In the November 2025 issue

📖Read our annual report
🎖️BGPS schools observe Veterans Day
💲School finance 101: State funding gaps
⚡Electricity projects spark learning at Yacolt Primary
🎭Catch student theater performances 
🤝Nov. 10 school board meetings, including discussion of a replacement education and operations levy
📋Reserve a spot at the 2026 Industry Fair
🎉Red Ribbon Week
🏆Commended Student from CAM Academy
🎨Kindness over bullying art contest
📣Battle Ground High School cheer team qualifies for national competition
🥫Glenwood Heights donation drive supports students, families
🎙️New BG CAST episode: Busing and Yacolt Primary running club
🏫Jobs in BGPS
📣BGPS in the news

Do you know someone else who might enjoy the BGPS Bulletin? Everyone is welcome to subscribe to the newsletter for monthly updates from Battle Ground Public Schools.

Did you receive our annual report in your mailbox earlier this month? The report is packed with information about district finances, academic highlights, building repairs, student and staff achievements and more.

If you missed it, you can still find the report on our website.

Earlier this month Battle Ground schools celebrated and honored veterans, including former students, staff members, parents, guardians, grandparents, friends, family and community members. Thank you to all veterans in our school communities and beyond for serving our country.

Rising costs and state funding gaps, like these examples, have put pressure on the district's budget. Educational programs and operations levies have helped to fill in the gaps between state funding and what it costs to educate students. During its Nov. 10 work session, the district's board of directors discussed a potential replacement for the soon-to-expire education and operations levy. 

Since 2019, the percentage of the state's operating budget that is dedicated to K-12 education funding has decreased from 52.4% to 43.1%. The state's paramount duty, as outlined in its constitution, is to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders.

Over the last four years, Battle Ground Public Schools has been underfunded by millions. 

Fourth-graders at Yacolt Primary designed original electricity projects to demonstrate their understanding of circuitry. The projects were part of a larger science unit on energy. Each student was asked to present their project to students and staff. In addition to learning about electricity, students gained public speaking experience, confidence and skills in providing feedback to one another. 

Don't miss the opportunity to catch one or all of these outstanding student performances!

 Presented by Prairie High School, this show gives the mic to the six wives of Henry VIII. They remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st-century girl power! Get your tickets now to skip the line. Please note that the show is rated PG-13 for brief discussions of trauma.

Prepare to be swept away as Battle Ground High School presents OZ! This hilarious and imaginative adaptation is packed with modern twists, dazzling performances and nonstop laughter. Purchase tickets now.

Under the direction of Sandy Sparks, River Home Link Theatre is proud to present a tale of friendship and discovery. Come visit the magical world of Auradon as villains and royals learn that what's on the surface doesn't always reflect what's in the heart. Tickets may be purchased online, in the River HomeLink office or at the door.

BGPS’ board of directors held a special meeting/work session and regular meeting earlier this month. 

Upcoming meetings
Regular meetings will be held on Nov. 24 and Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. There will be a special meeting/work session on Dec. 8 at 4 p.m.

You are invited to attend all special meetings/work sessions and regular meetings in-person at the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground) or watch the meetings online.

Save the date! The 11th annual Battle Ground Public Schools Industry Fair will be held at Battle Ground High School on Thursday, Feb. 19. This event is free and open to the public. Come meet with local employers to learn about apprenticeship opportunities and employment in a variety of fields. There will also be a resume workshop. 

If you are an employer interested in attending this free event expected to draw hundreds, fill out this form to reserve a table. Questions? Contact BGHS Career Guidance Specialist Kevin Doyle at doyle.kevin@battlegroundps.org or 360-885-6598.

Battle Ground schools celebrated Red Ribbon Week, a national drug awareness and prevention program, at the end of October. The district's prevention-intervention specialists held a variety of activities and lessons to help students make healthy choices. Thank you to the Battle Ground Education Foundation for also supporting Red Ribbon Week activities!

Ascha Nielsen from CAM Academy was a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 34,000 Commended Students were selected across the nation based on their exceptional academic promise. Commended students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Congratulations, Ascha!

In October, River HomeLink students were challenged to create artwork that emphasizes themes of kindness and compassion. The following students created the winning pieces and received special prizes.

In their first competition of the season, BGHS' cheerleaders placed second in the traditional category and fourth in the game day category at the NCA-UCA-USA Northwest Regional. Their performance at this event earned the team its first-ever qualification for the U.S. Spirit Nationals. The national competition will be held in Anaheim, California, in February. The team says that it is committed to continuing to work hard and meet its goals.

Way to go, Tigers! 

The Glenwood Heights Primary student leadership team kicked off their first event of the school year with a donation drive during October. After contacting the district's Family and Community Resource Center to learn about what items were most needed, the leaders created posters to display around the school and shared information during morning announcements to encourage participation. Read more about the team and the results of their donation drive.

This episode features School PE teacher Daniela Alexakis, founder of the Yacolt Primary Running Club, which logged an impressive 13,769 miles during the 2024–25 school year. Then Brandon Case from First Student and Karen Bisson, the district's transportation supervisor, talk about what it takes to safely transport nearly 9,900 students across 273 square miles. Listen to this BG CAST episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music. You can also find links to all past episodes on our website.

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: 360-885-5470

Battle Ground Public Schools is currently hiring. Visit the jobs webpage for details.

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.

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.

The Columbian

The Reflector

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