| Welcome back to The eMule! (Apologies for the short hiatus - our author had a wedding to attend to). Without further ado, here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District. |
Olympic hopeful rallies PBHS Cross Country
USA Team marathon runner Josphat Boit Skyped with the Poplar Bluff High School Cross Country team on Thursday, Oct. 22, by way of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., where he is training at 8,000-feet altitude for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Mules Cross Country Head Coach Beth Lewis-Muse, who was teammates with Boit at Central Methodist University in Fayette, arranged for the video call to take place prior to the Cross Country District Championship over the weekend.
Boit answered student questions about his training regimen, recovery, nutrition and psychology. The Kenyan athlete played soccer in high school, he revealed, and only decided to take up running in order to land a scholarship to attend college in the United States. He grew up with eight siblings and could not otherwise afford pursuing higher education.
Now gearing up for the Olympic trials in February in hopes of making the marathon team, Boit stated: "Everything I do from now until then is a confidence booster." He works out twice a day, running about 10 miles in the morning and several more at night, maxing out at 120 miles per week, he said.
Maintaining a racing weight of 123 pounds, Boit is on the Paleo diet, mostly eating meat and vegetables, and in particular red meat for the high levels of iron, which he noted are essential when altitude training. Asked what he does to stay active outside of training, Boit responded: "I take offseason seriously. I stay away from running as much as possible," he added, "to let the body recover."
Three high schoolers from Poplar Bluff went on to qualify for sectionals during the Class 4, District 1 Championship on Saturday in Jackson: Katie Sliger, Isaiah Williams and Wesley Moore.
Above: Josphat Boit informs PBHS senior Isaiah Williams that his fastest marathon run was 2:12.
Below: Josphat Boit poses on the projector screen with the Cross Country team.
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Pumpkinpalooza raises over $900
The fourth annual Pumkinpalooza took place last week at O'Neal Elementary, generating more than $900 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, according to organizer Allison Bell, a third grade teacher.
With help from parents, participating third grade students are required without carving to decorate their pumpkins after the theme of their favorite storybook characters. First place winners in each category are awarded $15, second place - $10, and third place winners receive $5. This year's contest was sponsored by Marble Slab Creamery.
Lauren Hobbs won most creative/best use of materials; Paden Thornton - best animal; Lindsey Counts - best miniature; Hailey Robinson - best hand-drawn; Jesse Decker - best display; and Brynna Maxwell - best of show with $108.
Above: Brooke Montgomery and Parker Kneir (below) vote for their favorite pumpkins.
Click here to view all the pumpkins, and be sure to support the work of the students by hitting 'like!'
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Junior High Trap Team holds inaugural meet
The newly instated Junior High Trap Team competed in its first meet Friday, Oct. 16, at the Poplar Bluff Gun Club, showcasing some real potential despite having limited time to practice shooting, according to spectators.
"Several coaches of other schools were impressed with the skill level of the team," stated Sandy Pike, a parent. "Trap is one of the biggest up and coming sports, and it ties in well with all the conservation opportunities we have in this area."
In September, the Board of Education approved the establishment of a Trap Team at the Junior High level so students can gain two more years of competitive experience before entering high school. Josh Wesemann, a PBJHS social studies teacher, was named coach per recommendation of Dr. Amy Jackson, R-I assistant superintendent of personnel.
The Senior High Trap Team has been in existence for about a decade, according to volunteer parents who-along with coaches-helped consult with the younger team organizers. Last year, four Senior High team members out of only 20 from a multi-state region were selected to participate in the Mizzou Trap Academy. Sophomore Hannah Cash went on to place second in the nation.
The sport of trap is sponsored by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Each of the participants are required to maintain membership under the Missouri Trap Shooters Association, and the coaches must be certified to instruct students in shooting and safety through the National Rifle Association.
Above: (From left) Coach Josh Wesemann, first place winner Dylan Hale, second place winner Jon Pike, and third place winner Keaton Carr.
Below: The Junior High Trap Team is pictured.
For updates, 'like' the Poplar Bluff Trap Team Facebook page.
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MO Libraries Snapshot Day
About 1,250 books were checked out by students, grades 1-12, during MO Libraries Snapshot Day on Wednesday, Oct. 14, according to R-I librarians.
Snapshot Day is an opportunity created by the Missouri Library Association to demonstrate how school libraries are fulfilling their missions.
Above: Third graders Dylan Hall (left) and Spencer Nunn find a windowsill to read on in the O'Neal library.
Below: Lauren Hamilton (laying across lap), Taylor Blocker (back left) and Julia Chambliss (right), each of Joann Lack's fifth grade class, make creative use of space in the Middle School library.
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Powder Puff
The annual Powder Puff Football games have been rescheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Fred M. Morrow Stadium.
Community Thanksgiving
The Community Thanksgiving Dinner, provided free of charge for the public by Chartwells School Dining Services, will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the PBHS Student Activity Center.
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On Tuesday, Oct. 6, DESE included in its Top 10 by 20 newsletter a release about the district's new preschool program.
The DAR reported about Rocket Day.
On Thursday, Oct. 8, KFVS12 reported about Fellowship General Baptist Church's renovation of the Junior High Band room.
On Friday, Oct. 9, the DAR advanced a social media seminar organized for parents by school leaders.
The DAR also recognized the Mule Barn for its support of UCAN (with an assist by Mossy Oak).
Lastly, the DAR recognized Fellowship General Baptist Church for its in-kind donation to Junior High.
On Sunday, Oct. 11, the DAR reported about TCC students saving the district thousands by doing maintenance work across campus.
The DAR also ran a photo spread from the PBHS Football Homecoming.
Lastly, the DAR recognized the Eugene Field and O'Neal students of the month.
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the DAR advanced the focus group meeting designed to seek input from the public in the superintendent search.
The DAR also published on its Outdoors page a photo of the Junior High Trap Team practicing.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, the DAR reported about the TCC carpentry class getting started on the construction of a new house.
On Friday, Oct. 16, the DAR recognized the Middle School students of the month.
On Sunday, Oct. 18, the DAR provided a construction update of the R-I buildings plan.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the DAR reported about the Sho-Me Marching Band's performance at the Central Rebel's Invitational.
On Sunday, Oct. 25, the DAR reported about the SINGS program.
The DAR also recognized Eugene Field's honor roll.
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