Each of Poplar Bluff’s lower elementary buildings have been named ‘Best Elementary Schools’ according to the inaugural rankings of U.S. News & World Report at that grade span, with three R-I campuses placing among the top 15 schools in Missouri.

Eugene Field was listed at No. 8, followed by Oak Grove at No. 9 and Lake Road Elementary at 14 out of over 1,000 schools ranked statewide, the publication announced on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The top 30 percent of schools in Missouri qualify for the award.

“As I look over the list in its entirety, I’m struck overall by the high-quality schools throughout Missouri and look to the presence of each of our schools as indicative of successes they have realized and the hard work that has gone into all students: every hour, every day,” reacted Dr. Scott Dill, R-I superintendent. “That said, having three in the top 15? I’ll take that all day! It speaks volumes to the work that is being done throughout the district.”

More than 47,000 public schools nationwide were ranked based on proficiencies in math and reading on state assessments from 2019, with the other half of the methodology factoring in the scores in the context of socioeconomic demographics, according to the online news organization. “In other words, the top-ranked schools are high achieving ones that succeeded in educating all of their students,” the report states.

Eugene Field topped the list by scoring 87 percent proficient or advanced in reading and 77 percent in math on the Missouri Assessment Program test; Oak Grove scored 82 percent proficient or advanced in both subject areas; and Lake Road, which serves up to grade six as opposed to 1-3 like the others, scored 82 percent in math and 77 in reading.

Eugene Field is a Lighthouse School under The Leader in Me initiative, and Lake Road and Oak Grove are National Blue Ribbon Schools. All three schools have been named National ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Distinguished Schools, with both Eugene Field and Lake Road being honored by the federal program twice.

Lake Road has earned the Gold Award of Excellence five times in a row under Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, while Oak Grove achieved gold-level implementation for the first time this past school year. Lake Road has also been named a National Showcase School under the Capturing Kids’ Hearts initiative for the past four consecutive years. Meanwhile O’Neal Elementary, which U.S. News additionally ranked in the top 10 percent of Missouri schools, has been named a showcase school three times. 

“When evaluating the data upon which these rankings were based, it’s obvious they harken back pre-pandemic. But what I know about our school district since these data were tabulated is that we have advanced the collective work of the district in ways that were previously unimagined, persevering in the face of overwhelming adversity in the past year and a half,” Dill continued. “I don’t know what metrics they will use to measure success after these tumultuous years, but I know in each and every school throughout the district, our teachers have given to the fullest measure as we remained safely open for the educational benefit of each student entrusted to our care.”

This is the first year U.S. News & World Report has included elementary schools in the franchise’s signature “best” series of consumer guides. The public school rankings are based on data collected by the U.S. Department of Education.

Lake Road students recently received the first round of free books for their home libraries as part of an exclusive program designed to promote literacy among Title 1 schools across the country.

The elementary was one of only two schools chosen in Missouri as part of the United States of Readers program, a partnership between Scholastic Book Clubs and bestselling author James Patterson through which students receive 10 popular children’s books of their choosing throughout the academic year.

“I’m a reading teacher, so I love this,” commented Lake Road Principal Rondi Vaughn, who spent over a decade of her tenure as a reading interventionist in the district. “Parents reading with their children, and for kids to have the books in their home, is so valuable.”

Even though Vaughn was not on contract in July, she happened to be in the building when the phone rang. On the other end, a Scholastic official inquired whether Lake Road would be interested in participating in the new program. According to Vaughn’s understanding, the school was selected due to its previous involvement in partnering with Scholastic on book fairs, its federal title program status and the information presented on the elementary's webpage, combined with fortunate timing.

Students get to select two titles from a popular list on five separate occasions through May, and teachers—who are encouraged to preview some of the books in class—get to pick a total of 25 books to enhance their libraries. In total, the campus community will receive several thousand books through the program, which is a logistical commitment, noted Vaughn, but "the payoff is huge." She said that students have been checking in and expressing their excitement as the boxes began to roll in at the end of October.

