Congratulations to BECKY ARMSTRONG, Upper Elementary School Title I teacher.  Mrs.Armstrong has been chosen as the April “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:

• Becky is always positive! She is also always laughing and just enjoying her job! 

• When she was a 5th grade teacher she had my son and he LOVED her, she really sparked his love of writing and gave him confidence that he was needing in all areas! He still talks about all the amazing things he did with her! 

• She is a light at OUE that brings laughter and joy!!!!!!

• Becky is always encouraging to her coworkers and her students.

• She builds great relationships with everyone around her. 

• The students love to go to group with her. 

• She helps bring out the best in others.

Mrs. Armstrong 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.

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!

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.