These boys (along with many others) represent the “Willard Way” on a daily basis. Yesterday these boys (Henry Orellana-Rivas, Carter Wilson, Jason Rivas and Miguel Valadez), along with another student (Anish Poudel – who is sick today) noticed a classmate sitting alone at lunch. These boys invited the classmate to join them. They all sat … Read more »

Starting Tuesday we will be enforcing our visitor policy.  For those new to the building, that means that anyone (parents/grandparents/guardians) will not be allowed to go anywhere in the school without checking into the office with their ID and getting a visitor pass.  If you see someone in the building without one, please remind them to … Read more »

Due to our stronger focus on teaching and learning, we are implementing a new dismissal policy.  After 2:40 pm (1:10 on Wednesdays), parents are no longer able to call or drop by the office for a last-minute change in dismissal plans, which disrupts teaching and learning.  (Obviously in cases of extreme emergency only, we will … Read more »

Our new school hours are 8:15 to 3:10 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Our school hours on Wednesdays will be 8:15 to 1:40.  Due to our breakfast in the classroom/morning meetings each day, we strongly encourage all students to be in their classroom by no later than 8:00 am.

No more pulling crumpled paper flyers from your student’s backpack! Opportunities in the community will now be available online, instead of jumbled up with homework and artwork. Read about child-friendly community events and opportunities, or post a flyer of your own. Click on the headline to read more about Virtual Backpack.

Meet the Teacher Night! Bring your child to meet their teacher on Monday, August 21 from 4:00-6:00pm.  You are welcome to bring your child’s supplies (see supply lists) to the classroom so they do not have to carry so much to school on their first day.  Your teachers are excited to meet you and we’re … Read more »

Registration for the 2017-2018 school year is underway. Parents are welcome to complete the registration process at your convenience online at home or wherever computer access is available using this link (https://www.dmschools.org/enrollment-registration/). If you are unsure about your user name and password, please contact our office manager,JoAnn, at 242-8439. If you complete the registration process … Read more »

It’s a new tradition at Willard Elementary School: a mural to beautify and brighten the neighborhood. After painting their first mural at the Fairgrounds Hardware store, this year a new mural – designed by 5th grader Savannah Peterson – was painted on the side of S&H Electric Company. Both pieces of public art are on East 30th Street near the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where they will be seen by millions of passersby and state fair goers. Click the headline for more.

One year ago Read to Succeed was launched at Greenwood Elementary School. Today the program’s sponsor, United Way, and DMPS came together at Willard Elementary School to provide a progress report on the initiative to improve student reading skills as well as urge community members to take time to read with children. Click on the headline to read and see more about the event and how you can help.