Battle Ground Public Schools

This week’s News to Know

Jan. 1, 2024

One-hour late start on Wednesday, Jan. 3

Schools will begin an hour late on Wednesday, Jan. 3, to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at normal times.

Attend an upcoming community presentation on the capital levy

Battle Ground Public Schools will have a three-year capital levy on the Feb. 13, 2024, special election ballot.

Voters will have an opportunity to learn about the facts about the levy in upcoming community presentations:

• IN PERSON: Thursday, Jan. 25, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lewisville Campus, Room C-26, 406 NW Fifth Ave., Battle Ground, WA.
• WEBINAR: Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (link to join)

Both presentations are open to the public.

Fact #4: Capital Levy funding would update technology throughout the district

If approved, capital levy funding would help to replace outdated technology throughout the district. This includes Chromebooks used by students in the classroom, wireless access throughout buildings and outdated phone systems. This would affect the educational experience for students and increase security through communication in buildings.

Learn more of the facts about the capital levy on the district website.

Review middle school science materials

Battle Ground Public Schools is in the process of evaluating new science materials for middle school students in grades 6-8. Parents, guardians and community members are invited to view the potential curricula and provide their input at the following times and locations:

Friday, Jan. 5 – Tukes Valley Middle School – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 8 – Chief Umtuch Middle School – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 10 – Pleasant Valley Middle School – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 11 – Amboy Middle School – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Daybreak Middle School – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 19 – Laurin Middle School – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

Classroom assistant hiring event

Battle Ground Public Schools is looking for paraeducators to help support teachers in classrooms. If you are interested in applying, attend our upcoming hiring event on Jan. 25. Previous teaching/classroom experience or a teaching degree is not required for most positions.

We are also looking for licensed practical nurses and registered behavior technicians and substitute teachers.

When: Thursday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: CASEE A, 11104 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie, WA 98606

RSVP not required

Learn more. Want to apply sooner? View all of our openings, including substitute positions, coaching positions, maintenance and more. 

CASEE Science Night/open house 

Curious about CASEE? The Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education is holding their annual Science Night open house on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Come visit with teachers and current students, view ongoing experiments and tour the 80-acre outdoor learning campus in Brush Prairie (11104 NE 149th St). Students in grades 8-11, along with their parents/guardians, are welcome to attend and learn more about this half-day science-based program for high school students. 

Visit the CASEE website to RSVP for Science Night. We hope to see you there!

Dual credit information night is Tuesday, Jan. 23

Battle Ground Public School is hosting a virtual presentation via Zoom to provide information about dual credit for all students and families, eighth through 11th grades, on Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 4-5 p.m. Dual credit provides students with the potential to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Information will include Running Start at Clark College, Cascadia Tech Academy (Skills Center), career and technical education dual credit, work-based learning,  College in the High School and Advanced Placement classes. If you have any questions, contact Work-Based Learning Coordinator Kris Neal via email at neal.kris@battlegroundps.org.

Seeking employers for Industry Fair

Calling all businesses! Reserve a table at this free annual event that draws hundreds of students, families and community members actively seeking career opportunities or wanting to learn about local employers. The event is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Battle Ground High School. Register now.

Celebrate 30 years of River HomeLink!

River HomeLink, the district’s homeschool-partnership program, is turning 30! To celebrate, we’re inviting the public to a free event on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 4-6 p.m. Hear from some of the school’s original teachers and students, view memorabilia and artifacts and enjoy fun activities. River HomeLink is located at 610A SW Eaton Blvd. in Battle Ground. We hope to see you there!

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 three upcoming in-person events:

Jan. 4, 2024: Battle Ground High School, 3-6 p.m.

Jan. 10, 2024: Battle Ground High School, 3-6 p.m.

Jan. 16, 2024: Prairie 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 ACT w/ Writing or SAT?

Battle Ground Public Schools will offer students from each of our high schools the opportunity to take the American College Testing (ACT w/ Writing) in person on Feb. 10. Registration is open now. Deadline to register: Friday, Jan. 5. Learn more.

On March 9, students in grades 11-12 will have an opportunity to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT. Registration is open now, and space is limited to 100 seats. The deadline to register is Feb. 23. Learn more.

DISTRICT NEWS

BGPS schools collect thousands of pounds of food for local food banks

Students throughout Battle Ground Public Schools have been hard at work collecting donations of food, hygiene products, clothing and gifts ahead of the holidays. Annual holiday donation drives are a tradition throughout the district and help to provide thousands of pounds of food and other items for local food banks and the district’s own Family and Community Resource Center.

At Glenwood Heights Primary, students set a goal of collecting 1,500 items for the North County Food Bank. By the end of their drive last week, they helped to deliver over twice that amount! Pleasant Valley Middle School collected more than 6,000 items, with more coming from Daybreak and Yacolt Primary schools, as well as Battle Ground High School’s Honor Society students. Giving trees at Amboy and Laurin middle schools, as well as CAM Academy, provided gifts for nearly 100 local families. Prairie High School’s Winter Carnival also helped ensure children and their parents or guardians had a gift this Christmas.

Thank you, as always, to our school communities for your ongoing generosity this holiday season!

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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

Snow routes and weather information

You can view snow routes on the district website. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our winter weather guide (Español) (русский) and note whether your child’s school is in the north or south part of the district. Now is also a great time to verify that your contact information is up-to-date in Skyward (Family Access). On weather-impacted days, calls may begin going out as early as 5:30 a.m.

To learn about weather-related closures or delays, you can also call our information line at 360-885-5343 to check after 5:30 a.m. Additional weather information will be available on the district website and Facebook.

Employee Recognition Award

Do you know an amazing staff member? The new Employee Recognition Awards will highlight staff members who reflect the district’s strategic plan goals. Three nominees will be selected each month and recognized at a board meeting. Everyone is welcome to submit a nomination.

Report incidents anonymously with SafeSchools

Please report bullying, intimidation, harassment, threats and safety concerns using our anonymous reporting system. Reporters can remain anonymous. Emergencies should always be reported to 911. Learn more about emergency procedures and safety protocols.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

• Wednesday, Jan. 3: One-hour late start
• Monday, Jan. 8: School board meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• BG Community Ed: After school indoor soccer league (grades K-4)
• Glenwood Little League
• Chat with a Prevention/Intervention specialist: Wednesday, Jan. 24
• View the full community calendar

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