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You've got eMule!
Vol. 13 No. 1
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your year on the right hoof.
| Welcome to the new school year! |  | |
Students were greeted with much enthusiasm across campus during the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 19, as welcoming touches were made to each building.
Middle School Student Council, as an example, dedicated time at the end of the summer to write messages in chalk on sidewalks and decorate hallways in advance of open house. The students also made goodie bags for new staff members containing cookies and notes that read, “School is like an Oreo: the best part is in the Middle.” Perhaps the most visible improvement that has been made in anticipation of the 2024/25 school year is the Junior High’s newly paved parking lot.
By and large, the most noteworthy change this year is the addition of several new administrators, including Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Jennifer Taylor, Early Childhood Principal Amanda Summers, Kindergarten Center Principal Christy Young, Eugene Field Principal Kristen Spain and O’Neal Principal Shelly Ridens. Also joining the administrative team are: Assistant Director of Special Services JLynn Nance, who has an office at O’Neal Elementary, along with James Hunt and Kris Sittig, Middle School assistant principals.
While approximately half of the faces in leadership have changed over the past year, it is important to note that the majority of those new to their positions have been promoted internally, as the district works to foster its own pipeline of talent through professional development opportunities such as the Aspiring Administrators Academy, attended by each incoming principal.
Thank you to the approximate 250 caregivers who posted their first day of school pictures as part of one of our favorite annual traditions. Click here to view our snapshot of the first day, and be sure to like your favorite shots!
Above: Kindergartner Jason Hoffmeister politely raises his hand after finishing his complimentary breakfast before school starts on Monday, Aug. 19.
Below: First grader Mayzie Blackmon works on a back-to-school activity planned in teacher Madison McCollum’s class at Eugene Field Elementary School.
|  | New and returning faculty, staff synergize |  | |
Nearly 100 new staff members, some of whom transferred from classified to certified positions, were onboarded at Poplar Bluff Schools in advance of the school year, reported the Personnel Department. The school district is the third largest employer in Butler County, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
During the annual New Teacher Orientation held Wednesday, Aug. 7, in the Administrative Building, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman welcomed the educators, explaining how everyone there was “selected for a reason and purpose” and school leaders “fought for you” to be in their building. “We have a lot of islands or buildings in our district, but we’re working to be a continent,” stated Cornman, “that’s what the training is for.”
The district offers a Beginning Teacher Assistance workshop for those new to public education and Teacher Induction Program Support System (TIPSS) for teachers new to Poplar Bluff, as well as a mentoring program, pairing building newcomers with veteran faculty. Classified staff were also provided with an overview of insurance, payroll and more.
The entire school district gathered on Monday, Aug. 12, at PBHS for the annual back-to-school convocation. The Ministerial Alliance opened the program in a long-standing tradition, after church leaders hand-delivered treats to each of the buildings. The presentation of colors was conducted by the JROTC, proceeded by Charlie Kinsey, grade five of the Middle School, leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Prior to the keynote, Board of Education President Roger Hanner commended the audience for helping to shape the next generation. The theme of Cornman’s state-of-the-schools address that followed was how time is life’s most precious asset, and what makes the school system the destination in the region that it has become is the staff’s steadfast willingness to offer their “quality time” so freely to students.
Above: Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman gives an analogy about the difference between dedicated, valuable and quality time during the annual back-to-school convocation held Monday, Aug. 12, at Poplar Bluff High School.
Below: Accompanied by district officials, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman welcomes incoming faculty during the new teacher orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 7, in the Administrative Building.
Click here to view more images from the convocation, and here to help welcome our certified staff members!
|  | Professional development opportunities offered through summer |  | |
Around a dozen professional development opportunities were offered to Poplar Bluff educators over the summer, including several hosted in-district over the past month.
The 11th annual iThink Summer Academy kicked off on Monday, July 22, at PBHS, featuring 36 work sessions about topics ranging from Canva and AI, to self-care and art therapy. More than 75 teachers from a total of eight districts—in addition to Poplar Bluff—attended the internal conference, organized by R-I instructional coaches Pam Davis and Gretchen Pendley in collaboration with the district’s team of building ambassadors.
