Battle Ground Public Schools

BGPS Bulletin

Jan. 30, 2025

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Know the facts about the replacement levy

  • Middle school sports improve student learning, school community

  • January employee recognition

  • Jan. 27 board meeting recap

  • Laurin Middle School holds first schoolwide spelling bee

  • CASEE joins program to encourage composting

  • State cheerleading championship comes to Battle Ground High School

  • Join us for the 10th annual BGPS Industry Fair

  • Winter sports on BGTV 27 and Comcast

  • Need help? Reach out to the Family and Community Resource Center

  • Job openings

  • BGPS in the news

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Know the facts about the replacement education and operations levy

Graphic reading "Know the Facts about the replacement education and operations levy. Vote Feb. 11, 2025"

We're counting down the top 10 facts about the Feb. 11 replacement education and operations levy for Battle Ground Public Schools.

Fact #3: The levy would provide funding for programs and services that affect students in every BGPS school.

Fact #4: The levy would pay for things that the state doesn’t fully fund. These include student safety, busing, special education, curriculum, mental health support, nursing/health services, sports, the arts and more.

Head over to the district website for more information about the levy and a calculator to estimate the taxes for your property.

A yellow and blue graphic reading "ballots have been mailed"

Check your mailbox! Ballots for the Feb. 11 special election have been mailed and should have arrived. If you haven't received a ballot by Jan. 30, contact the Clark County Elections Department to request a replacement.

Eligible voters can register online through Monday, Feb. 3. After that date, registration can be done 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.

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When it comes to middle school sports, everyone wins

Students from Laurin Middle School and Prairie High School hold a joint practice session

Three years in, the reintroduction of organized sports at the district's six middle schools continues to show positive results.

“As a school leader, you have a front row seat to the ripple effect of positive changes that not everyone may get to see,” said Laurin Middle School Assistant Principal Kelsey Kai.

“Sports aren't simply a one-off at Pleasant Valley Middle School,” added Principal Austin Brothers, “they are a cultural foundation to support our school, our students and improve the bonds that make great education possible.”

Organized sports were eliminated at the district’s middle schools in the 1980s following a double levy failure. In 2019, the district’s board of directors approved a plan to bring back middle school sports, contingent on local voter approval of an education and operations levy. This local levy provides the funding for middle school sports in the district, including equipment, facilities and transportation for student-athletes.

“Middle school sports teach you about relationships with your peers, how to communicate with each other and about sportsmanship in general,” said Duyen Phan, an eighth grader and cross-country athlete at Laurin Middle School.

Get more of the story on the district website.

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Collage of images of the Battle Ground school board

BGPS’ board of directors held a work session at 4 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27. Summaries and the recording are available on the district website. The board will next meet on Monday, Feb. 10, for a work session starting at 4:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6 p.m. You are invited to attend in-person at the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground) or watch the meeting online.

Board meeting highlights

During the meeting, Superintendent Denny Waters acknowledged School Board Recognition Month and thanked board members for their time and dedication to Battle Ground students and staff.

The board also unanimously approved the initial school calendar for the 2025-26 school year, with a starting date of Tuesday, Aug. 26.

BGPS Highlights

January 2025 employee recognition

Pictured from left: Jean Haley, Becky DeRanieri, Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten, Carie Anderson, Sandy Coy, Superintendent Denny Waters and Jack Webb

Congratulations to the recipients of the January 2025 Employee Recognition Awards!

  • Carie Anderson, speech language pathologist at Daybreak Primary School

  • Sandy Coy, secretary at Laurin Middle School

  • Becky DeRanieri, teacher at Tukes Valley Primary School

  • Jean Haley, crossing guard at Chief Umtuch Middle School

  • Jack Webb, bus driver

Learn about each recipient on the district website.

Do you know another deserving staff member? Submit a nomination.

