Dexter, Missouri - The Kindergarten class of Mrs. Garrison earned the Southwest Elementary Positive Behavioral Support Reward Flag for February 2017. 

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.

Pictured back row from left to right: Mrs. Garrison, Michael Glore, Parker Keena, Anthony Hicks, Selah Sepulvado, Lilly Nugent, BR Templemire, and Ryan Carter-Bishop.

Middle row from left to right are Olivianna Hester, Bryer Saylors, Harley Haws, Aaron Gott, Hayden Redferring, and Sebastian McRoy.

Front row from left to right are Mason Smith, Miley Gold, Jaedyn Conder, Jacey Church, Bryce Josupait

Not Pictured Alexzander Lin, Liam Sadler and Ella Hutson

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Top fundraising students presented a check to St. Jude in the amount of $47,748 on Friday, March 31, during a field trip they were awarded to the children’s research hospital in Memphis.
 
The Poplar Bluff School District has raised a total of $967,924 for the hospital since the campus community first began participating in Math-A-Thon in 1989. If the students reach their all-time goal next school year, R-I will be the first school system ever to donate more than $1 million, according to district coordinator Jenifer Richardson, Oak Grove principal.

During the visit, students—grades K through 8—learned about the work that St. Jude is doing to some day cure cancer by watching informational videos and participating in a historical scavenger hunt, while building chaperones and parents had a chance to tour the world-class facility.

Past O’Neal Principal Lorenzo Sandlin initially took up the cause as a service project for the elementary school nearly three decades ago. Within several years, the initiative went district-wide, and has continued to gain support from the business community.

Pictured are students (in alphabetical order) are Madeline Allbritton, Truston Alexander, Brandt Bell, McKinzie Buenaga, Alyssa Cochran, Daine Dugas, Preston Ethridge, Rowan Gowen, Anna Lack, Naila Moreno, Kyleigh Moffitt, Eliana Persons, Colton Pigg, Charlie Raglin, Brooks Ray, Andon Ridenour, Dalton Rommel, Clayton Schalk, Bailey Smith, Lamonten Thomas, Clarissa Varner and Keaton Willcut; and building coordinators include Staci Barker, Angie Bowman, Sheila Boyles, Jennifer Nicolini, Jenifer Richardson, Ashley Robertson, Melanie Schalk and Jannette Walk.

Photo and article submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Director, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Dexter, Missouri - Southwest Elementary honors students with Positive Office Referral certificates.

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

Each student received a certificate and a FREE Taco from Taco Bell.

Pictured are back row: Mason Smith and front row left to right Layla McKinnis and Emma Colwell

Searcy, Arkansas - More than 1,300 students were included on the Harding University Dean's List for grades achieved during the spring 2017 semester.

The list includes two recent Dexter High School graduates.

Tyler Stevenson, an exercise science major and his sister Kendra Stevenson, a public relations major, both earned a spot on the prestigious Dean's List.  They are the daughter of Kay Stevenson and Keith Stevenson.

The Dean's list is published each semester by Dr. Marty Spears, University Provost, honoring those who have achieved high scholarship.  To be eligible, a student must carry at least 12 or more hours and have a GPA of 3.65 or higher.

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter R-XI School Board met at the regularly scheduled date and time on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.  The next school board meeting will be Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.  Below are the minutes from the meeting.

Call to Order/Roll Call/Pledge  The Board President announced the meeting is to begin, ascertains the attendance status of all board members with Mr. Jim Reiker and Mr. Kevin Bishop being absent.  He then leads in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:   The Consent Agenda was approved.

Public Comments:  There were no public comments made.    

Old Business: There was no old business to discuss.    

New Business:
A. The board approved the 2017-2018 Professional Development Plan.  
    
B.  The board approved changes to Administrative Procedures JED AP-I and JED AP-2.  

C.  The board approved the 2017-2018 Southwest Elementary Handbook.  
 
D.  The board approved the 2017-2018 Central Elementary Handbook.  

E.  The board approved the 2017-2018 TS Hill Middle School Handbook.      

F.  The board approved the 2017-2018 High School Handbook.  

G.  The board approved offering Algebra I at the Middle School for the 2017-2018 School Year.  

8.  Discussion Items:

The monthly report from High School Nurse, Linda Milam was presented to the board.  

The building principals or assistants were present with the exception of the middle school administration.  A monthly report of happenings in their buildings was shared.  Mr. Kruse provided a report and it was shared by Mrs. James.    

The June board meeting was set for Tuesday, June 27, 2017 @ 6:00 p.m. 

In Closed Session:
1. The board employed the following coaches/sponsors:
    Ms. Kerri Goodman-Co-sponsor for Scholar Bowl
    Whitney Tanksley-Co Sponsor for Varsity Football Cheer
    Lloyd Hyten as the Assistant HS Boys Basketball Coach
    Rob Nichols as the Head MS Boys Basketball Coach

2.  The board approved the Assistant HS Boys Basketball Position at 11%.  

3.  The board approved the following additions to the substitute teacher list: Rickey Byers-Substitute Bus Driver.   

4.  The board accepted the following resignations and retirements:
    April Aldridge-High School Girls Tennis Coach
    Kasity Twaddell-Special Services Paraprofessional
    Carrie Mosbey-Special Services Paraprofessional
    Will Andrews-Bus Mechanic

    Retirement of: Alejo Castro-Bus Driver and Mail Delivery

5.  The board approved a recommendation to allow paraprofessionals to receive 7 days of holiday pay.  

Items presented to the board for informational purposes for future meetings or for discussion include:

Winter/Spring Coaches Evaluations
Update on SCEC Insurance Consortium
Paraprofessional Wages and Classified salary schedules
Administrative Discussion