2025 End of Year / June Newsletter

Last week we officially closed out the 2024–2025 school year! I wanted to take a moment, on behalf of the entire staff at Cody Middle School, to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for your support, partnership, and trust throughout the year.

We had a remarkable and successful year at Cody Middle School. Our students, staff, and families worked together relentlessly to build a high-achieving school community that was supportive, challenging, and inclusive. The outcomes of our collective efforts were evident in the growth that we saw in classrooms, the character we witnessed in our hallways, and the pride we all felt in being part of the Cody Middle School Bronc and Filly family.

As part of this end-of-year newsletter, I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight and celebrate some of the outstanding achievements from this year—achievements made possible by the commitment and collaboration of this community. From academic excellence to extracurricular success, from innovative teaching to student leadership, this year was full of moments that reflected the heart and strength of our school.

We were proud of all that our students and staff accomplished, and we remain deeply grateful to our families for your encouragement and support along the way.

I hope you and your family have a safe, restful, and enjoyable summer break.

Thank you for your continued support of Cody Middle School, and as always, Go Broncs & Fillies!

With Gratitude,

Principal

Cody Middle School

This year, Cody Middle School students demonstrated excellence across a wide range of academic competitions and performance-based assessments, earning recognition at the regional, state, and even national levels. Their achievements reflect not only our students’ individual talents and dedication, but also the strong academic culture and instructional support provided by our teachers and staff. This fact was further highlighted by the honor of Governor Mark Gordon choosing to tour our school this year. Park County School District 6 and Cody Middle School continued to be proud participants in the Governor’s RIDE Initiative, reinforcing our commitment to educational innovation, student growth, and statewide collaboration.

In National History Day Competitions, several of our students stood out among statewide competitors. Dagny Lee received the Family History Award for her compelling documentary about the Vietnam War, featuring a firsthand account from her grandfather. She earned first place in her category and qualified for the National Contest in Maryland this June. Students, Ava Kendrick and Natalie Kim, competing in their third consecutive year, won second place for their documentary on abolitionist Lewis Hayden, also qualifying them for the national competition. All CMS National History Day participants advanced to the State level!

Our Cody Middle School student-musicians were another highlight of the year. All CMS Choirs received Superior Ratings—the highest possible—while CMS Bands earned a combination of Excellent and Superior Ratings this year in multiple regional and state competitions. These achievements speak volumes about the hard work of our student-musicians and the leadership of Ms. Lajko and Mr. Brown. In fact, our CMS Choir, had nine 7th and 8th grade students that were selected to participate in the North Big Horn Basin District Honor Choir this year. All CMS choirs that participated in the North Big Horn Basin Music Festival—an event modeled after high school music assessments, earned Superior Ratings, and nine CMS students were accepted into the ACDA Wyoming Children’s Honor Choir, where they will perform alongside students from across the state in Cheyenne this June.

In Speech & Debate, Cody Middle School fielded its first-ever team this year. Our students competed in multiple events throughout school year. During our home event, Ellie Ribera made CMS history by winning first place in Poetry, becoming our school’s first champion in the event. Houston Reney also earned a first place finish in Debate, and Khloe Grimm secured a second place finish. In the interpretive categories, Hannah Warner and Emma Vizcaino placed fourth, and Saide Thoma and Emerson Conaway finished fifth. These results are a strong indicator of the growth and promise in our public speaking and performance programs.

Our students also excelled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) related fields. At the Regional Science Fair, nine CMS students placed third or higher, demonstrating innovative thinking and strong scientific understanding. At World Language Day hosted in Laramie, Wyoming at the University of Wyoming, Cody Beardall took second place in the individual competition. The team of Emma Vizcaino, Emma Miller, and Ali Bischoff placed fourth in small group presentation, while Madeleine LaFrenz, Ryland Pool, and Olivia Reynolds placed fifth—demonstrating a deepening global awareness and communication skillset.

These successes across multiple disciplines highlight the remarkable depth of talent and academic engagement at Cody Middle School. Whether through performance, research, design, or debate, our students continue to embody our shared values!

One of Cody Middle School’s proudest achievements this year was the continued expansion of community-connected learning experiences through enrichment courses aligned with Park County School District 6’s Classroom 2 Careers Initiative. These partnerships brought our curriculum to life, offering students authentic, hands-on learning that bridged the gap between classroom content and real-world careers.

Our Crime Scene Investigation enrichment, in partnership with the Cody Police Department, gave students a firsthand look at the roles and responsibilities of forensic investigators. Students explored crime scene protocols and investigative techniques, deepening their understanding of the justice system while interacting with law enforcement professionals.

We also expanded opportunities in early childhood education through our American Red Cross Babysitting class and our Early Childhood Internship enrichment. These programs allowed students to gain valuable, real-world skills in childcare, first aid, and CPR, resulting in several CMS students earning certification through the American Red Cross. In partnership with the Children’s Resource Center (CRC), students engaged in hands-on learning experiences, deepening their understanding of child development, safety, and responsibility—skills that not only prepare them for potential future careers but also empower them to be trusted caretakers within our community.

