Local Schools

Free Meals for Younger Grades Increases Participation
September 28th 2017 by Dee Loflin
Free Meals for Younger Grades Increases Participation
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Free breakfast and lunch is being offered this year to all students, grades pre-K through third, in an effort to help ensure children are receiving the proper nutrition throughout the school day.

Thus far the number of meals served at Early Childhood, Kindergarten Center, Eugene Field, Lake Road, Oak Grove and O’Neal has increased by over 100 students per day, Chartwells School Dining Services reported during the school board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 21.

“One of our goals here is to increase participation in our school cafeteria lines,” said Rod Priest, R-I assistant superintendent of business. “We do have a lot of kids that bring their lunch to school, which is fine, but we also want to encourage kids to enjoy a nutritional, well-balanced meal at no charge if they don’t have the resources at home.”

Over the summer the district elected to take advantage of the Community Eligibility Program, which the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education rolled out in recent years for high poverty districts to streamline paperwork and eliminate any possible stigma for families.

Schools can be grouped together and a multiplier is used to determine the identified student population based on the current free and reduced lunch rate. In Poplar Bluff, removing the fourth grade from the elementary configuration caused the ISP to concentrate at the lower grade levels, where children in need tend to be more prevalent, according to officials.

“We’re dealing with young families just getting started in their careers with entry level jobs,” Priest explained. “Fortunately, by the time the kid gets in upper grades, the free and reduced number declines, which we attribute to families getting more established in their jobs and the community.”

Efforts are also being made at the Middle School, Junior High and the High School to improve menu choices for students at a cost of $1.55 for breakfast and $2.25 for lunch, or 30 and 40 cents respectively under the National School Lunch Program. Chartwells leads a program called Chef2School during which an executive chef visits dozens of classrooms each month introducing healthy foods to students.

At Junior High, breakfast participation increased by about 100 meals since last week due to a new ‘grab and go’ offering after first period. The popular second chance breakfast was made available at Senior High beginning last school year. At the Middle School, a cart was placed in the lobby area of the gymnasium containing hot and cold items for bus riders.

The High School incorporated a made-to-order omelet option during 2016/17, and Middle School and Junior High will soon have fruit smoothie stations made by V8. Chartwells recently submitted a waiver under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act so whole grains in biscuits, noodles, tortillas and pizza crust are no longer required since the product seemed to be impacting participation company-wide.

“It’s a good thing for parents if they would take advantage of [Chartwells] and not send kids with a bagged lunch, because we offer them all five of the food groups. Each meal includes a meat, grain, fruit, vegetable and dairy,” said Dixie Hardin, food services director.

Chartwells Food Services Director Dixie Hardin is awarded by (left) Regional Vice President James Paladenic and District Manager Daniel Wolff the 2017 Compass in the Community award out of 65 districts for her leadership in efforts such as Mule Packs, the annual Community Thanksgiving and hosting a Christmas dinner for area children in foster care.

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

Last Updated on September 28th 2017 by Dee Loflin




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Bernie Positive Office Referrals for Week September 25, 2017
September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin
Bernie Positive Office Referrals for Week September 25, 2017

Bernie, Missouri - Kellie Owens, Bernie R-12 School District has announced the students who received Positive Office Referrals for week September 25, 2017

Students who earn such an honor also received a Subway Sandwich Gift Card and a POR Certificate.

These students were referred for displaying positive behavior!

Each student who receives a positive office referral also receives a certificate for a free meal to Subway!

Lexy Taylor is a 6th grader in Mrs. Noe’s class.  Mrs. Noe says Lexy is always helping out.  

Destiny Tropf is a 6th grader in Mrs. Noe’s class.  Destiny is working so hard this school year.  This is the second time Destiny has had a positive office referral!

Wyatt Lashley is a 6th grader in Mrs. Noe’s class.  Mrs. Noe says he always comes in and cleans the room even though he didn’t mess it up.  

Preston Williams is a 6th grader in Mrs. Noe’s class and was referred for always putting the computers up.

Trinity Atchison is a 4th grader in Mrs. Baker’s class and was referred by Mrs. Collier and by Mrs. Arnold for helping a teacher pick up items she dropped.

