Prairie High School

PHS Family Newsletter: February 2025

2/1/25 Be sure to like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/prairiehs

Remember to vote by Feb. 11!

Battle Ground Public Schools is asking voters to consider a replacement education and operations levy on the Feb. 11 ballot. Local levy funding helps to cover things the state doesn’t fully pay for, such as student safety, transportation, special education, updated curriculum, mental health and nursing supports, sports, arts and much more. Levy funding currently provides around 13% of the district’s overall budget.

Visit our website to learn more about the replacement levy, create a personalized cost estimate for your property and to view a video presentation. If you are eligible to vote but are not yet registered, you can still do so in person at the Clark County Elections office in Vancouver until 8 p.m. on election night. 

levy

A Message from the Principal's Office

Hello Falcon Families!

As we welcome the month of February, we are excited to recognize Black History Month and the Lunar New Year! This is a special time to reflect on and celebrate the incredible diversity of our community. During Black History Month, we recognize the rich history, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans in shaping our world—through the sciences, arts, literature, technological innovations, and so much more.

We are also thrilled to embrace the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year, a time of renewal, reflection, and celebration for many in our community. Together, these observances remind us of the strength, creativity, and vibrancy that diversity brings to our school.

This week was also the start of Semester Two. The new semester is a great opportunity for a fresh start, even for year-long classes! Here are a few ways to help your student make the most of it:

  1. Set Goals Together: Encourage your student to set realistic academic and personal goals for each 6-week grading term, or for the whole semester.

  2. Get Organized: Help them organize their materials, schedules, and assignments for a smoother start.

  3. Build Good Habits: Support consistent routines like designated study times and regular sleep schedules.

  4. Stay Engaged: Check in regularly about their progress and communicate with teachers as needed.

We’re excited to see all the growth this semester will bring. Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s success.

GO FALCONS!

– Mrs. Woehr

unified
results

Our amazing Unified basketball teams also host district play on Saturday, February 8th. Come to PHS to cheer them on!

Testing Update

WIDA Testing for our ML students begins this month!

Families with students in Running Start, CASEE, and CTA will be receiving emails soon to schedule their students for testing.

MLK Day Poem/Reflector Article

MLK Poem

Senior Faith Prospere and PHS SRO Deputy Quiggle were featured in the Reflector for their performance of an original poem they recited together for our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day assembly. We are extremely proud of our Black Student Union (BSU) for the work they did to create an amazing experience at our assembly!

We are also very proud of Deputy Quiggle's work here at Prairie this year. She is a great ambassador for the Clark County Sheriff's Department, and law enforcement in general. She builds amazing relationships with our students, staff, and parents, and she is an asset to her profession. We are lucky to have such a caring, professional person here working for our students!

You can read the article here!

Senior Baby Photos/Messages

The Yearbook is accepting baby photos and messages for all seniors through Friday, February 7, 2025. Cost is $35.00. A 50 word maximum is placed on all messages, and the Yearbook reserves the right to edit for content and size.

It is suggested that originals NOT be submitted as there is no guarantee of return.

Please take the photo, message, and fee to the ASB office between the listed dates. 

Note: Photo and message may be sent electronically, but the photo file must not exceed 12MB total size. Photo and message will not be placed unless fee has been paid by 3:00 PM on Friday, February 7, 2025.

Forecasting is Coming!

PHS is excited to announce the upcoming forecast process, when students will have the opportunity to select their classes for the next school year. 

This is a crucial time for our students as they plan their academic paths and set goals for their future.

We encourage all parents to be actively involved in this process. Your guidance and support can make a significant difference in helping your students make informed decisions that align with their academic aspirations.

We will forecast on the following dates.  Resources can be found on the PHS website to assist you and your student in the process:

https://phs.battlegroundps.org/o/phs/page/forecasting-and-scheduling

Class of 2026 - Feb 24 & 25

Class of 2027 -  Feb 20

Class of 2028 -  Feb 10

Join us in March for our spring musical, The Prom!

prom

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.

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.

Survey results on cellphone use, start times and school libraries

Last fall, Battle Ground Public Schools conducted a ThoughtExchange to gather ideas about student use of cellphones during school, school start times, school libraries and more.

More than 2,200 people responded, including parents/guardians, students, staff members and community members.

Thank you to everyone who participated! Your input helps guide decisions on these topics. Visit the district website to view the full survey results and read the key findings.

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.

February school lunch menus

February school breakfast and lunch menus are  available via Nutrislice and the district website. Meal expenses can be paid through InTouch Receipting.

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.

sat

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.

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 will be accepted starting in early February.

Basics of Digital Citizenship

Do you know how to be a good digital citizen? With students completing more work online, it is increasingly important that they understand how to recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world.

Parents and guardians can learn more on the district’s parent resources webpage, including managing technology at home, resources for digital citizenship and setting up parental controls.

Early Childhood Assistance program coming to Captain Strong Primary

Families of children ages 3-5 looking for preschool options are encouraged to check out the program at Captain Strong Primary. This program offers qualifying families a free preschool option. Students receive academic and social-emotional education through play-based activities with meals and snacks provided. Get more information and apply (en Español).

Running Start Opportunities

The Running Start program allows students who have completed 10th or 11th grade but have not yet started the next grade to enroll in college courses tuition-free, earning both high school and college credits simultaneously. This program can help students get a head start on their college education while saving money. New for this summer: Students who have completed 10th grade can now participate in Running Start during the summer term, taking up to 10 credits.


Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, ensuring cost is not a barrier to participation. For more details, including how to apply and access fee waivers, please contact your school counselor or visit the Running Start webpage.

Enrollment is open for many of the district’s alternative learning experience programs

Battle Ground Public Schools’ specialized and alternative learning experience programs are accepting enrollment applications for the 2024-25 school year.

The district offers specialized and alternative programs for students in kindergarten through high school.

Please see each program’s enrollment page for details on availability.

  • Character and Academics for the Marketplace (CAM) Academy - A grades 3-12 school focusing on English language arts, history, science, math and instruction in computer technology.

  • Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (CASEE) - A half-day program focused on science, technology, engineering and math on an 80-acre learning campus in Brush Prairie.

  • Summit View High School - An individualized learning environment for students from ages 14-21 focusing on reaching graduation.

  • Open Doors GED - A program through Summit View High School for students ages 16-21 who are behind in credits and want to earn their GED.

  • River HomeLink - An accredited public school providing parent-partnered educational options and support for students.

  • Battle Ground Virtual Academy - BGVA provides a high-quality online learning experience where students are assigned a teacher with whom they and their parents meet regularly. Parents and guardians also play an active role in their child's online education.

industry fair

Tenth annual BGPS Industry Fair set for Feb. 20

Save the date! The 10th annual Battle Ground Public Schools Industry Fair will be held at Battle Ground High School on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 5-7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Come meet with local employers to learn about apprenticeship opportunities and employment in fields such as health care, education, manufacturing, technology, construction and many more. There will also be a resume workshop in the high school’s career center from 3-6 p.m. 


If you are an employer interested in attending this free event expected to draw hundreds of students, families and community members, fill out this form or contact BGHS career guidance counselor Kevin Doyle at doyle.kevin@battlegroundps.org or 360-885-6598.

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

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