Volume 13 Issue 1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Dexter High School is off to great start for the 2012-2013 school year. We have added 5 classes designed to help

students who need additional support. Four High School Graduation Assessment (HSGA) classes have been imple-

mented for students needing additional assistance to successfully complete New Mexico HSGA graduation require-

ments.

DHS has also implemented a new math class incorporating a program call Math-U-See. This class will provide sup-

port for students to solidify mathematical concepts.

In addition, 165 DHS students are enrolled in 295 dual enrollment college courses. Some dual enrollment courses are taught on

our campus by DHS teachers who are also ENMU-R adjunct professors. A number of students are bused to Roswell each morning

to attend dual enrollment classes at the ENMU-R campus. Another group of students is taking on-line dual enrollment courses at

Dexter High.

From an entire school perspective, the staff is working hard to provide challenging and relevant coursework to all students. Please

visit DHS anytime so you can see the positive things the students are accomplishing.

Page 2 First Quarter

“New learning

opportunities at

Dexter High School”

As we begin the 2012-2013

school year at Dexter Schools,

many exciting things are hap-

pening at the high school.

The New Mexico Standards

Based Assessment is rapidly

coming upon us and this year

we would like all parents, stu-

dents, and teachers to know

we have implemented some

new programs to help stu-

dents become more success-

ful when it comes to taking

the test, whether it is the New

Mexico Standard Based As-

sessment, the ACT, or the

SAT. The mission is to offer as

many learning opportunities

for our students both inside

and outside the classroom as

possible.

So, we have implemented a

Standard’s Based Assess-

ment preparation class for

students who might need ex-

tra learning opportunities re-

garding: test-taking skills, in-

terventions in reading and

mathematics, and other prep-

aration skills they will need

to be more successful in life.

This one semester elective-

credit class is designed to

give an in-depth concentra-

tion on those standards the

students will encounter as

they take state and college

entrance exams, with an em-

phasis in easy tips and strate-

gies to improve scores. This

class is not intended to take

the place of the regular and

rigorous instruction in the

core areas, but as a supple-

ment to enhance student abil-

ity in those core areas.

We are also offering on-line

learning opportunities for stu-

dents who would like to im-

prove their skills in reading

and mathematics outside the

classroom. This is available

on-line through OdysseyWare,

24 hours a day to students

who are enrolled in the SBA

prep classes and has been

customized to meet each indi-

vidual students’ needs based

on his/her MAP/SBA results.

This tailored approach really

emphasizes the specific defi-

ciencies of each student. If

you are interested in having

your student participate in

this on-line learning experi-

ence please contact the high

Volume 13 Issue 1

school office.

The high school is also offer-

ing ACT preparation opportu-

nities for any Junior or Senior

who would like targeted infor-

mation and practice on the

ACT. Starting September 11,

Tuesdays and Thursdays for

three weeks, practice tests

will be administered with re-

sults in: reading, English,

math, and science. Targeted

instruction will be adminis-

tered on problems missed

which will help increase test

scores and give students a

better chance for college en-

trance and scholarships.

That being said, the real prep-

aration for the NMSBA, or any

standardized test, begins with

your commitment to your chil-

dren’s education throughout

their school years. All fami-

lies should devote time and

effort to helping their stu-

dents learn, starting with

making sure that homework

gets done and reading every

day becomes a habit. Many

families also employ tutors or

an online learning program to

build fundamental skills. In

addition, families use test

prep programs or books to

help their children become

familiar with test formats and

time restrictions, learn test-

taking strategies (when to

guess, when not to), and prac-

tice strategies for different

types of questions. For in-

stance, in the case of a read-

ing passage followed by com-

prehension questions, many

test prep programs teach stu-

dents to scan the questions

prior to reading the passage

so that students will know

what areas of the text require

close reading.

We know these opportunities

will only improve student suc-

cess and with your help Dex-

ter Consolidated Schools will

continue to be a leader in the

Pecos Valley. We certainly

appreciate the commitment

by all the students, parents,

teachers, and administrators

in making this school year

successful.

DHS Annual 2012-2013

Currently in Annual we are brainstorm-

ing and trying to create a cover that we

feel will accurately reflect how the

school wants to remember the 2012-

2013 school year. We will be attending a

class at the college on September 26 to

better understand how to create a year-

book that we can proudly display all

throughout the district.

Page 3 First Quarter

Students working on SBA Preparation and Odyssey ware.

Yearbook Fundraiser: We are holding a fundraiser to finance a helpful and necessary class for Yearbook staff to learn how to create the best yearbook ever. For only $1, the world’s finest chocolates, with five flavors: Waffle Crisp, Almond, Milk choc-olate, Caramel, and Dark Almond. Please support our yearbook!

Volume 13 Issue 1

Thank You to Dexter National Fish Hatchery

The Dexter High School Science De-partment would like to thank the Dex-ter National Fish Hatchery for their generous donation of supplies. The Hatchery ordered laboratory kits and basic supplies worth $2,500.00. These supplies have already been delivered – and are being used!!! All science clas-ses will benefit from this donation. Physical Science and Physics now have sail carts, Hooke’s Law, and simple machine activities. Biology will be exploring the cell by completing labs on diffusion and osmosis, the mito-chondria and DNA. Chemistry will be able to explore physical separation of matter, ionic and covalent bonding, acid/base reactions and stoichiometry. And that just scratches the surface, because the Hatchery has also volun-teered to come speak to our students about what they do and how it relates to science (and it’s not just biology!). Thank you, thank you, thank you, for helping Dexter High School build a

Page 4 First Quarter

DEXTER FFA

It’s a brand new year, and that means a brand new set of officers for the

Dexter FFA Chapter. This year a nominating committee designated a

Chaplain, Alfonso Ramos, a Parliamentarian, Ethan Blanchard, a Histo-

rian, Shelby Luiz, a Sentinel, Ross Sterret, a Reporter, Bailey Turner, a

Treasurer, Joshua Beaver, a Secretary, Hannah Manneman, a Vice Presi-

dent, Tanner Thompson, and a President, Darci Thompson. As you can

see we have a pretty big officer team, and already we’re hard at work to

give back to the community, with plans to do new community service

projects every other month.

