Battlefield Newsletter

BES Mission Statement: Our mission is working together to promote high levels of learning for all students.

BES Vision Statement: Building Exceptional Students

• We will create a caring environment where all students can succeed.

• We will work collaboratively to learn, plan and grow as educators in order to promote high levels of achievement.

• We will help our students reach their potential by prioritizing individual student goals, differentiating instruction, and utilizing best practices

• We will work together to encourage and celebrate student success.

• We will give 100% to know and meet the social, academic, and emotional needs of each child.

Goal 1: The percentage of students (all grades) performing at Proficient and Distinguished will improve from 46.1% to 52.1% on the 2026 EOG Milestones Math assessment.

Goal 2: The percentage of students (all grades) performing at Proficient and Distinguished will improve from 38.2% to 43% on the 2025 EOG Milestones ELA assessment.

Goal 3: The percentage of 5th grade students performing at Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished will improve from 59.3% to 80% on the 2025 EOG Milestones Science assessment.

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

- Dolly Parton

Georgia Milestones Testing begins Monday, April 20nd. This is an important time for our students to show what they’ve learned this year. Our students and teachers have worked hard all year to prepare, and this is their time to shine.

Here's the testing schedule:

• Monday, April 20nd – Writing

• Tuesday, April 21st – ELA/Reading

• Wednesday, April 22nd – Math

• Thursday, April 23rd – Science (5th grade only)

• April 24th – April 30th – Make-up Testing

To help your child do their best, we ask for your help with a few things. Make sure they get a good night’s sleep each night and have a healthy, filling breakfast each morning. It’s also very important that students arrive at school on time. Once testing begins, sessions cannot be interrupted. Students who arrive late will wait in study hall and take their test on a make-up day. Please keep sick students at home, and remember that smartwatches are not allowed during testing, so we ask that those stay at home as well.

We encourage students to try their best, but we also do everything we can to keep testing stress low. This is their chance to show what they’ve learned this year—and we know they’ll do a fantastic job!

Lunch during Milestones: Many of you enjoy joining your students for lunch during the week, and we truly love having you spend that special time with your kiddos. During Georgia Milestones testing week, however, lunch schedules will look a little different. Lunch times will be based on when each class completes testing for the day rather than a set schedule, and all cafeteria tables will be used to help keep schedules running smoothly.

Because lunch times vary and all extra space is used in the cafeteria during testing, we will not be able to allow parents to eat lunch with students during testing week. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work to provide a calm, focused environment for all students during this important time.

Looking ahead, May 5th–9th is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week! We hope you’ll join us in celebrating our incredible BES teachers. A kind note, a quick email, or a small treat can go a long way in showing your appreciation. Ms. Bailey and I are so proud of our teachers—they truly go above and beyond every day for their students. BES teachers are the BESt!

We are Battlefield!

Dr. McCrary

Dear Parents and Families,

I am writing to share that I will be retiring at the end of this school year. This decision comes with a full heart and deep gratitude for the many years I have been blessed to work in Catoosa County Schools.

As both a graduate and an employee of this system, I can truly say it is a special place. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of teaching so many wonderful students who have grown into successful adults. That has always been the goal—to educate, guide, and prepare students for their futures—and it has been incredibly rewarding to see that come to life.

Serving as an assistant principal and now as principal has allowed me to work with and support our entire student body. Watching our students learn, grow, and achieve success has been one of the greatest joys of my career.

When I interviewed with Mrs. Reece and the Directors for the opportunity to serve as principal of Battlefield Elementary, I shared three goals that I hoped to accomplish:
• Strengthen the connection between Battlefield Primary School and Battlefield Elementary
• Hire an academic coach to support and strengthen instruction and academic growth
• Build a culture of collaboration throughout the building

Over the past nine years, we have worked diligently toward these goals, and I am proud of the progress we have made together. As parents, your support, trust, and partnership have played a vital role in that success. None of this would have been possible without the dedication, professionalism, and heart of our staff—they are truly the BESt—and the strong collaboration we have with our families.

In Battlefield Elementary’s forty-nine-year history, I have been only the fourth principal. That fact speaks volumes about this school and the strong sense of family that exists here. Stability, commitment, and a deep care for students have always been hallmarks of this building, and I am grateful to have been a small part of that legacy.

