It's been said that "April showers bring May flowers" and I also saw a Grand county meme that said, "April showers, bring MUD." Either way, April is a busy month here at the schools and it is full of good stuff that continues to help our staff and students GROW!

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 recognized the Profile of a Learner characteristic of Open-Minded. We also recognized our state competitors for the winter. The high school boys and girls wrestling student-athletes and coaches as well as the middle school and high school state science competitors were recognized.

Those nominated and recognized include:

1. Students: Evelyn Amaya, Makaila Gifford, Sage Wheatley, Scotty Cameron, Sara Lechman, Xander Gore
2. Staff: Kim Cameron, Kandi Kaeding, Jake Wyatt, Beth Tagle
3. Science Fair: Trynity Typhair, Maci Hayes, Elizabeth George, Gracie Typhair, Lyndee Thomson, Ryder Pryor, Grayson Kassib, Hugo Gonzalez Gomez, Devon Mahorney, Teagan Bruchez, Teachers: Emmylou Harmon, Bree Moonen, Katie DeBell
4. State Boys Wrestling: Matthew Lujan, Landon Lockhart, Walker Howell, Joe Probst, Ryan van Oosten, Blake Terryberry, Scotty Cameron, Coaches: Mitch Lockhart and Bryan Klotz
5. State Girls Wrestling: Heaven Vail, Sage Wheatley, Penny Myer, Joselyn Ettler, Coaches: Shawn Lechman and Brittany Klotz

Great job, Mustangs!

Recognition at the West Grand Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 8.

Check out the QR code below if you want to see the full document of the strategic plan:

As most know by now, West Grand will be moving to a K-6 building and a grades 7-12 building starting in the fall of next school year. We continue to refine plans for this transition.

There have been several videos shared over the past two weeks. Check them out:

• Intro Video
• K-6 Pods Intro
• 7-12 Intro

We have also opened up a Questions form for people to submit questions for us to answer. We are in the process of analyzing these questions and getting a summary of answers out to the community. Continue to submit your questions and be on the lookout for our Q & A document soon!

Also, join us for a tour of the high school for students and families who would like to "see" firsthand the hallways, classrooms, and plans for the next school year. The first one will be Friday, May 9 from 10:00am - 1:00pm.

CNCC Honor Roll fall semester 2024. Many of our WG students taking concurrent enrollment courses have very high G.P.A.s; however, to qualify for honor roll students must be considered full-time students. Check out this list:

• Freitag, Callie J.
• Dean's List
• Gonzalez, Karla D.
• Dean's List
• Martinson, Taylor R.
• Dean's List
• Bruchez, Luci L.
• President's List
• Manguso, Sylvia-Grace C.

Congratulations to these students for excelling in not only high school classes, but the concurrent enrollment courses as well.

There is a lot happening and a lot to celebrate in the college & career arena. Here are some highlights from the month of April:

1. Madison Batchelder - will attend CMC Breckenridge to study Phlebotomy as Lab Technician
2. Ryan Van Oosten - Laramie County Community College to study Welding & Rodeo
3. Lawson Landrus - Colorado Christian University to study Theology and Ministry
4. Luci Bruchez - California Polytechnic State University to study Agricultural Business
5. Orion Ilgner - Chosen to be a member of JAS Streethorns, played live at New Orleans Jazz Museum
6. Kohl Viles to attend WyoTech in Laramie to study Diesel Technology
7. 1st Annual West Grand Community Business Partner / Intern Appreciation Night

Another highlight to share is middle school student Elizabeth George was selected to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point Summer Stem Camp in June! What a great opportunity!

A little background from the JAS Street Horns Band at the New Orleans Jazz Museum:

JAS Street Horns is a jazz band consisting of a variety of students from high schools across the Western Slope of Colorado. They are the top players in their schools who have been nominated by their band directors to be a part of this group. This band opportunity was created by Jazz Aspen Snowmass so that students of similar levels could play together. This group's experience included a full year of playing together at festivals and private events and culminated in a week-long trip to New Orleans over Spring Break with performances in the New Orleans Jazz Museum (pictured) and in the French Quarter.

What a great opportunity for Orion to experience and get to be a part of!

West Grand senior Taylin Harthun receives this prestigious scholarship award!

According to the Daniels Fund: "The Daniels Scholarship Program helps make college possible for motivated and ambitious students.

We’re looking for students with great potential, strong character, big dreams, and values that align with the man behind it all, Bill Daniels. Daniels Scholars® are America’s next generation of leaders, persevering through life’s challenges and committed to making a difference in the world around them. They are independent and entrepreneurial thinkers who are proud of their country and their communities and work hard to improve them."

Taylin is a great example of these characteristics. She is pictured below being recognized at the high school all-school assembly.

On Thursday, April 3, WGSD hosted a Community Connections/Literacy Night and it was an absolute treasure!

Families and students embarked on a treasure hunt across the event, making stops at literacy-engaged activities and community partner tables. It was an adventure of connection, with both families and resources coming together to make memories and expand opportunities. What a fun night full of excitement, learning, and treasure of being Grand Today and Greater Tomorrow.

Check out the PDFs for this month's ML connection newsletter.

Last month, we shared some pictures of the Keystone Science School experience for our 5th and 6th grade students. Check out the video "Mission Moment" from the trip:

The spring athletic seasons are at a full sprint (pun intended) and there are a lot of great individual and team performances in the track & field arena, both at the high school and the middle school.

Seventh grader, Gracie Typhair stands with track and field coach Bryan Klotz. She was recognized during Mustang Moment for shattering the 100 meter record set in 2004. Typhair ran the 100 meter in 12.84.

