Festus Elementary School

05/19/2026

05/13/2026

2nd grade students are wrapping up their animal habitats unit and preparing for their field trip to the World Bird Sanctuary. They dissected owl pellets to identify the prey the owls ate. These are students in Mrs. Toberman's 2nd grade class.

05/13/2026

This evening was Kindergarten Kickoff! Dozens of kids who will be kindergarteners next year got to meet the teachers, play on the playground, sit on a bus, and more.

05/11/2026

Our 2nd grade classes made the trip across the street today to the Intermediate School. They got a look inside where they will be the first 3rd grade class to move into the Intermediate School next year. They say the library, cafeteria, and part of the 3rd grade wing. Construction is nearly complete on the new addition. Principal Mr. Spencer Kearns and Assistant Principal Dr. Deana Brown gave the students wristbands that read "Welcome Class of 2036."

05/04/2026

Mrs. Toberman's 2nd grade class wrapped up their unit on Economics today with a "Market Day." Students created their own goods to sell. They had to make the items, price them, create a commercial, and sell them. Several other 2nd grade classes came to shop a the market today, using specail Toberman Buck$. What a great real world lesson for students.

04/27/2026

Some high school members came to the elementary today to teach a special lesson to a couple of kindergarten and 2nd grade classes. Mrs. Armbruster's and Ms. Tinnin's Kindergarten classes learned about what it means to be kind and how they can and should be kind to everyone they meet. Then each student got their hand painted so they could put their handprint on a Kindness poster.

The 2nd grade classes learned what it takes to be a friend and how they can be better friends to those around them. Then they learned how to work together as friends to build a tower using nothing but index cards and tape. They then colored an outline of a hand and put them on a Friendship poster.

These lessons are part of the the ongoing effort in the District, led by the high school students to make our schools and buildings a more welcoming and inviting space for ALL students.

04/22/2026

Today we recognize the volunteers who are making a big difference for our students. Oasis Tutors is a group of 13 volunteers who work with 2nd grade students who are struggling in reading. This year they worked with 29 students to help them improve their reading scores. Many of them improved by a whole grade level. Thank you for the time, dedication, and care you put in to helping our students. This is the fourth year Oasis Tutors has been in Festus Schools. This morning we thanked them with a breakfast and certificates of appreciation. Each tutor also received a book and stuff animal to give to the students they tutored this year. They were donated by the Twin City Area Optimist Club.

04/17/2026

3rd grade students begin taking the MAP test next week. Today, them met in the multipurpose room to get a brief pep talk from principal Dr. Darin Siefert. Then they paraded through the halls of the elementary school to get encouragement from other elementary school students. They changed "3rd grade, 3rd grade" as the 3rd graders walked through the halls. Good luck next week kids!