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Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from the Poplar Bluff R-I School District to help start your week on the right hoof.
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Green Bay Packers feature PB student's art
The artwork of a Poplar Bluff High School senior is being displayed for a year at the Green Bay Packers stadium, and the Art Department has been awarded $5,000 as the result of a recent national contest.
Student Kaylee-Ann Merrick and her family were flown to Lambeau Field in Wisconsin for an unveiling of her artwork last month during which she got to meet Packers CEO Mark Murphy and tour the stadium.
"My artwork shows a football player catching the Lombardi Trophy, but this isn't just any football player, it's you," wrote Merrick with her winning entry. "...For the next 100 seasons, the team may change or perhaps the rules may change, but one thing will remain consistent, and that is the dedication of the Packers fan base."
Merrick was named the secondary grade level winner in the Packers Student Art Contest, which also included a junior high and college division. She learned about the contest themed 'The Next 100 Seasons of Packers Football' at the end of last school year via the organization's official Instagram. She credits her art teacher, Meg Daniels, for the encouragement.
"I couldn't have done it without you and your amazing teaching," stated Merrick in an email to Daniels over the summer. "You are truly an amazing teacher and your constant support has fueled me to keep trying and keep doing better."
In return, Daniels was highly complimentary of Merrick's personal drive. "This young lady is so deserving and it couldn't have gone into better hands," the teacher commented.
While it has yet to be determined how the grant money will best be utilized, Daniels said some possibilities include purchasing each student a set of paintbrushes; buying larger ticket items such as a new ceramic wheel, slab table, wedging table or pug mill; or bringing in successful guest artists to inspire creativity.
Above: Accompanied by (right to left) her brother Tyrus Merrick and father Eugene Barnes, PBHS student Kaylee Merrick meets Packers CEO Mark Murphy.
Below: Kaylee Merrick stands in front of her artwork (center) displayed at Packers Lambeau Field with her brother Tyrus Merrick and father Eugene Barnes in July.
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DAR names Winters 2019 Difference Maker
AmeriCorps Program Director Becky Winters was named the
Daily American Republic's inaugural Difference Maker of the Year during a banquet held Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Holiday Inn Ballroom with approximately 200 guests in attendance.
A total of 10 finalists were recognized, several of whom-like Winters-had strong ties to the Poplar Bluff School District, including: Christy Frazier-Moore for starting the Chi and Company club at Junior High; PBHS Spanish teacher Charley Harper for his involvement with the Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle; and Kathern Harris for her partnership through the Butler County Community Resource Council.
Winters was awarded a prize bundle with a value in excess of $2,000 including a vacation package and a Briggs & Stratton pressure washer. Her successful nomination submission detailing her community service read as follows:
'As AmeriCorps program director in Poplar Bluff, Becky Winters helped provide a Christmas for nearly 1,200 Butler County children representing over 450 families in 2018. She founded Project Christmas Promise in 2008, serving 130 kids that initial year, and grew the operation to what it is today. She systematically identifies the children in need, coordinates donations from individuals and businesses that adopt angel trees, wraps the presents with her network of volunteers, and even makes deliveries to families who do not have transportation. She does not celebrate the holiday with her family until every child has an outfit plus two to three toys from off his/her wishlist.
Mrs. Winters uses the extra toys and clothing, plus snacks and hygiene products purchased as inventory for the Rotary Good Habits Store, a partnership between the Rotary Club and Lake Road Elementary School to help boost student attendance. A longtime Rotarian, Mrs. Winters and other volunteers set up a makeshift shop in the gymnasium where students spend the points they accrued for maintaining perfect attendance. Since the incentive started in 2012, attendance has increased from about 80 percent to above 90 percent, among the highest in the district.
In addition, Mrs. Winters has coordinated the month-long bell ringing efforts through the Salvation Army since 2004, raising upward of $40,000 annually for the organization, 85 percent of which is spent locally and the rest is placed into a disaster fund, which has also served to provide relief in Butler County on multiple occasions over the past decade.
Mrs. Winters is known by her colleagues as a person who isn't afraid to ask for favors. She has fostered many relationships over the years, coordinating efforts with nonprofits to ensure charitable services aren't being duplicated, routinely making a difference in countless lives in her community.'
Above: DAR Publisher Chris Pruett presents Becky Winters with the 2019 Difference Maker of the Year award.
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Welcome, Early Childhood students!
The first day of school for the Early Childhood Center was held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, with record enrollment projections for the second consecutive year.
Upward of 315 students are anticipated to participate in the preschool program this year, up from an average of about 250 prior to adding integrated full-day classrooms, according to ECH Director JoAnne Westbrook.
Above: Ava Jackson, 3, of Michelle Caswell's class displays her first day of school artwork, which will later be compared to her coloring skills developed by the end of the year.
Below: Saphira Rush, 4, selects a book during reading time under the instruction of librarian assistant Carlotta Bostic.
Click
here to view our running album, and be sure to 'like' your favorite shots!
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MRTF awards $500 grant to PBHS teacher
Poplar Bluff High School business education teacher Pamela Davis was awarded a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation on Wednesday, Aug. 14, so students can create interactive folders detailing concepts learned in personal finance class.
"Students will be learning objectives centered on budgeting, saving, credit/lending, checking, financial decision making, spending, taxes and earning income," wrote Davis in her proposal. "My goal is to help them prepare for their future by creating a resource of knowledge, which they can take with them to reflect on."
The funding will be used toward supplies for approximately 90 students, including file folders, binding rings, play money, hole punches, writing utensils and other materials.
Davis was among seven regional recipients of the association's annual classroom grant program.
Above: (Left to right) R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill, MRTA Region 12 Vice President Anne Moyer, teacher Pam Davis, MRTF board member John Moyer, Butler County Unit Vice President James Barnhill and Butler County Unit Secretary Jan Duffey.
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Tax Rate Hearing
A public tax rate hearing will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, in the Administrative Building, at which time citizens may be heard on the property tax rates proposed by the Poplar Bluff School District. Click
here for more information.
Season Opener
Mules Football will take on MICDS of St. Louis in the opening game of the varsity season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at Mules Stadium. The Mules Booster Club will host a tailgate party from 5-6:30 prior, featuring free food from Buffalo Wild Wings as well as games.
Labor Day
School will be dismissed on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 2-3, in observance of Labor Day followed by teacher collaboration day. School will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
TCC Car & Motor Show
The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center will host its first Car & Motor Show from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at PBHS featuring food and games. The event is free to spectators. To register a vehicle, contact the TCC at 573-785-2248.
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On Thursday, Aug. 22, the DAR
reported about the 2019 Difference Maker of the Year; our Back-To-School Convocation; teacher Karmen Carson participating in professional development; and the Beta Club's Dr. Pepper Pigskin Points Contest.
On Friday, Aug. 23, KWOC
reported about our pancake breakfast fundraiser for Mules Cross Country.
The DAR
published a Mules Softball preview.
On Saturday, Aug. 24, the DAR
published a Mules Football preview.
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