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You've got eMule!
Vol. 11 No. 5
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| PBHS robotics class gifted another $5K in equipment |  | |
The Poplar Bluff High School robotics program continues to progress with financial support from a Georgia-based philanthropy group invested in the future of engineering.
The Montgomery Family Foundation, which has a history of support in the region, funded more than $5,000 in equipment enhancements to replace second-hand tools this school year so that the Iron Mules are not at a competitive disadvantage against larger organizations.
“The board said, ‘Get what you need. The foundation is gonna support robotics,’” recapped Robert Bennett, advocate for the PBHS robotics program and a local liaison to the Montgomery Foundation.
Bennett, a fine furniture maker in Butler County, attended the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) state championship at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla in the spring. He reported back to the foundation board the following month, putting on a photographic presentation of the Iron Mules in action.
As a result, the foundation board—led by Lawrence John Montgomery III—agreed to finance three dual-control robotics sets; another Tetrix set; a license for virtual robotics simulation software; a rolling tool chest; drill press; cordless sub-compact band saw; three driver/drills along with a titanium drill bit set; and some other smaller items.
A year ago, the Montgomery Foundation funded seven robotics kits from Pitsco Education valued at $5,000, a significant upgrade from a single kit of lesser quality components that students shared. Bennett, who retired from the Sears Youth Center, initially reached out to Poplar Bluff Schools to explore whether any class would be a good fit for the foundation, and was soon directed to the robotics program.
A lifelong educator of 43 years, Miller reintroduced robotics to PBHS, beginning with her involvement with the after-school club in 2013. The semester-long elective has increased by about 10 percent over last year, and Robotics 3 was added this semester. “It gives kids a chance to succeed at something besides academics,” Miller stated.
Bennett visited the class last week to review safety protocols while operating the drill press. He explained: “What they’re going to pick up here lends itself to a different approach to a successful life; somebody that adds to society. Not all those people go to college – there are other avenues.”
The robotics class has also influenced the majors of multiple students pursuing their higher education, according to Miller, including Cynwell Shi of the PBHS Class of 2020, who earned the renewable $1,000 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to the University of Missouri College of Engineering in part for his FTC involvement.
The Montgomery Foundation was established in 1989 by the late Lawrence John Montgomery Jr., an engineer, and supports programs at multiple universities across the United States, and has provided other educational opportunities for financially challenged students. The nonprofit previously contributed tens of thousands in dollars to over a dozen PBHS students through a scholarship endowment, but shifted its focus in recent years to supporting the trades, and in particular – robotics, according to Bennett.
Above: Robert Bennett teaches important safety protocols for operating a drill press with the robotics class last week.
Below: Robert Bennett, a liaison for the Montgomery Foundation, unboxes new equipment and teaches robotics students how to safely use the tools on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
|  | O’Neal launches reading incentive program |  | |
O’Neal Elementary has kicked off a reading incentive program with help from a business sponsorship this month to encourage students to read more at home.
Students received reading logs on which they were asked to document 15 minutes of reading each evening, then have their parents/guardians sign off on the time spent in total at the end of the month.
When the logs are returned, students will earn special reading keychains, and their names will be placed in a drawing for a Kindle Fire every trimester, with prizes donated by agent Ronnie Cline of Poplar Bluff Realty.
“The goal of the program is to encourage students to practice reading skills to help them improve stamina, fluency and build vocabulary,” explained Ashley Robertson, O’Neal librarian. “Kids reading for enjoyment is an ultimate goal for me as a librarian.”
Robertson came up with the idea after reviewing school data of students struggling or right on the line of becoming grade level readers, she explained. The best way for young people to build their critical reading capacity is to “practice reading outside of school,” Robertson continued.
When approached, Cline reportedly jumped at the opportunity as the husband of Andrea, a long-time teacher at O'Neal, and repeat supporter. He said he could recall when their sons, Ronnie III and Tyler, attended the elementary school, and participated in a similar program involving charm bracelets in physical education.
“If we give kids an incentive to run laps, why not give them an incentive to learn? That’s our future,” Cline said enthusiastically. He added that he hopes the program continues to evolve – with a large celebration at the end of the school year, and perhaps guest readers from the business sector.
Above: O’Neal librarian Ashley Robertson accepts a donation from Ronnie Cline of Poplar Bluff Realty to launch a new reading incentive program at the elementary school.
| Large group of PBHS students selected for All-District Choir |  | |
A total of 14 Poplar Bluff High School Choir students have been selected to perform with the Southeast All-District Choir next month in Cape Girardeau.
The choral students, 23 in all, auditioned on Saturday, Sept. 24, performing an art song for a panel of judges and sight-reading, which consists of reading and performing a melody that the student has never seen before – on first sight, according to Director of Vocal Music Joshua Allen.
