Poplar Bluff, MO - Free dinner meals are being served either to go or on-site after school beginning today, in a district-led food service effort to reach more students.
Poplar Bluff’s food service director, Dixie Harden of Chartwells, has been making arrangements with principals since September in order for her staff to accommodate the specific needs of each building.
Early Childhood, Eugene Field, Lake Road, Oak Grove and Junior High students will receive bagged meals to go, while students participating in after-school activities such as clubs, sports or latch-key at Kindergarten, O’Neal, Middle School and High School will have an option to eat their meals on-site.
“Meal participation rates have been down tremendously, and this is a way to meet a need for both our students and the community,” stated Dr. Amy Jackson, R-I assistant superintendent of business
The district’s participation rate has been impacted by students quarantined due to contact tracing. In addition, about 15 percent of the population had enrolled in the Poplar Bluff Virtual Academy for the first quarter. The virtual learners have also been given the option to pick up meals at one of the district’s three curbside sites: O’Neal, Middle School or the High School.
The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a series of waivers under the federal nutrition assistance program, and recently announced that free meals for students, grades preK-12, will be extended through the end of the school year to help combat hunger during the public health emergency.
“There are a lot of people still struggling, I mean really struggling, and I don’t want our kids to go hungry, basically,” Harden explained. “Amy’s helped and Dr. Scott Dill," superintendent, "is always on board, when it comes to feeding kids; it's just imperative that we do."
For more information about dinner services, contact the individual school building, or call Chartwells at 573-785-0486.
Pictured: O’Neal Elementary students participating in Boys and Girls Club or latch-key line up for dinner when the after-school meal service was first introduced at select sites one year ago.
Photo and article by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Dexter, MO - The 2020 Miss DHS was announced on Thursday, October 22nd. Due to COVID-19 each candidate was presented and escorted in front of their parents and the high school students at Charles Bland Stadium.
MeKenzie Yount was crowned 2020 Miss DHS.
2020 second alternate is Mikayla Dodson.
2020 first alternate is Chloe Thurmon.
Pictured from left to right: Chloe thurmon, MeKenzie Yount, and Mikayla Dodson.
Dexter, MO - The 2020 Miss DHS was announced on Thursday, October 22nd. Due to COVID-19 each candidate was presented and escorted in front of their parents and the high school students at Charles Bland Stadium.
Crowning Miss DHS 2020 is Delaney Lemmon. She is Miss DHS 2019.
Delaney is the daughter of Shannon Lemmon and JJ Lemmon.
She is a freshman at Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau where she is majoring in elementary education.
Delaney is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, the Red Cross Club, and the Christian Outreach Organization.
Her future plans are to become a second grade teacher.
Her escort is Seth Malloy. He is the son of Bucky and Deanna Malloy.
He describes Delaney as faithful, beautiful, and selfless.
Dexter, MO - The 2020 Miss DHS was announced on Thursday, October 22nd. Due to COVID-19 each candidate was presented and escorted in front of their parents and the high school students at Charles Bland Stadium.
MeKenzie Yount is the daughter of Michael and Melissa Yount.
She is a member of the varsity Volleyball Team, Softball Team, Pep Club, FCCLA, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Her future plans are to attend college and continue her volleyball career. She would like to obtain a degree in business.
MeKenzie's escort is Kaeden Kennedy. He is the son of Joe and Kerry Kennedy.
He describes MeKenzie as caring, loving, and beautiful.
Dexter, MO - The 2020 Miss DHS was announced on Thursday, October 22nd. Due to COVID-19 each candidate was presented and escorted in front of their parents and the high school students at Charles Bland Stadium.
Tara Williams is the daughter of Ben and Kendra Williams.
She is a member of the Marching Band, Student Council, Sr. Beta Club, National Honor Society, HOSA, Scholar Bowl, Rotary Interact and is in the Top 10% of her class.
Her future plans after graduation are to attend Missouri State University and major in respiratory therapy.
Tara's escort is Nate Harris. He is the son of Michael and Christy Harris.
Nate describes Tara as outgoing, clever, and pretty.
