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Semester 2 Health and Fitness classes are scheduled to receive comprehensive sexual health education in accordance with district policy and Washington state law starting on April 23. Click here to review the curriculum and for instructions on how to opt your student out of some or all of the instruction.

Our students have the opportunity to earn a monthly reward recess for good attendance! Students can have only one excused absence and no tardies during the month to enjoy this extra break.

READING/ELA

Students are enjoying our new read aloud book, The Phantom Tollbooth, as we learn how authors use word play to develop characters, settings, and plot. Ask your child about some of the funny settings and characters we've been introduced to so far. We will continue to work on creative, narrative writing throughout this unit.

SCIENCE

For the month of March, in Science we are continuing with the "Spheres of the Earth", specifically our focus this month will be on the geosphere and the hyrdosphere.

MATH

Math for March will include multiplying and dividing whole numbers and decimals, along with reviewing volume and decimals. Happy March!

• Supplies: Students are expected to have a constant supply of pencils, notebook paper, and erasers. Please check with your child to see if they need to bring anything in.

• Chromebooks: Need to be here and charged daily. Cases need to be used to help prevent damage. No stickers are allowed.

• Conferences: Notes will be sent home from the homeroom teacher if he/she feels a conference is necessary.

• Missing/absent work: Please make sure your child is completing his/her absent/missing work at home as needed. It's much harder to get caught up once assignments start accumulating. After School Activities Homework Help is available if students need more assistance finishing work.

MATH

The Math classes have finished up Unit 5 Rational Number Arithmetic. We have started working in Unit 6 Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities. We hope to have this unit finished by the end of March. The Advanced class has been working in an 8th Grade workbook on Functions and Slope. We will continue working in 8th Grade workbooks as we move forward.

ELA

In ELA in March we will finish reading our novel, "Brown Girl Dreaming". After finishing the reading students will write an essay on one of the themes of the novel. Students can log on to the CommLit platform, and in the "My Assignments" tab they can see which assignments they need to complete at the top of that page.

SCIENCE

We have just started Chemistry. For this unit our student chemists will be assisting a fictional community called Westfield. Students will be solving a problem pertaining to Westfield's tainted water supply. Throughout the unit the kids will be examining different substances and looking at how different substances may combine to form something new that has different properties. There is a fun simulation that lets kids combine different substances and see how the substances react and whether or not something new is formed. The above learning should help students determine what is in Westfield's water supply.

On another topic, please send your child to school with a charged Chromebook, pencils, paper, and a good night's sleep. This request is prompted mostly by a large number of students that do not have pencils. Uncharged Chromebooks are also popular these days. If you know that your child frequently loses their pencil and want to send a bunch to school, that would be great. As always, thank you for all that you do at home and for the support you provide!

HISTORY

We will be starting on the Great Depression through WWII. We will be looking at perspectives and experiences during the 1920-40's. Please check homes for history books as many of our needed class sets have disappeared. Snack donations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!

ELA

Working on Unit 5 Not That Different on standards reading 8.1 and 8.2 and writing 8.1a-f.

HISTORY

Students will be learning about the first few presidents of the new United States of America from Washington to Monroe.

SCIENCE

Students will take on the role of Student Astronomer and advise an Astrophotographer when it will be the best time to photograph the moon. They will also learn about Solar and Lunar eclipses.

MATH

We are exploring functions and volume of 3D shapes.

ALGEBRA

Students are completing the Exponential Functions topic with geometric sequences and transformations. Our next topic will be on factoring polynomials.

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.

FUTURE HIGH SCHOOL

Battle Ground High School counselors will be at Amboy to present information to students on signing up for future classes on March 3, 2025, during their ELA classes. There will be a field trip to Battle Ground High School on March 6.

You all should have received some information in the mail last month for your soon to be high schoolers! It should have provided you with information about the different graduation pathways your student can take in High School. Be sure to look through it this month before your student starts selecting courses for next year.

In preparation for forecasting and to help with with the transition to high school, all 8th grade students will be taking a field trip to Battle Ground High School on March 6th during the school day. Permission slips have already been sent home with students and should have been returned back to their homeroom teacher.

On March 10th, Battle Ground High School will be holding their Parent Night for incoming freshmen. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what high school will look like for your student and ask any questions you may have. The event will run from 6:00 to 7:00 and will be held at the high school.

