Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approved $183,000 in funding for Poplar Bluff R-I to expand its Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to all elementary schools.
The program has allowed for fruits and vegetables to be made available to Eugene Field and Lake Road Elementary students over the past few years. This year fresh produce will also be served a couple times per week during class breaks at the Kindergarten Center, Oak Grove, O’Neal and the Middle School.
“We love it,” Lake Road Principal Erica Weadon exclaimed. “It makes for a healthier place.”
The FFVP was established to help students develop lifelong healthful eating habits, according to the award letter from DESE. Poplar Bluff’s dining service, Chartwells, administers the program at no cost to the district.
Dixie Harden, food services director, said her team plans to introduce produce that many students may not have had the opportunity to taste such as star fruit, jicama and sugar snap peas. The funding will also equip a salad bar at each of the school facilities.
Shown in the photo are Landen Deaton and Evan Knight of the third grade grab some fruit in the lobby at Lake Road.
Photos and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Bloomfield, Missouri - Miss BHS was held on Monday, September 12th prior to the beginning of the Bloomfield Volleyball game against the Sikeston Bulldogs.
Jewel Chism was chosen as the 2016 Miss BHS. She is the daughter of Rob and Michelle Chism and is a junior at Bloomfield High School.
Candidates Katie and Lauren Tippen are the daughters of Phillip and Tracy Tippen.
Caroline Robison is the daughter of Bill and Tracy Robison and is a senior at Bloomfield High School.
Breanna Bemister is the daughter of Robert and Lisa Bemister and is also a senior at Bloomfield High School.
Front row from left to right: Retiring Queen Katie Tippen, junior candidate Lauren Tippen, Miss BHS junior Jewel Chism, senior candidate Breanna Bemister, and senior candidate Caroline Robison.
Back row from left to right: junior escort Holden Duckworth, retiring Queen escort Gatan Earnest, junior escort Matt Gibbs, senior escort Austin Phillips, and senior escort Kyle Anderson.
Missouri - The Congressional Award is the highest honor Congress bestows upon young people and offers a non-competitive opportunity for yout to realize their own potential. With over 43,000 registered participants and more than 5 million hours of community service completed in pursuit of the Awrd established in 1979, this program nurtures a dedication to both public service and personal growth.
Participants register for the program online at www.jasonsmith.house.gov and then work with an adult advisor they choose to set goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, participants are presented in state and local ceremonies with a Congressional Award certificate or medal - Bronze, Silver, or Gold.
Jason Smith is actively seeking youth ages 14 - 23 in the 8th Congressional District to enlist in the Congressional Award Program. There are no minimum grade point average requirements and the program accommodates youth with special needs and disabilities. Students already engaged in after-school activities that provide community service, improve academic skills, or develop athletic abilities may use these and many other pursuits to qualify for this special honor. Please let your students know about this award and the process to attain in.
To find out more, please to to www.jasonsmith.house.gov or contact a district office. Jason looks forward to seeing the many wonderful contributions the 8th Congressional District Award participants will make through their citizenship and service.
Grant from the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, will provide enhanced learning opportunities for Dexter High School students to develop important and leading skills – helping to shape the future of agriculture
Dexter, Missouri - To feed the world’s rapidly growing population and tackle many other global challenges, our country’s next generation of leaders will need to be highlyskilled in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). That’s why the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, has awarded the Dexter R-XI School District with a $10,000 grant.
The Dexter R-XI school district plans to use the funds to purchase high-tech probeware. The goal of the project is to increase student knowledge, skills, enrollment, and retention in STEM classes as they engage in activities, projects, and real world challenges. Students in science, math, and agriculture courses will use state-of-the-art equipment to explore concepts and linkages among STEM disciplines.
Earlier this year, farmers in the Dexter Community, nominated the district for consideration. After the nomination, the district developed its submission to enhance its STEM education offering through Maximizing Efficiencies in STEM teaching and Learning through Integrated Equipment.
Farmers who nominated Dexter were Darrel Pyle, Scott Wethington, Larry Brown, Erin Brown, Eric Mouser, Pam Mouser, Tom Hampton, Jennifer Hampton, Randy Niehaus, Pearl Niehaus, Allen Rowland, Tonda Rowland, Chris Rowland, and Ron Edwards.
Our short term goals for students include increased critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving skills as well as increased workplace skills such as collaboration and teamwork. Students will also increase their skills using the scientific method for studying concepts and laws, and the engineering design process for developing new approaches and products. For example, in physics labs groups of students may apply the scientific method to discover and test the theory underlying trajectories By applying the engineering design process, students may plot trajectories of rocket launchers and use motion sensors to gauge results and guide the development of more cost effective prototypes of rockets and launchers. Other examples of learning activities include biology students preparing slides of plant samples to compare results relative to different growing conditions. In chemistry, students may study soil samples to determine the chemical content of soil treated with fertilizers and pesticides. Students will also make at least one field trip to a farm and observe differences in agriculture science practices for different crops. Finally, students will also participate in peer tutoring with younger students to extend their learning.
A group of science and math teachers reviewed each submission and selected Dexter R-XI as a finalist.
Next, the Program’s Farmer Advisory Council , which is composed of approximately 30 farmer leaders from across the country with an interest in agriculture and education, selected Dexter R-XI for one of the Grow Rural Education Grants. Grant applications were judged based on the merit of the application, need and community support.
The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program began in 2011. Since 2011, more than $11 million has been awarded to over 700 rural school districts to enhance STEM education. For a complete list of winners and to learn more about the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com .
About America’s Farmers
The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern U.S. Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn more, visit America’s Farmers at www.AmericasFarmers.com .
About the Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org .
Shown in the photo are from left to right: James Myers (H.S. Science), Celeste Colley (H.S. Science), Dan Pollock (H.S. Principal), Marrianne Bruce (H.S. Science), Erica Parris, Will Brehmer, Emily Mouser, Scott Wethington, Tiska Rodgers (H.S. Science), Justin Bess, Macy Graves, Allen Rowland, Malia Cook, Taylor Wealer, Bryce Simmons, Ashlynn Wyman, Derek Urhahn (H.S. AD/Asst. Principal), Logan Wyman, Tim Temples, and Macon Campbell. Not pictured was Eric Boles (H.S. Science) and Gary Wyman (H.S. Ag)
Dexter, Missouri - Ashlynn Wyman was chosen as the 2016 - 2017 Miss DHS. First runner up was Miss Caroline Powers and the second runner up was Miss Macy Urhahn.
Miss DHS is nominated by the senior class at Dexter High School. The entire high school student body votes for the Miss DHS contestant.
Ashlynn Wyman is the 17-year old daughter of Steven and Jana Wyman.
Macy Urhahn is the 17-year old daughter of Derek and Kelly Urhahn.
Caroline Powers is the 18-year old daughter of Charles and Felicia.
Shown in the photo from left to right is Caroline Powers, Ashlynn Wyman, and Macy Urhahn.
