Mustang Musings

November was a month full of opportunities for students to continue to explore and learn, demonstrating their growth. As we enter into this time of gratefulness, we are THANKFUL for all of you, our staff, students, families, and community. We have plenty to be thankful for here at West Grand.

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 highlighted the Profile of a Learner skill of Empowered. Students and staff can nominate anyone they see demonstrate the Profile of a Learner trait of the month.

Here are those staff and students recognized this month:

• Lauren Bruchez
• Kim Cameron
• Taylor Martinson
• Callie Freitag
• Gus Hester
• Luke Hickam

Recognition at the West Grand Board of Education meeting on November 12. Many couldn't make it due to scheduling, but they were still recognized!

Since the beginning of the school year, we have several new faces (and familiar ones in new places) around the district. We would like to welcome them all as a part of our West Grand team!

A student wrote and sent this message to all staff at West Grand. We truly have the best students here at West Grand. Thank you, Natalie!

We are very excited to announce our Intern of the Month for November, Steven Luttrell and Community Business Partner of the Month Colton Bodemann / Twisted Gear Garage.

Steven Luttrell has been able to learn and grow with Twisted Gear Garage.

The Middle School 101 classes created music videos. The sixth graders worked hard. They chose the song that they wanted to sing, and choreographed the whole video. They learned about bullying and how to stand up to bullying.

On Monday, November 11 the entire student body at West Grand had the opportunity to honor and support our local veterans.

Our K-5 music students sang, the middle school and high school students had speaking opportunities, and our local VFW Auxiliary recognized their writing contest award winners for the Patriot's Pen and the Voice of Democracy.

Many people were involved in making sure we were able to have this event. What a great opportunity for students, staff, and our community to come together.

The entire cross country team had an excellent season with personal records (PRs) and growth all around.

Last month, we posted the senior night pictures of the other high school fall sports, but volleyball had not happened yet. Here is the senior night picture from volleyball this fall. Look at the crowded floor and the great senior leadership!

The Mustang Volleyball team had a successful year, qualifying for regionals. The regional play-offs was in Rye.

Talking about senior leaders... Joe Probst reached the 1000 receiving yards milestone this year during regular football season. We all know it takes the entire team, but is always fun to recognize and celebrate these individuals awards as well. Great job!

The Mustangs had a great season and ended it in the playoff run against Sedgwick County.

Follow your West Grand Mustangs on the NFHS network to watch live or recorded home games and the away games if the hosting school has NFHS. Visit NFHS West Grand Athletics to catch the action.

Elementary and Middle School PE and Health teachers, Becca Bailey and Chad Nachtrieb, have been working on a Speed Stacking unit in their classes.

Check out the benefits:

Brain development

-Speed stacking can help develop new connections in the brain, spur brain growth, and activate both sides of the brain.

Hand-eye coordination

-Speed stacking can improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time by up to 30%

Bilateral coordination

-Speed stacking can help students develop equal performance on both sides of their body.

Academics

-Students who regularly stack cups have shown increases in test scores and levels of concentration.

Teamwork skills

-Cup stacking can teach teamwork skills, delegation, leadership, negotiating, problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Mrs. Gillespie's third grade class earned hot chocolate for acts of kindness, respect and displaying integrity in the last couple months. They spent the last hour writing messages of thanks to family, teachers and administrators. They talked about the importance of connection and all of our responsibilities as members of this community.

There is never a dull moment in the Postsecondary Exploration Department here at West Grand. Student have been busy with several opportunities including:

• Joint Field Trip with Middle Park HS to CSU

• Marine Corp visit to WG

• WG 8th grade Mini Capstone presentations

• WyoTech Trade School visits WG

• Scholarship Fair at WG

• Army Visits WG

Don't miss the upcoming FAFSA Night on December 4 and the Senior Capstone presentations happening before the semester break.

This year, our West Grand K8 building is focusing on R-I-D-E: Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy. We’re recognizing students who demonstrate these values, setting a high standard for our West Grand Mustangs!

Students can be recognized daily for exhibiting these values and there are weekly RIDE drawings. Each quarter, we hold a RIDE rally to celebrate these qualities and reinforce the behavior we expect from our amazing students.

The entire K-12 student body has been working through 7 Mindsets curriculum during morning meetings, Mustang Moment, and seminar each week.

First grade is showing how they are connected!

Our hallways are alive and full of student color and creativity.

From the high school walls and front commons to the middle wing and the main K8 hallway, our students' learning and imagination shines through. Check out some examples below.

We are grateful for our art teachers, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Pope, for fostering that creative spirit and the space for which students can practice and demonstrate their skills.

The traditions continue here at West Grand and Halloween is no exception. Students and staff across the district dressed up in their favorite costumes to get into the spirit. The K8 parade also took place, allowing students to show off their costumes and families to come and see them.

We are thankful for these fun times we get to have throughout the year to build up a team atmosphere and the connection to our families.

This year, many classrooms have flexible seating, designed to provide students different choices in how they sit or stand within the learning environment. Various options are shown to increase blood flow, brain attentiveness, and student ownership.

Pictured are students utilizing several of these options in Mrs. Cameron's middle school ELA class.

They are a little bit similar to the old PTO or PTA groups. However, our WG PALS group is active in supporting our students and staff. They have several events throughout the year to demonstrate their support including (definitely not limited to): provide welcome bags to new students and families, treat carts for our staff (one of our favorites), fundraising for projects around the district including concessions, organizing volunteers, and serving as the Principal Advisory Group.

The PALS meet monthly and have several opportunities to get involved. Reach out if you have any questions.

We sure are THANKFUL for our PALS and all of the support they provide.

Check out November's ML Connection Newsletter by clicking on the PDF links.

If you haven't seen it yet, make sure you look at the different discounted or free ski pass information for West Grand students attached below. What a great opportunity for our kids to experience our surroundings this upcoming winter season.

When we get back from Thanksgiving break, all students and staff are invited to join us for some festive fun with 12 Days of December Cheer spirit days. These are completely optional. Let's have some fun!

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.