Battle Ground Public Schools

This week’s News to Know

April 29, 2024

One-hour late start on Wednesday, May 1

Schools will begin an hour late on Wednesday, May 1, to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at normal times.

End-of-year schedule, and last day of school

Schedule changes will be in effect for the end of this school year due to weather-related closures in January. The last day of school for students in south schools will be Friday, June 14. The last day of school for students in most north schools will be Monday, June 17. Get the details.

2024-25 school calendar 

The 2024-25 academic calendar (Русский) (Español) has been updated since it was first released to include teacher in-service days (no student attendance) on Nov. 6 and Jan. 29, as well as a two-hour late start on April 9. 

Kindergarten orientation schedule

If your child will be attending kindergarten in the fall, consider attending an upcoming orientation at their new building the week of May 20. This is a great opportunity to tour the buildings, meet with teachers and administrators, ask questions, get help with enrollment and much more. Enrollment is not required to attend an orientation. View the full schedule and get more information on kindergarten enrollment on the district website.

April 22 board meeting recap

BGPS’ board of directors held a regular meeting on Monday, April 22. See a summary and recording of the meeting. 

Review proposed materials

New teaching and learning materials may be used next school year to teach high school chemistry, environmental science and earth and space. You can now review the proposed materials and provide your input by Friday, May 3.

Registration open for high school online summer classes

Battle Ground Public Schools is offering online summer school classes for high school students looking to earn original credit or for those needing to recover credit for failed courses. Classes will be offered in a variety of subjects. Current eighth grade students also may recover the Washington state history requirement.

For credit recovery, students should speak with their school counselor to figure out which courses they need to recover and work with them to fill out the appropriate form starting May 1, 2024.

Students may begin working on courses as soon as they receive a confirmation email and instructions. The deadline to complete credit recovery coursework and original credit courses is Friday, Aug. 16.

Summer baking and pastry arts class

Students who are currently in grades 8-11 and are interested in improving baking or pastry arts skills this summer should consider signing up for the Intro to Baking and Pastry Arts class at Battle Ground High School. Offered through Cascadia Tech Academy, this course will provide students with the opportunity to learn basic baking and pastry techniques. Visit Cascadia Tech’s website to learn more. Registration opens Wednesday, May 1.

Summer camp registration is open

Right at School will offer summer camps for kids ages 5-12. Camps will be offered June 24 through Aug. 9, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be different themes for each week including water fun, extreme engineering, believe it or not, silly summer Olympics and much more. Registration is now open. 

Stuff the bus on Saturday, May 4

Come help Battle Ground Public Schools employees make a difference in our community. Bring your donation of nonperishable food items, personal hygiene supplies, paper products and cash to the Battle Ground Wal-Mart store parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. Donations will be delivered to the North County Food Bank to assist local families in need.

District plant sales

Prairie High School’s plant sale will be 3-6 p.m. on May 8-10 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. Battle Ground High School’s annual plant sale will be Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. More details are available on the district website.

Teacher Appreciation Week: Shout out your favorite teachers

This year, May 6-10 is set aside to appreciate all the hard work of teachers. If you’d like to help recognize a deserving educator, we have a couple of ways you and your child(ren) can do that. First, if you haven’t already, consider filling out this form by Tuesday, April 30. Shout out a favorite teacher, share a photo (optional) and we may include your response in a special Teacher Appreciation Week feature in our district publications and social media (all comments will be shared with the teachers being recognized).

Our communications department has also put together some graphics that you can access and print at home. Have your child fill it out and bring it to their teachers at school to share their appreciation.

Apprenticeship Signing Day

If your high schooler plans to become an apprentice or enter an apprenticeship program after graduation, Battle Ground Public Schools wants to celebrate their achievement. Please fill out this form by May 10 so we can honor them. 

DISTRICT NEWS

Recent grad wins major award for her original poem

Summit View High School graduate Destiny Lish is now an award-winning writer. Lish, who graduated earlier this year, received the Gold Key award for poetry from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards’ Alliance for Young Artists and Writers.

“I was convinced by my very amazing English teacher to submit my work,” Lish said, referring to SVHS teacher Karen Guenther. From there, Lish largely forgot about the submission until she received an email a couple of months later.

“It was unreal; it was truly unbelievable to learn that I had actually won,” Lish said. “As much as I love the award and the opportunities it has given me, I am more than thankful for the fact that I can now be confident in my writing. It is an incredible feeling and I love that my teacher helped me see that.”

Read more and see Destiny’s award-winning poem on the district website.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Report incidents anonymously with SafeSchools
Please report bullying, intimidation, harassment, threats and safety concerns using our anonymous reporting system. Emergencies should always be reported to 911. Learn more about emergency procedures and safety protocols.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

• Wednesday, May 1: One-hour late start
• Monday, May 13: School board meeting, 4:45 work session and 6 p.m. regular meeting at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• Battle Ground Education Foundation 30th anniversary celebration: Tuesday, April 30, 4:30-7 p.m. at Chief Umtuch Middle School (RSVP for headcount, please)
• Stuff the Bus for the North County Food Bank: May 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Battle Ground Walmart
• ‘Swing into Spring’ Prairie Band Booster event: Friday, May 10, 7 p.m.
• Tigerland Preschool (ages 3-5): Enrollment open now
• View the full community calendar

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