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You've got eMule!
Vol. 14 No. 13
Welcome back to The eMule! Below is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
| Educators reflect one year after tornado devastated Kindergarten Center | |
The first anniversary of the school community coming together to surmount the Herculean task of repairing the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center, just 129 days after the devastating tornado caused $6.7 million in building damage, was commemorated by emergency management on Saturday, March 14.
To share with other education leaders how the feat was accomplished, R-I school officials have been asked to present about the recovery efforts on two occasions, first over the summer on behalf of the Missouri School Boards’ Association, and again in January before the Missouri United School Insurance Council.
“In my mind, our school district and community experienced an unprecedented time where obstacles weren’t an option, and as a result we were able to move mountains,” stated Charles Kinsey, R-I assistant superintendent of business.
Classes were only disrupted for two weeks before temporary accommodations were established to finish out the school year in alternative locations – with kindergartners relocating to Mark Twain School, while non-traditional students moved to the Tinnin Fine Arts Center, thanks to the generosity of Three Rivers College, despite the community college itself suffering millions in losses.
School social workers determined that 770 Poplar Bluff students were affected by storm damage, plus a couple of hundred staff members were either directly impacted or had loved ones whose homes were hit. While clean-up efforts commenced, Chartwells served over 32,700 free curbside meals to the community, including those provided during the district’s child care service offering to families displaced, reported Hope Vaughn, R-I food services director.
By the time school was able to resume March 31 of last year, ServPro had mitigated the water damage, and Cotton Global Disaster Solutions installed a temporary roof over the Kindergarten structure. The Board of Education approved Zoellner Construction to serve as general contractor, enabling materials – including 60,000 square feet of metal for the roof – to be ordered early to avoid supply delays. Collaborating with Dille and Pollard Architecture on the original building design, Zoellner prioritized the job – with crews working six days a week, even adding Sundays toward the final stretch.
According to the registrar's office, a total of 65 families enrolled their students at the Kindergarten Center once R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman was able to formally announce students would be able to return to the Camp Road facility following a walkthrough with contractors and architects on July 21, one month prior to the first day. Teachers moved into their classrooms after a substantial completion inspection was conducted Aug. 8.
“Open house [Aug. 19] was kind of our, ‘OK, we can do this. Tomorrow we’re gonna have 350 kids walk in the door, and we’re ready,’” said Christy Young, Kindergarten Center principal. “Just knowing that our kids and our parents can come in together on that first day—had we been at Mark Twain, that wouldn’t have happened. And that was important to me. I’m a mom first.”
During the evening of the EF-3 tornado, Young, who lives in Butler County, decided it would be safer to hunker down at the Kindergarten Center, remembering wind damage that occurred on Highway M the previous year. She parked her new vehicle under the front overhang, since it was raining, and was doing late-night work in her office while listening to local weather reports.
When hail began to sound, she moved away from the windows toward the conference room, before strolling down the west hall, that would soon be devastated, momentarily entering the classroom of her daughter Bailey Beard, then occupational therapist in the same building. “For some reason I had a sense—I don’t know what it was—to get in the bathroom. I did not even have the bathroom door shut; that’s how close [the funnel cloud] was,” Young recalled.
The 145-mile-per-hour winds tore the entire east wing roof structure apart, taking out all mechanical systems in the building. In addition, minor damage at the adjoining Early Childhood Center was sustained, and more isolated roof destruction at O’Neal and Eugene Field, with some electrical power surge issues at Oak Grove.
“It was just so loud. It shook the building a little bit. The power goes out. It lasted just 30, 40 seconds,” Young remembered. “I open the door a little bit and could hear water running. It was very dark. The emergency lights had come on. I couldn’t even see my car or how to get out. Panic kind of set in.”
Her Nissan Rogue was totaled under the dilapidated awning. Young called Kristie Robinson, Oak Grove principal, who along with husband Scott, packed a chainsaw and other tools, not knowing what to expect. They were uncertain whether it was just high winds or Young actually experienced a tornado, as she had suggested over the phone.
