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Welcome to The eMule! Here is the latest news of the Poplar Bluff School District to help start your week on the right hoof.
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Santa's Workshop inspired by 'Toy Story'
Students of the Middle School STEM program have been designing new products out of broken toys in an activity instructors are calling Santa's Workshop.
The three-week project combines engineering and teamwork, and has a business marketing component, according to faculty. The concept was inspired by a scene in the computer-animated film, "Toy Story."
"You know the part with Sid's toys where you have the mutant toy builder?" asked Kimberly Davis, who teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with Cody Young. "We were brainstorming activities back in August, and I was just waiting until Christmas. I always loved that movie."
Last week students, grades five and six, were given the opportunity to select 2-4 used toys and then visit the supply station to assemble their creation with tools provided. The miscellaneous toys mostly came from parent donations.
This week the classes will create a commercial to sell their invention to a target audience at a chosen price range, and fourth graders will rank the best concepts. Winners will receive actual discounted prizes from Disney World in Orlando, where Davis' mother Dena Burk happens to be employed.
Above: Isaiah Park (left) and Dyllon Lux turn a doll into an action figure/stuffed animal.
Below: With classmates overseeing, Lorelei Williams lends a steady hand while Talladega Felps places a toy into a basket.
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District's winning Christmas trees on display
Lake Road Elementary won the people's choice award plus tied Sacred Heart for best ornaments during the annual Christmas Tree Forest decorating contest held Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Poplar Bluff Museum.
The Lake Road tree had an Airial theme, which is the name of the Labrador retriever therapy dog in the elementary school's counseling department. Students, grades 1-3, created over 200 pet-related ornaments.
The Kindergarten Center and Oak Grove tied for best under-the-tree display, and Poplar Bluff High School won best tree topper on the secondary level. O'Neal Elementary and Junior High also participated in the contest.
The trees will be on display from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 10, 17, 23, and 30. Admission is free. The museum is located in the old Mark Twain School at 1010 N. Main St.
Above:
Avis Lourance and Airial the therapy dog of Lake Road proudly display their trophy.
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SkillsUSA branding contest winners
Computer graphics students at the Technical Career Center won second and third place respectively in the 2018 brand design contest at the state fall leadership contest of SkillsUSA Missouri held recently in Jefferson City.
Jeramiah Gracia won second place and Rayni Seesengood placed third out of more than 70 entries. Themed 'job-ready day one,' the contest included a T-shirt, banner and trading pin component, and a cohesive design among the mediums.
"It's indicative of the level of skills students are capable of in this program - graphic design," commented Charles Kinsey, TCC director. "[SkillsUSA] is an important organization because it allows the students to express themselves and compete, while the industry tunes in."
The students, both seniors, qualify to compete in the district contest in February and the statewide competition in April.
The computer graphics program, under the instruction of Regina Gossett, has produced employees in multiple area print shops over the years including 4M Sign Service & Design, Southeast Signs & Graphics, and Stinson Press.
"Our goal is to prepare students to go into the workforce," said Gossett, "so we align [the program] with what they are doing in their shops."
Above: Jeramiah Gracia and Rayni Seesengood take two of three top spots in an area branding competition.
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Junior High eighth grade honors students in the English classes of Hilary Taylor and Angela Calloway were provided the opportunity to see a matinee of "The Phantom of the Opera" on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.
The students represented Poplar Bluff very well, according to Taylor, who noted that witnessing high-quality theater was a new experience for many. Beforehand, the eighth graders read the novel that inspired the musical.
"The kids loved the performance and commented on many of the different aspects of the actual Orpheum Theatre building, the set, set changes, and the play itself," Taylor stated. "There were several kids who didn't anticipate enjoying it and found they were pleasantly surprised."
Above: PBJHS students are pictured in Memphis before a viewing of "The Phantom of the Opera."
Below: Honors English students are seated inside the historic Orpheum Theatre.
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Mechanical Mules vie in LEGO League
The Mechanical Mules scored 'exemplary' in most categories of the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition last month in St. Louis, placing fourth out of 20 teams in the robot portion, reported coach Donna Barton, Middle School gifted teacher.
Serving as a qualifier for the Eastern Missouri FLL championship, the contest consisted of students designing, building and programming a robot using LEGO Mindstorms, then vying on a table-top playing field.
Above: (Front row, left to right) Paden Thornton, Isabella Bailey and Jack Funke; (middle row, from left) Trinity Tuggle, Aiden Nguyen, Macey Odom and Kadin Hillis; (top row) Cooper Jackson, Alex Keown, Grace Neighbors and Pamela Richards; and Donna Barton, first-year coach.
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Listening Tour
R-I Superintendent Scott Dill will host a forum for district patrons at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, in the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library theater, located at 318 N. Main Street. Following an update about the school system from Mr. Dill, a Q&A will be held. The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served!
Board Filing
Two seats on the Poplar Bluff Board of Education will be up for re-election this spring. Filing will run during regular business hours from Tuesday, Dec. 12, to Tuesday, Jan. 16, via the administrative assistant to the superintendent's office at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd. Filing will not occur on days that the district offices are closed for the holiday. For more information, call 573-785-7751.
Board Meeting
The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the school board will be held at 7p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, in the Administrative Building.
Christmas Program
The Early Childhood Center will host its annual Christmas programs at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.
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On Tuesday, Nov. 21,
the DAR reported about the signing of seniors Calli Gerber and Adrienne Stucker to play softball for the Three Rivers Raiders and Logan Bell's letter of intent to throw javelin at Missouri Southern State University; plus published a photo spread from the Mules' recent visit to the Early Childhood Center.
On Wednesday, Nov. 22, the ShowMe Times
reported about Superintendent Scott Dill's day in the life of a high school student experiment.
The DAR published a photo display from the annual Thanksgiving Feast at ECH, and recognized our Junior High Students of the Month.
On Friday, Nov. 24, the DAR reported about Taylor Norwood signing a letter of intent to swim for Maryville University.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the DAR reported about new Mules Wrestling coach Kelton Thompson, and recognized Family Dentistry for donating needed items to the Giving Closet.
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, KFVS12
highlighted Poplar Bluff's major security improvements as part of the district buildings plan in a special segment on school safety.
On Thursday, Nov. 30, the DAR reported about Shelby Sievers signing a letter of intent to play softball for Lindenwood University and Mason Libla to play baseball for Red Lake Community College; recognized teacher Karmen Carson for her Unsung Hero award; and honored our Athletes of the Month.
On Friday, Dec. 1, the DAR reported about the Christmas Tree Forest students participated in at the Poplar Bluff Museum.
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