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You've got eMule!
Vol. 12 No. 12
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| PBHS teacher/alumna named 2023 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator |  | |
At least one R-I teacher has been named a McDonald’s Outstanding Educator annually since the advent of the regional recognition program four years ago.
Poplar Bluff native Crystal Huddleston, a PBHS business instructor since 2012, was selected on Friday, Dec. 8, as a finalist among 1,750 submissions in a multi-state service area, according to McDonald’s spokesperson Amanda Campbell.
“Crystal loves her students so much,” stated department colleague Pam Davis in her nomination. “She is the most caring person I know. Her goal is beyond education but to make them a better human!”
In her role as a parent, Christi Todd—Oak Grove library assistant—additionally submitted Huddleston’s name after consulting with her son Carson, presently in his senior year.
“Mrs. Huddleston is a caring, loving teacher with great morals,” Todd wrote. “She always goes above and beyond. Both of my sons have loved her. Without a doubt she deserves this award!”
Huddleston, who also serves as the Future Business Leaders of America adviser, received a $100 Visa gift card, coffee mug that reads “best teacher ever,” and 25 McDonald's 'Teach it Forward' free menu item vouchers to be distributed to students of her choosing.
“I plan to pay it forward with my coupons and give them to students that are trying their best and going the extra mile,” Huddleston said. “I was so excited to receive this award and humbled by all the kind comments from our community!”
When McDonald’s of Poplar Bluff made the announcement on Facebook, numerous former students commented on the post how Huddleston was “one of the best” and “so deserving.” Mia Crowson Cooper, another parent, added: “She’s a blessing to PB and our children. Thank you Crystal Huddleston for all you did ‘extra' for my girls!”
The award program is sponsored by West Plain’s native Andi Hilburn-Vaini, owner/operator of Poplar Bluff’s three McDonald’s locations of 28 total restaurants across the region. Past R-I Outstanding Educator recipients have included Ashley Blume of Oak Grove and Lake Road’s Teresa Hefner last year; Aleanna Moore of Middle School in 2021; and Amy Ethridge of O’Neal during the inaugural rollout.
Above: Crystal Huddleston (center) of PBHS is presented the 2023 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator award on Friday, Dec. 8, by Tony Seabaugh, area supervisor, and Director of Operations Cheryl Farrow.
| Oak Grove’s ‘Jingle Jog’ continues to grow |  | |
Vehicles ranged from a Lamborghini to a Trident spray rig in the ceremony that served to kick off Oak Grove’s 19th annual Jingle Jog, featuring 36 parade entries on the elementary school campus.
An estimated 2,700 non-perishable food items were collected for the Bread Shed in tandem with Northside Nutrition Center on Friday, Dec. 15, as students merged exercise and goal-setting with philanthropy in the one-of-a-kind event.
“It’s a way to combine community service with physical fitness, serving Christmas cheer and a whole lot of fun and joy in one event,” explained Kristie Robinson, Oak Grove principal. “It’s kind of an outreach between teachers, community members, businesses and our families.”
Each student donates a canned good per anticipated lap completed around the parking lot within five minutes. The Bread Shed has been the chosen organization for the past several years since the faith-based food pantry supports the families of so many students, according to Robinson.
The event opened with a Christmas-themed parade featuring student groups across the district, partnering organizations, government agencies and law enforcement, farm animals, and a surprise entrance from Santa himself, this time on a trike motorcycle pulling a Chevy Camaro sleigh. Returning volunteer Randy Bailey of River Radio served as the emcee.
Jingle Jog was established during the 2005/06 school year by Robinson’s predecessor Jenifer Richardson, and continues to grow through staff connections and community members reaching out directly to participate based on its far-reaching reputation.
Above: Jasper Bennett (left) and Easton Hampton of the first grade work to finish their laps around the parking lot.
Below: Santa Claus and the Grinch join forces during the grand finale of the Jingle Jog’s opening parade.
Click here to view all 130+ photos in our running album, and please help us tag our participants!
|  | PBJHS Life Skills students host Friendsmas for families |  | |
The Life Skills class at Junior High hosted its seventh annual Friendsmas celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in the FEMA gym – showcasing to guests the skills the students have been learning in preparation for life after school.
