| 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. |
Junior High, O'Neal receive national honors
O'Neal Elementary and Poplar Bluff Junior High are among 53 school campuses out of over 10,000 to be named national showcase schools by the Flippen Group for topnotch implementation of the Capturing Kids' Hearts program.
"These two campuses now have a regional and national profile and will be getting phone calls from folks, and possibly visits to show others: 'This is kind of how we do business here. This is who we are,'" said Sean Dunphy, leadership development strategist for the Flippen Group. Dunphy has served as the R-I district's trainer for the past three years.
Capturing Kids' Hearts, a cultural initiative that centers on building positive relationships with students, was first piloted at Junior High during the 2013/14 school year and expanded to O'Neal the following year, ultimately becoming a district-wide practice.
The professional development was first discovered when R-I school officials visited the Mooresville Graded School District, a flagship school technologically, to explore its 1:1 laptop program.
"The kids were speaking in front of hundreds of people and doing things not necessarily common for 10th or 11th graders," recalled Bob Case, Junior High principal. "We noticed something-an air about it-so we just asked. Laptops had nothing to do with it."
Case, along with administrators from Senior High and the former 5th & 6th Grade Center, subsequently visited the Flippen Group headquarters for a workshop four years ago, and determined it would be worthwhile for the entire district to pursue.
When Dr. Amy Dill assumed the post of O'Neal principal this school year, one of her first orders of business-as will continue to be a practice of new employees next school year-was receiving Capturing Kids' Hearts training.
"It's what good teachers do naturally, but it's nice to have procedures where it's an expectation for everyone - adults and kids," Dill said. Case agreed, adding that the tools are used with intentionality.
Some of those tools on the showcase campuses, along with the other buildings throughout the district, include meeting and greeting students before each class, affirmation stations, social contracts in place, classes starting with 'good things' and inspirational launches at the end.
According to a press release issued by the Flippen Group, when a classroom is transformed from a "disruptive, reactive environment" through this process, students are able to "reconnect with their natural curiosity" toward learning.
As a reward for the achievement, Junior High and O'Neal have received three scholarships apiece for staff members to attend newly developed advanced training by the company this summer in Texas.
Above: Capturing Kids' Hearts consultant Sean Dunphy facilitates process champion training, which is designed for building level administrators.
Below: Middle School Assistant Principal Angie Jackson (standing, left) and Health Coordinator Sheryl Talkington hold up a sign from the former 5th & 6th Grade Center during a show and tell portion of leadership blueprint training for organizational leaders.
|
PBHS student honored by state officials
Poplar Bluff High School senior Hamiz Mirza was among 15 select students to receive the Missouri Award for Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship on Monday, April 17, in Jefferson City.
The annual state honor-based on academic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities and service to the community-was established in 1989 as a provision of Senate Bill 198. Mirza will also be recognized on the American Bar Association's Civics and Law Honor Roll.
"A lot of kids can ace government class, but it's another thing to go out into the community and change lives," said Mirza's AP government teacher Mitch Davis during a special recognition Thursday, April 20, at the school board meeting.
Davis and R-I Superintendent Scott Dill presented Mirza with resolutions from the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate signed by Speaker Todd Richardson and Sen. Doug Libla, respectively.
Mirza, who has been accepted at St. Louis University, received straight A's in several advanced social studies classes throughout his high school career, during which he served as captain of the speech and debate team, placing first last year in a district contest. This school year he helped found the Politics Club, a non-partisan student organization that meets weekly, and was responsible for hosting a watch party attended by over 100 students on presidential election night.
"I would argue he has been successful in changing the dialogue in our school from hyperpartisan to more of a reflective, collegial atmosphere where it is now 'cool' to hear the other side's views about the role and scope of government in our everyday lives," wrote Davis on Mirza's nomination form, which was also signed by PBHS Principal Mike Kiehne.
Perhaps even more meaningful, as Davis indicated to the Board of Education, Mirza volunteered over 200 hours to Smiles of Hope Dental Clinic, a nonprofit operation that began with one philanthropist making monthly clinical visits to a church. The clinic grew within several years to acquire about a dozen licensed dentists, treating more than 2,000 people and extracting over 6,000 teeth, for little to no cost to the patient.
Mirza was further inspired to spend 50 hours on his own, teaching proper dental care to children at churches and summer schools. He also volunteered 120 hours at the United Gospel Rescue Mission, along with donating another 100 hours between hospital work and teaching swimming.
"While witnessing single mothers struggling to feed their children, a health care system that has failed many, and a country that is more divided and partisan than ever, it is easy to allow pessimism to leak into one's own life," wrote Mirza in a qualifying essay about citizenship. He went on to state: "As citizens of a representative democracy, the burden of ensuring our government is running properly doesn't just lie with the people working in Washington - it relies on the work and involvement of everyday citizens who vote and raise awareness for what they believe is right."
Above: Dr. Margie Vandeven, commissioner of education, congratulates Hamiz Mirza during a banquet hosted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Missouri Bar.
Below: PBHS teacher Mitch Davis (left) and Superintendent Scott Dill present Hamiz Mirza with official resolutions for his model citizenry during the school board meeting.
|
Chamber honors top educators
The Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce honored three R-I instructors along with parochial and community college faculty leaders during the organization's annual Teacher of the Year banquet held Tuesday, April 18, at PBHS.
Communication arts teacher Gayla Fritts, whose tenure at PBHS spans 31 years, was named the secondary grade level TOY. For new teachers, Fritts advised: "Plan, plan and then plan some more, but do not forget to be flexible." For veteran teachers, she said to never stop learning. "Our job as educators is to teach our students to be fearless."
