It sure has been cold this month. Even though the temps have been below freezing and one might feel like an icicle, WGSD has been bringing the heat as we start this new semester in the new calendar year! Students are learning, growing, and challenging themselves in and out of the classroom. Check out some of the highlights from the month.

Past newsletters will be posted on our district website.

Also, if there are specific items or questions you have, please reach out to Mrs. Bauer at bauere@wgsd.us or 970-724-3217.

We are Grand Today. Greater Tomorrow.

Go Mustangs!

This month we paused from our Profile recognition to highlight the WGHS student athletes who competed in a CHSAA State Competition so far this year.

Cross Country: Coach Ryan Tripicchio, Coach Brayden James, Volunteer Chelsea Gains; Athletes: Dean Ratcliff and Teaari Luna

Cheer: Coach Crystal Ratcliff; Athletes: Sara Lechman, Joseline Lopez, Lillyana Wutz, Marina Gonzalez, Lena Harms, Lexi Heid, Addy Pedersen, Quincey Harms, Amara Miranda, and Sonya Wutz

Recognition at the West Grand Board of Education meeting on January 28. Many couldn't make it due to scheduling, but they were still recognized!

Students at West Grand has multiple opportunities to explore and experience different pathways for options for after high school. Check out some of the things that happened this past month:

• 17 Students completing internships this spring
• 19 Students enrolled in concurrent/dual-credit college courses
• Marines and Navy visit WGHS
• Rocky Vista Medical School comes to present to students about different medical pathway options
• Scholarship writing class -- class and support for students pursuing scholarships. Several students are advancing in qualifications for the prestigious Boettcher and Daniels Scholarships
• Students accepting offers to attend colleges, including:
• Callie Freitag -- University of Nebraska Kearney
• Luke Leaghty -- University of Northern Colorado
• Sylvia Manguso -- Northern Arizona University

The WGSD Strategic Plan went before the WG Board of Education for approval. We look forward to sharing the final draft with you all! Stay tuned for invites!

Check out the playlist of videos helping explain the master facility plan. These will be shared over several days on social media. There will be more added as we continue through the process. Make sure you check them out. Reach out with any questions!

West Grand Middle and High School students participated in our district’s annual Science Fair this past Thursday. They applied the scientific method, conducted experiments, and shared their findings. The wide variety of projects demonstrated our students' creativity and critical thinking skills.

A big thank you to our amazing science teachers—Mrs. DeBell, Ms. Harmon, and Mrs. Moonen—for their guidance and for hosting this event. We also appreciate the community judges who took the time to evaluate the projects and engage with the students. We are proud of all of our students and we would like to congratulate the winners as listed:

Best of Fair

-Devon Mahorney

High School

-1st - Devon Mahorney

-2nd - Harmoni Wolverton

-3rd - Hugo Gonzalez Gomez

-Honorable Mention - Teagan Bruchez

-Honorable Mention - Esse Dominguez

High School Regional Qualifiers:

-Devon Mahorney

-Harmoni Wolverton

-Hugo Gonzalez Gomez

-Teagan Bruchez

-Esse Dominguez

-Addy Pedersen

-Bailey Cook

-Brooke Terryberry

Overall Middle School

-1st - Brandon Johnson

-2nd - Grayson Kassib

-3rd - Mackenzie McDowell

-Honorable Mention - Paige DeBell & Ashton Lockhart

-Honorable Mention - Elizabeth George

-Honorable Mention - Pake VanderLinden

Middle School Regionals Qualifiers

-Brandon Johnson

-Grayson Kassib

-Mackenzie McDowell

-Paige DeBell & Ashton Lockhart

-Elizabeth George

-Pake VanderLinden

-Gracie Typhair

-Lyndee Thomson & Ryder Pryor

-Trynity Typhair

-Maci Hayes

Students and staff weigh in about some of the benefits of not having phones in the classroom. This has been the policy and practice at West Grand for several years, but this year there is a renewed energy and consistency in focusing on "More Social. Less Media."

