Welcome to The eMule! Here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District to help start your school year on the right hoof.
Special thanks to Lucas Edington of Mossy Oak Properties Mozark Realty for sponsoring our newsletter for the third year in a row!
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Welcome new and returning students!
Students, grades K-12, were greeted at their respective buildings as classes resumed on Thursday, Aug. 15, for the new school year. Thanks to the 300+ parents who
posted their first day of school photos on our Facebook page!
New to the school district for 2019/20 is the opening of the RISE Transition Center, which is serving as a pilot program for the future alternative school, presently in planning stages. Click
here to learn more!
Above: Students walk hand-in-hand as they get off the bus at the Kindergarten Center.
Below: PBJHS Principal Candace Warren won a contest from the company 'Sign Gipsies' for a 24-hour yard greeting, which she utilized to welcome students.
Click
here to view our first day of school album, and be sure to hit 'share'!
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'Ellen' guest star speaks at Convocation
The consensus among educators participating in the Back-to-School Convocation was that this year's keynote speaker was the most engaging in recent memory.
Special guest Michael Bonner, the author of the book "Get Up or Give Up: How I Almost Gave Up on Teaching," shared with Poplar Bluff faculty and staff his focus areas for the school year during which he will teach at the internationally renowned Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.
"They're saying we're becoming obsolete," said Bonner to over 700 in attendance on Monday, Aug. 12, at the Black River Coliseum. "There's more information [available] than we've ever had in the history of the world."
In a changing education system, Bonner said that school officials need to continue to focus on whole brain teaching. A 4.0 grade point average is not the only factor that guarantees success in the 21st Century, he continued, using wealthy YouTube reviewers as an example.
Bonner became known on the national stage in 2017 when comedian Ellen DeGeneres featured the award-winning educator on her talk show for making an impact at an impoverished elementary school in North Carolina by using innovative approaches such as rap music in order to teach reading.
"Taking action and not taking action are both still actions," concluded Bonner before receiving an ovation from the crowd. "Nothing is neutral."
Earlier in his presentation, Bonner stressed the importance of building healthy relationships with students, echoing a theme that R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill hit on in his state-of-the-school address. "Without a significant relationship, there cannot be significant learning," Dill stated.
The Convocation is an annual tradition of Poplar Bluff held prior to the start of the school year. The High School's JROTC presented the colors and Eugene Field third grader Gracyn Bridgewater led the Pledge of Allegiance. Over a dozen vendors set up booths and gave out raffle prizes.
Above: Guest speaker Michael Bonner delivers the keynote during the annual Back-to-School Convocation held last week at the Black River Coliseum.
Below: Pastor Greg Gilberto of Northpoint Nazarene Church introduces the ministerial alliance as they lead a prayer for faculty and staff before the state-of-the-school address.
Click
here to view our running album, and please help us tag our employees!
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Welcome to our new employees!
More than 40 new certified faculty members recently participated in Capturing Kids' Hearts training, a relationship-capacity building initiative the district subscribes to, in preparation for the school year. Over 40 new classified staff members also attended the employee orientation held earlier this month.
New to the superintendent cabinet this school year is
Fara Jones, who assumed the position of assistant superintendent of personnel. Mrs. Jones succeeds
Dr. Amy Jackson, who accepted the vacated post of assistant superintendent of business.
Please help us welcome our new educators by leaving a comment below our running
album!
Above: Former PBJHS Principal Bob Case leads two days of Capturing Kids' Hearts training from Thursday to Friday, July 18-19, in the Administrative Building.
Below: Around 100 area educators participated in the annual iThink Academy held Wednesday and Thursday, July 31-Aug. 1, at Poplar Bluff Middle School, featuring 25 sessions covering topics that ranged from technology integration in the classroom to becoming a trauma-informed school.
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Freshman Orientation well-attended
Poplar Bluff High School student ambassadors under the direction of math teacher Hope Conover led freshman orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 7, featuring group activities and a tour of the campus facility.
