PBHS advanced placement government and dual credit students participated in a day one exercise designed to illustrate the broad political spectrum when it comes to highly charged issues.

 

Students were asked to take a step left or right if they agreed or disagreed with a statement, touching on matters concerning the death penalty, immigration, the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, the electoral college, abortion, minimum wage and vaccinations.

 

Instructor Mitch Davis pointed out how no student stood on the exact same yard line of the football field after the 31 questions. Positions spanned just right of the 50-yard line all the way to the opposing end zone.

 

"We all have different life experiences that inform why we behave the way we do," Davis explained.

 

He told the class this year they will be engaging in the necessary discussions Congress ought to be having in order to progress the country, then shaking hands at the end of the day and moving forward. "And that is capital O, capital K," Davis stated.

 

When the teacher announced that their service project will include working on Election Day and getting paid to do so, senior Xander Martin replied: "Why can't more classes be like this?"

 

Above: PBHS students span more than 50 yards on the political spectrum in an exercise.

 

Below: Mitch Davis, 2018 Secondary Grade-Span Teacher of the Year, wraps up his lesson on the first day of class Thursday, Aug. 16.

Poplar Bluff teachers displayed "ingenuity" in their recent grant proposals to the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation, according to officials, bringing home four of seven $500 grants awarded throughout an 11-county region.

 

Winners included: Shayln Copas of the Middle school with a project entitled 'Eat to succeed! Using life skills and cooking lessons to explore the world;' Hilary Taylor of Junior High with the project 'Reaching gifted minds through robotics;' Karen Harris of PBHS with 'Cell structures and processes;' and Jennie Randolph of the High School: 'Understanding Shakespeare.'

 

The MRTF presented 98 grants totaling $49,000 to teachers representing 14 regions of the state this month. Association members scored the proposals.

 

Above: (Left to right) Anne Moyer, MRTA Region 12 vice president; special education teacher Shalyn Copas; James Barnhill, Butler County unit president; science teacher Karen Harris; John Moyer, MRTF board member; communication arts teacher Jennie Randolph; R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill; communication arts teacher Hilary Taylor; and Linda Surber, Butler County unit vice president.