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HISTORY/SCIENCE

In 5th grade history and science, we will be switching gears and delving back into science starting in February. In science, we are starting our environment unit that encompasses learning about the ecosystem and the spheres of the Earth.

MATH

February brings lots of love of learning in math. We'll be snuggling up to division with whole numbers and decimals. We love math!! Happy February!

As we begin a new semester, please try to keep up by doing the following:

• Complete any unfinished work and turn it in as soon as possible

• Complete and turn in any required redos (60% and below)

• Complete and turn in any optional redos (below 70%)

• Sign up for Homework Help to get more time/assistance in finishing work or extra help in areas where there are struggles

• Be in class and ready to learn every day

• Ask for help or clarification when needed

If students are absent, it is their responsibility to complete ALL work missed at home (or at Homework Help). These are required assignments, but there will be no extra time to complete them in class.

It is very important that students have their Chromebooks at school AND charged every day. If your child is having a hard time meeting that expectation, feel free to contact his/her teacher for suggestions.

Now is a good time to check that your child has all the required supplies. We've had many students lately without a pencil, notebook paper, or headphones.

Please remind your student to bring their Chromebook to school fully charged every day. Also, no wireless earbuds are allowed in the 7th grade classrooms.

MATH

The Math classes have finished up Unit 4 Proportional Relationships and Percentages. We have started working in Unit 5 Rational Number Arithmetic. We hope to have this unit finished by the middle of February. The Advanced class has been working in an 8th grade workbook, Linear Equations and Linear Systems. We will continue working in 8th grade workbooks as we move on to the Introduction of Slope.

ELA

The reading iReady scores from January testing look great overall. A majority of students showed growth - nice work! In February we will be starting our novel study. We'll be reading "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jaqueline Woodson. The book has won multiple awards including being a Newberry Honor Winner and a Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

SCIENCE

In February we will be finishing up a short engineering project using the new science curriculum. Students will be designing a baby incubator using the the information that they learned in our last unit about phase changes. The new curriculum has a program that will allow the kids to test and combine different materials to keep the babies warm. The program also provides the different costs of the materials as well as pros and cons of the materials being selected, thus allowing students to make knowledgeable/cost effective design decisions. The following unit will be Chemistry.

HISTORY

We will be starting the turn of the 20th century and the reform era. We will also be studying the Pacific Northwest during World War One. Snack donations would be appreciated for students who do not have snacks.

ELA

We will be getting our students ready for argumentative writing in time for SBA using Unit 6 about early/late times for school.

HISTORY

After finishing up the Bill of Rights, we will explore the first four presidents and their terms in office.

SCIENCE

We are finishing the Light Waves unit and starting the Earth, Sun and Moon. Students will take on the role of student forensic meteorologists as they discover how water vapor, temperature, energy transfer and wind influence local weather patterns.

MATH

We are finishing Expressions and Equations and entering the unit on linear functions.

ALGEBRA

Students will be introduced to the concept of exponential functions. They will learn the Compound Interest formula and model real world situations and make predictions.

HOMEWORK

There is no homework policy, but students are expected to complete assignments at home if not completed in the time allotted at school or have been absent from school.

Too Many Bathroom Breaks Disrupting Class Time! Our rule for bathrooms is one visit per class, but we are having issues with up to half the class leaving for the restroom every period to meet up in the restroom or signal their peers in the hallways. This causes disruptions when the students are arguing over who goes next and giving the pass to their friends instead of those really needing to use the bathroom. Because we have had issues with students using bathroom breaks or going twice in the same class period, the 8th grade staff is implementing a new system to track and limit unneeded bathroom usage. Students will receive a weekly bathroom pass that they can use five times in the week during class time (please note: before school, between classes, and during lunch do not count towards the pass). We feel this will greatly cut down on the constant disruptions to the learning environment. Students will receive a new pass each week.

January's character trait was cooperation. February's character trait is HONESTY. Please ask your student what HONESTY means to them. Ask them what it means when doing their school work. What does honesty mean when they are working on a math problem? What does it mean when they do research and share the information they found? What does honesty mean when they answer a question?

Remember to vote by Feb. 11!

Battle Ground Public Schools is asking voters to consider a replacement education and operations levy on the Feb. 11 ballot. Local levy funding helps to cover things the state doesn't fully pay for, such as student safety, transportation, special education, updated curriculum, mental health and nursing supports, sports, arts and much more. Levy funding currently provides around 13% of the district's overall budget.

