BGPS News to Know

Dec. 16, 2024

In this message:

• Late-start Wednesday

• Winter break schedule

• Right At School winter break camps

• Know the facts about the replacement levy

• Dual credit information night

• CASEE Science Night open house

• Employers invited to 10th annual Industry Fair

• Watch winter sports on BGTV and Comcast

• AI in the classroom

• District news

• In case you missed it

• Calendar

• Community events

Wednesday, Dec. 18, is a one-hour late start at most schools to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at usual times.

Looking for something to keep your youngster(s) busy and engaged over the winter break? Right At School, the district’s before- and after-school childcare partner, will be holding winter break camps at Glenwood Heights Primary School starting Dec. 26. The cost is $50 per child, per day.

Each week, we’ll be counting down the top 10 facts about the upcoming replacement education and operations levy for Battle Ground Public Schools appearing on the Feb. 11, 2025 ballot.

Fact #9: The estimated rate is $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the owner of a $621,000 property, the proposed levy would cost an estimated $101 per month in the first year.

Head over to the district website for lots more information about the levy.

Attend an upcoming public presentation to learn about the levy and ask questions. All presentations are open to the public. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided at each presentation. Parents/guardians wishing to access childcare, please remember to bring your ID.

Here are the first three of nine scheduled presentations:

• Monday, Jan. 6: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at River HomeLink

• Tuesday, Jan. 7: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tukes Valley Primary School

• Wednesday, Jan. 8: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Prairie High School

• View more levy presentation dates.

In the event of a weather-related school closure, the presentation on that date will be canceled and not rescheduled.

What, exactly, is CASEE? Come learn about the district’s half-day science-based program for high school students. The Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education is holding their annual Science Night open house on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Visit with teachers and current students, view ongoing experiments and tour the 80-acre outdoor learning campus in Brush Prairie (11104 NE 149th St). Students in grades 8-11, along with their parents/guardians, are welcome to attend. Please RSVP in advance. We hope to see you there!

Battle Ground Public School is hosting a virtual presentation via Google Meet to provide information about dual credit for all students and families, eighth through 11th grades, on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 4-5 p.m. The presentation will be recorded for anyone who is unable to attend. Dual credit provides students with the potential to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Information will include Running Start at Clark College, Cascadia Tech Academy (Skills Center), career and technical education dual credit, work-based learning, College in the High School and Advanced Placement classes. If you have any questions, contact Work-Based Learning Coordinator Kris Neal via email at neal.kris@battlegroundps.org.

The 10th annual Battle Ground Public Schools Industry Fair will be held at Battle Ground High School on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 5-7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. If you are an employer interested in attending this free event expected to draw hundreds of students, families and community members, fill out this form or contact BGHS career guidance counselor Kevin Doyle at doyle.kevin@battlegroundps.org or 360-885-6598.

Winter sports are underway throughout the region. Battle Ground Public Schools is fortunate to feature live broadcasts of many games via the BGTV 27 YouTube page and TV Etc. on Comcast channels 327, 328 and 329. Check out the broadcast schedule on the district website. Dates, times and broadcast channels are subject to change.

Artificial intelligence is a growing part of our everyday lives and there are a lot of questions about its use in classrooms. Battle Ground Public Schools uses MagicSchool for teachers and MagicStudent on the student side. MagicStudent does not collect student data and includes important safeguards to provide a safe environment to build AI literacy skills and accessibility tools to develop independence and improve learning. Visit the district website for more resources about going online safely.

High school drama productions are about much more than just what you see on stage. Dozens of other students work behind the scenes, building sets, directing the actors, doing makeup, sound design or lighting. “I felt like it was a great way to get to know both sides of a production,” said Ruby Yankus, a freshman at BGHS who usually is on stage during a performance.

Battle Ground Public Schools has a rich history of drama and theater productions, with several schools mounting shows each year that are paid for in part through funding from the district’s education and operations levy. 

“I wish I would have joined during my freshman year,” said Zachary French, a BGHS senior. “These are really cool people. Honestly, I love them.”

Get more of the story on the district website.

The story above comes from the Dec. 12 edition of the BGPS Bulletin. This publication is full of great stories about what’s happening in and around the Battle Ground Public Schools. If you’re not already signed up, be sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date and in the know.

High school seniors and families looking for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid are invited to attend one of three upcoming in-person events:

Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025: Battle Ground High School, 3-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025: Prairie High School, 3-6 p.m. (Spanish and Russian interpreters available)

No RSVP is required to attend. At least three days prior to attending one of these events, parents/guardians and students must each set up an account by creating a FSA ID.  Federal student aid is money from the federal government that helps you pay for college, career training, trade school or other expenses.

If you see or hear of a possible threat, please report it to law enforcement directly and/or to school staff. This is the best and most helpful action because it begins an investigation and helps to limit the potential for misinformation to spread. Reposting or sharing a threat on social media in an attempt to warn others spreads the threat farther from its original source and may cause unnecessary alarm and fear.

You can report bullying, intimidation, harassment, threats and safety concerns using our anonymous reporting system. Emergencies should always be reported to 911.

Battle Ground Public Schools has joined other Southwest Washington schools and districts in using the Standard Response Protocol for emergencies. Depending on the situation, a school will be placed in a hold, secure, lockdown, evacuation or shelter. See what these terms mean. This common language helps schools, first responders and the community communicate clearly and effectively to reduce misunderstandings in emergency situations.

• Wednesday, Dec. 18: One-hour late start for most schools

• Monday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Jan. 3: Winter break, schools closed

• Battle Ground Community Education - Winter break camps | Martial Arts with Isaiah | Cheerleading with Miss Jeanna | Zumba classes (ages 18 and up)

• Clark Public Utilities Solar Car Challenge (register by Dec. 21)

• Girls who Code: Every other Wednesday until 3:45 p.m.

• View more community events

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and/or LinkedIn

Notice of nondiscrimination, accessibility and privacy