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AMBOY MAY NEWSLETTER
SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENT
Smarter Balanced Assessments are right around the corner, and it's really crucial students get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, and come ready to show what they know by doing their best. Smarter Balanced Assessments are May 13rd to 23rd:
Tuesdays and Thursdays: grades 5-8 for ELA and Math
Fridays: grades 5 & 8 Science
These assessments provide information for teachers to know right where student are in their critical thinking and problem solving skills, application of grade level standards and how to help them in the upcoming school year.
Students need their own headphones. These can't be wireless. They need to plug into a Chromebook, per state requirements.
PBIS AMAZON WISHLIST
Thank you to all of the parents and staff members who have donated items to our PBIS program! Please see information below to learn how you can support positive behaviors.
5TH GRADE FOCUS
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES
For the month of May, we are doing both science and social studies. For the first half of May, our science will be focused on engineering. Students will be creating and developing different engineering tasks. For the second half of May, our shift in social studies will take us through the American Revolution.
6TH GRADE STATUS
STATE TESTING
The following dates have been identified as dates that all 6th grade students at Amboy will be taking the SBA tests - May 13th, 15th, 20th, and 21st.
ADDITIONAL TESTING INFORMATION
Also, with state testing rapidly approaching, it is imperative that your student come to school with his/her Chromebook full charged and he/she will also need a set of headphones/earbuds. Please make sure these work with the student's Chromebook prior to testing. BLUETOOTH EARBUDS/HEADPHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED!
EVERGREEN AVIATION AND SPACE MUSEUM FIELD TRIP
6th grade students at Amboy will be participating in a field trip to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum on May 30th or June 2nd or June 3rd. Please look for more information coming home soon. We'll need four chaperones per class...must be cleared and willing to ride the bus.
40 BOOK CHALLENGE
Celebration for all those who read at least 40 books will be the second to last day of school.
KICKBALL
Our kickball tournament will start later this month. Just a reminder that in order to participate, students must have ALL work turned in and no grades below a "C". During the kickball tournament if students have incomplete work or D's/F's, students will stay inside for a study hall to complete and/or correct work. We hope that this earned reward will encourage and motivate your student to get/stay caught up.
7TH GRADE SCOOP
On Smarter Balance (SBAC) testing days, please make sure your student arrives at school on time as testing is the first two hours of the school day. Also, make sure your student gets a good night sleep and has breakfast on testing days. NO WIRELESS EARBUDS ALLOWED DURING TESTING. Students need a pair of wired headphones or earbuds.
MATH
The Math classes are working in Unit 7 Angles Triangles, and Prisms. The Advanced class is continuing to work in 8th grade workbooks.
ELA
Students are currently working on an end-of-unit slideshow presentation in which they have to argue about the benefits of one of one of the elective classes we read about (music, cooking, or computer science). Later in May we will be moving into Unit 5, which is titled "Influential Voices".
SCIENCE
We are heading into a new unit called "Matter and Energy in Ecosystems". This unit includes both photosynthesis and cellular respiration which creates a nice link to previous chemistry learning about balanced equations and conservation of matter. In addition the unit will continue to discuss interactions between abiotic and biotic parts of an ecosystem. This unit should link many concepts together and help to clarify past learning. Speaking of learning, I can't believe the school year is almost over!
Wow, I go through about a dozen pencils each day. Any donations would be great. Many students are still struggling with uncharged Chromebooks, I don't think all of the pretty days are helping. Since I only have two extra Chromebooks, this can make the online task a challenge. As always, thank you for all that you do at home and for the support that you provide!
HISTORY
We are working on finishing up the WWII era and moving on into the history of the Cold War and 1950s. We will be using our writing CAR skills to show our understanding with large historical concepts. Please check homes for history books as many of our needed class sets have disappeared. We are also very low on pencils. Snack donations would be greatly appreciated - I swear they get hungrier in spring! Thanks for your help!
8TH GRADE UPDATE
INTERESTED IN PLAYING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL?
A very important and informative Parent Meeting for current 8th graders planning to play football for Battle Ground High next year will be Monday, May 5th at 5:30 in the Lair (cafeteria). Please email coach Woodward at woodward.mike@battlegroundps.org with questions.
ELA
Will be working on argument writing and all the components to an argumentative essay.
HISTORY
We will be learning what led up to the Civil War.
SCIENCE
Students will be investigating a Natural Selection Engineering Internship. They will work with their classmates to figure out which medications are the best for treating malaria and what combinations of antimalarial drugs will keep the malaria parasite population from developing resistance to specific drugs.
