You could call Trai Sidney a “Math wiz”.
Trai is a sixth grade student at Dexter’s T.S. Hill Middle School and has excelled in a new mathematics program called Apangea Math.
In Apeangea Math students are able to use a computer and with the help of an "avatar", do a ‘load’ of math problems. If they need help, their "teacher" on the computer screen gives them hints.
Students move at their own speed and are able to earn points, which can be exchanged for prizes.
Trai recently earned enough points to receive a FREE T-shirt in the mail. He is the first Dexter middle school student to "cash in" on a prize.
According to Middle School Principal Scott Kruse, Apangea is a web-based math program that students can access from school or home.
“Trai earned over 30,000 points doing Apangea lessons during class and at home,” Kruse said. Most of Trai’s points were earned outside of school.
Kruse said that middle school students have solved more than 26,000 math problems since October using Apangea.
This program provides individualized math tutoring by taking students through lessons.
Students work at their own pace and have access to on-line tutors if they need additional help.
As students make progress they earn "Apangea Points" which they can redeem for T-Shirts and gift cards (gift cards are available from retailers like Amazon, Macy's, Pizza Hut, iTunes, and others).
Photo Above: Trai holds the t-shirt he received from points he earned in the Apangea Math program. Trai is a sixth grade student at T.S. Hill Middle School in Dexter. (Photo courtesy T.S. Hill Middle School)
FFA Stays Busy
The Dexter Future Farmers of America members have been busy this week delivering the fruit that was sold during the annual fruit sale during the end of September. The chapter sells fruit and other items to fund all of it's activities. The chapter members would like to thank the community for once again supporting the Dexter FFA chapter. Pictured with a few of the items that they sold during their annual fundraiser are (from left) Dexter FFA members Sarah Jones, Chelsey Massey, Shanna Gant , Drew Crider, Jessica Snider and Jennifer Aslin. (Photo submitted by SMT and FFA Advisory Ronnie Shipman. Thanks, Mr. Shipman!)
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
It was a day to huddle around a pair of barbecue grills, not crack the books or take a quiz.
But for the young women and men of the Dexter Chapter of Future Farmers of America, it was also a day to show their appreciation of the faculty and administrators at Dexter High School.
The FFA Chapter held a “shop barbecue” lunch recently, with students working at the barbecue grills, cleaning up the Ag Shop, setting up tables and chairs, and playing hosts to the school’s faculty and administrators.
Teachers went through the barbecue line during the regular lunch shirts at DHS. Several administrators, including Supt. Dr. Thomas Sharp and assistant superintendents Dr. Kim Flowers and Dr. Roger Alsup also attended the luncheon.
The FFA members prepared hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and “all the fixin’s”. One FFA member even prepared special FFA Cupcakes – complete with FFA Blue icing and gold piping on top.
The chicken was donated to the barbecue by Tyson in Dexter, traditionally strong supporters of the DHS Future Farmers program.
FFA Advisor Ronnie Shipman said the FFA Chapter tries to hold barbecue lunches twice during the school year – in the fall and again in the spring.
The local FFA group had a prize-winning float this fall in the Stoddard County Fair Parade, a number of members who won prizes at the fair, and recently held Parents Night and awarded the Greenhand Degree to 33 members and the FFA Chapter Degree to 20.
Photo Above: FFA member JT Putnam greets his mom, Laura, and the chapter's recently luncheon. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)
ShowMe Times Gallery
CAPE GIRARDEAU —“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” will bring a night of laughter and suspense to Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus Dec. 11.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall.
“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” was written by Maripat Donovan, author of the hilarious “Late Nite Catechism,” with the help of Jane Morris and Marc Silvia.
The play follows Sister’s quest to answer the age-long question: What happened to the Magi’s gold? Her investigation of the situation is highly comical and will leave the audience laughing in their seats. She uses her own scientific tools and the assistance of the local choir as well as some audience members to solve the mystery, creating a living nativity unlike any seen before.
“After last years’ presentation of the original ‘Late Nite Catechism,’ which received a rousing response from the Cape Girardeau audience, we had more requests to bring back ‘Sister’ than we have ever had for any other show,” said Bob Cerchio, assistant director at the River Campus. “When dozens upon dozens of people say, ‘Bring her back!’ – well, you bring her back.”
Tickets
Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampusEvents.com.
