Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Bernie, Missouri - Nathan Chaney Kester has been recognized as one of the Bernie Parents as Teachers "Students of the Month" for August 2014.
Nathan is the three-year-old son of James and Becky Kester. He will also be celebrating a birthday this month!
He enjoys swimming, riding his bike, cutting and pasting projects, painting, and plying with dough. Nathan gets excited about finding new tomatoes in his garden and he likes to win games.
His mom, Becky enjoys PAT because she says it has given her new ideas for learning games as well as various other resources to help map his development.
If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Paige Williams at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website. For more information click HERE.
Our Vision
All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.
Our Mission
To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Our Values
The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.
Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.
Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.
All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.
An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.
History
In 1981, Missouri pioneered the concept of helping parents embrace their important role as their child’s first and best teacher. Today, Parents as Teachers continues to equip early childhood organizations and professionals with information and tools that are relevant—and widely applicable—to today’s parents, families and children.
The Parents as Teachers leadership team and Board of Directors is engaged in a three-year strategic plan, which positions the organization as a valued partner to support the organizations and professionals who serve families and children, especially those most vulnerable.
The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.
Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and parent education to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development from the beginning could help improve school readiness and parent involvement.
With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement Parents as Teachers programs in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and six other countries.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Stoddard County, Missouri – To all the teachers, administrators, and coaches WELCOME back to school! You work in a professional that allows a fresh start each school season. Whether it’s new students, new crayons or new textbooks, you have a feeling of rejuvenation. The opportunities are there for you to make it, “The Best Year Ever!!!!”
As parents we sometimes forget to show our appreciation to a coach or a teacher, but we are very thankful for what they have done for our youth. They are the educators and protectors of our children while we are at work.
I truly believe we have the best teachers in Southeast Missouri educating our future leaders of this great nation. Area teachers give our children the strength and encouragement to strive to be the very best! They give confidence to those who need a little extra and they give courage to those who wish to roar like a lion. They are patient and they facilitate our children to evolve into well-educated adults.
As a teacher you will never be forgotten.
Thank you for caring about our children.
Thank you for keeping our students wanting to come to school each and every day!
Thank you for shaping the minds of our children and their future!
Thank you for choosing to be a TEACHER!
We hope you have an exciting school year and that our children learn and "behave" for you in school! Good luck to the 2014-2015 school season and God Bless!
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - The Stoddard County Health Coalition is holding its’ first Health Fair on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Southwest Elementary gym, 915 W. Grant St. in Dexter from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
A wide variety of health care providers will be offering testing for cholesterol, blood sugar, skin cancer, bone density, body mass index and blood pressure. Other healthcare resources include screenings for vision and hearing, developmental stages, growth charts and a wellness profile.
There will be demonstrations on safety, fitness and nutrition. Dr. Bobby Jibben will also be providing free sports physicals for Stoddard County athletes from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Admission is free. Everyone will register at the door and receive a diagram of the location of all booths. There will be door prizes from each organization and a grand prize of six Redbird Club tickets at a total value of $822.00. The tickets are for Sunday, September 14, 2014 Cardinals vs. Rockies at Busch Stadium at 1:15 p.m. Drawings will be held for the door prizes and the Cardinal tickets near the end of the health fair. You do not have to be present to win.
The following organizations will have booths at the health fair: Air Evac, Bootheel Counseling Services, DAEOC, Dexter Medical Center, Dexter Parents as Teachers, Ferguson Medical Group, Four Oaks Hospice, Golden Living Center, Jibben Medical, LaBonne Maison Assisted Living, Regional Healthcare Foundation (M2M and Pres. Drug Assis.), One Mile Smile, Stoddard Co. Ambulance District, Stoddard Co. Public Health Center, Stoddard Co. Health Coalition, Southeast Health of Stoddard County, Southeast Home Health of Stoddard Co., Southeast MO Behavioral Health, SEMO Health Network, and University of MO Extension.
Stoddard County Health Coalition sponsors preparing
for the 2014 Stoddard County Health Fair
Those pictured left to right are: Amy Ellinghouse, SoutheastHealth of Stoddard County, Janet Coleman, Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Bobby Jibben, Jibben Medical Clinic and Lisa Thrower, Regional Healthcare Foundation. Those sponsors not pictured are Melanie Stoelting, Dexter PAT, Amber Windhorst, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Debbie Pleimling, Stoddard County Public Health Center.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – The Stoddard County Veteran’s Honor Guard needs our assistance! They have dedicated hundreds of hours of service to provide military honors at funerals for those who have served our country and it time for us to give back.
