| 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. |
Second grade leaders visit with legislators
Eugene Field Elementary was recently selected among 15 public schools in Missouri to showcase to legislators its highly successful programming.
Second graders Makayla Cantu and Sara Tolliver, the youngest of the student participants at the Capitol, had the opportunity to discuss The Leader in Me with about 35 congressmen and education leaders-including Commissioner of Education Dr. Margie Vandeven-during the Missouri School Boards' Association legislative forum.
In December, the elementary school became the 13th in Missouri to achieve
lighthouse status under the program, which Principal Jennifer Taylor credits for helping to annually boost English MAP scores by 12 percent, increase attendance by 5 percent and decrease behavior referrals by 69 percent since being fully implemented four years ago with grant funding.
"I had some very special visitors in Jeff City this week," Sen. Doug Libla posted on Facebook following the event. "The students were displaying some of their school projects in the Capitol rotunda. I was very impressed. Keep up the good work!"
Libla, who invited the girls to visit his office following the showcase, noted that Eugene Field was the first school he "bragged about" when initially meeting first-year Superintendent Scott Dill.
House Speaker Todd Richardson, accompanied by Rep. Steve Cookson, gave Sara and Makayla a tour of the House chamber, allowing the students to stand on the dais and hold the gavel. The students told the legislators about their leadership roles, which include public speaking, patriotic, photography, teaching assistant and science teams. Richardson commented that it sounded very much like the committees lawmakers serve.
"I'm impressed that men and women of such importance took the time to make our little 8 year olds feel special," said Sara's mother Mary Tolliver, who served as one of the teacher chaperones. Tolliver pointed out that the girls took a half step back when the first visitor stopped by their booth, then they quickly got into the groove, presenting to a total of about 35 officials. "When the initial intimidation wore off, they didn't seem to have any qualms talking, which I found astounding and really showed their maturity."
Once very shy, Tolliver credits the LIM for giving her daughter confidence and helping her find her voice.
Based on the success of the event, MSBA plans to invite students to participate at the legislative forum each year going forward, according to officials. Other schools at the showcase included Border Star Montessori in Kansas City and the John Thomas School of Discovery in Nixa, with a single district representing almost all of the regions within the organization.
"I see very good things around us, but this is great," stated Dill, who also attended the legislative forum. "The culture that the teachers and staff have brought about in the school is changing lives, churning out citizens that will be better prepared for everything that comes their way."
Last week, another Eugene Field student was able to showcase his leadership skills beyond Poplar Bluff Schools. Third grader Keaton Willcut introduced keynote speaker John O'Leary before over 500 people in attendance during the LIM symposium in Independence. Click
here to watch the video.
Above: Student Makayla Cantu goes over her leadership notebook with Sen. Doug Libla, while classmate Sara Tolliver looks on.
Below: Student Sara Tolliver discusses with Speaker Todd Richardson the leadership teams she serves at Eugene Field, while Makayla Cantu awaits her turn.
Click
here to view all of the photos, and be sure to 'like' your favorite shot!
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Serviceman surprises kindergarten daughter
Staff Sgt. Greg Byrd of the U.S. Army Reserve surprised his 5-year-old daughter Andrea on Thursday, Feb. 16, during the annual Donuts for Dads celebration at the Kindergarten Center.
Byrd said he was granted nine days leave from his in-state deployment with the 1st Army training support battalion. He flew in from Texas the previous evening.
Click
here to leave a comment for Byrd, and be sure to 'share' our viral video on Facebook!
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O'Neal continues spelling bee streak
Brume Osiohwo of O'Neal Elementary won the Butler County Community Resource Council's annual spelling bee Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Fox Radio Network, spelling 142 words correctly - the most in recent memory.
Moderator Lee Speilberg referred to Brume and finalist McKenna Miller of Oak Grove as the "unstoppable spellers," stating on air at SAM 96.7 that he was going to have to start "making up words," as the students made it through the standard words as well as one complete bonus list.
This is the third consecutive year an O'Neal student won the spell-off, after a three-week tournament took place at R-I's four elementary schools. Also impressive to note, Brume's parents Silas and Jennifer speak a Nigerian language as their native tongue.
Other building level champions included Keaton Willcut of Eugene Field, Alyssa Cochran of Lake Road, Jonah Halliburton of Oak Grove and Ella White of O'Neal.