Visit our website to learn more about the replacement levy, create a personalized cost estimate for your property and to view a video presentation. If you are eligible to vote but are not yet registered, you can still do so in person at the Clark County Elections office in Vancouver until 8 p.m. on election night.

SURVEY RESULTS ON CELLPHONE USE, START TIMES AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Last fall, Battle Ground Public Schools conducted a ThoughtExchange to gather ideas about student use of cellphones during school, school start times, school libraries and more. More than 2,200 people responded, including parents/guardians, students, staff members and community members. Thank you to everyone who participated! Your input helps guide decisions on these topics. Visit the district website to view the full survey results and read the key findings.

FEBRUARY SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS

February school breakfast and lunch menus are available via Nutrislice and the district website. Meal expenses can be paid through InTouch Receipting.

ENROLL NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN NEXT FALL

Any child who will be 5 years old by August 31, 2025, is eligible to enroll in kindergarten this fall. 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 August 31 and meet certain eligibility requirements. Visit our Transitional Kindergarten webpage to learn more about the program. Applications will be accepted starting in early February.

EIGHTH AND NINTH GRADERS INVITED TO TAKE PSAT

Students in grades 8 and 9 are invited to take the new PSAT 8/9 on April 26. This optional test is designed to help as you start your high school journey. It will help you understand where you are and where you want to go, as well as assisting with preparing for future assessment tests. With your scores, you'll get customized guidance to help you search for colleges. Registration ends Friday, April 18. Visit the district's standardized testing page to learn more.

ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR MANY OF THE 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. Please see each program's enrollment page for details on availability.

• Character and Academics for the Marketplace (CAM) Academy - A grades 3-12 school focusing on English language arts, history, science, math and instruction in computer technology.

• Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (CASEE) - A half-day program focused on science, technology, engineering and math on an 80-acre learning campus in Brush Prairie.

• Summit View High School - An individualized learning environment for students from ages 14-21 focusing on reaching graduation.

• Open Doors GED - A program through Summit View High School for students ages 16-21 who are behind in credits and want to earn their GED.

• River HomeLink - An accredited public school providing parent-partnered educational options and support for students.

• Battle Ground Virtual Academy - BGVA provides a high-quality online learning experience where students are assigned a teacher with whom they and their parents meet regularly. Parents and guardians also play an active role in their child's online education.

TENTH ANNUAL BGPS INDUSTRY FAIR SET FOR FEB. 20

Save the date! The 10th annual Battle Ground Public Schools Industry Fair will be held at Battle Ground High School on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 5-7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Come meet with local employers to learn about apprenticeship opportunities and employment in fields such as health care, education, manufacturing, technology, construction and many more. There will also be a resume workshop in the high school's career center from 3-5 p.m.

If you are an employer interested in attending this free event expected to draw hundreds of students, families and community members, fill out this form or contact BGHS career guidance counselor Kevin Doyle at doyle.kevin@battlegroundps.org or 360-885-6598.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COMING TO CAPTAIN STRONG PRIMARY

Families of children ages 3-5 looking for preschool options are encouraged to check out the program at Captain Strong Primary. This program offers qualifying families a free preschool option. Students receive academic and social-emotional education through play-based activities with meals and snacks provided. Get more information and apply (en Espanol).

BASICS OF DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Do you know how to be a good digital citizen? With students completing more work online, it is increasingly important that they understand how to recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world. Parents and guardians can learn more on the district's parent resources webpage, including managing technology at home, resources for digital citizenship and setting up parental controls.

CARE SOLACE: YOUR LINK TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Battle Ground Public Schools has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students and their immediate family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help any student and/or their immediate family members quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of insurance or circumstance. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365 in any language).

• Visit www.caresolace.com/battlegroundps and either search on your own or select "Book appointment" for assistance by video chat, email or phone.

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.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO?

Be sure to check out our Community Events page for fun ideas of things to do throughout the local community. Nonprofit organizations looking to share their own upcoming events are welcome to submit a flyer to be included. Flyers are posted on the community events webpage and printed at relevant schools on their community bulletin boards. The BGPS community flyer checklist provides information about what is required for flyer submission.

The Battle Ground Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Information about the district's nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures are located on the district's website at https://www.battlegroundps.org/notice-of-nondiscrimination/. The following employees have been designated to receive and respond to questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX Coordinator: Tom Adams, Director of Student Services, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, 360.885.5415 and/or U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org 360.885.5481