March 16, 2020

Resources Update

Dear families of Battle Ground Public Schools,

As we enter the first of several weeks that our schools will be closed, we want to update you on the resources that are currently available to families, and answer some frequently asked questions.

Distance learning: Battle Ground Public Schools cannot provide an educational program during a school closure because of concerns about equity and the inability to ensure that all students would benefit from online learning. About 15% of our students need special services, nearly 7% require language services, and many students do not have the resources at home to learn online. Almost 34% of our students receive free or reduced meal benefits. In addition, online learning for grades K-2 requires parent support that some households cannot provide.

We are working to provide supplemental online educational resources. These are not meant to be a substitute for classroom instruction, and will not be required nor graded, but will help students practice their skills and learn independently during the closure.

Medications: The parents of students who have medications on file with the school nurse need to pick up those medications by the time school offices close on Tuesday, March 17.

School and district hours: Schools are closed to the public. If you need assistance from someone in the district office, please make an appointment by calling 360-885-5300.

Graduation ceremonies & requirements: High school graduation ceremony dates will not change. The last attendance day for seniors will be extended beyond the graduation ceremony. As of March 13, OSPI has canceled all required state testing for the remainder of the school year.  We will have more information on graduation requirements in the future.

AP Tests: Makeup testing dates will be available later this school year, and The College Board will work with the district to determine next steps. The College Board is aware that students in Washington, Oregon and California are out of school during this public health crisis. Watch for more information.

SAT Exams: The makeup for the SAT exam on March 28 (originally scheduled for March 14) and the SAT exam scheduled for May 2 have been canceled. Students who already registered for the May 2 exam (and whose March test centers were closed, or who do not receive March scores because of any irregularities) will receive refunds. Students can go to https://www.khanacademy.org/sat to keep their readiness skills sharp while schools are closed. As of now, the SAT exam on June 6 is still scheduled.

Lunches: Grab and go lunch and breakfast is available to children ages 0–18
When: 11 a.m. to noon weekdays, March 17–27 and April 6–24
(meals will NOT be served spring break, March 29-April 3)
Where: In front of all our primary schools, Amboy Middle, and BGHS and PHS

Makeup Days: Some of the missed school days will be made up at the end of the school year, and the last day of school will be June 19. The makeup days will be: May 1 (snow makeup day), June 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The district will apply for a state waiver for the additional days that students miss.

We know this is a stressful time for our students and families. Our students have been working hard all year and looking forward to athletics, events and activities that normally occur in the spring. It is disappointing and frustrating to have those plans put on hold or cancelled altogether.

Please know that we are here for you, and we are working hard to provide resources and information and answer questions.

This experience is new for all of us, and we expect to work through it, learn from it, and demonstrate to our students that we all can be brave, supportive, and resilient in difficult situations.

Thank you and have a good evening,

Battle Ground Public Schools

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