|
Welcome to The eMule! Here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff School District to help start your week on the right hoof.
|
The Mule Shack teaches valuable life skills
The recently opened Mule Shack is serving multiple functions at Junior High-in addition to serving customers-including teaching students organization, simple math through change making and social interaction.
"Every piece of the store is a teachable moment," said Courtney Rutledge, the instructor over the life skills class, which runs the operation under teacher supervision.
After several months of planning, a ribbon cutting for the Mule Shack was held on Oct. 13. The new store sells snacks, school spirit items and other supplies during lunch every Friday next to the cafeteria. Proceeds go toward enhancing the life skills classroom, which is currently in the market for a stove to show students some basics on how to cook.
Over the summer, the district renovated the classroom, installing plumbing, sinks, countertops and cabinets so students-grades 7-8-can obtain practical skills that will help them manage the demands of everyday life beyond the school day. Students cleaned and painted the room, previously used as a storage space for gym equipment, and back in the day a place where students could get malts, according to Principal Candace Warren.
Before and after lunch, students gather at the service window to make their purchases. Seventh grader Nickolas Gallamore says he is saving up to one day buy a foam finger designed for sporting events. He had been anticipating opening day for quite some time.
"Finally, here's the day," Nickolas recalled thinking. He gave his early review of the store. "They have all the stuff people like... music, plus the name is catchy," he exclaimed. "It's sure to have success."
The name of the store was chosen by incoming Junior High students at the end of last school year. The Parent Teacher Organization along with donations from businesses helped supply the initial inventory. The plan is for the store to eventually become self-sustaining once it achieves profitability.
Asked what his favorite part of working at the Mule Shack is, cashier Labron Thomas of the seventh grade replied: "What I like about the store is getting to know people, and [seeing] how they're doing."
Photos: Life skills students man the Mule Shack during lunch on Thursday, Oct. 19, under the supervision of the teaching staff.
|
Students taught electrical safety
In light of its 100th anniversary, Poplar Bluff Municipal Utilities put on a live line demonstration at several of the schools within the district last week, teaching students about the hazards of electricity.
The demo opened on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at O'Neal Elementary, with Mark Baker-representative for the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers-asking second graders what they already understood about electricity.
Students variously yelled out: "It stings you." "It's dangerous." "It turns on your TV."
City linemen showed what happens when a bird decoy, a tree branch and a Mylar balloon crosses power lines. They also cooked a hotdog from the inside out with high and low voltage, revealing what the meat looks like afterward. Lastly, they used a Tonka Truck and an action figure to demonstrate what to do if a vehicle comes in contact with electrical wires.
"All electricity wants to go back into the ground," Baker said, noting that it is safer to stay in the car unless it is on the verge of catching on fire, then "hop out like a bunny" away from the vehicle since the currents are generated from the center, weakening as the ripples travel further.
There are different types of electricity, Baker shared, explaining that direct current is what is found in batteries, alternating current is in power lines and static electricity is caused by friction, the most powerful form of which can be seen in lightning.
Municipal Utilities, a city-owned electric company, reportedly first went online in 1917 after residents passed a bond issue to construct and operate a power plant. The city held a celebration at the Black River Coliseum earlier this month, offering rides to visitors in a bucket truck, among other activities.
Above: Union representative Mark Baker shows students a hotdog cooked for two seconds with high voltage that appears raw on the surface but is in fact blackened inside.
Below: Lineman Kenny Barks shows what happens to a bird decoy when the line is grounded.
|
Several hundred raised at Pumpkinpalooza
Pumpkinpalooza, a high-level pumpkin-painting competition, generated over $750 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 19, at O'Neal.
An annual tradition of the elementary school, third graders decorate the pumpkins in the likeness of their favorite storybook character. Pumpkins get judged by school officials, patrons and fellow students, and donations are collected.
This year's 'best of show' winner was Hope Morse, who raised $116.20 for her "Trolls"-inspired pumpkin. MacLaren Moore won most creative/best use of materials; Kesley Baucom won best animal; Palyn Patrick won best small pumpkin; Addyson Preslar won best hand-drawn; and Fox Berry won best display.
Prize money was given to the top winners in each category, courtesy of Poplar Bluff Realty.
Above: Third grader Morgan Rivers puts a coin in the collection bin of her favorite pumpkin on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the gymnasium.
Below: Bradt Bell, third place winner for best display, poses next to his pumpkin, "Humpty Dumpty."
Click
here to view all of the pumpkins, and be sure to vote for your favorites by hitting LIKE.
|
|
|
|
|
Mules Café
The TCC student-run Mules Café will be open from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd., featuring fried catfish, homemade mac & cheese, Ms. Dixie's baked beans, Amish coleslaw, chocolate chip cookies and a soft drink for only $7.
Movie Night
O'Neal Elementary will host movie night at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, featuring a costume parade, food and a very special viewing of "Monsters, Inc.," courtesy of our friends at Southern Bank.
Gateway2Jobs
The Gateway2Jobs commencement for Grad Center participants will take place at noon Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
Fall Festival
The Kindergarten Center will hold its annual Fall Festival from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. There will be food, games, a bounce house and silent auction.
Mules Football
The Class 5, District 1 football playoff semifinal against Jackson will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Mules Stadium. Tickets are $7. Non-school aged children attend for free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Go Mules!
|
On Tuesday, Oct. 17, KFVS12 did a news
segment about KIDaccount, the Middle School's new student dismissal technology.
The DAR reported about the MSTA mini-grants our teachers won.
The ShowMe Times reported about AmeriCorps'
Career Fair for sophomores along with the
MSTA grant recipients.
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the DAR reported about the Career Fair, as well as Manufacturing Day.
On Thursday, Oct. 19, the DAR reported about Municipal Utilities' live line demo; recognized our Athletes of the Month; and listed our Junior High Honor Roll.
On Friday, Oct. 20, the ShowMe Times
reported about our school's participation at Manufacturing Day.
The DAR reported about PBHS naming its entry road after former student-athlete, coach, administrator and lifetime Mules supporter Tom Hoover; reported about the school board's decision to put out a request for qualifications for a possible future
Early Childhood Center; and featured Sheila Melton of Lake Road in a special supplement about breast cancer awareness.
On Sunday, Oct. 22, the DAR published a photo spread from recess at Oak Grove Elementary.
|
Help us grow our list.
Forward this to a friend.
|
|
|
|
|
