The Rocket Review
Monthly Newsletter Update: September 2021
Upcoming Dates
September
6th: No School [Labor Day]
7th: Picture Day [Elementary Individuals and Groups, JH/HS Make-ups, JH/HS Fall Sports]
9th: Jostens Sophomore and Senior Orders Due
13th: National Honor Society Blood Drive at Burlington Junction American Legion, 2:00-7:00 PM
20th: West Nodaway Board of Education Meeting
27th: No School [Staff Development Day]
October
5th: District ACT testing for Juniors and Seniors
8th: Homecoming Football vs. Bishop LeBlond at Nodaway-Holt, 7:00 PM
18th: West Nodaway Board of Education Meeting
20th: End of First Quarter
25th: Picture Day [Make-ups, JH Basketball, JH Cheer]
27th-30th: National FFA Convention
29th: No School [Staff Development Day]
You can access the athletic calendar and view upcoming contests by clicking here.
Reminders
- If 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)
Mitch's Memo
I hope this writing finds you doing well. We have had 5 days of school with students and everyone seems to be settling into the educational routine. I am very pleased that over the summer we were able to maximize the use of federal stimulus funds and make several improvements to our facilities. We made several other improvements which are not listed here. However, the ones I want to emphasize include tuck pointing and sealing the brick on the outside of the building as well as tearing down and capping the old chimney. The Carpet in the entire elementary was replaced, as well as some rooms on the high school side. Work was done to the elementary roof to fix some major leaks. The roof work has not been completed on the elementary but is still in progress. These improvements will help with air quality and improve student health.
An issue I want to address with patrons is Air Quality on the high school side. In order to address our negative air pressure, moisture and mold issues on the high school side the Board is considering a proposal to add air-conditioning to the gym and cafeteria. This is not to just have air-conditioning but to address the air quality and and moisture issues. Presently we have a negative air problem which means we push more air out of the building than we take in. Because the buildings are hooked together this also effects the elementary side. Fixing the negative air issue will help us reduce leaks, reduce air moisture and help curtail mold issues.
Lastly, below I have provided a chart in regard to tax levies in Nodaway County. The last 2 elections the Board placed a levy on the ballot and it did not pass. The Board will not place the levy issue on the November ballot because of cost issues. However, I have been told to communicate that it is the intent of the Board to place the levy on the April ballot. If you have questions or want to discuss figures please stop by the school and we will do so. As I get out and travel about the community or go to ball games I hear lots of things in regard to the school and the levy and I will tell you I am amazed at what I hear. Tax levy stories appear to be like fishing stories and every time the story gets told it gets a little bigger. The best place to get information and figures in regard to school finance would be directly from the source and that would be the school.
I hope you have a blessed month and I look forward to seeing you at a school event!
Dr. Mitch Barnes
Middle and High School News
I am proud of the effort that the teachers put in this summer working on priority standards and cross currricular objectives. The extra effort that they have put in will make a difference in the learning opportunities for our students this year. We are focused on identifying gaps in student learning in order to catch students up on any learning losses to make our students the best they can be. We have great kids and they deserve a great education. This leads us into our new intervention program during advisement.
The school has purchased the Edgenuity program that will allow us to assess all math and English students in the 7th-12th grade. The program will identify learning gaps that we will then address in the classroom. Since this is a new program, we are going to add an additional focus on 7th-9th grade during the advisement time for any student who has a learning gap to catch everyone up as soon as possible. We are proud of our kids and we want the best education for them. The Edgenuity assessment will be conducted at the start of each month to check on student learning.
Sports are off and running. At the time of this writing, the Varsity Football team is undeafeted after rolling the Osborn/Stewartsville Wildcards 60-14. The Varsity Volleyball team started off with a bang by defeating East Atchison (Tarkio/Fairfax) before running out of gas and placing 4th after several hard fought matches at the East Atchison tournament against Benton and Rock Port. The Varsity Cross Country team is ready to roll and will have their first meet soon. The Junior High Football and Volleyball teams are also looking forward to their first match ups of the season!
As we go through the year we are looking for ways to build school pride. The first step in this direction was holding our first student pep assembly of the year last Friday prior to the Football game. We will continue to have some pep assemblies to build school pride as we go through the year. The Student Council has created spirit days for each of the "home" football games (at Burlington Junction or Graham) and they are giving away suckers at lunch to students who are participating in the dress up days.
FFA had their annual ... on Sunday to raise funds for their activities. FFA has been selling Aloe Vera plants as well as other plants from their greenhouse. Student Council will be holding a cookout for the students on September 3rd for all pk-12th grade students. Mr. Brogan has been in contact with the band instructor from Nodaway Holt and plan on having the band students play at some of the home games at both West Nodaway and at Nodaway Holt. Many, many more exciting things are being talked about and I can't wait to see how great this year is going to be! Be sure to join us in all of the fun activities and continue to support and follow us through out the year! See you soon!
Mr. Harding
Elementary News
We have officially blasted off into a new school year. On the first day of school we had an assembly on the football field to introduce all the new staff as well as announce our summer reading drawing winners. It was great to be outside and release some of that energy. Everyone was excited to start the new year and I even gave students the opportunity to yell "good morning" to the principal at the top of our lungs. Believe me I heard them!
We continue to be a PBIS school and on Friday August 27th we held a boot camp to teach and reteach expected behaviors. Students traveled around the building where teachers taught Restrooms, Classroom, Cafeteria, Playground, Hallways, and Gym/Recess expectations. Students will continue to earn stars and be will able to purchase items from our Rocket Shop.
This school year we will continue with safety, bus, and patriot patrol. Students will be nominated nominated by teachers to serve in these roles. We look forward to having students fill these roles in the near future.
Safety Patrol -
Bus Patrol -
Patriot Patrol -
There are several new teachers and faculty at West Nodaway Elementary and I would like to say "thank you" to all the parents and students as we work out some of the wrinkles that often come with the beginning of the school year. Communication continues to be very important and we ask that you please call the school and let us know if your student will have different arrangements for dismissal after school. We have new faces driving our school buses as well and want to make sure we help those drivers out as much as possible.
As September begins we look forward to getting into routine. Students and teachers are getting to know one another and building relationships. Soon we will start testing/screening students so we have baseline scores to build individual plans to meet every students needs.
Don't forget picture day is coming soon September 7th. As always, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact the school.
Thank you,
Mr. Conn
Lunch Menu
Nurse's News
Wellness screenings will be starting August 31st. Vision, height, weight and hearing will be completed on age appropriate students. I will be contacting parents on those students who do not pass these screenings, if a referral is needed. It is imperative to get these referrals taken care of in a timely manner so we can all help our students succeed.
We continue to face challenges with COVID this year. If you have any questions on illness or symptoms, please reach out. Quarantine rules remain similar to last year, and have already impacted some of our students. A few changes: Nodaway County Health Department has adopted the 10 day rule for close contacts, and fully-vaccinated students with no symptoms will be exempt from quarantine. I appreciate all your help with these challenges, I know it's not easy for anyone.
Kelli Hoyt
khoyt@wnrockets.com
(660) 725-4126
Counselor's Corner
Counselor's News
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