| 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. |
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A student wrote a heartfelt essay about her school janitor and won $500 plus an all-expense paid trip for the pair to attend the Missouri High School Football Championship in St. Louis.
Poplar Bluff High School junior Katie Huskey and long-time custodian Jan Ethridge enjoyed the Fort Osage versus Chaminade game together on Saturday, Nov. 28, receiving on-the-field recognition and a behind-the-scenes tour of Edward Jones Dome.
Huskey said she chose Ethridge in the Missouri National Education Association-sponsored writing contest, Teacher Words Matter, because of the custodian's welcoming smile and positive influence on the lives of cohorts of high schoolers.
"It's not big things that matter. She inspires us to do little things every day," Huskey said of Ethridge. "Her job title is technically custodian, but that's not why she comes to work every day."
Ethridge, who has been employed by the R-I school district for 17 years, explained that students seem to confide in her, so she takes it upon herself to offer them some guidance.
"It's me being a Christian. This is my training field," Ethridge stated. "Just saying 'Hi' to a child, you would be surprised how it brightens their day."
Above: One of 10 contest winners, Katie Huskey (second from right) gets recognized during halftime at the Edward Jones Dome.
Below: Katie Huskey (left) is pictured in the counseling office with her inspiration, affectionately known as Miss Jan.
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PBHS student wins DJ dance party
A high schooler recently became a hero for earning a school-wide dance party hosted by professional disc jockeys through the Graduate for Mas program, an online resource that challenges students to make a pact to graduate.
Sam Clark, a Poplar Bluff High School junior, was one of 25 students selected out of a 1,000 nationwide as part of a virtual homecoming court based on his contest entry. The studentbody got behind Clark and voted him to the No. 1 spot, which earned him $100, a computer and a dance party from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in the high school gym, emceed by Tekno Bubble in St. Louis along with DJ Dallas Green from New York.
"I'm one of the drum majors in our marching band, and my personal goal each day is to motivate somebody," wrote Clark in his submission. He plans on majoring in music or music performance in college, and then attending a trade school for audio engineering, according to the website.
"His new MacBook Air will help with his musical aspirations," the site states. "Not only will he start researching colleges, he plans on using his laptop to improve his musical abilities."
Graduate for Mas, which PBHS has participated in since the 2014/15 school year, is sponsored by Get Schooled, a national education nonprofit, in partnership with the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. Last year, Darian Sales of the Class of 2015 was featured in an MTV video sponsored by the college-readiness program.
Above: A screenshot of Sam Clark featured online as the grand prize winner was captured from the Graduate for Mas website.
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Employees get sneak peek of PBJHS addition
Poplar Bluff Junior High faculty and staff took a preliminary tour of the FEMA safe room (above) and classroom building (below), following nine months of construction by Zoellner, during collaboration day on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
The new facilities, projected for completion by March, will serve as a science building and a practice gymnasium, which will double as a tornado shelter. The nine additional classrooms will allow for the school to abandon its outdated stand-alone building on the southwest corner of the campus, which presently houses industrial arts, health, art and SWIN classes.
The construction is part of the historic buildings plan voters approved in April 2014, along with a $1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Click here to view the entire construction album and be sure to hit 'share!' Also click here for updated photos of the future Middle School project, and here for the Senior High expansion.
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Little Red Bookshelf
Oak Grove is holding a children's book drive from Monday, Nov. 30-Friday, Dec. 4, as part of its Jingle Jog community service project to help stock Little Red Bookshelfs at participating businesses. Drop-off locations include the elementary school, Daily American Republic, River Radio, Poplar Bluff Realty, Dr. Mike Price Family Dentistry, Whitworth's Gift Chest Jewelers, and the Black River Coliseum Aquatic & Fitness Center.
Toasty Toes
Eugene Field is holding a sock drive through Thursday, Dec. 17, to be distributed to area homeless veterans via the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Please deliver new socks or monetary donations to the elementary school at 711 Nickey St.
Gift Wrap
The school district will host its annual gift wrap fundraiser for St. Jude from 3-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the Gamma HealthCare Conference Center at 1717 W. Maud St. There is no cost for packages to be wrapped, but donations will be accepted on behalf of the children's research hospital.
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On Monday, Nov. 23, the DAR reported about the Kindergarten Center receiving recognition for its successful implementation of the Missouri Collaborative Work program; and honored the Oak Grove Students of the Month.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, KWOC linked a press release about the Patrons of the Arts putting on a play for the Kindergarten Center; and the annual Gateway 2 Jobs program.
SEMO.net ran releases about the Kindergarten Center's regional recognition; the Gateway 2 Jobs program; and the Patrons of the Arts series.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25, the DAR reported about a PBHS government teacher accepting a job with House Speaker Todd Richardson; honored our Gateway 2 Jobs graduates; ran a photo spread from the Early Childhood Thanksgiving; recognized Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for donating to the Junior Beta Club; and recognized the Eugene Field, Middle School and Junior High Students of the Month.
On Friday, Nov. 27, the DAR reported about a Salvation Army bell ringing marathon led by a group of high schoolers.
On Sunday, Nov. 29, the DAR reported about Katie Huskey's winning essay about custodian Jan Ethridge; introduced our new Safety Resource Officer Cpl. Richard Knapp; highlighted the Junior Beta Club's diaper drive for the Child Concern Center; and recognized the Middle School Honor Roll and Junior High Students of the Month.
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