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 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.

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

- Michael Jordan

At Battlefield Elementary School, strong relationships between students and staff are at the center of everything we do. Our staff believes learning goes beyond the classroom and that meaningful connections help students succeed. Each day, BES educators and staff give their time, energy, and talents to support our students in meaningful ways.

Because of this dedication, students are able to participate in enriching opportunities that build confidence, creativity, leadership, and teamwork. Programs such as the Talent Show, Spelling Bee, Tech Club, Spirit Squad, Track, Ukulele Choir, and Student Leadership are made possible by staff members who volunteer their time before and after school and on weekends.

These opportunities do more than enrich learning—they help students feel supported, encouraged, and connected. Staff members mentor students, help them discover new interests, and build skills that last well beyond their years at BES.

The impact of this commitment is felt throughout our school. Students feel valued, families feel confident, and our school community grows stronger because of the dedication of our staff.

Ms. Bailey and I are deeply grateful for the BES team members who go above and beyond to support our students and create opportunities that make a lasting difference.

We are Battlefield!

Dr. McCrary

February 2, 2026

Family Survey Announcement

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Battlefield Elementary will take the new Georgia School Climate Survey this year. Each parent or guardian is invited to take the family version to answer questions about the current school or schools you have a child or children attending. If two or more children attend the same school, please only complete one survey for that school.

The survey measures what you think about how the school engages with families. Answers are not linked to names in any way. When typing answers, please do not give names or information that you don’t want to share with this school. Data will be shared with school leaders to help improve the school and will be published on the GaDOE website.

Please help by sharing your honest opinion on this 22-question survey. To take the survey, please click the link below.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Dr. McCrary at kmccrary@catoosa.k12.ga.us or (706) 866-9183.

Sincerely,

Dr. McCrary

Officer James recently relocated from Illinois and brings with him 20 years of experience in law enforcement, including extensive experience serving as a School Resource Officer. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of roles focused on community safety, student support, and building positive relationships between schools and law enforcement.

Most recently, Officer James served in Hamilton County, where he continued his commitment to school and community safety. When he saw the opening for the SRO position, he immediately applied, sharing that being a School Resource Officer was one of the most meaningful and rewarding roles of his career.

His passion for working with students, staff, and families truly stood out during the hiring process.

Officer James is deeply committed to building relationships, creating a safe school environment, and serving as a positive role model for our students. We are excited about the experience, dedication, and care he brings to our school community.

February 15th is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

The Catoosa County Spelling Bee was held on January 27th in the Tiger Creek Elementary School auditorium. Each elementary and middle school in Catoosa County was represented, with a total of twenty-four student participants. Battlefield Elementary School was proudly represented by Daksya Kanthan Rao, a fourth-grade student, and Colton Dupree, a fifth-grade student.

Both students demonstrated outstanding dedication and preparation, spelling numerous challenging words throughout the competition. Their hard work and perseverance were evident in each round. Colton Dupree advanced to the final rounds and earned an impressive second-place finish in the county spelling bee. BES is extremely proud of both students for their effort, determination, and academic excellence.

Ms. Buchanan and Dr. McCrary were in attendance to proudly cheer on and support Daksya and Colton.

What a fantastic year for the BES Tech Club! On Friday, our students competed at the Northwest Georgia Regional Technology Conference held at Georgia Highlands College in Rome, showcasing their skills, creativity, and teamwork. Their hard work, innovation, and dedication were evident and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they represented Battlefield.

A huge thank-you to our staff sponsors and chaperones for the time, guidance, and support they provide to make opportunities like this possible. Congratulations to our Tech Club students on an outstanding experience and meaningful contribution.

We are Battlefield!

Happy School Counselor Week to Mrs. Wolfe

Thank you for all you do for our students, families, and staff—including the countless things you do behind the scenes. A great school counselor is the heart of a school, supporting students’ well-being, helping families navigate challenges, and partnering with staff to ensure every child can succeed.

From your daily support to the incredible work you put into making our PBIS program one of the best in the county, your dedication makes a lasting impact. We appreciate you!

