High School

We would like to thank our local EAA Chapter 1218 for giving our Aviation students a tour of their facility last week! Students also learned about some of the projects that have been completed by the Chapter along with some of the projects they are currently working on. EAA Chapter 1218 offers multiple opportunities to assist young people looking to enter into the world of aviation, and they have been very supportive of our Aviation students and our new Aviation program! #OneWillow

The Willow Springs High School Quizbowl team had a great showing at the SCA Competition last weekend! The Varsity team placed second, Daniel Iacovlev and Sophia Barrett placed top ten in JV individuals and Marcus King placed top ten in Varsity individuals! Congratulations! #OneWillow

Spring sports are starting soon!⚾️ High School and Middle School spring sports schedules can be found at this link: https://www.willowbears.com/page/athletics

Willow Springs High School student leaders and staff talked with 8th grade students from rural K-8 schools yesterday at the Rural School K-8 High School Fair hosted by Glenwood R-8 Mustangs! The Rural School K-8 High School Fair is an opportunity for high schools in the area to meet with 8th graders from a rural K-8 school and share the opportunities that their school has to offer. #OneWillow

Several Willow Springs High School students recently toured Southern Missouri Technical Institute and Willow's Innovation Hall to learn about programs and opportunities that are offered in career and technical education! #OneWillow

The Willow Springs High School FCCLA is selling Florida Strawberries now until February 26th!🍓 A full flat (8- 1 lb tubs) is $25 and a half flat (4- 1 lb tubs) is $15. You can find an FCCLA member who has order forms as a way to purchase, or use the link provided below and order online. The link will remain open until February 26th. Order link: https://orgshopper.christiankropf.com/.../0C4C185D6ADB176... Expected delivery date is March 4th. Pick up will take place at the high school. Thank you for supporting FCCLA!🐻

The Willow Springs High School Book Club recently visited the Barnes and Noble in Springfield to listen to author Christopher Paolini talk about his new book "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" and The Inheritance Cycle!📖 The students had a great time! #OneWillow

This past Saturday, the High School Computer Science team took part in the first ever Mizzou Hackathon in Columbia. Matt Sabulao, Jack Thompson, Garrett Dickens, Matthew Streng and Kayden Wood spent the day solving coding challenges and developing the code for a computer game. Jack Thompson and Matthew Streng tested their skills in the expert section of the competition, winning second place and a cash prize for their game that was coded in just four hours. Special thanks to a former graduate and a Mizzou Computer Science major, Martin Leija for help and guidance during the competition. Martin was one of the main organizers of the Hackathon at Mizzou. #OneWillow

Congratulations to these middle and high school members of the Willow Springs Bear Pride Band who auditioned and were selected to the 2024 SCA All-Conference Honor Band!🎺 High School Honor Band: 🐻 Alli Pearson - 9th chair Clarinet 🐻 Karis Cochran - 3rd chair Alto Sax 🐻 Logan Mullins - 8th chair Trumpet 🐻Tate Cochran - 3rd Chair Trombone Junior High Honor Band: 🐻 Brynlie Campbell-Holmes - 7th chair Flute 🐻 Allisa Scanlon - 8th chair Flute 🐻 Oren Coble - 8th chair Clarinet 🐻 Alli Killough - 2nd chair Alto Sax 🐻 Jazzilyn Slankard - 4th chair Alto Sax 🐻 Porter Casey - 4th chair Trumpet 🐻 Josiah Wade - 7th chair Trumpet 🐻 Braylon Moore - 8th chair Trumpet 🐻 Emma McCary - 3rd chair Trombone 🐻 Kayden Mayberry - 7th chair percussion 🐻 Kaelyn Cooper - 8th chair percussion #OneWillow

Congratulations to Caleb Martin, Macy Pearson, and Braiden Dewitt for their performances at the MGHS Speech and Debate Tournament! Caleb earned 6th place in Humorous Interpretation, while Macy and Braiden made 4th place in Duo Interpretation! #OneWillow

The Early Degree Program is an agreement between the Willow Springs High School and Missouri State University-West Plains. It provides a unique opportunity for students to graduate from high school and earn an Associate Degree at the same time. We currently have 1 senior and 4 juniors in the program. There are stringent requirements to be eligible to participate in the program, tuition fees, and more details to discuss if the student is interested. See the images below for more information. Students who are interested need to meet with Mrs. Patton by January 31st. Here's a Q&A with Willow senior Jessica Aye about her experience in the Early Degree Program: Q: Describe how your experience has been in the Early Degree Program: A: The Early Degree Program has been a wonderful experience. The professors are very willing to help and care about their students. The other students are very kind and making friends was no problem at all. If I had to do it all over again, I would. Q: Why were you interested in the Early Degree Program and what degree or career path are you pursuing: A: The Early Degree Program was a great opportunity to have my Associate’s Degree when I graduated high school. I want to become a Physician’s Assistant, which usually takes about six years after high school graduation. I will be licensed after four years, which will get me into my career sooner. Q: Why should students consider the Early Degree Program: A: Students who are planning on pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree or higher after high school should consider the Early Degree Program because it will significantly strengthen their college applications, and put them two years ahead of their peers. It may seem a bit nerve-racking at first, but meeting new people and being in a new environment will happen regardless of what college you go to. Q: What else would you like to share about your experience in the Early Degree Program: A: Throughout my time at MSU-WP, I have made some of my best friends. I have never felt so much support from both teachers and other students as I have at MSU-WP. I would recommend the program to anyone. #onewillow

