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You've got eMule!
Vol. 11 No. 2
Welcome back to The eMule! Here is the latest news from Poplar Bluff Schools to help start your week on the right hoof.
| Class of 1972 donates coin collection to new graduates |  | |
The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 1972 has selected the Class of 2022 to pass a time capsule on to in hopes that the gesture challenges the recent alums to also remain connected through the decades.
During their 50th class reunion held last month, the Class of ‘72 donated a minted, uncirculated set of 1972 U.S. coins to officers over the newest graduating class, issuing them a challenge to pass along the keepsake to the Class of 2072 down the road.
“We are pushing forward the challenge to those kids to pay it forward in 50 more years,” commented Class of '72 alumnus Tom Cash, who retired from the pharmaceutical business this year. “The bigger thing is for them to stick together, reach out to one another routinely, and be active alumni.”
Upward of 150 members of the Class of ‘72 attended the reunion in August at the Poplar Bluff Holiday Inn, and have kept a tradition of gathering every five years. The model class has also supported several projects that have positively impacted the school system through fundraising efforts, including helping to finance the pavilion at the Middle School, formerly Strenfel Field for the alumni.
Cash pointed out how unfortunately about 15 percent of the Class of ‘72 has passed away, and this is why it is “really important to stay in touch.” He continued: “Our goal was to share with them, ‘Here’s what we’ve done with class reunions; we created a booster club for projects.’ We wanted to challenge them at age 18.”
The coins—a penny, nickel, dime, quarter and half-dollar—were donated by class member Joe Stokely, who is an attorney in Kansas City. An accompanying framed letter reads, “The Class of 1972 is proud of our school, our legacy, and proud to be proactive in supporting Poplar Bluff High School. We are depending on your leadership to fulfill this task.”
Class of 2022 historian Emma Eubank is storing the collection for now, according to PBHS communication arts teacher Jennie Randolph, since the alumna has access to a safe. RhyLee Sprague, president of the Class of 2022, reported from college at Murray State University in Kentucky that he is confident his classmates will be able to accomplish the mission with technology making it easier to keep in touch, and the “symbolic meaning” of the challenge is not lost on him.
“The point of this challenge isn’t how easy it is to pull off in today’s age but more so, can we stay committed and connected as a class and community of peers to showcase dedication and perseverance to our future generations,” Sprague asked rhetorically. “Will we let social media and the internet blind us or guide us when it comes to what truly matters – and that is forging real life connections with the people in front of us and around us, [rather] than be content with staying behind a screen.”
Both Sprague and Eubank were given their own proof sets of the coins “so they won’t be tempted to break into the frame if they need a quarter for the parking meter,” Stokely joked.
Above: PBHS Class of 1972 alumnus Joe Stokely issues a challenge to RhyLee Sprague and Emma Eubank of the Class of 2022 during a reunion held last month at the Holiday Inn.
Below: An image of the proof set of coins along with the accompanying letter was submitted by Tom Cash of the Class of ‘72.
|  | MRTF awards $1,000 in grants to Poplar Bluff educators |  | |
Poplar Bluff Schools is bringing back food canning and board games, thanks to the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation.
Hilary Taylor, who teaches a game design elective at Junior High, and High School family and consumer science instructor Missy Cox were each awarded $500 grants last month reportedly among 126 statewide out of 439 applicants total.
Cox wrote in her grant proposal that there has been an unprecedented amount of food waste in the United States since the pandemic – totaling 108 billion pounds of food per year, accounting for approximately 40 percent of the country’s food supply, according to Feeding America.
“Take into account food waste, along with food supply issues still taking place two years later, food preservation education needs to be a priority,” Cox stated. “By beginning this education in high school, students will become more aware of the impact they can have on our food supply and learn to become better consumers.”
Advanced foods students will be taught the preservation methods of pickling, water bath canning, freezing and dehydrating during the fruits and vegetable unit next month. With the money, Cox will purchase vacuum sealers, a food mill, jars, blanching baskets, jelly strainers, a cheesecloth, a canning set, sure gel and ascorbic acid.
Meanwhile Taylor’s students will design, develop and test their own board or card games, including writing an instruction manual that clearly and simply expresses the steps including winning parameters and scoring so the games can be played successfully from start to finish. The final product will be presented for a class vote on which game is the most playable.
“Due to the overwhelming exposure to digital media and video games, many students today do not have much exposure to traditional board games and card games," Taylor wrote. "Often the only exposure they have are to low strategy board games designed for younger children, and the only exposure to card games are often in the same category of simplicity or in the genre of casino games."