In all, I have served fourteen years as a teacher and fifteen years as an administrator, and I have had the privilege of spending more time here at BES than in the rest of my career combined. That is something I will always treasure. Even now, I can honestly say that I still love this job. I love the staff I have the privilege of working with each day, and I love the students who walk through these doors. They make me smile, make me laugh, and often make me think in ways that keep every day interesting. Being part of their lives, even in a small way, has been one of the greatest blessings of my career.

While I am not yet sure what the future holds, I do know that I will forever cherish the memories, relationships, and experiences I have gained at Battlefield Elementary and in Catoosa County Schools.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and for allowing me to be a part of your children’s lives. It has truly been an honor to serve this community.

We are Battlefield,

Dr. Kent McCrary

As a reminder: Picture Day was moved to Friday, April 10th. Students will have Spring and Class pictures taken on this day.

Thank you for allowing Parkway Baptist Ignite 316 Kids Clubs to be at Battlefield Elementary this year. We have enjoyed being there every Tuesday with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Our last Ignite 316 Kids Club for the 25/26 school year will be Tuesday, April 28th. We look forward to serving students next year at BES.

- Tim and Connie Williams

National Assistant Principals Week is celebrated each year from April 6th to 10th, and it’s the perfect time to recognize the invaluable role Ms. Jan Bailey plays in the success of our school. Ms. Bailey is truly one of the unsung heroes—supporting students, teachers, and families every single day. From managing daily operations to building strong relationships and ensuring a safe, positive school environment, her impact is felt in every part of the building.

Her leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts help create a place where students can thrive and teachers feel supported. Whether she’s handling situations with compassion, organizing the countless details that keep us running smoothly, or jumping in wherever she’s needed, Ms. Bailey wears many hats—and she does it all with heart and grace.

Please take a moment this week to thank and celebrate Ms. Jan Bailey for all she does. Our school is a better place because of her!

We are incredibly grateful for our amazing BES paraprofessionals and the vital role they play in the success of our school each and every day. Their dedication, patience, and compassion make a lasting difference for our students, providing the support and encouragement needed for every child to thrive. They are an essential part of our classrooms, working side by side with teachers to create positive, productive learning environments and helping ensure that every student’s needs are met. Quite simply, our school could not function without their hard work and commitment. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Herpst, Mrs. Humkey, Mrs. Rann, Mrs. Seals, Mrs. Wamsley, and Ms. York for all they do for our students, our teachers, and our BES family.

At this year's Superintendent’s State of the School Address, Battlefield Elementary was honored with two prestigious medals—a proud and exciting achievement for our entire school community!

Battlefield received the following awards:

• Creating Hope Award
• Academic Achievement Award in Math

These awards are more than just recognition; they are a reflection of the dedication, teamwork, and unwavering commitment of our incredible staff, hardworking students, and supportive families.

Each medal represents the collective effort of the entire school school. Whether it’s academic growth, student support, or creating a positive school culture, these honors show that Battlefield continues to lead with heart, purpose, and excellence.

Ms. Jan Bailey and I are absolutely thrilled to celebrate this moment with you. This accomplishment belongs to every teacher, student, and staff member who shows up every day to make a difference. Your hard work, passion, and perseverance are what make Battlefield a truly special place to learn and grow.

WE ARE BATTLEFIELD!

Battle of the Bears was an incredible success, and we are truly grateful for the overwhelming support from our families and community. Events like this are only possible because of your encouragement, participation, and generosity.

We especially want to recognize our dedicated teacher team, who worked tirelessly to plan and organize this event. Their commitment and teamwork played a major role in making the day run so smoothly. While it required a great deal of effort, we also believe the success of this fundraiser was strengthened by the understanding that every dollar raised directly benefits our school. Because BES keeps 100% of the proceeds, your contributions have an impact on our students and classrooms.

Although final numbers are still being confirmed, we are excited to share that we raised approximately $15,200. After expenses—estimated between $2,500 and $3,000, including student prizes—this leaves a significant amount of funding that will go directly toward supporting our teachers and enhancing classroom experiences for our students.

We could not have asked for a better day. The weather, the energy, and the enthusiasm of everyone involved made it truly special. We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to LFO for allowing us to use their track. Having a larger space allowed us to spread out, creating a safer, more organized, and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

Thank you again for helping spread the word, supporting our efforts, and showing up in such a big way for our school. We are already looking forward to building on this year’s success and making next year’s Battle of the Bears even bigger and better.

