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You've got eMule!
Vol. 14 No. 7
Welcome back to The eMule! Below is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District.
The Middle School celebrated its 28th annual Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The tradition began as an assembly at the former 5th & 6th Grade Center, and later evolved into a parade on the Middle School campus.
Later in the week, Chartwells hosted its Community Thanksgiving, another long-tradition tradition of the district in partnership with its food service vendor. Approximately 1,200 free meals were served. We are thankful for the support of our patrons!
| PBJHS participates in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day | |
A lesson was taught at Poplar Bluff Junior High School last week about how young people can make a lasting impact on the world.
Local students joined hundreds of thousands across the nation who took part in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Friday, Nov. 14, marking sixty-five years since the six-year-old took her historic steps to William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.
“Ruby’s story shows that even young people can make a powerful impact,” explained organizer Shelby Jefferson, seventh grade social studies teacher. “I really wanted to stress to them as students their voices matter, their actions matter, and that they each have the power to make a difference in our community by choosing kindness, inclusion and courage every day.”
Jefferson planned the event for the first time for her multicultural world elective, and was joined by school ambassador students under the tutelage of Pam Davis, instructional coach. Principal Candace Warren additionally accompanied the group on the walk alongside building secretary LaRonda Mack.
As the students made their way to their destination of River Radio while holding signs for passersby, they were met by RT McCain, former teacher turned business owner. McCain, accompanied by his soon-to-be six-year-old daughter Amiah, shared his experience about leaving his most recent position at the Juvenile Office earlier this year to take a major chance and open a restaurant in the historic downtown: The Kitchen BBQ & Soul.
“A lot of times, you gotta blaze a trail that’s different than many are going,” McCain said. “Ruby Bridges had no idea the weight of her journey, yet she walked in faith and courage. I always try to keep that in the back of my mind, because you don’t always know where the end of the road may lead.”
For registering to participate in the walk, Jefferson received a letter from Bridges, now a 71-year-old philanthropist, who explained how she did not realize she would become an activist at such an early age. Her parents only informed her that she would be starting at a new school, and “better behave.”
“Looking back, I am grateful that I didn’t know what it was all about,” Bridges wrote. “I often say it was because of my innocence that I was able to learn the lesson that has shaped my life. That lesson is simple: kindness comes from someone’s heart no matter what they look like.”
Escorted by U.S. deputy marshals in 1960, Bridges became the first student to integrate the previously all-white elementary school. Although Brown v. Board of Education was decided in 1954, Louisiana was among the southern states that resisted the federal mandate requiring schools to desegregate within six years. Because of the defiance, Bridges would attend first grade alone under the sole remaining teacher's instruction, as other parents withdrew their students from class.
Multicultural world students watched a movie about the young trailblazer, who would later become the subject of a famous Norman Rockwell painting, as the class was learning about the Civil Rights movement leading up to the school activity, according to Jefferson.
“She changed the world so other black kids can go to the white school,” eighth grader Tahlyn Dudley said following the walk.
“She acted like their words didn’t matter,” classmate Mileigh Kempfer added, reflecting on Bridges going to school that first day through a hostile crowd. “She was just a baby.”
Above: Poplar Bluff Junior High students gather to walk to River Radio in honor of Civil Rights leader Ruby Bridges.
Below: E’Monee Gainwell (left) and Addison Dockins walk hand-in-hand carrying homemade signs last week on their way toward Pine Street.
Click here to view our photo album, and be sure to Like/Comment/Share!
| PBHS Math Club places in Excellence in Math Competition | |
Six out of nine Math Club students from Poplar Bluff High School placed in the annual Excellence in Math Competition on Saturday, Nov. 8, at St. Louis Community College, scoring as high as fourth place against over 40 schools.
Individually, Grayson Nunn placed sixth among juniors; the sophomore team of Katie David, Olivia Doernhoefer, Shubh Patel and Marlena Ward placed fourth, while Marlena also secured sixth place as an individual contender; and freshman Andrea Byrd finished in eighth place solo. Also representing PBHS were Laney Cross, Lilly Moeller and Jude Riggs.
Students were grouped by grade level and divided into two divisions based on school size. They had 63 minutes to complete 20 challenging math problems, involving logic and geometry, without the use of a calculator, according to math instructor Melissa Taylor, who serves as co-adviser alongside colleague Chris Wheat.
Afterward, students were provided the opportunity to participate in trivia, play cornhole, Jenga, line dance and win prizes. Top seniors were awarded scholarships. The EMC has been a tradition of the Forest Park campus for more than 50 years, in celebration of students with a passion for mathematics.
Above: (Standing, left to right) Katie David, Shubh Patel, Grayson Nunn, Lillian Moeller, Andrea Byrd, Jude Riggs, Marlena Ward and Olivia Doernhoefer; and (front) Laney Cross.
