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Poplar Bluff School District

Achieving Excellence Through Learning: Every Child, Every Hour, Every Day

School Year 2025-2026

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FACS instructor Candace Hovis (forefront) stands beside a donation of shelving units and materials arranged by substitute teacher Donna Woods (back) for the new sewing elective to be offered at PBHS next year.

Throwback teacher to reintroduce dedicated sewing class at PBHS

A Poplar Bluff educator has built a legacy around reintroducing the practical arts she can recall learning back when she was a student in the district. Candace Hovis, who teaches Family and
(From left) Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Roderick, Ayema Ahsan, Levi Ferguson, Hattie Scobey, Jackson Kennedy and Dr. Valerie Ivy pose in the JROTC wing of PBHS. Not present for the photo was Victoria Pennell, who is also Washington-bound.

PBHS JROTC academic team to vie in National Championship

The Pvt. Billie G. Kanell JROTC Battalion has qualified to vie in the 2026 Leadership & Academic Bowl Championship for the first time in the 29-year history of the Poplar Bluff High School
 TCC student Milly Hampton is pictured wearing her first-place SkillsUSA T-shirt, alongside instructor Alex Nicolini and TCC Director Dr. Leigh Ann Cornman.

TCC student produces first-place brand design for SkillsUSA Missouri

A Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center senior made local history by winning the secondary brand design category for the first time in the decade-long SkillsUSA Missouri contest, while several
Addison Hutson, PBHS junior, displays a certificate she received on Wednesday, April 1, for winning an essay contest and qualifying to participate in the Missouri Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., at the end of spring.

PBHS student wins D.C. trip with successful essay

A Poplar Bluff High School junior will experience an all-expense paid week-long trip to the nation’s capital as the result of winning an essay contest Wednesday, April 1, through Ozark Border
Eugene Field Elementary is shown from the southeast corner, where the district also owns acreage on the other side of Cross Street.

District awarded $1.5M grant for FEMA safe room at Eugene Field

Over $1.5 million has been awarded to the Poplar Bluff School District to construct a tornado safe room designed to withstand winds of up to 250 miles per hour at Eugene Field Elementary
Adam Moeller, PBHS counselor, presents senior Claire Funke with a certificate of merit on Friday, March 6, for being selected as a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

PBHS siblings named back-to-back National Merit finalists ​

Poplar Bluff High School has produced its second consecutive National Merit Scholarship Program finalist, and they happen to be siblings. PBHS senior Claire Funke was presented a certificate of
Kindergarten students and staff gather to say thank you for prioritizing repairing their building on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Educators reflect one year after tornado devastated Kindergarten Center ​

Runner-up Cohen Wilkerson (right) congratulates spelling champion Tony Webb on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Fox Radio Network.

Lake Road captures CRC title, top R-I spellers advance ​

A Lake Road student won the third grade battle for Butler County, bringing back the spelling championship trophy to the lower elementary school for the first time since 2019. Tony Webb Jr. was
Eugene Field Elementary School Principal Kristen Spain earned a regional award as an outstanding early career principal this week in Osage Beach.

Spain named 2026 Missouri Exemplary New Principal

With Eugene Field recently honored among the state’s top elementary schools, it should come as no surprise that the building is being led by a regional standout. Kristen Spain was named the 2026
Keynote speaker Jamar Blackmon emulates his logo with one finger pointing to his brain and the other to the sky, meaning “with the right mindset you can go to the top.”

Black History Month celebration features national speaker

Poplar Bluff Junior High marked the centennial of Black History Month commemorations while striking a balance between a talent-rich, educational program topped off by a high-energy keynote
Pictured during the Powerful Learning conference are (left to right) Dr. Karla Eslinger, education commissioner; April Sandlin, teacher; Dr. Rondi Vaughn, assistant superintendent of curriculum; Jennifer Morin, speech instructor; Mary Schrag state BOE pre

Eugene Field named Blue Ribbon School with asterisk

Poplar Bluff has had a third elementary school earn the highest honor achievable for an educational institution in America, a National Blue Ribbon, only this time the accolade comes with an
Before staff members break off into workshop sessions during PB Connect last month at PBHS, keynote speaker George Couros shares his story.

