Odessa R-VII is proud to recognize Opaa! Food Management as our March Community Champion. As the district’s contracted food service provider, Opaa! plays a vital role in supporting our students, staff, and families each and every day.

Under the leadership of Kathy Marble, Food Service Manager, the Opaa! team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that all needs are met in an efficient, caring, and professional manner. Kathy and her staff work tirelessly to provide nutritious meals while creating a welcoming environment for our students.

Opaa!’s commitment to our district extends far beyond the cafeteria. Each year, they generously donate the meal and labor for our annual Spring Fling event, demonstrating their continued investment in our school community. They also frequently surprise and support our staff with extra baked treats and special touches that are greatly appreciated.

Additionally, Opaa! implemented the Afterschool Snack Bag Program, helping ensure students have access to additional nourishment beyond the school day.

We are incredibly grateful for the partnership, generosity, and dedication Opaa! Food Management brings to Odessa R-VII. Their commitment to serving our district truly makes a difference.

Congratulations to Opaa! Food Management on being named our March Community Champion!

McQuerry Elementary Ballot Information
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Proposition Odessa Schools (No Tax Increase)  Proposition K.I.D.S. ($0.90 Capital Levy Increase)
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McQuerry Elementary currently serves approximately 460 students in grades K-2, with 41 certified and 14 classified staff. The building is also used for the SOAR after school program and many parks & rec activities. Originally built in 1955, with additional classrooms being added in 1969. In 1992, additions included classrooms, the front office, library, cafeteria expansion, and the gym. The gym, which is in good shape, will continue to be available for school & community use.

We’ve stretched every inch, patched every leak, and made the most of every corner. While our building has served us well for decades, it’s showing its age. We continue to care for and maintain it with pride—it’s time to consider a building that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s goals.

McQuerry Ballot Information Video

Current Facility Challenges:

• Roof, flooring, HVAC systems, and playground require constant repairs
• Parking lots and driveways are in poor condition and need frequent maintenance
• Kitchen is small and overcrowded, limiting functionality
• Classrooms are undersized for current educational needs
• Hallways are narrow and become congested during passing times
• Bathrooms are outdated and in need of renovation
• Cafeteria is too small to accommodate all students comfortably
• Peak-hour traffic congestion remains an issue due to limited queuing space, despite improved bus loop/pickup separation.

Upcoming Community Information Meetings:

• March 17, 2026. 7:00 pm at Mayview School
• March 31, 2026, 6:00 pm at McQuerry Elementary

INFORMATIONAL FLYER

Congratulations to JOHN PADGET, Upper Elementary School Custodian.  Mr. Padget has been chosen as the March “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” award winner for the Odessa R-VII School District.  The building school staff had the following comments about how he makes a difference:

• John is a fantastic custodian and is so kind to everyone. 

• John takes such great care of Odessa Upper Elementary. 

• He is consistent and thorough in his work, ensuring our building is ready to be a safe and welcoming place for learning.

• OUE has been missing custodians recently, and John has never wavered, even when he is doing it all by himself!

Mr. Padget always has a positive attitude and a passion for doing a great job, and she MAKES A DIFFERENCE for everyone she comes in contact with everyday.

The Odessa R-VII School District will be holding a Kindergarten Roundup at McQuerry Elementary the week of April 9th - April 13th, 2026.  The screenings/pre-enrollment will be held by appointment, between the hours of 8:30 am and 2:30 pm.

There will be a Kindergarten Information Night available for families to attend on March 24th, 2026, at McQuerry Elementary.  Incoming kindergartners will do an activity in a kindergarten classroom, while parents get useful information about the school.  

• Session #1-5:00 pm-5:45 pm
• Session #2-6:00 pm-6:45 pm

All children who will be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2026, are eligible for kindergarten.  Every child will need to go through the screening/enrollment process.  

Parents/Guardians can call the McQuerry office at 816-633-5334 to schedule an appointment for an Information Night Session and a screening/pre-enrollment time slot.  

At your child’s screening appointment, please provide the following requested items:  Current Proof of residency (less than 30 days old-water bill, gas bill, etc.), parent’s ID, child’s birth certificate, child’s social security card/number, and the child’s immunization record.   Those items can be scanned and emailed to our building registrar at agust@odessar7.net in advance.  Otherwise, please have those items available to be copied at your appointment time.  

The School District also recommends that all incoming students have a completed vision screening.  You can find the MISSOURI EYE EXAM FORM FOR SCHOOL on the Odessa R-VII website.  It can be found under McQuerry>>PAT>>Vision Screening Form.

If you have any questions, please call the McQuerry Office at 816-633-5334 or Parents As Teachers at 816-633-3298 or email Jill Neuweg-Parent Educator, jneuweg@odessar7.net.
 

The Odessa R-VII Public Foundation Board of Directors presented teacher grants on Friday, February, 2026. Twelve grant applications were approved. Grants were presented to the following staff members by Odessa R-VII Foundation Board of Directors.

As part of the requirements of “Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act” (RSMo 160.077) the Odessa R-VII School District is taking the necessary steps to ensure safe drinking water for everyone within the buildings.  District personnel identified drinking water outlets throughout the district and utilized the services of Axiom Service Professionals to conduct testing of each outlet.  Those results, once received back from the lab, will be made available to the public on the school website. 

Additional information about the effects of lead can be found at: https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/lead/publications.php

Remediation Plan

Any samples that resulted in readings greater than the required 5 ppb level will be corrected and retested. Some sinks were not in areas in which there was an expectation of them being drinking water, they have been labeled as such, “not drinking water”. Others, which are areas that will be used for drinking water, are being addressed and will be retested. Further results will be posted here upon their return to the District.