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Festus R6 School District

"Educating all students to meet tomorrow's challenges."

A Step Ahead

Ruess Roundup - December 2025

Posted Date: 12/15/25 (12:05 PM)
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Dr. Nicki Ruess smiles, posing for a photo with the 'Ruess Roundup' title.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025

In today's newsletter:
  • A holiday message from Dr. Ruess
  • An update on facilities
  • Important information about "smart" glasses
  • An invitation to "Supper with the Superintendent"
  • Big awards for some of our teachers
  • Senior spotlight with Makenna Penberthy and Dareon Box
Hello Festus R-VI Community,
I am Dr. Nicki Ruess, Superintendent of the Festus School District. I am coming to you today from a beautifully decorated Central Office. A very special thank you to Mrs. Scherer, Ms. Womack, Mrs Uding, and Mrs. Caldwell for their special touches to make the office feel so warm and welcoming.
As we prepare for the upcoming winter break, please note that school will not be in session from Monday, December 22nd through Friday, January 2nd. Our final day of first semester will be Friday, December 19th, which will be an early dismissal day. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, January 5th as we begin a new year recharged and ready to begin the new year together.
As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what an incredible year it has been for our district. This year’s theme, Powered by Purpose, has taken on real meaning as I’ve watched our students learn and grow, our teachers pour their hearts into their classrooms, and our families support us every step of the way. Purpose has shown up in the small moments, in students helping one another, teachers celebrating progress, and families showing up for concerts, conferences, and games, as much as in the big accomplishments that move our district forward.
I want you to know how truly grateful I am for this community. I see your commitment, your involvement, and the pride you have in our schools. I am reminded daily of how blessed we are to work, learn, and grow in a place where people genuinely care about one another. Our students feel that, and it makes all the difference.
The holiday season gives us all a chance to slow down, reconnect, and appreciate what matters most. My hope for each of you is that the next few weeks bring rest, joy, and time with the people you love, along with those little moments of laughter and togetherness that stay with us long after the decorations come down.
As we step into a new year, I look forward to continuing this work with all of you. Our shared purpose remains strong: to support every child, empower every educator, and create a school community where every family feels connected. When we carry that purpose with us, there is no limit to what we can achieve together.
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your continued support of the Festus R-VI School District. I wish you a holiday season filled with peace and warmth, and a new year full of hope and possibility.
Warmest wishes to you and your families—
Powered by Purpose, today and every day.
 

Calendar

Last few school days before Winter Break! 

Today is the 79th school day (out of 171 student attendance days). The 2nd quarter will soon come to a close and 1st semester report cards will be sent home upon our return after winter break.  

Mark your calendars: School will NOT be in session Monday, December 22nd through Friday, January 2nd, 2026. The final attendance day of First Semester Friday, December 19th, 2025.  
The R-VI District will resume a regular schedule with students on Monday, January 5th, 2026. 
 

Facilities

The Intermediate School Classroom Expansion project continues to make progress. The project is on schedule.  As long as the weather continues to cooperate we hope to have it under roof soon.  I am excited to move forward with the project.  Plans continue to move forward and classes will begin in the new 3rd grade wing beginning August 2026.  

Summer work projects are being discussed.  Several routine facility projects will be completed along with a couple of larger projects. A focused continuation of the safety and security enhancements across the district will be a priority. The new gym and indoor practice facility project will begin soon. We will go out to bid mid-January and construction will begin soon after that. . I am proud of the progress we have made this school year.  Thank you for your patience as these projects progress. I know it can be inconvenient at times but these are all great things for our district and community. 
 

Smart Glasses

We have seen a new trend emerge at the high school; students wearing META or other “smart” glasses in class. With the holidays approaching, I thought it best to address this issue now, because many students may have these types of glasses on their gift wish list. “Smart” or META glasses would be considered “personal electronic communication devices” under state law and our school policy for the 2025-26 school year. As such, they are not allowed from the beginning of the school day, until the final bell in the afternoon. Students who are found to be wearing these glasses during the school day, are subject to the same consequences as those who are found to have their phones, earbuds or other personal electronic communication devices.
 

Student Assessment Data/Annual Performance Report

As mentioned in my November newsletter, DESE released the Annual Performance Report (APR) under the MSIP 6 standards in November. Because of the partnership between home and school, the Festus R-VI School District continues to do what is best for students and focus on student achievement within our district classrooms. Never an easy feat but our students have demonstrated sustained high performance for MANY consecutive years. Daily INTENTIONAL FOCUS on relationships, curriculum, instruction, and assessment is what makes the difference.
 

Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP)

Our strategic planning committee will continue to meet upon our return in January. This will be our next step towards drafting our “new” Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) which will be complete and ready to implement in July 2026 as our current "Vision for R6 in 2026" will expire in June 2026. The CSIP continues to be our guiding document as we set forth goals, strategies and action steps that will take us into the next 5 years. If you have any thoughts, feedback or suggestions that you would like for us to consider as we develop the new plan please reach out to me at ruessnicki@festusedu.com by January 30th, 2026. 
 