I have shared this article in my newsletters for several years, serving as an important overview of our approach to school safety. Each year, I update it to reflect the most current safety practices, protocols, and improvements implemented by our county and our schools. As safety expectations and resources continue to evolve, we remain committed to reviewing, refining, and strengthening our procedures to ensure the highest level of protection for our students and staff.

Our Commitment to School Safety

Creating a safe, supportive, and secure learning environment is our top priority. While we are proud of the strong academic foundation we provide, we are equally committed to the emotional and physical safety of every student entrusted to our care.

As part of our comprehensive safety protocols, we regularly conduct the following drills to ensure students and staff are prepared for a variety of emergency situations:

• ✅ Quarterly Run, Hide, Survive drills to practice appropriate responses during serious threats

• ✅ Monthly fire drills to ensure swift and orderly evacuation procedures

• ✅ Severe weather drills in November and February to prepare for storms, tornadoes, and other hazardous weather conditions

We understand that school safety is a growing concern for families, especially as incidents of school violence are frequently highlighted in the news. It is natural to ask, “Is my child truly safe at school?” Please know that Catoosa County Schools works tirelessly to research, implement, and refine best practices for school safety.

Each year, every school in our district submits a comprehensive safety plan to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) for approval. These plans guide our emergency drills, table-top discussions, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure our procedures remain effective and responsive.

Consistent, Well-Practiced Safety Procedures

Across the district, safety procedures are consistent, regularly practiced, and continually evaluated. Fire drills are held monthly, except in November and February when severe weather drills take place. Run, Hide, Survive drills are conducted quarterly and include active participation from county office personnel and our School Resource Officers (SROs), who provide valuable guidance and feedback.

After each drill, our teams review outcomes, discuss lessons learned, and identify areas for improvement—ensuring our safety practices remain strong and effective.

In addition, monthly safety meetings bring together principals, SROs, county office staff, the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department, the Director of 911, and state safety personnel. These collaborative meetings allow us to communicate openly, review procedures, and stay aligned with the most current safety expectations and resources.

Advanced Security Systems for Faster Response

Our schools are equipped with the Sielox security system, which allows school personnel, county officials, and the Catoosa 911 call center to monitor school buildings in real time using motion detectors and camera systems. This technology significantly reduces response times during emergencies.

If an alarm is triggered, teachers can immediately access live hallway camera feeds on their smartboards to help determine whether to run, hide, or secure their classrooms. At the same time, the local 911 center can view these live feeds, allowing first responders to coordinate quickly and make informed decisions upon arrival.

Strengthening Safety Through Proactive Awareness

In addition to our security systems and drills, our district utilizes SchoolDog Solutions, an innovative school safety platform designed to strengthen preparedness and daily vigilance. Unlike systems that focus solely on technology, SchoolDog emphasizes the human factor—encouraging proactive awareness and helping school leaders identify potential safety risks before they become problems.

The platform allows administrators and safety teams to document observations, track safety practices, and monitor improvements throughout the year, supporting a culture of prevention and continuous growth in school safety.

A Personal Commitment to Safety

As both a principal and a father, school safety is deeply personal to me. My wife, also an educator, and I have always felt confident that our own children were safe in Catoosa County Schools. I am incredibly proud that Catoosa County Schools is recognized as a leader in school safety across Georgia.

If you ever have concerns or questions about school safety, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Officer James. We take this responsibility seriously and remain fully committed to ensuring that every student not only feels safe—but truly is safe—at school.

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 $3,300, 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.

2/11: 5th Grade Parent Luncheon

2/13: No School

2/16: No School

3/3: PTO Fundraiser at Five Guys

3/12: 1/2 Day for Students

3/13: No School

3/30 - 4/3: Spring Break

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

5/18: 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: February

Theme: Safer Internet Day

Focus Title: What’s your child sharing, and who’s watching?

Parent Blurb: Selfies, bios, and TikToks may seem fun, but they can give away too much. Talk about privacy before they post.

Grade 3-5 Message: Review what’s okay to post online. Even sharing a favorite outfit or pet photo can reveal more than they think. 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