Aug. 28, 2023

Students welcomed with open arms on first day

Faculty and staff welcomed students across campus on Monday, Aug. 21. To streamline communication during the transportation cycle, the district rolled out its Here Comes The Bus app, providing caregivers the ability to track the arrival and departure of their student(s). Almost 700 parents and guardians signed up by the close of the week.

One of the most significant changes this year has been in leadership, beginning at the top. Dr. Aaron Cornman was hired to serve as the 20th superintendent in the history of the Poplar Bluff school system. He endeavored to make an appearance at each of the 11 buildings on the first day of school, falling shy of just one campus.

Cornman wrote in an internal memo how heartened he was by all the smiles while observing “so much patience for students and anxious parents as they all are learning new routines.” He continued: “Thank you to those staff members who welcomed me into their rooms and allowed me just a moment to witness greatness in action.”

Also new this year are several other administrators, including Charles Kinsey, who was promoted from Technical Career Center director to R-I assistant superintendent of business. Succeeding Kinsey at the TCC is Dr. Leigh Ann Cornman, Aaron’s wife, who most recently was employed at the Jefferson College Area Technical School. 

The High School added assistant principals Mike Jones, formerly a principal at Doniphan, and Dr. Stephanie Kuper, an English teacher here last year and an instructional coach before that. At the Junior High, Tammy Raderstorf, who was last employed as principal/special education director in West Plains, also joined as assistant principal. Karmen Carson was promoted to assistant principal of Middle School, where she spent the past several years teaching. Lastly, the Athletic Department expanded to add an assistant director, Jordan Penn, who previously served in a similar role in East Carter. 

Over the summer, a groundbreaking was held for the state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center at the TCC campus. The 3,240-square-foot facility, funded in large part through grants, will be the future home of the Mules Café. Meanwhile the visitor concession stand at Mules Stadium was completed in time for the season opener of varsity football over the weekend. The Activity Center at Junior High is progressing, with hope for a fall ribbon cutting. 

Above: Kindergarten teacher Kelen Deffendall greets kindergartener Rosabella Mares-Lower as educators help welcome students to the cafeteria on the first day of school.

Below: Preschooler Millie Knowles has fun in gym class at the Early Childhood Center.

Click here to view our first-day photos in our running album, and be sure to hit Share! Thank you to the 250+ parents who shared their first-day-of-school photos on our Facebook page.

Dr. Cornman challenges staff to become champions for students

Poplar Bluff Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman took the opportunity to introduce himself during the annual back-to-school convocation, challenging each staff member—no matter their vantage point—to become a champion for a student.

“Everyone deserves a champion,” Cornman said to around 800 employees on Monday, Aug. 14, in the gymnasium at PBHS. Cornman hit the ground running in July, beginning his 23rd year full-time in public education, most of which has been spent in the superintendent ranks. Over the summer, he led a dozen speaking engagements with community leaders during what he coined his listen, learn, lead tour.  

Cornman, a Gideon native, shared a story of his late father, Jimmy, who was born into poverty. Jimmy, along with 11 siblings, helped farm to make ends meet – and did not have plumbing for a portion of his childhood, having bunked on a dirt floor. His champion was a bus driver, who would check in on him periodically, according to Cornman.

“It was all because of a school bus driver,” stated Cornman, showing a viral clip from a TED Talk by education author and speaker Dr. Rita Pierson, entitled ‘Every Kid Needs a Champion.’ “…I firmly believe my life would be totally different if it wasn’t for someone being a champion for kids.”

Despite the hardships, Jimmy joined the U.S. Army, served as an ordained minister and was a lifelong educator in schools across Southeast Missouri, ending his tenure as special services director in Malden. Two current administrators of the Poplar Bluff school system remember having him as a teacher in South Pemiscot County, Cornman pointed out.

Today a total of 13 college degrees, two of which were doctorates, have been amassed among Jimmy and wife Carolyn’s children and their spouses. Of their nine grandchildren, seven college degrees have been acquired thus far, two of which are master’s degrees. Of the remaining two, one grandchild is currently enrolled in college and the other is preparing for medical school.

Prior to Cornman’s state-of-the-schools address, board president Ken Davis welcomed the faculty and staff, noting that the school board has aimed to hire the “best and brightest” over the years in order to make Poplar Bluff a destination school. “I feel we’ve done that,” Davis stated.

