Dexter, Missouri - Each year the Stuff A Bus campaign brings joy and much needed foods for the elderly and those who are struggling to pay bills and buy food. The students love collecting the non-perishable foods and delivering a "bus" full to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.
Last year nearly 18,000 canned and non-perishable food items were collected at Dexter Schools. They set a new record and it is their hope to set another new record this year.
While shopping this week, please pick up an extra case or a few cans of vegetables and send them with your student by Friday, December 9, 2016. Each building is competing to see who collects the most food. Williams Moving will provide the truck to haul the food to the Mission and hopefully there will be a cookie party for the winning school building.
"This is our 5th year of collecting for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission," stated Judy Patterson, freshman/junior high school counselor. "It's my last one as I am retiring at the end of the 2017 school year. I just hope we break another record."
The High School initiated the competition between the schools five years ago to help the local Mission with food for the holidays.
Southwest Elementary, Central Elementary, T.S. Hill Middle School and the Dexter Senior High School will all be competing for delicious treats! The school that brings in the most cans will receive home-made cookies from OPAA, their food service company!
Items needed for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission are dry goods and canned goods such as pasta, spaghetti, canned vegetables and fruits, mac & cheese, cookies, crackers, peanut butter, and any item that is non-perishable.
Throughout the Christmas Season people come together and realize how fortunate they are and also how some families are in great need this time of year. The Stuff A Bus event was such a great hit the past four years they hope to continue to participate for many years to come to help those in Stoddard County.
We should feel very proud to live in such a community that is always willing to give back any chance we can. We hope to see the Stuff A Bus event continue to positively affect many families for as long as possible.
Shown in the photo representing Central Elementary are from left to right: Jake Pain, Ryan Goode, Maddi Sutton, and Avery Ackman.
Columbia, Missouri - Emily Johns had the honors of earning 4th Chair French Horn at the 2016 - 2017 Missouri All-State Concert Band auditions in Columbia, Missouri on Saturday, December 3, 2016.
Only 8 French Horns and 2 alternates were accepted to this prestigious ensemble. The Missouri Music Educators Association in cooperation with the Missouri Bandmasters Association, Missouri Association for Jazz Education, American String Teachers Association, and the American Choral Directors Association will present an All-Festival Concert at Tan-Tar-A Resort in January 2017.
Emily is the daughter of Kevin and Janet Johns and is a senior at Dexter High School.
She earned Honorable Mention at State her sophomore and junior years in high school.
"It has been a goal of mine to finally make the All-State Band," commented Johns. "I have been playing the French Horn for about 6 1/2 years now and I practice about 1 to 1 1/2 hours a day."
Bernie, Missouri - Lari Spitzer, daughter of Kevin and Lisa Spitzer of Bernie, was recognized at the annual Southeast Missouri State University Scholarship Reception held on November 4th at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.
More than 600 people attended the recognition event where more than 400 scholarship recipients were recognized for outstanding academic records, leadership, and/or athletic success.
Spitzer, a junior in early childhood education, was recognized as a recipient of the James M. and Joyce Petty Overby Family Scholarship, a scholarship endowed by former Bernie residents.
Joyce Overby and one of her three daughters, Diane Overby Sides, were on hand to congratulate Spitzer.
Spitzer is a 2015 graduate of Bernie High School and was active in Sr. Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Pep Club, and was also on the Academic Team and Publications. She was a member of the varsity softball team and varsity cheer.
This is the second year Sitzer has been awarded the Overby Family Scholarship.
Shown in the provided photo are from left to right: Joyce Overby, Diane Overby Sides, Lari Spitzer, and Dr. Carlos Vargas, President of Southeast Missouri State University.
Dexter, Missouri - The Second grade classes of Mrs. Boyer, Mrs. Massey, Mrs. Mick, and Mrs. Nelson along with Mrs. Amber Duley, the Music Director of Southwest Elementary will provide an evening of entertainment.
It's "A Rollicking Musical for Young Voices" by Teresa Jennings and Karl Hitzemann. They perform at Southwest Elementary on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the gym. This even is open to the public! Everyone is encouraged to attend.
A special performance was held today at 2:00 p.m. for the students at Southwest Elementary and teachers. Photos can be seen on the ShowMe Times Facebook page.
Songs are "Hola From Pinataville, Arrr!, What Should We Do?, Pepper Music, Forgiveness Is the Treasure We Seek, and Jolly Fiesta!"
Special thanks to Gabe Greer - Assistant Director and Lighting Technician, High School Cadets - John Smith, Blyne Goodman, and Haley Cornett, Pirate Ship Construction was made possible by David and Melissa Petzoldt, First Baptist Church of Dexter, Dexter Music Center, and Parents Teacher Organization.
Dexter, Missouri - Many people were talking about a potential threat to our children attending Dexter public schools today. Amy James has issued a SchoolReach text alert and sent the ShowMe Times information to share with the public. Thank you for all your concerns today! Safety of our students is a priority!
"As many of you know accusations of threats towards our school circulated on social media over the weekend."
"Please be aware, an investigation has been conducted by our high school administration, the juvenile authorities, and the Dexter Police Department. There is currently no threat to our students or staff at this time. School is being conducted as normal. The safety of our students and staff is our utmost priority."
Thank you,
Amy James
Director of Special Services
Director of Federal Programs
District Compliance Officer
Dexter R-XI School District
If you see a school or student threat on Social Media please contact your local police department. Save the image so the police may track it down.
