| Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District to help start your week on the right hoof. |
Second annual Bright Futures symposium
Bright Futures Poplar Bluff celebrated its one-year anniversary with a breakfast symposium attended by an estimated 125 supporters on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Gamma HealthCare Conference Center. Speakers included original program affiliates from across Missouri as well as members of the national board.
Bright Futures Poplar Bluff is a non-profit organization run by school social workers that, through community partnerships, helps to meet the physical needs of students so they can focus on academics. Symposium speaker Kim Vann, Bright Futures USA executive director, cited that the national organization currently has 39 affiliate communities in seven states serving 170,000 children. Poplar Bluff R-I is the first district in Southeast Missouri to implement the program model, which originated in Joplin in 2010.
According to a program evaluation co-coordinator Carrie Booker provided to the R-I school board on Thursday, Aug. 20, in less than one year Bright Futures Poplar Bluff has helped 17 families seek relief, providing items ranging from a water heater to a cap and gown. Between the overseeing advisory board and the site councils at each of R-I's schools, over 65 community partnerships have been forged with parents, faith-based organizations, businesses and human service agencies.
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Above: For those who missed it, click play to watch the entire symposium (special thanks to friend of Poplar Bluff Schools, Jerry Murphy, for the video services and use of his facility).
Below: Lori Amoss (left), who serves as a parent on the Eugene Field site council, visits with speaker Tracie Skaggs, the coordinator of Bright Futures Carl Junction, which was the first community to affiliate with the organization after it became incorporated.
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First day of school at ECH
After some initial kicking and screaming upon parting ways from their parents, students settled in during the first half-day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Early Childhood Center.
Poplar Bluff Schools' new full-day preschool program is set to begin on Monday, Sept. 21, and will run from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Click here for more info.
Above: Tylen Duckett poses for a photo to be placed in his journal during recess in Nancy Gill's class for 3-year-olds.
Below: Cody Chapman, 4, throws caution to the wind during snack time and samples teacher Lori Tibbs' "jitter juice," a bubbly mixture of Sprite and lime sherbet. "It's magic and it's yummy, it makes the butterflies fly away, right out of my tummy," Tibbs recited in the form of a poem.
Click here to view the entire album!
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Students test reading stamina
Students in Ashley McCauley's second grade class at Eugene Field Elementary put on their focus glasses on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and participated in a reading stamina challenge attempting to make it to 20 minutes without becoming distracted.
The concentration exercise comes from the CAFÉ menu (comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary), a reading strategy developed by the " The Sisters." Eventually students will track their own progress in notebooks.
"It helps them develop focus so they can think about what they're reading," McCauley said, admitting the students did not make it too far on the first day. "We're setting the stage for the critical reading they'll need throughout the rest of their academic lives."
Above: Serenity Gilliam (left) and Tamaire Johnson read side by side, putting their attention spans to the test.
Below: Mario Mostafa finds a nook and starts reading his first book.
Click here to view the entire album!
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First year teacher Katie Campa, a Poplar Bluff High School alumna, asked her first grade students at Lake Road Elementary on Friday, Aug. 28, what they want to be when they grow up. Answers, to be included in their 'about me' books, ranged from a doctor to a cheetah, Campa reported.
Above: Reyeanna McCummiskey wishes to be like Ms. Campa - a teacher.
Below: Christopher Law would like to become an FBI agent. He certainly has the appropriate last name.
Click here to view the rest of the photos!
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Bonus: A little school humor
For the entertainment portion of the recent back-to-school convocation, a tradition of Chris Hon's, the superintendent performed with Junior High staff so his career can come full circle during his last time in front of the entire school body. Hon, who retires at the end of the 2015/16 school year, began his tenure in the R-I district as PBJHS principal.
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ACT Test Schedule
The ACT will be offered on Saturday, Sept. 12, along with several later dates. Click here for a complete schedule. Stop by the PBHS counseling office in room B113 for a free practice test.
Pink-Out Day
Orders for Pink-Out Day T-shirts are due Wednesday, Sept. 16. Shirts are $15 for short sleeve and $20 for long sleeve, with all proceeds supporting the United Cancer Assistance Network. T-shirts can be purchased by going to the UCAN office located in the former Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center north campus, or by emailing StuCo advisers Hope Conover at hconover@pb.k12.mo.us or Mitch Davis at joshuadavis@pb.k12.mo.us.
Mules Café
The Mules Café reopens to the public from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in the Administrative Building, after which the restaurant will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays. Menu includes the popular fried catfish, Ms. Dixie's baked beans, jalapeno shredded cornbread, Amish coleslaw, a Rice Krispies treat and a soft drink, all for $7. Ask them about their catering options!
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On Monday, Aug. 24, the DAR reported a preview story about Mules Softball.
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the DAR reported about the reopening of the Mules Café under the direction of TCC culinary arts instructor Chef Stephanie Letassy; the symposium of Bright Futures Poplar Bluff; the PBHS Academic Team's recent success at Quizbowl; and a preview story about Mules Cross Country.
On Wednesday, Aug. 26, SEMO.net ran photo releases about our "spread cheer" and "tip your teacher" winners; and the Ozark Federal Credit Union's generous donation to the Sho-Me Band.
The DAR printed Superintendent Chris Hon's column about the unique challenge of starting school this year.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, the DAR reported about the history of Fred M. Morrow Stadium.
On Sunday, Aug. 30, the DAR ran a photo of our state championship Track and Field team receiving their winning rings.
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