Battle Ground Public Schools
IN THIS ISSUE:
Know the facts about the replacement levy
Have you voted yet?
Levy funds help get students ready to learn
Middle schoolers find dry ice experiments a 'cool' experience
Need help? Reach out to the Family and Community Resource Center
Job openings
BGPS in the news
We're counting down the top 10 facts about the Feb. 11 replacement education and operations levy for Battle Ground Public Schools.
Fact #2: The replacement education and operations levy would begin January 2026 and continue through December 2029.
Fact #1: If approved by voters, the proposed levy would replace the expiring education and operations levy, which ends in December 2025.
Head over to the district website for more information about the levy and a calculator to estimate the taxes for your property.
Ballots for the Feb. 11 special election should have arrived by Jan. 30. If you haven't received a ballot, contact the Clark County Elections Department to request a replacement.
Online voter registration is no longer available, but eligible voters can register in person at the Clark County Elections office until 8 p.m. on election night.
A list of ballot drop box locations and an online voter's guide are available on the county website.
The first period bell has not yet gone off inside Prairie High School when nurse Micki Moss has her first visitor, a student with a stomachache. She sends them off to get some breakfast, then receives a visit from a diabetic student bringing in their new insulin injector. Moss then checks in remotely with several other students who wear remote blood sugar monitors. Next, she checks in on two students who are scheduled to take medications kept supplied in the nurses office but haven't checked in yet. First bell has still not gone off.
“Basic first aid, ice packs and band aids are absolutely part of the job,” said Catherine Shannon, the district’s health services and nursing supervisor, “but when we talk about the real work that nurses are having to do, it’s more of the big picture chronic condition management.”
Beyond nurses, counselors and school psychologists also play a vital role in making sure students are ready and able to learn.
“There are countless research studies that show that students do their best learning when they are emotionally regulated,” said Justine Cohen, a counselor at Tukes Valley Primary School. “I am here to support all students and to provide them with the skills that will help them in any environment, not only at school.”
Local levy funding makes up the difference between what the state provides and the real world costs of supporting student needs. Visit the district website to learn much more about how supporting students outside of the classroom gets them ready to learn and succeed.
This week is National School Counseling Week. Check out this amazing thank you note from a first grader at Glenwood Heights Primary School given to school counselor Deborah Wood (click for full size)...
School counselors are involved in almost every aspect of creating a positive school environment. Some days it may be coordinating a schoolwide kindness campaign. Other days it is a conversation with the family of a student, helping them to navigate a difficult situation in their lives.
“The school counselors in Battle Ground Public Schools are deeply committed to their students. They are caring, kind and tenacious student advocates.” - Tamra Scheetz, director of student supports
Seventh grade students in Heather Zimmer's classroom at Pleasant Valley Middle School were abuzz with excitement recently as coolers containing chunks of dry ice were brought in. Gloves and goggles on, the students laid the dry ice on a paper towels, writing down their observations. Does it make any noise? Is it getting smaller? Is it leaving a puddle?
Next, they put the chunk in a sealed bag and a piece of regular water ice in another, watching as the one with the dry ice slowly expanded until it looked like it would explode. Then they chattered excitedly as the dry ice made room temperature water bubble and steam like a witch's cauldron.
The experiments were a module of the recently adopted middle school science curriculum. Students spent several days as teams, creating investigable questions and then conducting their investigation to find the answers.
Check out this short video of the experiments in progress. What a fun way to learn!
Attend the Battle Ground Public Schools Industry Fair to learn about apprenticeships and jobs in health care, education, manufacturing, technology, construction, finance, hospitality, retail, transportation and many more industries.
Many employers are hiring--bring your resume! No resume? Attend the resume workshop to get help creating one.
This free event is open to jobseekers of all ages and the public. Everyone is welcome. Childcare will be available, along with gently used professional clothing for purchase.
Battle Ground Public Schools’ Family and Community Resource Center helps meet the needs of families facing challenges. No judgment, only support.
The FCRC works with the Battle Ground Education Foundation to help maintain quality education for all students in Battle Ground schools.
Something fun happening in your building or classroom? Is there a student, teacher or volunteer doing something remarkable? Let us know about it! Battle Ground Public Schools' communications department is here to share your story and the stories happening all around you. Please reach out and let us know if you think there's a story worth sharing.
Email: communication@battlegroundps.org
Phone: 360-885-5337
Battle Ground Public Schools is currently hiring for a number of positions. Visit the jobs page for details and to apply.
Health and fitness teacher (Laurin Middle School)
Resource room teacher (Maple Grove Primary)
Registered behavior technician (districtwide)
Custodian - swing shift (Laurin Middle School and Pleasant Valley Middle School)
Special program classroom assistants/paraeducators (various schools)
Classified and certificated substitute positions
Crossing guards and lunch/recess supervision (various campuses)
Various coaching and sports positions (see site for a full list and locations)
Find more information and apply online.
Bus drivers
BGPS' transportation provider, First Student, is in need of part-time bus drivers. Get more details on First Student driving careers, including sign-on bonuses starting at $1,500 ($3,500 for experienced drivers).
Right At School
The district's before and after-school care provider, Right At School, is looking for program managers and educators. Learn more or email your resume to michael.speer@rightatschool.com.
