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You've got eMule!
Vol. 11 No. 22
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| Eugene Field hosts 10th annual Leadership Day |  | |
Eugene Field hosted its 10th annual Leadership Day, showcasing how the elementary students have found their voice before approximately 100 patrons on Thursday, April 6, in the gymnasium.
With a ‘Take on the world’ theme, this year’s event featured performances, skits and a classroom tour demonstrating how "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" have permeated the school culture.
The elementary school is presently up for its fourth recertification of achieving the coveted Lighthouse status under the initiative beginning in 2016, three years after joining only 5,000 schools worldwide in becoming an official Leader in Me school.
“I was shocked that first and second graders knew their lines, were standing tall and speaking with confidence,” commented Angel Kellam, third grader Narijah Johnson’s grandmother, who traveled from Florida for the occasion. “The teachers and students are doing something extraordinary here that the world should know about.”
When asked, Narijah’s teacher Kristen Clements explained how the takeaway that attendees often find so moving is that “tiny humans, 6 and 7 years old, are working the mic and switching it out flawlessly. They have found their voice!”
Students have leadership roles on teams such as gardening, homestead, patriotic, photography, sportsmanship and the synergy club. Clements is the teacher sponsor over the GLEEders, who performed three songs during the event, closing out the show with a choreographed rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
At the start of the program, students explained how the first three habits including “beginning with the end in mind” focus on private victories while the remainder center on public victories like “seeking first to understand then to be understood.” The students also practice the five leadership paradigms among which: "Students have the power to lead their own learning."
The eighth habit, Dr. Stephen Covey’s follow-up book, is to “find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.” Second grader Lance Burke, who serves as a math tutor for a first grader, explained during his speech: “Finding your voice means to find what you are good at and use that to be the best you can be. You can then use these skills to bring out the best in others.”
Students also shared the concept introduced to them about emotional bank accounts and how “leaders focus on making deposits” as in doing something kind to others rather than hurtful or “making a withdrawal.” Students then fill out deposit slips saved in the celebration section of their leadership binders that determine lead measures in order to track goals, according to second grader Alexandria Lawrence.
Eugene Field’s 2023 Leaders of the Year recognized were R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill and Assistant Superintendent of Business Dr. Amy Jackson, both of whom are retiring from the Poplar Bluff school system in June. Dill was credited for visiting the students on the playground and helping “our principal and teachers be the best they can be.” Jackson was thanked for attending all nine in-person Leadership Days and ensuring “our school has the best teachers, and that teachers have what they need.”
Also recognized among several others in the audience for his returning presence at the events was Boys and Girls Club Director Chris Rushin. Afterward, Rushin shared how Leadership Day is one of his favorites of the school year, especially considering that he attended Eugene Field growing up.
“I’m struck by how clean, friendly and welcoming of an environment this is – the kids can’t help but be inspired,” Rushin said. “It makes me wonder about a lot of my classmates and what their lives may be like, had they gone through this.”
Above: Third grader Patricia Thigpen helps close out the show by leading the GLEEders in a high-energy performance of “Beat It” by Michael Jackson.
Below: Poplar Bluff Kindergarten teacher Taylor Lowe learns about leadership binders during the building tour intermission at this month’s Leadership Day event.
Click here to view all of our Leadership Day photos, and please be sure to like/comment/share!
|  | Newest therapy dog introduced at O’Neal Elementary |  | |
O’Neal Elementary is the latest school within the R-I district to join in the movement of adding a professional therapy dog to its staff, with help from community sponsorships.
Mossy Oak Properties/Mozark Realty teamed up with Southern Bank to donate $4,000 so handlers Gabe and Bonnie Thompson, O’Neal counselor and interventionist, can bring home a Labrador retriever upon attending a weeklong training over spring break in Kansas through Cares, Inc.
“The benefits are exponentially increased here because we have kids with intensive needs,” Gabe said. O’Neal houses the district’s special education classrooms for elementary students including SWIN, TRUST and FUN.
Gabe and wife Bonnie introduced Bocce (pronounced like the ball game), who turns 2 in June, to the campus community last month. The application process began two and a half years ago, Gabe noted.
“We were approached about what they were planning a while back, and the day has finally come,” commented Billy Hirtz, Southern Bank market retail manager. “We’re just proud to help sponsor.”
Owner Lucas Edington of the Mozark Companies, who serves on the O’Neal Bright Futures Site Council alongside Hirtz, pointed out that—as a dog person—the decision for him was a “no-brainer.” Edington stated: “It’s an excellent opportunity for the school kids and adults. We’re ecstatic about it.”
Handlers are paired with certified assistance dogs through Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education & Services, a prison reform program, and must pass a public access test before graduating from the class. The Thompsons had to test Bocce’s behavior at a mall.
Poplar Bluff Schools has maintained a tradition of utilizing therapy dogs for over a decade. In addition to O’Neal, the district houses service animals at Eugene Field, Lake Road and Junior High. Another approved canine at Early Childhood is in the process of receiving additional training and Oak Grove’s Great Dane is currently inactive.
“They make ideal partnerships with counselors and intervention teachers because they build relationships and engage with many more students on campus,” said Patty Robertson, R-I assistant superintendent of curriculum.
Buildings are limited to a single therapy dog, unless a specific need is established based on student headcount, Robertson explained. In addition to seeking sponsorships, handlers are responsible for providing the liability insurance, veterinary care and pet food. O’Neal hosted a ‘puppy shower’ to get Bocce situated in the building.
