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You've got eMule!
Vol. 12 No. 8
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| Elementary students view sun through NASA solar telescope |  | |
Students are getting to experience some rare celestial events this school year due to Poplar Bluff’s locale in the heartland.
In preparation for the total eclipse in several months, O’Neal had the opportunity to view the sun through one of NASA’s hydrogen-alpha solar telescopes and additional binoculars supplied last week.
“It looks just like the moon,” third grader Dayton Brooks remarked on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the elementary school parking lot.
The Poplar Bluff Municipal Library secured the Coronado Personal Solar Telescope through the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Space Science Institute.
Children & Youth Services Librarian Connie Roberson applied for the solar science kit that the Missouri State Library has been circulating on behalf of NASA, and will have the device for the next month and a half, and again in mid-February, she said. Additional visits this week have been lined up for Eugene Field and Oak Grove.
“I love that they were able to do this for us,” O’Neal Librarian Ashley Robertson said of the district’s partnership with the Municipal Library. Library personnel have been participating in the school system’s collaboration days to help strengthen the relationship, according to Robertson, who used to work in the children’s section before accepting a position at O’Neal Elementary.
“You’re going to see a little white dot,” Robertson informed the students. “That’s what it’s gonna look like, but that is the sun!”
Student Carlie Davis joked afterward how: “It looks like a cheeseball.” The third grader continued: “That is so cool! I want to look at the moon now.”
Carlie noted that she was able to experience the annular eclipse that was partially visible the previous Saturday. “This weekend, my neighbor had these cool glasses to look at the sun,” she explained about the special solar viewers designed for gazing directly.
The ‘ring of fire’ surrounding the dark sphere of the moon on Oct. 14 only served as an appetizer for the total eclipse, when the sun will be blocked out completely on Monday, April 8. Money Talks News, a nationally syndicated consumer/personal finance news site, listed Poplar Bluff in the seven best places to observe the event beginning at 1:56 p.m., as the eclipse moves northeast from Mexico to Canada.
For approximately four minutes, Poplar Bluff will have more visibility in totality than any other sizable community, with a band three times as great as the last such event in 2017 as the path stretches over 100 miles wide, the Chamber of Commerce reported. The next total eclipse to cross the continental United States will not occur until Aug. 12, 2045, according to the STAR (Science-Technology Activities & Resources) Library Network.
Above: Connie Roberson of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, whose husband Kevin is an amateur astrophotographer, assists Carol Leezer, grade three, in operating the solar telescope on Friday, Oct. 20, at O’Neal Elementary.
Below: Kayden Dugger (left) and Jayson Jones of O’Neal look through the special binoculars also supplied through the SEAL program as they wait for their turn to safely observe the sun with the hydrogen-alpha solar telescope.
|  | The Kinders return with Halloween-themed concert |  | |
The Kinders, a fan favorite for Poplar Bluff students, returned to the Kindergarten Center on Friday, Oct. 20, to perform Halloween music for the kindergartners and the neighboring Early Childhood Center.
Brian and Terri Kinder of Little Rock have been playing their original children’s songs live on tour full-time since 2008, according to the duo.
“We’re on their regular tour schedule,” ECH Principal JoAnne Westbrook commented. The musicians have booked shows in the R-I district for a decade or so, performing up to three times in a single year, they recalled.
With the trademark single, “I Like Being A Kid,” The Kinders have several albums available for purchase at kindersongs.com, as well as a children’s book. The lyrical content is whimsical, and the concerts are interactive, with stuffed animal props and beach balls being tossed around.
“The kids just get to be kids, which is something we so often forget to allow them to do,” Kindergarten Center Principal Jessica Thurston added. “We’re getting the preschool kids acclimated to our building because they’re gonna be our kids anyway.”
A Fredericktown native, singer/songwriter Brian has a degree in music and taught fine arts in the Little Rock public school system for over two decades before taking an early retirement to pursue his music career. His wife Terri, an X-ray technician in her past life, took on a more prominent supporting role, eventually providing lead vocals on several songs.
The Kinders are slated to return with a Christmas-themed show for Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center families at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Kay Porter Theater.
Above: The Kinders kick off their concert on Friday, Oct. 20, in the gymnasium with the popular, “I Like Being A Kid,” designed to get young students moving.
Below: Students interact with the performers during a Halloween concert hosted Friday, Oct. 20, at the Kindergarten Center.
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|  | Mid-Continent donates stove to PBHS Independent Living class |  | |
Mid-Continent Steel and Wire donated a stove on Thursday, Oct. 19, to the Independent Living class at Poplar Bluff High School.
Students will use the new stove to bake cookies, muffins and other pastries when operating the coffee cart each week in order to build social skills through service as well as help develop cooking abilities, according to faculty.
