As we begin a new school year and athletic season, and in light of recent behavioral concerns, we want to take a moment to remind all student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents/guardians and spectators of the expectations.

Our teams are a reflection of the schools and communities they represent, and each of us has an important role in creating a positive environment. All Battle Ground schools follow the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association code of conduct. This code emphasizes the importance of respect, dignity and fairness.

Failure to follow the code will result in consequences, including potential loss of play/spectator privileges. We will reshare these conduct expectations periodically, and encourage you to review it as well. Please join us in keeping our athletic activities safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Thank you for your commitment to upholding these standards.

In light of recent tragedies at schools throughout the country, we've examined our safety practices and are working hard to maintain a high standard of safety and security at PHS. Here are the key practices and policies we have implemented:

• During class time, all classroom doors are locked and secured. In order to enter the rooms, students are required to show a pass.

• We have a deputy from the Clark County Sheriff's Office on campus throughout the school day to help provide additional support for our security and safety needs.

• Each month, we practice a different drill in order to stay prepared for possible emergencies.

• Our security officers patrol the campus throughout the day and make sure that doors and gates are locked.

• We have recently updated our cameras to provide better and higher resolution coverage of our campus.

• Finally, we have a security checkpoint at the front entrance of the campus to greet all incoming vehicles and make sure that we have the safest campus possible.

The safety of our students is a top priority in Battle Ground Public Schools. We encourage anyone who has a safety concern to report it to Vector Solutions via this site.

Stay safe, Falcons!

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health and offer support to those who may be struggling and to look out for one another. For high school students, the pressures of academic life, social life, and future planning can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it's important for them to be reminded that they are not alone and that help is always available.

Talking about mental health can be difficult, but sometimes starting a conversation with a friend, counselor, or trusted adult can make a huge difference--or simply being present for someone. Check on each other. Be kind to everyone you encounter and treat everyone with dignity.

There are also resources available 24/7, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), that offer confidential help. School counselors, teachers, building administration, and literally any other adult on our campus are here for any of our kids. We love our kids immensely. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness--it is a sign of strength.

Let's work together to create an environment where everyone feels safe and supported. By talking openly, listening, and looking out for one another, we can help prevent tragedy and promote mental wellness in our school community.

We are stronger together, Falcons. You are never alone.

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.

Did You Know?

• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.

• Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

• Missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, can adversely affect a student’s academic success.

What You Can Do:

Make School Attendance a Priority

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day.

• Help your children maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.

• Try not to schedule dental and non-urgent related medical appointments during the school day.

• Keep your student healthy. If you are concerned about about a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider.

• If your children must stay home because they are sick, make sure they have asked teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom.

Help Your Teen Stay Engaged

• Find out if your children feel engaged by their classes, and feel safe from bullies and other threats.

• Make sure your teens are not missing class because of challenges with behavioral issues or school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, contact the school and work with them to find a solution.

• Monitor you teen’s academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors when necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.

• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.

• Encourage your child to join meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.

• Support your students if you notice signs of anxiety, and if needed, seek advice from your school or health provider.

Communicate With the School

• Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalties.

• Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not adding up.

• Seek help from school staff, other parents, or community agencies if you need support.

Visit Attendance Works at www.attendanceworks.org for free downloadable resources and tools!

Beyond The Classroom Night is coming!

On September 25, everyone is invited to come explore all of the great options Prairie High School has to offer! Learn about all of the things PHS has to offer our students, including our club offerings, our sports, our various activities, our rigorous and engaging Advanced Placement courses, and more!

We can't wait to see you!

Just a reminder about "Bell to Bell, No Cell!"

Our students have been doing a fantastic job in being responsible with their phones--we have been deeply impressed by their maturity and partnership! The intent of this policy is solely to improve their educational experience, and they have shown that they are dedicated to their intellectual growth!

As a recap, here is the specific language of the policy:

During class time, campus-wide, cell phones are not to be used. The expectation is that once students enter the classroom on time, their phones are off/silenced and away. When students use the restroom during class time, they are not to take their phones with them.

Students may use cell phones during passing periods, at lunch, and before and after school. Students may be granted permission to use phones for specific academic purposes at teacher discretion.

If a parent or family member needs to reach their student during class time, they can call the main office at 360-885-5000 and have a message delivered. In case of emergency, students may use their phones with permission of a staff member. 

We are asking parents/guardians to support this endeavor by 1) Reinforcing this expectation at home; 2) Minimizing communication with students during class time; and 3) Being patient in response time from students during the school day. We are stronger together!

This policy is not intended to be punitive. Students will not receive additional disciplinary consequences for cell phone misuse; rather, cell phone misuse will simply be treated as any other offense that is disruptive to the learning environment. Additionally, students with specific IEP or 504 accommodations will continue to be served as required.

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