Academics & Programs

Walnut Grove offers a broad range of opportunities for student participation. Our programs are aimed at promoting life long skills in collaboration, creativity, healthy living and caring for the world around us.

These activities take place before, during and after school hours and provide our students with enriching experiences inside and outside the regular classroom.

Related Arts

Art

The main focus of the WGES Visual Art Program is to ensure that all students find their own creative way to feel good about themselves. Throughout the year, students will learn different techniques such as printmaking, collage, sculpture, mixed media, and more. Drawing and painting skills are regularly practiced. Students will explore the elements of art through every art unit, which will enhance students’ art vocabulary and skills.

Guidance

The school counselors facilitate classroom guidance, conduct small groups, meet with individual students. See our Counseling page.

Classroom guidance consists of lessons taught on topics based on character development and focus on one character word a month. Other important life skills are also taught – such as personal, social, emotional and career development.

Small groups are organized to help students meet certain challenges they may be facing.

Individual Counseling is offered to students as needed.

Media Center

The Walnut Grove Learning Commons is staffed by a full time library media specialist and a library assistant. The Learning Commons is centrally located within the school and houses the print and non-print collection that supplements and enriches the academic curriculum. Each student is provided a Chromebook that gives them access to the Internet, Follett OPAC library database, academic subscriptions, etc. The Learning Commons continually promotes the enjoyment of literature and the use of informational skills through various programs and activities.

Music

Through singing, playing instruments, and creative movement, students at Walnut Grove experience the joy of music. Each grade level is showcased in a music program once a year. These performances are a great way for students to share some of what we have learned during music class, as well as gain experience performing for an audience on a stage. Recorder lessons are a part of the 5th grade curriculum. Students in 3rd-5th grades also have the option to join the school Chorus for more performance opportunities. We look forward to sharing our love of music with your child at Walnut Grove.

PE

The focus of Walnut Grove Elementary Physical Education Department is to develop healthy bodies, promote positive attitudes towards lifetime physical activity, practice sports skills, learn about physical fitness, and most importantly to have fun! Physical Education is an integral part of the total education process. It gives the students the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and socially through the use of physical activity.

The Physical Education department uses the state mandated Fitnessgram program to assess student’s level of fitness (muscular strength, aerobic capacity, flexibility) for all 3rd-5th graders. Each student will be assessed at the beginning and end of the school year. All students will receive formative and summative assessments to provide evidence of learning and help guide teacher instruction.

School Sponsored Activities

As of August 30, 2024

Book Talks

Chorus

WGES Chorus with Mrs. Teresa West as advisor is offered to students in grades 3-5 who are interested in singing in a group at a more challenging level. The chorus provides opportunity to learn many different types of music including standard two-part choral, folk, pop, cultural, holiday, sacred and secular songs.

They rehearse before school once a week and perform programs during the school year including holiday and spring concerts.

Cost: $0

Jump Rope Team

Student Leadership

Track Team

The Walnut Grove Physical Education Department offers a Track Team that meets weekly in the Spring and the Fall. It is open to all grades, K-5. Watch for beginning and ending dates in the Grizzly Blast newsletter. All student participants will report to the gym and place backpacks next to the bleachers. The location of the track is near the red and blue playground in the back of the school. If it is raining, we will not meet for Track Team and it will be canceled for that week. Please do not drop your child off, because there will not be any supervision for your child. Parents are welcome to come and join in on the fun and fitness!