Linn Lion's Roar Report
April 2026
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- Apr. 2, 3, 6: No School
- Apr. 9: PTO Meeting @4:30pm in the cafeteria
- Apr. 16: Kinder and 1st Grade Music Program @6:30
- Apr. 17: 4th and 5th Grade Family Lunch; see flyer below
- Apr. 28: Site Council Meeting @3:30 in the library
- Apr. 30: Student of the Month Breakfast @7:30am in the cafeteria
- Apr. 30: Linn's Spring Picnic @5:30-7:00; see flyer below
4th and 5th Grade Spring Family Lunch
PTO Event: Linn's Spring Picnic
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
State Assessments
State Assessments will be between March 31- April 16
3rd Grade
- Reading: April 9, April 10
- Math: April 14, April 16
4th Grade
- Math: April 8, April 9
- Reading: March 31, April 1
5th Grade
- Science: March 31, April 1
- Reading: April 8, April 9
- Math: April 15, April 16
Tips for the Weeks of Testing
- Be punctual. Stay aware of the testing schedule and make sure that your child is at school on time on testing days.
- Get healthy sleep. Ensure that your child has gone to bed on time the night before so they’re well rested.
- Serve up a good meal. Make a healthy breakfast, including protein and healthy fat, to curb hunger during the testing session.
- Listen intently. Encourage kids to listen to and follow all directions given by the test administrator. If they have questions, they need to be addressed before testing begins.
- Take a timeout. Teach your child how to take “brain breaks” by stopping for a minute and taking a few deep breaths to help reduce test anxiety.
- Plan a treat for when testing is complete. This could be something as simple as a pizza and movie night or a weekend outing to a local park.
Grade Level News
Kindergarten: Mrs. Hernandez and Mrs. Moore
As we finish the alphabet, students will start to practice and recognize long vowels. They have been working hard in school to learn all they need before moving on to first grade. Please continue to practice the small decodable books at home. Continue to practice all skills with automaticity, such as the alphabet, sight words, and word segmenting. In math, we are working on the addition of ten ones and some more ones, place value, and writing numbers 10-20. They also need to orally count to 100. Continue to practice counting by having students show you how high they count.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
Math Home Support
1st Grade: Mrs. Adame and Mrs. Fry
Hello 1st grade families,
As our year is quickly coming to an end for our first graders, there is so much progress and work that they have made throughout the year. In Reading, we will be learning about different cultures for our new unit. This connects very well with our Social Studies unit that also informs students about different cultures we have around our communities. It would be awesome if you could talk with your child to teach them about your culture (the food, activities, traditions, and holidays). We are noticing most of our students are reading! This is great, yay! This is a great time to celebrate them!! Please continue to read to your child and have them practice reading at home.
In Math we are learning about 2D shapes, 3D shapes, and how to tell time on a clock. We will be starting to add and subtract up to 100 in the next math unit. One great way to help your child is to practice addition and subtraction flash cards as your child will benefit. It would be great practice to work with clocks tell time to the hour and half hour. In Science we are continuing to learn about communication with light and sound. As always, let us know if you need anything. Thank you for all your help with your child.
Mrs. Fry and Ms. Adame
Math Home Support
2nd Grade: Mrs. Rosales and Ms. Solis
In reading, we are learning how to understand informational texts. These are books that teach us about the real world!
Students are practicing how to:
- Find the main idea of a text
- Identify important details
- Learn new vocabulary words
- Use text features like pictures, headings, and captions
In math, we are learning about measurement and data.
Students are practicing how to:
- Measure objects using tools like rulers
- Compare lengths (longer, shorter, equal)
- Solve word problems about measurement
- Read charts and graphs
We are working hard to become strong readers, writers, and mathematicians by explaining our thinking and using what we learn in real life. Thank you for your continued support! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Ms. Solis and Miss Rosales
Math Home Support
3rd Grade: Mrs. Laskowsky, Miss Northcutt, and Mrs. Salmans
Dear 3rd Grade Family and Friends,
April is here! This means there are important dates to write down for State Testing in Math and Reading. 3rd Graders will test on Thursday, April 9th, and Friday, April 10th, for reading, and Tuesday, April 14th and Thursday, April 16th for math. Please ensure your student is in school these days to avoid make-up sessions. Also, follow the expectations for being well-rested and on time for school. Having longer daylight should not interfere with a consistent and appropriate bedtime. Pediatricians recommend 9-12 hours of sleep each night for a third-grade student. Help your student with their bedtime routine so they can put forth their BEST EFFORT!
