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You've got eMule!
Vol. 13 No. 9
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff School District.
Click here to view our Jingle Jog album, and be sure to help tag the parade entrants! Approximately 400 boxes of cereal were donated to the Bread Shed this year as the charity portion of Oak Grove’s physical fitness challenge. Santa Claus made his grand entrance by way of helicopter as dozens of participants helped kick off our 20th annual event!
| Long-time Eugene Field teacher named McDonald’s Outstanding Educator | |
McDonald’s has honored an 'Outstanding Educator' from Poplar Bluff for the fifth year in a row since the inception of its regional awards program.
Interventionist Teresa Webb of Eugene Field Elementary, whose tenure at Poplar Bluff Schools spans two decades, was awarded a $100 gift card from restaurant executives on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to use toward classroom resources such as a phonics poster set from the Wilson Foundation, she said.
“We received over 400 nominations from local community members, parents and fellow educators who told us what makes their favorite teachers the best in the bunch, and you rose to the top as one of the most outstanding educators in our area,” McDonald’s spokesperson Amanda Campbell stated in an award letter. “Your good deeds and remarkable work with the youth in our community truly make you an Outstanding Educator!”
McDonald’s solicited submissions from its Poplar Bluff social media accounts up until September. Webb’s surprise nomination came from one of her daughters at college, Campbell revealed.
“This educator constantly goes above and beyond to provide for her kids,” wrote Lauren from Arkansas State University. “She spends countless hours after school working in her classroom, creating and grading students’ assignments. This educator [has spent] their whole life trying to make a difference in children’s lives.”
When McDonald’s announced the winners last week via Facebook, Eugene Field Principal Kristen Spain replied to the post, stating that Webb is “as humble as they come,” but the elementary school is glad that her efforts have not gone unnoticed.
“Thank you McDonald’s for taking time to come celebrate and recognize one of the very best educators in our entire district,” Spain wrote on behalf of the building. “Teresa Webb stops at nothing when it comes to meeting student needs.”
Because of the connection established as the result of the recognition, McDonald's agreed further to sponsor Eugene Field’s Student of the Month program, confirmed Director of Operations Cheryl Farrow. The restaurant’s north location presently sponsors O’Neal, but officials were looking to forge a partnership at their location on the south side of town, she noted. Talks are also underway to supply additional Happy Meal toys to incentivize Eugene Field’s reading program through i-Ready.
West Plains native Andi Hilburn-Vaini owns 27 restaurants throughout the region within the fast-food chain, including the two Poplar Bluff McDonald's locations. This year, she decided to award a top educator from each of the communities, reflecting her continued support for the profession.
Since the recognition program launched in 2020, Poplar Bluff Schools has had an awardee annually, including: Crystal Huddleston of PBHS last year; both Ashley Blume of Oak Grove and Lake Road’s Teresa Hefner in 2022; Aleanna Moore of the Middle School in 2021; and Amy Ethridge of O’Neal during the inaugural rollout.
Above: (Left to right) McDonald’s Director of Operations Cheryl Farrow and Area Supervisor Tony Seabaugh present the Outstanding Educator award to Teresa Webb, Eugene Field teacher, accompanied by Principal Kristen Spain, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the elementary school.
| Math Counts champion decided by fraction of second | |
The Poplar Bluff Schools' Math Counts competition ended in a three-way tie for perfect scores, with the fourth grade victor being determined by just hundredths of a second.
Liam Bates of the Middle School edged out schoolmates Grant Henson, Taya Johnson and John Rosmarin during the annual mathematics contest sponsored by the Butler County Community Resource Council on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library.
"The four fastest times were all from the Middle School and there was only 19/100 of a second that separated [them]," recapped Middle School teacher Aleanna Moore, who helped facilitate the four-week competition, alongside Stephanie Bullock of Lake Road. Instructional coaches Pam Davis and Gretchen Pendley provided technical assistance.
The multiplication competition, up to integers of 12, kicked off last month among all fourth graders of Lake Road and the Middle School, respectively. The goal post moved further away each week as the timeclock grew shorter until four of the highest scoring participants with the fastest times were chosen from 49 students who advanced to the semifinals, according to Moore.
Math Counts was established during the 2011/12 school year by the CRC Children & Youth Succeeding in School Committee. Last year, Chance Goins of Lake Road won the championship. The competition previously involved all four R-I lower elementary schools, until the Middle School shifted to incorporate grade four, and Lake Road later expanded its grade configuration.
Above: (Left to right) John Rosmarin, Grant Henson, Liam Bates and Taya Johnson vie in the final round of the annual Math Counts competition on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
| Seventeen Poplar Bluff band students earn All-District honors | |
The Southeast Missouri All-District Band featured a dozen students from Poplar Bluff Schools on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Cape Central High School.
PBHS students who successfully auditioned against districts across the region earlier in the month at Jackson High School included Preston Ethridge, Claire Funke, RJ Hester, Jackson Kennedy, Jazlynn LeGrand, Mylee McClintock, William Montgomery, Aubrea Morrow, Ma’Kayla Oses-Arviso and Bethany Winters. Junior High students selected were Addyson Henson and Kaitlyn Hillis.
“Each student is required to learn and perform a difficult set of musical excerpts in front of a judge and their overall score is pitted against all other students who audition,” explained Stephen Winters, band director. “…They are placed in order by their audition score and then meet at Cape High School to learn an entire concert’s worth of music during one day’s rehearsal.”
