Poplar Bluff R-I hosted a special luncheon for 65 custodians and maintenance workers on Friday, Aug. 7, as a small token of appreciation for their flexibility with construction taking place at the district’s three largest schools this summer. Chartwells served the food, which was purchased at The Deep-Freeze.
Poplar Bluff school board members, administrators and teachers welcomed nearly 50 new certified and classified staff members to the R-I district to kick off three days of training beginning on Monday, Aug. 3, in the Administrative Building. Poplar Bluff Schools is among the largest employers in Butler County, with a staff of 737.
The Poplar Bluff High School Academic Team had a strong showing during ACE Quizbowl camp last month at Lincoln College in Illinois. Jackson Rideout, the PBHS senior captain, took first place in the history tournament; sophomore Alyssa Cook, the JV captain, won second in a team contest; and Christian Cmehil-Warn, a senior starter, consistently qualified to compete with the top performing students from multiple states. PBHS has been making its mark in Academic Competition Enterprises-sponsored camps for several years, according to their coach, science teacher Gail Karlish. The Academic Team ended the 2014/15 season with a 30-14 Scholar Bowl record, the Missouri State High School Activity Association has reported.
A $250,000 grant has been awarded to Poplar Bluff Schools to add a preschool program that will further help serve the needs of the community in getting district children school-ready. The funding through the Missouri Preschool Program will allow the Early Childhood Center to enroll 60 students ages 3-5, and employ six staff members to manage three classrooms. Pending licensing by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the plan is for the preschool to be operational by Monday, Sept 21. Enrollment will take place on a first come, first serve basis. Cost of tuition will be set on a sliding scale based on the income levels used for the free and reduced lunch program. “Studies have shown over
Rep. Todd Richardson of Poplar Bluff, the Missouri House speaker, visited the “I’m a Citizen, Too” class during the last day of summer school on Friday, June 26, role-playing with students how a bill becomes a law. Richardson’s guest appearance in the enrichment class has become an annual tradition since he was first elected to serve the 152nd Congressional District in 2010. Last year he was able to host the students at the state Capitol in Jefferson City. For at least 25 years, Jan Desgranges, a retired R-I educator, has led “I’m a Citizen, Too,” teaching students, grades 5-8, how to become productive citizens. Fourth grade teacher Shiela Boyles of Lake Road Elementary has co-taught the popular class since the 2006/07
