Battlefield Newsletter
April
BES Mission Statement: Our mission is working together to promote high levels of learning for all students.
BES Vision Statement: Building Exceptional Students
Our school year is off to a fantastic start! Students have quickly settled into routines, shown great effort, and filled our building with positive energy each day. Their enthusiasm for learning has been awesome, and we are confident this is just the beginning of a successful year ahead. With the continued support of our families and the dedication of our staff, we look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the months to come.
If you’ve visited the building recently, you may have noticed a few exciting updates. The front office now features a new security window for Ms. Donna, an improvement made possible through the county’s support. This addition is another important step in ensuring a safe and secure environment for both students and staff. Families who drop off or pick up students have also benefited from the extended turn lane behind the school, which has already improved traffic flow during busy times. We are grateful to the county for making these updates a reality, as they reflect our shared commitment to safety, efficiency, and the well-being of our school community.
We are also very thankful for the generous supply donations made to our teachers over the past few weeks. These funds go directly to each grade level and are used to purchase classroom supplies and other resources that support teaching and learning. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference, and we sincerely appreciate your continued support of our teachers and students.
On Friday, we kicked off our PBIS program with a spirited pep rally! This year, we are especially excited to launch our new PBIS House System, which gives students opportunities to build teamwork, show leadership, and celebrate positive behavior. Each student has been placed into one of four houses—Frostwolf, Falconcrest, Silvershark, or Thunderclaw. While each house brings its own unique pride and identity, we remind students daily that above all, “We are One Battlefield.” We look forward to watching this program strengthen school spirit, bring students together, and inspire everyone to do their best!
Finally, a quick reminder about morning arrival: our car rider line is supervised daily from 7:00–7:50 a.m. As traffic becomes heavier, we ask families to allow students to exit vehicles at the designated bear paw area. This small step helps keep the line moving efficiently while ensuring the safety of our students. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping make our mornings safe and smooth for everyone.
We are Battlefield!
Dr. McCrary
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to invite you to Parent Orientation and Title I WIN (What I Need) Night on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 6:00–7:15 p.m. This evening is designed to strengthen the home–school partnership and give you important tools to support your child’s success this year.
During Parent Orientation, your child’s teacher will share classroom procedures, routines, and expectations that help create a positive and productive learning environment. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how the classroom operates each day, how communication will take place, and what you can do at home to reinforce learning.
As part of our Title I WIN Night, teachers will also review your child’s Reading and Math MAP assessment data. This data provides valuable insight into your child’s current strengths and areas for growth, as well as how progress will be monitored throughout the school year. You will see how BES uses this information to create small groups, guide instruction, and provide targeted support to meet the needs of every student.
By the end of the evening, you will not only know more about what to expect in your child’s classroom but also walk away with a deeper understanding of how we use data to drive instruction and how you can partner with us to help your child thrive.
We encourage all parents and guardians to attend, as your involvement plays a vital role in student success. We look forward to seeing you on August 28th for this important and informative night!
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.
8/28: Title I Parent Orientation and Title I WIN Night, 6:00 - 7:15
9/1: No School, Labor Day
9/3- 9/10: Book Fair
9/5: 3rd Grade Grandparent Breakfast (permission slip coming next week)
9/8: 4th Grade Grandparent Breakfast (permission slip coming next week)
9/9: 5th Grade Grandparent Breakfast (permission slip coming next week)
9/19: 1/2 Day for Students
9/22: Fall Pictures
10/2: Vision/Hearing Screening
10/3: End of 1st 9 Weeks
10/6 - 10/10: Fall Break
10/20: Fall Picture Retakes
11/7: 1/2 Day for Students
11/11: Veteran Day Program @ LFO Theater
11/20: 3rd Grade Parent Lunch
11/24 - 11/28: Thanksgiving Break
12/11: BES Spelling Bee
12/12: 4th Grade Parent Lunch
12/19: Class Parties/ End of 2nd 9 Weeks
Since 1997, the citizens of Catoosa County have shown their strong commitment to public education by supporting the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). This one-cent sales tax on consumer purchases has been instrumental in providing high-quality learning environments and resources for every student in our community.
Thanks to ESPLOST, our students benefit from:
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Safe, modern, and well-maintained school facilities
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Excellent athletic and performance spaces
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Advanced classroom technology
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Reliable, updated school transportation
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Individual learning devices and resources that prepare students for future success
Another advantage of ESPLOST is that it generates revenue from everyone who shops, dines, or buys gas in Catoosa County—not just local residents. Every visitor transaction contributes directly to supporting education for our children.
Recent ESPLOST investments that directly benefited BES students, families, and staff include:
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MAP Reading and Math Assessments
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Benchmark Advance (K–5)
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i-Ready Toolbox (K–8)
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Lexia/Ready Intervention Licenses
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Amira Learning (Grades 4–5)
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Pear Assessment Tools
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Intercom System Upgrade
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Custodial Equipment
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Office Phone System Conversion
ESPLOST continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students by ensuring they have access to the tools, resources, and facilities needed to thrive.
Month: August
Theme: Back to School
Focus Title: Is your child starting the year with smart tech habits?
Parent Blurb: Kick off the school year by setting healthy screen routines and checking what apps your child is using.
Grade 3-5 Message: Not sure what apps are safe for your child this year? Learn more about today's top tech 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:
Mr. Ernie Ellis, CCPS Director of Transportation: eellis@catoosa.k12.ga.us
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,
Mr. Ellis
CCPS Transportation Director
