| 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. |
District launches new mobile-friendly website
On New Year's, Poplar Bluff Schools launched a brand new district website with information and interactive features most popular to over half a million visitors last academic year, based on Google analytics.
The completely revamped site, still located at
www.poplarbluffschools.net, features for the first time a responsive design, compliant under the Americans with Disabilities Act, with a language translation function. An accompanying mobile application with an emergency alert option is anticipated to be downloadable for free in app stores by March, once Apple and Google approve activation.
Now available through a button on the homepage is a staff directory and transportation software via Infofinder, which maps existing bus routes, listing times and locations for parents. Other useful tools include lunch and breakfast menus complete with nutritional details through Nutrislice and real-time job listings from TalentEd.
Each school has its own individual website accessible from the landing page, which will highlight building-wide news and calendar items, plus other quick links for students, parents and employees. Along with streamlining the navigation, another major driving factor behind the website upgrade-the first major overhaul since 2010/11-was enhanced transparency, school officials agree. Instead of having to browse through lengthy board packets, the district budget, audit and report card-among other useful resources about partnering organizations, committees and departments-are now one click away in the drop-bar.
A collaborative effort between R-I communications and the instructional technology department, the website rollout and a concerted branding effort has been in planning stages since the summer. Multiple bids were solicited from vendors most utilized by school systems nationwide and specifically in Missouri, along with our previous host, which helped meet the district's web needs for years. But ultimately SchoolMessenger provided the best value, saving the district several thousand dollars annually by allowing the notification system already in place to be bundled into a single telecommunications platform.
SchoolMessenger, which is owned by West Corporation, acquired SharpSchool in 2015, and added K-12 education websites to its portfolio.
|
Project Christmas Promise serves 900 kids
AmeriCorps, a service organization housed at Poplar Bluff Schools, provided gifts this holiday season for a total of 335 families and roughly 900 children, most of whom were enrolled in the R-I district. More than 200 donors supported Project Christmas Promise, which has been an annual service project of the program since 2007.
Area parents and school counselors, along with Headstart and the Children's Division under the Missouri Department of Social Services, recommended students and their siblings who are determined to be below the poverty line. In addition to AmeriCorps members, Poplar Bluff volunteers included the Beta Club and Junior Beta Club; Future Business Leaders of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; the R-I Central Office; and the Technical Career Center nursing program.
Extra toys will serve to supply the Good Habits Store at Lake Road Elementary, and the leftover clothing will go to the PBHS Giving Closet.
Above: (Counterclockwise) AmeriCorps member Josh Ivy and his volunteers, Jackson Winters and Brett Keele, wrap presents in the Missouri Room.
Below: Poplar Bluff High School's FBLA adopts 13 children to purchase presents for through Project Christmas Promise.
|
Giving Closet receives West Coast donation
A pet food and supply store based in California made a $1,000 donation to the Giving Closet at Poplar Bluff High School.
"Here are a few bucks from an old alumnus for the Giving Closet - hope it helps," simply wrote business owner Larry Mitchener in an accompanying note with the check.
Mitchener, who attended PBHS in the 1960s, learned about the Giving Closet-which provides students in need with clothing, personal hygiene items and classroom supplies-from a recent
KFVS12
segment. He reached out to the news reporter, Sherae Honeycutt, who in turn helped facilitate the transaction.
Since the Giving Closet was launched under the Bright Futures umbrella, inventory has increased substantially thanks to the generosity of businesses, churches, students and patrons. Special thanks to Paul McWilliams and Norma Smith for monetary donations as well.
Above: Bright Futures coordinators (left) Carrie Booker and Donna Moore accept a check from alumnus Larry Mitchener on behalf of the Giving Closet.
Below: R-I Assistant Superintendent of Business Rod Priest accepts a donation of clothing from
Daily American Republic circulation supervisor Molly Krakowiak as a result of a recent subscription sale collection.
|
|
|
|
|
Board Filing
Filing for the Board of Education runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Administrative Building at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd. Three school board members are up for re-election. Terms are three years. For more information, contact board secretary Barb Green by calling 573-785-7751.
Just So Stories
The PBHS Drama Club will present "The Just So Stories" by Joseph Robinette at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13-14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, in Kay Porter Theater. Tickets are $4 (and $3 for students).
Trivia Night
The PBHS Academic Assistance Group will host its 16th annual Trivia Night at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in the High School commons area. The cost is $150 per team, with all proceeds going toward funding mini-grants outside the regular budget for High School faculty. Checks may be made payable to the AAG. For registration information, contact Tina Wilkins in the counseling office at 573-785-6471.
ECH Screenings
The Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center is holding screenings for its half-day program during the 2017/18 school year on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the 1235 N. Main Street location. To schedule an appointment, contact Sandy Case at
573-785-6803. Please have your child's social security number handy when calling. Child must be 3 years of age but not older than 5 before July 31, 2017.
Sponsor the eMule!
- About 4K subscribers
- Click-through rate of over 35%
- Open rate beats industry average
Limited spots available!
For pricing, please email: timkrakowiak@pb.k.12.mo.us
|
|
On Thursday, Jan. 5,
the DAR reported about the district's new website.
On Sunday, Jan. 8, the DAR reported a feature about process coordinator Jackie Merriman, who is the district's longest tenured employee according to district records; plus recognized Eugene Field's Students of the Month.
|
Help us grow our list. Forward this to a friend.
|
|
|
|
|