We have another Pizza Give Back Night!🍕 If you place an order from Pizza Americana any time on Wednesday, January 24th, 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!

Mr. Siler's carpentry students recently completed their Level 1 Certification of the UBC's Career Connections Program! The Career Connections program is designed to help high school teachers introduce students to a career in carpentry. Students learn basic and intermediate carpentry, advanced skills in commercial and residential construction, and the essentials of construction site safety. The program also includes training in the employability that research shows employers value most, including: goal setting, positive attitude, punctuality, teamwork, and taking initiative. Created by the Carpenters International Training Fund, this program is employed in schools across North America to introduce students to the craft and trade of carpentry. #onewillow

Friday, January 19th is our Hoop Queen game!🏀👑 Coronation will happen between the JV and Varsity games, probably around 6:30 pm. ✨ Freshman Princess is Neely Gilbert ✨ Sophomore Princess is Sady Younger ✨ Junior Princess is Briana Hann The Senior Candidates are: ✨ Liliana Leija ✨ Samantha Smolnik ✨ Melaina Wilson The dance will be after the Varsity game in the Bears Den and will go until 11:00 pm. Admission is $5 at the door for high school students. Students who are bringing an out of school guest must turn in their out of school guest forms to Mr. Forrest first thing Friday morning.

❄️ Inclement Weather Reminders! ❄️ With the possibility of inclement weather approaching, here are a few reminders: • If you are a parent or guardian in the district, you will receive a call, text, and email informing you of any weather-related closures, bus route changes, or schedule changes. Please ensure your contact information is correct in your parent portal account. • The district will also place a pop-up message on our website at www.willowbears.com, send out a notification through the Willow Bears App (free for anyone to download in the Apple and Google Play stores), and post on the district's social media pages. Make sure your push notifications are on in the Willow Bears App - to do this, open the app and select "menu", then click "settings", then you will click "push notifications" and select each building you would like notifications for. • The district will also share closure information with area radio and television stations, but please rely on district channels as your primary source. You will be informed as soon as a decision is made. We always work to make the best decision in the most timely manner with safety as a top priority.

The Willow Springs School District would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Paul family for their generous donation to the Willow Springs High School Career and Technical Education Programs! Roland "Pig" and Donna Paul moved to Willow Springs from Iowa in the 1960's and established a Pork Plantation which operated for roughly 30 years. The couple were big proponents of agriculture in many aspects. The family felt Pig and Donna would be happy with this donation to promote students in the many opportunities that Career Tech Education offers. The generous donation will benefit all of our CTE programs. "The entire Paul family have been lifelong supporters of Willow Springs and our hometown school," said Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence. "This incredibly generous donation will absolutely give the kids in our community the resources to succeed. Bear Nation is humbled and grateful to carry on the Paul legacy." #OneWillow

Reminder! The Willow Springs High School is hosting a Christmas Fine Arts Night tonight from 6:00-7:00 pm at Munford Gymnasium! Join us for a fun night full of art and music as we recognize our incredibly talented fine arts students!🎼🎨 #OneWillow

✨Reminder! Our new facilities open house is tonight from 5:00-7:00 pm!✨ The Bear Training Facility is located at 901 N Ferguson Street (next to the football practice field). Innovation Hall is located at 908 Springfield Road. We are excited to showcase the progress of our new programs and look forward to seeing you tonight! #OneWillow

It’s #TeacherProud and #BearProud Tuesday! Willow Springs is excited to join other school districts across the region in celebrating teachers and district staff on the second Tuesday of each month. Our nominees for the month of December are: 🐻 Misty Pitts - Willow Springs Elementary School 3rd Grade Teacher 🐻 Ashley Johnson - Willow Springs Middle School Girls PE Teacher 🐻 Kim Cochran - Willow Springs High School Librarian 🐻 Eva Braun - Willow Springs Schools Cafeteria Staff Congratulations to this month's recipients, we are so grateful for all the hard work and dedication you give to our district and students! #OneWillow

Join the Willow Springs High School Theater Club this weekend as they put on the play "Taking Over" at the Star Theater!🎭 Tickets are $7.00 at the door. Show times are Friday 7:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 pm, and Sunday 3:00 pm.