The Rocket Review

November

2nd: Staff Development Day

3rd: Elementary Family Math Night, 5:30PM-7:00PM

4th: ACT Testing - 11th and 12th Grade

5th: Northwest Representative, 3:15pm

5th: PTO Meeting, 6:00pm

7th: Area 1 Trapshoot

8th: FFA Breakfast

9th: 275 Conference Band at NWMSU

9th: College and Career Event - Medical

11th: Area 1 FFA Fall Speaking Contest

11th: West Nodaway Board of Education Meeting, 6:00PM

13th: FFA Friendsgiving

13th: School Play Performance for Elementary, JH/MS, 9:30am

14th: West Nodaway High School Play, 6:30pm

16th: FCCLA Fall Planning Meeting in St. Joseph

17th: Picture Day [Yearbook Groups, Organizations, Elementary, JH/HS Make-Ups]

18th: Northwest District Fall Speaking Contest, 4:30PM

20th: Mid-Quarter

23rd: IMPORTANT - West Nodaway Classes in Session

11/25-11/30: Thanksgiving Break

• When your child is unable to attend school, please notify the appropriate school office by 9:00 AM. When your child is seen by a physician, please ask for a doctor's note so we can verify attendance. Thank you! (Elementary: 725-4126, High School: 725-3317)
  
  
• If you would like to be added to West Nodaway's "Rocket Alert" list, please contact the high school office. Parents and guardians are automatically added to the system. It's a great way to keep updated with current happenings!
  
  

• If you know of anyone that would like to sign up to receive this monthly newsletter, please call the high school office at (660) 725-3317 and provide their email address. We look forward to sharing this information with you all each month!
  
  

• Make sure you "like" and "follow" us on Facebook (@WestNodaway) and Twitter (@WNRockets)! We send out lots of information about upcoming events, cancellations, and fun school activities.

Greetings!

As we move into November, the colder temperatures remind us that winter weather is just around the corner. At West Nodaway R-I Schools, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. As we prepare for the possibility of snow, ice, high winds, and other hazardous weather conditions, I would like to take a moment to review our inclement weather procedures and remind everyone how to stay informed throughout the winter months.

Inclement Weather Procedures

When winter weather creates potentially hazardous conditions, we work hard to make timely and informed decisions regarding school closings, delayed starts, or other schedule adjustments. Our goal is to notify local media outlets by 6:00 a.m. when a full-day closing or delayed opening is necessary. However, please understand that announcements will be made as soon as a decision is reached based on anticipated unsafe conditions.

If road conditions are determined to be unsafe for bus travel due to snow, ice, high winds, or drifting snow, we will close school or adjust schedules accordingly. Please keep in mind that even when school is in session, bus routes may run behind schedule during inclement weather. We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as our transportation staff works to get students to and from school safely.

How to Stay Informed

It is important that families have access to accurate and timely information when weather conditions impact our school day. There are several ways to stay connected and receive updates:

• Rocket Alerts (Text Notifications): Make sure your current phone number is on file with the district so you can receive timely text notifications.
• West Nodaway District Website: Visit our official district website for the latest announcements and updates.
• Social Media: Follow the West Nodaway Facebook page for real-time announcements regarding school closings, delays, and other important information.

You may also receive school closing information through the following local media outlets:

Television

• KQ2 – Channel 2

Radio

• KNIM – Maryville (97.1 FM & 95.9 FM)
• KMA – Shenandoah (960 AM & 99.1 FM)
• KKJO – St. Joseph (92.7 FM & 105.5 FM)
• KVCV/KRNW – Maryville (90.5 FM & 106.7 FM)
• KAAN – Bethany & Cameron (95.5 FM & 100.1 FM)

I encourage all families to make sure their contact information is up to date and to utilize multiple communication sources during periods of inclement weather.