Also during the audition held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the following High School students were chosen to perform in the Southeast Missouri District Jazz Band: Ian Gholson, Brayden Keeling, Wyatt Lindsey, Logan Simpson and Isaac Stork. These students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents during the Jazz Festival on Thursday, Feb. 6, at Three Rivers College.
Top: Kaitlyn Hillis (left) and Addyson Henson, both flute players, recently performed as members of the Southeast Missouri All-District Junior High Band.
Middle: (From left) Ma’Kayla Oses-Arviso, William Montgomery, RJ Hester, Preston Ethridge, Mylee McClintock, Jackson Kennedy, Bethany Winters, Jazlynn LeGrand, Aubrea Morrow and Claire Funke performed as members of the All-District High School Band.
Bottom: (Left to right) Logan Simpson, Ian Gholson, Brayden Keeling, Wyatt Lindsey and Isaac Stork are slated to perform with the All-District Jazz Band in February.
| November Athletes of the Month named | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Wren Cotrell and Owen McDaniel of Poplar Bluff High School the November Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Owen, a senior swimmer, set a new school record of 1:04.14 last month in the 100-yard breaststroke while placing 25th in the state competition, as well as 23rd as a member of the 200-yard medley relay team with a time of 1:47.11. During the SEMO Conference Meet, Owen placed second as a team member in the 200-yard medley relay; placed fifth in the 200-yard individual medley; third in the 200-yard freestyle relay; and second in the 100-yard breaststroke.
“Owen is a great leader in the pool, locker room and classroom,” said Adam Vincent, his coach. “A teammate of Owen’s said, ‘Owen’s domination in the breaststroke is better than anyone else’s skill in any or all of the other strokes.’ Owen’s dominance in the pool starts with his leadership in the locker room before and after practice. Owen’s ability to encourage his teammates and drive them to swim their best is unparalleled.”
Wren, a junior cross-country runner, was named All-Conference during the SEMO Conference Meet. She was a medalist at the Jackson, Dexter, Clearwater (first place), Forest Park, Jefferson Barracks, Cape Central and Notre Dame invites, as well as the SEMO North Conference. Academically, both Wren and Owen are ranked within the top 10 percent of their class.
“Wren Cotrell has shown great leadership and dedication as a team leader for the Poplar Bluff Cross-Country team,” said Elizabeth Lewis, her coach. “She worked hard all summer, training consistently and setting an example for her teammates with her effort and determination. Her hard work paid off as she became the only Poplar Bluff runner to earn All-Conference honors in 2024. Wren’s commitment and positive attitude has motivated her team and made her a key part of their success.”
Above: Owen McDaniel and Wren Cotrell are presented the AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Thursday, Dec. 12, at PBHS.
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A long-standing tradition of Poplar Bluff Schools, administrators from across the district joined other businesses and organizations in adopting a day to ring bells for the Salvation Army on Friday, Dec. 6, at Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Hosted by the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, the Red Kettle campaign runs through Christmas Eve in order to help generate funds for local families in need of emergency assistance.
Above: Kindergarten Principal Christy Young (left) and Oak Grove Principal Kristie Robertson join forces to help collect money for the Salvation Army.
Below: Poplar Bluff Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman (left) and Assistant Superintendent of Business Charles Kinsey team up to solicit donations on behalf of the Salvation Army earlier this month at Wal-Mart.
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Board Election
Filing for the Board of Education will be open from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Dec. 10-23 and Dec. 26-30, with the final filing window open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 31. There will be two seats available on the school board for three-year terms. Candidate names will be placed on the ballot in the order of filing.
Christmas Break
School will be dismissed for students from Monday through Friday, Dec. 23-Jan. 3. School will resume on Monday, Jan. 6. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ShowDown
The 2024 Poplar Bluff ShowDown will take place from Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 26-28, at PBHS. Mules Basketball will play Urbana, Ill., in their first-round game at 7 p.m. on the opening day. Tickets cost $8 per day. Go Mules!
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On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the DAR announced that multiple R-I schools placed in the Christmas Tree Forest contest.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the DAR reported about Math Counts, sponsored by the CRC.
KWOC announced our upcoming Early Childhood screening.
On Wednesday, Dec. 6, KAIT8 reported about the student-created sensory path added to Eugene Field’s playground.
KFVS12 also ran the aforementioned report.
The DAR reported about Poplar Bluff’s long-standing participation in the Red Kettle drive.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, KBSI Fox23 interviewed the creator of the sensory path, Noah Adams, along with the project’s benefactors for a news segment.
The DAR recognized Eugene Field’s leaders of the trimester; our Middle School Honor Roll; and the October Athletes of the Month.
On Monday, Dec. 9, the MSBA picked up our story on PBHS sophomore Noah Adams’ Eagle Scout project at his former elementary school.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the DAR additionally reported about the sensory path project.
KWOC reported about our PBHS Beta Club’s Cookies with Santa event.
On Friday, Dec. 13, KWOC reported about the Godwin family being inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for their golf careers that began at Poplar Bluff High School.
The DAR published letters to Santa Claus from elementary students of Oak Grove.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the DAR reported about Chase O’Neal of PBHS signing a National Letter of Intent to play football for Southeast Missouri State University.
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