We want to remind all families of the importance of keeping up to date with your child’s cafeteria balance. At this time, our cafeteria has an outstanding balance of $4,000, and we appreciate your help in reducing this debt. If you have any questions or need assistance checking your child’s account, please contact our cafeteria manager, Mrs. Jenny Hastick, at jhastick.bat@catoosa.k12.ga.us or by phone at (706) 866-9183. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued support in keeping our school meal program running smoothly.

We make every effort to keep you informed about important events. Please note that all dates are subject to change; however, we will provide updates as soon as possible if any adjustments are necessary.

4/10: Spring and Class Pictures

4/13: Track Meet @ HHS at 5:00 pm

4/23: Track Meet @ HHS at 5:00 pm

4/20 - 4/23: Georgia Milestones Testing

4/24 - 4/30: Georgia Milestones Makeup Testing

4/27: Track Meet @ LFO at 5:00 pm

5/1: PTO Glow Party

5/4 - 5/8: Staff Appreciation Week

5/4: Ukulele Choir Concert in BES Gym @ 6:00 pm

5/5: Field Day

5/6: Field Day Makeup

5/18: Dancing Drums

5/19: Math Georgia Milestones Retest

5/21: 5th Grade Recognition

5/22: Last Day of School (1/2 Day for students)

Joining the Parent Portal is one of the best ways to stay actively involved in your child’s education. Through the portal, you can view real-time updates on grades, attendance, assignments, missing work, and teacher comments, helping you support your child throughout the school year.

If you have not yet created a Parent Portal account, we strongly encourage you to do so. It only takes a few minutes to set up and provides ongoing access to information that supports student success.

To sign up, please contact Chasity Purcell at cpurcell@catoosa.k12.ga.us. She will provide your unique access code and step-by-step instructions needed to log in. Once your account is activated, you’ll be able to:

• Monitor your child’s academic progress at any time

• View attendance records and tardies as they are updated

• Receive alerts about low grades or missing assignments

Parent Portal is an important tool for communication between school and home, and we hope every family will take advantage of it. If you have any questions or need assistance after enrolling, please reach out — we are happy to help!

Month: April

Theme: Child Abuse Prevention Month

Focus Title: Could a predator reach your child online?

Parent Blurb: Many predators use games, chats, and social apps to build trust. Learn the warning signs of online grooming.

Grade 3-5 Message: Does your child use chat features in games or apps? Teach them how to block or report strangers. Get tips on Parent ProTech: https://app.parentprotech.com/932/catoosa-county/en/signup?source=admin

Subject: New Bus Traversa MyRide K-12 Parent App - Starting March 26, 2025

Dear CCPS Bus Rider Families,

We are excited to announce a new bus-tracking app called Traversa MyRide K-12, starting on March 26, 2025, for the entire district. CCPS Parents will have access to our new app, MyRide K-12. Please scan the QR code below with your smartphone's camera to download and sign up for our new CCPS Bus app.

Changing over to Traversa offers a more advanced and user-friendly platform designed to improve the safety and efficiency of our student transportation. Key benefits include:

• Improved Efficiency: Streamlined processes and real-time updates.

• Enhanced Safety: Advanced features to ensure student safety.

• Better Communication: Timely notifications and updates through the MyRide K-12 Parent App, allowing you to track your child’s bus with:

• Estimated arrival times

• Potential delays or route changes

• Notifications for specific events (e.g., bus approaching)

• Data Privacy: Rest assured that student data is protected and the app adheres to all privacy regulations.

After scanning the QR code, you will be directed to download the app and create an account using your student ID.

Directions to Download MyRide K-12 App

We encourage all CCPS Bus rider families to participate in the new Bus app program. We are particularly interested in your comments regarding the accuracy of bus pick-up and drop-off times displayed in the app. You will be able to track your student 30 minutes prior to and post pick-up time.

Please share your thoughts and suggestions with:

• Mrs. Mary Lanham, CCPS Transportation Manager: mlanham@catoosa.k12.ga.us

• Or call our Transportation Office @ 706-965-2913

All comments are welcome and appreciated. We look forward to our new MyRide K-12 Program and all it can offer by way of accuracy. We look forward to partnering with you to make our transportation system the best it can be.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Mary Lanham

CCPS Transportation Manager