Laurin Middle School

The LION'S ROAR

Laurin Middle School's Weekly Newsletter - 3/28/2025
Spring Break Image No School

In This Issue

LMS News

  • BGPS Replacement Levy

  • LMS American Heart Challenge Fundraiser

  • LMS Drill Team Information/Permission Slip

  • LMS Yearbook

    • LMS 2024/25 Yearbook Presale

    • LMS 2023/24 Surplus Yearbook Sale

  • Counselors' Corner

    • Zen Den Flyer

    • Zero Referral Winner

    • Students of the Month

  • Art Corner

    • Artist of the Week

  • 2024/2025 Middle School Sports

    • Coed Track Registration Information

  • 8th Grade Announcements

    • 8th Grade Celebration Committee Meeting via zoom

District News

  • Upcoming survey of BGPS students, families

  • April school lunch menus

  • BGPS board selects Shelly Whitten as next superintendent

  • Family Resource Fair at Prairie High School

  • Middle school sports - Coed track registration open

  • Enroll now for kindergarten next fall

  • Transitional Kindergarten

  • Eighth and ninth graders invited to take PSAT

  • Enrollment is open for district’s alternative learning experience programs

  • Google Workspaces

  • Care Solace: Your link to mental health support

  • Russian, Ukrainian and Spanish translation and interpretation services

  • Employee Recognition Award

  • Safety Study Hall

  • Looking for something to do?

LMS Key Dates

Laurin News

Laurin Lion Logo

Remember to vote! Replacement levy (Proposition 9)

on the April 22 ballot

Ballots are in the mail and should arrive in mailboxes by April 4. On your ballot is a replacement education and operations levy for Battle Ground Public Schools. Local levy funding makes up the difference between state funding and the real-world cost to educate students. For instance, at our school the levy funds: 

English

  • Special education

  • Technology support

  • Custodial services

  • Multilingual support

  • Safety 

  • Mental health support

  • Curriculum

  • Teachers

  • Class sizes

  • Busing

  • Music

  • Sports

  • Extracurricular activities

  • Maintenance/grounds

  • Health/nursing and more

Russian

  • Специальное образование

  • Персонал технологической поддержки

  • Услуги уборщиков

  • Многоязычная поддержка

  • Вспомогательный персонал по безопасности

  • Поддержка психического здоровья

  • Учебные программы

  • Учителя

  • Наполняемость классов

  • Автобусные перевозки

  • Музыка

  • Спорт

  • Внешкольные мероприятия

  • Техобслуживание/Территории школ

  • здоровье/медицинский уход

Spanish

  • Educación especial

  • Personal de apoyo tecnológico

  • Servicios de custodia

  • Apoyo multilingüe

  • Seguridad

  • Apoyo en salud mental

  • Plan de estudios

  • Maestros

  • Tamaño de las clases

  • Autobuses

  • Música

  • Deportes

  • Actividades extraescolares

  • Maintenimiento/terrenos escolares

  • Salud / enfermería

The replacement levy would allow the district to continue current service levels beyond 2025, when the existing education and operations levy expires. Please take the time to look over our levy information page, and consider attending one of two upcoming public forums to learn more about the levy. The first of those meetings will be on Tuesday, April 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground). The second is Wednesday, April 16, at Prairie High School in the media center. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided.

Remember to return your ballot by April 22. Track your ballot and see if it was counted at VoteWA.gov. 

Know the Facts about Replacement Levy

For additional information regarding the Replacement Levy check out the website on Battle Ground School's website: https://www.battlegroundps.org/page/educational-levy

LMS American Heart Challenge Fundraiser

Dear Families,

American Heart Challenge kicked off!  We are excited to learn how to keep our hearts healthy & happy while raising lifesaving donations for the American Heart Association to fight America’s #1 and #4 killers, heart disease and stroke!  Thank you for being a Heart Hero! 

  1. Sign up TODAY at http://www2.heart.org/goto/Laurin or by downloading the free AHA Schools App for Apple or Android

  2. Give or Get a Donation! SEND 10 emails/texts to friends & family asking for a donation

  3. Start Finn’s Mission in your HQ to learn Hands-Only CPR.

 AHC GOALS & CELEBRATIONS:

  • Our goal is to raise $1500 in lifesaving donations!

  • Students that raise one donation will get to spin a wheel at lunch for an extra prize!

  • The homeroom with the most students signed up from each grade level will get a popcorn party!

  • The top fundraiser from each grade will get to Bring a friend to a pizza party!!