Friends and families of students, staff members across the district, and schoolmates from the Plantastic elective attended the taco salad feast over the lunch hour last week. Life Skills students, who fundraise for the yearly event, helped prepare the dessert, set the tables, and invited their loved ones.
The holiday tradition began in 2017 and previously featured a Thanksgiving theme – but postponing until the subsequent month has bought the students more time to prepare, according to instructor Courtney Rutledge.
Above: Faculty members Steve Frey and Courtney Rutledge over the Life Skills class at PBJHS, along with therapy dog Tufte, greet families.
Below: Speech teacher Katherine Bell and Diane Frazier, IEP facilitator, help serve families during Friendsmas last week in the gymnasium.
Click here to view all of our photos, and be sure to Like/Share/Comment to express your support!
|  | November Athletes of the Month named |  | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Kennedy Zgaynor and Carson Todd of Poplar Bluff High School the November Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Carson, a senior swimmer, has broken four individual school records this season including the 50 and 100 freestyle during the COMO Invitational in Columbia, and the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke during the Springfield Invitational. He has also broken three school records as a member of the 200 medley relay, as well as the 200 and 400 freestyle relay. He is the first boys swim athlete to qualify for state in four individual events and three relays. In the classroom, he is ranked among the top 30 of his class, with a weighted grade point average of 4.0.
“As a team captain, he inspires and unites teammates, leading through words and actions. Carson Todd consistently goes above and beyond, dedicating countless hours to training and overcoming challenges with unwavering determination,” stated Kyler Sowell, his coach. “…In summary, Carson Todd is an outstanding athlete, a symbol of leadership, a paragon of hard work, and a quality individual who enriches the lives of those around him.”
Kennedy, a senior softball player, led offensively during the current season with the following statistics: a .421 batting average, .515 on-base percent, .754 slugging percent, 1.269 on-base + slugging, eight doubles, three home runs, 12 extra-base hits, 43 total bases, a 98.25 percent contact percent, and the fewest number of strikeouts – with only one. She also leads the team in every defensive category, including 74 total chances, a .973 fielding percentage, 69 putouts, three assists, and four double-plays. In the classroom, she has maintained an 11.0 GPA this semester.
“Playing in two less games than her teammates she led the team in each defensive category and nearly every offensive category as well,” said Aaron Duncan, her coach. “…She has worked through adversity and continued to perform in high-level coursework in class, on the field with above-average play, and in the dugout with her calm demeanor. Besides making difficult plays at short look routine, and being a very tough out at the plate, Kennedy is the ideal role model for student-athletes, and someone every coach wants on their team.”
Above: Carson Todd and Kennedy Zgaynor are presented the AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at PBHS.
| Bonus: A Very Central Office Christmas | |
Our Administrative Building staff would like to take this opportunity to wish our readership a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope each and every one of you enjoys a rejuvenating and safe holiday season with family/loved ones. It is a privilege to serve our school system. Thanks for following along.
Included are two group pictures – during Christmas (above) and Thanksgiving – in an effort to not exclude anyone. (We still came up short there). Here’s to 2024!
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AmeriCorps PCP
AmeriCorps is soliciting donations through Tuesday, Dec. 19, in the Missouri Room of the Administrative Building for the remaining families adopted through its annual Project Christmas Promise. The service organization aims to provide Christmas presents for 476 Butler County families and 1,265 children in need this year. To get in touch, email projectchristmaspromise@pb.k12.mo.us or message the Facebook page.
Board Filing
Election filing to fill two open seats on the Board of Education will continue to run from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. through Wednesday, Dec. 20, plus 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, in the Administration Building at 1110 N. Westwood Boulevard. Candidate names will be placed on the ballot in order of filing.
Christmas Break
School will be dismissed for students from Thursday, Dec. 21-Tuesday, Jan. 2. School will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
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On Monday, Dec. 11, KWOC reported about PBHS Mules Football player Logan Hite being named to the Missouri All-State second team.
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, KBSI Fox23 reported about our TCC’s $15K SkillsUSA/Lowe’s grant; and $3K in classroom grants provided by our school Foundation.
KAIT8 additionally highlighted the four grants awarded through our Innovative Educational Project program.
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, KWOC also reported about our SkillsUSA Classroom Enhancement and Community Service grant provided by Lowe’s Home Improvement.
On Thursday, Dec. 14, the DAR reported about the TCC’s successful construction trade grant written by our HVAC/R instructor.
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