School News

Holly Burns performs a wellness checkup.

School-based health clinics open at three campus locations

09/19/2024

School-based health clinics are functioning out of three sites within the Poplar Bluff School District this academic year as the result of a grant initiative aimed at increasing access to health care in the region.

Diane Desch, Kelley Brent, Dr. Josh Teeter and Karmen Carson.

Middle School opens outdoor classroom, greenhouse

04/30/2024

The Poplar Bluff Middle School has opened a new multi-purpose outdoor space designed to create a more dynamic learning experience around the vacated facilities east of the Victory Lane campus.

Students provided opportunity to interface with newly hired chef

09/19/2023

A chef who apprenticed at a world-renowned restaurant has begun leading classroom activities, in addition to training kitchen workers and catering events for the Poplar Bluff School District.

A student passes a new mural while walking along the front addition of the Middle School building.

Principal leads voluntary effort over summer to make ‘walls talk’

09/12/2023

Poplar Bluff Middle School administrators spent their free time over the summer adding words of inspiration and color to the long hallways of the Victory Lane campus in an effort to offer encouragement to students.

Drake Hutson, Cooper Allen and Devin Woods.

‘Thinking classrooms’ created with $2K Foundation grant

02/14/2023

The Poplar Bluff School Foundation has funded a $2,000 grant for Middle School math teachers to establish ‘thinking classrooms,’ a data-informed approach to further engaging student learning.

Poplar Bluff Middle School math teacher earns statewide award

12/22/2022

Sixth grade math teacher Dr. Brandi Compass has received statewide recognition through a professional math association in her return to Poplar Bluff Middle School.

$Brayden Conover, Nelson Xiao, Wyatt Ward, Ivy Hoang and Kathern Harris.$

Fourth grader competes against hundreds to win Math Counts

12/13/2022

Poplar Bluff Middle School student Ivy Hoang was named the 2022 Math Counts champion out of hundreds of fourth graders on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Municipal Library.

Poplar Bluff Middle School interventionist receives MSTF grant

11/15/2022

Poplar Bluff Middle School reading interventionist Krissey Whitlock has been awarded a $100 grant from the Missouri State Teachers Foundation to go toward hands-on manipulatives for multi-sensory learning.

Veterans Day Parade caravan has record turnout of vets

11/15/2022

About 50 veterans participated in the Poplar Bluff Middle School’s annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 11, as students lined the Victory Lane campus holding up handmade signs.

Gage Sparks, Dr. Josh Teeter, Marge Van Praag, Charlotte W. Craig, Marley Wertenberge, Kelly Lawson, Kayden Hadley-Rommel, Bralin Duckett and Veronica Brassfield.

Poplar Bluff school system raises $2.3K for Animal Welfare Alliance

11/15/2022

A teacher’s chance visit to a local dog groomer has led to a month-long series of student fundraisers generating thousands of dollars for the no-kill animal shelter in Poplar Bluff.

Shaelynn Nordwald, Dede Ross, Cheri Sparkman, Carey Wilkerson, Crystal Huddleston and Charlene Mills.

MSTA surprises Poplar Bluff educators with $500 in grants

10/25/2022

The Missouri State Teachers Association recently awarded five $100 classroom project grants to Poplar Bluff faculty members out of 64 applications and 30 awarded in total within the Southeast region, according to officials.

Poplar Bluff administrators honored regionally for leadership

03/08/2022

Two Poplar Bluff school administrators whose career paths are entwined were chosen by their peers to receive regional recognition this past weekend.

Camden Donnell, Addy Yarbro, Bridget Popp and Clint Wallace.

R-I earns top placement at Junior, Senior Beta Convention

01/11/2022

The Poplar Bluff School District qualified nationally in a total of 16 competitions at the recent state Beta conventions in which 113 R-I students participated in.

Foundation funds over $3,500 in innovative teacher grants

01/11/2022

The Poplar Bluff School Foundation recently voted to fund over $3,500 in competitive grants designated to benefit a range of students, both at-risk and gifted, at the Middle School and Junior High.

Middle School students add some color to the plow blades with their handprints.

Students invited to add color to city snowplows

12/21/2021

Poplar Bluff Middle School students in art class, STEM and Life Skills participated in an activity with the Street Department on Wednesday, Dec. 15, adding colorful handprints to a fleet of snowplows.

Middle School students get to test out the new playground space for the first time during recess last month.

New playground opens for students at Middle School

12/14/2021

The Poplar Bluff Middle School has opened up its new playground to provide students with more recreational options, about a year after installing a pavilion.

Student’s independent artwork to be displayed in building entrance

12/07/2021

The Poplar Bluff Middle School has plans to permanently display the artwork of a student who has taught himself to create highly detailed 3D paper models from memory in very short order.

Students display patriotism during Veterans Day Parade

11/17/2021

The Poplar Bluff Middle School campus was lined with more than 1,000 cheering students as 25-30 vehicles entered the annual Veterans Day Parade held Thursday, Nov. 11, along Victory Lane.

STEM students of the Poplar Bluff Middle School pose next to a representation of the activity kits generously donated by the Three Rivers College ETS program.

