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
Poplar Bluff Food Service Director Dixie Harden has been selected as one of three bi-state recipients of the Homegrown Hero award, sponsored by the St. Louis District Dairy Council.
Harden, who is employed by Chartwells School Dining Services, ascended out of 21 finalists from Missouri and Illinois as a grand prize winner for striving to improve the lives of others every day in her community, according to an SLDDC press release issued this month.
“Each year, we are amazed by the heroes nominated, and the work they do right here in our own backyard,” stated Kelsey Hulcher, SLDDC nutrition educator. “It’s wonderful to learn about school cafeteria workers, teachers, custodians and volunteers who creatively and tirelessly work to make their communities a better place.”
Having taken the helm in 2016, Harden has increased breakfast participation and catering services, reduced waste across campus, received kitchen equipment grant funds, assisted with Community Eligibility Program efforts to provide free meals to younger students, and implemented well over a dozen new programs and services at school sites, according to nominator Trish Wilson, Chartwells administrative assistant.
Enhancements to the district’s food service operation Wilson cited include: introducing smoothies, coffee, deli options, on-the-go carts and teacher snack bars, plus providing second chance breakfasts, a dinner option, oversight of Boys and Girls Club dining services, Mule Pack distribution, and expansion of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program as well as the district’s free Summer Food Service Program.
“Within no time Chartwells exploded under Dixie’s leadership,” wrote Wilson, adding that Harden quickly became acquainted with each employee to assess their strengths. “Dixie’s number one priority is feeding her kids nutritional meals.
Established in 2018, Homegrown Heroes is a school-based initiative of SLDDC aimed to promote the local dairy industry in the region. Poplar Bluff R-I was one of two districts in the country to partner with the National Dairy Council and Prairie Farms Dairy to participate in a bulk milk dispenser pilot program two years ago.
Kelsey Hulcher (right) of the St. Louis District Dairy Council presents Chartwells Food Service Director Dixie Harden with the Homegrown Hero grand prize on Wednesday, April 13.
Photo and article by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