Middle School language arts and geography teacher Kathy Pattillo, whose career in education started in 1990, was named the Middle School grade span TOY. She told a story about posting a request on Facebook for former students to submit selfies as well as a favorite memory from class. She was touched by all the stories she had since forgotten, Pattillo said, reaffirming how influential educators are on a student's development.
Eugene Field interventionist Jessica Thurston, who has taught for the district since 2005, was recognized as the elementary TOY. She talked about the fulfillment of teaching a young child to read. "There is no class or textbook that will prepare you for what you will encounter emotionally," she said of her chosen profession.
The chamber also briefly recognized teachers from each building, including: Lori Tibbs of Early Childhood, Tanya Pullum of the Kindergarten Center, Teresa Hefner of Lake Road, Abby Hanner of Oak Grove, Amber Foster of O'Neal, Julie Gambill of Junior High and Jody Cochran of the Technical Career Center.
Above: (From left) Kristen Albin of Westwood Baptist, Andew Rivetti of Three Rivers, Jessica Thurston, Kathy Pattillo, Julie Gambill, Amber Foster, Teresa Hefner, Gayla Fritts, Tanya Pullum, Ruthie Davis of Three Rivers and Abby Hanner.
|
School board reorganization
Incumbents Alana Robertson and John Scott
(above, second from left), along with newcomer Jerrod Murphy, were sworn in to the Board of Education during a reorganizational meeting earlier this month following certification of the recent election results.
Outgoing board member Steve Sells
(below, right), who completed his third term and did not re-file, was recognized by Superintendent Scott Dill for his dedicated service, which included being elected president from 2012-15 during which the historic levy measure was passed.
"I feel like I'm leaving you guys in good hands," Sells said.
His replacement, Murphy, is the chief operating officer of Gamma HealthCare, and a Poplar Bluff native. Meanwhile Robertson has entered her third three-year team, and Scott has begun his second. Scott will remain board president, and Ken Davis will continue to serve as vice president, per unanimous decision.
Click
here for additional background about the school board.
|
March Athletes of the Month named
The Mules Booster Club has named soccer player Shelbey Johnson and baseball standout Ronin Rice the PBHS Athletes of the Month for March.
Ronin, a senior, holds a .381 batting average with seven singles, one double, 3 RBIs and a .458 on-base percentage. As a pitcher, he has 14 strikeouts, one walk and an ERA of 1.000, with one win and a loss. In the classroom he has maintained straight A's, while taking AP and college courses. "He excels in everything he does by leading from the front," said Steven Edwards, his coach. "Ronin takes on challenges and maintains his positive demeanor, always being a true ambassador."
Shelbey, a junior, had 16 goals and one assist in seven games, with a 4.1 GPA to boot, at the time of this nomination submission. One of the captains of the team, she has been playing soccer since she was 3 or 4 years old, she recalled. "She has really matured this season," coach Rusty Crafton said. "(She has) stepped up to be a leader on and off the field."
Above: Pictured presenting the awards to Shelbey Johnson and Ronin Rice on Tuesday, March 11, at Mules Stadium is Booster Club member Brian Taylor.
|
|
|
|
|
Special Olympics MO
The Special Olympics spring games have been rescheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Fred Morrow Stadium. The annual event is open to the public.
Free Shot Clinic
The Butler County Health Department will host a free immunization clinic on Thursday, May 18, at the High School for incoming seniors (Meningococcal vaccine), and Friday, May 19, at Junior High for incoming eighth graders (Tdap). Students, unless exempt, are required by law to be properly immunized and provide verification before attending school. Packets are available in school nursing offices, and must be returned by Friday, April 28.
Foundation Golf Tourney
The Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation will host its 18th annual golf tournament at 1 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course. Lunch will be served at noon. All proceeds go to the non-profit organization, which funds student scholarships and innovative teacher projects. To enter a team in the four-person scramble, sponsor a hole or donate a prize, contact former superintendent Chris Hon by calling 573-718-0149. Hon has agreed to continue to organize the event to help raise money for the foundation.
ECH Screening
Screening for parents/guardians interested in enrolling their student(s) in the Early Childhood Center half-day program will take place on Thursday, May 25. Child(ren) must be 3 years old by July 31, 2017, and not older than 5. To make an appointment, contact secretary Sandy Case at 573-785-6803. Please have child's social security number handy when calling.
Graduation
The commencement ceremony for the PBHS Class of 2017 is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Black River Coliseum.
|
On Tuesday, April 11, the ShowMe Times
reported about Eugene Field's fourth annual Leadership Day.
SEMO.net
reported about the district's St. Jude donation of almost $50,000.
The DAR reported about our school board reorganization.
On Wednesday, April 12, KFVS12
reported about an Arbor Day tree planting by the Garden Club at the Middle School.
On Thursday, April 13, the DAR honored the Eugene Field Students of the Month.
KFVS12
reported about the district's fundraising efforts for St. Jude.
On Friday, April 14, the DAR reported about Junior High and O'Neal's national showcase awards for model implementation of Capturing Kids' Hearts.
On Tuesday, April 18, the DAR recognized the Garden Club for its tulip poplar tree donation, honored our Middle School Students of the Month, and reported about our annual St. Jude donation.
On Wednesday, April 19, the DAR covered the Chamber's annual Teacher of the Year ceremony.
On Thursday, April 20, the DAR picked up its district TOY series featuring Lake Road's Teresa Hefner, plus recognized our Junior High science fair winners.
On Sunday, April 23, the DAR recognized band students for top placement in recent competitions.
|
Help us grow our list. Forward this to a friend.
|
|
|
|
|
