The Rocket Review
Monthly Newsletter Update - April 2026
Welcome to April, Rockets!
I hope everyone is looking forward to spring break, and I would like to wish all of our families a very Happy Easter. April is always a fun and busy month at West Nodaway Elementary, filled with exciting events and important academic milestones. Our 3rd–6th grade students will soon have the opportunity to showcase their learning through MAP testing, and we are proud of the hard work they’ve put in throughout the year.
Celebrating Our Staff
April 1st is Paraprofessionals Day, and we are incredibly fortunate to have some of the very best supporting our students and staff. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Brenda Hunt, Jessica Calfee, Cammi Zimmerman, and Connie Milliser. Their dedication, care, and daily contributions make a tremendous difference in our school community.
MAP Testing Information
MAP testing will take place April 15th through May 5th. This is an important time for our students to demonstrate their growth and achievement.
How families can help:
- Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep
- Provide a healthy breakfast each morning
- Encourage a positive, can-do attitude
We are also accepting snack donations for students during testing. If you would like to contribute, please drop off items at either the high school or elementary offices.
Guidelines:
- Items must be sealed in original packaging
- No nuts or peanut butter (due to allergies)
- No refrigerated items
Spring Break
Spring Break will be April 3rd-6th and classes will resume on April 7th . We hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing break!
Upcoming Elementary Events
As we approach the end of the school year, teachers are also scheduling field trips. Information will be sent home with details. Parents are welcome to attend; however, they are not permitted to ride the bus. If you choose to take your child home early from a trip (before 3:30 PM), it will count toward attendance.
District Highlights & Achievements
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we are proud of the many accomplishments of our students:
- FFA students have excelled in competitions
- Track and field athletes are demonstrating dedication and growth
- Music and arts programs continue to showcase outstanding talent
These achievements reflect the hard work of our students and the strong support from our staff and community.
District Events to Remember
- April 14th – Spring Music Concert
- April 15th–17th – State FFA Convention
- April 23rd – Kindergarten Round-Up
- April 29th – JH/HS Spring Academic Awards Night
Looking Ahead
Graduation is just around the corner! We will celebrate the Class of 2026 on May 10th. We are incredibly proud of our seniors and look forward to honoring their accomplishments.
Information about summer school, camps, and enrichment opportunities will be shared soon. We encourage families to stay connected for updates on ways students can stay engaged over the summer months.
Thank You
Thank you to our students, families, and staff for making West Nodaway a wonderful place to learn and grow. Your continued support truly makes a difference.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or the school office.
Wishing everyone a fantastic April!
Sincerely,
Dr. Barnes
Superintendent, West Nodaway R-I School District
Hello Rocket Families and Welcome to April!
There’s a lot to celebrate as we wrap up March:
**FFA District contests were held and we will have some teams competing at state on April 15-17
**Congratulations to the following athletes who received post-season honors in basketball-Annalee, Gracie, Jax, Braxton, and Tye
**We had 30 students earn Perfect Attendance for 3rd quarter and were rewarded with pizza, pop, and cookies!
Other important news:
April 3-6- No School for Easter Break
April 10- Mid-term
April 14- Spring Concert
April 29- Academic Awards Night
MAP/EOC testing begins April 15th so please make sure your student(s) are in attendance, getting plenty of rest, and eating healthy! See page 11-12 in the Student Handbook to view the MAP, EOC, and ACT Incentives Program.
In addition, it's important you stay current on your students’ grades thru the parent portal in Infinite Campus. Grade checks will occur every two weeks. Below are the tutoring hours that are available for the JH/HS students.
Tutoring Hours:
- Math - 7:15 am-7:35 am *By Request Only* and Tues/Wed 3:40 pm- 4:40 pm
- ELA - Tues/Wed/Thurs 3:45 pm-4:45 pm and 7:15 am-7:35 am *By Request Only
- Science - Morning 7:20 am; After-school Until 4:30 pm T-F
- Social Studies - Daily 7:15 am-7:35 am, Tues-Thurs 3:40 pm-4:20 pm
- Music/Band - Wed 3:45 pm-5:00 pm (No more Thursdays until 4/16)
- College Apps & Scholarships - Daily 7:00 am-7:30 am, 3:45 pm-4:45 pm
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call, email, or stop in
the office.
Mrs. Livengood
Spring immunization clinic is April 8th. Permission slips are due now. We mailed letters home if your student (current 6th, 7th or 11th grade) was in need of updated immunizations. We’d love to get those completed now! Pre-k and Kindergarten students will need to get these completed prior to the start of school.
Seniors will be completing a CPR course on Friday April 10th. This is a graduation requirement we complete each spring, so please try to be here!
Unfortunately we did not have enough students signed up for our Big Smiles Dental visit this year. We will not be offering a spring visit. We will see if we have interest in the fall to bring them back to West Nodaway.
The weather can’t decide if this time of year is winter, spring, or summer, however, students are in the mood to be outside as much as possible! This becomes a challenge for teachers and families as we try to balance academics and extracurriculars. I can see this in students, especially this past week. Kids are expending more energy outside running, playing, attending practices, etc. which are all great but also come with the impact of being tired or not having homework finished. As the school counselor, I have encountered an increase of students exhibiting emotional ranges on a daily basis of confusion to anticipation to anger simply because they are exhausted and then become frustrated. Please be mindful of bedtimes as the sun is up longer in the evening and ensure your child is ready for school the next day.
State testing starts April 15 with 3rd through 8th Grade MAP and high school EOC exams. Teachers are reviewing material and getting students prepared as much as possible. For 3rd Grade, this is a nervous time as it’s a new adventure. The other grades have the experience but may also be a little tentative about testing. Here are a few tips to help your child be ready for testing:
Get a good night’s sleep
Eat a healthy breakfast
Come to school on time
Review spelling words, math facts, etc.
Offer encouragement to do their best
We have a few snack donations for students to eat while testing. If you would like to donate, please drop off items at the elementary or high school office by April 10th. Granola bars, cereals, pretzels, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, etc. are all great options. No peanut butter or nuts because of allergies.
Thank you for the help and support of our students,
Mrs. Clayton
District Information
Email: mbarnes@wnrockets.com
Website: wnrockets.com
Location: 17665 US Hwy 136, Burlington Junction, MO 64428, USA
Phone: 660-725-4613
Facebook: facebook.com/WestNodaway
Twitter: @WNrockets