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You've got eMule!
Vol. 11 No. 15
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| TCC granted reaccreditation in virtually flawless review |  | |
The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has received reaffirmation of accreditation, ensuring complete compliance with government standards so that qualifying adult students can continue to receive federal loans, grants and financial aid.
“Reaffirmation denotes that an institution has maintained quality programs, again undergone an extensive self-study and team review process, and has continued to meet the commission’s standards and conditions for accreditation,” wrote COE Executive Director Gary Puckett on Tuesday, Jan. 10. “The members of the Council on Occupational Education extend to you, your faculty and your staff its congratulations on having maintained the status of a COE-accredited occupational education institution.”
The TCC was granted the maximum of six years reaccreditation, effective last month, until its next review in 2028, provided annual benchmarks proceed to be met. The staff started the process of compiling the self-study and institutional response reports one year ago to prepare to host the multi-state review team on site in September.
According to TCC Director Charles Kinsey, his office did a “fantastic job” fulfilling its goal of working with the visiting team of volunteers as efficiently as possible. He joked how the staff did not know what to do with itself after no longer having to multitask for days on end but, he said, it is now back to establishing “new inroads.”
A single suggestion for improvement was included in the findings, which was to store agendas and minutes from occupational advisory committee meetings separately, rather than relying on the combined file. The matter identified was rectified within weeks of the exit report, noted Kinsey, who reiterated that the purpose of engaging in the process is to “find inefficiencies and fix them; this way students can expect uniformity among accredited institutions across the country.”
Kinsey explained how there has nearly been complete turnover in his building since the last successful review in 2016 in the institution’s long-standing tradition of upholding full accreditation. Maintaining the requisite records has only gotten easier with all supporting documentation having since been digitized, he continued.
“We’ve been constantly in a state of improvement for the last six years, making sure we’re meeting guidelines in a way that benefits students and the learning environment,” Kinsey stated. “It’s kind of a built-in process to ensure the center is offering the best quality programs to our community.”
Federal compliance under the U.S. Department of Education includes achieving a program completion rate of at least 60 percent, a student placement rate in related industry or continued education of 70 percent and a licensure pass rate of 70 percent in the case a license is required following graduation. During the reporting period of July 2020 through June 2021, which Kinsey pointed out was during the height of the public health crisis, the TCC maintained a 100 percent placement and licensure exam pass rate, and an 85 percent graduation rate.
The TCC, located at 3203 Oak Grove Road, offers programs in auto collision, automotive technology, barbering, building trades, computer graphics and print technology, computer maintenance and repair, computer science, cosmetology, culinary arts, esthetician, health occupations, HVAC-R and welding. For more information, call 573-785-2248.
Above: A certificate of accreditation with the official seal of approval of the Council on Occupational Education is displayed in the front office of the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center.
| 9th annual PB Connect benefits all district personnel |  | |
Poplar Bluff Schools recently hosted its most well-attended PB Connect on collaboration day, boosting participation by opening up the conference to classified staff for the first time since the event’s inception nine years ago.
Around 550 staff members had an opportunity to choose from over 100 breakout sessions to attend during the annual internal workshop hosted Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the High School.
This year’s keynote was one of the country’s leading authorities in the field, Dr. Todd Whitaker, a best-selling author and lifelong educator, who continues to teach at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
“We tried closing schools and guess what we found out? They matter,” said Whitaker in the gymnasium to kick off the full-day event. “We have definitive proof that we matter. We knew [teachers] mattered when we chose education.”
The last time the staff gathered for PB Connect was just prior to the health crisis in January of 2020. While the format transitioned to virtual via Google Meet in the subsequent years, school leaders still managed to keep the tradition of securing a nationally-renowned speaker at the top of the bill.
“A school’s job is not to reflect society,” said Whitaker, whose presentation was entitled ‘What Great Teachers Do Differently.’ “A school’s job is to cultivate society.”
Whitaker explained how the best educators are willing to seek guidance from more experienced practitioners because, “You can never work at ego and skills at the same time.” He continued: “Ineffective people always have an ego day and focus on things they can’t influence.”
