Tiger News

Hi, Tigers!

I had the privilege of welcoming back our staff this week. Around 200 of us gathered in the Lair, and I shared my vision for BGHS. I believe we can be the best high school in Clark County- both measured by academic results (graduation, attendance, test scores, etc.) AND belonging (students reporting a sense of belonging and a feeling of safety, identifying a trusted adult, participating in athletics, clubs, and activities). In building reasonable and sustainable systems, committing to clear and consistent communication, increasing our community partnerships, and a focusing on high quality instruction we will make gains in these areas.

It's important to me students understand what is expected of them at school. On Wednesday, we will be running grade level assemblies in the Lair to review schoolwide expectations. Administrators, teachers, security and counselors will join me for the presentation. Examples we will of topics we will cover:

• Cell Phone Policy (silenced and away during class periods)
• Attendance (emphasis on being present, response to tardies/skipping class)
• Respect (we can disagree and still get along)
• Good Standing
• Lunch Expectations (freshmen and sophomores must remain on campus)
• New Emergency Language (Hold, and Secure)
• Consequences for Vandalism/Vaping/Destruction of Property
• Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying
• Student Support Teams and Where to Go When You Need Help
• Incident Reporting

It's my intent to "quiet the noise" that distracts from learning, create a safe environment where all students feel welcomed and cared for, and hold students accountable when expectations are not met. We will share the presentation with families on Wednesday, and include a link to our student handbook which contains additional details for you to review.

Please remember we are running a 2-Hour Late Start Schedule on the first day of school to accommodate Freshmen and New Student Orientation. All other students will begin school at 9:55am. Buses will only run one route, transporting students to school at the normal start time. Anyone who needs transportation and cannot obtain a ride in for our 9:55am start is welcome to bus in with Freshmen and wait in the Lair for classes to begin.

We will not be printing schedules for our 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. Please check Skyward and visit the kiosk outside of the counseling office if you need a paper copy printed. Schedule changes will only be granted for students with errors (missing or duplicate classes, wrong class placement, missing a graduation requirement). We are unable to accommodate changes based on teacher assignments, lunch schedule, etc.

There is a beautiful energy at BGHS, and we are all extremely excited to have our students back in the building on Tuesday! I'm looking forward to meeting each and every one of you!

Let's Go, Tigers!

Heather Ichimura, Principal

Join the committee selecting materials to teach stress management and problem solving to high schoolers!

Calling all parents, guardians, staff and community members! Support students’ well-being by joining a committee selecting materials to teach stress management and problem solving to high schoolers. This committee will help guide how high school students are taught skills related to emotions and responding to challenges that they may face. Show me the meeting dates and let me apply (deadline is Sept. 4.). For more information, please call 360-885-5440 or email Assistant Director Erick Suksdorf at projectaware@battlegroundps.org. Thank you for considering these ways to help students succeed!

Yearbooks have arrived! Starting Tuesday, August 27th, Mr. Karraker will be available before school from 7:10am - 7:45am, and again after school from 2:30pm - 4pm in his room (B-1) to hand out yearbooks. We will have a list of all students who pre-purchased yearbooks for you to sign off upon receipt.

ASB accepts payments for all class fees, sport fees, parking and ASB cards. We do not accept lunch money or school picture money. Forms of payment accepted: Debit/Credit cards, Apple Pay, Checks, and Cash.

Please purchase your ASB card ($35) by Sept. 3rd in order to receive it on picture day.

We are currently experiencing technical outages with our registration system. For the time being, please visit https://bghstigers.com/2024/08/23/register-here-for-fall-sports/ and read the information on how to sign up for Fall Sports. We genuinely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and kindness while we work on this issue.

ASB cards are $35, and the participation fee for each sport is $85 per season. Your ASB card is good for one school year and gets you admission into our home league games at no additional cost to you, along with discounts on the yearbook, school plays, and dances. Purchase yours at the ASB office!

Our Girls Soccer Jamboree is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5th at District Stadium. JV game begins at 4pm, and Varsity begins at 6:30pm. Teams attending are Prairie, BG, Kalama, Toledo and Hockinson. Cost for admittance is $5 per person. Please note - no family passes accepted as this is a fundraiser for our program, and also pays for the Officials.

Our Football Jamboree is scheduled for August 30th at District Stadium. C-Team game starts at 5pm, JV at 6pm, Varsity at 7 pm. Teams participating are BG, Prairie, King's Way and Heritage. This jamboree is being run by the Prairie and Battle Ground Football Booster Clubs.

• First Day of School: Tuesday, Aug. 27, for grades 9-12 (2 hour late start for 10-12th grade, for Freshmen Orientation. Freshmen begin school at 7:55am).

• No Late Start on August 28th

• Non Student Day, August 30th

• Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 27-29

• Winter Break: Dec. 23, 2024, through Jan. 3, 2025

• Spring Break: Monday, March 31, through Friday, April 4

• In-Service Dates (no student attendance): Oct. 11, Oct. 30, Jan. 29

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

All families are required to complete the annual student update every year before school begins (Tuesday, Aug. 27). This ensures the district has the correct contact information for families.

To complete the student update, please log in to Skyward (Family Access) and click “2024-25 annual student update” (do not select new student online enrollment) on the navigation bar in the left column of the webpage. See instructions. If you do not have a login, please call your school office

• If you would like to receive text messages, be sure to enter your cell number when you complete the update. You will see three fields for phone numbers. In the second phone field, choose "cell" from the dropdown menu, and enter your cellphone number.

• If your transportation needs have changed, please make sure to opt in or out of busing during the annual student update.

Student Meal Changes

Starting this year, Battle Ground Public Schools will be partnering with Chartwells to provide meals at school. Menus will continue to be available via Nutrislice (new link coming soon), with payments handled through InTouch Receipting. You will be able to see and pay all charges in one place. Use your Skyward / FamilyID information to log in. See meal prices for 2024-25.

All students in the district’s seven primary schools (kindergarten through fourth grade) will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to them. All students at CAM Academy will also receive free meals. Students at other schools may qualify to receive meals at no cost for families. Please check the family income requirements and fill out an application during the annual student update process or via the district website. Please note that even if your child has qualified for free meals in the past, you will still need to reapply. Students wishing to take advantage of no-fee sports or other activities must have a new meal benefit application and consent to share form (русский) (Español) on file before registering for fall sports, even if you had a previous approved application on file. The consent to share can also be completed as part of the annual student update through Skyward.

• Get school supplies. Contact your child’s school or the Family and Community Resource Center if your family needs assistance. Free backpacks with basic school supplies will be available at each school upon request. There are no income requirements to receive a free backpack.

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.

• 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