Over the ensuing days, more than 50 new teachers received Capturing Kids’ Hearts training in the Administrative Building. The district has subscribed to the relationship-building initiative since 2013. Through CKH, four R-I buildings have been named National Showcase Schools, three of which are multi-year recipients.
In addition, PBHS served as a host site of area training for math instructors led this summer by the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics, featuring six schools and 20 R-I instructors. Bus driver training was later hosted by the Missouri United School Insurance Council and the Transportation Security Administration in the Kay Porter Theater, with seven districts represented, including 50 R-I bus drivers and other transportation personnel.
Above: Leadership Development Strategist Bob Case, past principal of Junior High, conducts two days of Capturing Kids’ Hearts training for more than 50 new teachers last month in the Administrative Building.
Below: Instructional coach Gretchen Pendley not only helps organize but leads a breakout session entitled ‘Go with the (work)flow: Making Google Docs and Drive work for you’ during the annual iThink Summer Academy at PBHS.
|  | R-I transportation director, bus driver earn statewide awards | |
Poplar Bluff Schools earned a pair of statewide awards during the 59th annual Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation conference and trade show hosted last month in Columbia.
Jason Davis of the R-I Transportation Department was chosen as driver of the year and Jon McKinney was named the 2024 administrator of the year on Wednesday and Thursday, July 10-11, during the longstanding awards program, established approximately 50 years ago.
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Above: Accompanied by wife Mary, Jason Davis (left) is presented the bus driver of the year award by MOAPT President Scott Speer on Wednesday, July 10, in Columbia.
Below: Pictured with R-I Assistant Superintendent of Business Charles Kinsey (left) and Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman (right), Director of Student Services and Transportation Jon McKinney was named 2024 MOAPT administrator of the year during the nonprofit’s annual conference.
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Labor Day
School will be dismissed on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 2-3, in observance of Labor Day followed by teacher Collaboration Day. School will resume for students on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
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On Thursday, May 24, KWOC reported about our Mules Golf team being invited to play in the High School Golf National Invitational.
On Friday, May 25, KWOC reported about our Summer Food Service Program.
On Tuesday, June 18, the DAR reported about Poplar Bluff City Council presenting a proclamation to our Class 4 State Champion Mules Golf team.
On Tuesday, June 25, the DAR picked up its Teacher of the Year series spotlighting Eugene Field’s TOY, Kristen Spain.
On Saturday, June 29, KFVS12 reported about Mules Golf performing at the PGA High School National Invitational.
On Wednesday, July 10, the DAR continued its series with a feature story about Junior High’s TOY, Trey Moss.
On Thursday, July 11, KWOC reported about our statewide bus driver of the year.
KFVS12 also reported about our award-winning bus driver, along with our transportation director of the year via the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation.
On Friday, July 12, KWOC reported about our streamlined registration process.
On Thursday, July 18, the DAR reported about Oak Grove’s TOY, Kaisha Pigg.
On Monday, July 22, the DAR reported about Kindergarten Center TOY, Olivia Love.
On Wednesday, July 24, the DAR reported about our Elementary Grade-Span TOY, Traci Durham-Allen.
On Monday, July 29, the DAR reported about Lake Road’s TOY, Katelyn Hall.
On Friday, Aug. 2, the DAR reported about O’Neal’s TOY, Antwonette Pettigrew.
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, KFVS12 reported about PBHS alumnus Kameron Misner making his MLB debut for the Tampa Bay Rays.
On Friday, Aug. 9, the DAR reported about Middle School Grade-Span TOY, Alex Bolt.
On Thursday, Aug. 15, the DAR reported about our TCC's (three-time) TOY, Jody Cochran.
On Friday, Aug. 16, the DAR reported about our open house at PBHS.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, the DAR published our 11th annual Mule Prints Magazine!
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On Monday, Aug. 19, the DAR provided first day of school coverage.
KBSI Fox23 reported about our updated bus routes.
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