Poplar Bluff High School Principal Mike Kiehne [left] and Junior High Principal Bob Case accepted a certificate of excellence for exemplifying a National Dropout Prevention Center model school during the second annual Missouri Dropout Summit held June 24-26 in Jefferson City.

Simultaneous professional development workshops for Poplar Bluff R-I staff were recently held, both of which centered on emboldening students to reach their maximum potential.

Capturing Kids' Hearts consultant Janet Kingsley trained Junior High educators at the Holiday Inn about building healthy classroom relationships. The process, developed by The Flippen Group, was budgeted in as the cultural component of the Digital Transformation-approved by the board in March-to complement the new learning dynamic under which students will be entrusted to explore more as teachers facilitate rather than simply lecture.

The Leader in Me consultant Christie Dickens [above] prepared Eugene Field instructors in the Missouri Room to transform elementary students into future leaders. The process-based on Dr. Stephen Covey's best-selling book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"-is being funded through a competitive grant the school was awarded in May by FranklinCovey's I Am A Leader Foundation, on top of seed money previously endowed by the Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation.

On Monday, June 24, at O'Neal Elementary, the fourth and fifth grade students of Treena Murray and Karmen Carson's classes hosted a museum featuring Native American artifacts, showcasing with younger elementary students what they learned about Missouri history in summer school.

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Under the instruction of Shiela Boyles and Jan Desgranges, the "I'm a Citizen Too" summer school class participated in a mock trial before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth on Friday, June 14, in the Butler County Courthouse.

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The Poplar Bluff Mules Booster Club has selected incoming senior Makala McCauley of Poplar Bluff High School and Austin Barousse of the Class of 2013 as the May Athletes of the Month. Both students were chosen for their accomplishments in track events.

McCauley is an All-Conference member of the Lady Mules track team and was the 2013 conference champion in the long jump event. She also competed in the triple jump and on the 4 x 4 relay team. McCauley was also a member of the Lady Mules basketball team.

Barousse was a state-ranked vaulter in 2012 and won the state pole vault competition, clearing the 15-foot mark in May 2013. Barousse also participated on the 4 x 100 relay team, recently earning conference champion honors, and was a member of the 2012 Mules football team.