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First schoolwide spelling bee a hit at Laurin Middle School

Kvli Raven spells a word as assistant principal Kelsey Kai and several students look on

During their MLK Day assembly last week, Laurin Middle School held its first-ever schoolwide Scripps National Spelling Bee event. The winner was seventh-grader Kvli Raven, who won by correctly spelling the word "unorthodox." Check out a video on the Laurin Middle School Instagram page of the final two words.

Millions of students participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, now in its 100th year. School winners have the opportunity to compete in a regional event and, if they succeed there, potentially travel to Washington, D.C., in May for the national competition.

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The Tigers cheer team placed eighth in the 4A game day large category.

The Tigers cheer team placed eighth in the 4A game day large category.

BGHS custodial team

The BGHS custodial team gave up its weekend to ensure that the event was successful.

BGHS hosts state cheer competition, boosts local businesses

Last weekend, Battle Ground High School hosted the Washington state cheerleading competition. The event drew competitors from across the state and featured more than 130 performances by 95 different cheer squads. Over just two days, the event brought in an estimated $750,000 in tourism revenue for local businesses. 

Congratulations to all of the competitors, their families, coaches, staff members, volunteers and supporters! A special thank you to the BGHS custodial team for working to ensure that the event ran smoothly.

See photos from the competition on the Battle Ground High School Facebook page and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Facebook page.

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Composting buckets on a table

We Compost program comes to CASEE

Looking to increase your composting? Clark County Green Neighbors and the CASEE program are teaming up to become the 14th site for the nonprofit's We Compost program. This effort distributes composting buckets and then sets up sites around Clark County for people to return their food scraps (including meat and bones, dairy, grains, etc.). The bins are serviced weekly. Learn more about the program.

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Join us for the 10th annual BGPS Industry Fair

Graphic with details about the 10th annual industry fair

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 food and gently used professional clothing for purchase.

Businesses interested in having a free table at the fair should sign up by Friday, Feb. 14. Contact Career Guidance Specialist Kevin Doyle at 360-885-6598 or doyle.kevin@battlegroundps.org with questions.

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Tiger and Falcon finish first and second for prep athlete of the week

Andrew Gray

Battle Ground High School wrestler Andrew Gray

Carson Morningstar

Prairie High School basketball player Carson Morningstar

Congratulations to Battle Ground High School wrestler Andrew Gray and Prairie High School basketball player Carson Morningstar on finishing first and second respectively for The Columbian newspaper's Prep Athlete of the Week for week 15. Gray pulled in 249 votes (33%), while Morningstar finished at 190 votes (25%).

Gray, a sophomore, won four matches, including a 16-0 technical fall in the final, to win the 144-pound division at the Rubber Chicken Tournament in Kalama.

Morningstar has been a scoring machine for the high-flying Falcons. The junior had totals of 30 and 27 points in a pair of league wins for Prairie.

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Catch winter sports on BGTV 27 and Comcast

Student operating a video camera at District Stadium

Winter sports are continuing across the district. Battle Ground Public Schools is fortunate to feature live broadcasts of many games via the BGTV 27 YouTube channel and TV Etc. on Comcast channels 327, 328 and 329. Check out the full schedule on the district website.

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Need help? Reach out to the Family and Community Resource Center

Group photo of the Family and Community Resource Center employees

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.

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We want to hear from you!

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

A graphic reading "what's going on?"
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Graphic that reads "BGPS Job Openings"

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)
Structured learning center teacher (Glenwood Heights Primary)
Testing coordinator assistant (Daybreak Primary 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.

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graphic reading "BGPS In the News"

The Reflector

  • MLK Day original poem highlights unity between Black community, law enforcement

  • Falcons eke out one-possession win over Evergreen Plainsmen

  • Over 95 teams show their school spirit at state cheer championships

  • Prairie Falcons roll the rock at Tiger Bowl

The Columbian

  • Seven Clark County school districts ask voters to approve levies and bonds in February election

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