Jan. 13, 2025
Battle Ground Public Schools
In this message:
Late-start Wednesday
Fact #6 and 7 about the replacement levy
Replacement levy public information nights
Fourth grade cooking competition
CASEE Science Night open house
Dual credit information night
10th annual Industry Fair
Join our instructional materials committee
January school menus
Watch winter sports on BGTV and Comcast
Safety study hall
District news
In case you missed it
Calendar
Community events
One-hour late start on Wednesday, Jan. 15
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 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.
Know the facts about the replacement levy
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 ballot.
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.
Fact #6: This levy is separate and different from the capital levy approved in February 2024. The capital levy will cover building repairs; technology updates; and spaces for construction trades, culinary, and health sciences classes.
Attend an upcoming presentation to learn more about the replacement 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 some of the upcoming presentations:
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Laurin Middle School - 6-7 p.m.
Daybreak Middle School - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Pleasant Valley Primary - 7-8 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 16
Yacolt Primary School - 5-6 p.m.
Chief Umtuch Middle School - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Battle Ground High School - 6-7 p.m.
For Spanish and Russian speakers: there will be a presentation in Russian and Spanish only at the Lewisville campus on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
View all levy presentation dates.
In the event of a weather-related school closure, the presentation on that date will be canceled and not rescheduled.
Does your fourth grader like to cook?
Sign them up for the Discovery Kitchen Cook-off, happening March 20 at Battle Ground High School! Students interested in participating must submit a recipe to enter by Friday, Feb. 21. A total of 10 students will be selected by a panel of judges to take part in the competition. All ingredients will be provided by Chartwells, the district’s food services provider. Information and entry forms should have been provided to your fourth grader, or you can download one from the district website.
Attend CASEE Science Night on Thursday, Jan. 16
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!
Dual credit information night is Thursday, Jan. 23
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.
Join us for the 10th annual Industry Fair
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.
Join the instructional materials committee!
This committee ensures that new teaching and learning materials were selected following the proper process and evaluates library books that are being reconsidered. The deadline to apply is Jan. 26, 2025. Apply now.
Watch winter sports on BGTV and Comcast
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.
School menus
January school breakfast and lunch menus are available via Nutrislice and the district website. Meal expenses can be paid through InTouch Receipting.
Safety Study Hall
Visit the Safety Study Hall website, a place for schools, students, and families to learn about safety topics.
DISTRICT NEWS
New language arts curriculum builds excitement for learning
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.
Are you receiving our weekly newsletter?
The BGPS Bulletin 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.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Get help with applying for financial aid
High school seniors and families looking for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid are invited to attend an upcoming in-person event:
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.
Report, don’t repost
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.
New crosswalk on SR 503
Construction has started on a new pedestrian crosswalk near Prairie High School to give people a safe way to cross closer to the school. After conducting surveys and considering several possible locations, the Washington State Department of Transportation identified a location just south of the bus stop shelter as the best place for the crosswalk. Learn more.
UPCOMING CALENDAR
Monday, Jan. 13: School board meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online
Wednesday, Jan. 15: One-hour late start for most schools
Monday, Jan. 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (schools and district offices closed)
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Battle Ground Community Education - Martial Arts with Isaiah | Cheerleading with Miss Jeanna | Zumba classes (ages 18 and up)
Spring Youth Rugby league for 2-6 grade (co-ed) - Practices start 2nd week of March
Glenwood Little League spring 2025 season ($40 late registration fee applied after Feb. 1)
Girls who Code: Every other Wednesday until 3:45 p.m.