  • If we reach our school goal, principals will be Silly Stringed!!

  • Students who complete Finn’s Mission will earn a shoutout on Weekly Announcements & an entry into a national sweepstakes for Super Bowl tickets!

 Thank you so much for being a heart hero! Together, we are saving lives!

AHA Get Started Today

LMS Drill Team

It’s Parade Season! It’s that time again to start the LMS Band Drill Team, and we are looking for

students that will be able to fully commit to being at every practice, and ready to work hard.

  • Available to march in the Hazel Dell Parade 05/17/25

  • Attend all rehearsals prior to the Hazel Dell Parade: April 7 – May 17.

  • (Mon./Tues./WedThurs) 2:45 – 4pm) (FIRST rehearsal 4/7th ends at 4pm)

  • Provide transportation home from each practice, please be prompt

  • Purchase a Marching T–Shirt ($20.00) payments: DBT

  • Need white shoes, white socks and school appropriate black leggings by May 14th

  • Laurin Middle School Academics comes first; (no F’s)

  • Parent Permission is required

Practice times may change closer to parade day,

if canceled parents will me notified asap.

LMS Yearbook

LMS Yearbook Presale Image

Surplus Yearbooks 2023/24

The 2023/2024 Surplus Yearbook now on sale for $1. Please see Sandy Coy in the Laurin Middle School Office to purchase.

2024/2025 LMS Yearbook

The LMS 2024/25 Yearbook Presale is now in progress. You can purchase a yearbook for delivery during the last week of school. Order forms can be picked up in the office or printed up from this newsletter.

Click here for order form

You can also purchase yearbook online:

https://wa-battleground.intouchreceipting.com/

Counselors' Corner

Counselors' Corner

Zero Referrals

Come one! Come all! Now is the time for the Zero to One Referral Winner - the moment you've been waiting for! Today we have two winners of our weekly drawing:

  • 7th Grader:   Trace Nielson  AND

  • 8th Grader: Sophie Easton

Congratulations to both Trace & Sophie!

Students of the Month

5th Grade Student Of the Month Nikita Levchenko
6th Gr Student of the Month Eden Matindale
7th Gr Student of the Month Jim Kromah
8th Gr Student of the month Eli Amyx

ART CORNER

Artist of the Week

Congratulations to 5th Grade Emmy Mackey

 Laurin’s Artist of the Week!

Emmy Mackey Art Display

Middle School Sports Dates for 2024/2025

How to Register Middle School Sports

Here are season and registration dates for 2024/2025 Middle School Sports that is open to 6th through 8th grade students. Now is the time to get schedule your sports physical if your student plans on participating. Sports physicals are good for 2 years.

Visit the district’s middle school sports webpage to learn more.

CLICK HERE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Season 4

Coed Track

  • Season April 14, 2025 - May 28, 2025 (Revised)

  • Registration Wednesday, March 12, 2025 through on Tuesday, April 22, 2025

*Registration opens 3 weeks prior to the start of the season, registration closes 2 weeks after the 1st practice.

 8th Grade Announcements

Laurin PTO is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: 8th Grade Celebration Planning
Time: Apr 2, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
        Every 2 weeks on Wed, until May 14, 2025, 4 occurrence(s)

Join
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81192906947?pwd=tRFO6luVQf2ejOpaHDqhOIV8nz97sG.1

Meeting
ID: 811 9290 6947
Passcode: 938503

District Communication

BGPS Logo

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

Image of Shelley Whitten

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!

Middle school sports - Coed track registration open

Registration is open now for season four of middle school sports. Coed track season begins April 14. Students who participate in sports must have completed a sports physical (physical clearance is good for 24 months). A completed sports physical must be turned in before students can participate in organized sports. Learn more and start the registration process.

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

translation service flyer

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.

 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.

LMS Key Dates

3/21 - 411 LMS American Heart Challenge Fundraiser

3/31 - 4/4 Spring Break No School

4/14 - 5/28 Coed Track and Field Season grades 6 - 8

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

Laurin Middle School Office Contacts

Laurin Lion Logo

Attendance: (360) 885-5454 ext 1391 or you can e-mail the attendance secretary, Shelley Bloemke, bloemke.shelley@battlegroundps.org or the Laurin office laurinmsoffice@battlegroundps.org

Mailing address: PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA, 98604

Email: coy.sandra@battlegroundps.org
Website: http://www.battlegroundps.org/lms/
Location
: 13601 Northeast 97th Avenue, Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 885-5200