Battle Ground Public Schools

Prepare for hybrid learning: Please choose your learning model

Sept. 17, 2020

Dear families of Battle Ground Public Schools,

We have some good news to share: It is time for families to start planning for the transition to hybrid learning in Battle Ground Public Schools! As long as the number of COVID-19 cases in Clark County remains in the moderate zone, our goal is to bring primary school students into buildings for an in-person learning orientation on Tuesday, Oct. 6 or Thursday, Oct. 8. Hybrid learning for primary would then begin the week of Oct. 12. Middle and high school students would begin hybrid learning in November.

Please Choose your Learning Model
In preparation for the transition, we need parents and guardians to complete the Learning Model Choice Form for all K-12 students (except River HomeLink and Summit View). Please complete the form once for each of your students, or call your school if you are unable to access the form. PLEASE NOTE that students who continue participating in remote learning through their neighborhood school may have a change in teacher(s). This change may be necessary to provide direct instruction to students participating in hybrid learning and students in remote learning.

Transition Plan
The board approved a transition plan for moving to hybrid learning at its Aug. 24 meeting that is described on our website.

Following this plan, we have been monitoring the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Clark County. As long as the activity level stays within the moderate zone (25–75 cases per 100,000 population), the district’s goal is to conduct in-person orientations for primary students the first week of October. In that first week, primary students would attend their school in-person for one 5-hour day to learn about hybrid school practices and health requirements. 

When hybrid learning is implemented the week of Oct. 12, primary students would attend schools on a hybrid learning schedule:

• Last names A-L attend in person on Monday and Tuesday, five hours each day
• Last names M-Z attend in person on Thursday and Friday, five hours each day
• During the other 3 days students would continue independent/asynchronous remote learning at home.

More information about school logistics, transportation and meals will be provided before hybrid learning begins. It is also a good idea to check now to make sure your student’s immunizations are up to date.

In November, as long as the number of positive COVID-19 cases remains in the moderate zone, it is our goal to bring middle and high school students back to buildings for in-person learning.

Safety protocols
Per state requirements, all students and staff must wear masks (except during designated mask breaks) and need to follow physical distancing and attestation protocols. More information about attestation (the taking of temperatures and confirmation of the absence of COVID-19 symptoms) will be sent later.

District Comparison
How are districts starting the school year? Like us, most districts (95%) are currently in full remote learning. Want to learn more? OSPI created an interactive map displaying the current status of each of the 295 districts in Washington.

Internet Cafes and Tutoring
As an update, we want to let you know that the district is looking at opening Internet Cafes and tutoring centers at some schools for middle and high school students until hybrid learning begins for these grade levels. We will provide more information as these plans come to fruition.

Thank you
We know that remote learning is difficult for students, staff and teachers, and that it is not as effective as in-person learning. We appreciate all the work that our parents, teachers and classified staff are doing to help students learn at home and provide engaging learning experiences in a virtual environment.

We, like you, want to get our students back into the classroom as soon as we can, but also do it safely and in a way that minimizes risks to our students, staff and families. To help us get our students back to learning in schools, please continue to wear your mask in public. 

Stay safe and healthy,

Mark Ross, Superintendent
Battle Ground Public Schools

Resources
Clark County school leaders’ recommendation to start school remotely consistent with new state school reopening metrics

Clark County Public Health Novel Coronavirus information (including weekly COVID-19 activity levels)

Battle Ground Public Schools website: Remote Learning