Battle Ground Public Schools

BGPS Bulletin

Jan. 9, 2025

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Know the facts about the replacement levy

  • Join us for a presentation on the replacement levy

  • New English language arts curriculum builds excitement for learning

  • Holiday donation drive extra special for Pleasant Valley Middle School

  • Chief Umtuch Middle School robotics team levels up

  • BG CAST ep. 41: Replacement levy and spotlight on Captain Strong StoryWalk

  • Join us for the 10th annual BGPS Industry Fair

  • Social media highlights: Pop for a Plan; Daybreak alums build lectern

  • Battle Ground Education Foundation receives $25,000 grant

  • Jobs

  • 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 #8: The levy would collect $166.28 million over four years. By law, the district can’t collect more than the amount that voters approve, even if property values increase.

Fact #7: The levy provides 13% of the district’s total budget. Without levy funding, the district would need to make cuts to programs and services. For example, class sizes could increase, bus routes could be consolidated and middle school sports would likely be eliminated.

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

Attend a public presentation on the levy

During the month of January, BGPS is holding public presentations to provide information on the replacement levy and answer questions from the community. You can view a list of scheduled presentations on the district website.

Childcare and light refreshments will be provided at each presentation. Parents/guardians should bring an ID in order to access childcare.

In the event of a weather-related school closure, the presentation will be canceled. However, anyone may attend a different presentation.

For ASL interpretation, please contact communication@battlegroundps.org at least five days prior to the presentation you plan to attend.

For families requiring Russian or Spanish interpretation, we will have an event at the Lewisville campus on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This presentation will be offered in Russian and Spanish only.

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Students share excitement for learning with new English language arts curriculum

A student works in a writing workbook

Why does Pleasant Valley Middle School student Mia Richart like to read?

“I get to meet new characters and explore new worlds,” the fifth grader explained during a recent English language arts class.

“This year, I’ve learned every story has a meaning to it,” added classmate Ryder McIlvain. “There’s always something important or exciting in every paragraph.”

These students are in the second full year of learning to read and write using new curricula adopted during the 2022-23 school year for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“My impression is that the kids are learning much harder things than they have had to in the past,” said Holly Lozano, whose son Jesse is in the third grade at Daybreak Primary, “and they are really picking up on it.”

Curriculum adoptions are supported through local levy funding. Since 2021, the district has updated materials for middle school language arts, social studies and science, as well as high school courses in science, social-emotional learning, early childhood development and more.

Learn more on the district website.

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Collage of images of the Battle Ground school board

BGPS’ board of directors did not hold a meeting during the winter break. Their next meeting will be a regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 13, 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.

BGPS Highlights

Holiday donation drive honors memory of Pleasant Valley Middle School teacher

Teacher Amy Pace (left) poses with Pleasant Valley Middle School leadership students and Jessica Schommer, wife of the late Patrick Schommer

Pleasant Valley Middle School's annual holiday donation drive took on special meaning this year as a way to honor Patrick Schommer, a seventh grade teacher who passed away over the summer.

“Pat was very competitive,” said Jessica Schommer, his wife. “He was a coach and he would go into everyone’s room and say, ‘Who’s going to beat me this year?’”

So she came up with the "Schommy Showdown," a competition between the rest of the school and the Schommer family and former homeroom. Ultimately, the big winner was the North Clark County Food Bank. They received over 5,000 items for families in need during the holidays.

“It has just been amazing,” Schommer said. “Absolutely beautiful watching the school just jump in and take part.”

Read more and learn about other donation drive efforts around the district by visiting our website.

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Chief Umtuch and BGHS students get up to some Monkey Business

Members of the Chief Umtuch and BGHS Monkey Business Robotics team poses with their creation

Congratulations to the Monkey Business Robotics team, led by Chief Umtuch Middle School teachers Beth Doughty and Jon Nesbitt. The group, made up of eight students from Chief and two Battle Ground High School students, recently placed 15th out of 34 teams at the Olympia Interleague competition for the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics league. This is Chief's first year competing at this level of competition after six years in the FIRST LEGO League. Monkey Business also won a the Control Award for this year's competition and will now move on to the semifinals at Tahoma High School on Jan. 11.

Battle Ground Public Schools has two other FIRST Tech Challenge teams: the Dragon Bytes at Daybreak Middle School and a Prairie High School team led by Todd Ferris.

Best of luck this weekend!

Members of the Chief Umtuch Middle School robotics team at a recent competition
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BG CAST ep. 42: Replacement levy and StoryWalk at Captain Strong Primary

Graphic for BG CAST Episode 42

In this episode of the BG CAST podcast, host David Lindner talks with Superintendent Denny Waters and Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten about the replacement education and operations levy on the Feb. 11 ballot. The spotlight is on Ted Schelvan, a teacher librarian at Captain Strong Primary who recently set up a StoryWalk outside of the school for students and families.

Listen to the BG CAST on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music.

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Join us for the 10th annual BGPS Industry Fair

Graphic with details about the 10th annual industry fair

The 10th annual Battle Ground Public Schools Industry Fair will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Battle Ground High School. 

Businesses located in and around Clark County are invited to reserve a table at this event. Last year’s Industry Fair was attended by nearly 90 local employers and more than 700 attendees. Event organizers encourage participation by businesses from all industries, including health care, manufacturing, technology, construction, finance, hospitality, retail, apprenticeships, transportation and more. 

Businesses interested in having a free table 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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Catch winter sports on BGTV 27 and Comcast

Student operating a video camera at District Stadium

Winter sports are ramping up 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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Social media highlights

High school students Pop for a Plan

A Prairie High School student meets with a career guidance counselor

Parents of high school students know the way to their heart (or just their time) usually runs through their stomach. Last month, the district's high school career guidance counselors put on Pop for a Plan, offering high school seniors a free treat (popcorn, popsicles, Pop Tarts and soda pop), along with the opportunity to sit down with an expert and go over their post-graduation plans. Our counselors said they were impressed by how many students were already well underway with planning for life after high school. Way to go!

Daybreak Middle School family donates new lectern

Ray Tokola and Chris Anderson pose with a lectern they made and donated to Daybreak Middle School

Say hello to Ray Tokola and Chris Anderson, the grandfather and father of Daybreak Middle School student Callie Anderson. When they learned the campus had to share a lectern with the primary school, Ray and Chris set out to build one for the middle school and donated all of their work. What an awesome gift!

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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.

Administrative assistant - human resources department (CASEE A)
School nurse (districtwide)
Resource room teacher (TBD)
Registered behavior technician (districtwide)
Career and Technical Education - lab technician (Prairie High 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

  • Safer pedestrian crossing coming to Highway 503 near Prairie High School

  • Prairie boys heads to league play after 43-point win over Hudson’s Bay

  • Prairie girls obliterate Hudson’s Bay with 71-7 win

  • Battle Ground-Prairie dual comes down to heavyweights in Tigers’ win

  • Battle Ground girls basketball focus on growth of the program

The Columbian

  • Pac Coast girls wrestling: Prairie’s Faith Tarrant captures her 100th career victory

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