AMI Days

The district will again utilize Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) days this school year. AMI days provide an opportunity for students to continue learning when severe weather or other circumstances prevent us from safely holding school in person. Additional information and expectations regarding AMI instruction will be communicated to families as needed.

Stay Connected

As we enter the winter season, please know that the safety and well-being of our students and staff will continue to guide every decision we make. We understand that school closings and schedule changes can create challenges for families, and we appreciate your support and cooperation as we navigate unpredictable winter weather.

If you have questions or concerns about our inclement weather procedures, AMI days, or any other district matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office or stop by for a visit. Open communication and strong partnerships with our families and community are essential to the success of our schools.

Thank you for your continued support of West Nodaway R-I Schools. I am grateful for the commitment of our students, staff, families, and community. Together, we will navigate the winter season safely while keeping our focus on what matters most: providing a great education and meaningful opportunities for every student.

Have a wonderful November, and stay warm!

Sincerely,

Dr. Barnes
Superintendent
West Nodaway R-I School District

Another month under our belts! How is it November already? And how is it second quarter already? Thanksgiving break will be here soon!

October was another busy month. Here are some of the highlights:

• The high school volleyball team hosted a Pink Out night to support breast cancer awareness.

• Parent-teacher conferences were held. Our numbers were back up a little from last year. We still had 32 parents attend.

• The high school volleyball team finished with another best record in Thunder history and had the most wins for either school since before 2008, which was as far back as I could find. We finished 19-9-1.

• Both volleyball and football had several athletes selected to the All-Conference team and volleyball had a few selected to the All-District teams.

• FCCLA kids attended the Regional meeting at NW-they learned a lot and are very excited for the year.
• Several FFA students had the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
• We had 46 junior high and high school students with first quarter perfect attendance.

Our overall attendance for the month of October was 97.65%. Please continue to hold your student to a high standard and ensure they are in school on a regular basis.

Please continue to check the school calendar for important dates such as grade checks and activities.

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:

o Math - Daily 7:15am-7:45am, Wed/Thurs 3:45pm-4:30pm

o Science - Daily 3:45pm-4:30pm

o Social Studies - Tues/Wed/Thurs 7:15am-7:35am; 3:45pm-4:25pm

o Music/Band - Wed/Thurs 3:45pm-4:45pm

o College Apps & 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.

Mrs. Livengood

Congratulations to the students below for earning "Perfect First Quarter!" These students had perfect attendance, no discipline referrals, and were never tardy to class for the entire first quarter! They were treated to a special lunch of pizza, pop, chips, and cookies on Thursday, October 22nd. Great job!

The West Nodaway High School Play is Saturday, November 14th at 6:30pm. Light snacks and refreshments will be served! Tickets are $8 at the door. We hope to see you there!

Elementary Parents,

This first semester of school is flying by! We have made some amazing memories this first quarter in elementary and I’m excited to see what the second quarter has in store for us!

• Please join us Tuesday, November 3 for Family Math Night from 5:30-7pm. PAT (Parents as Teachers) will also be here, so if you have not had a chance to join and you have children ages birth to 3, please check out PAT!

• Thursday, November 5 PTO meeting @ 6:00pm in the Elementary Library

• Friday, November 20th is Substitute Appreciation Day. We truly appreciate all of our substitutes and the time they give to our district and students!

• November 20- 2nd Qtr - Mid-Term Progress Reports will be coming home. Please check your child’s report, sign and return

• IMPORTANT!!! Monday, November 23rd we WILL be in session!!!

• November 25-30th, Thanksgiving Break

Mrs. Stevens

Welcome back to a new year of school!

“College and Career Monday” trips will begin a fourth year at West Nodaway for grades 7th-12th. It’s been rewarding in so many ways to see students take advantage of these events as a way to explore various job opportunities. There is a trip booked for October 19th with a focus on construction where we will visit The Builders Chapter of AGC in Kansas City and explore their apprenticeship training programs in the areas of bricklaying, glazing, ironworking, painting, tiling, etc. I am also trying to establish a trip for September 28 with the Animation Academy in Kansas City. As a reminder, each trip is limited to six students.

