Archived News

Jessica Shimbo, Kate Scott, Harley Werkmeister and Claire Funke.

PBJHS leads essay contest about civil rights

04/27/2021

Poplar Bluff Junior High yielded three out of four of the top students who placed in a recent county-wide essay contest, sponsored by the Butler County Community Resource Council in partnership with the Daily American Republic.

Jennie Randolph, Isabella Sifford, Jordyn Shearrer, Lauren Dickerson and Maria Polasek.

$3,000 awarded in Red Cross scholarships

04/27/2021

The American Red Cross has awarded four $750 scholarships to Poplar Bluff High School students who completed successful applications reflecting on their efforts in helping to host blood drives.

Municipal Library earns Friend of School Libraries award

04/20/2021

Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Director Sue Crites Szostak received the 2021 Friend of School Libraries award from the Missouri Association of School Libraries during a virtual conference that began on Monday, April 19.

Two Poplar Bluff sophomores named Missouri Scholars

04/13/2021

Poplar Bluff High School had both of its allotted student nominees accepted into the 2021 Missouri Scholars Academy—a rarity—according to counselor Dr. Regina Williams.

PBHS sophomore accepted into Agribusiness Academy

04/13/2021

A Poplar Bluff sophomore has been chosen alongside only 30 high school students in Missouri to participate in the 2021 Missouri Agribusiness Academy this summer.

Elementary students connect with local author

03/23/2021

Second graders were overjoyed to meet a local author for the first time in their lives in most cases after reading the recently published book as a class assignment.

Oak Grove student named finalist in multi-state art contest

03/16/2021

An Oak Grove first grader has been selected among 100 students to have her artwork featured as part of the 31st annual Picture the Music competition presented by the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association.

Students peel potatoes and perform other meal prep.

Guests dine at mock restaurants created by TCC students

03/16/2021

Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center students prepared a sampling from several original menus for about 60 guests to enjoy during the revamped Senior Showcase on Tuesday, March 9, in the Mules Café.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lesli Brown and the Robotics Club.

PBHS Iron Mules win Connect Award for outreach

03/09/2021

The Iron Mules earned the Connect Award during the FIRST Southeast Missouri Regional Competition on Saturday, March 6, held virtually at Poplar Bluff High School.

The Poplar Bluff R-I School District celebrated its 2020 National ESEA Distinguished Schools, Eugene Field and Lake Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Westwood Center.

First district in Missouri to win both national ESEA awards

03/02/2021

Two Poplar Bluff elementaries have been named 2020 National ESEA Distinguished Schools, the first time in the 25-year history of the program that each of Missouri’s designees were a part of the same school system, a state official has confirmed.

Dr. Scott Dill, Valerie Ivy, Mike Owen, Stephanie Hillis, Jennie Randolph, Tammy Deken, Isabella Sifford, Logan Massey, Olivia Kirkman and Steve Halter.

Student-run Mules store opens on PBHS campus

02/09/2021

The Stable held its grand opening during the Basketball Homecoming on Friday, Feb. 5, in the Poplar Bluff High School commons.

HVAC program forges local industry partnerships

02/02/2021

The HVAC program at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has been receiving scrap equipment donations from businesses as inroads are being made to further align the curriculum with local industry standards.

Substitute teacher compensation increased, fees reimbursable

02/02/2021

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson approved last week a reimbursement extension for people interested in obtaining their substitute teaching certification during the public health emergency.

Five barbering chairs and stations have been established at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center.

Barbering, esthetics available for high school students at TCC

01/26/2021

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has begun recruiting area high school students for esthetics and barbering programs offered for the first time under the cosmetology umbrella.

Seventh annual PB Connect has virtual learning focus

01/26/2021

The seventh annual PB Connect took place virtually across campus on Tuesday, Jan. 19, with a digital learning focus.

Sixth graders view and make observations about the watercolor art.

