Upcoming survey of BGPS students, families
Understanding the perspectives of the people who make up Battle Ground Public Schools is important as we continue working toward improvement. This month, you and your family have an opportunity to share their thoughts in an optional survey administered by the Center for Educational Effectiveness.
All parents and guardians will receive the survey via email on April 8. Students in fifth through 12th grades also will receive the survey, unless a parent or guardian opted them out in the annual student update. The surveys will close on May 2. Learn more.
2025-26 school calendar - key dates
The Battle Ground school board recently approved the 2025-26 academic calendar. Here are some of the key dates:
First day of school - Tuesday, Aug. 26
Thanksgiving break - Nov. 26-28
Winter break - Dec. 22, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026
Spring break - April 6-10
Last day of school (weather dependent) - Wednesday, June 10, 2026
April school lunch menus
April school breakfast and lunch menus are available via Nutrislice and the district website. Meal expenses can be paid through InTouch Receipting.
BGPS board selects Shelly Whitten as next superintendent
The Battle Ground Public Schools board of directors voted to appoint Shelly Whitten to be the next superintendent of the district. Whitten, the district’s current deputy superintendent, will begin her new role on July 1, 2025. She will replace current Superintendent Denny Waters, who is retiring.
”It is an honor to serve the community I grew up in and love,” said Whitten, “There’s no place I’d rather invest my passion and energy.”
Learn more about Shelly.
Family Resource Fair at Prairie High School
Battle Ground Public Schools invites our community to the first-ever Family Resource Fair on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Prairie High School. This free event is an opportunity to meet with local service providers, learn about available resources, enjoy some fun and games and walk away with free backpacks and school supplies. Whether you are interested in improving your mental health, getting in better shape or learning about other supports available in our area, this is the event for you. There will be plenty of fun activities for both young and old, as well as snacks and light refreshments. No RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!
Enroll now for kindergarten next fall
Any child who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2025, is eligible to enroll in kindergarten this fall. Enroll now to make sure your child can attend kindergarten orientation in the spring.
Transitional Kindergarten
Battle Ground Public Schools also offers Transitional Kindergarten for children who will turn 4 years old by Aug. 31 and meet certain eligibility requirements. Visit our Transitional Kindergarten webpage to learn more about the program. Applications are now being accepted.
Eighth and ninth graders invited to take PSAT
Students in grades 8 and 9 are invited to take the new PSAT 8/9 on April 26. This optional test is designed to help as you start your high school journey. It will help you understand where you are and where you want to go, as well as assisting with preparing for future assessment tests. With your scores, you'll get customized guidance to help you explore careers that match your interests and skills and information to help you search for colleges.Registration ends Friday, April 18. Visit the district’s standardized testing page to learn more.
Enrollment is open for district’s alternative learning experience programs
Battle Ground Public Schools’ specialized and alternative learning experience programs are accepting enrollment applications for the 2025-26 school year. The district offers specialized and alternative programs for students in kindergarten through high school. Learn more about these educational options.
Google Workspaces
Battle Ground Public Schools uses Google Workspaces for Education. This includes apps like Docs, Slides, Sheets and Forms. Working within Google programs helps students build valuable future-ready skills and collaborate digitally. They can also access their work anywhere using their district Google account. Starting in sixth grade, students may be assigned a Chromebook that they can use while at school and take home at the end of the school day. Check out Guardian’s guide to Google tools for more information on how these resources support student learning and help to keep them safe online. Learn more and find other resources for going online.
Care Solace: Your link to mental health support
Battle Ground Public Schools has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students and their immediate family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help any student and/or their immediate family members quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of insurance or circumstance. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365 in any language).
Visit www.caresolace.com/battlegroundps and either search on your own or select “Book appointment” for assistance by video chat, email or phone.
Russian, Ukrainian and Spanish translation and interpretation services
Услуги по устному и письменному переводу на русский и украинский языки 360-885-5433
Servicios de Traducción e Interpretación en Español 360-885-5431
Safety Study Hall
Visit the Safety Study Hall website, a place for schools, students, and families to learn about safety topics.
Looking for something to do?
Be sure to check out our Community Events page for fun ideas of things to do throughout the local community. Nonprofit organizations looking to share their own upcoming events are welcome to submit a flyer to be included. Flyers are posted on the community events webpage and printed at relevant schools on their community bulletin boards. The BGPS community flyer checklist provides information about what is required for flyer submission.
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.
Report incidents anonymously with SafeSchools
Please report bullying, intimidation, harassment, threats and safety concerns using our anonymous reporting system. Reporters can remain anonymous. Emergencies should always be reported to 911. Learn more about emergency procedures and safety protocols.
Safety protocols
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.
The importance of regular attendance
Thank you for working to maintain your child’s attendance. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential to student learning and success. The skills that students learn in primary school will help them be successful in middle and high school. A student’s attendance often can predict whether they are likely to graduate high school on time. Read more.
Employee Recognition Award
Do you know an amazing staff member? The new Employee Recognition Awards will highlight staff members who reflect the district’s strategic plan goals. Three nominees will be selected each month and recognized at a board meeting. Everyone is welcome to submit a nomination.
The 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: Tom Adams, Director of Student Services, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, 360.885.5415
and/or U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org. 360.885.5481