Students must continue to complete their weekly homework page, read a variety of texts, and practice math facts. MIND Math fact practice is continuing. Congratulations to all the students who put forth effort to increase levels in MIND Math facts and master multiplication skills. Knowing multiplication facts 2-12 is essential in 3rd grade! Leaving 3rd grade without mastering strategies for multiplication will increase student struggles in the upper grades. ACT NOW and PRACTICE! Practice makes progress!
In math, we began Module 7, which focuses on geometry and measurement. Get your rulers and measuring tapes ready! Assist with measuring at home! Also, students should be on the lookout for everyday items that are constructed or made up of a variety of shapes.
The focus in reading and writing is on becoming a responsible and active citizen as we learn about and form opinions on historical events. The characters in our texts are very brave. Compliment your student on their bravery! Discuss acts of bravery in your family.
We have also begun a Social Studies unit on our government, which includes learning about many landmarks and symbols. Connections will be made with ELA by learning about becoming a responsible and active citizen, as well as participating in civic engagement. What do you and your family do to participate in active citizenship?
Please keep in touch with Parent Square! We love to hear from you!
The 3rd Grade Team-
Mrs. Salmans
Ms. Northcutt
Mrs. Laskowsky
Math Home Support
4th Grade: Mrs. Castro and Mrs. Rolle
Dear 4th Grade Families,
We hope this message finds you well. As we enter the month of April, we wanted to share an update on what your child will be working on in 4th grade.
ELA
During April, we will begin Unit 4, Module B. In this unit, students will work with both literary and informational texts to analyze ideas and information. Students will explore how innovation plays an important role in growth and problem solving in the real world. For writing, students will focus on supporting their opinions with clear reasons and evidence. As a class, we will brainstorm technology innovations that have impacted daily life, such as televisions, ATMs, and cell phones.. Each student will then choose one innovation they believe has had the greatest impact on daily life and write an opinion piece to support their thinking.
Math
We will be working in Module 4, where students will explore geometry concepts. They will learn about points, lines, line segments, rays, and angles, and how these are related. Students will practice creating and measuring angles using a protractor and solving problems to find unknown angle measurements. They will also explore symmetry and classify two dimensional figures based on their attributes.
Science/Social Studies
We will continue our focus on energy transformations. Students will build on what they learned in March by exploring how energy changes from one form to another, such as how a light bulb transforms electrical energy into light and heat. They will continue investigating real world examples of energy and how it is used in everyday life.
State Testing
In April, students will begin state testing in both Math and ELA. This is an important time for students to show what they have learned throughout the year. To help your child do their best, please make sure they are getting a good night’s sleep, arriving to school on time, and ready to learn each day. Your support at home makes a big difference in helping students feel confident and prepared.
Weekly Homework Reminder
Please continue to encourage your child to complete and submit their homework each week. This practice is important for reinforcing skills in both reading and math, especially during testing season. Consistent practice helps build confidence and supports student success.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
The 4th Grade Team
Math Home Support
5th Grade: Mrs. Rogers and Miss Sughroue
Dear Families,
Happy April! Wow, this school year has flown by!
Important Announcements
● State Assessments: As we move into April, we are preparing for State Assessments. These tests help show each student’s learning progression in ELA, Math, and Science.
○ What we’re doing in class:
- ELA: We will begin a Space research project after State Assessments.
- Math: After testing, we will continue with Module 6.
- Science: We have wrapped up our Science units for the year and will be returning to Social Studies.
○ How families can help:
- Ensure students get an appropriate amount of sleep on assessment nights.
- Provide a nutritious breakfast at home or encourage them to eat breakfast at school.
- Encourage a calm, positive mindset about testing. Remind students to do their best and rest well the night before.
Additional Information & Important Dates April is a busy month for our 5th graders. Please note these important dates:
- Science State Test: March 31 & April 1
- ELA State Test: April 8 & 9
- Math State Test: April 15 & 16
- 5th Grade Family Lunch: Friday, April 17 — 11:00–11:25
- DCMS Tour: April 23
- Linn Career Day: April 24
- 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Demonstration @ DCHS: April 27
- 5th Grade Instrument Tryouts @ Linn: April 28
Reminder, if you need to get in touch with your student’s teacher, please do so via Parent Square.
