Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors Klaire Essner with the Positive Office Referral certificate.

This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3 R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN at Southwest Elementary in Dexter.

Klaire was nominated by her music teacher Mr. James Eldrith and is in Cindy Justice's second grade classroom.  She also received a certificate, a golden loop and a free taco from Taco Bell.

Klaire is the daughter of Kent and Kimberly Essner.

Congratulations  Klaire!

Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors Sean Honeycutt with the Positive Office Referral certificate.

This award is presented to students who consistently show the 3 R's RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN at Southwest Elementary in Dexter.

Sean was nominated by his first grade teacher, Crystal Earnheart.  He also received a certificate, a golden loop and a free taco from Taco Bell.

Sean is the son of Philip and Linda Honeycutt.

Congratulations Sean!

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!!