Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Chartwells School Dining Services announced it has opted to take over the long-standing Backpacks for Friday program for the Bread Shed during the third annual Bright Futures symposium on Friday, Oct. 28, at the Gamma HealthCare Conference Center.
The reinstated program will supply district families in need with food for the weekend beginning on New Year’s Day, according to Food Services Director Dixie Harden. ‘Mule Packs’ is just one of many programs being coordinated under the Bright Futures umbrella that was highlighted at the event.
“With a lever this large, we can move the world,” stated Poplar Bluff R-I Superintendent Scott Dill before an estimated audience of 125, including district personnel, parents, business leaders, church officials and partners in the social services sector.
Run by R-I social workers, Bright Futures Poplar Bluff is a nonprofit that, through community partnerships, helps to meet the basic physical needs of students so they can focus on academics. The district became affiliated with the national organization headquartered in Joplin in 2014.
Each school within the district has a site council that works to identify the specific needs of their studentbody. Council members reported about some of the program successes such as the Red Bookshelf Project organized at Oak Grove Elementary and the free senior photos a philanthropist offered at the Graduation Center.
Lake Road Site Council member Raymond Webb said that he arranged to give a basketball to each student in the Basketball Club, one of many organizations that elementary students could now choose to join during Club Day. “It’s small to some, but to those kids it’s a real big deal,” said Webb, who is the assistant manager at Wal-Mart.
“Intelligence isn’t the obstacle to graduation, life is,” added High School Principal Mike Kiehne, who announced that librarian Marcia Priest has started a Giving Closet with clothing and other items.
“They’re not asking for thousands and thousands of dollars,” noted Eugene Field Site Council member Michelle Shelton, human resources manager at Briggs & Stratton. “They’re asking for little things… It truly does make a difference.”
To learn how to get involved, ‘like’ Bright Futures Poplar Bluff on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrightFuturesPB.
Shown in the photo: Maclaren Moore of O’Neal Elementary watches an introductory video about the Bright Futures program.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
The Iron Mules will use the equipment to practice to compete in the Missouri FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge next year. The High School will also have the opportunity to host its first qualifying meet on Saturday, Dec. 10, in the gymnasium.
“Anything that moves technology forward, I’m all for it,” said Whelan on Tuesday, Oct. 26, during a classroom visit.
The hope is for a “chain reaction” to occur once the program generates revenue from concessions while hosting qualifiers, elaborated Tonia Clark, a financial adviser for Whelan.
“We’re just doing our little part,” Clark said.
Clark’s daughter Jocelin, a junior, has been a member of the Robotics Club since last year, when the Iron Mules placed 12th in the state championship for the first time since the program was started in 2013. Jocelin approached Whelan for the sponsorship.
“Ask and you might receive,” she exclaimed.
Shown in the photo from left to right: Robotics Club Coach Kathy Miller, student Bryan Nguyen, Robert Whelan and Assistant Coach Mike Sowatzke.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Kathy Sweeney of KFVS12 visit Poplar Bluff Junior High School on Thursday, October 20th
“Why don’t you be a TV news chick?”
It all began for Kathy Sweeney with an off-hand suggestion.
The KFVS12 news anchor received the advice from one of her older brothers, proceeded to change majors in college, and began a broadcasting career that has spanned 27 years.
Sweeney shared this story with the Exploring Career class Thursday, Oct. 20, at Poplar Bluff Junior High School.
"I didn’t choose my career, my career chose me,” said Sweeney, who has been employed by KFVS12 for over two decades. “If you don’t know what you want to be, (stick with) what you’re good at.”
She first learned as an undergrad during her final project in speech class that she was not afraid to talk in front of a camera, the newswoman recalled, a previously unidentified talent she later shared with her sibling who made the impromptu suggestion.
Sweeney went on to speak with students about digital citizenship as well as working up the career ladder. She said be prepared to start at the bottom, adding: “If you work hard enough, eventually you’ll be rewarded.”
Following the lecture, Sweeney participated in some Q&A with the students, which included several from the mass media class. She revealed such behind-the-scenes tidbits as how she and co-host Jeff Cunningham used to sit at the anchor desk, but now they stand in order to increase their energy levels during a broadcast.
Shown in the photo: Long-time KFVS12 anchor Kathy Sweeney visits Jenn Nicolini’s classroom to speak with students about identifying a career path.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Several Poplar Bluff High School students were selected for the 2016 Southeast Missouri All-District Choir during an audition on Saturday, Sept. 24, in Cape Girardeau.
Ross Dare, Alivia and Bethany Jenson, and Allison Knowlton and Aaron Taylor will perform with the 9th and 10th grade choir, while Hunter Ellis, Ariel Judd and Shelby Ross will join the 11th and 12th grade choir Saturday, Nov. 12th, at Cape Central High School.
The juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to try out for the All-State Choir.
Shown in the photo: (Back row from left) Choir teacher Joshua Allen, tenors Ross Dare and Hunter Ellis, alto Ariel Judd and bass Aaron Taylor; (front row) soprano Alivia Jenson, altos Shelby Ross and Allison Knowlton, and soprano Bethany Jenson.
Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
The TCC had to restart a rigorous compliance process after its previous regional accrediting agency—utilized by post-secondary education institutions in 19 states—dissolved in 2014.
The reaccreditation granted Thursday, Sept. 22, through the national Council on Occupational Education will remain effective for six years if annual benchmarks are met.
“I believe as an institution we have improved a lot of our processes that were previously known, but not necessarily followed in a structured manner or written in a course manual,” reflected Charles Kinsey, TCC director. “This high standard of documentation is designed to improve student success, and their ability to find gainful employment.”
Under the U.S. Department of Education, the COE requires institutions to maintain a program completion rate of at least 60 percent, a student placement rate in related industry or continued education of 70 percent, and a licensure pass rate of 70 percent if a license is required following graduation.
After more than two years of reviewing policies and practices, the COE issued provisional accreditation to the TCC over the summer. Officials cited only a handful of findings which have since been addressed, including making the restroom facilities of the near 50-year old building ADA-compliant.
“The review team was very complimentary, telling us it was outstanding for a school going through an entirely new accreditation process to only have five minor issues identified—mostly paperwork related—and corrected within two months,” Kinsey said.
The director thanked his faculty for performing intensive self-studies over each of their programs, and his office staff namely retired administrative assistant Sherry Tinsley for sacrificing many lunch hours and evenings.
Pictured from left to right: HVAC instructor Ron Hedrick Jr., and adult students James Hayes, Eric Garris, Erika Lamb, Jeffery Higgs, Dale Denson, Dustin Urich and Charles Nunnery are a small representation of the beneficiaries of a fully accredited institution.
Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