Warmly, Mrs. Rogers and Ms. Sughroue
Math Home Support
PE: Mr. Navarro and Ms. Morales
🏀 K–5 Physical Education Newsletter - April 🏀
Dear Linn Lion Families,
We are excited to head into April after a great month of learning and movement in PE! Our students finished March strong by developing their basketball dribbling skills, focusing on control, coordination, and confidence while moving with the ball. It has been great to see their improvement and effort!
🏀 What’s Coming Up in April
We will begin April by continuing our basketball unit, shifting our focus to shooting and passing. Students will work on:
- Proper shooting form (balance, aim, follow-through)
- Chest passes and bounce passes
- Teamwork and game-like situations
These skills help students build not only coordination, but also communication and cooperation with others.
👕 5th Grade Field Day Shirt Competition
Our 5th graders will also begin working on a fun and creative project - our Field Day Shirt Competition! Students will design shirts that represent school spirit, teamwork, and positivity. We can’t wait to see their creativity shine as they prepare for Field Day later this spring!
🥦 End of April: Nutrition Unit
To finish the month, we will transition into an important Nutrition Unit, where students will learn how healthy choices fuel their bodies for both everyday life and physical activity.
During this unit, students will explore:
🍎 The Importance of Balanced Nutrition
- Understanding the major food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy)
- Learning how each group helps the body grow, stay strong, and have energy
⚡ Fueling an Active Body
- Why healthy foods help improve energy, focus, and performance in PE and the classroom
- The connection between nutrition and physical fitness
💧 Hydration Habits
- Why drinking water is essential, especially during exercise
- How to recognize when your body needs hydration
🍽️ Making Healthy Choices
- Identifying healthier snack and meal options
- Understanding moderation and balance (it’s okay to enjoy treats—just in the right amounts!)
🧠 Building Lifelong Habits
- Encouraging students to make smart food choices at school and at home
- Helping students understand that nutrition is a key part of overall wellness
We aim to make this unit interactive and engaging so students can apply what they learn in real life. Our goal is to help them develop healthy habits that last a lifetime!
🌟 PE Reminder
Please continue to send your child with:
- Athletic shoes
- Comfortable clothing
- A positive attitude and willingness to try their best!
Thank you for your continued support in helping your child stay active and healthy. We are looking forward to a fun and engaging month ahead!
Let’s keep moving, learning, and growing!
— Mr. Navarro
Music: Mr. Adams and Mrs. Shuler
1st grade is working on their program on 4/16.
2nd grade has been working on song forms and clog dancing.
4th grade is working on recorders and performing multi-part songs.
5th grade is working on recorders and looking at instrument families to get ready for band and orchestra try-outs for middle school.
Librarian's Corner: Mrs. Nolan-Santy
The Impact of Reading for 20 Minutes Every Day
A student who reads for 20 minutes a day will be exposed to 1,800,000 words per year and is more likely to score in the 90th percentile on tests.
A student who reads for 5 minutes a day will be exposed to 282,000 words per year and is more likely to score in the 50th percentile on tests.
A student who reads for 1 minute a day will be exposed to 8,000 words per year and is more likely to score in the 10th percentile on tests.
Which child would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
Which child would you expect to be a proficient reader?
Source: Nagy, Anderson, and Herman, 1987.
Counselor's Corner: Mrs. Stone
Can you believe it is April? Only this month and next before the students are out for the summer. We will be covering testing, transitions, teamwork, and citizenship this month. The exciting news…We will host a career fair at the end of the month for the entire school, which students will participate in during the school day. We are so excited.
Since we can be outside more, please take a moment to remind your student that they should not go home with anyone without your permission and a call to the school. I hope you also talk to your student about how to cross the street safely, even when they are with you, so that they develop a solid knowledge base in their minds for when they are ready to cross on their own. The fifth grade watched a video on this very subject. First graders discussed knowing their phone numbers during safety lessons and were able to see how that knowledge helped them find their mom if they were separated from their parents. It makes sense for all students to know how to contact you.
Thank you for sharing your students with us. Enjoy the spring weather; we will be having summer soon.
Linn Elementary
Email: medrano.carla@usd443.org
Website: https://linn.usd443.org/
Address: 1900 W. Linn St. Dodge City, KS
Phone: 620-471-2114
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linnlions95/