Students across campus had individual experiences this month learning firsthand about different career fields, with the use of virtual technology.
Kindergartners were fortunate enough to link up with a former Kinder Mule now serving the U.S. Air Force, while Middle School SINGS students were able to connect with a scientist studying fish in Canada.
During Career Day on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Kindergarten Center, students Matthew Feltz and Preston Johnson came to school dressed as soldiers, which prompted paraprofessional Pilar Hopper to make arrangements to FaceTime her daughter Amiah Berry of the PBHS Class of 2019, who completed her Basic Military Training over the summer.
“…I told the boys they had a surprise phone call from my daughter, a real soldier, and they smiled really big and I took them out in the hall so they could talk,” Hopper recalled. “She asked them if they wanted to be soldiers when they grow up and they both said, ‘Yes.’”
Berry proceeded to teach the kindergartners how to properly salute, as well as make a war face. The Poplar Bluff alumna is currently attending technical school at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, and will be stationed at Fort Sam Houston in Texas at the end of the year.
Earlier in the week, a group of Middle School students participated in a video chat with Hannah Harrison, a scientist who is working toward her doctoral degree in Guelph, Canada upon serving in the Peace Corps for three years. Harrison grew up in Alaska.
“She mainly studies salmon and she spoke to the students about how she studies the salmon, working in fisheries and on fishing boats, as well as her work experience in the Peace Corps,” explained Krista Yarbro, teacher over the gifted program.
Yarbro linked up with the scientist via Skype a Scientist, an online database. Rather than selecting a specific field of study, she said she chose “any scientist” in order to expedite the pairing process. She plans to connect her class with another scientist through the program in the near future.
Pictured: Amiah Berry of the U.S. Air Force teaches kindergartens how to salute on Career Day. (Note: She is strictly wearing her hat indoors to display her uniform for the students).
Article and Photo by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
The Mules Booster Club has named Audrey Rahlmann-Lack and Jacob Baller the October Athletes of the Month, presented by Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Jacob Baller, a junior football player, ended the 2020 season with 24 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns. A two-way starter, he also had 48 tackles, tying for third highest on the team. According to his coach David Sievers, he had “numerous big plays” and “big games” against Sikeston, Cape Girardeau and Jackson. While he was nominated for football, Jacob is a clutch baseball player as well.
“On offense, he led the team in receiving yardage but also made numerous highlight film catches,” said Sievers, noting that as an underclassman Jacob was both an excellent leader on the field as well as academically. “On defense, he was one of our team leaders, and asked to play several positions.”
Audrey, a senior softball player, had a .390 batting average, 17 singles, nine doubles, six triples (the second highest on the team), 14 RBIs, 32 runs (the highest), 23 out of 24 steals (the highest), an on-base percentage of .425, a slugging percentage of .646 and a fielding percentage of .868, with 90 total chances, 77 putouts and two double-plays during the 2019 season. A four-year letterman, she was named All-District second team and All-Conference first team this season. In the classroom, she maintains an 11.14 grade point average, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Audrey is a fantastic athlete, but even more [importantly] she is a great leader and role model for the underclassmen in our program," said her coach Joel McDuffey, adding that she was the team’s most positive, vocal leader. “Her constant positive attitude and effort embodies the culture we, as a team, worked toward this year. She will be missed next season and we wish her all the success as she joins the Three Rivers Softball program next year.”
Pictured from left to right: Jacob Baller and Audrey Rahlmann-Lack are presented the AOM awards by Mules Booster Club vice president Brian Taylor on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Photo and article by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District
Dexter, Missouri - The Second Grade classroom of Mrs. Galloway earned the Southwest Elementary Positive Behavioral Support Reward Flag for October 2020.
School Wide Positive Behavioral Support (SWPBS) award is presented at the start of each month at Southwest Elementary. One classroom in each grade is recognized for exhibiting the high character with regard to observing the school's 3R's.
The 3R's stand for being Respectful, Ready to Learn and Responsible. The class with the highest attendance average, combined with the fewest disciplinary measures and general good character are awarded a 3R red flag to be posted in their classroom for the next month.
Pictured back row from left to right: Finn Seyer, Kyden Orf, and Rivers Schlief
Middles row from left to right: Lorelei March, Yasi Rodriguez, Ethan Page, Carli Lewis, Easton McCoy, Zane Andrews, Nicholas Smith, Shyann Hampton, Hank Hopkins, and Luke Pennington
Front row from left to right: Jackie Umfress, Danielle Summers, Meredith Mayer, Emerson Hunter, and Kinley Burnett
Dexter, Missouri - The First Grade classroom of Mrs. Potts earned the Southwest Elementary Positive Behavioral Support Reward Flag for October 2020.
School Wide Positive Behavioral Support (SWPBS) award is presented at the start of each month at Southwest Elementary. One classroom in each grade is recognized for exhibiting the high character with regard to observing the school's 3R's.
The 3R's stand for being Respectful, Ready to Learn and Responsible. The class with the highest attendance average, combined with the fewest disciplinary measures and general good character are awarded a 3R red flag to be posted in their classroom for the next month.
Back Row (left to right) - Miss Potts, Levi Jones, Logan Tidwell, McKinley Laffoon, Aniston Slavings, Lydia Penberthy, Carson Moore
Middle Row - Bentley Allen, Rhylan Boening, Clayton Burgess, Ronin Blackwell, Peighton Bunton, Brennan Neal, Denton Wilson, Isabella Walker
Bottom Row - Brileigh Robinson, Deacon Smith, Rebekah Kinder, Luke Juden
Not Pictured - Dakota Galloway
Dexter, Missouri - The Kindergarten classroom of Mrs. Horton earned the Southwest Elementary Positive Behavioral Support Reward Flag for October 2020.
School Wide Positive Behavioral Support (SWPBS) award is presented at the start of each month at Southwest Elementary. One classroom in each grade is recognized for exhibiting the high character with regard to observing the school's 3R's.
The 3R's stand for being Respectful, Ready to Learn and Responsible. The class with the highest attendance average, combined with the fewest disciplinary measures and general good character are awarded a 3R red flag to be posted in their classroom for the next month.
Back row left to right: Dorinda Ahrens, Maelyn Hare, Anniston Moore, Ares Jarrell, Roan Marron, Olivia Carroll, Lainey Tate Duncan, Isabella Geldmacher, and Mrs. Horton.
Front row left to right: Kaydence Stevens, Maxon Dale, Cole Colove, Rice Garner, Beau Gill, Jack Mayer, Gideon Pfeffer, and Alexis Fitzgerald
