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Willow Springs Elementary School has announced the students best showing the characteristics of good citizenship for the month of November. Congratulations kids!

On Saturday from 9-12 a.m., Bears for a Better Christmas was able to help 362 kids for Christmas. Coach Waggoner and Mrs. Brower, along with around 24 student volunteers, worked to provide each child with two toys, a stocking stuffer, a book, a warm item, socks, and a hygeine kit.  Parents were also given wrapping paper and tape to put it all together.

In response to the recent anti-bullying assembly at Willow Springs School, the students below made their own poster. What have you done to make things better?

Ingomar Lodge #536 of Willow Springs recently provided a generous donation to the Willow Springs School District to provide winter coats and warm items for students in need.

by Allison Chaney

Bullying has become a problem in schools and everyday life all around the world. This was especially brought to our attention by Mr. Kirk Smalley who spoke about the Stand for the Silent (SFTS) program he started after his own child, Ty Smalley, had taken his own life because the life of a victim was just too much for him.

Bullying has become such a big issue because it can happen absolutely anywhere at any given time, without so much as an in-person encounter. The most common example of this is cyber bullying which consists of any unwanted, unwarranted, harassing statements made via mobile phone, social networking site, instant messenger, and similar sites.

by Nicole Maloy

by JJ Cox

Hazing is an action that happens all across the nation, from high schools to the military. The official definition of hazing is “bullying a student with or without the consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, or academic heath or safety of a student.”

An editorial by Alison Chaney

Have you ever noticed how sometimes seemingly awful things can turn into something good? Personally, I think everything happens for a reason. Something that might have a not so positive effect on you at the time just might end up saving you from an even harsher reality in the future. I also believe that your attitude towards obstacles in your way directly determines how big of a trial it will be for you over-all. In other words, approach situations that stray from society’s depiction of the “norm” with an open mind and a positive outlook.

 One of those predicaments that are particularly relevant to me is having a family member with what we know as ‘Down Syndrome.’ Down syndrome is a chromosomal defect that affects 1 in 1,000 children. Down Syndrome or ‘Downs’ occurs when a child receives an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. This condition can cause physical handicaps and learning inabilities, with ranging severities.

by Ashli Riden

Bullying has become a huge problem in schools around the country. It has caused many young kids, like Ty Smalley, to take their own lives so they no longer have to deal with their bullies. The stories of Ty Smalley and other people were the subject of an assembly held at Willow Springs School on Tuesday, November 29.

By Brittany Dickman