Essex, Missouri – Today, the students of Richland High School and Elementary School kicked off their school- and community-wide Backpack Program by wearing orange for “Go Orange Day”. Go Orange Day was created is supported by No Kid Hungry: Show Our Strength, Action Against Hunger, Food Bank of America, Feeding America, and other well-known organizations with the same goal. It is a program that is growing quickly across the nation that is helping to end hunger in America. No Kid Hungry helps students and kids in different parts of the country eat breakfast before school, eat lunch while at school, and be able to go home to a nice meal at dinner time so they are able to grow properly and have the nutrition they need.
Today, Thursday, September 5th, was the official kickoff for the nationwide Hunger Action Month. Go Orange Day is a day that helps bring awareness of the large issue that even exists in our small communities. Buildings, landmarks, and people across the country will go orange for the day to help make a statement. Richland was proud to be a part of this big day. All the Richland students ranging from kindergarteners to seniors in high school get to play a part of this month-long-movement that has a real and lasting impact on the mission to end hunger in America.
The students and faculty were proud to wear orange today and are excited to continue participating in the upcoming events put together by the school nurse, Carly Jones. Go Orange Day also kicked off the Backpack Program, which was first put together last year by Jones, the High School Beta Club, and their sponsor Stephanie Monroe.
The Richland School District’s Backpack Program was created to service those in need in our community by packing backpacks full of food each and every Friday so that the students and families in need will be able to have nutritious meals all throughout the weekend. This year, the students are proud to announce that they will be serving even more families than last year. The Beta Club members will now spend each and every Friday in the nurse’s office, helping fill backpacks with food that will help provide our local families with weekend meals.
Days like today remind us that hunger is closer than we think. The Beta Club and the rest of the Richland students, along with other high school clubs, will be holding food drives throughout the fall to support their Backpack Program along with the local food banks.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Over 300 students participated and enjoyed the back to school dance last Thursday evening. What a way to get back into the swing of going to school!!
Above is a calm, happy photo of the middle school students. Below is a more REALISTIC crazy bunch of great students who had a blast! Students took some wild and wacky photos at the dance along with wearing some glow jewelry, glow headbands and the like.
The Middle School sure knows how to have fun! Makes this writer want to go back and relieve those glory days again!
We hope all the 6th, 7th and 8th graders have a fantastic school year! Go Bearcats!!!!
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Jessica Loflin, valedictorian of the Dexter class of 2013 said her first few days as a college student at Southeast Missouri State University have been pretty exciting.
“I have been to several Opening Week events and plan to join several clubs on campus this week,” she said. “ I was really nervous the first day being on campus without knowing anyone, but I have already ran into two of my classmates, Damian Glasener and Austin Richardson and another Dexter graduate, Shelby Lintz.” Shelby volunteered at the SEMO Back to School Picnic held in the ShowMe Center.
Loflin is among the class of new freshmen who began their college career when fall 2013 classes got under way at Southeast on Monday of this week. “Total Southeast enrollment stands at 11,367 today, up 2.1 percent from this time last year. Today’s report makes this the 19th consecutive year of steady enrollment growth at the University.”
Dr. Bruce Skinner, assistant vice president for Student Success and director of the Office of Residence Life, said 2,934 students are living in campus residence halls this fall.
Loflin is attending Southeast because it was close to home and has a very well known pre-veterinary medicine program. She must complete this coursework before she is able to apply directly to the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching College in Columbia, Missouri. She has also been accepted to the Jane Stephens Honors Program and is currently taking two Honors courses.
She says she is following in the footsteps of her mother, Dee Loflin and her grandfather, Dan Gier, who are both Southeast alumni. “Everyone one on campus is so nice and helpful and there is so much Redhawk spirit here! I think I am going to have lots of fun here at Southeast!”
“Dr. Debbie Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success and dean of students, agrees, citing Southeast’s recent selection to participate in the State of Missouri’s Completion Academy next month in St. Louis. The Academy promotes access to higher education at an affordable cost while directing students on a path to graduate in the most efficient manner possible.”
“This demonstrates the University’s commitment to providing access to a high quality, affordable college education,” she said. “By the year 2035, 60 percent or more of new jobs created will require a college education,” Below said. “A campus-wide effort is in place to support new students – to help them realize success in their first year – to find the career path that is right for them – and to graduate.
“This is a special University, and the University’s faculty and staff are committed to offering an educational environment where every student can succeed,” Below said. “The reason we are here is to help these undergraduate students graduate from college and enter the career they are striving towards.”
“I am having a great time,” according to Austin Richardson, Dexter class of 2013, “I have already been swimming several times and living in Myers Hall is pretty cool.”
The Dexter community wishes all Southeast Missouri State University students well and keep us up-to-date on your accomplishments.
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Editor
Jefferson City, Missouri — Attention all Missouri 5th grade students and their teachers!!!! Here is a wonderful way to express your love for the outdoors and our planet!
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is asking Missouri fifth-graders to submit ideas for next year’s Earth Day slogan. The theme of Earth Day 2014 is “Watersheds” and the successful slogan contest entry will reflect that theme.
The winning student will be honored at Missouri’s 20th annual Earth Day celebration at the Missouri State Capitol Building. The winner will also receive a $50 gift card donated by Central Bank in Jefferson City. Entries will be accepted from Sept. 1 through Oct. 16 and the winner will be announced in December.
The contest is limited to Missouri fifth-grade students. In the event of duplicate slogan submissions, the winner will be determined by the date the entry was received.
The 2013 Earth Day theme was “Energy Efficiency”. The winning slogan was “Energy Efficiency: It’s a Bright Idea,” and was submitted by Shelby Stille from Montgomery City Elementary School.
Earth Day 2014 is free and open to the public. This fun and interactive event celebrates the environment and hosts numerous interactive displays and activities presented by the Department of Natural Resources and other state and federal agencies.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014 at the Missouri State Capitol Building and is targeted toward fifth-graders.
Visit the Department of Natural Resources’ website for more information on the Earth Day 2014 Celebration, including contest entry forms and resources for educators who want to register their classes to attend Earth Day 2014 events. More information on Missouri watersheds is also online.
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Deadline is soon! Applications for first time test takers of the GED exam must be postmarked no later than Sunday, Sept. 1.
The deadline for repeat test takers to apply is Monday, Nov. 4.
Come 2014, the GED test will be replaced by the high school equivalency test, as decided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The HiSET test will cover the same subjects as the present GED: math, reading, writing, science and social studies.
The cost of the new test will increase to $95, which includes an application fee of $60 plus a charge of $7 per section. Any section may be retaken up to three times within the application year for an additional $7.
The application for the GED test is available here, or at the Adult Learning Center on the Three Rivers College campus in Poplar Bluff. Office hours are 8 a.m.-noon and 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Applications must be mailed to: GED Office; P.O Box 480; Jefferson City, MO 65102. The cost is $20 and can be paid by money order or cashiers check to: Treasurer, state of Missouri. A credit card may be used online.
For more information, contact the Adult Learning Center at 573-686-2011.
