The Rocket Review
Monthly Newsletter Update - April 2025
Dear West Nodaway Families,
As we welcome the month of April, it’s hard to believe we are in the final stretch of the 2024-2025 school year. The coming weeks will be filled with exciting events, academic achievements, and important milestones for our students and staff. I want to take this opportunity to share some highlights, upcoming events, and updates from the district.
Spring Success and Student Achievements
Our students continue to make us proud with their accomplishments in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. This spring, our FFA students have excelled in competitions, our athletes have shown great dedication in track and field, and our music and arts programs have showcased incredible talent. Their hard work and commitment reflect the values of our school and community, and I commend them for their efforts.
Additionally, state assessments will be underway this month, providing an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their learning and growth over the year. We encourage our students to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and approach these assessments with confidence. As always, our teachers and staff are here to support them every step of the way.
Exciting Events and Celebrations
April is a busy month with several important events on the calendar. Here are a few key dates to mark:
· April 16: Spring Music Concert – Our talented students will take the stage to present this year’s production. We invite all families to attend and support our performing arts program.
· April 24: Kindergarten Round-Up – We look forward to welcoming our incoming kindergarten students and their families as they begin their journey at West Nodaway.
· April 23-25: State FFA Convention – We are excited to celebrate our students’ agricultural accomplishments.
· April 30: JH/HS Spring Academic Awards Night.
Looking Ahead to Graduation and Summer Planning
With May just around the corner, we are preparing to celebrate our graduating seniors as they take the next step in their journey. Graduation will be held on May 11, and we encourage families to join us in honoring the Class of 2025. Our seniors have worked diligently, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments.
For families planning for summer, we will be sharing details soon about opportunities, enrichment programs, and athletic camps. Please stay tuned for more information on how students can stay engaged in learning and activities over the summer months.
Thank You for Your Support
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to our students, families, and staff for making West Nodaway such a wonderful place to learn and grow. Your continued support and dedication to our schools make a difference every day. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Wishing you a fantastic April, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events!
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:
**Congratulations the following FFA teams on advancing to State April 23-25
- Knowledge-Addie Honan, Annalee Livengood, Gracie Larabee, Braxton McGinness
- Parliamentary Procedure-Adison Dye, Lauren Stahl, Grey Hunt, Hadley Fast, Madeline Wilmes, Ellie Wilmes, JD Cronk, and Kyla Steffey
**Congratulations to Ava Graham, Savanna Marriott, and Reganne Fast who all
signed letters of intent to pursue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
**Congratulations to the following athletes who received post-season honors in
basketball-Annalee, Paidyn, Savanna, Paige, Ava, Jax, Braxton, and Lane
**We had 22 students earn Perfect Attendance for 3rd quarter and were rewarded
with pizza, pop, and cookies!
**Our seniors all passed the required CPR training for graduation!
Other important news:
April 9-West Nodaway immunization clinic (1:00 pm) and sports physicals (8:30 am)
April 18-21-No School for Easter Break
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 - Daily 7:15am-7:45am, Wed/Thurs 3:45pm-4:30pm
- Science - Daily 3:45pm-4:30pm
- Social Studies - Tues/Wed/Thurs 7:15am-7:35am; 3:45pm-4:25pm
- Music/Band - Wed/Thurs 3:45pm-4:45pm
- College & Scholarships - Daily 7:00am-7:30am, 3:45pm-4:45pm
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call, email, or stop in
the office.
Welcome to April, Rockets! I hope everyone is looking forward to spring break and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter. April is a fun month at West Nodaway Elementary. We have several events on the calendar and our 3rd-6th graders have the opportunity to show everyone what they have learned this year by completing the MAP test.
April 2nd is ParaProfessionals Day and West Nodaway is blessed with some of the best. A huge “thank you” to Brenda Hunt, Jessica Calfee, and Connie Milliser. These women do so much for our school, teachers, and our students.
MAP testing starts April 15th and will conclude May 1st. If anyone would like to donate snacks, please drop items off at either the high school or elementary offices. All donations must be sealed in original manufacturer packaging. No nuts or peanut butter because of allergies. Please, no refrigerated items.
To prepare for MAP testing, parents please make sure your child gets a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and bring a can-do attitude on the days of testing.
Spring Break is April 18th-21st and we will return to classes on the 22nd.
Kindergarten Round-Up will be held on Thursday, April 24th.
As we wind down the school year, teachers are in the process of scheduling field trips. Each teacher will be sending home information regarding the dates and times for their class. Parents are allowed to attend the trips but are not able to ride on the bus. Parents are able to take their child home with them from the field trip but if you choose to sign your child out before 3:30, this will count against their attendance.
Kindergarten and 1st grade field trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo is April 30th.
I wish everyone a wonderful April and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the classroom teachers or myself and we will be glad to answer any questions.
Thank you,
Mr. Conn
Seniors completed and passed their required CPR instruction here at WN. They did great and I’m confident they have the basic skills to initiate CPR in a life threatening situation. We reviewed our AED, heimlich maneuver and Epi-pens. Thank you Seniors!
Please send permission slips back ASAP for our immunization clinic held here at WN on April 9th. We mailed letters home if your student (6th-12th) was in need of updated immunizations.
We’d love to get those completed now!
Reminder to get signed up for our Big Smiles Dental visit on April 29th. Our day is always filled, so please get signed up ASAP. Online registration: https://www.myschooldentist.com/WOWNMO_schsrm
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:
1. Get a good night’s sleep
2. Eat a healthy breakfast
3. Come to school on time
4. Review spelling words, math facts, etc.
5. 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. Granola bars, cereals, pretzels, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, etc. are all great options. No peanut butter or nuts because of allergies.
Thank you for your 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