Before the conference opened, R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill welcomed the audience, recalling how his initial introduction to the district was prior to taking the helm in 2016 at the second annual PB Connect, then known as Tech Camp. Befittingly, Dill’s soon to be successor Dr. Aaron Cornman was also in attendance last week, and commented how he was impressed with the turnout, 200 more than Poplar Bluff’s previous high-water mark.
Unique among school districts in the region, PB Connect was founded in 2015 as a means of sharing technology tools for the school system’s first buildings that went 1:1 under the laptop initiative, Junior and Senior High, then expanded to incorporate Middle School before going district-wide. Co-organizer Keri Jameson, R-I instructional coach, noted how this year there were less than a dozen tech-focused sessions.
Themes alternatively included instruction, leadership, trauma-informed care, restorative practice and self-care. “We’ve been technology-trained, especially coming off 2020 and virtual [education]; people are looking for more hands-on,” explained co-organizer Michele Carmode, Jameson’s counterpart.
The agenda was driven by staff interest surveys, and then led in large part by R-I school personnel. Carmode and Jameson credited their team of building ambassadors, among others who worked behind the scenes, for helping to organize the 9th annual PB Connect.
The winner of the 2023 $400 classroom makeover, sponsored by FCC Behavioral Health, was: Katherine Johns, who teaches sixth grade at the Middle School. Recipients of the $100 PB Connect ‘bucks,’ sponsored by Wallstreet Group, were: Joshua Allen, Julie Littles, Michelle and Nick McDaniel, and Denni White.
Above: Following his keynote address, special guest speaker Dr. Todd Whitaker proceeds to host a breakout session in the library.
Below: Dr. Scott Dill (right), Poplar Bluff R-I superintendent of the past seven years, listens to the keynote address alongside his successor Dr. Aaron Cornman, slated to take the reins in July.
Click here to view our running album, and be sure to help us tag the photos!
|  | Varsity Academic Team maintains successful record midseason |  | |
The Poplar Bluff High School Varsity Academic Team has placed first in the Bell City Scholar Bowl tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21, in Stoddard County – bringing their winning record for the season to 15:1.
The competition followed on the heels of a second-place victory in what team-sponsor Gail Karlish of the PBHS Science Department described as a “nail-biter” of a final round during their annual invitational tournament hosted at home the previous weekend. Additionally, sophomore Jack Funke earned an individual medal for his placement in the tossup question round during pool play on Saturday, Jan. 14.
A total of a dozen area teams participated in each of the Missouri State High School Activities Association sanctioned events this month.
Above: PBHS varsity Academic Team members (clockwise from front left) Rachel Butler, Emmalein Pendley, Jack Funke, Spencer Wilson and Nick Howard proudly display their first place award this past weekend in Bell City.
Below: Students (front) Rachel Butler; (middle row) Nick Howard, Emmalein Pendley and Jack Funke; and (back) Spencer Wilson and long-time science teacher Gail Karlish pose earlier this month at PBHS with their “phantom plaque,” as a mix-up prevented the order from arriving on time.
|  | November, December Athletes of the Month named |  | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Adrianne Casey and Carson Todd of Poplar Bluff High School the November Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, alongside Kayleigh Dazey and Brendan Durden for the month of December.
Adrianne, a senior softball player, leads the team with a .427 batting average, 2 homeruns, 9 out of 9 stolen bases, and is tied for the least amount of strikeouts with 4, out of 97 plate appearances and 89 at-bats. She is second on the team with a 1.075 on-base plus slugging average, 38 hits, 26 singles, 10 doubles, 19 RBIs and 6 base on balls. She is third with a .469 on-base percentage and 26 runs.
“…Her communication with teammates and lead-by-example mentality makes her our most influential player,” said Aaron Duncan, her coach. “It is her dedication in performing the little things in practice and during games, which sets her apart as a complete student-athlete on the softball field and in the dugout. Her work ethic in the classroom, on the field and as a teammate exemplify her as a standout student-athlete.”
Carson, a junior swimmer, has qualified for state in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Additionally, he holds school records in each of the aforementioned events.
