Hello Falcon Families!

Happy New Year!  I hope that everyone has been enjoying their Winter Break - we have such unique timing this year, with several days after the New Year before we are back at school together.  Typically, we are back within a day or so, having just wrapped up any holiday celebrations.

The benefit for students in having five days after the New Year before we return to school is that you still have SO much time over several days to get any school work you might have been procrastinating on in order to fully enjoy your holidays.  If the average teenager sleeps 10-12 hours in a day, then that is a good 12+ hours to schedule in time to focus on getting school work that is past due or upcoming all done before we return on January 6th.

The biggest consideration this month is Semester 1 Finals on Jan. 23rd and 24th.  As we approach that week, we want to ensure all students feel supported and prepared during this important time. Finals can be a stressful period, but with your encouragement and some practical strategies, students can navigate this successfully.

Here are some ways you can support your student:

1. Create a Study Plan: Help them schedule study time for each subject to stay organized and reduce stress.

2. Set Up a Study Space: Ensure they have a quiet, distraction-free area with necessary materials.

3. Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage good sleep (7-9 hours), balanced meals, and regular breaks.

4. Open Communication: Let them know it’s okay to ask for help and reach out to teachers or counselors.

5. Know the Schedule: Stay informed about their finals schedule to help with preparation. (See below)

6. Celebrate Effort: Acknowledge their hard work and progress, regardless of the outcome.

Our staff is here to support students academically and emotionally during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your partnership in helping our students succeed!

GO FALCONS!

– Mrs. Woehr

Finals are coming!

Finals Schedule:

January 23--Early Release, finals periods 1-3

January 24--Early Release, finals periods 4-6

Semester ends Friday, January 24

Our Unified basketball season is coming up soon!

We had our first scrimmage at halftime of the boys' varsity game on December 17, and our kids are very excited for the season!

We have two events in January, and potentially three in February.

In January, we have games at LaCenter on January 18, at Washougal on January 25. In February, we are at Ridgefield on February 1, and are hosting Districts on February 8! The state tournament is the weekend of March 1st if we make it!

Come support our kids! It's one of the most inspiring things you'll ever encounter!

RUNNING START INFORMATION SESSION

Considering the Running Start dual-enrollment program for next school year? 

Sign up for the Running Start Parent/Student Information Night! 

This session will review the program requirements and next steps for students who decide to attend. 

You may register using this Google Form, or students may access the sign up sheet in the PHS Counseling Office.  

Russian and Spanish support will be available upon request.  Please indicate your interest for this service when registering.

Here are ten quick facts about Proposition 8, the replacement educational programs and operations levy on the Feb. 11 ballot:

1. If approved by voters, the proposed levy would replace the expiring education and operations levy, which ends in December 2025. 

2. The replacement education and operations levy would begin January 2026 and continue through December 2029. 

3. The levy would provide funding for programs and services that affect students in every BGPS school.

4. The levy would pay for things that the state doesn’t fully fund. These include student safety, busing, special education, curriculum, mental health support, nursing/health services, sports, the arts and more.

5. The costs of supporting students and operating schools are increasing. 

6. This levy is separate and different from the capital levy approved in February 2024. The capital levy will cover building repairs; technology updates; and spaces for construction trades, culinary, and health sciences classes.

7. The levy provides 13% of the district’s total budget. Without levy funding, the district would need to make cuts to programs and services. For example, class sizes could increase, bus routes could be consolidated and middle school sports would likely be eliminated.

8. The levy would collect $166.28 million over four years. By law, the district can’t collect more than the amount that voters approve, even if property values increase. 

9. The estimated rate is $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the owner of a $621,000 property, the proposed levy would cost an estimated $101 per month in the first year.

10. The levy will appear on the ballot on Feb. 11, 2025. Remember to vote! Every registered voter who lives within the district is eligible.

More information about the replacement levy is available on the district website.

Battle Ground Public School is hosting a virtual presentation via Google Meet to provide information about dual credit for all students and families, eighth through 11th grades, on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 4-5 p.m. Dual credit provides students with the potential to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Information will include Running Start at Clark College, Cascadia Tech Academy (Skills Center), career and technical education dual credit, work-based learning,  College in the High School and Advanced Placement classes. If you have any questions, contact Work-Based Learning Coordinator Kris Neal via email at neal.kris@battlegroundps.org.

What, exactly, is CASEE? Come learn about the district’s half-day science-based program for high school students. The Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education is holding their annual Science Night open house on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Visit with teachers and current students, view ongoing experiments and tour the 80-acre outdoor learning campus in Brush Prairie (11104 NE 149th St).

Students in grades 8-11, along with their parents/guardians, are welcome to attend. Please RSVP in advance. We hope to see you there!

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.

High school seniors and families looking for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid are invited to attend one of three upcoming in-person events:

Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025: Battle Ground High School, 3-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025: Prairie High School, 3-6 p.m. (Interpreters available)

No RSVP is required to attend. At least three days prior to attending one of these events, parents/guardians and students must each set up an account by creating a FSA ID.  Federal student aid is money from the federal government that helps you pay for college, career school, trade school or other expenses.

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.

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