To assist with additional college and career activities this year, Mrs. Pine is at school twice a week. Her office is across from Mr. Calfee’s classroom and she has lots of information on FAFSA and college applications. She will be working with students on job shadow opportunities this year with a goal of all juniors completing an event.

School wide, we will continue the Character Strong program this year. Elementary will have specific character words each month with an incorporation of academic and social/person skill lessons. The first two weeks have been spent on the word “kindness” with an emphasis of understanding our classmates and class expectations. The first monthly character word will be “respect” come September. Secondary students have 25 weekly lessons as well with the goal for the junior high and high school to learn and demonstrate qualities of a leader in the classroom, school, and community.

One program that has blossomed is Morning Mentoring. High School students did a great job last year working with elementary each morning so we will be offering it once again starting September 8 and ending March 11. We opened the program up to junior high mentors this year! Currently we have 27 mentors who will be working with elementary kiddos. Most high schoolers are using this time to gain A+ hours but that isn’t necessary. The program is a great way to learn new skills, add to resumes and scholarship applications, and most importantly build positive relationships. It’s been wonderful to see secondary students just as excited as the elementary for the program to get started!

Remember to check out the counseling department webpage. You can access this through the West Nodaway homepage and finding it under the “Student Links” section or going to https://wnrocketscounselor.weebly.com This webpage contains information related to Missouri standards for K-12 school counseling, ACT testing and prep materials, post-secondary school options, college scholarships, and much more. There is even a section about College and Career Monday trips.

I’m looking forward to a great school year! Please contact me if there are any concerns about your child or if there are any questions.

Mrs. Clayton

Dr. Mitch Barnes is the Homeless Liaison for the district and is responsible for the duties listed below. This information is also listed in our School Board Policies, which may be accessed on our website. Policy/Reg 2660 Covers Homeless Students.

"Homeless": is defined as:

(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1)); and

(B) includes--

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;*

(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C));

(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and

(iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

Homeless Liaison duties are listed below:

Homeless Liaison

The Board of Education has appointed Superintendent Mitch Barnes as liaison for homeless students. The responsibilities of the liaison will include, but not be limited to:

1. Ensure that homeless children and youth are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies.

2. Establish practices designed to ensure the school enrollment and success of homeless students;

3. Assist with the enrollment of homeless students and provide assistance with obtaining academic and medical records;

4. Make school placement decisions based on the best interest of the child and wishes of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth;

5. Inform parents, guardians, or unaccompanied homeless students of the educational and related opportunities available to them;

6. Ensure that homeless students and their families have access to educational services including Head Start, Even Start and other preschool programs administered by the District;

7. Ensure that referrals are made to health care, dental, mental health and other appropriate services;

8. Ensure that homeless students are not isolated or stigmatized because of their status as homeless;

9. Handle enrollment disputes and ensure that disputes over the placement of homeless students are resolved in a timely manner consistent with the requirements of the McKinney Vento Act;

10. Provide/arrange transportation and inform the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied homeless youth of the transportation services the school district must make available and assist homeless students in accessing transportation to and from school; and

11. Disseminate public notice of the educational rights of homeless students in places where homeless students receive services.

12. Ensure school personnel receive professional development and other support.

13. Ensure that unaccompanied youth are enrolled in school, have the opportunity to meet the same challenging state academic standards, are informed of their status as independent students under Section 480 of the Higher Education Act and their right to receive verification of this status.

All school personnel, District service providers and locally known advocates working with homeless families will be informed of the identity of the Homeless Liaison and the Homeless Liaison duties.

Email: mbarnes@wnrockets.com
Website: wnrockets.com
Location: 17665 US Hwy 136, Burlington Junction, MO 64428, USA
Phone: 660-725-4613
Twitter: @WNrockets

Facebook: @WestNodaway