Dexter, Missouri - For the second time in a row April Berry's Kindergarten classroom earned the Southwest Elementary Positive Behavioral Support Reward Flag for October.

School Wide Positive Behavioral Support (SWPBS) award is presented at the start of each month at Southwest Elementary.  One classroom in each grade is recognized for exhibiting the high character with regard to observing the school's 3R's.

The 3R's stand for being Respectful, Ready to Learn and Responsible.  The class with the highest attendance average, combined with the fewest disciplinary measures and general good character are awarded a 3R red flag to be posted in their classroom for the next month.  The students are also awarded "superhero" capes to wear and parade around the gym before returning to class.

Shown in the photo back row from left: Karleigh Musgrave, Vyvianne Pflasterer, Aliyah Hadley, Mayson Slavings, Ivie Spencer, Gracie Edwards, Carson Rose, Addison Calvert, Bryson Barnes, Zayden Kirkman.

Front row from left: Ben Morris, Melody Jarrell, Sophia Wunderlich, Layton Morrison, Bentley Mulford, Drake Carmode, Blaze Murphy, Kaila Sanders.

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Senior High School Student Council hosted the 67th annual convention of the Southeast Missouri Association of Student Councils on October 28, 2015 at the Bearcat Event Center.

DHS serves as the 2015 President School of the Southeast District that includes schools north to Herculaneum, west to Van Buren, east to the Mississippi River and south to the Missouri state line.

The convention attendance was 1,450 student council members and their sponsors.

According to Jennifer Miller, Dexter Senior High School counselor and DHS STUCO sponsor, it is the largest Southeast District Convention in history and the largest district convention i history of the entire State of Missouri.

Missouri is made up of seven districts.

The Egyptian themed event was entitled "Pyramids of Leadership".  During registration, the Jazz Cats performed.  Guest speaker was "Mr. Guston", Marty Powers from Fredericktown. 

There were large group activities led by Three Rivers College Admission Specialist, Zach McAnulty.  Zach was a former StuCo member and Student Body President of Poplar Bluff High School.

The students also divided into small groups and had discussion groups and idea sharing.  Next year's convention will be at the President School in Festus, Missouri.

Dexter, Missouri - Bailey Christian's kindergarten class at Southwest Elementary in Dexter honored their classmate and super hero, Gavin Thompson, on Thursday, November 5, 2015.

Gavin is the son of Grant and Nicole Thompson and is five years old.  He was diagnosed with leukemia missing the first day of kindergarten this year.  Since then he has made several trips to St. Louis for treatment including a crucial blood transfusion on Friday.

Through donations by Allen Christian, Montgomery Bank and an anonymous donor every student in Gavin's classroom were given "Gavin Squad" T-shirts.

The local school has been one of Gavin's biggest supporters helping where they can including a special monkey that sits in Gavin's chair when he is away with treatments. 

Gavin and his classmates were treated to cookies and treats during a little party at school in his honor.  Gavin is shown in the photo holding the "U" and "P".  His little brother Lincoln who is not in school yet was beside him holding the "S".

Gavin, you are our HERO and wish for a speedy recovery!  Kick cancer in the butt!!

Bloomfield, Missouri - Larry White, a Dexter Elks member, presented Adrianna Gensler and Tyler Battles October Students of the Month certificates and $50 Savings Bonds.

Adrianna Gensler is a senior at Bloomfield High School and is the daughter of Woodrow and Dana Gensler.

Tyler Battles is also a senior at Bloomfield High School and is the son of Michael and Kristie Battles.

Adrianna and Tyler are competing with honorees from the other Stoddard County schools for the Dexter Elks Students of the Year. 

Both students, along with their parents and counselor, Sara Holloway, will be honored with a banquet to be held at the Dexter Elks Lodge later next spring.

The Elks Students of the Year will be announced at the spring banquet.

Dexter, Missouri - T.S. Hill Middle School band members came out in force on Tuesday, November 3rd to audition in the 2015 Middle School/Junior High All-District Band at Jackson High School, in Jackson, Missouri.

"We had a record number of students at the Middle School audition," commented Dexter H.S. Band Director Scott Rybolt.  "And we had the largest amount of students from the Middle School - in our history - to make the All-District Band.

The T.S. Hill Middle School band is under the direction of Mr. Cody Jinkerson.  He has done an amazing job enhancing the sound of the middle school band.  They recently performed on the Charles Bland Stadium field during half-time of the last home football game.

The Dexter middle school and high school students represented the second highest amount of students from any one school in the All-District Band.

All District Band members from seventh grade include Tara Williams, Nevaeh Johnson, Sara Midgett, Kyllie Kendrick, Layne Medler, Evan Grobe, Caleb Coons, T.J. Wade, Tyler Montgomery, Kyla Propst, and Blake Carillo.

Tara Williams received 3rd Chair Flute
Nevaeh Johnson received 16th Chair Clarinet
Sara Midgett received 22nd Chair Clarinet
Kyllie Kendrick received 5th Chair Trombone
Layne Medler received 1st Chair Trombone
Evan Grobe received 4th Chair Trumpet
Caleb Coons received 6th Chair Tuba
T.J. Wade received 1st Chair Tuba
Tyler Montgomery received 1st Chair Baritone
Kyla Propst received 12th Chair Clarinet
Blake Carillo received 2nd Chair Tuba

Shown in the photo from left to right: Front Row Tara Williams, Nevaeh Johnson, and Sara Midgett.  Middle Row: Kyllie Kendrick, Layne Medler, and Even Grobe.  Back Row: Caleb Coons, T.J. Wade, and Tyler Montgomery.  Not pictured are Kyla Propst and Blake Carillo.