Battle Ground Public Schools

BGPS News to Know

Important information for families — Aug. 25, 2025

In this issue:

  • Back-to-school schedule

  • Bus routes updated again

  • Back-to-school checklist

  • New districtwide cellphone policy

  • Supporting student health during the 2025-26 school year

  • Screen time limits on school-issued Chromebooks

  • Free technology monitoring tool for parents

  • Have you completed the annual student update?

  • See what’s on the menu for August and September

  • BGPS seeks Citizens Advisory Committee members

  • Looking for mental health resources and more?

  • In case you missed it

  • Calendar

  • Community events

Hello, families of Battle Ground Public Schools,

The first day of school is almost here! As students head back to class, please use extra caution around schools and remind students about bus safety and pedestrian safety.  

We are excited to welcome students back and would love to see your first-day-of-school photo. If you post a picture on social media, use #BGPSBack2School. 

We're looking forward to seeing you!

Back-to-school schedule

  • Tuesday, Aug. 26: The first day of school for all students. Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten students will have a smart start to the school year. See the schedule.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 27: School starts at the regular Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday time. There is no one-hour late start. 

  • Friday, Aug. 29: No school for students

  • Monday, Sept. 1: No school for students (Labor Day)

  • Wednesday, Sept. 3: One-hour late start for most schools

The full 2025-26 academic calendar can be found on our website in English, Spanish and Russian.

Note for students who take classes at Cascadia Tech: Classes at Cascadia Tech Academy have been delayed until Tuesday, Sept. 2, due to a work stoppage in Evergreen Public Schools. This means that there will be no buses to Cascadia Tech until classes begin. The missed days will be made up later in the school year. As we learn more about classes starting, we will share updates about busing. If you have questions about your schedule in the meantime, please log into Skyward and/or reach out to your school.

A yellow school bus with its doors open, ready for students
The FirstView app: Real-time alerts on the go

Bus routes updated again

Please check your Skyward Family Access account or the district website for recently updated bus route information. You can also download the FirstView app (Android or Apple) to track your child’s bus. See instructions for installing the app.

For questions about school district bus service, call your school or First Student at 360-841-7099, ext. 103 or 104. Please be aware that the first several weeks of school can often see changes to routes as First Student makes adjustments. Any changes impacting riders will be communicated by your child’s school.

Back-to-school checklist

Our website is your one-stop shop for more back-to-school information, including school start times, calendar information, meals and more!

Due to the double levy failure, we are unfortunately unable to provide basic school supplies to all primary students by default this school year. However, free donated backpacks and basic supplies will still be available in your school office for any student in any grade upon request. Please contact your child’s school if your family needs assistance. 

New districtwide cellphone policy

Battle Ground has a new cellphone policy that is intended to help limit distractions during class time and standardizes the existing approach to cellphones across schools in the district. The policy is based on input from parents, guardians, staff and students and applies to all personal electronic devices. 

  • Expectations regarding phone use vary by grade level. See details.

  • During times when phone use is not allowed, students may contact their parents/guardians using phones in school offices. 

  • We will follow all individualized education plans and 504 plans as written.  

  • In the event of a schoolwide crisis or emergency, students would be allowed to access their phones.  

  • On buses, the expectation is that students use headphones, refrain from taking pictures/videos and access only school-appropriate websites. 

Thank you for your partnership in supporting student learning and healthy phone use habits.

Supporting student health during the 2025-26 school year

The health and safety of our students remain a top priority. For the 2025–26 school year, every Battle Ground school will continue to have access to a licensed nurse, and all student health plans will remain supported. We will also continue to follow state law regarding medication administration by licensed nurses. Get more information about nurse staffing for this school year.

Chromebooks ready for distribution to students

Screen time limits on school-issued Chromebooks

In response to parent feedback and to support healthy screen use habits, Battle Ground Public Schools is implementing new screen time limits for school-issued Chromebooks. During the following hours, students in these grades will not be able to log into their Chromebook:

  • Primary school students (kindergarten through fourth grades): 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

  • Middle school students (grades 5–8): 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Outside of the restricted hours, students will still be able to log into and use their Chromebooks. These restrictions do not apply to high school students and students who attend school at alternative learning environments due to the complexities of student schedules and independent learning needs. Get more details.

Screenshot of phone showing Qustodio interface, with the Qustodio logo above it.

Free technology monitoring tool for parents

Every Battle Ground parent/guardian now has access to a free Qustodio parental app account. Qustodio will give you important insights into your child’s online activity on their school-issued device and provide you with features for managing their online activity at home. Learn more and activate your free account.

Have you completed the annual student update?

All families with enrolled students are required to complete the annual student update every year before school begins. This provides you with important options regarding your child’s education and ensures that we have correct contact information for you. We will use this information to communicate with you regularly and reach you in case of an emergency.

Chartwells: Serving up happy & healthy and Battle Ground Public Schools

August and September school meals

School breakfast and lunch menus for August and September are available online. Meals can be paid through InTouch Receipting. The application for free and reduced-price meals is now available in Skyward or the district website.

Thanks to Chartwells, our nutrition services provider, BGPS students will have the option to eat breakfast for free on Aug. 26-28!

You're invited: Citizens Advisory Committee

BGPS seeks Citizens Advisory Committee members

Do you want to share your input at a district level? Considering joining the Citizens Advisory Committee. The first meeting is Thursday, September 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Battle Ground High School library. All parents, guardians and community members are welcome, no RSVP or application required.

Mental health is health

Looking for mental health resources and more?

Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help students and/or their immediate family members quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of insurance or circumstance. Care Solace also can help connect families to housing and food programs. Find out how to get started.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Superintendent Shelly Whitten

Message from Superintendent Shelly Whitten

Welcome back! As we begin a new school year together, I want to thank you for being an essential part of our Battle Ground Public Schools community. It is an honor to serve as your superintendent and to partner with you in helping each and every student thrive.

As a proud graduate of this district, I know firsthand the difference our schools, staff, and families can make in the lives of young people. I was fortunate to have caring educators who believed in me during a difficult time in my life, and because of them, I built my career around three guiding principles that I carry with me today. Read more.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

  • Monday, Aug. 25: Board of directors regular meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

  • Tuesday, Aug. 26: The first day of school for all students. Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten students will have a smart start to the school year. See the schedule.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 27: School starts at the regular Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday time. There is no one-hour late start that day. 

  • Friday, Aug. 29: No school for students.

  • Monday, Sept. 1: No school for students (Labor Day).

  • Wednesday, Sept. 3: First one-hour late start of the school year.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

See local events and opportunities, including:

  • Battle Ground Community Education: Dance, volleyball and martial arts┃ After school basketball and flag football

  • Tigerland Preschool

  • Cub Scout Adventures

STAY CONNECTED

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

Battle Ground Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation,  gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Information about the district’s nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures are located on the District’s website at: https://www.battlegroundps.org/notice-of-nondiscrimination/.

The following employees have been designated to receive and respond to questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX Coordinator/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray, Assistant Superintendent, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, EMAIL  PHONE: 360-885-5340

Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, EMAIL  PHONE: 360-885-5481