Battle Ground Public Schools

This week’s News to Know

March 4, 2024

One-hour late start on Wednesday, March 6

Schools will begin an hour late on Wednesday, March 6, to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at normal times.

Snow makeup day March 15

Friday, March 15, will be used as a snow makeup day, meaning all students will attend a full day of school. Important dates such as snow makeup days, late-start Wednesdays and graduation dates are available on the district’s academic calendar.

Calling next year’s kindergartners! 

Any child who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2024, is eligible to enroll in kindergarten this fall. 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. The state of Washington now requires that immunization records be medically verified. Enroll now to make sure 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. Visit our Transitional Kindergarten webpage to learn more about the program and fill out an online eligibility form by Wednesday, June 12. Families will be notified by the end of June regarding their eligibility status.

Enrollment is open for district’s alternative learning experience programs

Battle Ground Public Schools’ specialized and alternative learning experience programs are accepting enrollment applications for the 2024-25 school year. The district offers specialized and alternative programs for students in kindergarten through high school. Visit the district website to learn more about these educational options.

New digital school menus

Sodexo, the district’s food services provider, is excited to announce that they are transitioning their menu system to Nutrislice. This switch will provide an enhanced user experience, better navigation, filters for dietary and allergen restrictions, language options and much more. Check out the Nutrislice menus. 

High School and Beyond Plan survey

The High School and Beyond Plan is a graduation requirement for all Washington state students that begins in seventh grade. Washington state’s K-12 education agency (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) is working to select a new, online platform for the High School and Beyond Plan that will be used by all middle and high school students. They are looking for input from students, parents, guardians and staff members. The survey takes 15 to 20 minutes, and responses will remain confidential. Take the survey.

Special education survey for parents/guardians

Parents/guardians with a child eligible for special education services will soon receive a survey in the mail. This is part of the Washington Integrated System of Monitoring. This survey is intended to measure perception of the district’s efforts to partner with parents/guardians of special education students and ensure we meet our requirements for special education programs under state and federal law. 

Surveys will be mailed the week of March 4 from Washington State University and will include a cover letter from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Participation is voluntary and responses will be kept confidential. 

If you have questions about the survey process, please contact Jennifer Story, OSPI program improvement coordinator, at 360-725-6075. 

Feb. 26 board meeting

Battle Ground Public Schools’ board of directors held a regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 26. A summary and video are available on the district website.

The board will hold a work session and regular meeting on Monday, March 11, at 4:30 and 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

High school open houses for current eighth graders

Battle Ground and Prairie high schools will be hosting next year’s ninth grade students and their parents/guardians at open houses in March. Watch for further details from your child’s middle school.

Prairie High School Future Falcon Night:

Tuesday, March 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Battle Ground High School Future Tiger Night:

Thursday, March 14, 6-7 p.m.

DISTRICT NEWS

Battle Ground, Prairie high school students celebrate Black History Month

High school students took time in February to recognize Black History Month. At Battle Ground High School, displays around the building honored Black pioneers in American history, honoring their contributions to the fields of science, literature, politics and much more. They also heard from Tyler Monk, a Portland-based inspirational speaker who shared his own personal success story.

“You have to accept responsibility for your actions and your attitude,” Monk told the students. “You need to respond in a way to create a positive change in your circumstances.”

Prairie High School’s Black Student Union took the lead on an assembly Feb. 29, honoring both Black History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (a planned MLK Day assembly was postponed by weather in January).

The students said this event, along with the school’s end-of-year multicultural assembly, represent an opportunity to embrace and share their own history and culture. “We want others to not just see the color of our skin, but to see the person inside,” said Elijah Aponte, a freshman who helped coordinate the assembly.

Read more on the district website.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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.

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

• Wednesday, March 6: One-hour late start
• Monday, March 11: School board work session and regular meeting, 4:30 and 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• Right At School Spring Break camps: April 1-5, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• River HomeLink presents ‘High School Musical Jr.’: March 15-16 and 22-23
• Ceramics Showdown at Battle Ground High School: Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Fourth graders: Apply for a free federal park pass
• Pop Warner spring flag football: Practices start March 25
• Cheerleading skills clinic with Coach Megan: Saturday, March 9 and 23
• Chair exercise classes: Wednesdays in March, 1-2 p.m. at the Lewisville campus
• View the full community calendar

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