Middle School

The Middle School Staff Member of the Week is Cassie Rutledge!✨ About Mrs. Rutledge: "I began subbing in Willow Springs around 1998 when my oldest son was 2 years old. After many years of subbing, I decided to apply for a para position. I've been a para for going on 6 years in WIllow Springs. I was a 8th grade para for 3 years working with Amy Pollard and now I'm going on 3 years in 5th grade working with Elizabeth Dowden and Nathan Cooper. I push into 5th, 7th and 8th this year. I am married to my husband Chris and we have 3 sons, Caleb, Joshua and Jordan. I enjoy spending time with them, their wives and our grandbaby, Evangeline. We will welcome our new grandbaby, a baby girl, Odette next month. I also enjoy cooking/baking for my family, watching Dateline and other mystery shows, and at times reading a good book." Congrats Mrs. Rutledge, we're so grateful for all that you do! #onewillow

Mrs. Dowden's 5th grade math students recently played The Unfair Game and LOVED it! ✨ The prizes in the mystery bags were definitely random. They had potatoes (surprisingly popular), chicken hats, rubber ducks, candy, chips, flamingo pens, Ramen noodles, toothbrushes, and much more! #OneWillow

Mrs. Lewis' 5th grade science students recently learned about electrical circuits!🔋⚡️ #OneWillow

❄️ 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.

Please help us welcome our next new teacher feature, Mrs. Earls! About Mrs. Earls: "I served as a paraprofessional in the elementary building for ten years before becoming the 6th-grade Writing teacher in Willow Springs for eight years. I left the district these past two years to teach online before deciding to return! Teaching is my passion, and I am delighted to be your teacher this year!" Welcome back to Bear Nation Mrs. Earls, we're so glad you're here!🐻 #OneWillow

Students in Mrs. Eden’s 8th grade English class recently created an Anne Frank Museum! Each group was assigned a person from the Frank Secret Annex and an artifact. Students had to recreate the artifact and provide research on the person and artifact. Students showcased their projects during Bear Time and had other classes and teachers visit them and ask questions! #OneWillow

Students in Mrs. Lewis’ 5th grade science classes recently took their knowledge of how energy transfers from object to object to make scientific observations in a toy car collision lab!🚗 #OneWillow

Mr. Wilson's 7th grade students recently wrote and illustrated a children's book!📖 They then visited Preschool, Kindergarten, and 1st grade classes to read their stories! #OneWillow

8th graders in Mrs. Drake’s Project STEM class recently designed and 3D printed custom Christmas ornaments!🎄 #OneWillow

Ms. Tice's 6th grade students recently went on field trips to the senior living community and the post office! While at the post office, they were able to mail letters out to their friends!✉️ #OneWillow

The 6th graders recently had a Christmas themed band concert!🎺🎄 Mr. Turner would like to thank everyone who came out to support!🐻 #OneWillow

Middle School Student Leaders recently went to the Senior Center to help with their Christmas lunch! Students waited on tables, filled drinks, served dessert, and enjoyed their conversations with the guests!💚❤️ #OneWillow

Here are the Middle School Character Award winners for second quarter!🏅 Thank you to Robert Hollis Shelter Insurance for presenting the students with gift cards! #OneWillow

Mr. Wilson's Adaptive PE class got to be Santa and his reindeer during a fun activity recently! #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

We have a lot of events taking place this week before Christmas Break begins!✨ Come out and join us this week! #OneWillow

Students in Mr. Wilson's Adaptive PE class had so much fun recently playing doctor dodgeball, soccer, and riding scooters!✨ #OneWillow

The Middle School Staff Member of the Week is Mrs. Crystal Hopper!✨ About Mrs. Hopper: 🐻 She has taught a variety of classes over the course of 23 and a half years in education. She started out in 6th grade Social Studies and ELA. The years between those subjects and her position now as Instructional Coach were filled with keyboarding, novels, career education, IGNITE, and computer apps. 🐻 She has spent all 23 and a half years right here at the Willow Springs Middle School. 🐻 In her position, Mrs. Hopper works with the Middle School teachers with our RTI program, she provides support to new teachers as well as any other teacher that might need a little help, and she is working with the elementary this year on our new Student Success Plans. 🐻"I enjoy spending time with my husband, my 2 sons Riley and Eli, my daughter-in-law Amelia and my precious grandson Oliver. We love to spend time camping together and making memories. In my down time, I love to crochet and make gifts for family and friends." Congratulations Mrs. Hopper and thank you for all that you do! #OneWillow

The Willow Springs Middle School is hosting a Holiday Food Drive now until December 13th! See below for information on what each grade level is encouraged to bring.

If you'd like to make a charitable donation this year, you can help out a family or student by paying/donating to their lunch bill. For those interested in donating, please contact our Food Service Director, Regina Roberts for more information by calling 417-469-3260 ext 414. All donations will remain anonymous.