Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Bernie, Missouri - Bernie's Parents as Teachers have chosen their April Student of the Month.
Jerrica Rose Bridges is the daughter of Darla and Jimmy Bridges.
Jerrica just turned four and enjoys playing with her friends at Sunshine School and her big sister Lilly.
At her Parents as Teachers meetings she loves to play in the kitchen and build with blocks.
If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Paige Williams at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website. For more information click HERE.
Our Vision
All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.
Our Mission
To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Our Values
The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.
Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.
Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.
All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.
An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.
History
In 1981, Missouri pioneered the concept of helping parents embrace their important role as their child’s first and best teacher. Today, Parents as Teachers continues to equip early childhood organizations and professionals with information and tools that are relevant—and widely applicable—to today’s parents, families and children.
The Parents as Teachers leadership team and Board of Directors is engaged in a three-year strategic plan, which positions the organization as a valued partner to support the organizations and professionals who serve families and children, especially those most vulnerable.
The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.
Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and parent education to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development from the beginning could help improve school readiness and parent involvement.
With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement Parents as Teachers programs in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and six other countries.
Written By
Erin Lauters Student Writer SMT
Dexter, Missouri - Relay Shirts are being sold until April 25, 2014 at noon. The delivery date is May 1, 2014.
They are purple shirts with white lettering like the one pictured. The shirts are $10 and all of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
Order now, because there will be a VERY limited supply at Relay for Life on May 2, 2014.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - A special luminaria ceremony during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Stoddard County remembers those lost to cancer and honors those who have battled and won. The luminaria candle lighting to represent these individuals is on Friday, May 2nd at 10:00 p.m. at Dexter West City Park.
Anyone desiring to purchase a luminaria may do so by contacting Courtney White at 417-861-6500. Each luminaria candle is $5.00 and can be In Memory Of or In Honor Of a loved one.
“It will be beautiful when all the bags with candles are illuminated around the track,” said Jennifer Hartlein, Event Co-chair. “We hope to sell enough to light the entire walking track.”
Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event. Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay For Life unites friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches ... people from all walks of life. Teams seek donations prior to the Relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.
Relay For Life officially begins at 4:00 pm on May 2nd. Stoddard County cancer survivors will kick off the Opening Ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. with the official survivors’ lap; then the rest of the participants will join the fun. Information about purchasing a luminaria, forming a team or walking in the survivors’ lap is available by calling 573-334-9352.
For information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Their club is 35 members strong and they have held several fundraisers to support and and raise money for this wonderful charity. These young students really know how to help others and pay it forward.
Monie Brehmner is the leader of this 4-H group and if you would like more information or would like to join, please contact her.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - Little Emma Kate Worley will be hosting her Auntie M Project to benefit the Stoddard County Relay for Life event. Emma is only eight years old, but has already accomplished so much. She has raised more than $35,000 to date for the local Auntie M Project.
Since 2009, Emma has been raising money through children’s art projects and is quite the artist herself. Her aunt Marilyn Williams passed away from melanoma and therefore the Auntie M Project was created.
Each spring, children are invited to spend the afternoon decorating wooden eggs and crosses creating works of art. Throughout the rest of the year, Emma is busy creating masterpieces that are sold for just $20 each and she has donated several that are auctioned during the Relay for Life event. On the back of these beautiful pieces of art is the story of Auntie M and how her journey of giving began.
On Saturday, April 12th from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Bootheel Pediatric Therapy building children will be able to create and design their own masterpieces.
Registration is only a $20 donation and you may pre-register by contacting Belinda Worley at 573-421-1100; however pre-registration is not required. Just drop in and enjoy! Refreshments will also be provided.All proceeds from the event will be presented to the Stoddard County Relay for Life event, which is slated for Friday, May 2, 2014. Please honor the memory of Marilyn Williams by supporting the Auntie M Project and Emma Worley.
Shown in the photo is Emma Worley at the 2013 Relay for Life auctioning one of her awesome pieces of art!! One painting went for over $300!