“We’re cooking, cleaning, folding, all the things – so they can build the skills to live on their own,” teacher Miranda Huddleston explained. Mindy Garrett, director of special services, added: “They’re getting ready for life after high school.”
The classroom previously utilized a stove over 20 years old that was partially out of order. Co-teacher Julia Sloan initially reached out to Mid-Continent upon receiving the suggestion from her husband David, who works in the trucking department, and company officials voted to finance the replacement appliance with additional safety features from Home Depot.
“We thought it was a good thing to do for such a neat program,” stated Lizeth Esquivel-Rivera, who works in the human resources department of Mid-Continent. “We support a lot of school functions in working with the community.”
Above: (Standing from left) teacher Julia Sloan, student Jaylum Hood-Daniels, Lizeth Esquivel-Rivera of Mid-Continent, and Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy; and (seated, left to right) Director of Special Services Mindy Garrett, teacher Miranda Huddleston, and students Emily Faith, and Karson Busse.
| September Athletes of Month named |  | |
The Mules Booster Club has named Ava Richardson and Nick Spain of Poplar Bluff High School the September Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Nick, a senior cross-country runner, has medaled at the Arcadia Valley Invite, placing 33rd; as well as the West Plains Invite and the Cape Invite, placing eighth respectively; and was named the large school champion at the Van Buren Invite, with a personal 5K record of 17 minutes, 53 seconds. In the classroom, he has maintained a weighted grade point average of 11.214, according to faculty.
“Nick has really grown and improved for the last four years,” stated Beth Lewis, his coach. “He loves running and it shows through everything he does.”
Ava, a senior tennis player, is a three-year letterman in tennis, while also lettering in swimming during her junior year. She presently is No. 3 in varsity singles, and on the No. 2 doubles team. She helped place fourth out of 34 teams at the Springfield Invitational in doubles, and third at the Class 2 Districts in doubles. This year, Ava has a season record of 11-1 in singles, with her only loss being a forfeit due to injury. In doubles, she and Hannah Kee are 9-3. In addition, she has lettered academically all four years at PBHS.
“Ava has been a leader for our team on and off the tennis courts,” said Michelle Massey, her coach. “She encourages all J.V. players to do their best and she continues to be a true team player, pushing herself and her teammates to improve.”
Above: Nick Spain and Ava Richardson are presented the AOM awards by Brian Taylor, Booster Club president, on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at PBHS.
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Throughout football season, the kitchen staff at Poplar Bluff High School has worn Mules shirts during lunch service on Fridays, supplied to the Chartwells employees courtesy of Coach David Sievers.
The Mules are the No. 1 seed for the Missouri Class 5, District 1 football playoffs, Athletic Director Kent Keith reported. The varsity football team will receive a quarterfinal bye, and host the Webster Groves versus Farmington winner in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Mules Stadium.
Above: David Sievers, PBHS health instructor, poses with a team of Chartwells cooks on Friday, Oct. 20, prior to the final home game of the regular football season.
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Plant Sale
Poplar Bluff High School is selling mums grown by agriculture students from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the front office: 3209 Oak Grove Road. Mums in assorted colors are available for $15, or two for $25. All proceeds support the PBHS FFA!
Close the Gap Grant
Based on household income, parents may be eligible to receive a one-time grant of up to $1,500 for each student to use toward allowable educational services and products, such as internet connectivity, tutoring and more. Applications are open through Wednesday, Oct. 25. Learn more from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education here.
Movie Night
O’Neal Elementary will host its annual Movie on the Playground Night, sponsored by Southern Bank, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the elementary school. A costume parade will be held prior to the airing of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Hotdogs, popcorn and soft drinks will be provided.
Coat Giveaway
Grace Christian Fellowship will host its Warm Coats from Warm Hearts free coat giveaway at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Farmers Market pavilion in the Black River Coliseum parking lot.
Costume Dash
Lake Road Elementary will host its inaugural Costume Dash 5K/1-mile fun run at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at 986 State Hwy AA, with check-in starting at 7. Cost to participate in the 5K is $20, and $10 for the fun run/walk. All proceeds go to the elementary school activity fund. Halloween costumes are encouraged!
Goosebumps
The PBHS Drama Club will present R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps The Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium” at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, in the Kay Porter Theater. Tickets are $5.
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On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the DAR reported about our Junior High Cheerleaders finishing first at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association’s Kansas City Regional.
KWOC reported about our Sho-Me Band percussion section placing first during the Wright City Marching Invitational.
On Thursday, Oct. 19, River Radio featured Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman during his monthly appearance reviewing district headlines on KWOC, Clear 94 and The Bone.
On Friday, Oct. 20, KBSI Fox23 reported about our Kindergarten Center’s annual field trip to the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library.
KWOC reported about our 5K fundraiser for the PBHS Unified Champions.
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