Elisabeth Corcoran, high school student, submitted a painting for the National Western Stock Show's Youth Art Contest and her work was chosen for Honorable Mention and was displayed on the wall of the Art Gallery at the National Western Stock Show for all three weeks of the show.

What a great opportunity for Elisabeth and West Grand to be represented on a National stage for artwork. A huge shout out to Mr. Miller, high school art teacher, for his incredible support of Elisabeth's creativity and professionalism in regards to an activity she's passionate about!

Elisabeth Corcoran next to her artwork displayed at the National Western Stockshow.

Check out this list released by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) recognizing increases in graduation rates. Way to go, West Grand!

January was a busy month for our all of our student, including our student athletes. Some highlights from the month include:

• Matti Hayes being recognized by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) for displaying outstanding sportsmanship at the regional volleyball tournament.
• Senior wrestler, Joe Probst, earning his 100 career win at a home dual
• Senior night for girls and boys wrestling
• All teams competing at full steam!
• Full gyms and seeing our community come out to support our student whether it is a wrestling tournament, a basketball game, or the science fair. Having your attendance and presence makes an impact for our students and programs!

Mrs. Gillespie's 3rd grade class put the"I" in kind. Last Thursday they spread good vibes to students and staff. These vibes could be pocketed or paid forward to others in efforts to spread the vibes far and wide.

Cadence Stetler and Tristin Stiefel have been helping keep their bus clean for the past couple of weeks. Heather Corcoran, bus driver, reported how great it is to have them take ownership of the bus. They even take a couple extra minutes in the morning before going into breakfast to ensure that the bus is clean. What a great example of being empowered! Kudos to these fine young ladies!

The hallways at WG K8 are continually being changing to reflect student learning and creativity. The artwork displayed is a small demonstration of what is going on in the art classroom. Students learn about history, art form, technique, and are able to demonstrate their own version of their learning. Check out some of these examples:

Members of the West Grand FFA attending the annual National Western Stock Show in Denver. It is a great opportunity for our students to see the different facets of the Stock Show, understand the bigger agriculture scene, as well as connect to our local industry.

WGHS heated up the dance floor this month with a Student Council (StuCo) sponsored event on a cold evening!

Photo credits go to Ms. Harmon! Thanks for always sharing.

See the information regrading the dental health screenings that are upcoming here at West Grand for grades K-5. Your student should have brought home a permission slip for these screenings as well.

Make sure you follow our website and click on the calendar links to see the most up-to-date information on events and activities hosted here at West Grand. The schedule changes so often, the digital version is best!

Here is the website link: https://www.wgsd.us/calendar

Follow your West Grand Mustangs on the NFHS network to watch live or recorded home games and the away games if the hosting school has NFHS. Visit NFHS West Grand Athletics to catch the action.

The West Grand Early Childhood Center (WGECC) is a high-quality childcare center supported by the school district. Karen Taft, the new director, alongside all of the WGECC care teachers have continued to provide a great childcare environment. Check out some of the things they are up to below!

The Board of Education would like feedback surrounding the roles and goals of the superintendent and the performance perspective from our district stakeholders.

Here is the survey link: https://forms.gle/ahsAqBzYBqpbpaQp9

The feedback will be given to the superintendent for purposes of growth and improvement. If you would prefer to have a conversation about this, please reach out to the West Grand Board President, Mitch Lockhart, at lockhartm@wgsd.us.

Please complete this 2 minute survey by Thursday, February 13.

If you cannot access the survey, you can pick up a printed copy of the survey at both WGHS and WG K8 front offices. Printed surveys can be given to Mitch Lockhart.

There is still time to hit the ski slopes!

Mrs. Bauer and Mrs. Hooks hosted the first Coffee and Conversation of the year. It is an informal time where they will be out in our community to sit and talk about school. There will be no agenda, just an opportunity to have conversation.

Bauer and Hooks will continue to host this open opportunity the third Thursday of the month from 7:00am - 8:00am.