Educators apply best practices acquired during annual PB Connect

The Poplar Bluff School District hosted its 11th annual PB Connect, featuring 140 professional development breakout sessions led by 85 presenters for faculty and staff to choose from. The internal
Dr. Valerie Ivy (center) receives surprise recognition from Drs. John Boyd, Jr. and Jamie LaMonds on behalf of MoASSP prior to the keynote address during the 11th annual PB Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Poplar Bluff High School.

Dr. Ivy named first statewide Principal of the Year for PBHS ​

Poplar Bluff High School’s first female principal in history has become the district’s first-ever statewide secondary Principal of the Year. Dr. Valerie Ivy was named the 2026 Dr. Jim L. King High
Nick McDaniel, PBHS drama teacher, holds a published copy of his original play, “The Green Murders,” while standing next to the promotional poster displayed in the Kay Porter Theater.

Script published that debuted with PBHS students at Kay Porter Theater

Drama teacher Nick McDaniel has become a published playwright of an original production that debuted with Poplar Bluff High School students on stage at Kay Porter Theater. The Poplar Bluff native
Michelle Adams helps Blake Erwin sew a stocking while Jocelyn Burkhart waits her turn at the new sewing machine on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Eugene Field.

Foundation funds several thousand in grants across district

The Poplar Bluff School Foundation has approved $5,700 toward five grants covering a range of building projects, with the potential to double its investment depending on alternative funding sources
The Student Lighthouse team at Eugene Field poses with Principal Kristen Spain around the elementary school's Blessing Box in December.

Blessing Box quickly gains popularity at Eugene Field Elementary

Nickey Street has become a busy two-way thoroughfare for both giving and receiving with the new addition of the Blessing Box that is serving the campus community in front of Eugene Field
(Left to right) CRC Prevention Specialist Alexus Joplin announces Lucas Riggins as the winner, while finalists Preston Pinkerton, Dhanish Patel and Denton Rines display good sportsmanship.

Math Counts champion follows in sister’s footsteps

This year's Math Counts champion may have had an extra motivator: a friendly sibling rivalry. Lucas Riggins was the first to slam his computer shut, followed closely by fellow Middle School
TCC culinary arts students Maria Maize and Miles Newcomb portion out the ready-to-heat take-home family dinners.

TCC students feed campus community through grant initiative

Culinary arts students of the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center recently prepared 450 meals for the student body through the Kids Feeding Kids program. This marks the second year that the TCC
Poplar Bluff Junior High students gather to walk to River Radio in honor of Civil Rights leader Ruby Bridges.

PBJHS participates in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

A lesson was taught at Poplar Bluff Junior High School last week about how young people too can make a lasting impact on the world. Local students joined hundreds of thousands across the nation who
McDonald’s awards second consecutive Outstanding Educator from Eugene Field

McDonald’s awards second consecutive Outstanding Educator from Eugene Field

Eugene Field Elementary had a teacher recognized last week as a McDonald’s Outstanding Educator for the second year in a row. Special education instructor Alexa Everett was selected out of over 480
Former Missouri Supreme Court justice discusses role with PBHS students

Former Missouri Supreme Court justice discusses role with PBHS students

When the Honorable Judge Patricia Breckenridge puts on her black robe, she is no longer “Patty from Nevada, Mo.,” she says, her duty is to uphold the rule of law. Breckenridge, former chief justice
‘Lunch lady’ returns to school to become teacher at Poplar Bluff

‘Lunch lady’ returns to school to become teacher at Poplar Bluff

A cafeteria worker of several years in the Poplar Bluff school system enjoyed serving students so much that she returned to college after 13 years to finish her teaching degree, becoming a
O’Neal competes for top placement statewide in Prodigy Math

O’Neal competes for top placement statewide in Prodigy Math

The computer lab instructor at O'Neal Elementary has been utilizing an online game to reinforce math concepts, rewarding top-performing students with such consistency that the spirit of competition
(Clockwise, top left) Justin Alford, Rena Brown, Slug Hefner and Stephanie Faith of the Poplar Bluff Hall of Fame Class of 2025 all attended PBHS.

Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inducted

A group of record-setting individuals were honored Thursday, Oct. 2, during the 37th induction banquet of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame as Justin Alford, Rena Brown, Stephanie Faith and Slug
PBHS alum sponsors Robotics Club for third consecutive year

PBHS alum sponsors Robotics Club for third consecutive year

An alumnus has donated a total of $6,500 to the Poplar Bluff High School Robotics Club over the past three years, having more than doubled his portion of the contribution with matching funds through