Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Eugene Field has achieved lighthouse status under The Leader in Me program, joining only a dozen other schools in Missouri and less than 250 world-wide that have met the prestigious benchmark.
Students have participated in goal setting, data tracking, leadership roles, self-led conferences with parents and community events since the elementary school received a grant valued at about $75,000 from Franklin Covey’s I Am A Leader Foundation in 2013.
“It reinforces the hard work of our staff and students over the last four years and shows that, regardless of socioeconomic status or a child’s age, personal leadership can be taught and modeled,” said Eugene Field Principal Jennifer Taylor, after sharing the news to the campus community on Thursday, Dec. 15. “It is completely attainable for students to achieve personal and academic goals and give back to their community, putting leadership in action to better themselves, even if they have obstacles or limited background experiences.”
At the start of the month a review team from Franklin Covey visited Poplar Bluff to evaluate the environment, culture and language at Eugene Field. The model teaches students to become self-reliant, take initiative, plan ahead, set and track goals, prioritize, manage their emotions, be considerate, express their viewpoint persuasively, resolve conflicts, find creative solutions, value differences and live a balanced life, according to company officials.
“Schools who achieve the lighthouse milestone are great examples of a strong leadership model, process and of what it means to be a Leader in Me School,” stated company Education Practice Leader Sean Covey in a press release. “This school has experienced transformational results by implementing the principles and practices related to The Leader in Me.”
The program, which is not taught as a curriculum but rather incorporated in all classroom activities, is based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s bestseller, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” The seven habits are: to be proactive, to begin with the end in mind, to put first things first, to think win-win, to seek first to understand then to be understood, to synergize, and to sharpen the saw.
Prior to writing the successful grant, Taylor and her team participated in a book study of “The Leader in Me,” which details how the habits can be used by school-aged children to develop the skills and self-confidence needed to succeed in class and life. Now recognized as an exemplary Leader in Me school throughout the region, having fully implemented all of the criteria in the program, Eugene Field will continue to receive annual on and off site coaching, and sustain its certification with reviews every other year.
“This is a tremendous accolade for the students, faculty and staff at Eugene Field,” R-I Superintendent Scott Dill commented. “They have worked unceasingly to improve themselves and to improve their school. All of their hard work and their persistence has merited this award.”
Shown in the photo: Eugene Field Elementary staff and students celebrate after learning last week they have become a lighthouse school under The Leader in Me.
Photos and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors Ethan Harris, Maddilyn Coggins, Ryan Carter Bishop, and Jeremiah Marshall with the Positive Bus Referral certificate.
Each student showed great character on the school bus for the month and are nominated by their bus driver.
Ethan, Maddilyn, and Ryan are in kindergarten and Jeremiah is a second grade student at Southwest Elementary.
Congratulations to all of the students.
Each student received a certificate and a free gift certificate for a taco from Taco Bell.
Shown in the photo front row from left to right Ethan Harris and Maddilyn Coggins.
Back row from left to right Ryan Carter Bishop and Jeremiah Marshall.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter School Board met on Thursday, December 15th for their December board meeting.
Call to Order/Roll Call/Pledge The Board President announced the meeting is to begin, ascertains the attendance status of all board members with Mr. Bob Thrower being absent, and leads in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent Agenda: The Consent Agenda was approved.
Public Comments: Mrs. Hahn-CTA Advisory Representative, spoke with the board about the advisory committee meetings held with administration.
Old Business:
A. No old business was discussed.
New Business:
A. The board approved a transfer from fund 1 to fund 2 to eliminate any negative balances in fund 2.
B. The board approved the MSBA policy agreement and invoice, in the amount of $3,665.00.
The board approved the 2017 diesel quote from Delta Growers for $2.085/gallon.
Discussion Items:
Board filings opened on December 13th and will close on January 17th. Three positions for three year terms will be open. Election day is April 4, 2017.
The staff appreciation breakfast was held on November 18th. It was well attended and appreciated. Thank you to our administration for preparation of the meal.
The Backpack for Friday Program was discussed. This program runs in conjunction with the SEMO Food Bank. It is designed to help families supplement their pantries on the weekends. Southwest and Central will be participating. We are able to offer this program due to the generosity of community families and local organizations. Amber Nea and Starla Pulley will serve as building coordinators.
The board was provided information on the process for developing the 2017-2018 calendar. The Calendar Committee met on December 14th. The committee is working on drafting two calendars. These calendars will be submitted to the district for a vote. The calendar with the majority vote will be presented to the board in January, for approval.
Information was presented to the board on transitioning from Industrial Arts courses to Skilled Technical Science courses. By making this transition, this the district would be eligible for a larger number of 50/50 grants and 75/25 grants. Students wanting to pursue vocational school after graduation or enter the workforce would benefit. We would also be able to achieve a greater number of points in the high school, on career and college readiness.
Mr. Miller discussed information with the board on our current bus fleet. As an option for future planning, he provided them with details on bus leasing. This information was obtained from Midwest Transit.
Mrs. Dewitt was present and gave a building report to the board. Other administrators were attending activities for their buildings and their reports were shared with the board.
The next scheduled board meeting was set for January 17, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
In Closed Session:
The board approved the following additions to the Substitute
The board approved the following additions to the Substitute Bus Driver List: Barbara Hurley.
The board accepted a retirement letter from High School Math Teacher, Michelle Kirkley.
The board accepted resignation letters from Southwest Paraprofessionals, Kim Crumley and Molly Propst.
Evaluations of fall coaches in the MS were discussed with the board.
Board Member, Bob Thrower arrived at the meeting
The board discussed an Activities/Athletic Director position for the 2017-2018 school year.
The Interim Superintendent’s evaluation was given to the board which will be discussed during the January meeting.
Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors Veer Maisuria, Victoria Hernandez, Annslee Ackman, Mollie McFarlen, Melody Jarrell, Seth Rowland, Dawson Carnell, Connor Hankins, Will Guethle, Tristan Petzoldt, Lily Bryant, and Ada Jarrell. with the Positive Office Referral certificate.
This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN at Southwest Elementary in Dexter.
Shown in the photo back row from left to right: Dawson Carnell, Connor Hankins, Will Guethle, Tristan Petzoldt, Lily Bryant, Ada Jarrell.
Front row from left to right: Veer Maisuria, Victoria Hernandez, Annslee Ackman, Mollie, McFarlen, Melody Jarrell, Seth Rowland,
Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary held an UGLY SWEATER contest prior to Dexter Public Schools dismissing for the holidays.
Three categories of Most Festive, Most Creative and Ugliest Sweater were chosen for each grade.
Second grade student winners are Brenner Collier for Most Festive, Tristan Petzoldt for Most Creative and Quincy McLaughlin for Ugliest Sweater.
Shown in the photo from left to right are Brenner Collier, Tristan Petzoldt, and Quincy McLaughlin.
