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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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New class teaches students value of service
A focus on developing a sense of community at Poplar Bluff Junior High School has led students to seek out ways to contribute to the community at large.
Last year, each pod within the building's "house system" adopted a community organization to fundraise for including the Bread Shed, FosterAdopt Connect SEMO, Hearts for Rescue and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, plus visits were made to area nursing homes.
The student-led efforts were so well-received that a dedicated elective was created this semester called Community Service Learning.
"It fits perfectly with what [Principal Candace Warren] is trying to do with houses-trying to build a community here at school-but also as a town," social studies teacher Aaron Duncan explained. "The more unity you have in the community, the more energy there is, and the positive influence rubs off."
Duncan, and his colleague Lyndsee Moon in the social studies department, approached Warren in the spring with the idea of introducing the elective and, upon receiving approval, the class quickly filled up. The course description reads in part: This experience will allow students not only to become familiar with the community in which they live but will also allow them to see themselves as active, powerful people who can make positive contributions through these efforts.
The participants are presently practicing their "elevator speeches" to effectively raise awareness as they learn about different societal issues, according to faculty. Guest speakers from the nonprofit sector may soon be invited to discuss their missions. The ultimate goal will be to select charitable causes to get involved with in the community, or to create their own philanthropic campaigns.
"I feel like a lot of students don't think they can [make a difference], and we're showing them that they're capable of doing something productive," Moon said. "We're teaching how you can help make our community a better place no matter what your age is, no matter what is wrong."
The house system modeled at PBJHS was originated by the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta to establish a family-like culture by providing students the opportunity to connect with peers across classes and grade levels that they may not otherwise have a chance to interact with.
"In order to give this age group of students a sense of empathy, we're exposing them to different populations and organizations so they can play an active role in serving others, because we want to develop leaders," Warren stated. "These students will be the leaders in our community one day, so we might as well start now."
Above: Students Carley Brooks (forefront) and Makayla Schalk, now freshmen, help collect several bags of trash on a walk to Bacon Park during the annual PBJHS EdExpo in May.
Below: PBJHS teachers Aaron Duncan and Lyndsee Moon started the new elective, Community Service Learning, this school year.
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PBTCC starts first new program in decade+
The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has launched its first new program in over a decade this school year with the addition of computer science in what was once the health occupations classroom.
The instructor, Michael Barrett, received a full month of training through Project Lead The Way in Indianapolis over the summer in order to develop a transformative learning experience for students interested in the burgeoning career field.
"I'm 61 years old and I'm having a blast! I love teaching this stuff, and we're just getting started. The further we go along, the better," Barrett said. "And being able to substitute a math or science credit? My goodness, that's a great opportunity! We're gonna be packed with students."
The career educator participated in consecutive workshops in July outlining PLTW Essentials and Principles, covering a year's worth of curriculum in two-week blocks, he explained. The coursework-designed by the nation's premier provider of science, technology, engineering and math curriculum and professional development-will teach app creation, coding and programming using software such as Blockly, Python and VEXcode.
"It allows you to think of new ways to problem-solve," commented senior Maria Powell, who was collaborating with classmate Jeremy Bell on Friday, Aug. 30, to create characters for an interactive game using MIT App Inventor. "It's a disease," added junior Aron Johnson, referring to the time one can spend working out the details.
Barrett, who obtained his master's degree in administration as well as a bachelor's in engineering management through Arkansas State University, spent almost 20 years of his tenure teaching advanced manufacturing at the Northeast Arkansas Career & Tech Center in Jonesboro, which was also a PLTW certified school. More recently he served as project director for Three Rivers College.
In May, the Missouri State Board of Education approved the updated computer science performance academic standards to include the core concept areas of computing systems, networks and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and programming, and impacts of coding. Upon receiving district approval, high school students will have the option to substitute a computer science credit in place of a mathematics, science or practical arts credit toward graduation effective in 2019/20, according to a recent memo by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Last year, Gov. Mike Parson
signed the STEM Education and Computer Science Bill into law at the Poplar Bluff High School campus in an effort to curb outsourcing and capture some of the job market in Missouri. Sen. Doug Libla of Poplar Bluff served as handler of the legislation, which also established a fund for future public or private financial support.
