| 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. |
Zoellner awarded low bid on elementaries
The low bid for the elementary projects-the final component of the R-I buildings plan-came in over a half-million dollars under budget, it was announced Thursday, March 17, during the school board meeting.
The Board of Education awarded a $1.5 million contract to Zoellner Construction to complete this summer the four renovations designed by Dille and Traxel Architects. Zoellner is responsible for building the Junior High safe room and classroom addition this past year, and the Perryville contractor is presently constructing the 50,000 square-foot expansion of the future Middle School.
"This is the second time (Dille and Traxel) have come in under budget," Assistant Superintendent of Business Rod Priest said. "We are very proud of the way they designed these projects. They are producing a good product while remaining conscious of tax dollars."
The following features are included in the elementary projects for purposes of safety and security:
- The newest building at Eugene Field will be connected with a T-shaped corridor between the main facility and the library. The playground will be relocated behind the school so students no longer have to cross a city road for recess.
- The two classroom buildings at Lake Road will be connected with an enclosed corridor. The opening of the new Middle School with grade four entering the configuration will allow the elementary school to abandon its trailers.
- A front entrance at Oak Grove will be created off the loop road funded by the Transportation Development District. Corridors will connect the buildings with ADA-accessible ramps allowing students to travel without having to go outside.
- Four buildings at O'Neal will be connected with ADA corridors. The fourth grade wing will be remodeled for art and music classrooms, allowing for the converted basement currently in use to be vacated.
Above: Several contractors attend a bid opening Tuesday, March 1, in the board room led by Project Manager Mike Pollard (left) of Dille and Traxel. Also pictured is Assistant Superintendent Rod Priest (middle) and Al Ursery, director of buildings and grounds.
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Ethan Glick earns Belcher Scholarship
Poplar Bluff High School senior Ethan Glick has been awarded the regional John T. Belcher Scholarship, earning $750 toward college and a chance for another $1,000 in the statewide competition.
The last Poplar Bluff student to receive the scholarship was Anderson Gilberto of the Class of 2010, R-I Superintendent Chris Hon announced during a special recognition Thursday, March 17, at the school board meeting. The program was established by the Missouri School Boards' Association through the FutureBuilders Foundation.
"We had four very good qualified applicants, but your essay was top-notch," said board member Gary Simmons, Poplar Bluff's advocate serving Region 11. "It came down to you being the very best one to represent MSBA."
A total of 17 students were selected out of over 200 applicants. The top students were presented to the Regional Executive Committees based on their academic strengths, extracurricular activities and essays.
Glick will be presented his award during the spring meeting Tuesday, April 19, at The Landing in Van Buren. He plans to attend college at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Above: Gary Simmons congratulates Ethan Glick for receiving the Belcher Scholarship, calling the student an "outstanding young man."
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VFW honors patriotic teachers
Three Poplar Bluff R-I educators received Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Awards for promoting civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism in the classroom.
Betsy Painton of the Kindergarten Center won in the K-5 category, Melinda Moncier of Junior High was named the 6-8 winner and Maj. Gregory Crites of PBHS: 9-12. VFW Post 6477 honored the teachers on Tuesday, March 15.
Crites, who serves as the district's JROTC instructor, trains the rifle team and color guard, teaching cadets to respect our freedom, take pride in their appearance and serve the community, according to his nomination letter.
"I will just say that if Maj. Greg Crites does not fit the criteria to be awarded this honor, then no one does," PBHS Principal Mike Kiehne advocated. "I cannot think of one person who better represents what this award is meant to celebrate."
An American history teacher, Moncier takes a group of students to Washington, D.C. every summer, organizing the sponsorships, transportation, boarding and itinerary for dozens of students and chaperones.
"In my opinion, she exemplifies American history, patriotism and American pride with great passion," PBJHS Principal Bob Case wrote. "This would be a true honor for her, her students, her family, PBJHS and our community."
Painton teaches kindergartners to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and shares the meaning of national holidays. She has brought in a speaker during Veterans Day and has held a presidential mock election.
"She has a passion for our country and has brought that to our children at kindergarten," Kindergarten Principal Carol Brotman stated. "She has worked hard to come up with creative, exciting and age appropriate lessons to teach kindergarten age children about citizenship and its value to us individually and as a society."
Above: (From left) Maj. Greg Crites, VFW Quarter Master Alvie Baucom, Melinda Moncier, VFW Commander John Holland, Betsy Painton and VFW Senior Vice Commander Jesse Morgan.
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Student wins essay contest about fairness
Oak Grove fourth grader Carson Todd was recognized by Missouri Extension volunteers Tuesday, March 15, for winning a district-wide essay and artwork contest sponsored by the National and Missouri Association Family & Community Education.
Carson, 9, was awarded $25 for the neatness, spelling and creativity of his composition. He chose the subject of fairness, providing examples involving sports and food, illustrating how to treat others.
"Being fair is important and if you don't be fair it wouldn't be equal," Carson wrote. He included a drawing of an individual giving two people the same amount of chocolate.
Classmate Alisyn Peck won second in the contest earning $10, and Ava Richardson received $5 for third. The class of Kristie Robinson was treated to a pizza party for having the highest level of participation.
Other participating schools in addition to Poplar Bluff R-I included Sacred Heart and Twin Rivers.
Above: (Back row, from left) Edna Crain, June Romine, Jean Spain and Virginia Crafford of MAFCE; (front row) Ava Richardson, Alisyn Peck and Carson Todd of Oak Grove.
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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.
School Board Forum
A forum for the candidates running for the Poplar Bluff School Board is slated to take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in the Kay Porter Theater. Hosted by Missouri NEA and MSTA, the event is open to the public.
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 ceremony 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.
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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On Tuesday, March 15, the DAR recognized First Midwest Bank for making a donation to the Junior Beta Quiz Bowl team.
On Wednesday, March 16, KFVS12 reported about Twitter founder Jack Dorsey making a donation to Poplar Bluff Schools, among hundreds of other schools in Missouri.
KFVS12 also reported about the rededication of Bobby Strenfel Field in its new location.
KWOC reported about the Iron Mules placing 12th in the state championship.
On Thursday, March 17, the DAR reported about R-I's District Teacher of the Year, Fawn Luecke of the Kindergarten Center.
The DAR also recognized the PBHS Students of the Month.
Lastly, the DAR ran preview articles about Mules Baseball and Girls Soccer.
On Friday, March 18, the DAR highlighted the TCC's esthetician program.
The DAR also reported about the MAFCE essay contest won by Carson Todd of Oak Grove.
Lastly, the DAR recognized O'Neal's business night sponsors for Math-A-Thon.
KFVS12 reported about the placement of the PBHS Robotics Club in the state competition.
On Sunday, March 20, the DAR reported about TCC nursing student David Dornin being named a state winner in DESE's Breaking Traditions program.
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