Battle Ground Public Schools

BGPS News to Know

Important information for families — Sept. 2, 2025

In this issue:

  • One-hour late start on Sept. 3

  • SAT, PSAT and more standardized tests

  • New districtwide cellphone policy

  • Aug. 25 board meeting and budget approval

  • Help review potential new textbook for natural resources science class

  • Calling all alums and staff: Battle Ground legacy night

  • Report, don’t repost safety concerns

  • Are you receiving our e-newsletter?

  • In case you missed it

  • Calendar

  • Community events

Hello, families and staff of Battle Ground Public Schools,

Thank you for your patience during the first week of school as we worked through the necessary adjustments, reduced staffing and changes as a result of our Skyward update. We enjoyed seeing students, families and staff come together to start the school year.

One-hour late start

Wednesday, Sept. 3, is the first one-hour late start for most schools. School will begin one hour later than the Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday start time. Teachers will use this time to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at the usual times.

A graphic reading "Testing opportunities." A person with a large pen stands next to a clipboard with a sheet of paper.

SAT, PSAT and more standardized tests

Eighth grade and high school students have opportunities to take standardized tests for graduation, college, the military and scholarships. Learn about the opportunities and find out how to sign up.

Some of the upcoming tests include:

  • SAT testing on Oct. 4 (register by Sept. 19)

  • PSAT/NMSQT testing on Oct. 18 (register by Oct. 3)

  • PSAT 8/9 testing on Oct. 18 (register by Oct. 3)

  • World language testing on Oct. 18 (register by Oct. 3)

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.

Aug. 25 board meeting and budget approval

The Battle Ground Public Schools board of directors met on Monday, Aug. 25. Video of the meeting and a summary of the agenda are available on the district website. During the meeting, the board of directors approved a budget that reflects the district’s commitment to student learning and the financial realities of operating without local levy support. This includes significant use of the district’s fund balance, one measure of financial stability, to sustain operations. Most of the approved 2025-26 budget expenditures are lower than in the previous school year. These expenditures allow the district to meet state and federal requirements as well as community priorities for student learning and student needs. 

Show me where the money comes from and where it goes.

The board’s next meeting will be Monday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. on the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

Help review potential new textbook for natural resources science class

You are invited to provide input on a potential new teaching and learning resource. If approved, the textbook would be used beginning in January 2026 for the high school natural resources science class. Get the details on how to see the textbook and provide feedback by the deadline of Friday, Sept. 19, at noon. The district’s board of directors will hold a first reading of the proposed textbook at the board meeting on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.

Calling all alums and staff: Battle Ground legacy night

Battle Ground Public Schools alumni and staff (current and former) are invited to come together for the annual Battle Ground High School vs. Prairie High School football game on Friday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. The game will take place at District Stadium, located on the Battle Ground H.S. campus (300 W. Main St., Battle Ground).

During halftime, staff and alumni will be recognized on the field for their important role in shaping our schools and community. Optional: Wear the colors of either Battle Ground (orange and black) or Prairie (crimson and gold) to show school spirit.

Before and after the game, stop by the BGPS table to learn about our strategic plan and share your input. Let’s fill the stands and celebrate our students, staff, and community! We hope to see you there.

Report, don't repost. Battle Ground Public Schools and Vector Solutions

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

BGPS Bulletin August 2025 IN THIS ISSUE:  👋Meet your new district leaders ⭐Additional administrative changes and new educators 🎒Welcoming students, families and staff to a new school year 🤝August school board meeting updates 🏆Work-based learning coordinator wins prestigious award 🤗Battle Ground Education Foundation annual fundraising gala 🚌Thank you for helping stuff the bus 🗣️You're invited: Citizens Advisory Committee 💻Student information system update 📝Standardized testing opportunities 🏗️Construction to begin soon on new home for Battle Ground Virtual Academy 🎨Thank you, Battle Ground Art Alliance 🏫Jobs in BGPS 📣BGPS in the news

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

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 late night and early morning hours, primary and middle school students will not be able to log into their Chromebook. 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 available in Skyward and on the district website.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

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

  • Friday, Sept. 5: First full day of school for kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten students.

  • Monday, Sept. 8: Board of directors regular meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

  • Wednesday, Sept. 10: One-hour late start for most schools

  • Thursday, Sept. 11: Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, 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. Learn more.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

See local events and opportunities, including:

  • Battle Ground Community Education: Dance, volleyball and martial arts┃ After school basketball and flag football ┃Fall 2025 basketball league

  • Tigerland Preschool

STAY CONNECTED

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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