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
Mark Twain School incorporated a chicken coop into its non-traditional learning environment on Friday, Sept. 23, for students to work in shifts and tend after.
“We’re expanding our alternative way of learning,” explained Darla Nunn, Jobs for America’s Graduates specialist.
The prefabricated kit was the first of a series of project-based learning activities that the campus was able to pursue with the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds, of which Missouri Gov. Mike Parson allocated $12,825 toward Poplar Bluff’s JAG program at the end of last school year.
A group of JAG students assembled the structure under Nunn’s supervision, and placed it beneath a canopy next to a tree in the outdoor recreation area. The goal is to introduce a rooster and two hens to the enclosure this week, with contributions from farmers.
“We’re open to any possibility of potential learning, from operating power tools to following instructions – these are life skills,” Nunn continued. “It’s not just about chickens; we’re building those relationships with kids, and it’s a process.”
Nunn hopes to one day have eggs for the school community to enjoy “theoretically,” she says. She also may look to acquire an incubator to teach a unit on embryology. “Maybe some kids will be excited to come to school just to take care of our chickens,” she commented.
Mark Twain Principal Aaron Burton added: “They’re putting connections together about caring for an animal that is gonna provide eggs that maybe we can share.” If a single student can apply the knowledge outside of school, he said, he will consider the project a success.
“Who would have ever thought at an alternative school, students would be excited about raising chickens,” asked Burton, noting that he had already heard a freshman discussing the activity at the bus stop the morning prior.
Mark Twain was founded in 2020 on North Main Street as a non-traditional school, serving grades 4-12. In addition to offering the credit recovery services of the former Graduation Center, Mark Twain houses the district’s JAG program through which students receive career exploration opportunities.
Pictured: Mark Twain students (from left) Jayden Bowler, Shawn Politte, Za’Riasis Cody, Mathew Reynolds and Aaron Barber pose behind the chicken coop they helped assemble.
Article and photo by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
The R-I Health Department was able to replace two sets of adult and infant manikins, plus an additional standalone adult, for purposes of teaching CPR, through a $2,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Poplar Bluff.
Poplar Bluff maintenance administrative assistant Dawn Hicks, the current Rotary Club president, said she reached out to nursing staff earlier this year to see if the funds would be of benefit. The health awareness grant program features a 50/50 match between the community-based organization and Rotary International.
In addition to updating its training manikins, manufactured by PRESTAN, the Health Department acquired 150 face-shield lung bags. Health Director Bailey Hester, who is certified through the National CPR Association, reported that three different training opportunities were offered over the summer for district staff, followed by the bus garage and Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center culinary arts students.
Pictured: R-I administrative assistant Dawn Hicks (left), also the Rotary Club president, presents Poplar Bluff Health Director Bailey Hester with new CPR/AED training manikins.
Photo and article by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Blaich Family Dentistry has donated $1,000 to a campus at Poplar Bluff R-I as part of the office’s back-to-school giveaway for the third consecutive year.
The Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center was one or two chosen among 31 area schools entered in the annual contest, Dr. Eric Blaich announced via Facebook last month. Kindergarten teacher Kelen Deffendall made the nomination while home on maternity leave.
“I think it is incredibly generous for Dr. Blaich to donate to area schools each year,” Deffendall said. “It gives those schools a chance to do things that they may not have been able to without it!”
The Kindergarten Center plans to utilize the funds to subsidize celebration activities under the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program, according to school counselor Rebekah Hager.
Last year, Eugene Field was a $1,000 winner and in 2020, Junior High won $1,500, a figure that included an additional matching pledge. This time Blaich also gave away five $100 gift cards to individuals for school shopping.
Blaich founded his solo dental practice at 821 W. Pine Street in 2019.
Pictured: Dr. Eric Blaich presents kindergartner Onesti Johnson and Kindergarten Center counselor Rebekah Hager with an oversized check on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Photo and article by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
The American Red Cross has awarded a total of $3,000 to three Poplar Bluff High School students for volunteering to collect 340 units of blood this school year, potentially helping to save over 1,000 lives.
PBHS seniors Olivia Kirkman, Emily Lovette and Salah McCormack each received a Young Minds Change Lives scholarship valued at $1,000, the organization announced on Thursday, April 21.
“Working with the Red Cross has been so rewarding for many reasons, but knowing that I am working to assist in saving lives has been the greatest reward,” wrote Emily in the competitive application. She noted that her service-learning experiences have inspired her to want to pursue family law so she can work with children in foster care.
Olivia detailed how helping to run blood drives has helped her improve her communication skills as well as taught her about organization, time management, leadership and perhaps, above all, provided her with a greater sense of compassion “standing beside people donating and even holding their hands.” Olivia went on to express how personally “fulfilling” it has been to volunteer.
Salah discussed how event organization has enhanced her drive to do community service and “make the world a better place.” She has developed a more positive mindset and has grown as a person, she continued. “I enjoy helping others because it makes me feel whole and gives me a sense of purpose, which is why I would like to spend my life helping others,” Salah said.
Last year, PBHS was also awarded $3,000 in Red Cross scholarships, divided among four students, for collecting 320 units of blood. Principal Mike Owen pointed out that not only do teachers help the student volunteers in operating the events, but faculty members are often repeat donors of blood so students can exceed their scholarship goal.
Pictured (From left) American Red Cross account manager Jerrica Fox presents students Salah McCormack, Olivia Kirkman and Emily Lovette with individual Young Minds Change Lives scholarships on Thursday, April 21, at PBHS.
Article and photo by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