Taylor Stanfield is a 5th grader in Mrs. Collier’s class and was referred for helping a staff member and putting up chairs at the end of the day.  

Camden Stoner is a 4th grader in Mrs. Baker’s class.  Mrs. Garner referred Camden for helping a staff member and opening the door.

Jonah Copeland is a 5h grader and was referred by Mrs. Collier and Mrs. Thomason.  He was referred by both teachers for doing kind things and helping them.  This is Jonah’s third time to be referred this school year!  

Makalie Mekan is a 4th grader in Mrs. Baker’s class.  Mrs. Arnold referred Makalie for helping a staff member and helping her pick up items she dropped.  

Taylor Lawrence is a 1st grader in Mrs. Richey’s class.  Mrs. Richey referred Taylor for sharing his library book with a student who did not have a book.  

Dyson Arnold is a 2nd grader in Mrs. Huber’s class and was referred by Mrs. Stone for helping students in the hallway and always being so kind.  This is Dyson’s second time to have a positive office referral!

Aubrey Budde is a 4th grader in Mrs. Smith’s class.  Mrs. Smith referred Aubrey for being honest and returning something she had already received.

Pictured from left to right are Lexy Taylor, Destiny Tropf, Wyatt Lashley, Preston Williams, Trinity Atchison, Taylor Stanfield, Camden Stoner, Jonah Copeland, Makalie Mekan, Taylor Lawrence, Dyson Arnold, and Aubrey Budde.


Last Updated on September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin




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2017 DHS Football Homecoming Queen - Miss Whitney White
September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin
2017 DHS Football Homecoming Queen - Miss Whitney White

Dexter, Missouri - The 2017 DHS Football Homecoming Queen is Miss Whitney White.  

Second Alternate is Miss Hannah Thurmon and First Alternate is Miss Hannah Smith.

Hannah Smith is the daughter of Delmar Smith and theresa Burnett and is a junior at Dexter High School.

Hannah Thurmon is a senior and is the daughter of Matt and Mindy Thurmon.

Whitney White is a senior and is the daughter of Debbie Hamlett.

She was nominated by the football team.

She is a member of Busy Bearcats Laundry Team and Friday afternoon Hallway Pep Leader.

Her future plans are to graduate high school, participate in a work program, and go to ARC events with her friends.

Congratulation Whitney on becoming Dexter High School Football Homecoming Queen for 2017!!


Last Updated on September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin




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2016 Retiring DHS Football Homecoming Queen - Margo Nea
September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin
2016 Retiring DHS Football Homecoming Queen - Margo Nea

Dexter, Missouri - The 2017 DHS Football Homecoming Queen Coronation was held on Friday, September 22, 2017 at Charles Bland Stadium. The 2016 retiring DHS Football Homecoming Queen was Miss Margo Nea.

Margo is the daughter of Mark and Amber Nea.

While attending Dexter High School she was involved in cross country, basketball cheer, track and field, Sr. Beta Club, Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Her future plans are to attend the University of Missouri - Columbia.

Her escort was Gabe Jackson.

Gabe is a senior and the son of Kim and Dale Jackson.

He is a member of the varsity football team, varsity basketball team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America, and Sr. Beta Club.


Last Updated on September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin




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2017 DHS Football Homecoming Candidate - Bailee Williams
September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin
2017 DHS Football Homecoming Candidate - Bailee Williams

Dexter, Missouri - The 2017 DHS Football Homecoming Queen Coronation was held on Friday, September 22, 2017 at Charles Bland Stadium.  The tenth and final homecoming candidate of the evening was Bailee Williams.

Bailee is a senior and the daughter of Steve and Casey Williams.

She was nominated by the varsity volleyball team.

Bailee is a member of varsity volleyball, basketball cheer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Teachers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, Sr. Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Chamber Choir.

Her future plans are to attend Arkansas State University - Jonesboro where she will obtain a degree in physical therapy.

Her escort was Spencer Owens.

Spencer is the son of Tracy and Randy Huber.

He is a member of the varsity baseball team, varsity football team, Sr. Beta Club, Pep Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Teachers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, and Chamber Choir.


Last Updated on September 25th 2017 by Dee Loflin




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