The event kicked off with more than 25 faith-based partners of the ministerial alliance joining in prayer over the school system. The PBHS JROTC presented the colors and Middle School students led the Pledge of Allegiance. Several partnering organizations gave out door prizes.

Above: R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman shares that he is “one generation out of poverty,” pointing to a childhood photo of his father, the late Jimmy Cornman.

Below: Greg Gilberto of Northpoint Nazarene Church reveals that he is forever representing the Mules as he introduces the ministerial alliance during the convocation.

Click here to view all of the convocation photos in our running album, and be sure to Like your favorite shots!

New staff members onboarded

A total of 88 new staff members were onboarded during the annual new teacher orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 9, in the Administrative Building. Central Office personnel also outlined benefits with new classified staff members during a subsequent in-service.

In addition to being provided a general overview, teachers brand new to the profession attended the beginning teacher assistance workshop required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education prior. Afterward, they were paired with mentor faculty members through the district’s teacher induction program support system (TIPSS), now in its sixth year. 

Poplar Bluff Schools is the third largest employer of Butler County, behind Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Briggs & Stratton, according to the Chamber of Commerce. Click here for a listing of remaining job openings. 

Above: Administration (standing) joins as Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman welcomes new certified staff members on Wednesday, Aug. 9, in the Administrative Building.

Below: R-I Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Mike Owen introduces new classified staff members to the secretarial team of the Administrative Building on Thursday, Aug. 10.

Please help us welcome our new (to us) certified staff members by leaving a Comment here!

Professional development through summer

Educators new to Poplar Bluff received two days of Capturing Kids’ Hearts training under the Flippen Group last month. Poplar Bluff Schools piloted the initiative in 2013, ultimately adopting the district-wide practice, with a few buildings being named national showcase schools for consecutive years.

Besides professional development for first-year teachers, existing staff members participated in over a dozen workshops, according to the Curriculum Department. Among the conferences, the R-I instructional coaches hosted the 10th annual iThink Academy on Wednesday, July 26, at PBHS. Focusing on instructional strategies, the internal workshop expanded to include representation from five area school districts this year.

Above: Leadership Development Strategist Mark McKinney of the Texas-based Flippen Group provides almost 50 new certified staff members Capturing Kids’ Hearts training on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11-12, in the Administrative Building.

Below: Bree Savat (seated, facing camera) of the R-I Attendance Office leads a lighthearted breakout session on how to make wooden signs for classroom doors during iThink Academy on Wednesday, July 26, at PBHS.

DAR honors its first teacher as Difference Maker of the Year

Jennie Randolph of Poplar Bluff High School recently became the first educator to be named Difference Maker of the Year by the Daily American Republic newspaper.

Randolph, who teaches communication arts and serves as adviser for Student Council and Unified Champions, was honored before several hundred in attendance during the fifth annual Difference Makers banquet held Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Black River Coliseum.

“It’s what we do as teachers,” said Randolph, pointing out the record number of faculty who were finalists. “I’m just honored to stand beside this group.”

Among the 10 nominees chosen were Oak Grove reading teacher Staci Barker, who serves as the commissioner of the Optimist Soccer League; PBHS assistant librarian Bridget Epps, who volunteers at the Giving Closet and tutors students; and PBHS JROTC instructor Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Roderick, who with wife Mercedes has helped foster 23 children. Also nominated was Greg Gilberto, Northpoint Nazarene Church pastor, who volunteers to serve as life coach for PBHS Mules Football.

During the inaugural year of Difference Makers in 2019, school partner Becky Winters with AmeriCorps received the top honor for her efforts with Project Christmas Promise, the Rotary 'Good Habits' Store and the Salvation Army. The following year Dave Elledge was selected for founding Sleep in Heavenly Peace, supplying beds for children in need, as well as Buddy Ball, which provides sports services for youth with mental and physical developmental disabilities. Elledge was elected to the R-I Board of Education earlier this year.

In total, there have been numerous active employees, retired educators, future staff members, volunteers and community partners affiliated with the Poplar Bluff school system named finalists. Randolph was nominated by colleague Joshua Allen, PBHS music director, among more than 60 submissions this year, reported DAR Publisher Chris Pruett.