The grant will be used toward the purchase of the games Aggravation, Blokus, Chinese Checkers, Mancala, Mastermind, Nertz, Sequence and Yahtzee, plus accessories such as Bingo chips, game tokens and pawns, and blank dice. Students will be taught the various game mechanics and scoring criteria this semester before being introduced to the steps in the design process.
Since 2017, Poplar Bluff Schools has been awarded a total of 11 MRTF grants, four of which were successfully written by Taylor. The proceeds are raised by retired teachers through a raffle and silent auction at the annual delegates assembly, which takes place this month, according to Linda Surber, Butler County unit president.
Above: (From left) Butler County unit president Linda Surber, and Missouri Retired Teachers Association Region 12 vice president Mark Cook present R-I district teacher of the year Missy Cox and middle school grade-span teacher of the year Hilary Taylor with checks during the annual back-to-school Convocation held recently at PBHS.
| Girl Scouts donate final bit of school supplies to students |  | |
The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland recently donated 600 art boxes to the Poplar Bluff School District to meet any outstanding needs of young students, after the decision was made that school supplies would be covered this year.
The Butler County troops designated proceeds from sales of Girl Scout Cookies for the community service project, according to volunteer support coordinators. Participating troops included 71501, 71596, 71908, 71998, 72062 and 72079.
In a one-time arrangement, R-I district leaders opted to provide basic school supplies to families in order to offer some relief with federal dollars successfully secured through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. Exceptions included school boxes and backpacks, officials noted.
Immediately following the announcement over the summer, teacher’s aide Rosa Johnson coordinated a back-to-school bash at the Kindergarten Center featuring dozens of sponsors. Volunteer hairstylists provided over 120 haircuts, and about 400 free backpacks were given out, in addition to food and other resources.
Above: Girls Scouts and volunteers are pictured with R-I Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill during a delivery of art boxes over the summer in the Administrative Building.
| Fire Department goes over fire safety at Mules Café |  | |
The Poplar Bluff Fire Department discussed fire safety with culinary arts students of the Technical Career Center on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Administrative Building.
The first responders are invited to the class as part of an annual series about kitchen safety in advance of the Mules Café reopening to the public, scheduled for October this semester. The visit followed an earlier lesson from R-I Health Director Bailey Hester about performing CPR, the Heimlich maneuver and using an EpiPen in an emergency situation.
“Kindergartners get to interact with community heroes,” said culinary arts instructor Brandon Moon, “but when the kids get older and the techniques are more likely to be needed, we don’t want them to forget what to do.”
Local firefighters volunteer each year to demonstrate how to extinguish different types of fires. Firefighter Jamie Watson noted that the Fire Department will go wherever asked, as a tax-funded entity, but above all they “do not want to see kids getting hurt.” Later in the week, department officials visited Mark Twain School to speak with students about the firefighting career path.
Above: TCC senior Jessica Coleman extinguishes a controlled fire under the supervision of firefighter Tyler Gutterman.
Below: Culinary arts instructors and students of the morning session pose with members of the Poplar Bluff Fire Department (from left) Jamie Watson, Jeffrey Hale and Tyler Gutterman.
|  | Range of student organizations to choose from at Club Fair | |
Around 30 student organizations were represented at the annual Club Fair hosted Friday, Sept. 2, at Poplar Bluff High School.
All grade levels were given an opportunity to visit with club representatives as high schoolers were encouraged to become more involved with the campus community.
Some clubs were original to PBHS like the Mule Barn, while others have national affiliations such as FFA. Themes included academia, business, culture, recreation and talent development. Click here to view our running club day album, and be sure to hit Like.
Above: PBHS junior Kurt Rosson mans the Future Business Leaders of America booth during the Club Fair.
Below: Emmalein Pendley, senior, helps recruit schoolmates to join the PBHS Math Club.
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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 on 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 Tuesday, Aug. 30, the DAR reported about our 2022 District Teacher of the Year Missy Cox; and past board member Dr. Mike Price’s appointment to serve a partial term on the Board of Education.
On Wednesday, Aug. 31, KWOC reported about Dr. Price’s school board re-appointment.
On Saturday, Sept. 3, the DAR reported about the Collect the Caps contest.
On Friday, Sept. 9, KFVS12 featured the Poplar Bluff Mules in its Heartland Football Friday ‘Game of the Week’ segment.
KWOC also streamed the football game against Cape Girardeau on its YouTube channel.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, the DAR reported about Caleb Carlton of the TCC earning an Altrusa Scholarship in memory of long-time member Betty Absheer.
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