Tiger News

Monday: Regular Schedule

Tuesday: Tiger Time Schedule (New Statuses Assigned)

Wednesday: 2-Hour Late Start Schedule (No breakfast served on 2-hour late starts)

Thursday: Tiger Time Schedule

Friday: Regular Schedule

For our bell schedules, please click here.

Happy Sunday, BGHS Families, and welcome back from what I hope was a beautiful Spring Break.

You may have noticed there is a 2-Hour Late Start built into our week on Wednesday. This time is for Teacher Professional Learning Communities to meet. Our district is trying this new schedule as what could be an alternative to full day non-student attendance days as those are conditional on the State approving a reduction in instructional days. Your feedback on the schedule is welcomed- feel free to email me or stop by to share your thoughts.

As our staff works to continue to build reasonable and sustainable systems, we will be focusing the remainder of our time this school year discussing grading practices. What do our grades mean? How do the represent what a student understands and has learned? What do we believe about late work and retesting? How do we most effectively use Skyward for students and families? Do we grade using points or percentages? How often do we update grades? Do we grade using Skyward only or is Google Classroom used too? While our content teams are aligned in how they assess and grade, we do not yet have uniform systems in place as a school, and I believe the closer we can come to center, the easier it is for students to understand how to "play school", reducing barriers to demonstrating mastery of course content and clearly and consistently communicate progress of student learning. I'll be asking for student and parent input along this journey- stay tuned!

In addition, I'd like to reiterate the importance of students and families completing our CEE Survey. Understanding the perspectives of the people who make up Battle Ground Public Schools is important as we continue working toward improvement. This month, you and your family have an opportunity to share their thoughts in an optional survey administered by the Center for Educational Effectiveness. All parents and guardians will receive the survey via email on April 8. Students in fifth through 12th grades also will receive the survey, unless a parent or guardian opted them out in the annual student update. The surveys will close on May 2. Learn more. Your feedback matters greatly to us, and I can assure you we will review what you share as a leadership team, and as a school community, to improve our practices. Please share your thoughts!

As you may know, Battle Ground’s Board of Directors voted to rerun the replacement education

and operations levy in the April 22 special election. The current education and operations levy will expire after 2025.

How the levy affects Battle Ground High School

If approved, the replacement levy would continue to fund the following at our school:

• Our Dean of Students
• Campus Security
• C-Team Sports
• Advanced Placement Classes that are run below the normal class size
• Prevention/Intervention Specialists
• School Librarian
• School Counselors
• Crossing Guards
• And SO MUCH MORE

How you can learn more

Please consider attending a presentation next month. These presentations are an opportunity to learn about what the levy pays for and next steps if it were to fail a second time. There are two dates that you can choose from:

• April 8 at the Lewisville Campus, 406 NW Fifth Ave., Battle Ground

• April 16 at Prairie High School, 11311 NE 119th St., Vancouver

Both presentations begin at 5:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided. Can’t make it to the presentation? Here is a short informational video about the levy. You can also find more information, including FAQs and a calculator, on the district’s website.

You should receive your ballot between April 1 and April 4. The deadline to vote is 8 p.m. on April 22.If you have any questions, please let me know. I am happy to discuss in more detail.

Thank you,

Heather Ichimura, Proud Principal of BGHS

• Two-hour late start: Wednesday, April 9
• One-hour late starts: April 16, 23, 30
• If you need to excuse absences and 1st period tardies please send to: bghattendance@battlegroundps.org

• If you have a bus note, please submit in writing to: bghs.busnotes@battlegroundps.org

Important Dates:

• Last day of school for all students: Wednesday, June 11th
• Last day for seniors: Wednesday, June 4th
• Finals for Seniors: Tuesday (June 3rd- 4,5,6) and Wednesday (June 4th- 1,2,3)
• BGHS Graduation: June 6th (See the senior letter for more information)

On Tuesday March 25th, we were able to celebrate 9 incredible athletes with the @regoathleticscholarship. Six of these athletes received monetary scholarships, with Kingston Gaither being awarded the top scholarship of $1,500. We are so proud of all of these Tigers and the amazing things they’ve done!

Scholarship Winners

Kingston Gaither $1,500

Jeremiah Speratos $1,000

Ava Robertson $750

Addisyn Heller $750

Matthew Witthauer $750

Isaiah Rogers $750

Honorable Mentions

Hailey Shorthill

Aliseyah Lindersmith

Lorelei Brown

Seniors,

A representative from Clark College will be in the College and Career Center on Wednesday, April 23 from 9 AM - 11 AM to meet with seniors who have questions about Clark College and who are interested in applying. Students can sign up in the College and Career Center before the event or bring a pass from their teacher.

Ongoing…

April 25, Friday

Facebook Page - Click on the link to follow the BGHS 2025 Grad Night Facebook page for the latest updates and information. This page will keep you informed about current fundraisers and provide all the details needed to participate in the Grad Night party in June. Stay connected to ensure you don't miss out on any important updates!

Facebook Page Link

Having the right resources is important. If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is there 24/7/365, whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, other concerns or just need someone to talk to. Call or text 988. You are not alone.

The Battle Ground Public Schools board of directors voted to appoint Shelly Whitten to be the next superintendent of the district. Whitten, the district’s current deputy superintendent, will begin her new role on July 1, 2025. She will replace current Superintendent Denny Waters, who is retiring.

”It is an honor to serve the community I grew up in and love,” said Whitten, “There’s no place I’d rather invest my passion and energy.”

Learn more about Shelly.

Battle Ground Public Schools invites our community to the first-ever Family Resource Fair on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Prairie High School. This free event is an opportunity to meet with local service providers, learn about available resources, enjoy some fun and games and walk away with free backpacks and school supplies. Whether you are interested in improving your mental health, getting in better shape or learning about other supports available in our area, this is the event for you. There will be plenty of fun activities for both young and old, as well as snacks and light refreshments. No RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!

Battle Ground Public Schools uses Google Workspaces for Education. This includes apps like Docs, Slides, Sheets and Forms. Working within Google programs helps students build valuable future-ready skills and collaborate digitally. They can also access their work anywhere using their district Google account. Starting in sixth grade, students may be assigned a Chromebook that they can use while at school and take home at the end of the school day. Check out Guardian’s guide to Google tools for more information on how these resources support student learning and help to keep them safe online. Learn more and find other resources for going online.

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.

  
  

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.

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

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.

• Ms. Ichimura, Principal

• Ms. Main, Assistant Principal

• Mr. Person, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

• Ms. Wilson, Assistant Principal

• Mr. McKenzie, Dean of Students

Email: info.bghs@battlegroundps.org
Website: https://bghs.battlegroundps.org/
Location: 300 West Main Street, Battle Ground, WA, 98604
Phone: 360-885-6550
Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram (BGHS ASB)

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, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, 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)

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. 360.885.5481