Above: Jennie Randolph of PBHS shares how teaching is a calling during a surprise acceptance speech at the annual Difference Makers banquet on Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Black River Coliseum.

Below: (From left) Bridget Epps, Jennie Randolph, Staci Barker and Marc Roderick, all employed by Poplar Bluff Schools, were named top 10 finalists at the 5th annual Difference Makers banquet.

Labor Day

School will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 4-5, in observance of Labor Day followed by teacher collaboration day. School will resume for students on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

On Tuesday, May 30, the DAR picked up its Teacher of the Year series with a feature about Carey Wilkerson of Oak Grove.

KWOC reported about Darius Graham of PBHS placing first in the MSHSAA Class 5 high jump.

On Thursday, June 1, School Administrator magazine featured Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman in its June edition.

KWOC reported about Junior High receiving the Thomas R. Brown Athletics grant.

On Monday, June 5, the DAR also reported about Darius Graham’s state championship.

On Thursday, June 8, KWOC reported about our May Athletes of the Month.

The DAR reported about Eugene Field TOY, Kylee Moss.

On Friday, June 9, the DAR reported about our Culinary Arts Center groundbreaking.

KWOC also reported about the groundbreaking ceremony.

On Monday, June 12, the DAR reported about the Charlie Classics reading program.

On Thursday, June 15, the DAR reported about Early Childhood TOY, Pennie Ethridge.

On Friday, June 16, the DAR reported about Junior High TOY, Amanda Bullington.

The DAR reported about Abby Murphy of the Class of 2023 earning a scholarship from the Poplar Bluff Fine Arts Club.

On Tuesday, June 20, the DAR reported about Teacher of the Year Candy Taylor, formerly of the TCC.

On Monday, June 26, the ShowMe Times reported about our 2023 Missouri Good Sports.

KWOC reported about our success at the National Junior Beta Convention.

On Wednesday, July 5, the DAR promoted our faith partner’s meet and greet with Dr. Cornman, later covering the event.

On Friday, July 7, KOWC promoted our Booster Club’s Mule Skinner fundraiser.

On Thursday, July 13, KWOC promoted our Kindergarten roundup.

On Tuesday, July 18, KWOC promoted our free athletic physical event.

On Thursday, July 20, River Radio introduced Dr. Cornman on KWOC, Clear 94 and The Bone.

Life Radio also featured Dr. Cornman on “Brittney on the Bluff.”

On Thursday, July 27, the DAR reported about our future Activity Center at Junior High; and Dr. Cornman served as the inaugural guest on “The Scoop” podcast, which was later highlighted in a column.

On Monday, July 31, the DAR reported about a grassroots back-to-school bash hosted at the Kindergarten Center.

On Tuesday, Aug. 1, KWOC promoted our open houses and orientations.

On Wednesday, Aug. 2, the DAR reported about the Junior High’s house system, which celebrates local first responders.

On Friday, Aug. 4, KWOC promoted our All-Americans from the Junior High Pom Squad,

On Tuesday, Aug. 8, the DAR reported about Dr. Brandi Compass of the Middle School doing missionary work in Uganda this summer.

On Thursday, Aug. 10, KFVS12 featured PBHS on its football Friday promo.

On Saturday, Aug. 12, the DAR profiled its Difference Maker finalists, including four Poplar Bluff educators.

On Wednesday, Aug. 16, KWOC promoted our freshman orientation.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, the DAR reported about 2023 Difference Maker of the Year, Jennie Randolph of PBHS, and published a series of related photo galleries.

On Saturday, Aug. 19, the DAR published our 10^th annual Mule Prints magazine.

On Monday, Aug. 21, KWOC published a message from Dr. Cornman, after discussing the return to school with the superintendent the previous week at River Radio.

The DAR provided first day of school coverage.

On Tuesday, Aug. 22, WSILTV reported about Here Comes the Bus.

KFVS12 also ran a news segment about our school bus tracker app, which was carried by KAIT8, KWCH12 and WBRC6.

On Wednesday, Aug. 23, KWOC also reported about Here Comes The Bus, previously featuring Transportation Director Jon McKinney on the River Radio programming.

• Bright Futures
• Giving Closet
• Lunch Menus
• Peachjar Flyers
• Sports Streaming
• Staff Directory
• Weather Cam

• 5.30.23 edition