“We knew we needed to come up with an alternative to our tried and true model [of reduced prices], because every child needs to be able to choose and own books, and see themselves as a reader,” Scholastic Book Clubs President Judy Newman stated in a press release. “With the United States of Readers, teachers can administer the program with confidence knowing they can truly make literacy and book ownership attainable goals for every student in their class.”

For its inaugural rollout, Patterson, a literacy advocate, donated $1.5 million to sponsor the program. There is a direct correlation between children who become frequent readers and access to books at home, according to the most recent edition of the Scholastic Kids & Family Report, the press release continues.

“…In many cases, kids simply need access to books—and especially books they want to read—to fall in love with reading, characters and stories,” Patterson writes, later stating: “I know that reading changes lives, and I hope that the United States of Readers will not only help bridge the gap in literacy inequality, but really make an impact on the lives of young kids.”

Above: Students in Hannah Tooman’s fifth grade class display their book selections on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Below: Codi White’s second grade students get to spend some class time getting acquainted with their brand new books.

A new partnership between Mark Twain and the Early Childhood Center is not only proving to be beneficial for the students at both age levels, but for the teachers facilitating.

“Part of alternative education is finding alternative ways of learning,” said Darla Nunn, Jobs for America’s Graduates specialist at Mark Twain School. “Our students are learning to interact with kids.”

Serving as a career-exploration opportunity, Mark Twain students began last month assisting teachers in classrooms at the Early Childhood Center once a week for an hour a day, split between morning and afternoon sessions.

The project-based learning exercise originated from student Peta Jay who made the suggestion during class discussion, and Nunn was able to connect the freshman with Early Childhood Principal JoAnne Westbrook, who was immediately receptive to the idea. 

“We would love it if you would let us come to your school and mentor the students,” Peta wrote in an email. After working out the schedule, Westbrook responded affirmatively to Peta the very same day, stating: “We would love to have you all.”

Early Childhood teachers make plans to involve Mark Twain students in a classroom activity, or else the older students join the preschoolers during physical education or recess time. Early Childhood teacher Nancy Gill commented: “I really like the JAG program; it’s turning out really good. The kids love them.” 

Westbrook pointed out that it has been positive for her teaching staff since many are veteran educators, and in some cases remember back when the older students had just entered the school system. “Once a teacher, always a teacher,” Westbrook said.

For the Early Childhood students, added Westbrook, “they may not have an older sibling, or a role model at that age.” And for Mark Twain students, she continued: “They feel needed, wanted and with purpose.”

While some Mark Twain students pass up on the opportunity because they feel interacting with children is not yet a strength, others may have a future in early childhood education, according to Nunn. In certain instances, she notes, the arrangement simply serves as a pick-me-up. “Sometimes we just gotta play toys,” Nunn said.

Above: Mark Twain student Bryson Merriott participates in an activity in Terry DeShaney’s class, teaching Early Childhood students the directions of over and under. 

Below: Mark Twain junior Darius Hubrins walks an Early Childhood student back to his classroom, while JAG teacher Darla Nunn looks on.

On Monday, Oct. 25, KWOC reported about Middle School teacher Aleanna Moore being named a McDonald’s Outstanding Educator.

On Wednesday, Oct. 27, KWOC promoted the upcoming Veterans Day parade at the Middle School.

On Thursday, Oct. 28, KWOC reported about the STEM donation to Middle School by Three Rivers ETS.

On Friday, Oct. 29, the ShowMe Times reported about the College Fair held at PBHS.

On Saturday, Oct. 30, the DAR printed a photo display from Oak Grove’s trunk-or-treat event; and reported about our annual College Fair.

On Sunday, Oct. 31, the DAR recognized our All-District Choir students.

On Monday, Nov. 1, the ShowMe Times reported about the generous Educational Talent Search donation to our STEM program.

On Wednesday, Nov. 3, the DAR recognized our Middle School’s fourth and fifth grade Honor Roll.

On Friday, Nov. 5, the DAR recognized our September Athletes of the Month.