“They arrived. It was the first time I’d been outside. It’s pitch black—no stars. I can hear sirens. Light poles were down out back. I still couldn’t see the mass destruction that really had happened here,” Young continued. “I returned the next day, and realized the roof was gone. It occurred that morning, ‘We’re not going back this year.’ I said, ‘OK, it’s time to strap on your boots and come up with a plan to keep the kids and staff together.’”
The ensuing weeks blurred together for Young, just a first-year principal, yet the road to recovery would be paved by countless good deeds, too numerous to tally, from businesses, churches, organizations, neighboring school districts, elected officials, coworkers and patrons offering donations, in many cases replenishing supplies that educators had not yet realized were lost. Internal repairs continued into the first semester, including the installation of tile flooring, cabinetry and furniture as the 2025/26 school year outwardly resumed normal for students.
“As a staff, I do think that through the tornado, and through the moves and all of that, we became closer,” reflected Young, who was finally able to take her first vacation last week over spring break. “To be leading through the storm literally, it grew me as a leader and brought out some qualities in myself that I didn’t know I had.”
Click here to watch the video montage of the recovery efforts, and be sure to Like/Comment/Share!
| PBHS siblings named back-to-back National Merit finalists | |
Poplar Bluff High School has produced its second consecutive National Merit Scholarship Program finalist, and they happen to be siblings.
PBHS senior Claire Funke was presented a certificate of merit this month in the 71st annual NMSP after being selected as one of just over 15,000 top students across the country, following on the heels of finalist Jack Funke, salutatorian of the Class of 2025.
Also climbing toward the top of her class, Claire earned a perfect ACT superscore on her college admissions test earlier this school year. When they were upperclassmen together, Claire and her older brother helped secure the championship in the Senior Quiz Bowl at the National Beta Convention over the summer in Orlando.
“Claire’s academic record speaks for itself,” wrote school counselor Adam Moeller in his letter of recommendation. “…Claire is the kind of student who raises the standards of every community she joins.”
Moeller first had the privilege of knowing Claire while serving as a science teacher at Junior High when she was in the eighth grade. He recalled how she possessed a “natural aptitude for learning,” she “elevated the classroom discussion” with insightful questions, and “distinguished herself through her curiosity.”
“She is disciplined yet humble, ambitious yet thoughtful,” Moeller continued. “Whether she is leading a group, performing at a high level, or engaging in challenging academic pursuits, she does so with integrity and a quiet confidence that inspires those around her.”
Claire is president of the PBHS Beta, Literary and Math clubs, she is varsity team captain of the Academic Team, serves as drum major in the Sho-Me Marching Band, is first chair oboist in the Wind Ensemble, and a two-year varsity letterman for the Swim Team. Additionally, she was selected to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy through the University of Missouri Honors College.
According to Claire’s application, she listed the University of Pittsburgh as her top college, where she would like to major in genetics with a desire to become a geneticist or researcher; however, she is seeking admission to a number of choice institutions, thus remains undecided regarding her undergraduate studies.
When asked about the source of her and Jack's intellectual drive, given their status among the top one percent in the nation based on preliminary SAT scores, Claire simply replied that with all the support and resources they have been afforded in life, “We just feel we have to do our best. There’s no excuse.”
Beginning next month, nearly 7,000 scholarships valued at approximately $26 million will be awarded among the finalists, underwritten by the not-for-profit and its business partners, higher education institutions and individual donors. The recipients will join about 389,000 distinguished scholars since the establishment of the NMSP in 1955 to honor national scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.
Above: Adam Moeller, PBHS counselor, presents senior Claire Funke with a certificate of merit on Friday, March 6, for being selected as a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
| Lake Road Elementary students celebrated for kindness | |
Lake Road celebrated its Kindness Court during the elementary school’s third annual student-led coronation on Friday, March 6, raising $1,844 to ensure each student receives a free yearbook.
Leo Tipton and Braylinn Vass were named king and queen of the 4-6 grade span, while Jayla Johnson and Max Ernest were crowned this year's princess and prince from the 1-3 grade span, based on the amount of money they were able to generate in school through February. Sashes, bouquets and boutonnieres were supplied with help from the Poplar Bluff High School FFA.
A male and female was first selected from each class, including: Elijah Johnson, Liam Schaefer, Bronwyn Viverette and Carol Woten of grade one; Isaac Agee, Ellie Biri, Evelyn Farmer, Da’Von Hurd, Jordan Timothy and Natalyn Ward of grade two; Malayia Jackson, Lorynne Johnson, Eliott Medley, Sophia Talbott, Corbyn Qualls and Zachary Wei of grade three; Dimitrius Aguilar, Jaxon Hulsey and Olivia Pritchett of grade four; Jaxson Brown, Josie Hughes, Elsa Milligan and Conor Wei of grade five; and Raylynn Stackhouse of the sixth grade.
The fact that the tradition, revived by the Yearbook Club from years ago, is based on “character, not popularity,” is Principal Megan Miller’s favorite part. She had just returned from the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals Leadership Conference during which keynote Houston Kraft spoke about his CharacterStrong initiative designed to incorporate kindness into the curriculum.
A Harvard study the author shared, according to Miller, revealed that 90 percent of American parents surveyed prioritized their child(ren) being happy and kind over being high achievers, while most students responded that they believed their parents preferred good grades. “If we can all be kind, we can change the world,” Miller said.
Above: (From left) Max Ernest, Leo Tipton, Braylinn Vass and Jayla Johnson were named grade-span Kindness royalty on Friday, March 6, at Lake Road Elementary.
Below: The 2026 Kindness Court, as determined by schoolmates, pose during an assembly that included families in the Lake Road gymnasium.
Click here to view all of the photos, and read the origin story here! Eugene Field Elementary similarly hosts a King and Queen Coronation to coincide with Valentine’s Day.
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Board Appreciation
In observance of School Board Appreciation Month, we wish to thank the following members for their dedicated service to our school system: Dr. Cynthia Brown, Ken Davis, Dave Elledge, Dr. Larry Kimbrow, Mike Moss, Dr. Mike Price – and soon the return of John Scott, who will be sworn in during Thursday’s board meeting, upon being selected by the BOE to complete the vacated term of Tim Gaebler. We’d also like to thank each of the seven applicants for your interest in our school system!
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for the 2026/27 school year at the Kindergarten Center will take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 7-9, with extended hours from 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at 1200 Camp Road. Child(ren) must be 5 years of age on or before July 31. Please bring birth certificate, shot record and proof of residency. Enrollment is not necessary for students already attending the Early Childhood Center. To make a registration appointment online, click here.
Golf Tourney
The Poplar Bluff School Foundation’s 26th annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, May 8, at Ozark Ridge Golf Course, with tee time beginning at noon following lunch. All proceeds from the golf classic go toward innovative teacher grants outside of the classroom budget, and a student scholarship for a PBHS graduate entering the field of education. To enter a team in the four-person scramble, sponsor a hole or donate a raffle prize, please call 573-785-7751, ext. 5.
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On Friday, March 6, the DAR reported about the seven applicants who filed for the vacant seat of Tim Gaebler, who resigned from the Board of Education after moving outside of the district.
On Monday, March 9, the DAR reported about our spelling bee champions across the district.
On Tuesday, March 10, KWOC reported about Eugene Field Principal Kristen Spain being named 2026 Missouri Exemplary New Principal through MAESP.
The DAR reported about our January Athletes of the Month.
On Wednesday, March 11, the DAR also reported about Mrs. Spain’s regional honor.
On Saturday, March 14, the DAR reported about the road to recovery for PBHS physical education instructor Elizabeth Lewis-Muse, whose house was in the path of destruction of the 2025 tornado; and also reported about the Sho-Me Band’s sixth performance in the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom.
On Monday, March 16, the DAR helped promote our Foundation’s annual Golf Tournament fundraiser.
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