Middle School receives donation from Educational Talent Search

10/27/2021

The Three Rivers College Educational Talent Search program has donated a stockpile of gently used STEM kits to the Poplar Bluff Middle School for its hands-on elective.

Middle School teacher honored regionally by McDonald’s

10/19/2021

A Poplar Bluff Middle School teacher was among a shortlist of area educators out of 724 total nominations to be selected in the second annual McDonald’s Outstanding Educator program.

Chess Club takes off among Poplar Bluff Middle Schoolers

10/19/2021

About 100 students signed up for the opening day of Chess Club at the Poplar Bluff Middle School, immediately placing the after-school group next to Junior Beta as the upper elementary’s most active.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Outgoing principal honored regionally by 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.

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.

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.

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.

Mel Jackson, Billy Hirtz, Erica Weadon and Dr. Brad Owings.

Southern Bank sponsors student dismissal software

09/17/2019

Southern Bank has agreed to sponsor Kid Account, allowing the R-I district to expand the dismissal system utilized at the Poplar Bluff Middle School to include Lake Road Elementary this year.

Student helpers (from left) Matthew Holloman, Cody McNiel, Lilly Coleman, Tervoris Causey, Ryan Burkhart and Blazin Crow, and teacher Terrie Sullivan.

Middle School teacher wins classroom makeover

03/12/2019

Sixth grade reading teacher Terrie Sullivan of the Poplar Bluff Middle School was selected to receive an IKEA classroom makeover upon winning a drawing during the recent PB Connect conference.

Julie Withrow, Zoë Freeman, Bailey Taylor and Rachel Eason.

Buddy Bench introduced during Middle School assembly

02/07/2019

A Buddy Bench for students looking to make new friends was introduced Friday, Feb. 1, during a school-wide positive behavior support assembly held at the Poplar Bluff Middle School.

Teacher Gretchen Pendley tests out a digital microscope during freshman advisory.

Foundation funds $3.5K in teacher grants

12/19/2018

The Poplar Bluff School Foundation recently funded two ‘innovative educational projects’ valued at more than $3,500 so students can collect data for NASA and participate in group activities using digital microscopes.

Extreme math class captures student interest

12/11/2018

Six graders were issued surgical masks and latex gloves upon entering math class on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Poplar Bluff Middle School.

Students explore meaning of Veterans Day

11/15/2018

A student-led Veterans Day Assembly was held at Poplar Bluff Middle School, honoring service men and women in attendance going as far back as the Greatest Generation who fought World War II.

$Kathern Harris goes over the rules with students Somaria Simpson, Alantris Allen, Gabby McGinty and Truston Alexander.$

Math Counts 2018

11/14/2018

Middle schooler Gabby McGinty of Karmen Carson’s math class answered 42 multiplication problems correctly in one minute, winning the annual Math Counts championship, after studying nightly, confirmed her parents.

Read More about Math Counts 2018

Soldier’s homecoming surprise

12/12/2017

Sgt. 1st Class Terry White of the Missouri Army National Guard surprised his fifth grade daughter Aaryn Johnson with an early return home on Friday, Dec. 8, during an assembly held as a diversion at the Middle School.

Santa’s Workshop inspired by ‘Toy Story’

12/05/2017

Students of the Poplar Bluff Middle School STEM class have been designing new products out of broken toys in an activity instructors are calling Santa’s Workshop.

Veterans honored across the district

11/14/2017

Poplar Bluff students had the privilege of learning firsthand about the meaning of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 10, as servicemen and women were honored across campus.

Carson honored as Unsung Hero

11/14/2017

Poplar Bluff Middle School teacher Karmen Carson received the 2017 Unsung Heroes award of the Missouri State Teachers Association on Thursday, Nov. 9, in Columbia.

3D projector brings lessons to life

08/29/2017

Observing blood travel through a beating heart, dissecting a diamondback rattlesnake and assembling an automobile engine are all possibilities in a 3D learning environment that is being simulated for students through new technology.

Meet Kenny Carpenter, Middle School SRO

03/14/2017

Poplar Bluff R-I’s newest school resource officer, Kenny Carpenter, completed his introductory presentations with the sixth grade last week at the Middle School.

Student Safety Patrol established at Middle School

02/16/2017

A new group of student leaders has emerged at the Poplar Bluff Middle School this year with the relocation of the campus on Victory Lane.

‘The America I Believe In’

11/15/2016

An estimated 75 servicemen and women including one vet from the greatest generation attended the annual Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, Nov. 11, at the Poplar Bluff Middle School.

Middle School adds first dedicated STEM course

09/20/2016

A new STEM class that has been added to the Poplar Bluff Middle School curriculum is quickly gaining popularity among students.

Mock ‘Shark Tank’ showcases student innovation

02/22/2016

Well-prepared Poplar Bluff Middle Schoolers gave seasoned business and school technology leaders a run for their money on Friday, Feb. 19, during a mock Shark Tank.

Community leaders celebrate Middle School groundbreaking

06/03/2015

More than 60 community members attended the groundbreaking for the Poplar Bluff Middle School on Tuesday, June 2, at the current Senior High campus.

Assembly connects students with those who served

11/15/2013

The annual Veterans Day Assembly at the 5th & 6th Grade Center is in good hands, it was apparent on Monday, Nov. 11.