“Carson is a leader in the pool and outside of the pool. The other athletes look up to him and watch what he does,” said Kyler Sowell, his coach. “He [not only] works hard to achieve his goals in sports, but also in school. He maintains good grades, is active in school activities and is a prominent Eagle Scout. He is a great asset to the team.”
Kayleigh, a sophomore wrestler, has a season record of 21-5, with 17 pins. She has placed third at the Union Tournament and fourth in Bring the Hammer.
“Kayleigh is a very hard worker in the practice room. She is one of the pound-for-pound toughest in our room and wrestles extremely hard,” said Kelton Thompson, her coach. “She is eager to learn and improve her wrestling skills every day and she has shown drastic improvement in her second year [of] wrestling.”
Brendan, a sophomore basketball player, has averaged 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists per game.
“Brendan has been a joy to coach,” said William Durden, his coach. “He is an extremely hard worker, good teammate and a selfless player. He just plays the game the right way and competes at everything.”
Above: Adrianne Casey and Carson Todd are presented the AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Friday, Jan. 6.
Below: Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, presents Brendan Durden and Kayleigh Dazey their AOM plaques on Thursday, Jan. 19.
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Collect the Caps
The PBHS Beta Club is collecting teal bottle caps on Dr. Pepper products through Tuesday, Jan. 31, for a chance to win up to $10K through the annual Collect the Caps contest, co-sponsored by Pepsi MidAmerica. The special caps are being accepted in 50-gallon barrels at the 3209 Oak Grove Road campus from the following 16&20-ounce, and 1&2-liter bottles: Diet/Cherry/Dr. Pepper, Diet/7Up, Squirt, Crisp & Clear water, and Orange/Grape/Strawberry Crush. Last year, the student organization won $6,000 through the contest, and $2,500 in 2019.
Trap Registration
The Poplar Bluff Trap Shooting team will host an informational meeting for parents/guardians and Junior and Senior High students interested in signing up from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in the PBHS cafeteria on 3209 Oak Grove Rd.
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On Monday, Dec. 19, the DAR released a video of our Mules Competition Cheer Squad receiving a proclamation from City Council for its state championship victory.
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, the DAR reported about the Iron Mule’s annual home meet.
KWOC also reported about our PBHS Cheerleaders receiving a proclamation from City Council for their state championship.
On Sunday, Dec. 25, Fox23 reported about Ross Fuel Center’s ‘Operation Lunch Box’ school lunch balance fundraiser.
On Tuesday, Dec. 27, the DAR reflected with outgoing Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill, and looked ahead with incoming Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman.
KWOC began its coverage of our 35th annual Mules Basketball Showdown.
On Wednesday, Dec. 28, the DAR began its coverage of the Poplar Bluff Showdown.
On Thursday, Dec. 29, KWOC promoted our Drama Club’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.”
On Friday, Dec. 30, the DAR reported about Dr. Brandi Compass of the Middle School being named the 2022 MCTM Middle School Outstanding Mathematics Educator.
On Saturday, Dec. 31, the DAR wrote a feature story about PBHS senior Jack Scott’s basketball career.
On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the DAR reported a feature story about PBHS Lucas Robertson’s wrestling success.
On Saturday, Jan. 7, the DAR recognized Junior High’s Honor Roll, and our High School Students of the Month.
On Monday, Jan. 9, KFVS12 included information about Operation Lunch Box in a report highlighting related legislation being proposed.
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, KWOC reported about our wrestling program’s 50th anniversary.
The DAR also reported about the history of Mules Wrestling.
On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the DAR reported about the Drama Club’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.”
KFVS12 reported about Terri Smith, founding coach of the Poplar Bluff Wrestling program, being inducted into the new Ring of Honor.
On Friday, Jan. 20, the DAR reported about our Poplar Bluff Cheer Squad competing in the National Cheerleading Association championship in Dallas.
On Sunday, Jan. 22, KFVS reported the results of our Competitive Cheer Squad’s national performance, finishing 14th out of 28 teams in the NCA intermediate small varsity crowd performance.
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