| 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. |
Twitter founder donates over $2K to R-I
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has funded $2,200 worth of classroom technology and equipment for Poplar Bluff Schools.
Senior High will receive nervous system models, Junior High will get a 3-D printer and Oak Grove - a set of Hokki Stools as a result of Dorsey's string of generosity toward his homestate of Missouri.
The three education projects were among several hundred Dorsey financed through the not-for-profit website, DonorsChoose.org, Thursday during a 'flash funding' event celebrities and philanthropists participated in known by the hashtag #BestSchoolDay over social media.
"My philosophy is it doesn't hurt to try, and it paid off this time," stated R-I Instructional Technology Facilitator Candace Warren, who authored the 3-D printer proposal. "I love when people in positions of power give to education, because it's so very important."
The printer will become part of a makerspace likely centrally-located in the library, allowing for students studying velocity to design different wheels for model cars, for example.
Brain, ear and eye models will be purchased at the high school for anatomy and physiology students to study the nervous system beyond looking at a diagram.
"I didn't even know #BestSchoolDay was happening," exclaimed PBHS science teacher Stephanie Hillis, who has successfully financed two other classroom projects on Donors Choose this school year. "I opened my email and was amazed that my huge project was funded by one person."
Special education teacher Courtney Rutledge of Oak Grove has had three other projects paid for through donations via the website. The four stools-ergonomically designed to allow for rocking, twisting and turning-will allow the elementary students to burn some energy while performing academic tasks that require focus.
"Donors Choose is a great tool in helping teachers connect with individuals that can financially afford to help supply materials that our budget is unable to provide," said Rutledge, noting this was her most costly request to date. "The donor was an even bigger surprise."
Above: The PBJHS Science Department reacts to the Jack Dorsey news.
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The adventures of Mrs. Knuckles' class
Christie Knuckles' kindergarten class has met an alligator, saw a banyan tree, visited Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's winter homes, and toured the smallest post office in the United States so far this month.
"We decided to take the whole class with us on our vacation to Florida," joked Barbara Rexroat who, along with her husband Dave, are reading volunteers at the Kindergarten Center.
Before the Rexroats left to Naples, they had Knuckles' students color clip art of themselves to be mounted on a board and photographed at various landmarks à la Flat Stanley.
"After spending this year with Mrs. Knuckles' class and knowing we were leaving for our trip, I knew we would miss the kids very much," Barbara explained. "I thought it would be educational and adventurous to send photos and descriptions of what they saw on various days."
Every day or so, Knuckles puts up a submitted picture on the Smart Board and the kindergartners take a moment to discuss the backdrop.
"The students love to see where they have visited," Knuckles said. "Barb and Dave's granddaughter Anna is in my classroom, and they have been such a wonderful addition!"
Above: Barbara and Dave Rexroat, community partners of the Kindergarten Center, are pictured at Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's estate with Mrs. Knuckles' class.
Below: Mrs. Knuckles' class (along with another travel companion of the Rexroats, Beaker from 'The Muppets') are introduced to tour guides at Shark Valley National Park.
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Iron Mules place 12th in state championship
The Iron Mules placed in the top 25 percent of schools in the Midwest during the Missouri FIRST Tech Challenge championship on Saturday, March 7, at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.
The milestone marked the first time the Poplar Bluff High School Robotics Club was eligible to compete in a state competition after just three years of its founding.
"After five rounds of play in which they were as high as fourth place, (following) a couple of mishaps, they ended in 12th place," recapped science teacher Kathy Miller, club co-sponsor. "Fifty teams were competing from all over Missouri, Illinois and Kansas."
In an activity titled the 'Cascade Effect,' participants attempted to earn the most points possible by using their robots to gather different sized plastic balls into rolling goals and then move the goals into scoring zones, according to a press release the university issued.
The robot used to perform the tasks was revamped from a tournament qualifier the Iron Mules vied in last month at Cape Girardeau. The club assembled the robot from a kit.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a nonprofit established in 1989 "to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders" through participation in robotics programs.
Above: (Back row from left) Christian Cmehil-Warn, Vaughn Albright, Cody Eason, Paul Sanders and Jonathan Miller; (second row from left) coach Kathy Miller, Bryan Nguyen, Jocelin Clark, Jasmine Ward, Kaitlyn Parson-Ruminer, Sterling Ramsey, Sam Traxel and Preston Elliot; (front row from left) assistant coach Mike Sowatzke, Diego Rivetti, Chang Chi and Matthew Miller (as Maximus the Mule).
Below: Club members (front to back) Christian Cmehil-Warn, Diego Rivetti, Jonathan Miller and Chang Chi were honored as graduating seniors during the final ceremonies.
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Preschool Enrollment
The Early Childhood Center is accepting enrollment in its full-day preschool program. The program has been expanded to year-round, and the cost has been reduced to $80-100 per week, based on free and reduced lunch program qualifications. For more information, call 573-785-6803. Click here to watch the video.
Book Drive
The Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center is holding a drive for gently used age-appropriate books. Drop-off locations include Whitworth's Gift Chest Jewelers, Black River Medical Center and the Kindergarten Center. For more information, call Rebekah Hager at 573-785-4905.
Golden Legacy
Author Leonard Marcus of the book, "Golden Legacy," will speak about the history of the project at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19, in the Kay Porter Theater. Pick up a free ticket to meet the author, curator, historian and expert critic of children's literature by visiting the municipal library at 318 N. Main St.
Reality Fair
The annual Reality Fair of the Ozark Federal Credit Union will take place from 8-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the Black River Coliseum. Contact Davine Conover at davine@ozarkfcu.com about possible volunteer opportunities.
TCC Applicants The deadline is April 1 for applying to the practical nursing program, May 2 for the cosmetology program and June 1 for technology & industry programs at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center. For more information, call 573-785-2248.
PBJHS Ribbon Cutting
The ribbon cutting for the new classroom and FEMA addition of the Junior High will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 7, at 550 N. Westwood Blvd.
Leadership Day
Eugene Field's third annual Leadership Day will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. Friday, April 8, at the elementary school.
Edu-documentary Area educators are invited to attend an exclusive screening of the critically acclaimed Greg Whiteley documentary, "Most Likely to Succeed," at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the Kay Porter Theater, followed by a brief discussion. Registration is free, but seating is limited! Click here to RSVP.
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In the March edition of School Administrator magazine, Poplar Bluff R-I was featured in an article about rural schools and technology (see p.24).
On Tuesday, March 8, the DAR recognized the O'Neal Students of the Month.
The DAR also reported about the opening of the new Strenfel Memorial Field for Mules baseball and softball.
On Wednesday, March 9, KWOC recognized the Math-A-Thon business night sponsors of O'Neal.
The DAR recognized the Beta Club for donating to the Kiwanis Club pajama drive.
On Friday, March 11, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported about Jack Dorsey funding 600 school projects, including three at Poplar Bluff.
The DAR recognized Eugene Field's Honor Roll.
On Sunday, March 13, the DAR recognized our February Athletes of the Month.
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