Students tour watercolor exhibit at museum

01/12/2021

Sixth grade art classes from the Poplar Bluff Middle School had an opportunity to view nationally renowned watercolor art on Friday, Jan. 8, at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum.

A ribbon cutting is held for the Middle School pavilion.

Pavilion, walking track added at PBMS through partnership

12/21/2020

A pavilion has recently been constructed in front of the Poplar Bluff Middle School, connected to an ADA-compliant walking track installed last school year so that students can have expanded recreational space for recess.

Students in Pam Davis’ business management elective make hot chocolate bombs during second hour every day.

PBHS students raise $1,000 for Project Christmas Promise

12/15/2020

A class at Poplar Bluff High School has raised a projected $1,000 for Project Christmas Promise through a student-led enterprise that has quickly gained popularity across campus.

Eighth grader David Williams joins his schoolmates in loading up canned goods.

PBJHS donates over 9K cans to food pantry

12/08/2020

Poplar Bluff Junior High generated 9,025 canned goods last month for St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, helping to sustain the nonprofit for the entire year, volunteers say.

Jenifer Richardson, Jenny Dennis, Aubrey Rider, Gael Arredondo and Jake Fickert.

Oak Grove recycling project inspires creativity

11/23/2020

About 40 elementary students at Oak Grove recently participated in a home project, creating a piece of art using nothing but recyclables, besides adhesive material.

A group of student leaders portray the Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima as veterans pass by.

Veterans Day Parade hosted in lieu of assembly

11/17/2020

The Poplar Bluff Middle School may have reinvented the way its student body observes Veterans Day, having hosted a parade in place of its longstanding assembly for the first time this year.

Shelia Skorcz, Aubreigh Vermillion, Paul Savat, Rhett Williams, Grayce Keeney and Kenzley Hicks.

Kindergarten Center nearly doubles fundraising goal

11/10/2020

The campus community rallied around Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center to make its annual Stonie’s Sausage fundraiser by far the most successful in its several-year history.

Dinner is served for the first time at O'Neal Elementary.

Dinner offered for free to students at all school sites

10/23/2020

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.

Pink-Out Day celebrates 10th anniversary, $200K raised

10/13/2020

Pink-Out Day, which started at Poplar Bluff Schools and soon expanded city-wide, has reportedly raised over $200,000 for the United Cancer Assistance Network over the past decade.

PBMS Giving Closet opens for students in need

09/29/2020

A sixth grade teacher working toward a counseling degree has realized her vision at the Poplar Bluff Middle School this school year, having opened a Giving Closet free for students in need.

General Acrylics resurface the tennis courts.

Tennis courts resurfaced through partnership with Parks Department

09/29/2020

The tennis courts at the Poplar Bluff Middle School were resurfaced over the summer for students and patrons to use through an ongoing partnership forged with Parks & Recreation.

Therapy dogs continue to be utilized by school system

09/22/2020

A chocolate Lab, certified as a professional therapy dog, recently served to help get apprehensive new students through the classroom door during the first day of school at the Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center.

The PBJHS gymnasium is pictured with new banners, paint and basketball hoops.

$5K awarded toward remodel of 80+ year-old gym

09/22/2020

The final touches of a facelift have been placed on the Poplar Bluff Junior High gymnasium, the very oldest building in the district, with its construction dating back to 1937.

Chartwells is headquarted at 1304 Victory Lane.

Free school meals for children through fall

09/15/2020

The Poplar Bluff R-I School District, in partnership with Chartwells, is excited to announce that school meals will be free to all students through the end of the semester on Friday, Dec. 18, or longer, as Congressionally appropriated funding is made available.

First ever virtual back-to-school convocation held

09/01/2020

The Poplar Bluff School District’s annual back-to-school convocation, a tradition in which the entire staff normally assembles in advance of the new year, was held virtually for the first time on Monday, Aug. 17.