Above: A representation of the student body poses with educators, business partners and the school’s new therapy dog Bocce (center), as well as a visiting Lab named Mingo.
| Wide range of menus prepared during Senior Showcase |  | |
Several dozen patrons attended the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center’s third annual Senior Showcase on Thursday, March 30, during which students displayed a culmination of techniques learned in the culinary arts program.
Sponsored by Ozark Federal Credit Union, the student-made menus featured Italian, New Orleans Creole and Norwegian cuisine; chicken sandwich concepts; and a food truck theme using potatoes, according to instructor Brandon Moon.
“Students learn what it’s like to be on their feet all day, working in a hot kitchen,” Chef Moon explained. “In the food industry, like many other jobs, they’re moving around, putting in that hard day’s work.”
Seniors of the two-year program create a mock restaurant name, design a menu after researching ingredients and food costs, then prepare the food for the public – while juniors serve as their runners.
The final project evolved from the previous meal-of-the-day series in the Mules Café with hopes that restaurant industry officials will regularly participate in the annual event to see what the prospective graduates are capable of, Moon continued.
“We want to allow students to meet hospitality owners and managers and bridge that gap between job opportunity vs. job fulfillment,” Moon said. He noted that statistically only one out of every three restaurants will make it past its first year.
Some students, however, have no desire to enter the food industry – they are merely interested in learning how to cook, he pointed out. “I feel like they’re getting the skills to help them in whatever job they choose, whether it be lawn service or car sales,” Moon said, “they still need to be able to deal with customer service and time management.”
As a follow-up to the showcase, students were asked to write a reflection paper about the high and low points of the assignment, and what their takeaways were. Rowan Pratt of East Carter, who designed a mock café/diner, stated that his favorite aspect was the planning phase, while his least favorite part turned out to be preparing the actual menu.
“In all honesty, I feel the event was a complete success and that it will prove to be a fruitful experience for all future culinary students,” Rowan wrote. “Furthermore, such an event will become overall easier to manage with the new kitchen and knowledge that the juniors possess.”
Last month, the Board of Education approved a bid from Zoellner Construction out of Perryville to construct the state-of-the-art, 3,240-square-foot Culinary Arts Center on the TCC campus, moving the Mules Café out of the Administrative Building on North Westwood Boulevard.
Above: (From left) TCC senior Emily Day describes her hors d'oeuvres to food testers Dr. Amy Jackson and Shirley Persons of the R-I business office.
Below: Vivian Mack of the TCC welcomes R-I Maintenance Director Al Ursery to her mock restaurant called Vivi’s Chicken ‘n’ More in the Missouri Room.
|  | Bonus: One incumbent, two newcomers elected to school board |  | |
Three school board members were sworn in during the reorganization meeting held Thursday, April 6, in the Administrative Building following an election that took place earlier in the week.
Newcomers Dave Elledge and Dr. Larry Kimbow replaced John Scott, who served three consecutive terms, and Jerrod Murphy, who completed two. Incumbent Dr. Mike Price held his seat from his original appointment in 2022 to finish Alana Robertson’s final year of four terms. Price previously served the Board of Education from 2006-2012.
A unanimous decision was made for Ken Davis, who has served the board since 2015, to assume the position of president for one year while Roger Hanner, who was elected in 2016, was selected as vice president. The sitting superintendent will continue to serve as secretary, and the assistant superintendent of business: treasurer.
We wish to thank our outgoing members for their dedicated service; welcome our new school board; and extend our gratitude to contestants Anthony Curnutt and Raymond Webb for their interest in becoming more involved in our school system!
Above: (Clockwise, from left) Poplar Bluff Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill swears in board members Dave Elledge, Dr. Larry Kimbrow and Dr. Mike Price during the reorganization meeting on Thursday, April 6, in the Administrative Building.
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Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for the Kindergarten Center at 1200 Camp Road will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, April 18-19, with an additional time slot available from 4:30-7 p.m. on the final day. Parents/guardians are asked to bring the following items: birth certificate, social security card, shot record and proof of residency. Enrollment forms are available here. For questions, call 573-785-4905.
Drama Club
The PBHS Drama Club will present “The Green Murders” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, in the Kay Porter Theater. Tickets are $5.
Foundation Golf
The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 23rd annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, April 28, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course, with tee time beginning at noon following lunch. All proceeds from the golf classic go toward innovative teacher grants outside of the classroom budget, and a student scholarship for a PBHS graduate entering the field of education. To enter a team in the four-person scramble, sponsor a hole or donate a raffle prize, please call 573-785-7751, ext. 5. Click here for an entry form.
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On Tuesday, April 4, Missouri S&T wrote a press release about PBHS graduate Sophie Rowland visiting her alma mater to promote the engineering career field to students.
The DAR reported about our school board election results.
On Wednesday, April 5, the DAR reported about TCC Breaking Traditions Award recipients Ahna Maycroft and Layne Trice.
KWOC also reported about our school board election.
On Thursday, April 6, KWOC reported about our Beta Club winning $6K in the Collect the Caps promotion; as well as our Middle School Honor Choir performing the National Anthem at a St. Louis Cardinals game.
On Friday, April 7, the DAR reported about our board reorganization meeting.
On Wednesday, April 12, the DAR ran the release about PBHS Class of 2019 valedictorian Sophie Rowland.
On Thursday, April 13, the DAR reported about the Chamber’s annual Teacher of the Year banquet during which our grade-span and districtwide TOYs were honored.
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