Strong Today. Future Focused. Words of Appreciation

Last month, voters in the Willmar Public Schools community came together to

help the district address its financial and space challenges. On November 7,

voters approved the operating levy and bond referendum for Willmar Schools.

In addition to a middle school gymnasium that conforms to Minnesota

Department of Education minimum requirements, the referendum approvals

will support students and staff. 

The operating levy will be used to continue important mental health supports,

fulfilling needs that have only grown with time. Further, the levy approval will

help us maintain existing class sizes and a broad variety of academic,

co-curricular, and extracurricular programming. Finally, funding raised from

the levy will be used to attract and retain quality staff and ensure financial

stability that will help us to remain strong today and future-focused. 

Middle School Gymnasium Next Steps

We expect groundbreaking and construction to start this spring, with an eye

toward a fall 2025 occupancy. Initial drawings have been completed, and we

are working through final approvals in preparation for going out to bid. As we

work through the details, we’ll keep the community informed at every step of

the process. 

Our Community. Our Cardinal Pride.

We have seen how supportive our community can be, and while we know not

everyone voted yes for this referendum, we think we can all agree that we have

some common beliefs about our community and our schools. We are excited to

move forward and are dedicated to being good stewards while making

important decisions on behalf of our community’s children.

On a personal note, we are truly grateful for your trust and support of our

school district. We will continue to be available to discuss our district and our

great student accomplishments, visit your club or organization, or even have a

cup of coffee. 

Please reach out to either of us with any questions.

Dr. Jeff Holm, Superintendent, holmj@willmar.k12.mn.us or 320.231.8510

Dr. Bill Adams, Assistant Superintendent, adamsb@willmar.k12.mn.us or 320.231.8506

For More Information

Visit willmar.k12.mn.us for more information about Willmar Public Schools.

Dr. Jeff Holm is the superintendent of Willmar Public Schools; Dr. Bill Adams

is the assistant superintendent of Willmar Public Schools.

Draft Drawing of Middle School Physical Education Space (SE of Current Structure)

Gifts Beyond Wrappings: Embracing Time, Traditions, and Unseen Blessings During the Holidays

The holiday season resonates deeply with me. In the Adams household, we hold dear the traditions of Christmas and New Year’s while also acknowledging other celebrations at this time, such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and others. Festive gatherings, delicious meals, and abundant joy form the heartwarming highlights for the Adams family, with the added layer of fun brought by NFL football, cribbage, and other games. These celebrations over the years have created many wonderful memories for our family and I’d like to share one of them with you.

One of my favorite family holiday memories is from a large family gathering. Our oldest daughter was probably four then (she is now 24). The entire Adams family had converged on an evening of celebration. As part of the celebration, children were asked to gather around a speaker. As the speaker was talking to the children I caught a glimpse of my daughter dressed in her most beautiful holiday clothing looking intently at the speaker soaking everything in. I remember goosebumps taking over my skin and tears filling my eyes. In the spirit of the holidays, at that moment I realized the great gift bestowed upon me, children.

During the holidays, a lot of emphasis is placed on giving and receiving gifts. For me personally, the hustle and bustle of the holidays can have the unfortunate effect of putting me in auto-pilot mode as I seek to observe my wife crossing off items on whatever checklists are demanding her attention at the moment while asking my input. What I appreciate most during the winter break is the time I’m provided to deliberately break out of auto-pilot mode and connect at a deeper level with my wife and four children. This protected time allows us to embed new traditions and more meaningful conversations into our family’s rituals.

The possibility of purging traditions that may be competing for our attention on “what really matters to us” is a true gift. In a similar vein, there are gifts that we can bestow that will make a difference for our children long after the luster of a new Barbie or the new Harry Potter trivia game wears off (don’t get me wrong, I love Harry Potter). The gift of time is one such gift. With the increasing demands on families’ schedules, I understand that it may not be possible to increase the number of minutes that parents have available to be present (pun intended) with their children. What we can do is leverage those minutes by setting aside our handheld devices and engaging with children via conversation, play, and one-on-one time. Integrating concepts like respect, responsibility, mathematical thinking, etc. into authentic real-life interactions is a powerful learning tool. At the risk of being vulnerable, I’ll share a personal story.

When my son Gable was 4 years old (he is now 19) my wife called me and informed me of a conversation she had with him. He had said he was worried about the fact that I may not be proud of him because he doesn’t wrestle. To put this into perspective I am a huge amateur wrestling advocate (not WWF). This information jolted me upright and provided me with careful reflection. At that point, my son did not realize what a great gift he was to me, and that, wrestler or not, I loved him dearly. At that point, I made it a priority of mine to let him know what gifts he had that truly made me proud of him. I consistently told him how proud I was of him for his gifts to do mathematics and make friendships. This story also catapulted me to recognize the great gifts my other children and wife had.

I certainly don’t share these side stories to imply that I was doing or am doing the parent or gift thing better than anyone else. Truth be told, I am not. My intention is to engage in a continuing dialogue about what we can do collectively to support student learning and provide all students with the opportunities and skills that will help them make important decisions later in their lives. Sometimes this is as simple as taking a step back to reevaluate priorities and routines, affirming what matters, and pursuing new goals. The best gifts often manifest themselves as opportunities in our daily lives. What we do with these gifts is up to us.

 

On behalf of the entire Willmar Public Schools staff, we wish you the happiest of holidays. May you discover your true gifts this season and enjoy a relaxing and enriching break.

Recognizing Excellence - Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award Recipients

In the spirit of acknowledging outstanding contributions to our community, we take immense pride in celebrating the recent recipients of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment and service, embodying the values that Rotary cherishes.

Lauri Liebl (PH+5):

Lauri's dedication to our community is not only commendable but goes above and beyond. With five Paul Harris Fellow recognitions, she has consistently shown a deep commitment to service and making a lasting impact.

Steve Brisendine (PH+5):

Steve's unwavering dedication is a testament to his commitment to Rotary's ideals. With a Paul Harris Fellow +5, he has exemplified leadership and service that have left a lasting imprint on our community. For those of you who didn’t know, Steve was the Willmar Public Schools Community Education Director for several years. He certainly knows a thing or two about “Service Above Self.”

Jack Behr (PH+2):

Jack's contributions, earning him a Paul Harris Fellow +2, highlight his commitment to Rotary's mission. His efforts have undoubtedly enriched our community, showcasing the power of service.

Joy Baker (PH+6):

Joy's remarkable journey, marked by a Paul Harris Fellow +6, speaks volumes about her passion for community betterment. Her commitment to making a difference has had a profound and lasting effect. We were happy that Joy was able to join us after her very busy book tour.

Tom Johnson (PH+7):

Tom's outstanding contributions, earning him a Paul Harris Fellow +7, reflect the epitome of Rotary's ideals. His continuous service has significantly impacted our community, fostering positive change.

The Value of the Paul Harris Fellow Award to Our Community:

The Paul Harris Fellow Award is not just a recognition; it symbolizes a commitment to service above self. These individuals, through their multiple recognitions, have demonstrated a sustained dedication to making our community and world a better place. Their actions inspire others to step forward, creating a ripple effect that strengthens our society.

These recipients have become examples of service, illustrating that every act, big or small, contributes to the greater good. The Paul Harris Fellow Award is a reflection of the collective effort and commitment to Rotary's principals, making our community a brighter, more compassionate place.

Rotary’s 4-Way Test:

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

To learn more about the Willmar Rotary Club, please visit www.willmarrotary.org. We would love to have you join our club. Feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions that you may have.