Mark Twain School set to open with administrative recruit at the helm

08/23/2020

The Poplar Bluff School District will open its first comprehensive alternative school for the 2020/21 academic year in the former Early Childhood Center facility centrally located on North Main Street.

Ribbon cutting held for state-of-the-art Early Childhood Center

08/23/2020

Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center students will have the privilege of starting the school year in one of the finest preschool facilities in Missouri, local educators believe.

A child waves and smiles as she receives a meal package at one of the district’s curbside locations.

Poplar Bluff serves almost 500K meals during pandemic

08/23/2020

Nearly half a million free meals were served by school partners to students over the course of 100 days.

Dr. Teeter advances as principal of Poplar Bluff Middle School

08/23/2020

Dr. Josh Teeter joined the Poplar Bluff School District so he can be a part of an active professional learning community, he reflected.

Teacher of the Year promoted internally to lead Lake Road

08/23/2020

Distinguished elementary educator Rondi Vaughn has been hired to succeed Erica Weadon as principal of Lake Road Elementary.

Dr. Brad Owings is recognized among colleagues on Saturday, Feb. 29, during the MAESP Distinguished Principal banquet at Osage Beach.

Dr. Owings honored regionally by principal association

03/10/2020

Poplar Bluff Middle School Principal Dr. Brad Owings was named ‘distinguished principal’ of the Southeast Region during the 31st annual conference of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals held Saturday, Feb. 29, at Osage Beach.

PB alumnus returns for Black History Month assembly

03/03/2020

A Poplar Bluff alumnus who leads intercity youth development training throughout the country shared his “tips for a successful life” on Thursday, Feb. 27, during an assembly observing Black History Month at Junior High.

Jenifer Richardson accepts the National ESEA award.

Poplar Bluff earns national ESEA award for third year in row

02/25/2020

A Poplar Bluff elementary school has been nationally recognized for its exceptional student achievement for the third year in a row.

Poplar Bluff first to participate in national milk pilot designed to reduce waste

02/11/2020

Poplar Bluff Schools became the first of two districts in the country to launch a bulk milk dispenser pilot program on Monday, Feb. 10, rolling out about $20,000 in grant-funded cafeteria equipment.

Foundation funds $4,500 in teacher grant projects

01/29/2020

The Poplar Bluff School Foundation recently approved six classroom grants totaling around $4,500 in value as part of the nonprofit’s annual Innovative Educational Project program.

TCC forges partnership with Dexter, Westwood Baptist

01/28/2020

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has expanded its service area to include Dexter High School and Westwood Baptist Academy, increasing its area sending schools to nine, in addition to PBHS.

PB Connect features self-care focus

01/28/2020

Over 75 breakout sessions were hosted for R-I faculty district-wide during the sixth annual PB Connect on collaboration day in what initially began as an internal technology camp for 1:1 buildings.

(Clockwise) Robbie Myers, Michael Barrett, Maria Powell, Charles Kinsey, John Scott, Jeremy Bell, Kristen Laird and Quinn Johnson.

Computer science students create potential 911 app

01/14/2020

Computer science students at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center are exploring the potential launch of a 911 app, upon catching the attention of public officials.

Apache teacher shares meaning of Thanksgiving with students

11/26/2019

Eugene Field first graders were provided a special opportunity to learn the meaning of Thanksgiving this holiday from the perspective of a full-blooded American Indian.

First of four elementary schools to add Buddy Bench

11/21/2019

Oak Grove has installed the first buddy bench of Poplar Bluff’s lower elementary schools upon successfully collecting over 250 pounds of plastic lids and caps in a student-led effort.

O’Neal grad discusses military career with elementary students

11/20/2019

Gulf War veteran Lisa Bratton of the U.S. Air Force returned to her elementary school to speak with students about her service on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

PBJHS celebrates Scooby-Doo Day with celebrity guest appearance

11/13/2019

Voice actor and radio personality Scott Innes, a Poplar Bluff native, visited Junior High on Monday, Nov. 4, to inspire a team of students named in his honor.

