Battle Ground Public Schools

This week’s News to Know

April 8, 2024

One-hour late start on Wednesday, April 10

Schools will begin an hour late on Wednesday, April 10, to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at normal times.

Teacher Appreciation Week – shout out your child’s favorite teacher(s)!

May 6-10, 2024, is Teacher Appreciation Week! We’re asking for your help to recognize the many fantastic educators in Battle Ground Public Schools. Please take a moment to fill out this form by Tuesday, April 30. Shout out your child’s favorite teacher (or one of your own!), upload a photo (optional) and we’ll include some of the comments and photos in a special feature during Teacher Appreciation Week.

BGPS faces budget shortfall; no layoffs anticipated

The end of pandemic relief funding and a significant reduction in federal Title program funds will require Battle Ground Public Schools to lower costs by $8.5 million for the 2024-25 school year. Both of these funding sources allowed the district to provide additional support for students. BGPS does not anticipate a reduction in force and expects that class sizes will remain about the same as they are currently. Learn more.

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. Apprenticeship Signing Day will take place on Thursday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Lewisville campus.

New crosswalk coming to SR 503 near Prairie High School

Early next year, students, families and staff members will begin to see another option take shape for crossing SR 503/NE 117th Avenue. A new pedestrian crosswalk near Prairie will give people a safe way to cross closer to the school. After conducting surveys and considering several possible locations, the Washington State Department of Transportation identified a location just south of the bus stop shelter as the best place for the crosswalk. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and is estimated to be completed by February 2025. Learn more about the project and get updates on the Department of Transportation’s website.

Want to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery?

On Saturday, April 27, students in grades 10-12 will have the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB. Scores are used to determine if someone is qualified to enlist in the military and to assign someone to an appropriate job in the military. Scores above 31 also will fulfill graduation pathway requirements. The deadline to register is Friday, April 26. Get information about the test.

March 25 board meeting recap

BGPS’ board of directors held a special meeting/work session and regular meeting on Monday, March 25. A summary and videos are available on the district website.

March/April nutrition newsletter

Get nutritional information and other news in this edition of the district’s nutrition newsletter.

DISTRICT NEWS

Pleasant Valley teacher earns top certification

Pleasant Valley Primary’s Marina Heinz recently earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. 

This voluntary, advanced credential demonstrates a mastery of best practices in teaching. Congratulations, Marina! Learn more about her achievement.

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The BGPS Bulletin is full of great stories about what’s happening in and around the Battle Ground Public Schools. If you’re not already signed up, be sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date and in the know.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Hotspots and bus Wi-Fi to end

This summer, Battle Ground Public Schools will stop receiving federal dollars that allowed us to provide additional support for students during the pandemic. As a result, we will not have the funds to continue lending out hotspots for home use or to maintain Wi-Fi on school buses. These resources will no longer be available starting on June 17. We regret this inconvenience.

If you have a district-issued hotspot, please return it by June 17. 

Action requested: Family preferred language

Beginning in fall 2024, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will require school districts to report a family’s preferred language for communication, in addition to the language that they speak at home. Whether your family’s language is English or a language other than English, please make a selection in Skyward Family Access following these steps.

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

• Monday, April 8: School board meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.
• Wednesday, April 10: One-hour late start

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• Falcons Golf Camp (ages 8-14): Thursday, April 11, 5:30-7 p.m.
• BGCE After School flag football: April 17 – May 29
• Battle Ground Parks and Rec, Park Appreciation Day: April 20, 9 a.m. to noon
• Hoop.Camp at Discovery Middle School: Saturday, April 20
• Tigerland Preschool (ages 3-5): Enrollment open now
• View the full community calendar

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