Above: Brume Osiohwo wins the spelling bee after spelling the word r-e-c-e-i-v-e-d correctly, followed by s-t-r-a-n-g-e.
Below: With Nico Cuevas of Fox Radio looking on, Kathern Harris of the CRC goes over the instructions to Poplar Bluff's spelling champions (counterclockwise) Alyssa Cochran, Brume Osiohwo, Ella White, McKenna Miller, Keaton Willcut and Jonah Halliburton.
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Spanish classes sample tropical fruit
Approximately 400 high schools students learned about tropical fruit common in Spanish speaking countries on Wednesday, Feb. 22, with funding from a state grant valued at over $600.
R-I Health Coordinator Sheryl Talkington secured the prevention and management of chronic conditions in schools money-which focuses on physical activity, nutrition, asthma and chronic illnesses-from the Missouri Department of Health in cooperation with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Chartwells School Dining Services procured the fruit-papaya, mango, pineapple and kiwi-and Chef Angie Barnett helped prepare and serve.
"We are excited to be able to share what is probably unknown to many students," said teacher Charley Harper, noting that he was fortunate to have three mango trees growing up. "These are fruit common to many of the countries we teach about in Spanish class."
Instructor Maria Acevedo shared that in her home country of Puerto Rico, vehicles can stop along the side of the road and pick mangos from surrounding trees "for free," she exclaimed.
Above: Chartwells Chef Angie Barnett holds up a pineapple while teacher Charley Harper slices papaya for high school students to taste.
Below: PBHS Spanish teacher Maria Acevedo tells students that mango hangs on trees "kind of like Christmas ornaments."
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The Imaginary Theatre Company finished its play series Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Poplar Bluff Schools with a performance of "A Thousand Cranes" for fifth graders in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center, underwritten by the Bank of Missouri.
Imaginary, the professional touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, previously performed "My Father's Dragon" for Eugene Field and "A Gnome for Christmas" for Oak Grove. Last year they put on plays at the Kindergarten Center, Lake Road and Junior High.
Tinnin Director Tim Thompson and R-I Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Patty Robertson will continue planning the rotation next year.
"A Thousand Cranes" by Kathryn Schultz is about a Japanese girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia a decade after being exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb during World War II
in Hiroshima. According to an Eastern legend, if a person folds 1,000 paper cranes, s/he will be cured of disease. The girl - Sadako Sasaki, made it to No. 644, and now has a monument built in her honor at Seattle Peace Park.
The plays were brought to the district as part of Three Rivers College's Patrons of the Arts series. Beginning in the 2015/16 school year, the community college opted to bring the plays directly to the schools within its service area, free of cost.
Above: Actors (standing from left) Jeanitta Perkins, Aaron Orion Baker, Charlie Barron and Catherine Regan (seated) of the Imaginary Theatre Company pose after holding a Q&A with students about the play, "A Thousand Cranes."
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Kindergarten Enrollment
Kindergarten enrollment will continue from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the Kindergarten Center on 1200 Camp Rd. No appointment necessary. Please bring birth certificate, shot record, proof of residency and social security card, if possible. For more information, call 573-785-4905.
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On Monday, Feb. 13, KWOC released a
video of our Basketball Homecoming Court.
On Wednesday, Feb. 15,
the DAR published photos from our 100th day of school.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the DAR reported about Eugene Field's trip to Jeff City, as well as Lake Road's improvements under PBIS, and recognized the Middle School Students of the Month.
KFVS12
reported about O'Neal's student volunteer library helper, Bailey Williams.
The ShowMe Times
reported about the Middle School's Safety Patrol
On Friday, Feb. 17, KFVS12
aired the video of Staff Sgt. Greg Byrd surprising his daughter Andrea.
The DAR published a photo of Byrd's surprise visit, and recognized the O'Neal Students of the Month.
On Sunday, Feb. 19, the DAR also reported about Bailey Williams of the Middle School.
KFVS additionally reported about the Middle School
Safety Patrol, and the High School
Athletes of the Month.
On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the DAR ran a photo spread from Donuts for Dads and Dudes.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the DAR published photos of the Pom Squad Kiddie Camp.
On Thursday, Feb. 23, the DAR reported about the R-I district's two Capturing Kids' Hearts showcase school nominees.
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