Commissioner outlines Show-Me Success Plan in Poplar Bluff

11/13/2019

Education Commissioner Dr. Margie Vandeven served as the special guest speaker during the monthly Southeast Missouri Superintendents Association meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Holiday Inn.

Gateway 2 Jobs program representatives are pictured with the 2019 graduates.

Grad Center students earn G2J certificates

10/29/2019

A total of 13 students from the Graduation Center earned certificates to include on their resumes through Gateway 2 Jobs on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

Teacher believes busy hands means engaged minds at Kindergarten Center

10/22/2019

Creating a developmentally appropriate curriculum is the building-wide mission at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center, and one new teacher appears to be lighting the way, if her network of followers is any indication.

AmeriCorps hosts 16th annual Career Fair

10/17/2019

A total of 381 Poplar Bluff High School sophomores participated in the 16th annual Career Fair on Thursday, Oct. 10, at Three Rivers College.

Teacher Leslie Elledge purchases jewelry from student Jose.

Life Skills class opens jewelry business

10/08/2019

A new jewelry line designed by students is becoming a fashion trend among Poplar Bluff Middle School staff.

Steven Moore of SUSA displays a 3D scan.

Students take industrial tour during MFG Day

10/08/2019

Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center and Graduation Center students participated in Manufacturing Day on Thursday, Oct. 3, and were provided the opportunity to tour factories in Industrial Park.

Michele Carmode helps a group of students create eBinders.

Middle School librarian helps students create online portfolios

10/01/2019

Poplar Bluff Middle School students are creating eBinders, or online portfolios, designed to preserve their best work so they can reflect on what they have learned throughout their educational careers and ultimately utilize on college applications.

Janice Vincent and Angie Kearbey serve hot ravioli to elementary students at O’Neal.

Free dinner service offered across district

10/01/2019

Chartwells began offering dinner services for free last week at five additional school sites where after school enrichment programs and services such as tutoring, club activities and latch-key are available to all students.

Poplar Bluff School District earns back-to-back Blue Ribbons

09/26/2019

For the second consecutive year, a school within the Poplar Bluff R-I District has earned the highest honor achievable for an educational institution in America.

Eddie Moss Day celebrated at PBJHS

09/24/2019

Former NFL player Eddie Moss was recognized on the field where he once played on Thursday, Sept. 19, during Poplar Bluff Junior High’s first home football game of the season.

Austin Pullum poses next to a student-owned 1968 Chevrolet Camaro and the winning plaque for the Car & Motor Show.

TCC gearing up to host Car & Motor Show Saturday

09/17/2019

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center will host its inaugural Car & Motor Show this weekend to showcase its updated programming and help raise funds to expand opportunities for students.

Maria Powell, a senior, performs a magic trick utilizing binary numbers.

TCC starts first new program in over a decade

09/10/2019

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has launched its first new program in over a decade this school year with the addition of computer science in what was once the health occupations classroom.

Students Carley Brooks and Makayla Schalk help collect several bags of trash at Bacon Park.

New class teaches students value of community service

09/10/2019

A focus on developing a sense of community at Poplar Bluff Junior High School has led students to seek out ways to contribute to the community at large.

DAR names Winters 2019 Difference Maker of the Year

08/27/2019

AmeriCorps Program Director Becky Winters was named the Daily American Republic’s inaugural Difference Maker of the Year during a banquet held Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Holiday Inn Ballroom with approximately 200 guests in attendance.

Mark Murphy, Kaylee Merrick, Eugene Barnes and Tyrus Merrick

Green Bay Packers feature PBHS student’s artwork

08/27/2019

The artwork of a Poplar Bluff High School senior is being displayed for a year at the Green Bay Packers stadium, and the Art Department has been awarded $5,000 as the result of a recent national contest.

