News to Know for the week of June 3 - Battle Ground Public Schools (2024)

This week’s News to Know

June 3, 2024

Final one-hour late start on Wednesday, June 5

Schools will begin an hour late on Wednesday, June 5, to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. This is the final late-start Wednesday of the school year. Students will be released at normal times.

Last day of 2023-24 school year

The last day of school for students in south schools will be Friday, June 14 (building staff: June 17). The last day of school for students in most north schools will be Monday, June 17 (building staff: June 18). Get more details.

Update on graduation ceremonies: Location and more details

Based on the current weather forecast, River, Battle Ground and Prairie’s ceremonies will be held outside at District Stadium. CAM Academy, Summit View and Battle Ground Virtual Academy’s graduations will still be held in the Prairie High School auditorium. See more details, including viewing options, parking, entering the venue and restricted items.

Graduates, help us highlight your high school journey

Battle Ground Public Schools wants to highlight outstanding members in the class of 2024. If you are interested in being part of this year’s grad highlight feature, please fill out a short Google Form questionnaire (Español) (Русский) and upload a photo of yourself by Monday, June 10. Selections will be featured on the district website, social media channels and more. Thank you, and congratulations to the class of 2024!

Free summer meals

Battle Ground Public Schools will be serving free breakfast and/or lunch for anyone 18 years of age or younger at two locations this summer:

Maple Grove Primary School (610B SW Eaton Blvd.)

Lunch – Monday-Friday, June 24, through Aug. 16, 11:45 a.m. to 12:24 p.m.
Breakfast – Monday-Thursday, July 8-18, 8-8:30 a.m. (no Friday breakfast service)

Daybreak Primary (1900 NW 20th Ave.)

Lunch – Monday-Friday, June 24, through Aug. 16, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
No breakfast served at this site

Children and teens do not need to attend a Battle Ground school to participate. Meals must be consumed onsite.

SUN Bucks program supports summer food access

Children attending Battle Ground Public Schools may be eligible to receive $120 each this summer as part of a new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program known as SUN Bucks. Students may be automatically eligible for SUN Bucks if they previously qualified for free or reduced-price meal benefit through the district. You may also submit a new application through the end of the school year.

Hotspots and bus Wi-Fi to end

Hotspots for home use and Wi-Fi on school buses will be discontinued this summer. We regret this inconvenience. If you have a district-issued hotspot, please return it by June 17.

2024-25 school calendar approved

The November in-service day has been moved to Oct. 30 and fall conferences moved to the first full week in November. See the updated calendar.

Communication survey

We want to hear about your communication preferences. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Everyone is welcome to share their thoughts. The results will help us improve our communication in the future. Thank you for your input!

Review of new textbook

You are invited to provide input on a potential new textbook. If approved, Working with Young Children would be used in high school child development courses next school year. The last day to provide feedback is Thursday, June 20, 2024. Show me more.

New teaching materials coming in 2024-25

Battle Ground Public Schools regularly adopts new curricula to replace old/outdated materials or materials that are no longer available due to licensing changes. Committees of teachers, administrators and community members review the options. Members of the public were also invited to review the materials and provide comments before board approval.

Starting in the 2024-25 school year, the following subject areas will be using updated materials:

Science (grades 6-8 and high school)
Horticulture science (high school)
Social students (high school)

More information about the approved materials and curriculum review process is available on the district website.

High school online summer classes

Battle Ground Public Schools is offering online summer school classes for high school students looking to earn original credit or for those needing to recover credit for failed courses. Classes will be offered in a variety of subjects. Current eighth grade students also may recover the Washington state history requirement. For assistance filling out the correct forms, please contact your school’s guidance counselor.

Summer camp registration is open

Right at School will offer summer camps for kids ages 5-12. Camps will be offered June 24 through Aug. 9, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is open now.

Want to take the SAT?

This October, students in grades 11-12 have an opportunity to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT. The deadline to register is Sept. 20, 2024. Testing will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, at Battle Ground High School. Get more information about registration.

Enroll now for kindergarten next fall

Any child who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2024, is eligible to enroll in kindergarten this fall. Enroll now to make sure your child can attend kindergarten orientation in the spring.

DISTRICT NEWS

BGHS band director selected as Rose Festival grand marshal

Battle Ground High School Band Director Greg McKelvey has been named grand marshal of the upcoming Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade on Saturday, June 8. McKelvey, who is set to retire this summer after 28 years with the district and 47 years in public education, said that the selection is truly an honor.

“I’ve never been in this for personal rewards,” McKelvey said during an announcement on Wednesday at the high school, surrounded by many current and former students. “My goal has always been to have students be successful, and if they’re successful, then I’m successful.”

Subscribe to the BGPS Bulletin for more news from around the district

The above story is a selection from the May 31 edition of the BGPS Bulletin, our newsletter that is full of great stories about what’s happening in and around Battle Ground Public Schools. If you’re not already, be sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date and in the know.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Changes to graduation recognition for the class of 2028 and beyond

In recognition of the many ways that students achieve academic success, Battle Ground Public Schools plans to expand recognitions at high school graduations starting with the class of 2028 (eighth graders in 2024). Based on input from staff, parents, guardians and students, each Battle Ground high school will recognize the top 5% based on GPA during graduation ceremonies. Although schools will not designate a valedictorian and salutatorian, class rankings will continue to be available as needed for scholarships and other purposes. Discover more about this change.

Report incidents anonymously with SafeSchools

Please report bullying, intimidation, harassment, threats and safety concerns using our anonymous reporting system. Emergencies should always be reported to 911. Learn more about emergency procedures and safety protocols.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

Wednesday, June 5: One-hour late start (final late start of the school year)
End-of-year schedule
Graduation schedule and viewing options
Monday, June 10: School board regular meeting, 4 p.m. (note earlier time due to graduation schedule) at the Lewisville campus and streaming online. See the agenda and watch the livestream.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Prairie Wrestling youth/middle school wrestling camp: June 17-19
Yacolt Community Church clothing closet: Third Sunday of every month
Prairie Volleyball summer camp (register by June 8 for a free T-shirt): July 8-10
Tigerland Preschool (ages 3-5): Enrollment open now
Find sports camps, summer opportunities and more to do on the full community calendar.