Aug. 26, 2026

Welcome to the new school year!

Faculty and staff across the district eagerly welcomed over 4,800 students on Monday, Aug. 24, for the first day of the 2026/27 academic year. We appreciate the hundreds of families who shared their first day photos, one of our favorite traditions. Click here to view our snapshot of some of our early learners, or locate your building page in our social media directory.

New this school year, Pam Davis, alongside assistant principal Ethan Boyer, began her principalship at Junior High; Matt Dake, along with counselor Cheri Sparkman, are new building leaders at Mark Twain; Jake Nickelson and assistant director Chris Newman are serving over Mules Athletics; and Tammy Raderstorf, with assistant special educator director Dustie Curnutt, are managing the Special Services Department. Meet the rest of our new certified staff members here!

Above: Ashlyn Taylor of the Kindergarten Center enjoys an apple for breakfast while sporting her first-day-of-school dress with apples on it.

Below: Kaden England shows off his Spider-Man superpowers in Kaylen Riley’s preschool class at the Early Childhood Center. 

Staff unifies in support of public education during convocation

“I love public schools” was the theme of this year’s back-to-school convocation, an opportunity for the entire staff of approximately 775 to rally before the new school year.

Kicking off the annual program on Monday, Aug. 17, at Poplar Bluff High School was Board of Education President Dr. Cynthia Brown, who was elected to serve her eighth consecutive term in April. She provided her testimony as a lifelong learner.

Growing up in the Melrose Public Housing Projects in the South Bronx, Brown reflected on the key public educators who believed in her along the way. When she decided to go into the nursing field because the highest-level job in her family was a nurse aide, a counselor encouraged her to pursue becoming a physician instead. She completed her initial medical schooling and earned that distinction in 1982.

Before her son Rex Rattler, Jr. was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, she shared, the staff dismissed him from his first private daycare. The Poplar Bluff School District conversely directed her family to numerous resources available, ultimately paving the way for her son’s graduation from PBHS in 2015. Today he assists his father in managing Rattler's Grocery on Garfield Street.

“My son and I are examples of the power of public education,” Brown declared.

During his state-of-the-school address, R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman echoed the theme of ensuring public education is accessible to every child, summarizing the teaching profession with three words he wove throughout his speech: pulse, proof and purpose.

To maintain a pulse on the campus community, Cornman emphasized: “As educators, we should prioritize connection over perfection.” Acknowledging the importance of accountability to state standards, the superintendent continued: "Students need proof they can master tomorrow what they couldn't even comprehend yesterday." He concluded by asserting that teaching is a profession of purpose: "Public education serves as the bedrock of democracy in our country."

Cornman expressed gratitude to the 40 new teachers in attendance for choosing Poplar Bluff and commended the returning faculty for their dedication in serving the community. Carrying on a long-standing tradition, the Ministerial Alliance gathered to pray over the school system.

Organizer Greg Gilberto of Northpoint Nazarene Church took the opportunity to surprise former school board member Dave Elledge of the Bluff Church with a special plaque for recently helping to build his 1,000th bed for a child in need in the greater Poplar Bluff Area.

Elledge co-founded the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace with wife Luann, a former school counselor currently employed in the attendance office at Junior High, after attending a Bright Futures symposium in Kansas City with R-I social workers when they became aware of the child bedlessness crisis. For more information, visit: https://shpbeds.org/chapter/mo-poplar-bluff/

Click here to view scenes from our convocation!

Above: The entire staff of Poplar Bluff Schools gathers in I Heart Public Schools T-shirts following the annual back-to-school convocation last week in the PBHS gymnasium.

Below: Greg Gilberto (left) surprises fellow pastor Dave Elledge with recognition for helping to deliver 1,000 beds and counting to area children in need through Sleep in Heavenly Peace. 

Bright Futures chosen as benefactor of DAR Difference Makers event

The Daily American Republic donated over $6,200 to Bright Futures Poplar Bluff as this year’s charitable partner during the eighth annual Difference Makers banquet held Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Westwood Center. 

The funds will help the school district’s nonprofit in addressing students' physical needs so they can concentrate on academics. “Some things only money can buy,” commented R-I social worker Carrie Booker at the event attended by 250 people, noting that the organization supports families facing various challenges, ranging from recovering after a house fire to supplying new tires.

Booker has co-directed Bright Futures for over a decade with colleague Donna Moore. Established in 2014 at Poplar Bluff Schools, Bright Futures teams up with business leaders, the faith-based community, the social services sector and parents to connect families in need with existing resources through a rapid-response system.

The organization was originally founded in Joplin in order to increase the graduation rate, and Poplar Bluff Schools entered an affiliate community agreement, becoming its first partnering school system in Southeast Missouri. To become involved, follow Bright Futures Poplar Bluff on Facebook. 

The DAR’s 2026 Difference Maker was Robbie Myers, Butler County emergency management director, who was recently appointed to the State Board of Education to help set standards and policies for Missouri's public schools. 

Since its inception in 2019, the Difference Makers banquet has recognized 75 community members and donated approximately $60,000 to local charities through event proceeds and an associated silent auction, reported Donna Farley, DAR editor. 

