Battle Ground Public Schools

This week’s News to Know

Oct. 30, 2023

NO late start on Wednesday, Nov. 1

There will be no one-hour late start on Wednesday, Nov. 1, for ALL schools due to parent-teacher conference week (see below). Wednesday will be a regular Mon./Tue./Thu./Fri. start time.

Parent-teacher conferences Oct. 30 through Nov. 3

Fall parent-teacher conferences will be held the week of Monday, Oct. 30, through Friday, Nov. 3. Conferences are generally for K-8 and high school students with a grade below 70% in any given class. Parents and guardians may also request a conference in advance. High schools will communicate if they have drop-in periods for meeting with teachers.

Three-hour early release schedule:

Primary schools – Monday through Friday
Middle schools – Tuesday through Friday
High schools – Thursday and Friday (NOTE: CAM Academy will release students at 11:10 a.m.)

Family and Community Resource Center to close temporarily for relocation

Please be aware that the Family and Community Resource Center will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, in order to move into their new location at the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground, WA 98604). It is expected the FCRC will reopen regular hours starting Thursday, Nov. 2. If you need assistance during the closure, please email fcrc@battlegroundps.org. Visit the district website to learn more about the FCRC’s move.

Financial aid application changes for 2023-24

For seniors looking to apply for state or federal financial aid, please be aware of the following changes for this year: To allow time for updates and improvements, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid has been delayed by the Department of Education until mid-to-late December. This will also impact the timing of the Washington Application for State Financial Aid.

In the meantime, students and parents/guardians should create an FSA ID prior to the anticipated December rollout date. There will be a FSA ID workshop for students and parents on Oct. 30 from 3-5 p.m. in the Prairie High School College and Career Center. The student and a parent or guardian must have an FSA ID in order to complete the FAFSA.

Prairie High School drama presents “Urinetown: The Musical”

Prairie High School Drama is pleased to announce their upcoming production of Music Theater International’s Urinetown: The Musical. Winner of three Tony Awards and many other honors, this uproarious, satirical take on our modern times is hilariously funny and touchingly honest. 

Tickets are available online and cost $6 for students, $10 for honored citizens and $13 for adults. Showtimes are as follows:

• Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. 
• Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. 
• Friday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Learn more about the production on the district website.

Oct. 23 board meeting recap

BGPS’ board of directors conducted a special and a regular board meeting on Monday, Oct. 23. A summary and video are available on the district website. The board will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

New payment option 

There’s a new way to add funds to a student’s meals account, pay class and sports fees, buy yearbooks and more! Using this one-stop shopping option, parents and guardians can pay for each of their children in one transaction. Follow the instructions labeled “1st Time Parents” to access one account for the entire family. Meal payments will be reflected in Skyward every hour between 7:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. 

E-Funds also remains an option for adding funds to a student’s meal account.

BigFuture scholarships from the College Board

Current high school juniors and seniors can be entered into monthly drawings for $500 or $40,000 scholarships until February of their senior year. No essay, minimum GPA or test score is required, and there are also no citizenship requirements. To be entered into the monthly drawings, complete steps on the BigFuture website such as starting a list of possible careers and applying for financial aid.

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.

Ask BGPS

Got a question about Battle Ground Public Schools? Maybe you’re curious about a new curriculum, or want to know about safety procedures. Let us know what you’re interested in by submitting your question(s). Your question may be selected for answering on our Facebook page.

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.

Remember to vote by Nov. 7

Ballots for the Nov. 7 general and special election should have arrived in your mailbox on or around Thursday, Oct. 26. Learn more about this election and see what’s on the ballot.

For eligible voters who have not yet registered or need to update their registration, you can do so online at ClarkVotes.org through Oct. 30. After that date, registration can be done in person at the Clark County Elections office until 8 p.m. on election night. Learn about the process.

DISTRICT NEWS

Prairie High School teacher’s ‘murder mystery’ draws students in

If you were trying to figure out how a murder victim met their fate, the first thing you’d need to know is where they had been before meeting that untimely fate. That’s the task Prairie High School teacher Christina Greene set up for her biology students. Using a skeleton she purchased online, Greene set out to photograph him at various local restaurants. Students then used science to look for biomolecules like protein, fatty lipids, carbs and more. That data, along with the photos of where Mr. Bones had eaten, helped them figure out his final meal had been from Talay Thai.

Greene’s student said her willingness to think “outside the school” drew them into the assignment.

“A lot of times assignments are more like ‘do some research and make a presentation,’” said sophomore Duncan Clark. “This is like, ‘we’re investigating a fake murder.’ I thought that sounded pretty cool.”

Read more.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Highly capable/gifted student referrals

Students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels as defined by state criteria may be tested for Battle Ground Public Schools’ highly capable/gifted student program. The Aspire program is accepting testing referrals Oct. 11-Dec. 1, 2023. Any student currently in kindergarten through 11th grade may be referred. A completed referral form with a parent or guardian signature is required for testing. Referral packets are available now.

Testing will take place in January and February during the school day at the student’s school. Parents and guardians will be notified of their child’s testing date after submitting a referral. Students who are identified for the Aspire program will begin to receive services in the 2024-2025 school year. For more information about the Aspire program, please email aspire@battlegroundps.org. 

Nutrition services newsletter and menus

Did you know that Sodexo, the district’s nutrition services provider, has a monthly newsletter? Check out the latest edition! Get information about upcoming menu changes, nutritional information, staff shoutouts and more. 

Please be aware that a technical issue is currently preventing Sodexo from updating school lunch menus on their website. View menus for the month of November.

Want to take the SAT?

This December, students in grades 11-12 have an opportunity to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT. The deadline to register is Nov. 2. Get the details.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

• NO late start on Wednesday, Nov. 1
• Oct. 30 – Nov. 3: Parent-teacher conferences. Three-hour early release Monday through Friday for primary students, Tuesday through Friday for middle schools and Thursday and Friday for high schools
• Monday, Nov. 13: School board regular meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• • Battle Ground Community Ed. K-6 basketball: Registration open through Oct. 31
  • Teen Takeover at Rocksolid Community Teen Center: Friday, Nov. 3
  • BIPOC Youth Summit: Sunday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at YWCA Clark County
  • Family Financial Literacy Event, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at ESD 112 conference center
  • Dedication of the new CAM Academy building, Monday, Nov. 27. Self-guided tours 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with remarks/ceremony at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria. 406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground. Everyone is welcome!

• View the full community calendar

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