Battle Ground Public Schools

This week’s News to Know

Feb. 12, 2024

One-hour late start on Wednesday, Feb. 14

Schools will begin an hour late on Wednesday, Feb. 14, to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at normal times.

No school Monday, Feb. 19

Schools and district offices will be closed in observance of Presidents Day.

Remember to vote!

Fact #10 about the capital levy: The capital levy (Proposition no. 7) will appear on the ballot in the special election on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. Ballots must be postmarked by the 13th or deposited by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Online voter registration has ended, but you can register and vote in person at the county elections office (1408 Franklin St., Vancouver) up until 8 p.m. on election night. 

Capital levy informational webinar and podcast episode

If you were unable to attend either our in-person or online community presentations about the three-year capital levy on the ballot, you can now view it in its entirety and learn about the capital levy on the district website.

Calling next year’s kindergartners! 

Online enrollment is now available for 2024-25 kindergartners. That’s right, it’s time to enroll next year’s kindergartners! Any child who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2024, is eligible to enter kindergarten in the fall. To enroll, parents will need proof of their child’s birth date (such as a birth certificate) and a signed and completed Washington state certificate of immunization status form or a completed certificate of exemption form. Please note that the state of Washington requires that immunization records be medically verified. 

Have your documents ready and enroll online now so that you and your child can attend kindergarten orientation in the spring.

Transitional Kindergarten

Battle Ground Public Schools also offers Transitional Kindergarten for children who will turn 4 years old by Aug. 31 and meet certain eligibility requirements. The program is offered at Captain Strong, Daybreak, Glenwood Heights, Tukes Valley, Maple Grove and Yacolt primary schools, with plans underway to expand at the Pleasant Valley campus. Visit our Transitional Kindergarten webpage to learn more about the program and fill out an online eligibility form by June 12. Families will be notified by June 30 of their eligibility status.

Report cards coming home soon

Please watch for your child’s report card to come home soon. Depending on your child’s grade level, their report card will be:

• Primary students: Sent home in backpacks on or after Feb. 16
• Middle school students: Mailed home by Feb. 22
• High school students: Mailed home by Feb. 22

Please allow two to three business days after the mailing date for your report card to arrive.

Questions about curriculum?

We value partnerships with parents and guardians, and believe in working together to provide a quality education for each student. If you have questions about teaching or learning materials, please contact your child’s school. We are happy to share information regarding what your child is learning. Thank you for your collaboration.

BGPS Industry Fair on Feb. 15

Come join us for the 9th annual BGPS Industry Fair, happening Thursday, Feb. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Battle Ground High School. This free event serves students, families and the community. Learn about apprenticeship opportunities, as well as jobs in health care, education, manufacturing, technology, construction, finance, hospitality, retail, transportation and more. Some employers may be hiring–bring your resume! You can even attend a resume workshop in the school’s career center from 3-6 p.m. Child care will be available at the event.

Start planning for 2024-25 with the High School Course Guide

It’s time for students in grades 8-11 to start looking ahead to next year. Forecasting is the process of using Skyward to sign up for the high school classes that a student wants to take next year. To help you prepare, we are making the 2024-25 High School Course Guide available to families. The guide lists all the courses available at Battle Ground’s high schools, as well as graduation requirements, specialized programs and dual credit opportunities. A course plan worksheet is also available to help you sketch out a four-year plan.

Get help with applying for college financial aid

Seniors and families looking for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid can attend this upcoming in-person event:

• Wednesday, Feb. 21: Battle Ground High School, 3-6 p.m.

At least three days prior to attending one of these events, parents/guardians and students must each set up an account by creating a FSA ID.

Want to take the SAT?

This March, students in grades 11-12 have an opportunity to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT. The deadline to register is Feb. 23, 2024. Testing will take place Saturday, March 9, at Battle Ground High School. Get more information about registration.

DISTRICT NEWS

River HomeLink fourth grader’s rescue dog essay wins top prize

It has been nearly two years since Biggie first entered Brynn Boldemann’s life. The bulldog, a rescue from Texas-based Three Little Pitties, immediately made himself at home. “As soon as he got into our car he tried to scramble into the back so he could sit on my lap,” Brynn recalled. “That’s when we figured out he needs to be in a crate inside the car.” 

Biggie is “basically an 80-pound potato with legs,” according to the River HomeLink fourth grader. Or, in the words of Brynn’s mom, Meghan, “A feral chaos machine.” 

That’s how Brynn described the rescued bulldog in an essay she submitted as part of a contest sponsored by Petco Love, a nonprofit that supports pet rescue operations across the country. She wrote the essay in September and then basically forgot about it. That is, until the family received a phone call asking them to come to an event on Feb. 1 at the Fourth Plain Petco location. 

“They took a bunch of photos of me and Biggie, I got to do an interview and then they opened up the check,” Brynn said. 

That’s when the 10-year-old learned that she hadn’t just won a prize, she had won the prize. Her essay earned Three Little Pitties a $100,000 grant. Brynn herself received a $1,000 Petco gift card, custom Skecher shoes with little graffiti dogs on them and a year’s supply of Yummers Pet Supply Co. products. 

Visit the district website to learn more and read Brynn’s award-winning essay.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

2024-25 school calendar 

The 2024-25 academic calendar is now available for next school year. Here are some of the key dates:

• First day of school: Tuesday, Aug. 27
• Kindergarten Smart Start begins: Tuesday, Sept. 3
• Thanksgiving break: Nov. 27-29
• Winter break: Dec. 23, 2024, through Jan. 3, 2025
• Spring break: Monday, March 31, through Friday, April 4
• Last day of school: Tuesday, June 10 (assuming no added days for weather-related closures)

NOTE: Additional in-service dates may be added following approval from the state superintendent’s office. Russian and Spanish-language versions will be released soon.

LAST CHANCE: Review proposed science materials for middle and high school

Battle Ground Public Schools is in the process of evaluating new science materials for grades 6-8 and 9-12. Parents, guardians and community members are invited to view the potential curricula and provide their input at the following times and locations (more may be added):

• Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Summit View High School – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn more about curriculum adoptions. The board of directors will vote to approve the new materials later this school year.

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, Feb. 12: School board meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online
• Tuesday, Feb. 13: Election Day
• Wednesday, Feb. 14: One-hour late start
• Monday, Feb. 19: Presidents Day (no school, offices closed)

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• Fourth graders: Apply for a free federal park pass
• BGPS Industry Fair: Feb. 15, 5-7 p.m.
• Tap and Ballet classes with Miss Jeanna: Lessons start Feb. 26
• Pop Warner spring flag football: Practices start March 25
• Cheerleading skills clinic with Coach Megan: Saturday, March 9 and 23
• View the full community calendar

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