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Welcome to our final edition of The eMule for the 2017/18 school year! We appreciate your continued interest in the Poplar Bluff school system.
Special thank you to our sponsor, Mossy Oak Properties, whose support helped allow us to deliver the latest R-I news to your inbox each week. We hope you have a rejuvenating summer!
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Most graduates since the WWII baby boom
A total of 358 students graduated from Poplar Bluff High School on Thursday, May 24, at the Black River Coliseum - the most graduates since 1980, topping last year's title.
According to district records, the past two consecutive years have produced the largest numbers of alumni in the history of the school system, with the exception of a stretch of years beginning in the mid-1960s when the baby boomers began to complete high school.
"I am exceedingly fond of graduation ceremonies - they indicate that the school district has completed its primary mission," R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill told the Class of 2018. "Tonight's ceremony is not just an end cap to your career as a high school student. Rather, it is the cumulative celebration of 13 long years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication."
This year's salutatorian was Alyssa Cook and the valedictorian was Kaitlyn Lloyd. In a speech to her classmates, Lloyd purposely rattled off a string of clichés such as "we did it," "believe in yourself" and "change the world" since, she said, she is always compelled to do the opposite of what she is advised.
"I've prospered in a world of 'no's.' Today, I prove all the 'no's' wrong, even the ones that developed from within," the top student said, later adding: "When people tell you 'no', you smile and prove them wrong."
The Class of 2018 earned about $3.4 million in scholarships, A+ money and other grants to attend college, the PBHS counseling department reported.
Above: Students look around as they enter the arena at the opening of the commencement while the Concert Band plays.
Below: Earlier in the day, graduates visit their respective elementary schools as part of a tradition known as the senior walk.
Click
here to view all the graduation photos, and help us tag our outgoing students! Our running senior walk album may be viewed
here.
Click
here to watch the entire video of the commencement ceremony, courtesy of Smart Marketing!
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PBJHS students venture out during Ed Expo
This year's
personal development day at Junior High during which students determine their own lesson plan included for the first time a choice of field trips to neighboring businesses and organizations.
Making pizza at Brick Oven Pizza and receiving makeovers at Ulta Beauty along with beatboxing and fencing on campus were some of the options made available with help from community partners during the second annual Ed Expo held Tuesday, May 22.
"The four core subject areas are incorporated into all [the sessions] because... that's just life," explained event organizer Keri Jameson, PBJHS instructional coach. "This is adulthood. This is their future."
Planning for the event is a lot like Club Day at the upper and lower elementary schools, reflected Jameson, except the schedule is much more compact. It requires a lot of work, but it is "good work," she said.
Another added element this time around was a community service project. Students learned to make floral arrangements at a breakout led by communication arts teacher Hillary Taylor, then they delivered the bouquets to businesses that helped with the event, along with nursing home residents.
Above: A dog dyed like a zebra jumps through a hula-hoop during a session about dog tricks.
Below: Jake Whitlow of River Radio teaches students about audio engineering at the station.
Click
here to view our entire photo album, and please be sure to like and share!
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A group of 13 students recently completed a five-day fieldtrip to Yellowstone National Park as part of a residential educational program open to SINGS classes, grades 6-8.
Participants hiked with rangers and learned about ecology, geology, the history of both the park and the people that lived there, as well as its preservation, reported Donna Barton, Middle School gifted teacher.
According to the official website, Expedition Yellowstone teaches students about the natural and cultural history of the national park, investigates current issues affecting the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, and promotes stewardship and preservation in the park and home communities.
Above: Kneeling in front are (left to right) students Lucas Robertson, Jacob Crawford and Emma Sutton; middle row (from left) students Grace Neighbors, Addison Shell, Jack Scott, Jace Littles, Kadin Hillis, River Rowland, Gabby Fortner, Jackson Moore, Rachel Butler, teacher Donna Barton and sponsor Mandy Moore; and top row (from left) bus driver Jason Davis, teacher Tom Allen, student Riley Sater, and teacher Brenda Allen.
Below: As bison graze in the background, students make plaster casts of different animal prints in the park under the guidance of Ranger Trudy Patton.
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A female and male student athlete from both Junior and Senior High has been named Missouri Good Sports for their behavior, positive role modeling, and outstanding display of sportsmanship through participation in interscholastic activities.
Nominated by the coaching staff on Wednesday, May 23
, award recipients included: PBJHS basketball player and track runner Emilee Cheek and football player, wrestler and track runner Gatlin Taylor; and from PBHS, cross country and track runner as well as swimmer Paige Bradley and basketball player and track runner Dominique Hardimon.
"We at MSHSAA firmly believe that a positive role model such as yourself can positively influence the actions of others in your school-your teammates, younger students, your opponents and even spectators," stated Jason West, Missouri State High School Activities Association communications director. "Since a few things bring schools and communities together like high school activities, the actions you display in competitions go a long way to influence others' perceptions."
Above: (From left) Gatlin Taylor, Paige Bradley, Athletic Director Kent Keith, Dominique Hardimon and Emilee Cheek.
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Grad Center visits the zoo
Graduation Center students with good attendance and no serious disciplinary infractions were rewarded on Tuesday, May 22, with an annual end-of-the-year trip to the Saint Louis Zoo.
"You're never too old to spend a day at the zoo," exclaimed Becki Shrum, Missouri Options program director. She said field trips in the past have included the science center and art museum, but the zoo is a favorite among students.
About 25 students completed the Graduation Center program, recovering over 300 class credits this school year, Shrum reported.
Above: (Right to left) Lead instructor Corey Jameson; students Easton Kirchner, Richard Anderson, Dustin Luttrell, Alana Ross-McDonald and Kenneth Taylor; Mo/Op instructor Becki Shrum; students Chris Phillips, Michael Simpson, Aaron Sullivan and Floyd Ray; and instructor Gaelle Freer.
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Bonus: School's out for the summer!
Students enjoy shaved ice from Kona Ice among other treats and activities arranged during the annual carnival held on the last day of school at PBHS.
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TCC Applicants
The deadline to register for one of the programs at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center is Friday, June 1. Applications are available
here or stop by the PBTCC at 3203 Oak Grove Rd. For more information, call 573-785-2248.
Summer School
Summer School will run from Monday, June 4 to Friday, June 29. Click
here for details.
Math Challenge
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is encouraging students grades 1-8 to participate in the six-week Summer Math Challenge, a free program designed to help kids retain math skills learned during the previous year. Click
here to sign up!
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On Tuesday, May 22, KFVS12
reported about the Ed Expo at PBJHS.
The DAR published a photo spread from Field Days at the Middle School.
On Wednesday, May 23, the DAR reported about PBHS graduate Tanner Dunivan signing a Letter of Intent to play football for Westminster College.
On Thursday, May 24, the ShowMe Times
reported about our Designing Women/Charlie Classics award winners.
The DAR also reported about the Designing Women Foundation awards.
On Friday, May 25, the DAR provided full graduation coverage.
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