NEWS FROM PHS:

A Note from the Principal's Office

Hello Falcon Families!

I hope the Thanksgiving holiday was one spent with loved ones and expressing gratitude. Thanksgiving comes at a time of year when the daylight hours are short, the weather is cold and blustery, and stress can run high. So being able to pause, even for a meal, to give thanks and speak aloud what we are grateful for is a wonderful way to focus on the positive things in our lives.

We have three weeks between now and December 21st, when Winter Break starts. Students are encouraged to focus on getting any missing assignments, retakes, and course current work taken care of, so that Winter Break can be a true, restful break away from the responsibilities of school.

Our 3rd annual Winter Carnival is December 14th at PHS from 11 to 2pm, and we hope to see everyone there! Bring the whole family, and enjoy the free games, activities, and treats. Great your list ready, too, because Santa Claus will be there!

Have a great week!

GO FALCONS!

– Mrs. Woehr

December Schedule Reminders

One-hour late starts: Dec. 4, 11 and 18

Winter break (no school): Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 through Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

News from the Career Center

Click here for news from the PHS Career Center, including Pop for a Plan, High School and Beyond Plan, Financial Aid, Scholarships Opportunities, and upcoming events!

Parent/Guardian Athletic Survey

Please help us improve our athletic programs by completing the parent/guardian fall athletic survey. This information will help us not only make building-level decisions that will directly impact our student-athletes, but it will also help us inform district leadership about issues related to athletics overall.

Thank you!

Bits and Pieces:

Spirit Week will be from 12/16 to 12/20! Be on the lookout for announcements about the ways in which students can show their spirit!
Christian Students United is hosting a Christmas Gathering in the library Thursday, Dec. 12th from 7-9. There will be cookies, cocoa and singing of Christmas songs with a live band. All students are invited.
Pop for a Plan is 12//10 in the Career Center!
Winter Carnival is 12/11!
Be sure to come support all of our winter sports!
We are hosting a financial aid workshop in the Career Center on 12/12 at 3pm!
Join us for our band concert on 12/19 at 6pm!

News From BGPS:

Attendance Matters

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.

In addition, your child learns valuable social skills at school and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with students and staff. Please let us know how we can support your child and your family in maintaining attendance. Learn more.

Snow Routes Available and Winter Weather Guide

Snow routes for 2024-25 are now posted on the district website. Be sure and take a moment to check out our handy winter weather guide for information on late starts or school closures due to weather-related impacts. Please note, the district is divided into “north” and “south” schools. This year, Battle Ground Virtual Academy is considered a south school.

In case of a school closure or late start, we may begin contacting families as early as 5:30 a.m. We will attempt to contact you at the telephone number and email address that are listed in your Skyward (Family Access) account. We would encourage you to take a minute and log into Skyward to verify your contact information is up to date. You can also reach out to your school office for assistance.

https://www.battlegroundps.org/o/bgps/page/weather-emergency-closures

See The Library Books Your Child Has Checked Out

School libraries are important sources of information for young readers. Parents and guardians are welcome to see what's available in their child’s school library and review the books their child has checked out. Find out how. If there are books you do not wish your child to read, please contact the teacher-librarian at your child's school. The teacher librarian will note these restrictions in your child's account.

School Menus

Battle Ground Public Schools is partnering with Chartwells to provide breakfast and lunch at school.

Menus are still available via Nutrislice and meal expenses can still be paid through InTouch Receipting, just like last year.

Printable menus are also available on the district and school websites.

Aspire Highly Capable Program Referral Window Open Through Dec. 6

We are excited to announce that the Aspire Highly Capable Program is now accepting referrals for testing!

Aspire is our highly capable/gifted education program designed to support students who demonstrate advanced academic abilities or potential. Get the details on the process and timeline.

Internet Safety

BGPS uses GoGuardian to keep students safe online on their school-issued devices. Parents/guardians can use the GoGuardian Parent app to help monitor activity when their child is using their school-issued device at home outside of school hours.

This application has features like web filtering and parental controls such as pausing internet access and setting up online hours. Learn more and find other resources for going online.

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.

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.

Chickenpox

Battle Ground Public Schools continues to experience chickenpox cases at several buildings, including two outbreaks.

When an outbreak happens, Clark County Public Health may direct students who do not have documented immunization to stay home for 21 days to reduce the chance of the disease spreading further.

A student may be able to return to school sooner with documented proof of immunity.

If you have questions about your child’s chickenpox immunization status, please reach out to our school nurse.

Did You Receive Our Annual Report?

Our 2024 Report to Our Community should have arrived in your mailbox if you live within the district. You can also view it in a digital format. The report includes information on enrollment, demographics, educational progress, budget and recent curriculum adoptions. You’ll also find important information about how local levy funding affects every school in our district.. Be sure to give it a read!

Tenth annual BGPS Industry Fair set for Feb. 20

Save the date!

The tenth 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.

Get Help With Applying For Financial Aid

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, Dec. 12, 2024: Prairie High School, 3-6 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

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

Prairie High School Family Newsletter: December