Through our Fly Tying and Fly Fishing courses, students developed outdoor skills and learned about conservation in collaboration with North Fork Anglers, Wyoming Game and Fish, and Trout Unlimited. These experiences not only taught technical skills but also reinforced stewardship of Wyoming’s natural resources.

Our Introduction to Agricultural Education course, offered in partnership with Northwest College, allowed students to explore agri-science careers and gain insight into the agricultural industry—a cornerstone of our state’s economy.

We were honored to offer Introduction to Army JROTC, supported by local military servicemen, as well as Civil Air Patrol enrichment, in partnership with veterans from the Wyoming Air Force Auxiliary. These courses fostered leadership, discipline, and civic awareness while building strong connections to those who serve.

Our Wyoming Hunter Education class, in collaboration with Wyoming Game and Fish, equipped students with knowledge of wildlife conservation, safety practices, and ethical responsibility in the outdoors.

Other impactful enrichment experiences included Weightlifting, Library Adventure, and Documentary Filmmaking and Mountainfilm Exploration—each connecting students to local mentors, creative opportunities, and personal development.

Finally, we continued our powerful Quilts of Valor enrichment, through which students honored local veterans in a heartfelt school-wide ceremony, reinforcing values of gratitude, respect, and community service.

These partnerships are a shining example of our school’s mission to create meaningful, connected learning for all students while cultivating lasting relationships with those who help our community thrive.

Cody Middle School students showed exceptional dedication to extracurricular involvement this year, with 239 of our 448 students—53.3%—participating in CMS sports. When including students who participated in Band and Choir, that number climbs to nearly 100%, demonstrating that almost every student was actively involved in at least one co-curricular or extracurricular activity. This level of engagement reflects our school’s commitment to offering diverse opportunities that support student growth, connection, and school pride.

Our student-athletes achieved outstanding results across all seasons. The CMS Cross Country team captured 1st place in the Conference, while both the 7th and 8th Grade Girls Basketball teams brought home Conference Championship titles. The 8th Grade Volleyball team earned an impressive 3rd place finish with a 15–3 record, and CMS football players battled hard on the gridiron, finishing the season with a combined 7th and 8th grade record of 6–4. The 6th Grade Girls Track team also claimed a Conference Championship, highlighting the strong foundation of our younger athletes.

In addition to these highlights, CMS proudly supported competitive teams in Wrestling, Tennis, Golf, Swimming, and both Nordic and Alpine Skiing, providing a wide range of athletic outlets for students to explore and develop their skills. These experiences have not only fostered physical development and sportsmanship, but have also strengthened student bonds and school spirit throughout the year.

District Employee of the Month Honorees:

Alexa Sheets, Dawn Lewallen, Tanner Hoffman, Mindy Butcher, Tina Lajko
(20 staff members were nominated this year)

Principal Highlights: Mr. Gogan was nominated as the President of the Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals this year!

Teacher-Coach Highlights:

• Mr. Hensen: State Runner-Up, WHSAA Girls Alpine

• Mr. Wagner: State Runner-Up, 3A Girls Basketball

• Mr. Johnston: State Runner-Up, 3A Boys Basketball

• Mr. Duncan: 3rd Place, CHS Boys Wrestling

• Ms. Miears and Ms. Larsen: State Champions, 3A Girls Soccer

The success of Cody Middle School this year would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication and behind-the-scenes efforts of our district’s support departments. From serving meals and transporting students to maintaining safe and functional learning environments, these teams ensured that each school day ran smoothly for our students and staff.

Our PCSD6 Nutrition Services Department provided an essential foundation for student learning and well-being, serving an impressive 115,733 meals over the course of the school year. Their work fuels not just bodies, but minds—ensuring that every student has access to nutritious meals that support focus, energy, and growth.

The PCSD6 Transportation Department was equally vital, safely moving students to and from school, athletic events, and learning experiences beyond the classroom. This year alone, they completed 1,517 total trips, provided 7,090 hours of service, and transported students 30,282 times, covering a remarkable 496,350 miles. Their reliability and professionalism make every opportunity for learning and participation possible.

Our PCSD6 Maintenance Department worked tirelessly to uphold the safety, cleanliness, and functionality of our facilities. They maintained complex infrastructure including 51 air handler units, 15 boilers, and 6 chillers, serviced 78.02 acres and 663,615 square feet of school property, and successfully managed thousands of work orders throughout the year. Their efforts also ensured that all snow removal and safety systems were executed with precision during the winter months, keeping our campuses safe and accessible.

These teams may often work behind the scenes, but their impact is visible in every classroom, hallway, and school event. We are deeply grateful for their expertise, their commitment, and their vital role in making Cody Middle School a safe, supportive, and successful place for every student.