PHOTOS: West Grand’s younger students are ready for a new year
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
On the morning of Monday, Aug. 18, students in kindergarten through sixth grades headed into the halls of West Grand Elementary and Middle School for the first day of school.
The halls were full of energy as groups of kids shuttled to their first class of the day. Many things were familiar, as student met old friends and former teachers. There were also new things to learn — who their classmates would be for the year, where their lockers were, what time recess would be.
In Kim Cameron’s sixth-grade class, kids will learn language arts. But time isn’t always spent indoors. After a lesson, the students headed out to the lawn for a game. The friendly competition lets kids make new friendships as they get ready for a school year full of learning, sports and extracurriculars.
In Cameron’s class, students shared what they were looking forward to in the upcoming school year.
Brynlie Vrbas described school and learning as “really fun.”
“I’m really looking forward to having new classes and learning new stuff,” Brynlie said.
Paisley VanderLinden said she was excited for sleepovers with friends and art class, where students will use a wheel to make clay pottery. She also said she’s looking forward to the volleyball season since she’s on the team.
“I’m excited for sports and the first games, with dress-up days that we’re gonna do,” Paisley said.
Natalie Heeney echoed the volleyball sentiment.
“I’m looking forward to volleyball because last year we didn’t win, and I’m hoping we can win this year,” Natalie said.
This school year is also marked by new beginnings for staff and students at the school, including the rolling out of the six-by-six structure. As part of this initiative, students in kindergarten through sixth grades will learn in the elementary/middle school building, and grades seven to 12 will now be in the high school building. In addition, West Grand moved to a pod structure for a few elementary grade levels. In the pods structure, students have a home room, then rotate in a group to different classrooms for subjects such as social studies and science.
The hallways of the elementary and middle school will be a little less crowded with the seventh and eighth graders moving to the high school.
Sixth grader Emmett Bruchez said he was excited about the new structure in addition to meeting new teachers.
I’m “excited to meet all the new PE teachers and music teachers,” Emmett said. “They’re new to us, but they’ve been working here.”
The school is welcoming several new teachers, including kindergarten teacher Meredith Johnson, second/third grade teacher Lexi Johnson and PE health teacher Monica Larrabee.
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Paisley VanderLinden, from left, Brynlie Vrbas and Natalie Heeney are pictured during their first day of school Aug. 18, 2025.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Emmett Bruchez is pictured on his first day of school at West Grand on Aug. 18, 2025.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Cafeteria helper Darcee Biekert, from left), food service director Kris Smith and cafeteria helper Sami Lechman are pictured in the school cafeteria. The employees were excited for a new year of cooking lunch for the students.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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Fourth graders Jaxon Wolfe, from left, Gage Bauer and Eli Bruchez are pictured at West Grand Elementary School, ready for their first day Aug. 18, 2025.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hi News
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