| 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. |
PBJHS wins the battle of underwater robots
Gifted students at Poplar Bluff Junior High School won their first regional underwater robot competition by employing Albert Einstein's theory of keeping it simple.
"We used Einstein's philosophy that: 'Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler,'" said eighth grader Dylan Wells, one of six members of team Mulus Aquaticus, water mules in Latin.
The students placed first out of about 10 intermediate schools in the scout division of the fourth annual remotely operated vehicle competition of the Northern Gulf from April 22-24 at Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Mobile, Ala. The event was sponsored by the international Marina Advanced Technology Education program.
Out of a possible 340 points, Mulus Aquaticus scored 248, 75 points ahead of the second place team, according to SINGS instructor Tom Allen (serving the individual needs of gifted students), who first introduced ROVs to the curriculum several years ago.
"Pilot Connor Becker ran a perfect course in the afternoon trials, something that, according to officials I talked to, rarely happens," Allen reported. "Our team score actually was higher than all scores in all levels of the competition."
To prepare, the team had been meeting after school weekly since December assembling their ROV under general parameters provided. While some of the competitors brought in devices with eight motors and hydraulics, Mulus Aquaticus' ROV was fabricated out of PVC piping, two prongs, three motors, a three-button joystick for navigation and a camera.
The contest consisted of four missions, one of which was to collect oil samples from the pool to test the chromatography. The scenario given was that NASA lost a CubeSap and the oceanographers were charged with bringing the miniaturized satellite to the surface.
Mulus Aquaticus only needed 8 minutes and 30 seconds out of a total of 10 minutes to complete the challenge, receiving bonus points for landing the best time of the day. While the wisdom behind their device prevailed, the students still feel some points were left on the table, they said.
"Winning is great, but the biggest thing here is that self-reflection," PBJHS Principal Bob Case stated. "When kids start reflecting, that means they are outcome-driven and the educational barrier has been broken. They're on their own at that point. All a teacher needs to do is facilitate the learning process."
Above: (Standing from left) Tom Allen, Bethany Jenson, Tanner Robinson, J. Michael Greenwall and Tommy Holland; (kneeling) Connor Becker and Dylan Wells.
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A total of 15 certified and classified outgoing staff members, along with an administrator - the superintendent himself - were recognized for their dedicated service to Poplar Bluff Schools on Thursday in the Board Room.
Each employee was given a plaque as a small token of appreciation, and their building administrator reflected on their careers and what they have meant to the school system, with a little bit of humor mixed in for good measure. Family and colleagues came out to express their support.
Happy retirement to each and every one of you! You will be missed dearly.
Above: (Standing from left) Chris Hon, Madonna Kenser, Elaine Woodruff, Elaine Edwards, Sherry Tinsley, Linda Ferguson, Janna Dooley and Debra Pennington; (seated from left) Sally Clark, Dennis Wirth, Cynthia Olsen, Wendy Perrin and Deborah Gross. Not pictured is Linda Nordeen and Bill McKinley.
Below: Assistant Superintendent of Business Rod Priest gives Chris Hon high praise during his speech, calling Hon R-I's greatest superintendent in recent memory, if not of all time.
Click here to view the pictures from our photo booth, and wish our retirees well by clicking 'like' on the album!
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Tenth student earns Wolpers Scholarship
Poplar Bluff High School senior Grace Hudson has been awarded the $1,300 Mary Lynn Wolpers Scholarship to pursue a global business degree with a concentration in social entrepreneurship. She has applied to the Stern School of Business at New York University.
Hudson, who has taken advanced courses throughout her entire high school career and has participated in the dual credit program through Three Rivers College, is the founder of Students Against Sexual Assault, an after-school club. Women's rights is another one of Hudson's passions.
A total of $12,000 has been awarded through the Wolpers Scholarship since its inception in 2007.
Above: Foundation vice chariwoman Emily Hogg presents Grace Hudson with the Wolpers Scholarship on Wednesday at the high school.
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Future RN receives Laseter Scholarship
Poplar Bluff High School senior Ashten Luttrull was awarded the $1,000 Dr. Michael D. Laseter Memorial Scholarship.
Luttrull plans to become a registered nurse. She will begin her higher education at Three Rivers College. She is currently completing the health occupations program through the Technical Career Center.
A total of $9,000 has been awarded to students planning to major in the medical field through the Laseter Scholarship since its inception. Laseter was a physician specializing in internal medicine at Kneibert Clinic for more than two decades. After retiring from medicine in 1994, he taught physiology at PBHS on a voluntary basis for five years.
Above: (From left) Foundation vice chairwoman Emily Hogg, Ashten Luttrull, and Isaac and Donna Laseter.
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FBLA member receives state recognition
Poplar Bluff High School senior Christian Cmehil-Warn won first place in the category of cyber security during the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference Sunday to Tuesday, April 24-26, in Springfield.
Scoring the highest in Missouri on the test has qualified Cmehil-Warn to participate in the National Leadership Conference June 29-July 2 in Atlanta. He also received an achievement award for completing more than 500 hours of community service.
Above: Christian Cmehil-Warn won a medal for taking first in cyber security.
Below: A group of 19 FBLA students participated in the State Leadership Conference last week in Springfield.
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Bonus: Administrative Assistants Day
Behind every school administrator, there is an assistant who truly runs the show.
Above: (From left) Teresa Gibbs, Kelly Stewart, Toni McNeal, Stephanie Hefner, Carol Davis, Carla Thompson, Bobbi Hon, Michelle Crutchfield, Shirley Persons, Laura Hillis, Dawn Hicks and Barb Green.
THANK YOU for all you do behind the scenes!
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High School Musical Junior
PBJHS will present the 'High School Musical Junior' at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, and 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the Kay Porter Theater. Tickets are $5 per adult and $3 for students. According to choir teacher Will Armour, the students have put a tremendous amount of effort into the show. "The talent with this group of students is unbelievable, and you will not want to miss out on going to one of the performances," he said.
ECH Screenings
The Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center is holding screenings for the 2016/17 school year on Wednesday and Thursday, May 11-12, at the 1235 N. Main Street location. To schedule an appointment, contact Sandy Case at 573-785-6803. Please have your child's social security number when calling. Child must be 3 years of age but not older than 5 before July 31, 2016.
Graduation
The commencement ceremony for the PBHS Class of 2016 is slated to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in the Black River Coliseum. Doors open at 6.
The deadline is Wednesday, June 1, to apply for the technology & industry programs at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center. For more information, call 573-785-2248.
Summer School
Summer School begins Wednesday, June 1, and runs through Tuesday, June 28.
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On Tuesday, April 26, the DAR published a photo spread from prom.
On Wednesday, April 27, KFVS12 reported about the Special Olympics, which were held at PBJHS.
KWOC also reported about the Special Olympics games.
On Thursday, April 28, the ShowMe Times reported about the Special Olympics.
The ShowMe Times also reported about the Math Club's success at Math Field Days.
On Friday, April 29, the DAR recognized our retirees.
The DAR also reported about PBHS senior Gabbie Pattillo signing a letter of intent to cheerlead at Arkansas State University.
On Sunday, May 1, KFVS12 reported about the JROTC Change of Command ceremony.
The DAR recognized the FFA for placing during the recent district competition in Cape Girardeau.
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