Congratulations to the Odessa Community Service Center and Girl Scout Troop 3026. These organizations have been chosen as the “COMMUNITY CHAMPION” award winners for the Odessa R-VII School District. Both have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the needs of families and students in our community.

The Odessa Community Service Center, under the leadership of Director Linda Elliott, provides vital resources and support to local families. A few of the services they provide include:
 

• Distributing food assistance to families

• Providing help with utilities

• Supplying school supplies to students

• Offering resources to the underserved and underprivileged
   

Girl Scout Troop 3026 was also recognized for its contributions to the community. Troop member Kennedy Elliott has assisted with the community school supply drive for several years and took on leadership of the project this year as her Girl Scout Gold Service Project.

On behalf of the Odessa R-VII School District community, thank you to the Odessa Community Service Center and Girl Scout Troop 3026 for being true “COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS.”

Congratulations to the OFFICER SAM BELL, Middle School SRO.  Officer Bell has been chosen as the September “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” award winner for the Odessa R-VII School District.  The middle school staff had the following comments about how she makes a difference:

• Officer Bell is an incredible presence in our school—students light up when they see her, and it’s clear how much she cares for them.

• students are comfortable to discuss problems in their lives with her. She honestly listens to them and keeps it real with them. All students respect her and her advice.

• She not only ensures our safety but also builds positive relationships, serves as a mentor, and creates a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued. 

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

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.