BGPS Bulletin -

Feb. 15, 2024, edition of the BGPS Bulletin

A three-year capital levy to fund repairs and upgrades throughout Battle Ground Public Schools is on track for approval. As of Wednesday evening, Proposition 7 had garnered just over 52% support, leading by more than 730 votes. The county currently estimates that fewer than 400 votes remain to be counted. The results will be certified on Feb. 23.

"I’m grateful for the support from staff, families and community members," said Superintendent Denny Waters. "The capital levy will fund repairs and/or updates at every school in the district and go a long way toward keeping students safe, warm and dry."

This is the first time Battle Ground Public Schools has run a capital levy. The district's board of directors approved the measure after considering community feedback that prioritized maintaining existing buildings, in addition to improving security and upgrading several skilled trades programs at the high schools. The capital levy will provide the district with funding to address some of the issues while retaining the lowest overall tax rate of any district in Clark County.

Congratulations to our student-musicians from Battle Ground High School and Tukes Valley Middle School on a great showing at the West Salem Jazz Festival held Feb. 10 at West Salem High School.

BGHS Intermediate Jazz Band I took home second place, with Intermediate Jazz Band II taking home a third place finish. In the middle school advanced division, Tukes Valley Middle School finished second, with outstanding soloist awards for Olivia Dickey and Joseph McKnight.

Check out the Battle Ground High School Band Boosters' Facebook page for some videos of the performances.

BGPS’ board of directors held a regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 12. A summary and video are available on the district website.

The board will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online.

Bev Jones, a retired nurse known by many as the "Battle Ground cheerleader," was honored last month as the city's Person of the Year by The Reflector newspaper. Jones has devoted her retirement to volunteer work, including with the Battle Ground Lion's Club and various senior citizen groups. She also has worked closely to support the efforts of Battle Ground Public Schools' Family and Community Resource Center.

"Bev is our everything gal!" said Chelsea Ward, family resources specialist. "Her main role is serving as one of our lead volunteers at the Clothes Closet, but she has always stepped up to the plate wherever we need her."

Ward said Jones often volunteers to take families shopping for needed items, wraps gifts during the holidays and does anything else that is needed. "What stands out most about Bev is her sweet demeanor. She has a way of making you feel special just for existing."

Jones' work with the Lions' Club also supports students in the district, such as providing snacks for diabetic students at Maple Grove Primary. We appreciate volunteers like Bev who do so much to support our students, families and staff.

Read more about Bev Jones in The Reflector.

Photo courtesy of The Reflector.

Here's a big shout-out to our high school teams and athletes competing at the state level in winter sports:

Prairie High School:

Wrestling (Region 2 champions) -

• Aaliyah Young, Faith Tarrant, Luke Sturdivant, James Stager, Alex Ovando, Tommie Vick, Kelan Jordan, Christian Dealy, Mason Frei, Seth Blick and Christopher Simpson

Boys swim -

• Michael Oshkader, Vlad Danylyuk, Vlad Revutskyy and Troy (TJ) Delp

Congrats also to Izabella Hewes from River HomeLink, who finished fifth in girls bowling at state, and to Prairie's competitive cheer team for taking home sixth place.

Battle Ground High School:

Wrestling -

• Isaiah Rogers, Zackery Motzkus, Andrew Gray, Isabel Brown and Lorelei Brown

(Note: State gymnastics competitions will be held next week, so watch for more information.)

Congratulations to Battle Ground High School's Unified basketball team on a hard-fought victory over Evergreen, 39-38, on Saturday, Feb. 10. The win propelled the Tigers to a spot in the state tournament March 1-3. Go, Tigers!

Unified sports is part of the Special Olympics and joins students with intellectual disabilities with other student-athletes as a way of promoting social inclusion and empowering individuals through sports. Learn more.

(Photo courtesy of The Reflector.)

No debate about it, the ever-growing speech and debate club at Battle Ground High School just keeps on winning. During the Linfield University tournament in McMinnville, Oregon, on Feb. 3, senior captain Marley Wing took home the top speaker award for Public Forum debate. Junior Mackenzie Heffner claimed third place in Humorous Interpretation, while Heffner and Wing shared a fourth place team award in Public Forum debate. Way to go, students!

(Photo courtesy of Coach Corinne Altotsky.)

Something fun happening in your building or classroom? Is there a student or teacher doing something remarkable? Let us know about it! Battle Ground Public Schools' communications department is here to share your story and the stories happening all around you. Please reach out and let us know if you think there's a story worth sharing.

Email: communication@battlegroundps.org

Phone: 360-885-5337

Come join us for the 9th annual BGPS Industry Fair, happening TONIGHT, Feb. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Battle Ground High School. This free event serves students, families and the community. Learn about apprenticeship opportunities, as well as jobs in health care, education, manufacturing, technology, construction, finance, hospitality, retail, transportation and more. Some employers may be hiring–bring your resume! You can even attend a resume workshop in the school’s career center from 3-6 p.m. Child care will be available at the event.

Battle Ground Public Schools is currently hiring for a number of positions. We are particularly in need of classroom assistants for various positions (paraeducators). Visit the jobs page for details and to apply.

Teaching positions:

• Center-based classroom (Yacolt Primary School)

Testing coordinator assistant (Daybreak Primary, BG Virtual Academy)

School psychologist intern (districtwide)

Registered behavior technician (districtwide)

Licensed practical nurse (districtwide)

Maintenance - HVAC (districtwide)

Special program classroom assistants/paraeducators (various schools)

Classified and certificated substitute positions

Sports/coaching positions:

• Head coach: Track (Amboy and Chief Umtuch middle schools)
• Assistant coaches: Prairie High School football
• Assistant coaches: Battle Ground High School Unified basketball
• Assistant coach: Unified soccer (BGHS/PHS)
• Assistant coach: BGHS baseball
• Assistant coach: Track (Laurin and Pleasant Valley middle schools)

Find more information and apply online.

Bus drivers
BGPS' transportation provider, First Student, is in need of part-time bus drivers. For more details on First Student driving careers, including sign-on bonuses starting at $1,500 ($3,500 for experienced drivers), visit https://bit.ly/3mHrkav.

Sodexo (food services)
Help feed students in Battle Ground Public Schools! Learn about job opportunities with the district's nutrition services provider.

Right At School
The district's before and after-school care provider, Right At School, is looking for program managers and educators. Learn more at https://www.rightatschool.com/careers or email your resume to mari.howe@rightatschool.com.

• BGPS Industry Fair: Thursday, Feb. 15, 5-7 p.m. at Battle Ground High School
• Presidents Day: Monday, Feb. 19 (no school, district and school offices closed)
• One-hour late start: Wednesday, Feb. 21

Full district calendar

The Reflector

• River HomeLink student's essay: Celebrating love for a pet
  
• BG unified basketball advances to state tourney after narrow win in districts
  

The Columbian

• School levies passing in Camas, Woodland, Green Mountain – and Battle Ground
  
• Girls Wrestling: Faith Tarrant of Prairie, Niah Cassidy of Union win at 4A/3A regionals in quest for state titles
  

KOIN News

• Vancouver teen boxer begins quest for national championship
  

Copyright © 2024 Battle Ground Public Schools. All rights reserved.

Battle Ground Public Schools provides equal opportunity in programs and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin/language, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, HIV/Hepatitis C status. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Contact the following regarding questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Tom Adams, Director of Student Services, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, Title IX Compliance Officer, 360.885.5415; Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 360.885.5481; or a letter may be submitted to the designated coordinator at the Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604.

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