paws for privilege certificates by turning them in to one of the Middle School administrators and explaining how they demonstrated one of the PAWS.  These privilege certificates allow them to enjoy a reward such as earning five bonus points in a subject of their choice or having the opportunity to reserve a table in the lunchroom.

The most important outcome of the Bear Paws are the impressions that they leave behind on the individuals who demonstrate and witness them, and the quality of our community as a whole.  The Middle School Bears are working as a team to make good character, the foundation of our learning community. ~Middle School Principal, Pietroburgo~

“It really hit us hard, but we’ve finally leveled out,” said Mr. Pietroburgo, the new Middle School principal. Over the past few weeks, the Middle School has been missing many faces. Many students along with teachers have been out with aching stomachs and runny noses.

 On Friday, September 25, the entire Middle School gathered in the Grimes Auditorium  to listen to Student Council candidates’ creative campaign speeches.  After hearing many different speeches, the Middle School students voted on the candidate of their choice.  The suspense continued over the weekend as students waited to hear the results on Monday.  The final results for the Student Council 2009-2010 campaign were:

President—Tyler Clinton (8^th grade)

Vice-President—Caleb Rutledge (7^th grade)

 Reporter—Katie Williams (7^th grade)

 Secretary—Bailey Aspey (7^th grade)

 8^th Grade Rep.—Carrie Engatowski and Elizabeth Wilson

 7^th Grade Rep.—Ciara Hogsett and Blake Pollard

 6^th Grade Rep.—Dayla Davis and Beth Sherbo

  5^th Grade Rep.—Alana Biehl and Linsey Brook

On Thursday, October 1, the Kindergarten split up into two groups and walked down to the library.

For many students, this was their first time being at the library.  One of the librarians read the students a book and gave them a tour.

The Kindergartners really enjoyed the trip!

“Bubba’s best buddy is Bingo the bear…”  Walking into the kindergarten room, you hear voices belting out the words to the latest alphabet song.  Mouths pop as young scholars work to perfect each letter’s sound.