This week’s News to Know
Jan. 16, 2024
Weather to impact Wednesday schedule
***Update for Wednesday, Jan. 17: All Battle Ground schools will be closed. Athletics and activities, Community Education classes, preschool and Right at School are canceled. There will be no skills center buses for Cascadia Tech Academy. The district office will be closed to the public. Thank you and stay safe!***
As of this evening, all Battle Ground schools will be on a two-hour late start due to weather and road conditions on Wednesday, Jan. 17. This means school will start two hours later than the usual Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri schedule. There is no AM preschool, high school zero period or skills center buses to Cascadia Tech Academy. Right At School will also start two hours later.
We will continue to monitor conditions and provide an update as well as any snow routes in the morning, as necessary.
Student and staff safety is our primary concern when making these decisions. If you feel that you cannot safely get your child to school or the bus, you can keep your child at home. Weather-related absences are excused if they are reported to the school by a parent or guardian.
Snow routes and weather information
Please download and save our winter weather guide (Español) (русский) and note whether your child’s school is in the north or south part of the district. Verify that your contact information is up-to-date in Skyward (Family Access) to ensure you receive notifications in the event of a closure or delay. On weather-impacted days, calls may begin going out as early as 5:30 a.m.
You can view snow routes on the district website. 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.
Online capital levy community presentation postponed
Due to the potential for freezing rain and possible power outages this evening, the district is postponing a planned webinar regarding the three-year capital levy on the Feb. 13 special election ballot. We will send an update as soon as the webinar has been rescheduled.
Update: The levy webinar has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Link to join).
An in-person community forum is still scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 25, from 6-7 p.m. at the Lewisville Campus, Room C-26 (406 NW Fifth Ave., Battle Ground, WA). No RSVP is required to attend.
Fact #6 about the capital levy: Property owners would begin paying for it in 2025
If approved by voters, collection for the three-year capital levy would begin in 2025. At 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, the cost to the owner of a home assessed at $500,000 is estimated to be around $18.33 per month in the first year of the levy.
Learn more 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:
- Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Daybreak Middle School – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather permitting)
- 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.
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.
BGPS Future Chef competition
Does your child love to cook and create recipes? Check out Battle Ground Public Schools’ Future Chefs event. All BGPS third and fourth grade students are welcome to enter! Visit the district website for more information on this year’s competition and a link to enter.
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
***Update: Science Night has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 1. Same time and place.***
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 learn how you can earn up to 20 college credits attending this 80-acre outdoor learning campus in Brush Prairie (11104 NE 149th St.). Students in eighth through 11th grades, 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.
Register now for spring World language testing
Battle Ground Public Schools offers students the opportunity to earn world language high school credits through remote world language testing. Students who test proficiently can earn up to four world language credits on their high school transcript. Students who earn credits and meet their high school English language arts district and state graduation requirements are eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy with their high school diploma. Credits earned and Seal of Biliteracy awards will be assigned prior to graduation in June. Battle Ground Public Schools partners with Avant Assessment and LTI for world language testing. Applications are open now on the district website, along with a schedule of upcoming testing dates.
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!
DISTRICT NEWS
Prairie High grad competes for the title of Miss America
She may not have brought home the crown, but Battle Ground Public Schools is proud to have been part of the journey of Miss Washington. U.S. Army Sergeant Vanessa Munson graduated from Prairie High School in 2018 and represented our state in last weekend’s Miss America finals. Be sure to read more about Vanessa’s journey and ongoing effort to spread kindness during her reign as Miss Washington on the district website.
Are you receiving our weekly newsletter?
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
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.
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 to five 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. 17: One-hour late start (depending on weather conditions)
- Monday, Jan. 22: School board work session and meeting, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online
COMMUNITY EVENTS
- RESCHEDULED: Prairie High School mini-cheer camp (Monday, Jan. 29, 5-7 p.m.)
- SW Washington Chess FPHRC Middle Game (Sunday, Jan. 27)
- Chat with a prevention/intervention specialist (Wednesday, Jan. 24)
- View the full community calendar
11104 N.E. 149th Street,
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 200 
360-885-5300