Accompanied by MSBE members Kimberly Bailey, Carol Hallquist and Mary Schrag, Education Commissioner Dr. Margie Vandeven leads a discussion with stakeholders.

MSBE, Commissioner holds forum in Poplar Bluff

08/20/2019

The commissioner and members of the Missouri State Board of Education recently held their first community forum at Poplar Bluff High School in an effort to seek input from stakeholders of the 8th Congressional District and prioritize issues facing educators.

‘Ellen’ guest star speaks at Back-to-School Convocation

08/20/2019

The consensus among R-I educators who participated in the Back-to-School Convocation was that this year’s keynote speaker was the most engaging in recent memory.

Gabby Bullock engages in a guided reading exercise with outgoing first grader Carmen McCrary.

Commissioner: Oak Grove a ‘Gold Star’ of success in Missouri’s schools

08/12/2019

Oak Grove Elementary School was the only educational institution in the region to be named a 2019 Missouri Gold Star School for its high academic performance.

Dr. Jackson succeeds Priest as assistant superintendent of business

08/12/2019

A long-time member of the superintendent cabinet at Poplar Bluff Schools will apply two decades of administrative experience in public education as she makes a transition from personnel to finance.

Former Scott County superintendent hired to lead personnel department

08/12/2019

The Poplar Bluff School District has hired a former superintendent in Southeast Missouri to fill the vacancy opened by Dr. Amy Jackson in the R-I executive cabinet.

Children gather at Poplar Bluff Head Start to enjoy lunch.

School District, Chartwells serve students free meals through summer

08/12/2019

Chartwells, the longstanding partner of Poplar Bluff Schools, was awarded a near $5,000 equipment grant through the No Kid Hungry Missouri initiative to extend the district’s food service program from July 1-Aug. 2 for students in need following summer school.

R-I Maintenance Director Al Ursery and Kendra Gibson of All Inclusive Rec meet with a representative of Brockmiller Construction on the proposed playground site.

District receives $27K tire grant for new ECH playground surface

08/12/2019

Poplar Bluff Schools has been awarded a $27,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to use 12,500 pounds of recycled tire material to surface a 1,700-square-foot portion of the playground at the new Early Childhood Center.

RISE Transition Center set to open with dedicated at-risk staff

08/12/2019

The new RISE Transition Center will open during the 2019/20 school year as a pilot program for the planned alternative school to help address behavioral issues that students, grades 7-12, are struggling with in the regular education setting.

Jeff Baldwin, co-owner of Baldwin Automotive Group, hands two sets of Ford Escape keys to PBHS educators (front row, from left) Mitch Davis, Charley Harper and Mike Sowatzke.

Baldwin supports PBHS Driver’s Ed program

06/10/2019

Baldwin Automotive Group has loaned a pair of 2018 Ford Escapes for students to use in the Driver’s Education program available at Poplar Bluff High School.

Surrounded by family and colleagues, Gretchen Pendley receives a prestigious award.

PBHS teacher earns statewide biology award

06/07/2019

Poplar Bluff educator Gretchen Pendley has won the 2019 outstanding biology teacher award for the state of Missouri through the National Association of Biology Teachers.

Incoming PBHS junior to participate in 2019 MSA

05/29/2019

Poplar Bluff High School is sending a student to the exclusive Missouri Scholars Academy for the second year in a row.

Drew Metz reunites with his military sister, Alyson.

Commencement held for PBHS Class of 2019

05/29/2019

A total of 321 students graduated from the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2019 on Thursday, May 23, at the Black River Coliseum, earning nearly $2.1 million in scholarships and grants, staff reported.

Elizabeth Shirrell’s mother Amy joins Maj. Gregory Crites in the Change of Command ceremony.

Change of Command 2019

05/14/2019

Poplar Bluff High School junior Elizabeth Shirrell has been named commander of the Pvt. Billie Kanell JROTC Battalion for the upcoming school year.