Students selected include: Alyssa Roy, Ella Skillman and Victoria Conover in the soprano section; Emma Tinsley, Harley Stilwell, Virginiagrace Vandewarker and Keira Willis in alto; Gabriel Burke, Bralin Duckett, Jordan Hodge and Andrew Noble in tenor; and Dawson Vaughan, Elijah Bosch and Cayden Innes – bass.
The All-District concert, open to the public, is slated to take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, in Cape Central High School.
Above: (Back row, from left) Alyssa Roy, Bralin Duckett, Dawson Vaughan, Ella Skillman and Mr. Joshua Allen; (middle row, from left) Victoria Conover, Elijah Bosch, Harley Stilwell and Virginiagrace Vandewarker; and (front row, left to right) Jordan Hodge, Keira Willis, Emma Tinsley, Andrew Noble and Gabriel Burke. Not pictured is Cayden Innes.
| PBHS Beta Club member earns statewide leadership position |  | |
Poplar Bluff High School Beta Club member Emaly Clyburn was named one of three state leadership representatives, it was announced during the National Beta Leadership Summit held Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 28-29, in Cape Girardeau.
The award is given annually to deserving Senior Beta members who best demonstrate quality leadership through effective teamwork, inspiration to fellow peers, a courageous attitude and honest character, according to a press release from the organization.
As part of her duties, Emaly will represent National Beta at the 2023/24 leadership summit in Missouri, promote Beta as part of organizational growth initiatives, and be an advocate for leadership opportunities at PBHS.
Emaly will additionally be introduced at the Missouri state convention in March, as well as be invited to take part in the national convention over the summer in Louisville, where she may interview for the role of national leadership representative.
Also during the two-day summit, a group of 10 participants from PBHS won the ‘National Beta Outstanding Leadership School Award’ and placed in a series of competitions that qualify for nationals, including: Grace Neighbors, Abby Murphy and Hannah Burton in the project proposal category; Rebecca Stevens and Hannah Tinsley in lead outside the box; and Bryden Fuemmeler, Nya Cram, Karlie Lyscas and Ryan Black – collaboration connection.
National Beta is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. Leadership activities of last week’s gathering focused on personal growth, identifying values, development of character, and connections to communities.
Above: Emalyn Clyburn was named a state leadership representative during the Beta Summit hosted last week in Cape Girardeau.
Below: National qualifying participants from the PBHS Beta Club are (back row, from left) Hannah Tinsley, Karlie Lyscas, Ryan Black, Hannah Burton and Abby Murphy; (front row, left to right) Nya Cram, Rebecca Stevens, Emaly Clyburn, Bryden Fuemmeler and Grace Neighbors.
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Mules Café
The Mules Café is set to re-open to the public from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 6-7, in the Administrative Building, located at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd. Click here to view our October menus.
Fall Homecoming
The Mules Football homecoming will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in Mules Stadium against Farmington. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with the homecoming court presentation at 6:25. Tickets to attend are $4, with free admission for non-school age children.
Collect the Caps
The PBHS Beta Club is collecting teal bottle caps on Dr. Pepper products through Jan. 31, 2023, for a chance to win up to $10K through the annual Collect the Caps contest, co-sponsored by Pepsi MidAmerica. The special caps are being accepted in 50-gallon barrels at the 3209 Oak Grove Road campus from the following 16&20-ounce, and 1&2-liter bottles: Diet/Cherry/Dr. Pepper, Diet/7Up, Squirt, Crisp & Clear water, and Orange/Grape/Strawberry Crush. Last year, the student organization won $6,000 through the contest, and $2,500 in 2019.
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On Monday, Sept. 26, the DAR promoted our annual Pink-Out Day.
On Tuesday, Sept. 27, KWOC featured Poplar Bluff coaches and athletes in its inaugural Coach’s Corner installment, in partnership with Bushwood’s.
The DAR honored our PBHS Students of the Month.
On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the ShowMe Times reported about our grant-funded chicken coop at Mark Twain School.
KWOC reported about our Junior High being awarded a grant for a mental health consultant.
The DAR reported about the Rotary Club’s CPR mannequin donation; our Kindergarten Center winning the Blaich Family Dentistry giveaway; and Bailey Hester’s recent advancement to health director.
On Thursday, Sept. 29, KWOC helped promote our Drama Club’s Senior Showcase.
On Friday, Sept. 30, the DAR reported about our JROTC Guidon Ceremony; and the Sho-Me Marching Band’s success during the Wright City Marching Invitational.
KWOC advanced our Pink-Out Day game.
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