Timberwolf Times

April Vonderharr, Principal | Salina Machida, Assistant Principal

Teri Buck, Head Secretary | Sabrina Manseau, Assistant Secretary

Remember to vote! Replacement levy (Proposition 9) on the April 22 ballot

Ballots are in the mail and should arrive in mailboxes by April 4. On your ballot is a replacement education and operations levy for Battle Ground Public Schools. Local levy funding makes up the difference between state funding and the real-world cost to educate students. For instance, at our school the levy funds:

• Special education

• Technology support

• Custodial services

• Multilingual support

• Safety

• Curriculum

• Teachers

• Class sizes

• Busing

• Mental health support

• Maintenance/grounds

• Health/nursing and more

The replacement levy would allow the district to continue current service levels beyond 2025, when the existing education and operations levy expires. Please take the time to look over our levy information page, and consider attending one of two upcoming public forums to learn more about the levy. The first of those meetings will be on Tuesday, April 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground). The second is Wednesday, April 16, at Prairie High School in the media center. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided.

Remember to return your ballot by April 22. Track your ballot and see if it was counted at VoteWA.gov.

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.

On April 9th, 2025 we have a 2 hour late start. Please keep in mind that school will start at 11:10. There will be no breakfast that day.

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.

The Battle Ground school board recently approved the 2025-26 academic calendar. Here are some of the key dates:

• First day of school - Tuesday, Aug. 26

• Thanksgiving break - Nov. 26-28

• Winter break - Dec. 22, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026

• Spring break - April 6-10

• Last day of school (weather dependent) - Wednesday, June 11, 2026

• School starts at 9:05 a.m. and dismisses at 3:40 p.m.

  
  

  A student is considered tardy at 9:10 a.m. Please come into the office to sign in your student.
  

  
  

  Late start Wednesdays school starts at 10:05 a.m.

  
  

  Please look at the school calendar for more information on specifics.

• No school May 26th

• Last day of school: Tuesday, June 10 (assuming no added days for weather-related closures)

A few students from Ms. Hanson's 4th-grade class took the time to create heartfelt posters to show their appreciation for our amazing principals. Their thoughtful gestures and creativity brought smiles and gratitude to those who work so hard for our school. The surprise was a huge success and a beautiful reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. A big thank you to our students for spreading positivity and appreciation!

In March, our first-grade teachers and students celebrated Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’s birthday by reading and participating in activities about Dr. Seuss. The Battle Ground Education Foundation generously donated Dr. Seuss hats and books for our first-grade students. Mrs. Vonderharr also joined the celebration and read to our students.

We are excited for our 4th-grade students to attend the career fair at Battle Ground High School! They will have the opportunity to explore a variety of careers and learn about different professional paths. This event is a great way to inspire and inform them about future possibilities."

If your child will be participating in the Bring Your Child to Work Day event, please notify the office in advance. This will help us keep accurate attendance records.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Join us for Bites of BG, a delicious way to support our school community! On select nights in May, when you dine at participating local restaurants, a portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Tukes Valley PTO to help support our students and teachers.

Each week will feature a new restaurant—stay tuned for the official lineup!

✅ Enjoy a great meal
✅ Support local businesses
✅ Give back to our schools

Mark your calendars and help us make a difference—one bite at a time! More details coming soon!

Do you love to hike and explore the outdoors?

When you join the Every Kid Outdoors Program, you and your family will have access to National Parks for an entire year. To join and get your pass you can either visit: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm or email Mrs. Williams who will get you a pass at williams.sara@battlegroundps.org

The store is a daily class at the Middle School and is made up of 7th and 8th grade students who have taken the STEM classes. The students originally designed an articulating wolf based off of our Timberwolf mascot. From the original wolf, the students began designing and creating wolves based on the holidays throughout the year. In December, they received new multi-color 3D printers, which have significantly improved the quality of the 3D products we are selling. Since December, the class has been learning the new technology and reformatting their files to work with the new printers. Students are not only learning valuable STEM and design skills but also applying them in a real-world setting with product creation and sales.

If you are interested in purchasing a Mini Easter Flexiwolve from our store please see the information on the flyer or scan the QR code(extra fees applied for online). Order forms are available in the TVP office. Thanks for supporting our students, our store, and the Tukes Valley schools!

Be on the lookout for class placement forms arriving in your email for the 2025-2026 school year! You may also pick up class placement forms in the office.

* If you have any teacher-related concerns, you may note them on the form; however, please do not request a specific teacher by name, as we are unable to accommodate such requests.

Submission Window: April 21 – May 2, 2025
Forms can be emailed to the TVP Office or dropped off in person during this timeframe.

We invite you to our kindergarten orientation—a wonderful opportunity to tour the school, meet our dedicated teachers and administrative team, and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you and helping your family prepare for an exciting school year ahead!

Battle Ground Public Schools offers Transitional Kindergarten for children who will turn 4 years old by Aug. 31 and meet certain eligibility requirements. Visit our Transitional Kindergarten webpage to learn more about the program. Applications will be accepted starting February 3rd.

Children who will turn five years old by Aug. 31, 2025, are eligible to enroll in kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to enroll their child as soon as possible to ensure they can participate in key events leading up to the start of kindergarten, including orientation and JumpStart. Click here for more information https://www.battlegroundps.org/page/kindergarten

To enroll, parents will need proof of their child's birth date (such as a birth certificate) and a signed and completed Washington state Certificate of Immunization Status form. Please note that the State of Washington requires that immunization records be medically verified.

As the weather warms up, please ensure your child wears closed-toe shoes to school. Flip-flops and sandals can lead to trips and falls, accidental breakage, or injuries from bark chips on the playground. Thank you for helping keep our students safe!

Busing and First Student ParentView app

The FirstView app is an easy and convenient way to view bus routes and schedules, and even receive a notification if your student’s bus is close to their stop or running late. FirstView is available via the Apple App store, Google Play or online. Get information on setting up the app. Please note: Data on routes will not be available within the app until the first day of school. The four-digit district code to access the app is LMWV.

1. Please complete the online form.
2. Bring your valid photo identification to any school or the district office for verification. These documents must be turned in BEFORE your application can be processed. Once all documents are turned in, it takes 7-10 business days for clearance.
3. Washington residents* must present a valid Washington driver’s license or state ID card. By law, after you move to Washington state, you have 30 days to obtain your Washington driver’s license.

Want to get involved?

We need volunteers!

Want to help improve the school for students? CONTACT US!

April 8th, 2025

May 6th, 2025

June 3, 2025

Have ideas and can't make the meeting, or want more information on the Tukes Valley PTO? We're an open book. Contact us at info@tukesvalleypto.org.

If you are interested in before or after school care - sign up now! You can use the Parent sign up form to begin the process today.

• Our phone number is 360-885-6200 and our hours are 8:30-4:30
• Please either send a note with your student or email the office @ tvpoffice@battlegroundps.org no later than 2:30 p.m. with a going home plan
• If your child has borrowed clothes from the health room please wash them and return to the school as soon as possible
  
• Call the office to excuse an absence within 72 hours
  
• Come into the office to sign your student in when they are tardy
• Late start on April 16TH, 23RD, 30TH.

Email: tvpoffice@battlegroundps.org
Website: https://tvp.battlegroundps.org/
Location: 20601 Northeast 167th Avenue, Battle Ground, WA, USA
Phone: 360-885-6200

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, Director of Student Services, Battle Ground Public Schools,

PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, 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)

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html

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, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org. 360.885.5481