Welcome Wildcats! It is such an honor to serve as the principal at Walnut Grove Middle School! So many wonderful things are going on at our school, including great academics, clubs, leadership organizations, athletics, co-curricular activities and extra-curricular activities. I encourage each of our students to get involved in at least one activity at WGMS.

The school motto at Walnut Grove is, “You Belong Here.” This means that every student is of the utmost value to our school. We want every child that walks through our doors to know that they are getting the best education possible, and that they are cared for greatly. We want our students to like coming to school each day!

We expect our students to know and live by the “Four P’s,” which state that Wildcats are:
Prompt – This means that you are on time to every class, every day!
Prepared – All materials needed for class should be with you upon your prompt arrival.
Productive – All work should be completed and on time. Productive also means that Wildcats do good things in general - all day, every day!
Polite – Students are always respectful to adults and to each other, while expecting the same in return.

We at WGMS believe strongly that the work that students undertake in class should be engaging to them. We refer to this philosophy as the “W.O.W. Philosophy.” This means that students should see the connection between the tasks assigned to them with things that they value and enjoy. They should also see the value of their work as it relates to their future as productive adults. We believe that learning should be fun for our kids and that they should be “wowed” by what goes on in our classrooms!

School spirit and pride play a very important role at WGMS. We want every student to be proud to be a Wildcat. It is our desire for our students to love our school and to be a positive part of what goes on here. We want our kids to show their school spirit by attending our sporting events, by cheering for their school at pep rallies and by exhibiting positive behavior at all times. We expect every Wildcat to support other Wildcats and never do anything that disrespects or hurts another.

Finally, we at Walnut Grove Middle School believe that the title of “educator” is not an occupation; it is a calling. We truly see great value in what we do on a daily basis. We give our very best to our kids and want the same from them and from their parents. We feel that if a school, its students and its parents agree to work together, then the sky is the
limit for what can be accomplished!

Go Cats! Brian Blackwell Principal Walnut Grove Middle School