Several teachers from Dierks JoAnn Walters Elementary School and Dierks High School recently attended the Professional Learning Communities Institute held in Hot Springs July 17-19. The teachers and administrators received training on implementing professional learning communities for the school district. Training took place this week locally and the Dierks School District will have three additional days of inservice in August. High School Principal Chad Lites says the goal of the PLC implementation is to promote collaboration among the teachers and to achieve academic growth of their students. The new school year will begin on August 13th.