This week’s News to Know
Feb. 5, 2024
No student attendance on Wednesday, Feb. 7
Wednesday, Feb. 7 is a district in-service day with no student attendance. School offices will be closed to the public. Please visit the district website for additional information on the school calendar.
Remember to vote!
The Feb. 13 special election is just over a week away, and Battle Ground Public Schools has a capital levy on the ballot (Proposition no. 7). If you are registered to vote and have not yet received a ballot, contact the Clark County Elections Department to check the status or order a replacement ballot. 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. A list of ballot dropbox locations is also available on the county’s website.
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 online.
We also invite you to check out the most recent episode of the BG Cast podcast, featuring a breakdown of the capital levy and a conversation with Battle Ground High School construction teacher Don Willson about the impact of that program and plans to expand it with funding from the levy. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Amazon Music!
Fact #9 about the capital levy: The owner of a property assessed at $500,000 is estimated to pay $220 per year, or $18.33 per month, equivalent to the amount paid in 2023.
Learn more about the capital levy on the district website.
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.
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 one of these upcoming in-person events:
- Thursday, Feb. 8: Prairie High School, 3-6 p.m.
- 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.
BGPS Industry Fair is happening 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.
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.
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. 6, at Prairie High School – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 9, at Battle Ground High School – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 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.
Review new science and social studies textbooks
You are invited to provide input on potential new textbooks. If approved, the textbooks would be used beginning in the 2024-25 school year for the following Advanced Placement science and social studies courses:
- AP Government and Politics
- AP World History
- AP Human Geography
- AP U.S. History
- AP Biology
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Chemistry
Get details on how to review and provide feedback.
DISTRICT NEWS
Cooking up something special: Culinary arts programs look to the future
Inside of Gene Fritz’s culinary arts class at Battle Ground High School, students are busily chopping, mixing, measuring and baking up delicious dishes. A similar scene unfolds at Prairie High School as teacher Britt Pedlar goes from station to station, answering questions and providing advice.
But something is missing.
“Students are learning foundations and life skills here,” Pedlar said, “but if they decide to go into the industry, the line boss or chef is having to take the time to train them on how to use their professional equipment.”
That’s because the kitchen spaces these classes use were built during the era of home economics, featuring home-style electric ovens and other equipment that is not reflective of what students would be using in a professional kitchen.
If approved by voters on Feb. 13, a three-year capital levy would include funding to upgrade the culinary arts spaces at both Prairie and Battle Ground high schools with industry-standard equipment, better ventilation and more storage.
Read more on the district website.
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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
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. 5: School board special meeting – executive session, 5 p.m. at the Lewisville campus (no action to be taken)
- Wednesday, Feb. 7: District in-service day (no school attendance)
- Monday, Feb. 12: School board meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online
- Wednesday, Feb. 14: One-hour late start
COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Battle Ground Little League: Sign up through Feb. 15
- Glenwood Little League: Save $40 by signing up before Feb. 11
- Tap and Ballet classes with Miss Jeanna: Lessons start Feb. 24
- Cheerleading skills clinic with Coach Megan: Saturday March 9 and 23
- View the full community calendar
11104 N.E. 149th Street,
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 200 
360-885-5300