Hannah Guy and 88 other students completed the three-week Academy at Murray State between June 4th and 25th.

During the three weeks, Academy scholars took two college-level courses, attended multiple lectures, concerts, field trips, and forums, and participated in a tre-weekly personal development seminar.

As a successful graduate of the Academy, Hannah will receive six hours of university credit, the possibility of six, tuition-free hours during the senior year, and an in-state full-tuition scholarship with a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA and a minimum 25 ACT Composite score.

Students who do not meet this criteria will have the opportunity to receive the Academic Achievement scholarship for first-time freshmen students.

The mission of the Commonwealth Honors Academy is "to challenge, educate, enlighten, and nurture the next generation of academic, civic, and business leaders in the region".

To qualify, students must have a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and an ACT score of 25 (or equivalent SAT, PSAT, or PLAN scores).

For more information or to find details on applying to the 2023 Academy, please visit the Academy website at www.murraystate.edu/CHA

Bright Futures Poplar Bluff hosted a ‘reboot’ event for community partners since the organization’s mission was impacted during the public health crisis. While visitors were limited, student needs increased, according to officials.

School site councils, giving closets and lunch buddies along with the support from the faith-based, business community and nonprofit sector were highlighted during the breakfast symposium catered by Chartwells on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Black River Coliseum.

“The two greatest needs that we are seeing are socialization for students and support for staff,” explained school social worker Carrie Booker who, along with her colleague Donna Moore, serves as Bright Futures director. Some families chose virtual education following the state stay-at-home order in 2020, leading to anxiety in social settings as schools resumed normal, she continued.

“The biggest impact we think with our kids is isolation,” Booker continued. “When they don’t want to be there, they’re difficult to engage, and that’s probably what wears on teachers to some degree.”

Poplar Bluff entered into an affiliate community agreement with Bright Futures USA in 2014 as the nonprofit’s first partnering school system in Southeast Missouri. Founded in the Joplin School District, the umbrella organization provides a framework that allows schools to match outstanding student needs with existing resources in the community through a rapid response system. 

Gabe Thompson, O’Neal counselor, spoke at the gathering about how the elementary school has utilized its building site council to partner with Mossy Oak Properties, Southern Bank and West Side Church to successfully increase parental engagement over the past several years. He noted how sometimes educators may forget to ask for help, when they are rarely—if ever—turned down.

High School librarian Marci Priest was the district’s first to start a Giving Closet in 2016, followed by Junior High and the Middle School. She reported how her volunteer team serves 10-20 students daily, providing food, clothing, personal hygiene items and school supplies. When the needs are greater, she said, she leans on Bright Futures. 

The Bluff Church co-pastor Dave Elledge shared a story about attending a Bright Futures conference in Kansas City with Moore and Booker in 2019, and exiting a breakout session a changed man upon learning about bedlessness which, according to information presented, affects 3-5 percent of school children. He soon launched a local chapter of Sleep In Heavenly Peace with his wife Luann, Junior High counselor, and has helped build and deliver 530 beds.

Melanie Hamann, registrar at Three Rivers College, shared about being involved in the R-I lunch buddies program for seven years, having mentored two siblings since the youngest was in kindergarten. She said it has taught her to empathize with people from different walks of life.

Attorney Rebecca Hester, who serves as guardian ad litem for the court system, advocating for the child's best interest, pointed out how students that need the most help often conceal it well. She was also involved with a Bright Futures school in her previous community of Holden.

“Our job as a community is to inspire hope in kids,” Hester stated. “Sometimes that will be the only way if the [poverty] cycle is broken.”

Bright Futures aims to meet a child’s basic needs within 24 hours primarily via social media so students are better able to focus on education. To become involved, follow along on Facebook at Bright Futures Poplar Bluff, or email Booker at carriebooker@pb.k12.mo.us or Moore at donnamoore@pb.k12.mo.us.

Pictured: Attendee Stacey Clark reads literature about the Bright Futures organization during the reboot event held recently at the Black River Coliseum. 

Photo and article by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

The Dexter School Board Agenda for Regular Board Meeting on October 18, 2022 at 6:00 pm

Call to Order

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Consent Agenda

Approve board agenda.

Approve minutes of September 27, 2022 regular board meeting.

Approve payment of bills.

Public Comments (At this time someone who is pre-registered with the Board Secretary prior to the beginning of the Board meeting to present a position on a specific agenda item or who is pre-registered with the superintendent in writing at least 5 days prior to the beginning of the Board meeting to present a general comment about a non-agenda item will be given time for presentation to the Board of Education. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes. A maximum of 15 minutes is allowed for this public comment section. Please, just one spokesperson per group; individuals may speak only once per meeting; time regulated by the Board Chairman. Note: Individuals wishing to convey a complaint about procedures, regulations, or personnel will not be scheduled to address the Board until the District’s complaint procedure has been exhausted; Complaints directed at specific personnel will not be heard in open session.)

CTA– 

Registered requests- None at this time.  

Correspondence– A thank you card. 

Recognition of guests- 

Old Business

A. Approve the MCE policy updates.  

Policy 0320-School Board Elections

Policy-0342-Nepotism, Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure.  Policy-0412-Meetings-Participation by Public

Policy 1210- School Year and School Day. 

Policy 1725-Shared Superintendent

Regulation 2240-Admission and Tuition-Non-Resident Students

Policy 2550-Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Scholarships

Policy 2670-Corporal Punishment-Authorized

Regulation-2875 Student Suicide Awareness

Policy & Regulation 2876-Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder

FAFSA Frenzy offers help with applying for financial aid 

Future and current college students and their families can receive free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA Frenzy from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. October 25-26, at the Testing Center in the Westover Administration Building on the Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff campus. 

Completing the FAFSA is the first step in applying for federal financial aid, most state financial aid, and some scholarships.  

“We recommend completing a FAFSA even if you are unsure about your college plans,” said Regina Morris, Director of Financial Aid at Three Rivers College. 

The TRC event is open to everyone, whether or not you plan to attend Three Rivers. 

Dependent students will need 2021 taxes for both parents and student (if applicable). Parents will need an FSA ID along with the student. Students are considered dependent if they are under 24 years old, not married, and do not have children. 

Times, dates, and locations for all FAFSA Frenzy activities are available at journeytocollege.mo.gov/pay/file-a-fafsa/fafsa-frenzy/public-fafsa-frenzy-events/. 

Academic year 2022-23 marks the 20th year Missouri has offered the FAFSA Frenzy program. Since 2004, FAFSA Frenzy events have provided assistance to more than 25,000 Missouri students. 

FAFSA Frenzy, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, is a part of national completion efforts lead by the National College Access Network. 

The Bloomfield Board of Education met last night for the regular October meeting. 

Wyatt Hendley, Bloomfield High School Student Body President, attended the meeting and gave a presentation over what our high school student council is doing this fall.  Wyatt did a fantastic job!

In open session, the board approved the following:

1.  Approved the solicitation of district auditor bids

2.  Approved the resolution on membership in the Success Ready Students Network

The board also discussed a possible grant that could help with the cost of the ag shop extension/remodel.  The board also discussed getting the parking lot on the old factory lot completed prior to the elementary Christmas program.

The principals presented their building reports. 

Superintendent Toni Hill presented the District's September Membership numbers.  This is the enrollment for the District on the last Wednesday of September.  

In executive session, the board approved the substitute list.