2025 April Newsletter

Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope your family had a chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy some time together. Whether you spent your break traveling, spending time outdoors, or simply catching your breath, I am glad to have our students and staff back in the building.

As we begin the fourth quarter, I am reminded that this time of year is always a little bittersweet. There’s a growing sense of anticipation as summer draws closer, but also a deep appreciation for how far our students have come. This is the season where we often see tremendous growth and maturation, when the lessons, routines, and relationships built over the year begin to bear fruit. It is a special time at Cody Middle School, and I am excited for what lies ahead. This final stretch of the school year is a chance for every student to finish strong and showcase their growth.

I want to briefly take a moment to celebrate the tremendous success of our CMS Kids First Parent Group Raffle Fundraiser last month. Over 170 Cody Middle School students participated by selling at least one raffle ticket, which is an incredible show of community spirit and support. We recognized all of our students prior to Spring Break during our assembly, but I wanted to give a special shoutout to some of our top sellers for their dedication:

• Hunter Fenton (8th Grade)

• Gavin Legler (7th Grade) – sold over 90 tickets

• Morgan Christler (6th Grade) – sold an incredible 111 tickets

• Sadie Thoma (74 tickets) and Alison Claus (80 tickets) also earned well-deserved recognition for their outstanding efforts.

Thanks to the collective effort of our students, families, and staff, the CMS Kids First Parent Group raised a total of $19,080 through this fundraiser. Your generosity and enthusiasm are deeply appreciated, and the funds raised will directly benefit the students of Cody Middle School.

Prior to Spring Break, we also celebrated our Friday Rewards Day with nearly 300 students meeting eligibility criteria and enjoying a unique reward for their hard work and positive choices. Our Friday Reward Day had a clear positive impact on academics, so I want to share a few important statistics:

• We saw a 25% reduction in the number of failing grades.

• The number of students with at least one failing grade decreased by 33%.

Our staff and students work incredibly hard each day and perform at high levels consistently. Thank you for supporting our students and encouraging them to achieve academically and behave appropriately!

During the month of March, Cody Middle School students excelled in statewide competitions. At World Language Day in Laramie, we are proud to share the following results:

• Cody Beardall – 2nd in individual competition

• Emma Vizcaino, Emma Miller, Ali Bischoff – 4th in small group presentation

• Madeleine LaFrenz, Ryland Pool, Olivia Reynolds – 5th in small group presentation

In our most recent Speech and Debate competition, our students also achieved impressive success:

• Houston Reney – 1st in Debate

• Khloe Grimm – 2nd in Debate

• Ellie Ribera – 1st in Poetry

• Sadie Thoma & Emerson Conaway – 5th in Interpretive

• Hannah Warner & Emma Vizcaino – 4th in Interpretive

Way to go Broncs & Fillies!

At Cody Middle School, we are also proud to have a teaching staff that goes above and beyond—not only in the classroom, but across a wide range of student experiences. Many of our educators serve as coaches at both the middle and high school levels, giving their time, energy, and passion to support students beyond academics. These individuals put in countless hours outside of the school day, often sacrificing evenings, weekends, and time with their own families to build relationships, develop character, and foster growth through athletics and extracurricular involvement.

This winter season, we saw some incredible coaching accomplishments from CMS staff who are making a lasting impact at the secondary level:

• Coach Hensen – State Runner-Up, CHS Girls Alpine Skiing

• Coach Wagner – 3A State Runner-Up, CHS Girls Basketball

• Coach Johnston – 3A State Runner-Up, CHS Boys Basketball

• Coach Duncan – 3rd Place Finish, CHS Wrestling

These results are a reflection of not only athletic excellence, but of the deep commitment our teachers have to building meaningful relationships with students. The mentorship and leadership they provide on the field, court, or slope carries over into the classroom, reinforcing our belief that education happens everywhere—and that our staff are shaping student lives in ways that extend far beyond curriculum.

Looking ahead, this month we are preparing for the WYTOPP Spring Summative Assessments, which begin soon. This adaptive, standards-based assessment is the one assessment used by the Wyoming Department of Education to determine our school’s accountability rating.

We are asking all students to give 100% effort, and you can support your student by:

• Ensuring they get plenty of rest

• Making sure they eat a healthy breakfast

• Helping them arrive on time with a charged Chromebook

• Encouraging them to stay focused and do their best—every question counts!

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Cody Middle School is a special place because of the collective commitment of our students, staff, and families. Let’s make the most of this final quarter, celebrate our progress, and finish the year strong!

As always, Go Broncs & Fillies!

With Gratitude,

Principal

Cody Middle School

If your student rides any bus, please make sure they have their Student ID. Park 6 Transportation will begin strictly enforcing the use of Student IDs on all buses, including in-town field trips. Park 6 wants to make sure all students are safe and accounted for as well as be able to identify when and where they get on and off the bus. If your student requires a new Student ID, please let the Cody Middle School Front Office know and we will provide you with a replacement card form that you can return to us along with a $5 ID replacement fee. If you have questions, please call the Park 6 Transportation Department at 307-587-2851.

The Park 6 and CMS Nutrition Staff are offering additional drinks and snacks for purchase during lunch. Your student may charge these additional drinks and snacks to their account as long as they have a positive balance. Please talk with your student if you approve of them purchasing these extra drinks and snacks. We know that many families only budget a certain amount for school lunches each month, so we want to make sure you are aware of this and able to have a conversation with your student. If you have any concerns or questions please contact us.