How to wash and dry clothing has been taught in life skills for three years, but now the task can be put into action, SWIN teacher Steven Frey said. The Whirlpool appliance set will also be used to wash school-issued backpacks, as well as the gym clothes of students perhaps without regular access to a washer and dryer, according to Bright Futures Site Coordinator Lybby Mannon.
Shown in the photo: Lybby Mannon (left) and assistant Krista Yarbro of the Junior High Bright Futures Site Council pose beside the washer and dryer set that the school was able to purchase from Hefner Furniture & Appliance with a $1,000 donation.
Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Dexter, Missouri - Chuck Kasting, Stoddard County Ambulance District Assistant Manager, was the instructor for the Dexter Public School bus drivers during a safety training seminar for Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) and EPI pens.
Dexter School Bus drivers hold monthly safety training sessions as part of the required annual continuing education.
Photo and article submitted by Tim Fowler, Transportation Supervisor, Dexter Public Schools
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Public School Board Meeting was held on September 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Below are the minutes from that meeting.
Old Business
2015–2016 ASBR
The Board approved the 2015-2016 Annual Secretary Board Report as presented by Mr. Wood and Board Secretary Laura Miller.
MSBA Policy 2016B Update
The Board approved the MSBA Policy 2016b updates as presented with changes by Mr. Wood
New Business
Audit Report
The Board approved the 2015-2016 Audit as presented by Nick Steimle the representative from Begley, Young, Unterreiner & White, LLC.
Audit Bid
The Board approved Dirnberger, Hopper and Associates to perform the school audit for a three year period starting with 2016-2017.
Annual Administrative Duties
The Board approved the Annual Administrative Duties as presented by Mr. Wood.
Discussion Items
Board Policies
The Board discussed using MCE (Missouri Consultants Education) policies instead of the current MSBA policies that are in place.
Long Range Plans
The Board looked at the facility needs as presented by the building principals’. They will meet on October 13th @ 6pm at the Board Office to discuss these needs and determine if financially feasible.
Professional Development
Dr. Williams presented information on upcoming professional development days the district has planned.
IDEA Annual Determination Rating
Mrs. James presented the IDEA Annual Determination which received a rating of 4, which is the highest rating available.
Summer School Report
Mrs. Duncan presented the 2016 summer school report.
Old Football Scoreboard
The Board discussed the disposal of the old football scoreboard. The decision was made to ask the city / park department if they had a need for it and if not then a plan would be put in place to offer it to the public.
Nurse’s Report
A report was viewed that was prepared by HS Nurse Linda Milam.
Principal’s Report
An administrator from each building gave a report on happenings in their building.
In Executive Session
The Board approved the following people for addition to the substitute teacher list: Barbara Duckworth, Jessie Wyrick, Audra Placher
Abigail Coppenbarger, Morgan Cliff.
The Board approved the hiring of paraprofessional Jenifer Ritchie.
The Board approved the hiring of Southwest Elementary secretary Angelia Foster.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - A new STEM class that has been added to the Poplar Bluff Middle School curriculum is quickly gaining popularity among students.
“My daughter came home talking about this. She loves this class,” exclaimed Mary Arnold, the mother of fourth grader Chloe, on the Middle School Facebook page. Trina Weldon of the fifth grade commented: “My favorite class ever.”
The enrichment class—which combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics—was one of the driving forces behind the buildings plan that has added 40,000 square feet to the relocated campus. Taught by Keri Jameson and Cody Young, STEM takes the place of computer lab since Google Chromebook carts are being made available in all classrooms of the upper elementary school.
“Hands on, minds on,” explained Young, a fifth year teacher. “It’s how kids learn.”
When Jameson began teaching in 2009—METS—a reversal of the acronym, was the buzzword in education, she recalled. In an effort to prepare the students for a modern-day work environment, Jameson—much like Young—has always tried to apply project-based learning in her classroom lessons.
Now with a dedicated class, the pair of educators are delighted to be able to introduce tools such as Spheros, iPads, and 3-D scanners and printers, plus Lego and circuit board stations to teach critical thinking. “This is the best job I have ever had,” Jameson stated. “It’s the last teaching job I’ll have.”
Having focused solely on science in previous years, Young and Jameson spent the summer planning their new interdisciplinary activities. Just weeks into the school year, they are already inspiring more STEM action throughout the district.
At Eugene Field, elementary school educators are in the planning stages of converting their vacated art room in the older part of campus into a STEM lab, according to Principal Jennifer Taylor.
Upon completing over 50 pages of research, Ashley Woolard, a Junior High science teacher, received her certification through the National Institute for STEM Education earlier this month. She too is planning to introduce “whole brain teaching” into her curriculum, she said.
Shown in the photo are teachers Keri Jameson and Cody Young are the district’s first dedicated STEM teachers.
Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
The bulk of the funds were awarded through the Community Investments Program of the Elks National Foundation and Poplar Bluff Lodge No. 2452 contributed the rest, according to Mac Campbell, past exalted ruler.
Shown in the photos are: Middle School counselor Julie Withrow; IEP facilitator Cindy McIver; students Travis Vaughn, James Wilder, Xaviese Jackson, Brooke Montgomery, Jamaya Hamilton, Carmelo Perkins and Kathryn Montgomery; and Elks Debbie and Mac Campbell.
Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
