Mustang Musings

No Tricks, just Treats for this edition of the Mustang Musings!

October was a busy month for both buildings with student field trips, learning in the classroom, fun activities, Parent Teacher conferences, and more. Check out some of the highlights from the past 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!

The West Grand Board of Education recognized our Profile of a Learner trait of Knowledgeable at the regular Board meeting on October 14, 2025. Staff and students are nominated and recognized by other staff and students when they see them demonstrate our profile skills.

Those recognized included:

• Students: Timothy Johnson, Jaden Martinez, Bryan Rico
• Staff: Erin Goodell, Eileen Finnegan

Earlier this month, West Grand had our SCAP visit. We get a "visit" every year and during this visit, educators from across the state come to give us feedback for improvement planning purposes. They look at background information, our SCAP website, surveys, and focus groups. At the end of the visit, they leave us with their findings and feedback.

This process is important to continuous improvement and our plans to get better each day. We always share this feedback. Check out the information below:

• Video Intro
• West Grand SCAP website
• SCAP Visit Feedback:
• https://gamma.app/docs/West-Grand-School-District-Comprehensive-Peer-Review-prk1oph9pz4f3ny?mode=doc
• Growing Student Skills
• Developing Staff & Leadership

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

The West Grand Early Childhood Center (WGECC) and the district has been working on a sustainability plan for the center. This summer, we engaged with Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) for facilitation of this plan. They conducted research to help present seom recommendations. EPIC is also working with Grand Beginnings at the county level.

If you are interested in learning more about this grant-funded work and where we landed, reach out!

Post Secondary Exploration Updates From The WG College and Career Department:

1. College Commitments -
1. Bella Ilgner to University of Colorado, Denver to study Art
2. Karla Gonzalez to Colorado Mountain College to study Nursing
2. WG Scholarship Fair Pics
1. 11 Local Scholarship Committees attended
3. 7th graders will complete the "My College and Career Options" survey on Nov. 6th
4. University/College Visits:
1. Rocky Vista University Medical School will present to our Medical Pathway Students on Nov. 3rd
2. University of Wyoming Recruiter will visit West Grand on Nov. 6th.
3. Universal Technical Institute from Phoenix will visit West Grand on Nov. 20th

This past month, West Grand students showcased their research on countries and cultures from around the world. Ms. Tagle also shared a wonderful cross-cultural presentation about her own heritage, helping students make global connections right here at home.

That evening, our entire West Grand community came together for Multicultural Night—a celebration of cultures, community, and connection. Students and families enjoyed learning from one another, meeting community partners, and honoring the uniqueness of our community

The WG Jr/Sr High Science Department hosted an incredible Science Night for students and families in grades K–8! With more than 60 participants, the evening was filled with hands-on experiments, discovery, and excitement.

Families rotated through stations featuring everything from panning for gold and exploring rocks, to learning about air flow and dynamics, to creating chemical reactions that sparked fire — all in the name of science and fun!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and an extra shoutout to our amazing science teachers, Mrs. DeBell and Ms. Harmon, for organizing such an engaging and educational event.

As always, Homecoming week at West Grand was full of fun and activities. Between hallway decorating, dress-up spirit days, Powder Puff football, pep rally, dances, and athletic competition, staff, students and community members had an "Once Upon a Time" festive week.

Check out a few of the pictures.

West Grand Mustang, Tea Luna, competed at the CHSAA State Cross Country meet this past weekend. Way to go, Tea!

The WG staff also have fun together while learning. At the last PD day, a group took some time to go on a mountain bike ride together. Bikes were available thanks to our Bike Tech class!

6th graders competed in a bone bridge challenge during guidance time this past week.

Kindergarten and 1st graders got to do yoga and meditation during PE class this week with Brenda Kellen.

Students in grades 7–12 came together to learn, brainstorm, and plan ways to make sure every Mustang feels like they belong. Their creativity and ideas will guide real changes in our school culture—powered by student leadership and collaboration!

This work is supported through the Colorado Youth Connections grant, and we can’t wait to see how our students bring their vision to life.

Our K–6 students participated in Fire Prevention Day, hosted by the Kremmling Fire Department. Students learned about fire safety, creating a family plan, safe exits, and what to do in case of a fire. They also got to explore the awesome gear and equipment our local firefighters use every day!

What an incredible hands-on learning experience with our community’s first responders.

A huge thank you to Kremmling Fire for supporting our students and this experience.

The District Accountability Committee (DAC) hosted the Meet the Candidate Night for the West Grand Board of Education Directors candidates. Even though not all candidates were able to be in attendance, it was a good opportunity to hear from those who could.

Election information can be found on our website: https://www.wgsd.us/en-US/board-of-education-election-b8492b04.

Remember, Election Day is this Tuesday, November 4! Get your ballots in!

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