Oak Grove earned national recognition for achieving the largest gains in the state for closing the achievement gap among student groups, according to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education officials.

 

Missouri Assessment Program scores for English language arts jumped from 46.56 percent in 2016/17 to 81.33 the following year while math scores increased from 48.09 to 61.33 percent proficient or advanced, averaging a 24 percent improvement rate for subgroups, reported DESE’s Amanda Cash.

 

The elementary school was recognized among 100 distinguished Title I schools across the country during the National Title I Conference held Friday, Feb. 9, in Philadelphia.

 

“They broke down the walls of the classroom and started looking across the whole building rather than strictly looking at the needs of their own classroom,” explained Patty Robertson, Poplar Bluff R-I assistant superintendent of curriculum. “The students can all get intervention if needed and the interventions are targeted to make sure kids learn. And if they don’t (learn), they reteach.”

 

Oak Grove Principal Jenifer Richardson, who Robertson called her hero, attributes the extraordinary success to initiatives implemented last year including the school-wide positive behavior support program, focusing on developing a common language for teaching social skills and providing positive reinforcement.

 

“Our teachers do a great job building confidence in students, making sure they know (their teachers) believe in them, and building that relationship,” Richardson said. “When students know you believe in them, (the students) work hard for it.”

 

Richardson also credits a reemphasis placed on educators collaborating in recurring cycles of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for students, the foundation of the Professional Learning Community model.

 

“They didn’t buy a new program or spend money to accomplish this,” stated JoAnne Westbook, Poplar Bluff Title I director. Richardson added: “We changed the way we do business. My father always said, ‘Getting players is easy. Getting them to play together is the hard part.’”

Structured team meetings using data to drive instruction take place biweekly at Oak Grove. Reading interventionist Michelle Farmer said what used to be more of a pull-out model is now a full classroom of students working in small groups of differentiated instruction. Third grade teachers break down MAP test questions regularly and work on vocabulary building.

 

Farmer, who made note it is a group effort, admitted that the change made her a little uncomfortable at first being a 28-year veteran, but she is proud of her “Oak Grove family” for all the progress. “If the data shows it’s working, then it’s what’s best for kids,” Farmer concluded.

 

Pictured: Poplar Bluff personnel (from left) Michelle Bates, Patty Robertson, Jenifer Richardson, Christy Young, Ashley Blume, Staci Barker, Michelle Farmer and Kristie Robinson accept a national award on behalf of Oak Grove Elementary.

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

Three Rivers College student and Poplar Bluff resident Jeff Harpole has received a scholarship from the Leonard Query Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is awarded to a sophomore with a 3.0 GPA residing within the Three Rivers College taxing district and who is pursuing a degree in Marketing and Sales.

 

The Leonard Query Scholarship is administered by the Three Rivers Endowment Trust. To learn more about investing in Three Rivers College students through scholarships, contact Director of Development Michelle Reynolds at 573-840-9077 or michellereynolds@trcc.edu.

Pictured from left to right:  Allen Brooks, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; Mark Stidham, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; Jeff Harpole, scholarship recipient; Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; and Eric Schalk, Chair of the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees.

Dexter, Missouri - The following Dexter High School student earned All-District Honors.

Nevaeh Johnson - 13th chair clarinet All District Concert Band 

Brittany Baldwin -  16th chair clarinet All District Concert Band

Victoria Meritt - 5th chair clarinet All District Concert Band

Taylor Watson - 7th chair flute All District Concert Band

Layla Brown - 2nd chair trumpet All District Jazz Band

Nate Mangum - 2nd chair Tenor Sax All District Jazz Band

Shelby Smith - 1st Alternate Tenor Sax All District Jazz Band

Jillian Avery - 4th Chair Bassoon All District Band

Victoria Bess - 2nd Chair Contra Alto Clarinet All District Band

Dylan Long - 1st Alternate Bari Sax All District jazz Band

Layne Medler 3rd Chair Trombone All District Concert Band and Lead Trombone All District Jazz Band

Alex Fitzpatrick 3rd Chair Trombone All District Jazz Band

Blake Carrillo - 2nd Chair Tuba Concert Band

TJ Wade - 1st Chair Tuba Concert Band

Matthew Chesser - 1st Drummer All District Jazz Band

Sean Rybolt - 1st Alternate Bass - All District Jazz Band, Vibes All District Jazz Band

Jonni Hill - 1st Alternate Piano - All District Jazz Piano

Three Rivers College student and Oran resident Katy Wondel was awarded the Three Rivers Endowment Trust’s Achievement Scholarship. The Achievement Scholarship is awarded to a student in Three Rivers College’s Nursing or Business programs.

 

The Achievement Scholarship is administered by the Three Rivers Endowment Trust. To learn more about investing in Three Rivers College students through scholarships, contact Director of Development Michelle Reynolds at 573-840-9077 or michellereynolds@trcc.edu.

From L-R: Allen Brooks, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; Mark Stidham, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; Katy Wondel, scholarship recipient; Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; and Eric Schalk, Chair of the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees.