The former maintenance building behind Junior High was demolished over the weekend in order to make way for a new roadway to the future FEMA safe room. The school board unanimously approved Allison Construction of Poplar Bluff as the low bidder for the demo project, per recommendation of R-I Assistant Superintendent of Business Rod Priest, during the monthly meeting on Thursday.

On Jan. 15, the board will open bids for the selection of a contractor over the Junior High addition-designed by Dille & Traxel-which, besides a multipurpose room, will include several new classrooms, restroom facilities and improved handicap accessibility.

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The advisory class of business teacher Tracey Hall won the annual door-decorating contest, sponsored by Poplar Bluff High School Student Council, with their 3-D snowman. Students will be treated to pizza or Rowland Stollen Bakery, their choice.

Judging the contest based on creativity and originality, quality of construction, and overall appearance were: Margaret Carter of First Midwest Bank, Steve Halter of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Kurt Knodell of Poplar Bluff Realty, and Dr. Amy Jackson and Tim Krakowiak of Poplar Bluff Schools.

Placing in close second out of the 16 participating classes was social studies teacher Michelle Massey with her students' Whoville theme, and math instructor Hope Conover's "Elf on the Shelf"-themed door won third.

Below: [From left] Steve Halter, Kurt Knodell, Dr. Amy Jackson, Halter's son Steven and Margaret Carter.

The Junior Beta Club of the 5th & 6th Grade Center recently donated more than 400 toys and over $1,200 to Project Christmas Promise, as the result of a toy and penny drive that ran from Nov.17-Dec. 12.

Project Christmas Promise is a gift donation program sponsored by AmeriCorps. Volunteers work through school counselors in Butler County to identify families in need of assistance during the holiday.

Above: AmeriCorps tutors [left] Brooke Sheppard and Jessica Uhl fill a vehicle with donations to be delivered to the AmeriCorps office.

The Poplar Bluff Mules Booster Club has selected PBHS Cross-Country standout Katie Sliger and Soccer star Jose Reyes as Athletes of the Month for November.

Reyes, a senior, ended the Mules Soccer season with 359 saves, eight penalty kick saves and 10 shutouts. He was named as a goalkeeper for the All-Regional, the All-Conference and All-District first team, and the All-State second team.

Freshman Sliger was a Sectional qualifier and earned the sixth place All-District honor. Her personal record for the 5K is 20 minutes and 52 seconds. She maintains a 10.857 grade point average.

Above: Pictured presenting the plaques is Booster Club member Brian Taylor.

Fourth grade students in Chris Innes' class at Oak Grove Elementary made gingerbread houses on Wednesday, Dec. 17, in celebration of Christmas.

Below: Ethan Hudlow does not leave a square inch of space open in his candyland creation.