Saturday, August 9, 2014 the will be an “Honor Our Honor Guard Dinner and Dance” at the Dexter Armory on Hwy 114 just east of the Dexter Airport. All proceeds will go for the purchase and maintenance of uniforms for the Stoddard County Honor Guard.
Just in the past year the Stoddard County Honor Guard has performed over 100 graveside services and numerous other parades and official ceremonies. Each time their uniform must be properly cleaned and over the years the uniforms have become frayed and worn. A new uniform cost approximately $600. Aside from having to purchase uniforms that have already seen better days, uniforms for new members have to be purchased as well. There has been some turnover in recent years due to members passing and uniforms can only be altered so many times.
Fifteen wonderful men became the first Stoddard County Veterans Honor Guard in 2003 to provide military honors for those who served. We as a community owe them so much for their continued dedication and service to our loved ones who are buried at the State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Over the years they have consisted of veterans from all over the county who represent all veteran’s organization including the American Legion Posts, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter. Besides honoring the fallen they have provided services for parades and official ceremonies throughout Stoddard County.
Saturday night will be a night to honor those who have served in the Honor Guard. The entertainment will be awesome! The barbecue dinner will be delicious! Bring the entire family! Tickets for adults are $15 each, $25 for couples, and only $10 for those who wear their military uniform. Children 10 years and younger are only $5.00 each.
Tickets are available at Elderland Restaurant in Bloomfield (573-568-2866) or from Brenda Pruitt (573-820-3882). The event will be from 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
This event is sponsored by the Stoddard County Honor Guard Citizen Support Committee.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – The Southeast Missouri Regional Jazz Orchestra will provide an evening of musical entertainment at Dexter’s First Assembly of God Church. The concert is FREE and the public is encouraged to attend.
The orchestra provides two summer concerts in the region with the next in Kennett on Saturday, August 2nd at the First Christian Church at 5:00 p.m.
They will perform many different styles of music including classic jazz, swing, Latin, and funk tunes. Selections include: The Star-Spangled Banner, Johnny’s Theme, Bill, Little Brown Jug, West Side Story Suite, Brass Machine, Soft as Velvet, Hit the Ground Running, In the Mood, Beauty and the Beast, Corner Pocket, Village Dance, La Fiesta, Makin’ Whoopee, Fly Me to the Moon, and The Chicken.
This volunteer group of musicians is comprised of 18 individuals and five local teachers Scott Rybolt, Adam Clark, James Eldreth, Cody Jinkerson, and Corey Bennett. Dexter High School Band director Scott Rybolt serves as the conductor of the group. This is the 15th year the group has performed.
The Saxophone Section is comprised of Dr. Kyle Dare, Superintendent of Puxico Public Schools, Lauren Dudley, former Dexter band student and current music student at Arkansas State University. Brandon Moore, former Dexter band student and is currently attending the University of North Texas as a music major, Scott Rybolt band director at Dexter High School, Pride Wilder, paraprofessional/teacher aid at East Carter Elementary School in Ellsinore.
The Trumpet Section is comprised of Adam Clark, third grade teacher at Dexter Central Elementary School, Brooke DeArman, Admissions Specialist at Southeast Missouri State University, James Eldreth, Music Teacher at Dexter Southwest Elementary School, Jeremy Frazier, Band Director at Scott County Central High School, and Cody Jinkerson, Band Director at Dexter T.S. Hill Middle School.
The Trombone Section consists of Corey Bennett, Dexter High School English Teacher, Ken DeArman, Banker at the Isle of Capri Casino in Cape Girardeau, Matt Gates, Southeast Missouri State University music student, and Alex Martin, Teacher from Chaffee High School.
The Rhythm Section is comprised of Kyle Clay on the Bass Guitar, a Southeast Missouri State University music student, Owen Flowers on percussion, former Dexter band student and is currently attending Harding University, Addison Moore on percussion and is currently attending Dexter High School, and Samantha Schupback on piano is a music teacher at Bell City Schools.
Come out for an enjoyable evening of entertainment. The church is located at 911 Brown Pilot Lane in Dexter. Concert begins at 5:00 p.m.
Photo is from once of many practice sessions in 2013.
