Rocket Review
Monthly Newsletter Update - January 2025
Greetings!
I hope this writing finds you doing well. As I sit here writing this I can hear the elementary classes coming and going from the gymnasium practicing their songs for the music concert tonight. They sound great and I look forward to their performance this evening. By the time you read this the concert will have come and gone. However, I want to encourage you to come out to the school and support our students whenever they have activities taking place.
As you may or may not be aware we have a playground committee that is working to improve our elementary playground. The committee is working to raise funds to surface a portion of the playground area. New playground equipment arrived today and is being stored in our bus barn. I want to thank Farmer’s Supply for bringing their forklift over and unloading the equipment for the school. The next steps are to remove some old equipment, level the ground, install new equipment, then surface the designated area. Please see the information provided above. I know the playground committee would appreciate any support you can give.
It seems as if the 1st semester has flown by very quickly. I want to commend the staff at the school for the good job they are doing working with our students. Our academic scores continue to rise. Lastly, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you are able to enjoy the blessings of the season and spend time with family and friends over the break.
Dr. Barnes
Hello Rocket Family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope that everyone has a fantastic holiday break. Please enjoy your loved ones and some stay at home time. When we come back in January, let's put on our learning hats and get to work.
January 14th we will start our Book Blast with a live launch. Students will be bringing home information on this event. Our participation in this school-wide event will ensure that every student will receive at least one free book and students will have the potential to receive up to 10 free, age appropriate, books. Please be on the lookout for this information January 14th, 2025.
Also on Tuesday, January 14th we will have our 3rd grade day at breakfast. More information will be sent home with 3rd graders as this date approaches.
Tuesday, January 28th will be our 4th grade day at breakfast. More information will be sent home with 4th graders as this date approaches.
As I say nearly every month, please make sure to send students in appropriate warm clothing during the winter months. We will go outside as much as we possibly can and any time the windchill is above 25 degrees. Please make sure students have coats, hats, gloves, and are wearing pants.
Lastly, I would once again remind students and parents of the importance of bus safety. As the winter months have arrived, it's more likely for roads to have snow or ice on them and it is increasingly important that the bus drivers are able to stay focused on the road. Students who are yelling, moving seats, standing, or being a disruption will be given an assigned seat and if the behaviors continue, they will be removed from riding the bus. All students have been taught the bus expectations personally by myself and I will be holding students accountable to those expectations.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the classroom teacher or myself and I will do my best to help you.
Have a great month,
Mr. Conn
Our busy season has arrived! We’ve had some illness make its way back into school. Lots of respiratory symptoms- sore throat, cough, congestion, some vomiting. With all illnesses our policy remains the same, fever free x 24 hours with improvement of symptoms, or if antibiotics are required they need to be started for a full 24 hours before return. Nothing has changed with this policy, so if any questions at all please reach out and I’ll be happy to answer.
Thank you to the Kawasaki accounting team for their generous donation to help our students in need. We are so blessed to live in such a supportive community!
We have a big stock of winter coats, hats and gloves. We would love to find these a home so let us know if you would like your student to have one. Students are constantly borrowing coats for recess, please make sure to send a coat, hat and gloves everyday. Elementary students go outside in pretty chilly conditions.
We had a great time with our Christmas Small Mall. We hope you love the little gifts hand selected for you, Merry Christmas!
Welcome to 2025 and second semester here at West Nodaway.
Elementary students will be working on the character word of “perseverance” this month as well as goal setting. Students are showing engagement in the Character Strong curriculum and have done well with the individual, partner, and group components of various lessons. The upper elementary have become quite familiar with creating scenario skits, role playing, and being a good audience member. The lower elementary have done several team tasks or cooperative learning activities which is a step in moving from “I” to “we” thinking.
Junior High and High School will continue with their Character Strong lessons on Tuesdays during 8th Hour. Those students who are taking the material seriously are understanding several key qualities of leadership and citizenship. These characteristics are showing up more and more in their interaction with peers and teachers.
College and Career Mondays will continue this semester. Trips are being created around law
enforcement, transportation, and manufacturing. Dates have not been finalized yet but I’m excited to offer students the opportunity to speak with the Missouri Highway Patrol crime lab technicians,
investigators, and patrol officers. I’m also looking forward to taking students to the new Houlni Center at Missouri Western to see their state of the art training for manufacturing and cyber security jobs.
ASVAB testing will be January 22nd for all juniors and any senior who did not take it last year. While this test is sponsored by the military, the feedback report is a great tool for students to use whether they are thinking about the military or not. Students who take the test seriously are able to find out their career strengths and weaknesses which in turn helps them plan for after high school.
Last but not least, we will have a MAP/EOC recognition ceremony the evening of February 7 either
before or between the basketball games. Students being honored will have free admission to the games and receive a bag of popcorn. More information will be sent home with students closer to time.
Please let me know if there are any concerns or questions you may have.
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
Twitter: @WNrockets