September's theme is kindness.

Here in the Eagle's Nest, we try to catch students before they are upset or dysregulated enough to disrupt class. Emotional dysregulation is when an individual has difficulty regulating their emotions. They may feel overwhelmed, have difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors, or have angry outbursts.

Many of the students I see just come in for a 5 minute brain break during a test or when they are finished with their test so they do not disturb others. Some students are a little wound up from recess and need a few minutes to be ready for the quiet of the classroom. Other students may be annoyed by a classmate and the Eagle's Nest gives them a quiet space to talk it out and make a plan to deal with it and figure out how to prevent it in the future.

For those of you wondering "What is the Eagle's Nest at Amboy?", let me explain. In September 2021, Social Emotional Learning Centers (SEL Centers) opened up in middle schools in Battle Ground School District. We call our SEL Center here at Amboy The Eagle's Nest. In September of 2022, SEL Centers opened in each of our elementary schools. SEL Centers go beyond traditional "quiet rooms." The SEL Centers are staffed with trained professionals who work to support the social-emotional and behavioral well-being of students and educators. Students learn self-management skills and work collaboratively to return as quickly as possible to the classroom environment. SEL Centers are one part of the district's ongoing efforts to ensure all students have the tools and resources necessary to succeed, both in school and in life outside of the classroom. This is brought about with a restorative process that empowers understanding and working through conflicts with a tiered support system. To learn more, visit our district's website at battlegroundps.org and look under Learning: Social and Emotional.

Hello Friends! Just a friendly reminder to make sure your health information is up to date in Skyward as this is how we access a lot of our health information to keep your child safe while at school. If you have not updated the 2025 Health Form in Skyward please, PLEASE, PLEASE!! do so.

Also, if your child needs and/or carries a medication with them this is considered a medication on campus and we must have a doctor's order for that in addition to completing a Student Self Administration of Medication Management Skills Checklist form signed by both parent/guardian and student. This is not just a request from your school's health room this is school and district policy and state law.

Secondly, if your child has a Life Threatening Health Condition that requires medication please have medication/s available on campus (plus a doctor's order) so that we can assist your child and get them the best care possible in a timely manner. If, in the near future, we do not get the required/expected medication/s, please expect to receive in the mail a notification of impending exclusion. This is also school and district policy, and state law.

Thank you for our cooperation and willingness to work with us. We are working to keep your child/ren safe while at school. Help us help your child/ren!

BUS ROUTES POSTED AND FIRSTVIEW MOBILE APP

Bus routes are now available online. For questions about school district bus service, call your school or First Student at 360-841-7099, ext. 103 or 104. Please be aware that the first several weeks of school can often see changes to routes as First Student makes adjustments. Any changes impacting riders will be communicated by your child's school.

Due to road construction in many areas of the district, some buses may need to take a detour and/or be delayed. For the most up-to-date route information, late alerts, notifications when your student is close to home, etc., we strongly recommend installing the FirstView mobile app, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. PLEASE NOTE: The district code has changed this year. To use the app, enter the four-digit code LMWV. Get instructions on installing the app.

NEW SCHOOL MENUS

Starting this year, Battle Ground Public Schools is partnering with Chartwells to provide breakfast and lunch at school. Menus are still available via Nutrislice and meal expenses can still be paid through InTouch Receipting, just like last year. Printable menus are also available through September (Primary Schools) (Middle Schools) (High Schools) Get more details on the district website.

NEW WEBSITE AND MESSAGING PLATFORM

Battle Ground Public Schools has a brand-new look online this school year, with updated websites for the district and schools, as well as a new mass communication system via Apptegy. Our intent is to improve your experience, making it easier for you to find information quickly and easily, and streamlining communication between you and your child's school(s). In the future, you will receive text messages from 98900. You can opt out at any time. Download the new Battle Ground Public Schools app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to view updates and receive notifications.

SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE REMINDERS

• First one-hour late start: Wednesday, September 4

• Additional one-hour late starts: September 11, 18, 25

2024-25 SCHOOL CALENDAR

The 2024-25 academic calendar is online (Русский) (Español). Here are some key dates to keep in mind.

• Thanksgiving break: Nov. 27-29

• Winter break: Dec. 23, 2024, through Jan. 3, 2025

• Spring break: Monday, March 31, through Friday, April 4

• In-service days (no student attendance): Oct. 11, Oct. 30, Jan. 29

• Last day of school: Tuesday, June 10 (assuming no added days for weather-related closures)

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS REGISTRATION

Middle school students looking to participate in girls basketball or co-ed cross country can register now. Practices will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Information and registration links for each middle school are on the district website. Students must have completed a sports physical prior to participating in their first practice. Physical clearance is good for 24 months. Registration for each sport opens three weeks prior to the start of the season. Students who participate in middle school sports pay a one-time $40 fee per sport that covers some program costs such as transportation between games and officials. Find out if your family qualifies for waived activity fees. All fines and current fees must be paid before the first contest.

CONSENT TO SHARE

Students wishing to take advantage of no-fee sports or other activities must have a new meal benefit application and consent to share form (русский) (Español)on file before registering for fall sports, even if you had a previous approved application on file. The consent to share can also be completed as part of the annual student update through Skyward.

ADDITIONAL BACK-TO SCHOOL INFORMATION

• School supplies: Get school supplies. Contact your child's school or the Family and Community Resource Center if your family needs assistance. Free backpacks with basic school supplies will be available at each school upon request. There are no income requirements to receive a free backpack.

• Health and safety:

  • Please keep your child home if they have symptoms of illness. See our health and attendance brochure.

  • Confirm that your child meets Washington state immunization requirements or has an approved exemption by the first day of school. Learn more about vaccination requirements for public schools in Washington state.

• Technology checkout:

  • Sixth-12th graders who need a Chromebook should go to their school media center. Starting this year, the fee that families can pay to cover the cost of damage/theft will change from being a one-time fee to an annual fee. The change will affect only sixth graders in 2024-25, CAM Academy grades 3-6 and River HomeLink grades K-6. Learn more.

  • Monitor Chromebook use with the Go Guardian parent app.

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 provder:

• 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.

RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN AND SPANISH TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES

Услуги по устному и письменному переводу на русский и украинский языки 360-885-5433

Servicios de Traducción e Interpretación en Español 360-885-5431

LINK TO IMAGE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AHQct58i9yGCRJXvn3Ht5vABWmu14cTd/view?usp=drive_link

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.

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.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCES

See health and safety resources from the Washington State Department of Health