Above: Student Council president Eva Bedell leads a pep assembly before incoming students broke off into groups.
Below: Freshmen pose for a class photo with upperclassmen who served as ambassadors.
Click
here to view the entire album, and be sure to 'like' your favorite shot!
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MSBE, Commissioner holds forum in PB
The commissioner and members of the Missouri State Board of Education recently held their first community forum at Poplar Bluff High School in an effort to seek input from stakeholders of the 8th Congressional District in prioritizing issues facing educators.
Approximately 70 area school officials, students, current and former legislators, and community leaders gathered on Monday, Aug. 5, to discuss topics that included high-quality early childhood education, teacher recruitment and retention, mental health services, and workforce development.
"The state has a tremendous opportunity but also a tremendous responsibility, and it cannot just be solved by educators," stated Dr. Margie Vandeven, commissioner for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She quoted former United States secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, saying: "No one can do more harm to America than America can do to itself if we don't educate our children."
MSBE member Mary Schrag, who represents the 8th Congressional District, explained that the goal of the regional meetings, while lofty, is to become a "top tier education system in the United States." The West Plains medical professional said she chose Poplar Bluff to kick off the series of forums due to her previous work serving together with R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill on the Southern Ozarks Alliance for Rural Development board.
"In over two decades in public education, I've been told what to do by DESE, but never been asked what we should do, so I would like to commend the commissioner and the state board for walking the talk," Dill commented during the Q&A portion of the forum. "It means a lot to us."
Above: Accompanied by MSBE members (left to right) Kimberly Bailey, Carol Hallquist and Mary Schrag, Education Commissioner Dr. Margie Vandeven leads a discussion with regional stakeholders about the current state of public education.
Below: Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill publicly thanks state education officials for taking the time to personally solicit input from stakeholders.
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PBHS Open House
Open House for Senior High will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at PBHS.
Scouts BSA
Sign-ups to participate in Scouts BSA for students, grades K-12, will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at PBJHS.
ECH Open House
Open house at the Early Childhood Center for the morning session will run from 7:45-8:15 a.m. and from noon-12:30 p.m. for the afternoon session on Wednesday, Aug. 21, prior to the first day of school.
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On Friday, June 7, the DAR reported about our 2019 outstanding biology teacher award
winner.
The ShowMe Times reported about our 2019 Missouri Good
Sports.
On Monday, June 10, KAIT8 reported about the Baldwin Automotive Group's
support of our Driver's Ed program.
KWOC reported about our Mules Wrestling
camp.
On Monday, June 17, KAIT8 announced our 2019 Gold Star
School.
On Tuesday, June 18, the DAR reported about Oak Grove earning the Gold Star
Award; and highlighted our summer school
activities.
On Thursday, June 20, the DAR reported about our 'I'm A Citizen, Too'
class.
The ShowMe Times reported about the MSBE
tour of our campus facilities; Change of Command
ceremony; Class of 1971 Scholarship
recipient; National SkillsUSA
qualifiers; and Ronald McDonald House Charities grant
winner.
The Poplar Bluff Chamber highlighted our summer food service program in its weekly video installment of #
TheBluff.
On Friday, June 21, KWOC reported about our 11th annual Mule Skinner Golf
Tournament.
The DAR featured Oak Grove, the Middle School, Junior High and the High School on its education page.
On Thursday, July 11, KWOC reported about our back-to-school
orientations and open houses.
On Wednesday, July 24, KWOC reported about our ECH
screenings.
On Friday, July 26, the DAR reported about our TCC students competing in the National SkillsUSA contest.
On Saturday, Aug. 10, the DAR published
Mule Prints!
On Monday, Aug. 12, KFVS12 reported about Oak Grove being named a 2019 Missouri Gold Star
School.
On Tuesday, Aug. 13, KWOC reported about our Scrap Tire Surface
Grant.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, the DAR reported about a
fundraiser created in part to raise money for our new Mules Football jerseys.
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