MATH
We are finishing Scientific Notation and heading into Irrational numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem.
ALGEBRA
Students are graphing quadratic functions in Standard Form and Vertex Form. After these concepts, students rewrite Radical Expressions and Complete the Square.
END OF THE YEAR IS SOON!
Please check your student's Skyward for missing assignments and encourage them to get them in soon. With the end of school being June 11, students will need to get most of their missing and current work in during that first week of June in anticipation for earned certificates on their 8th Grade Celebration Day!
SBA TESTING
Mid May will be SBA testing, and students must only have wired earbuds. Please leave wireless earbuds at home. They can bring a snack but not sunflower seeds or loud snacking items like potato chips.
MS. GATZ'S GALLERY
THE CATCH FROM THE EAGLE'S NEST
May's character trait is courage. Ask your student what courage means to them and how they can show courage at school.
When you ask your student, "How was your day?" do you get the typical "Fine."? When you ask, "What did you learn about?" do you get, "Nothing." as the response? You could try these conversation starters:
How did you help someone today?
Were there any tough situations today that you weren't quite sure how to handle? What did you do?
Tell me something nice about one of your classmates. Encourage them to tell that classmate tomorrow.
Were you honest about something today that was hard for you to be truthful about?
What did you feel grateful about in your day?
Please consider sending a snack with your student each day. They always seem to be hungry. Many students admit they do not eat breakfast. Snacks are especially important for 7th graders who don't have lunch until 12:42 p.m.. Students can show responsibility by packing a snack for tomorrow when they get home.
YACOLT-AMBOY PTO
DISTRICT NEWS
SUMMER ACADEMY RETURNS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K THROUGH 8
Back by popular demand, LEGO Summer Academy is returning for K-8 students. Build cool creations, learn basic computer programming, boost grade-level reading skills using core literacy curriculum, practice grade-level math through workplace activities and group work. Spots will fill up quickly, so register today!
COMMUNITY EDUCATION SUMMER CAMPS EXPAND TO FIVE DAYS A WEEK
New this year, Battle Ground Community Education will be offering a variety of summer camp opportunities five days a week! Pick from a selection of half-day camps, day camps or weekly camps. Activities include QuickStart sports camps, dance and cheer camps and workshops, SHAPE NW theme camps and the Prairie High School volleyball camp. Get more details and sign up on the BGCE website.
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, Aug. 26
Thanksgiving break - Nov. 26-28
Winter break - Dec. 22, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026
Spring break - April 6-10
Last day of school (weather dependent) - Wednesday, June 10, 2026
MAY SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS
May school breakfast and lunch menus are available via Nutrislice and the district website. Meal expenses can be paid through InTouch Receipting.
BOUNDARY EXCEPTIONS FOR 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR
All families with in-district or out-of-district boundary exceptions (choice transfers) for the 2024-25 school year need to reapply for the 2025-26 school year.
Please note a change to Choice Transfers for 2024-25 and beyond. Battle Ground Public School has switched from paper forms to an online application through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Applications for out-of-district student Choice Transfers in 2025-26 will be accepted starting at 7 a.m. on May 1. Applications submitted prior to that date will be denied, and the family will need to submit a new application after May 1. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received.
More information about this process and forms are on the district website.
ENROLL NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN NEXT FALL
Any child who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2025, is eligible to enroll in kindergarten this fall. Enroll now to make sure your child can attend kindergarten orientation in the spring.
ONLINE ACCESSIBILITY
Ensuring all students have access to a quality education is a primary focus for Battle Ground Public Schools. Technology is a key to enabling access for students with various needs and challenges. Common accessibility tools include text-to-speech (read aloud), speech-to-text (voice dictation), color contrast options and magnification adjustments.
Accessibility features fall under the umbrella of Inclusive Technologies. Visit the district's online resources page for more information on these resources and how you can access them if needed.
CARE SOLACE: YOUR LINK TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Battle Ground Public Schools has partnered with Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help students and/or their immediate family members quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless or 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.
SAFETY STUDY HALL
Visit the Safety Study Hall website, a place for schools, students, and families to learn about safety topics.
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.
HIGH SCHOOL PLANT SALES START THIS WEEK
Plant sales at Battle Ground and Prairie High School start this week. The Battle Ground High School hanging plant and greenhouses sale will be one-day only, Saturday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until stock runs out). Prairie High School's plant sale will begin Friday, May 2 from 3-6 p.m., with additional sale times on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6. Signs will be posted on campus to direct buyers to the correct location.
Check out the district website for additional sale information, including types of plants available and payment types accepted. All proceeds help to support FFA, agriculture and welding programs in the district.
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