
Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Essex, Missouri – With summer break just days away, the elementary students at Richland have prepared themselves for the summer fun by attending many of the MAP testing award pizza and movie parties. But yesterday (Wednesday, May 15th), the students found themselves outside on the playground for most of the day while they celebrated the end to their school year at their annual Play Day celebration.
Play Day has been an annual event at Richland Elementary for many, many years. Each year, the Richland PTO hosts a day of fun activities, both indoors and outdoors, many snacks and treats, and even barbeque sandwiches for lunch.
This year, the students got to play Minute to Win It games from the hit television show outside. The weather was great for the classes to go outside and enjoy the day. When they weren’t playing basketball or jumping in the bounce house, they could cool off by playing a new game in the small swimming pools or eat a snow cone.
The students also got to enjoy arts and crafts indoors, where the younger kids created necklaces, bracelets, and key chains out of string and beads and the older kids learned how to weave paracord bracelets. They also got to enjoy a small science experiment, where they learned about density and buoyancy. The staff members also helped them create homemade ‘Moon Sand’ that stayed fresh like Play-Dough so the students could take it home.

The students enjoyed freshly made cotton candy, a variety of different snow cone flavors, and hamburgers fresh off the grill made by their superintendent, Frank Killian. When their busy schedule of activities was finished, they settled down and watched a new movie to end their day.
The Richland PTO did a fantastic job and they worked very hard to make it run as smoothly as it did. The teachers and students are both very thankful to have parents as dedicated as they are. The organization has been holding fundraisers all year long to help fund their many activities at both the high school and elementary school.
A large number of the high school Beta Club members also participated and helped manage the large number of kids that participated in Play Day. The members helped run each station and had a busy day just like the elementary students.
At the end of the day, it seemed like everyone had fun, including the students, helpers, parents, teachers, and PTO members.

Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Swafford Photography will be setting up from 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. in the Bearcat Event Center to take photographs of graduates and/or family portraits on a formal portrait background.
If you wish to purchase photographs, packages start around $15 and go up to about $58 per package. There are several to choose from and forms will be available at the time purchase.
All orders must be paid in full and placed before graduation begins.
Cash or check are best for payment method and you may pick up your portraits at the Dexter High School in about a week or so after graduation.
If you would like to have your pictures mailed there will be an additional $4.00 shipping & handling fee added to your total.
Students may dress in cap & gown; however if you want a portrait picture made in regular dress that's fine as well. Swafford's will photograph however you would like, include the parents, grandparents, friends, they will cater to your needs. The prices are extremely reasonable and what memories you will have that will last for years.
The Dexter Senior High School Graduation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Bearcat Event Center on Friday, May 17th. We hope to see you there!

Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – As graduation night approaches some parents are reminiscing of their child’s first day of kindergarten and all the wonderful memories that have been made throughout their experiences at Dexter Public Schools. Other parents are about to begin a new chapter in their child’s life and will set the tone for their child’s future by attending Kindergarten in the fall.
You are cordially invited to meet the new principal, Mrs. Bethany Deal this Thursday evening at the Southwest Elementary Gym.
“Night with the Principal” is for students who will be attending Kindergarten in the fall of 2013. You will be able to have a question/answer session with Principal Sherry Matthews, meet the new principal, and tour the kindergarten classrooms. There will also be fun activities for the children.
EVENT: Night with the Principal
DATE: Thursday, May 16th
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: Southwest Elementary Gym
You won’t want to miss this exciting new beginning of their lives.

Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter T.S. Middle School- This listing of activities is a service offered by the ShowMe Times, working in partnership with the Dexter Public Schools for your convenience.
The ShowMe Times would like to encourage all of our readers to support our local school system. The education and growth of young people in our community is important to everyone's future.
We would like everyone to join us as we encourage these young students in their pursuits.
So lets get involved by supporting the events at our schools.
If you would like to submit information and a picture of a student and his/her accomplishments, send it to news@showmetimes.com. We would love to hear from you.


Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – There will be some new faces at the Dexter Public Schools next year as fourteen educators are retiring in 2013.
The Dexter Board of Education accepted the retirement notices of 14 educators with a combined teaching experience of over 350 years. A special Retirement Tea was held at the Bearcat Event Center last week and thirteen of the fourteen were able to attend. Mrs. Leanne Dooley had a Tennis Tournament and was not able to attend.
Several family members and friends were on hand to wish them well along with many hugs. There were tears of sadness and joy, but each retiring staff member was very happy to see so many drop in and say thank you for their hard work and dedication.
Pictured are: Dr. Kim Flowers, Debbie Essner, Sherry Matthews, Sandy Clark, Melinda Sweeney, and (non-certified staff member) Jan Britt. Standing are Kim Fitts, Nancy Vines, Ronnie Shipman, Pam Mills, Katrina Kluesner, Ann Polsgrove, and Charles Cooper.
We wish them all the best in their retirement and future endeavors! Congratulations!