All 8th grade students at Amboy will be forecasting for Battle Ground High School on Monday, March 17th. Students will be filling out a paper version of their requested courses almost two weeks ahead of time in their English class. Take the time to review this with your student before forecasting starts! If your student plans to attend a different high school, please reach out to Kaitlyn Hagedorn.

Any questions can be directed to Amboy Middle School counselor Kaitlyn Hagedorn, available via email at hagedorn.kaitlyn@battlegroundps.org or by calling the school's main office.

HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT VIA CHALLENGE EXAM

The high school credit via challenge exam option is available to 8-12 grade students once a year in the month of May. High school credit can be earned by challenging certain high school courses by taking a challenge exam in Algebra 1, Geometry, English 9, English 10, Biology, and Washington State History. Click here for the application form.

March's character trait is cooperation. Please ask your student what COOPERATION means to them. I had a student admit to me that they no longer like to ask the teacher for help when they need it. They told me that when they do, they get teased by classmates. I would say that cooperation would be helping their classmate or encouraging them to get the help they need, not to tease them when they are trying to make the most of their education.

SCHOOL CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS FOR SNOW DAYS

Due to weather-related school closures on Thursday and Friday, February 13-14, the district will use two snow makeup days on the calendar. The first of these is Friday, March 14. A second snow makeup day will be used on Wednesday, June 11, shifting the final day of school by one day. Early release dates will now be Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10-11. Please note that any future weather-related closures will require additional changes to the calendar.

2025-26 SCHOOL CALENDAR - KEY DATES

The Battle Ground school board recently approved the 2025-26 academic calendar. Here are some of the key dates:

• First day of school - Tuesday, August 26

• Thanksgiving break - November 26-28

• Winter break - December 22, 2025 through January 2, 2026

• Spring break - April 6-10

• Last day of school (weather dependent) - Wednesday, June 10, 2026

MARCH SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS

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

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER IN NEED OF DONATIONS

Battle Ground Public Schools' Family and Community Resource Center helps meet the needs of families facing challenges. As a donation based program, the FCRC relies on our community to help fill the shelves, and those shelves are emptying fast. Right now, they have severe needs for items including soap, hygiene products, socks, underwear and more.

View a list and information on how to donate by visiting the district website.

BINGO AND BOOKS AT CHIEF UMTUCH MIDDLE SCHOOL

Come join us to learn about the reading materials and instruction your child receives at school. At this fun event, kids will play a variety of games, play bingo, and earn book prizes. Grown-ups can speak with BGPS teachers to learn more about how their child is learning to read and grow in literacy. Pizza dinner will be provided. RSVP by March 17.

Date: March 25, 2025

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Chief Umtuch Middle School gym, 700 NW 9th St. Battle Ground, WA 98604

COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR AT BATTLE GROUND HIGH SCHOOL

Join us at the upcoming College and Career Fair to learn about apprenticeship programs, trade schools, military branches and colleges.

Where: Battle Ground High School rotunda and main hall

When: Wednesday, March 12, 5 to 7 p.m.

All students and their families, regardless of what school or district they attend, are welcome. This event is open to the public. An interpreter will be available at the presentation. We hope to see you there!

SAVE ON BEFORE- OR AFTER-SCHOOL CHILD CARE

Right at School, the district's partner providing before- and after-school care, is still accepting registrations for the remainder of the school year, including at Yacolt Primary, its newest location. Right at School offers a safe place for children to make friends, take advantage of supervised homework assistance, engage in educational activities and much more. Through the end of March, use the code WINTER25 when you register to save 25% off the regular price.

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 are now being accepted.

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 explore careers that match your interests and skills and information 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 DISTRICT'S ALTERNATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS

Battle Ground Public Schools' specialized and alternative learning experience programs are accepting enrollment applications for the 2025-26 school year. The district offers specialized and alternative programs for students in kindergarten through high school. Learn more about these educational options.

STUDENT RESOURCES

Did you know Battle Ground Public Schools has put together a list of student resources, from Chromebook basics to artificial intelligence, Google Classroom and much more? We encourage all parents and guardians to check out the district's parent resource webpage, including valuable information on 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