Mustang Musings

March was a busy and exciting month both inside and outside the classroom, filled with activities, athletics, and club events. Several teams celebrated the conclusion of their winter seasons, while others kicked off new spring seasons. Our theatre department has also been hard at work preparing for an upcoming performance in April. Students had the opportunity to showcase their learning and growth by connecting with teachers and families during Student-Led Conferences. It’s been a wonderful way to welcome the spring season!

Past newsletters are 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!

The West Grand Board of Education recognized our Profile of a Learner trait of Open Minded at the regular Board meeting on March 10, 2026. Staff and students are nominated and recognized by other staff and students when they see them demonstrate our profile skills.

High school student athletes were also recognized as CHSAA State Wrestling competitors.

Those recognized included:

1. Students: Arianna Lopez
2. Staff: Pam Nelson
3. CHSAA State Wrestling Competitors:
1. Girls Wrestling: Penny Myer, Coach Shawn Lechman
2. Boys Wrestling: Walker Howell, Caleb Klotz, Landon Lockhart, Conner Stone, Blake Terryberry, Coach Bryan Klotz, Coach Mitch Lockhart

Each month, the Multi-Lingual (ML)Connection Newsletter is also shared. Check out the PDFs of this newsletter below

It has been busy in the college & career department. Check out the latest:

1. Recent College Commitments
1. Lydia Johnson to Western Colorado University to study Biomedical Engineering
2. Gracie Hast to Liberty University to study Interpretive Sign Language (ASL)

1. West Grand's 2nd Annual Community Partners Celebration Night will be April 9th from 6 - 8 at the CSU Extension Center.
1. West Grand Interns and Community Business Partners will be sharing a dinner and presenting and sharing their experiences from this school year.
2. Special Thanks to Mountain Parks Electric, Los Amigos and Addy Pedersen

1. West Grand is hosting this year's County Career Fair on May 7th from 1 - 3 at the West Grand Gymnasium
1. Students from both West Grand and Middle Park High School will be in attendance, visiting local business leaders from across the county.

1. Upcoming Visits To West Grand Campus:
1. Colorado Mountain College Visits West Grand on April 2nd
2. Universal Technical Institute Visits West Grand on April 14th

1. Scholarship Class Full Steam Ahead - 19 Scholarship Applications Available During April

The staff treated the audience to a flash mob and showed their talents as well! If you missed it, check out the video below:

April brings about our state and federal testing season. You have seen information posted on ParentSquare, but check it out below as well:

We are proud to share that West Grand Early Childhood Center has earned a Level 4 rating

through Colorado Shines, the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System!

A Level 4 rating recognizes our commitment to providing high-quality care and education, strong

teacher-child interactions, and a nurturing, engaging environment for every child. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, as well as the support of our amazing families and community.

Colorado Shines ratings look at important areas such as:

• Learning environment and classroom practices
• Staff-child interactions
• Health and safety
• Professional development

Earning a Level 4 means we are meeting high standards while continuing to grow and improve. We

are actively working toward even higher levels of quality as we implement new strategies, enhance

our classrooms, and strengthen our teaching practices.

Over the past two months, the WGECC has welcomed in Guest readers in the center.

A big thank you to our recent guest readers! Your time and enthusiasm make a meaningful impact on our classrooms and help create special moments for our children.

Pictured below is WG Board Member, Bryan Klotz, reading to kids.

Brooke James, WG senior, broke the girls pole vault record from 2018 clearing 9'8" at the high school track meet in Pueblo!

Way to go, Brooke!

The Thursday before Spring Break, some of our K-6 Elementary students, staff, and parents got to celebrate by running or walking around the gym with the traditional Lucky Laps! A great way to start the day!

Learning about historical figures through hands-on demonstrations!

Prior to spring break, our 4th and 5th grade students brought history to life by hosting a Wax Museum as the culmination of their research projects. Each student selected a historical figure, conducted in-depth research, and prepared a speech from that person’s perspective.

Students from other classes, along with families, visited the museum and traveled from exhibit to exhibit, learning about a wide range of influential figures.

What a powerful and engaging way for students to showcase their learning!

1. West Grand is adopting new math curricular resources.

1. Here is our WGSD Policy regarding Math philosophy.

2. Click here for the Colorado Academic Standards for Math.

2. Review the possible resources the Math team is looking at.

1. Digital examples and access are listed below.

2. Printed textbooks are available in the K6 Library for inspection. You may view them during regular school hours, Monday-Thursday, 7:35am-4:15pm. Please sign in at the front office.

3. Feedback or questions? Fill out a sticky note and put it on the posters for each curriculum (in the K6 library) or contact our curriculum team via Nellie Thomson at thomsonn@wgsd.us.

HMH Into Math

• K-8 Curriculum

• Website:

• https://www.hmhco.com/programs/into-math

Savvas - Envisions

• K-8 Curriculum

• Website:

• K-5 https://www.savvas.com/solutions/mathematics/core-programs/envision-mathematics-grades-k-5

• 6-8 https://www.savvas.com/solutions/mathematics/core-programs/envision-mathematics-grades-6-8

• Current Curriculum only newer version

Imagine Learning -

• K-8 Curriculum

• Website:

• https://www.imaginelearning.com/products/math/imagine-im/

Amplify Desmos Math

• K-8 Curriculum

• Website:

• https://amplify.com/programs/amplify-desmos-math/

Spreading some Irish cheer!

"I am lucky" writing and drawing student examples.

"Fraken-Crayons" by the Kindergarten class.

Our district website has a plethora of information for staff, students, and families alike! Most of the information you would need is linked somewhere on this website.

Potential items you might check out on the website include:

• Calendars (see next post for example) -- Google calendar of events and year long school calendar
• Handbooks
• Alma information and "How Tos"
• ParentSquare information & "How Tos"
• District Strategic Plan
• Student Centered Accountability Program (SCAP) -- improvement planning
• Board of Education Information -- including agendas and minutes
• WGSD Policies
• Employment Information -- come be a part of the West Grand team!

As mentioned above, if you go on the District Website, you can go to "Calendar: Events" and it will take you to the K6 and Jr/Sr High School Public Events Google Calendars. You can choose to see one or both buildings. This is the best way to stay up-to-date regarding events and schedules as they often change.

ParentSquare is an application that we have used for several years now communicating as the entire district, separate buildings, each classroom, and with individuals.

You can set up your account to go directly to an email, a phone number text, or the app (free download).

The "Week at a Glance" is sent out each Sunday afternoon via ParentSquare. It gives you an update of events happening during the week, note from building principals, and other pertinent information for the upcoming week as well as resources and general information.

We received positive feedback from this last year and are continuing to share it. Make sure you are signed up for ParentSquare so you don't miss out!

WGSD has a Facebook page where we post information, highlight classrooms and students, and share highlights via social media. Follow us: District Page

The West Grand Booster Club also does a great job sharing pictures and athletic updates every week on Facebook. If you are a Mustang fan, following their page is a great way to have athletic updates from all of Mustang sports: Booster Club Page

WGSD partners with Colorado AeroLab for after school and summer programming. There are a lot of great opportunities for students outside of the school hours with this collaboration. While the school shares out information regrading AeroLab, you can also visit their website at: https://www.coloradoaerolab.org/

Here are the numbers and administrator emails for each office:

1. District Office
1. 970-724-3217
2. Superintendent Bauer, bauere@wgsd.us
2. Elementary Office
1. 970-724-1000
2. Principal Winter, winterb@wgsd.us
3. Jr/Sr High Office
1. 970-724-3425
2. Principal Stuart, stuartj@wgsd.us