PBHS hosts its first student PD day

 

Zumba, beekeeping, college life, dog training, improv and Magic the Gathering were just a sampling of the various subjects and activities secondary education students were exposed to last week.

 

Poplar Bluff High School held its first student personal development day in collaboration with the Technical Career Center on Friday, May 11, at the Tom Hoover Way campus.

 

“The idea was to give kids an opportunity to learn what you wouldn’t get in a typical school day,” explained Instructional Coach Stephanie Kuper, the event organizer. “We had information about different careers, everyday things that people need to know about, and some fun sessions.”

 

Community partners, faculty and even high schoolers led the breakout sessions, which students got to select via a survey. Last year Junior High successfully introduced student PD day to the district, and Kuper credited the leadership there for providing a model she can go off of. The concept originally came from the Orchard Farm School District.

 

“When kids are engaged in what they’re learning about, classroom management tends to take care of itself,” Kuper said. “You gotta keep giving them reason to come, because you can’t teach unless they’re here.”

 

Pictured: Barbie Hon of the Technical Career Center displays the teeth of her horse Cricket during an equine care session.

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

Three Rivers College student and Wappapello resident Hannah Foriester has received the T.R.U.S.T. Scholarship from the Three Rivers Endowment Trust. The T.R.U.S.T. scholarship is awarded by the Three Rivers Endowment Trust’s Scholarship Committee to students with extenuating financial circumstances.

 

The T.R.U.S.T. 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; Hannah Foriester, scholarship recipient; Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; and Eric Schalk, Chair of the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees.

Three Rivers College students from Stoddard County have received scholarships from the Stoddard County Development Foundation. The recipients were honored at the college’s “Fulfilling Dreams” reception for students awarded Three Rivers College and Three Rivers Endowment Trust scholarships. Recipients are listed below by hometown.

Advance: Jordan Clark

Bernie: Christina Dowdy

Dexter: Ramona Baker, Haley Cornett, Angela Freeman

            Essex: Lane Brown

            Puxico: Mariah Fowler

            Risco: Miranda Wake

The Stoddard County Development Foundation 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 is Christina Dowdy, one of several Three Rivers College students who received scholarships from the Stoddard County Development Foundation, was recognized at a “Fulfilling Dreams” reception held in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center.

From L-R: Allen Brooks, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; Mark Stidham, Three Rivers Endowment Trust Board Member; Christina Dowdy, scholarship recipient; Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College; and Eric Schalk, Chair of the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees.  Not shown: Ramona Baker, Lane Brown, Jordan Clark, Haley Cornett, Mariah Fowler, Angela Freeman, and Miranda Wake.

 Computer graphics students at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center won second and third place respectively in the 2018 brand design contest at the state fall leadership contest of SkillsUSA Missouri held recently in Jefferson City.

 

Jeramiah Gracia won second place and Rayni Seesengood placed third out of more than 70 entries. Themed ‘job-ready day one,’ the contest included a T-shirt, banner and trading pin component, and a cohesive design among the mediums.

 

“It’s indicative of the level of skills students are capable of in this program – graphic design,” commented Charles Kinsey, TCC director. “[SkillsUSA] is an important organization because it allows the students to express themselves and compete, while the industry tunes in.”

 

The students, both seniors, qualify to compete in the district contest in February and the statewide competition in April.

 

The computer graphics program, under the instruction of Regina Gossett, has produced employees in multiple area print shops over the years including 4M Sign Service & Design, Southeast Signs & Graphics, and Stinson Press.

 

“Our goal is to prepare students to go into the workforce,” said Gossett, “so we align [the program] with what they are doing in their shops.”

 

Pictured: Jeramiah Gracia and Rayni Seesengood take two of three top spots in an area branding competition.

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

The Bernie School Board of Education held its regular June meeting on June 11th.  

A light agenda included acceptance of a Financial Institution Bid from Sterling Bank of Bernie for the next school year and approval of program evaluations on Federal Programs and Fiscal Management.

While addressing finances the Board approved transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Capital Projects fund as allowed for transportation and the Guaranteed Tax Base transfer, approved the final 2017/2018 Budget Amendment and adopted the 2018/2019 Bernie School Budget.   

The financial statement and payment of bills was approved.

During the Executive Session, the Board accepted Haley Baker’s resignation as the 4th Grade Teacher, hired Kelsie Friese as the Kindergarten Teacher, hired Sara Nash as an Elementary Para Professional and hired Tate Midkiff as the 4th Grade Teacher.