Below: PBHS students join others from throughout the region playing Connect Four while waiting for grading to be completed.
| October Athletes of the Month named | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Anna Bell and Connor Wiggs of Poplar Bluff High School the October Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Connor, a senior swimmer, has achieved state cuts in the 100 backstroke, as well as the 200 and 400 freestyle relays, and the 200 and 500 freestyle events, while placing first in multiple categories at swim meets this season. He holds the school record in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:29.7. Academically, Connor ranks in the top 15 percent of his class, according to his coach, Ty Flanagan.
“Connor has gone above and beyond to demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship in and out of the pool, challenging not only himself, but his teammates to work hard and have the right mindset before each meet,” Flanagan said. “I know I can always count on Connor to help with practices, making sure others are ready to go before an event, and pick the best restaurants to go to after meets,” he concluded, jokingly.
Anna is the first female golf state champion in the history of the district, having scored a two-day total of 147 (+3) at the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin. This season, she has earned an average of 70.2 strokes per 18-hole round and holds the record for the lowest score with a 64 (-8) at the Crescent Farms District Tournament. In the classroom, Anna maintains straight A's, according to her coach, Tyler Davis.
“Anna is an extremely diligent student and athlete. She has no quit in her and never makes excuses,” Davis said. “She is very self-disciplined and knows what it is she wants to accomplish, not only out of her game but in her academics. She never settles for anything less than perfect in herself. She is a remarkable golfer and a pleasure to be around. She is a true testament to what an all-star athlete should be.”
Above: Connor Wiggs and Anna Bell are presented the AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Thursday, Nov. 13, at PBHS.
| Bonus: Mules of past and present gather for PD | |
R-I instructional coaches of past and present teamed up to offer training for districts throughout the region, culminating in something of a Mules reunion on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Administrative Building.
Michele Carmode, who now serves as curriculum director at Dexter, collaborated with one of her successors at Poplar Bluff Schools, Pam Davis, to demonstrate Looker Studio through Google.
In attendance were a total of nine former Poplar Bluff educators who have either advanced to administrative positions throughout the region or are at least semi-retired from the field. Sixteen districts were represented at the workshop.
“We’re excited to be able to bring more offerings to the Southeast region through our network,” said Jenifer Richardson, former Oak Grove principal, who serves as SEMO co-coordinator through the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts alongside Patty Robertson, retired assistant superintendent of curriculum.
The professional development was part of a series of training opportunities through the GoData Network arm of the consortium, orchestrated by Dr. Jennifer Renegar of the Republic School District, where another training session will be offered by the duo in December.
Carmode presented an overview of Looker Studio, while Davis provided a template of a dashboard she created with the software using pivot tables to navigate Missouri Assessment Program data released.
Above: Pam Davis, R-I instructional coach, shares a template using Google Looker Studio with educators at schools across the region so they can plug in their MAP data.
Below: A professional development opportunity through GOCSD brings together current and former Mules educators, including (left to right) Patty Robertson, Dr. Fara Jones, Michele Carmode, Ashley DeBerry, Dr. Sonia Wood, Brandy Tripp, Jessica Thurston, Keri Jameson, Dr. Valerie Ivy, Gretchen Pendley, Jenifer Richardson and Pam Davis.
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Collaboration Day
Students will have a half-day on Friday, Nov. 21, for teacher Collaboration Day. Please click here for a listing of early dismissal times by building.
Thanksgiving Break
School is dismissed for students from Monday-Friday, Nov. 24-28, and will resume on Monday, Dec. 1. Please have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Board Election
Filing for the Board of Education will be open from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Dec. 9-19, with the final filing window open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 30. There will be three seats available on the school board for three-year terms. Candidate names will be placed on the ballot in the order of filing.
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On Thursday, Nov. 6, KBSI Fox23 reported about Alexa Everett of Eugene Field being named a McDonald’s Outstanding Educator.
On Friday, Nov. 7, the Missouri Bar reported about a former Missouri Supreme Court justice and local attorney speaking at PBHS.
KWOC reported about SPED teacher Alexa Everett's honor; and our Mules Cross Country runners competing in the MSHSAA Class 4 State Championship.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, the DAR reported about the TCC’s ‘Little Ghouls, Big Goals’ Halloween tradition.
On Monday, Nov. 10, the DAR reported about Eugene Field having teachers earn the Outstanding Educator award from McDonald’s for two years in a row now.
KWOC promoted our Community Thanksgiving event.
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the DAR reported about our Middle School’s annual Veterans Day Parade.
KWOC promoted our Veterans Day Parade; and reported about PBHS graduate Kameron Misner being picked up by the Kansas City Royals!
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, KWOC reported about our PBHS Choir students being selected to perform in the Missouri All-State Choir.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the DAR reported about the Butler County Retired Teachers and School Personnel board donating toward the Sho-Me Band’s performance in Florida.
On Friday, Nov. 14, the DAR reported about our annual Community Thanksgiving.
On Monday, Nov. 17, KWOC promoted our FAFSA Frenzy event at PBHS.
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