Dexter FFA is sending two teams, Agricultural Issues and Agricultural

Sales, to compete on the national level in Indianapolis, Indiana this Oc-

tober at the National FFA Convention. Tanner Thompson, Ross Sterret,

Joshua Beaver, Alfonso Ramos, Jaden Amaro, and Darci Thompson make up the Ag issues team. Dominic Castro, Hannah Manne-

man, Danielle Castro, Aldo Ramirez, and Bailey Turner make up the Ag Sales team. Also in October, the Dexter FFA will be helping

with the Grave’s corn maze. Dexter FFA has definitely hit the ground running this year! Our goal is to reach new heights and make

sure Dexter is a force to be reckoned with in the FFA world!

The Band We, the Dexter Blue Pride March-ing Band, are currently working on completing our half-time show for District Marching Band Competi-tion on October ninth at the Bull-dog Bowl in Artesia, New Mexico. Our half-time show consists of Yan-kee Doodle, Battle Cry of Freedom, and Amazing Grace. Despite our small size, we are playing louder and stronger than ever before to compensate for our size, memoriz-ing our music will assure us that we have a great chance for winning our District Marching Band Compe-tition. Besides working on having a great half-time show for competi-tion we are also preparing for the parade on October first at ten in the morning. Every Friday night we go out to the football games no matter where they are, to help support the football team.

better Science Department.

Dexter High School Gifted The Dexter High School Gifted class is studying Fibonacci aka Leonardo Pisa-no (that just means he was from Pisa). Fibonacci was an Italian merchant who was responsible for bringing the Hindu-Arabic number system to Italy around 1200AD. Thank goodness, can you imagine balancing your check book using Roman Numerals? Through this study our students will be relating math to art by discussing the Golden Mean, Divine Proportion, the Golden Ratio, Phi, the Golden Spiral, and of course Fibonacci numbers. After re-searching these different terms, we will create an art project. We are also trying to collect a MILE OF PENNIES to be used as part of the art project. When we are done with the pennies, they will be donated to our local food bank (In case you don’t want to do the math –my Gifted students did – that is about $844.00).

Dexter High Cheerleading Squad

That’s right, Demons! The cheerlead-ers are back in style. We have been working hard over the district. We recently participated in the new Pride bus parade and have been at every Friday night football game to support our team. Our uniforms came in this week and we are very excited to be cheering at all of the upcoming games. Thanks to our many sponsors! The cheerleaders this year are: Myrka Du-ran, Co-Captain; Kate Kloppenburg; Autumn Norris, Co-Captain; Lilyah Se-dillo, Mercedes Chaves; Katie Diggs; Audrey Clark; Mariana Miranda; Sonia

Sanchez and Judith Caro. The coach is the fabulous Lucie Hall with cheer mom, Su-zanne Diggs. Suzanne says, “we have a wonderful group of girls and I’m en-joying getting to know all of them!”

Volume 13 Issue 1

Volleyball The Lady Demon Volleyball squad has started their season off very strong. They are currently 4-0, taking the wins from Mescalero, Hagerman, Tularosa, and Melrose. The girls have won in 3 games in all four games. Every day they seem to be getting better and better. The enthusiasm, encouragement, and excitement that the girls have on the court are amazing! They have had some struggles through some of the games but the girls dig down deep and pull through to keep their winning season alive. The Lady Demons are currently in the Ft. Sumner Vixen Classic. They fin-ished second in their pool play and took

FOOTBALL Football season is in full swing as the Dexter Demons are preparing for homecoming game against the 4th ranked team in the state, Tucumcari Rattlers. The Demons were able to get a win against Highway 2 rival Hagerman Bobcats 35-7. The year started against the number 2 ranked team in the state, Texico Wolverines, with the Demons on the short end of a 19-0 game. Then the 3rd ranked Tula-rosa Wildcats came to Dexter for the Demons home opener. In a hotly con-tested game the Demons were unable to capture a victory as Tularosa came away with a 12-7 win.

The Demons JV have also played two games this year and have two victories for their efforts. The JV Demons have defeated a very good Clovis freshman team, a game that included 4 over-times. The JV Demons also have a win over 3A Portales freshman team. The JV Demons are preparing to play their first district opponent, the NMMI Colts, Saturday at Colt Field. The young Demons have been road warri-ors for the year and will play their first home game October 13 against dis-trict rival, Eunice Cardinals.

The 7th and 8th grade Demons have also had success starting out with 3 victories over Tularosa, Ruidoso, and Artesia B team. The continued rivalry with Hagerman Bobcats is the next game for the young Demons on Tues-day, September 25, in Dexter. Coach Woods and Coach VandenBout have been pleased with the progress of the young Demons. There are only two home games left on the schedule (Hagerman and Loving). Everyone is invited to come out to the games.

Page 5 First Quarter

the win over Mel-rose to get to the championship game; they will be facing the Ft. Sumner Vixens on Saturday the 15th. The Lady Demon Volleyball team looks to be heading in the right direc-tion to do great things this season.