Above: DAR Editor Donna Farley (left) and Heather Williams (right), advertising director, present school social workers Donna Moore and Carrie Booker (middle, left to right) with a check to help students through Bright Futures Poplar Bluff.

Poplar Bluff High School JROTC places in national JLAB championship

The Poplar Bluff High School JROTC finished among the top two percent of cadets nationwide for the first time in the 30-year history of the program, placing 11th at the JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl Championship over the summer in Washington, D.C.

Representing PBHS in the online competition were seniors Ayema Ahsan and Victoria Pennell, alongside juniors Levi Ferguson and Kayliegh Hernandez. Jackson Kennedy, a fellow senior, and junior Hattie Scobey were members of the original team, but were replaced by alternates because of conflicting obligations in June.

In order to qualify, the Pvt. Billie G. Kanell Battalion advanced through multiple rounds of competition against thousands of JROTC programs from across the country and beyond, according to a press release from the College Options Foundation, the long-time event organizer.

A total of 32 U.S. Army-sponsored programs participated in the semifinals, with PBHS going 6-4 overall in the subjects of math, science, language arts, current events, leadership and citizenship. The first-place winner went on to vie against the top teams from the Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy JROTC divisions.

JROTC instructor Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Roderick, who accompanied the cadets along with PBHS Assistant Principal Dr. Stephanie Kuper, credited Academic Team adviser Gail Karlish for practicing with the students. The cadets were further recognized by the Board of Education during their monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20, in the Administrative Building.

Above: (Left to right) Victoria Pennell, Ayema Ahsan, Levi Ferguson and Kayliegh Hernandez present their finalist award, a first for the PBHS trophy rack, at the Catholic University of America over the summer in Washington, D.C.

Blood Drive

The PBHS Student Council will host its first blood drive of the school year from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, in the Auxiliary Gym of the High School, located at 3209 Oak Grove Road. Registration may take place online by clicking here and entering the zip code of 63901.

Home Football

Mules Football returns against Jefferson City with their home season opener—the “Bring Back the Blinding Lights” game—on Friday, Aug. 28, at Mules Stadium. The Booster Club will host a tailgate party beginning at 5 a.m. Gates open at 5:30, with the kickoff slated for 7. Tickets may be purchased for $5 online here.

Labor Day

School will be dismissed for students in observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7, and will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

On Thursday, May 26, the DAR wrote a tribute about the late Jo Nell Seifert, long-time speech and debate, and drama teacher at PBHS; and reported about Marcus Tabanera signing a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for Three Rivers College.

On Thursday, May 27, the DAR reported about Justin Kozlovsky of the Class of 2026 earning the Class of 1973 scholarship.

On Monday, June 1, the DAR picked up its Teacher of the Year series, recognizing Amanda Johnson of Lake Road Elementary.

On Wednesday, June 10, the DAR wrote a tribute about the late Buddy Godwin, Hall of Fame golfer of the PBHS Class of 1955.

On Monday, June 15, the DAR reported about Jacob Crawford of the PBHS Class of 2022 earning the Superior Cadet IV honor through the University of North Georgia.

On Wednesday, June 17, the DAR reported about long-time coach John David Pattillo stepping down as head baseball coach as he works toward concluding his career at PBHS after this school year.

On Tuesday, July 7, the University of Missouri’s KBIA reported about our Heartland Forward partnership.

The DAR wrote a feature about Amy Ethridge, O’Neal TOY.

On Wednesday, July 8, KWOC promoted our back-to-school checklist designed to help parents.

On Thursday, July 9, the DAR reported about our JROTC placing nationally at the JLAB championship.

On Saturday, July 11, the DAR released its podcast reflecting on the educational journey of Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Jennifer Taylor, also publishing a related report the previous day.

On Sunday, July 12, the DAR wrote a feature story about the Mannon family’s sports legacy.

On Thursday, July 16, the DAR reported about Jadyn Brandon of the Class of 2026 signing a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Mineral Area College; and announced the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, featuring former Mules standouts.

On Friday, July 17, KWOC also reported about the Poplar Bluff Sports HOF induction.

On Monday, July 27, the Dexter Statesman reported about our Poplar Bluff Mules Mom’s football clinic.

On Tuesday, July 28, the DAR reported about Landon Barks of PBHS earning his second Semoball Boys Golfer of the Year award.

On Wednesday, July 29, the DAR reported about Hannah Vincent being promoted to head coach over PBHS girls tennis.

On Monday, Aug. 3, the DAR highlighted our annual iThink Summer Academy.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, KWOC advanced our Mules Football Gatorade scrimmage.

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, KWOC promoted our freshman orientation.

On Monday, Aug. 17, KWOC released our open house schedule.

On Thursday, Aug. 20, the Bootheel Beacon offered tips to combat first-day-of-school nerves featuring O’Neal Counselor Gabe Thompson.

On Friday, Aug. 21, the DAR reported about its extremely generous donation to Bright Futures Poplar Bluff.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, the DAR published the 13th annual Mule Prints magazine.

On Monday, Aug. 24, KWOC announced our new head Mules Baseball coach, Tyler Mathys.

The DAR covered our first day of school.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Bootheel Beacon introduced Jake Nickelson, Matt Drake and Tammy Raderstorf as new members of our administrative team.

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