The Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center was able to significantly expand its playground last week with equipment designed for gross motor skill development through fundraising efforts.

 

Three sets of monkey bars have been added to the outdoor play space east of the facility, with height gauged by students of varying sizes, and a balance beam was added along with other pods. Longtime supporter of the district, Greg West, completed the installation of the equipment at a heavily-discounted price, according to education officials.

 

“It’s more purposeful play, and we’re super excited,” Principal Jessica Thurston said. “Our pre-enrollment numbers are up for next year, and we’ve outgrown our playground.”

 

Money was generated over the course of a couple years through events including the annual Fall Festival and Stonie Sausage fundraiser. T-shirts, yearbooks and classroom parties are also financed through the fundraisers, as parents of kindergartners are asked to pay for very little throughout the year, according to Thurston. She said the Kindergarten Center is “blessed” to be a part of such a supportive school community.

 

Pictured: Kindergartners test out the newly installed playground equipment on Tuesday, April 16, during physical education class.

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

Dozens of Poplar Bluff High School band and choir students received exemplary ratings at the Three Rivers MSHSAA District Musical Festival held Saturday, March 9, at the Tinnin Center, earning spots at next month’s state festival in Columbia.

 

Receiving one ratings were choir members Eva Bedell, Molly Berry, Ross Dare, Jayvon Holloway and Allison Knowlton for their vocal solos; Isaac Reid, Jayvon Holloway, Jacob Joseph, Michael Joseph, Michael Thom and Michael Allen Ward Jr. in the TTB sextet category; and Eva Bedell, Ross Dare, Jayvon Holloway, Jenna Isom, Michael Joseph, Allison Knowlton, Kerrigan Moore and Michael Thom for SATV double quartet.

 

One rating band performances included Emma Harris, Bailey Odom, Michael Thom and Michael Tiffany for percussion quartet; Adam Black, Cody Daughertee, Blake Millner and Christian Redden for trumpet quartet; Cody Daughertee for his French horn solo; and Samantha Nelson, Layton Sanders and Michael Allen Ward Jr. in the saxophone trio category.

Pictured: Top band students included (back row, left to right) Blake Millner, Michael Tiffany, Cody Daughertee and Michael Allen Ward Jr.; and (front row, from left) Adam Black, Christian Redden, Emma Harris, Bailey Odom and Michael Thom. Not present for the photo were Samantha Nelson and Layton Sanders.

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

The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis performed the tragedy “Macbeth” for almost 400 Poplar Bluff High School English students on Thursday, March 14, in the Tinnin Center at Three Rivers College.

 

Directed and adapted by Joanna Battles, the free William Shakespeare play was part of the acting company’s 2019 education tour made possible through a Monsanto Fund grant.

 

Following the condensed hour-long performance, the five-person acting team held a Q&A with the students in attendance. Asked about ad-lib, actor Ted Drury responded: “The only real mistakes in theater are the ones you admit to. Theater is a team sport.”

 

The field trip was arranged by communication arts teacher Jennie Randolph, who reached out to tour management after learning that the traveling production is open to underserved rural parts of the state, in addition to the greater St. Louis area. The last time the Shakespeare Festival came to Poplar Bluff was six years ago, according to tour manager Emily Clinger.

 

Pictured: Actors (left to right) Craig Ester, Ted Drury, Karl Hawkins, Jeanitta Perkins and Frankie Ferrari take a bow after performing “Macbeth” in the Tinnin Center.

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

Poplar Bluff High School is sending 18 juniors to Missouri Boys and Girls State this summer, the largest group in recent memory, according to the counseling department.

 

In order to be nominated, students recommended by their teachers must display leadership skills and knowledge of government, and maintain a minimum of an 8.3 grade point average.

 

American Legion Auxiliary Girls State sponsors included 1st Midwest Bank; First Missouri State Bank; God’s House Church; Kevin Barbour of Kraft, Miles and Tatem; Missouri Rep. Jeff Shawan; Nathan Maurer of Poplar Bluff Realty; the Rotary Club of Poplar Bluff; Rowland Family Dentistry; Southern Bank; and Sunkissed Tanning Salon & Spa. American Legion Boys State of Missouri sponsors were taken care of through the state office with help from Bettie Rusher, Boys State manager of development and administration.

 

The weeklong program in June on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg is designed to educate and train Missouri’s high schoolers in functional citizenship, leadership and government, according to a press release issued.

 

 Pictured (top left) is PBHS counselor Tamara Day along with Girls State students (standing, from left) Elizabeth Shirrell, Jacey Adamson, Audrey Cisne, Paige Bradley and Carlee Ringstaff; and (kneeling, left to right) Adyson Kingree, Rachel Shock, Eva Bedell, Cassidy Steffens and Emily Spencer.

 

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

Poplar Bluff High School is sending 18 juniors to Missouri Boys and Girls State this summer, the largest group in recent memory, according to the counseling department.

 

In order to be nominated, students recommended by their teachers must display leadership skills and knowledge of government, and maintain a minimum of an 8.3 grade point average.

 

American Legion Auxiliary Girls State sponsors included 1st Midwest Bank; First Missouri State Bank; God’s House Church; Kevin Barbour of Kraft, Miles and Tatem; Missouri Rep. Jeff Shawan; Nathan Maurer of Poplar Bluff Realty; the Rotary Club of Poplar Bluff; Rowland Family Dentistry; Southern Bank; and Sunkissed Tanning Salon & Spa. American Legion Boys State of Missouri sponsors were taken care of through the state office with help from Bettie Rusher, Boys State manager of development and administration.

 

The weeklong program in June on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg is designed to educate and train Missouri’s high schoolers in functional citizenship, leadership and government, according to a press release issued.

Pictured: PBHS students headed to Boys State include (standing, left to right) Harrison Warren, Ethan Tucker, Benjamin Hickey and Randy Hederer; and (kneeling, from left) Samuel Persons, Michael Joseph, Austin Tinsley and Ross Dare.

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