Cougar Courier

Next week our students will be participating in our COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY. Hopefully the weather will agree with us and not rain while we complete our service projects. We look forward to serving our school and our community.

Pre K - Cleaning toys

Kindergarten - Planting flowers on 5/6

First Grade - Playground & Outdoor eating area Clean Up on 5/5

Second Grade - School Grounds Landscaping Clean Up on 5/5

Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade - Town Clean Up on 5/7

Sixth Grade - Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church Project on 5/7

Seventh Grade - Yard Clean Up for East Lynne Residents on 5/7

Eighth Grade - Outdoor Classroom Project on 5/7

We had many of our middle school students participate in a MUSIC CONTEST. We are so pleased with their hard work and dedication. They represented our school with excellence.

Vocal solos:

Lea Dillon-exemplary

Lydia Vaughn-exemplary

Caroline Doughty-outstanding

Sophia Schroeder-exemplary

Instrumental solos: all exemplary

Lea Dillon: trumpet

Lydia Vaughn: clarinet

Justin Claibourn: trombone

Caroline Doughty: snare drum

Eva Dillon: snare drum

Jerit Henry: trumpet

Finn Thurman: alto sax

Vocal ensembles: all exemplary

1. Girls ensemble: Lea Dillon, Elsie Weidemann, Skylar Miller, McKinley Young, Lydia Vaughn

2. Girls Ensemble: Caroline Doughty, McKinley Young, Chloe Pickens, Sophia Schroeder, Lydia Vaughn

3. Girls ensemble: Quincy Coe, McKenzie Sims, Eva Dillon, Henley Schrock, Bella Pickering, Addie Stolte, Blair Gallegos, Emma Reaves, Zoey Miller, Charlotte Farmer, McKenna Faulkenberry

4. Boys ensemble: Justin Claibourn, Jerit Henry, Keenen Engelhardt, DeAndre Clark, Beckett Wilson

5. Mixed ensemble: Justin Claibourn, Beckett Wilson, Jerit Henry Lea Dillon, Caroline Doughty, McKinley Young, Sophia Schroeder, Lydia Vaughn, Chloe Pickens

6. Mixed ensemble: Beckett Wilson, Keenen Engelhardt, Eva Dillon, Emma Reaves, Bella Pickering, McKenna Faulkenberry

Instrumental ensembles : all exemplary

1. Brass trio: Lea Dillon, Jerit Henry, Justin Claibourn

2. Mixed duet: Sebastian Likens, Elsie Weidemann

3. Clarinet duet: Sophia Schroeder, Lydia Vaughn

4. Clarinet trio: Sophia Schroeder, Zoey Miller, Bella Pickering

5. Mixed ensemble: McKenzie Sims, Blair Gallegos, Addie Stolte, Bella Pickering, McKenna Faulkenberry, Eva Dillon, Emma Reaves, Henley Schrock

Our amazing Parent Booster Group treated us so well during Educator Appreciation Week. We were treated to our favorite treats, massages, gift cards and a little bit of fun during our Monday morning work day. Our THIS STAFF IS RIGHT gameshow allowed our staff to bid on prizes, win things for their department and have a little bit of FUN!

We hosted a special night for our 1st–3rd grade families! Our Folk Dance Night is about so much more than dancing—it's about connection. Connection between school and home, between students and their families, and within our Cougar community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the night so memorable. Special thank you to Mrs. Schork for hosting!

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of PreK and Kindergarten Round-Up—where big dreams begin in small backpacks. This special time is when we welcome our newest learners and their families into the East Lynne community. It’s more than enrollment. It’s the start of a journey of growth, discovery, and connection. From the moment they walk through our doors, our goal is to help every child feel safe, loved, and ready to learn.

At East Lynne 40, we don’t see this day as just enrollment, but as an investment in futures. We can’t wait to see what these future Cougars will become. 🐾

Shout out to these four for landing parts in this summer's theatrical performance of The Addams Family being produced by the Pleasant Hill Theatrical Guild. Fun fact, Mrs Schork is the musical director of the show as well! Want to see the show? The cast will be performing on July 24th and 25th! Break a leg Justin, Lydia, Beckett and Addie!

Our students put their thinking caps on and voted both online and in person to name our school chickens… and WOW, did they deliver with some egg-cellent choices! After counting every single vote, we are so excited to officially introduce our flock:

• Ruby Red – our sweetest girl
• Princess Lay-a – our fluffy cheek queen
• Oreo – sweet and classic
• Karen – small but mighty
• Emerald – shining with beauty
• Mary Poopins – practically perfect in every way

Be sure to follow along as our flock becomes part of our STEAM learning, garden projects, and (of course) egg collecting adventures!

Our 8th graders got a glimpse of what’s ahead with their high school visit today! We’re proud of this group and excited to see what they do next.They loved seeing the Cass Career Center and also running into some ELS alumni! Shout out to Mrs. Holden and Mrs. Wilson for chaperoning this trip. Special thanks to Mazzio's for being so generous and accommodating to our group of students.

There’s something special about coming full circle—and at East Lynne, it’s one of our favorite traditions. Each spring, we have the privilege of welcoming back our alumni who are now high school seniors. These are students who once walked our hallways, sat in our classrooms, and grew up right here in our learning community. Now, they return with stories to tell, lessons learned, and exciting plans for what comes next.

During their visit, our seniors spend time with our current 8th graders—sharing experiences, offering advice, and giving a glimpse into life beyond middle school. It’s a powerful connection point. Our 8th graders see what’s possible, and our seniors are reminded of where it all began. We love hearing about the paths they’re pursuing—college plans, careers, and the dreams they’re chasing with determination and heart. Their success is a reflection of years of growth, hard work, and the strong foundation built during their time at East Lynne. To celebrate them, we send our seniors off with a good old East Lynne clap-out. As they walk our halls one more time, they’re cheered on by students and staff—just as they once cheered for others.

At East Lynne, we often say we are a small school doing big things—and these students are living proof. Watching them return, reflect, and step confidently into their futures reminds us that the impact of a strong, connected school community lasts far beyond the years spent inside our building.

We have some summer reading challenges for students to take advantage of this summer. There are two challenges (one for rising K-5 students and one for rising 6-8 students).

Students currently in grades 1-7 can ask for a summer sketchbook. The challenge is to fill all of the pages of the sketchbook this summer with your practice sketches and beautiful artwork. Finally, turn it in at our Back to School Bash or during the first two weeks of school. Students that completed the challenge will earn an ice cream prize!

May 4 - Parent Booster Meeting

May 5-8 COMMUNITY SERVICE WEEK

May 5 - STUCO Meeting

May 6 - ART CLUB (Grades 1-4)

May 7 - 4th-8th Band & Choir Spring Concert

May 8 - 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Zoo Field Trip

May 8 - 7th & 8th Nelson Atkins Field Trip

May 14 - Preschool Graduation (9:00 AM)

May 14 - 8th Grade Graduation (7:00 PM)

May 15 - Kindergarten Graduation (9:00 AM)

May 15 - Grades 1-7 Academic Assembly (10:00AM)

May 15 - LAST DAY of SCHOOL (early dismissal 12:00 PM)