From March through most all summer, the US Department of Education (USDE) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided free meals to ANY student at no cost during the school closures across our nation.  However, the federal ‘waivers’ providing the free meals expired recently. 

Earlier this month, the USDA, which has oversight of the school breakfast and lunch programs, announced an indefinite extension of the waivers.  

Extension of the waivers means that ALL breakfast and lunch meals will be FREE to ALL students regardless of income!!!   Please encourage your child(ren) to participate.  The program is temporary and will only last as long as funding allows.  Therefore there will likely be a return to ‘paid’ meals in the future.

The free meals also applies to the food distribution for Festus Online students.  If you would like to sign up for free meals for your Festus Online student you can do so by clicking here.  Meals are being distributed from the Festus Elementary Upper Cafeteria parking lot from 10am-11am Monday thru Friday when school is in session.

If your child currently has an oustanding meal debt it will still need to be paid.  A la carte items, extra food items or extra milk are not covered by the program.  Students must have funds in their lunch accounts if they plan to purchase those particular items.

When the funding expires, we will have to resume charging for the meals.  So, if you think you qualify for free or reduced priced meals, please go ahead and complete this year’s application so when the time arrives for us to once again charge for meals you will already be set up to receive free or reduced-price meals without interruption.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact R-VI Food Services Director Mrs. Peggy Carle by email at carlepeggy@festusedu.com.

Festus High School Counselor Jennifer Kline traveled to Washington, D.C. during th last week of January to be recognized as one of four finalists to become the 2020 National School Counselor of the Year.  Kline received the honor during a gala held at Washington's Union Station.   During her week in Washington, Kline met with Missouri 2nd District Congresswoman Ann Wagner and both of Missouri's Senators, Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley.  She also had the opportunity to meet with staff at the Department of Education and participate in a congressional briefing where she and her fellow Counselor of the Year finalists appeared on a panel discussion to talk about public education and some of the issues school counselors are facing across the country.

The American School Counselor Association which presents the School Counselor of the Year Award says "the award honors exemplary school counseling professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates for the nation's students, helping them achieve success in school and in life.   

In a special meeting this week, the Festus R-VI School Board of Education unanimously approved A.J. Ofodile, Jr. as the ninth Head Football Coach at Festus High School.  Ofodile spent the last four seasons on Coach Barry Odom’s football staff at the University of Missouri.  Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri, with 13 of those years as head football coach.   “I’m very excited to be joining the Festus family,” Ofodile said.  “During the entire time of the interview process I was blown away by the excellence displayed by the District, from top to bottom.  It is rare to find that kind of commitment.”

Ofodile spent six seasons in the NFL, initially drafted by the Buffalo Bills, and his final three with the Baltimore Ravens.  After his playing career concluded, he coached on Barry Odom’s staff at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia.  He became head coach after Odom departed for the college ranks.  During his 13 seasons as head coach at Rock Bridge, Ofodile was named District Coach of the Year three times (2006; 2010; 2013), his teams won four District championships, and in 2013 Rock Bridge advanced to the Class 6 Show-Me Bowl State Championship Game.  During his tenure at Rock Bridge, he coached more than 45 D-1 signees.

“We are pleased to welcome Coach Ofodile to Festus,” said Superintendent Dr. Link Luttrell.  “Being able to attract the attention of a high caliber coach such as Coach Ofodile is an indication of how outside individuals view not only our football program but also our outstanding excellence displayed across the K-12 spectrum. I’m hoping all of our students, parents, and patrons will welcome him and his wife into our school community”

In addition to his head coaching duties, Coach Ofodile will teach strength and conditioning classes at the high school along with coordinating the strength and conditioning program so it meets the needs of all students.  Athletic Director Eric Allen is excited to welcome Coach Ofodile to Festus, “To get such a quality coach with his drive to make young men better and his vast knowledge of the game is a win for our student-athletes.  He will be an asset to the Festus School District.”

A formal introduction to student athletes and parents will be scheduled in the very near future.

           Festus High School Cross Country Head Coach Bryant Wright will be inducted into the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Wright, who has been head coach at Festus for 18 years, has lead the boy's teams to 7 state championship, including the last five in a row, and the girls to two state championships.  He says he is gratified to be inducted, “It’s overwhelming to realize that you are being recognized for what you’ve done, not just by someone, but by your peers. To be a part of an elite group is humbling.”

            Festus Athletic Director Eric Allen credit’s Coach Wright with always being there for his runners, “Coach Wright is one of the most dedicated coaches to his athletes I have ever been around. He is committed to always getting better no matter how many championships he has won. He is an outstanding human being and this is very well deserved. “

            Before assuming the head coaching position, Coach Wright served as an assistant coach on the team. He says he shares this recognition with all of his teams, “It means I got to work with some great coaches and athletes. It makes it more gratifying when I think of all of the people who have been there with me, not just the athletes, but my family and friends, and the support they have given me.”

            Coach Wright will be inducted into the MTCCCA Hall of Fame at the Associations annual clinic in Columbia, MO on Friday night, December 13, 2019.