Great happenings at East Grand School District the week of Aug. 29.
• The first week of school is off to a great start. East Grand’s enrollment continues to rise with 1,319 students starting the first day of school. This does not include our pre-school students.
• A reminder that our buses are running and students are walking to and from school. Please be careful and keep a watchful eye to make sure our kids stay safe.
• The four schools at EGSD are honoring our emergency responders this year by flying a flag every Thursday recognizing the importance of our first responders to the safety and well being of our students and staff.
• Middle Park High School Mountain Bike Club Team performed really well at the club’s first race this past Sunday at the Frisco Bay Invitational. They ended up in fifth place for Division II, being edged out of fourth to Steamboat by only one point. Junior Ella Wiser was the team’s top finisher in fourth place for JV girls. Junior Casey Myers (10th) and senior Kimo Sullivan (21st) both had excellent races to round out the top three scoring positions for the team. For full results, https://coloradomtb.org/events/#races.
• Fifth-graders at GES are starting The Bear Broadcast. These will be weekly announcements created by some fifth-grade students via iMovie. All students will watch the video in their classrooms each week.
• Fifth-graders at Fraser Valley Elementary will be tackling the same design-thinking question that was posed to the staff at our district in-service day. The question was “How might we inform and gain support from our community and stakeholders for the need for expanded programs and updated facilities in East Grand schools?” We’re looking forward to hearing thoughts and ideas from our students.
• Granby Elementary has beautiful flowers in the front of the building that have been donated by the Farrell family. Thank you for making our school look welcoming and inviting.
• Granby Elementary students and staff had their back to school assembly on Wednesday. The fifth-grade student leaders welcomed the students in with a cheer and students met the teachers and staff. Mrs. Martin talked to the students about being courageous and brave in their learning.
• Granby Elementary Back to School Night was a great success. Families were able to come to the park to play and get some yummy hotdogs. Thanks to the VIPs — Very Involved Parents — the YMCA, Kona Ice and many other helpful volunteers.
• Granby Elementary kindergarten students are learning hallway expectations. They will be asked to have “marshmallow mouths and marshmallow toes” instead of “bubbles and tails”. We appreciate any compliments that you can give these new students as they’re learning appropriate hallway behavior. Thank you!
• Granby Elementary kindergarten students participated in their annual Pete the Cat scavenger hunt. Students learned about different locations in the building by looking for Pete the Cat. You can check out “Pete the Cat” books from your local library.
• EGMS football started last week before school. We have had a great turn out this year. The program has 40 players total between the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
• The sophomore opportunity with Adventure Education is a service-based river trip in conjunction with our local BLM on the Upper Colorado River. This year’s Sophomore River Trip will be Friday, Sept. 27. Permission slips are due by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.12. As students turn in their permission slip, they will get the rest of the necessary paperwork. The rest of this paperwork is due Thursday, Sept.19. There will be a required student lunch meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24. Students will participate in a BLM community service project, environmental discussions, group problem solving, and a raft trip down the Colorado River from Pumphouse to Radium. Thanks to the Grand Foundation and EGSD for their ongoing support of Adventure Education in Grand County. Last year, funds from the Grand Foundation helped purchase a new raft that was used on last year’s Junior River Trips and will be used again on this year’s Sophomore River Trip.
• There are many upcoming events at our schools. Please refer to school websites for dates and times, and come out to support our great students.
• MPHS Counseling department is hosting a Prep for the Future SAT/PSAT seminar by the Sycamore Learning Company. It will be at MPHS on Friday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $89.00. You must register online at www.prepforthefuture.com. Stop into the counseling office for any questions.
• The Middle Park High School boys soccer team has their first home contests this Saturday at 11 a.m. (varsity) and 12:30 p.m. (JV).
• A reminder that there is no school on Monday for Labor Day.
Frank Reeves is the superintendent of East Grand School District.