Dexter High School is an exciting place this fall. Floors have been buffed to the traditional back-to-school glow, and classrooms and hallways received the obligatory paint spruce-up. New cabinets and counter tops have been installed in the Family and Consumer Science (FACS) classroom, and a new science curriculum added -- geared toward students who are interested in the bio-medical field. These and many other changes and updates greeted students when they returned to classes last week.
"I want school to be a positive and exciting place for students and faculty," says Principal Alana Dowdy. "I want students to feel safe, to feel good about themselves, and to want to come to school each day."
To that end, Dowdy and her team have worked to make the high school atmosphere inviting, inspiring and responsive to the needs of students.
"We have been fortunate to be able to secure grants and donations -- both monetary and physical -- that have allowed us to make many of the updates we now have in place," Dowdy explained.
Hallways and classrooms boast the red, white and black school colors, and bearcats -- the school mascot -- appear randomly around the school. Also in view are motivational quotations, glimpses of former students and high school advice from faculty members. Comfortable modular seating has replaced old wooden benches in the cafeteria lobby, and two ping pong tables provide for students and faculty.
"It is great to walk through here at lunch and see students and faculty members sharing a break from the classroom," Dowdy said. "We obtained two tables last spring, and will add a third after school begins; however, the students will vote and decide on the type table we choose."
The old concession stand in that lobby has been transformed into the Bearcat Den. Snacks and bearcat gear will be available for purchase there.
"Many times students leave school to attend various competitions, and they don't have the opportunity to eat. Now they can stop by the Bearcat Den and buy a snack to help hold them over," Dowdy said.
A large display board in the upper lobby features a map of the world surrounded by brief bios and photos of DHS graduates.
"I want students to feel connected; not only to their classmates, but to the school and everyone who ever graduated from here. I want them to know, that no matter where life takes them, this is always home," Dowdy explained about her reason for implementing the graduate board.
Dowdy says the board also helps students realize there is life outside Dexter, and they can achieve whatever they dream, as long as they are willing to work to gain it.
Bearcat painting
One of the most noticeable changes this year is that the large bearcat in the main entry hall has been replaced.
"This was a very difficult decision," Dowdy observes. "That bearcat had been there for close to 40 years, and many people had a nostalgic attachment to it. However, through the years it had been touched up numerous times, and at some point, even gum, which had been stuck on it, was simply painted over. We had a professional painter come in to try and salvage it, but he said because of the variety of paints used, the quality of the paints, and the age, it would be impossible to match colors. So, we decided to paint over it and cover it with a vinyl banner..
"Luckily, I found a photo that served as the model for the original bearcat painting, so I had that framed, and it is displayed in the lobby showcase," Dowdy continued. "We will always have a visual memory of that bearcat."
As students enter the main hall they are now greeted with words of optimism, encouragement and character building.
"The words on that wall are reflective of the messages I try to convey to students daily -- to stay tough, to work hard no matter what job they're tackling, to believe in themselves, and to be part of the solution," she said.
Another area of change at the high school is in the FACS classroom.
"Thanks to donations, grants and reduced cost for supplies, this classroom received a major updating," Dowdy explained.
Students now have new kitchen and laundry appliances, cabinets, counter tops and sinks. Several new sewing machines and a smart TV were able to be added, as well.
College credit, curriculum additions
In the science department, a new curriculum called Project Lead-the-Way is being implemented this fall.
"This program is designed for students to follow all four years, but that is not mandatory," Dowdy said. "However, those who do follow the four-year tract will have the opportunity to graduate with up to 12 hours of credit from Missouri S&T, which is the supervising university for this program."
Dowdy said that several areas of study are available in Project Lead-the-Way, but since they could only afford one, they chose bio-medical.
"Project Lead-the-Way is DESE endorsed, and funded through a grant," Dowdy explained. "It does not replace our other science courses, but offers an option to those students who are considering a career in a biological-related field."
Other curriculum additions at the high school include the opportunity for students to study any foreign language via the Rosetta Stone program, and an on-line learning lab that will allow students to take on-line college credit courses. The college credit will mainly be basic general education classes from Three Rivers and SEMO. Also new this fall are Advanced Placement (AP) classes in psychology, physics and biology. These are in addition to AP language and AP literature, which are already available. AP U.S. history is offered every other year.
A new broadcast class will offer students the experience of writing, speaking and filming for public presentation. During this class, students will film daily announcements which will be aired on classroom TVs via YouTube during eighth hour advisory. Advisory is new this year, too.
"We have had advisory at different times in the past, but we decided to add it at the end of the day because that is when we seem to have the most disruptions to class time," Dowdy explained.
This past summer students had the opportunity, for the first time, to participate in credit acquisition classes. These classes met daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for nine days. There were 29-day sessions, allowing students to earn credit in health, personal finance, PE or cadet teaching. The addition of credit acquisition allows students more flexibility in their year-long schedules when they are involved in activities like choir and band.
"Because students had to attend a certain number of hours, which is determined by the state, there was no opportunity for make-up of missed classes," Dowdy said. "Students had to be present all day every day to earn the credit. If a student missed, he/she was automatically removed from the program."
Seniors
In addition to academics, Dowdy has introduced a few new dimensions to the senior-year experience. Last spring seniors received a "clap out" as they exited the halls for the last time, and at graduation, district-wide faculty were arrayed in academic robes and greeted seniors as they marched toward their seats.
"So many students expressed gratitude because we made this time so special," Dowdy said. "It was heartwarming to see the tears in their eyes."
Also new this school year is assigned parking. During the summer the parking lot was striped and parking spaces numbered. The parking places were assigned on a first-come-first-served basis, Dowdy said.
"We began with seniors to let them pick their spot. It started at 7:30 a.m., so those who arrived early and got in line, were the first to choose," she said.
In addition to regular parking, Star Student parking will be available for the top 10 juniors and seniors each quarter.
Last Thursday seniors began their last first day with Senior Sunrise. Students met in the bleachers at 5:45 to greet the sunrise. Mothers provided breakfast, and Dowdy provided words of inspiration and encouragement.
"I told them that this is a new year and reminded them they have complete control over the events that shape their senior year. I encouraged them, as I always do, to do their best and give it all they've got," she said.
There will be a senior sunset on their last day of classes in the spring to reflect on the year that has passed, and to look forward to the future that lies ahead.
It was not too many years ago that Dowdy, herself, was a student at DHS. She came to Dexter as a high school social studies teacher, following stints at Bell City, Bloomfield and the Stoddard County Alternative School.
When asked about the motivating force that drives her excitement for the school and her students, she replied, "I want to meet the needs of all students and prepare each one, to the best of our ability, for what lies ahead, and I hope that by providing an exciting, encouraging atmosphere, students will take pride in our school and in themselves."