In January, the R-I Board of Education
approved a proposal to add the program at the Technical Career Center, where startup funds are available under the federal Perkins Act and through matching enhancement grants. School officials are currently working on creating a weighted AP module of the program to be offered as early as spring semester, according to Director Charles Kinsey.
"We're highlighting the fact that career and technical education in 2019 is not what people may think it was back in the 70s, 80s and even 90s," Kinsey stated. "Students [pursuing] career technical fields, no matter the program, will attain the same entry-level of knowledge as college graduates, if not higher."
Above: Maria Powell, a senior, performs a magic trick utilizing binary numbers. "With computer programming, math is our friend," instructor Michael Barrett (left) says.
Below: Computer science students work in groups to design mobile applications using the software, MIT App Inventor.
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Arrangements are being made by social studies department head, Melinda Moncier of Poplar Bluff Junior High, to host her 15th annual eighth grade class trip to Washington, D.C. following the 2019/20 school year.
An informational meeting for parents will be held in the gymnasium at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, during which a
video will be shown detailing the itinerary of the optional field trip, and fundraising activities to help offset travel costs for students will be outlined.
"I try to hit as many places that we study as possible," said Moncier, who serves as program leader and will be accompanied by chaperones, Jennifer Nicolini, who teaches exploring careers, and math instructor Chris Wheat. "In eighth grade is when we start to learn in-depth about American history, beginning with early Native Americans and we work our way up."
Historical sightseeing of the metropolitan area has included Yorktown, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Monticello, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Washington Monument, Smithsonian, the White House and more.
"We go to the shores of the James River, where our country began. We walk across the lawn at Mount Vernon where George Washington lived," Moncier explained. "We've visited Civil War battle sites. Last year students got to see artifacts from the 1600s and participate in an archeological dig."
Before Moncier took over organization of the trip in 2005, retired faculty member Kathy Beck was in charge of the PBJHS tradition. Besides serving as the foundation for many history lessons, Moncier said the most rewarding part about visiting the U.S. capital is creating meaningful memories with her students, many of whom have kept in touch long afterward.
The educational tour through WorldStrides travel agency is scheduled to take place from Tuesday through Saturday, May 26-30, prior to summer school. Parents may register their student(s) by attending the voluntary meeting this week, or email melindamoncier@pb.k12.mo.us.
Above: Outgoing eighth graders make a stop at the Albert Einstein Memorial this past summer in Washington.
Below: (From left) Chris Wheat, Jenn Nicolini and Melinda Moncier of PBJHS pose in front of the D.C. wall, which includes group photos from the past 14 years.
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PB to DC
An informational meeting for parents of eighth graders interested in learning about the summer 2020 educational tour of Washington, D.C. will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the PBJHS gymnasium.
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 today at 573-785-2248.
Mules Café
The Mules Café, located at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd., is set to return on Tuesday, Sept. 24, with a choice between homemade chicken enchiladas and Southwest shrimp tacos!
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On Monday, Aug. 26, the DAR
reported about Ross Dare of PBHS participating in the 80th session of Missouri Boys State.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, KFVS12
reported about Kaylee-Ann Merrick of PBHS winning an art
contest
that resulted in her piece being displayed at the Green Bay Packers stadium.
KAIT8
also reported about Kaylee-Ann Merrick's major accomplishment.
FOX23
additionally reported about the Packers art contest, which brought $5,000 to the art department.
The DAR
reported about Kiley Bess of PBHS committing to play basketball for Saint Louis University.
On Thursday, Aug. 29, the ShowMe Times
reported about PBHS teacher Pam Davis earning a $500 grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation.
On Friday, Aug. 30, KFVS12
reported about our RISE Transition Center.
The DAR
reported preview stories about Mules Volleyball, Soccer and Cross Country.
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, KWOC
highlighted Kaylee-Ann Merrick's national recognition.
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, KWOC
reported about Pam Davis' MRTF grant.
On Saturday, Sept. 7, the DAR
also reported about Pam Davis' financial literacy project.
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