Inclement Weather

As you know the threat of inclement weather is always a possibility during this time of year. As stated in previous communication for the 2025-26 school year, the first four (4) school days that are canceled due to weather/emergency conditions will be traditional snow days and those missed days will be added to the end of our school year calendar. Any day missed above those 4 will be designated as an Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) day whereby students will have a virtual learning day. Individual teachers and building principals will (if they have not already) be sending more specific plans in the event we use an AMI Day. We have currently used one of our four designated days, our last day is now Tuesday, May 19th.  Hopefully, we do not have any more inclement weather days that will impact our schedule, but it is always better to be prepared. 

Keep in mind though that if you FOLLOW Me on Twitter at FestusR6Supt, you can be among the FIRST TO KNOW when weather is impacting a school day. We also let the local media stations know any time school is canceled. 
 

Supper with the Superintendent

Please join me on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 6pm-7pm and Main and Mill for Supper with the Superintendent. Come for appetizers and conversation. I will have information about current legislation that could affect public education, you can ask questions or provide feedback. I look forward to the opportunity.
Event announcement for "Supper with the Superintendent" on Wednesday, January 21, 6pm-7pm at Main & Mill.
 

Important December Dates

December 2025  
19th: Early Dismissal and Last Day of First Semester 
22nd-Jan.2nd: Winter Break

January 2026 
5th: School Resumes 
19th: No School Martin Luther King Day 
21st: Supper with the Superintendent
 

Krysl Named DAR MO History Teacher of the Year

On Saturday, the Louisiana Purchase Chapter of the Daughters of the Amerian Revolution surprised Middle School American History Teacher Tim Krysl with an award. He thought he was there to receive the Chapter's Outstanding American History Teacher of the Year award. But, they surprised him with the Literacy Champion Award for Education and the state American History Teacher of the Year award. Mr. Krysl is now in the running to be named the National Teacher of the Year. Congratulations!!.
Four people stand together, with a man holding a certificate that reads 'Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter Outstanding American History Teacher of the Year'.
A man holds two framed certificates, one from the Daughters of the American Revolution for Literacy Champion, and another for Outstanding American History Teacher of the Year.
 

Track and Cross Country Coaches Recieve Awards

Festus Girls Track and Cross Country coaches received some prestigious awards last week. At their annual banquet on Friday, the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association named Girls Track and Cross Country Head Coach Wes Armbruster as the Calss 4 Cross Country and Track Coach of the Year.

In addition, two of his assistants were also recognized. Amanda Houston (left) and Jessica Beard (right) were named the recipients of the Distinguished Coach Award for Track and Cross Country respectively. This is the organization's version of the Assistatant Coach of the Year.

During 2025, the Girls Track and Field team won the Class 4 State Championship in May. Last month, the Girls Cross Country team won the Class 4 state championship.

Armbruster says "Both coaches have been pivitol to our team success, but most importantly they are great role models for our athletes. Our girls are very lucky to have to the to look up to."
Three smiling individuals, two women and one man, stand holding framed awards against a black backdrop.
 

State Track and Field Championship Ring Ceremony

On Friday night, December 19th, we will recognize the 2025 Class 4 Girls Track and Field State Champions with a championship ring ceremony. Athletes and their coaches will receive their rings prior to the Varsity basketball game versus Jackson. The ceremony is expected to begin sometime between 6:30pm and 7pm.
 

NOTEWORTHY

Three young people work together, handling bags and a black container on a table.

Raising Money For Destroyed Schools

Kennedy Kerr, Elana Noce and Delaney Funston organized a Penny War at the Middle School to raise money for schools in Jamaica that were destroyed by Hurricane Melissa.
Three smiling young women pose in front of a tiger logo on a yellow wall.
In just a few days, they collected $1300 that they donated to the charity "Impact Jamaica."
A group of children and adults run in a race, wearing matching yellow shirts.

Festus Fitness Ends With 3K

Festus Fitness ended for 2025 with the annual 3K run/walk. 85 fifth and sixth graders took part in the annual event. Festus Fitness is a program for fifth and sixth grade students that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Every Monday, students walked or ran after school with volunteer teachers and parents.
Volunteers sort and organize food donations in a school hallway.

Elementary School Shatters Food Drive Record

Festus Elementary shattered its annual food drive record in November. Students collected nearly 19,000 items of food during the month. That's more than the last three years COMBINED. Most of the items went to Brendan's Friday Backpack program, with some going to the Ozark Food Pantry.
 

Senior Spotlight

I have a couple of special guests joining me today to close out our monthly newsletter. Each month for the remainder of the school year I will be interviewing a few seniors (that have volunteered) to be in the Senior Spotlight! Today I have Makenna Penberthy and Darreon Box.