The spring athletic season will be wrapping up in the next few weeks. What a year it has been for WG Mustangs!

Our FFA team did a fantastic job at the Colorado State FFA CDEs hosted a few weeks ago.

CDE stands for Career Development Events—these are competitive, team and individual events that help students build real-world skills for agricultural careers. They’re a great opportunity for our members to grow, learn, and shine!

Here are the results:

Milk Quality & Products – Team: Gold

-Aspyn Frazier – Gold

-Lena Harms – Silver

-Memphis Gore – Silver

-John Burton V

Floriculture – Team: Bronze

-Angelica Rogers – Gold

-Evalyn Churchill – Silver

-Sara Lechman

Food Science – Team: Silver

-Tally Harthun – Gold

-Addy Pedersen – Bronze

-John Butler

-Cora Osborne

Meats Evaluation

-Sky Paeglow – Bronze

-Penny Myer

-Stran Lechman

-Kenna Wall

WGHS FFA members, Sky Paeglow and Addy Pedersen participated in the Colorado Grow Institute at CSU Spur in Denver, CO. They each earned a $500 scholarship to CSU Agriculture program.

West Grand High School students Addy Pedersen and Sky Paeglow recently led an engaging Agriculture Literacy lesson for some of our elementary students.

Their goal was to educate younger Mustangs about the agriculture industry — not just where our food comes from, but how the entire industry and our community work together to make it all happen.

With a fun, hands-on learning activity, Addy and Sky made the lesson both educational and memorable. This is yet another example of West Grand students learning, leading, and living out our motto: Grand Today, Greater Tomorrow.

This year’s banquet celebrated a remarkable season of growth, achievement, and community support for the West Grand FFA Chapter.

Degree Recipients

• Greenhand Degrees awarded to 14 new members for beginning their FFA journey.

• Chapter Degrees granted to 13 members for continued involvement and dedication.

• State Degree: Aspyn Frazier earned the prestigious Colorado FFA State Degree and will be recognized at the State Convention in June.

Honorary Chapter Degrees

• Kremmling Rotary Club – for consistent support including hosting fundraising events.

• Mrs. Hooks – for exceptional dedication and assistance with the Ag program and events.

Agricultural Proficiency Award

• Penny Myer – State winner in Sheep Breeding & Showing; advancing to Nationals.

District Leadership Development Events (LDEs)

• Cora Osborn – Silver in Creed Speaking

• Angelica Rogers – Silver in Ag Education

• Kenna Wall – Elected to District Executive Committee

• Aspyn Frazier – Elected as District Vice President

District Career Development Events (CDEs)

Teams advancing to State CDEs on April 28:

• Food Science: Addy Pederson, Tally Harthun, Cora Osborne, John Butler

• Meat Judging: Penny Myer, Stran Lechman, Kenna Wall, Sky Paeglow

• Dairy Products: Lena Harms, Memphis Gore, John Burton V, Aspyn Frazier

• Floriculture: Sara Lechman, Evalyn Churchill, Angelica Rogers

Senior Recognition

Honored graduating seniors: Scotty Cameron, Ethan Glave, Taylin Harthun, Sara Lechman, Taylor Martinson, Angelica Rogers, Jackson Steinley, Kohl Viles.

2025 Officer Installation

• President: Aspyn Frazier

• Vice President: Penny Myer

• Secretary: Kenna Wall

• Treasurer: Addy Pedersen

• Reporter: Lena Harms

• Sentinel: Memphis Gore

• Executive Committee: Cora Osborne, Jack Steinley, Bayley [last name not listed]

A heartfelt thank you to all who support the FFA – from parents and school staff to local organizations. Your involvement empowers future leaders in agriculture!

West Grand students from Kindergarten through 12th grade and the Kremmling Preschool had an incredible opportunity to connect with staff, community members, and local organizations during our annual Health & Safety Fair!

Throughout the day, students engaged in hands-on learning across a wide range of health and wellness topics — including fire prevention, tractor and bike safety, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, healthy snacks, media literacy, and even a visit to the Teddy Bear Hospital.

Rotating through stations led by both staff and local partners, students learned directly from experts representing Middle Park Health, Grand County EMS, Kremmling Fire Department, Grand Advocates, Freeport McMoRan, Grand County Public Health, MindSprings, the Grand County Sheriff's Office, and the Pregnancy Resource Center.

We are especially proud that several of our own West Grand High School students stepped into leadership roles — with members of FFA, the PCT class, the Bike Tech class, and NHS hosting their own interactive sessions!

We are so grateful for everyone who helped make this day possible!

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

Want to give back to others? Join Habitat for Humanity and volunteer your time and energy. Check it out and reach out to Marc Gumnic for details.

MindSprings is offering several opportunities for our community members to be trained in Mental Health & 1st Aid. There is still one more opportunity to attend one of these trainings!

This is something all West Grand staff have had the opportunity to be trained in and it is a great opportunity. Check it out!

If you haven't yet, make sure you review the information regarding the PowerSchool data breach from the start of the calendar year. There should be emails and ParentSquares that outline this incident as well as next steps you can take.

One major strategy to take moving forward is to utilize the identity protection services provided by PowerSchool.

For more information about the PowerSchool data breach, you can check out the “PowerSchool Data Breach” information page on the district website or refer to the ParentSquare post from 01/15/25 titled "PowerSchool Cybersecurity Breach"

If you have any questions about the incident that aren’t answered by the information page, or if you would like more information about you or your student’s personal information that was involved in the breach, please contact the WGSD tech department.

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.