PATRIOT PRESS

Here's what's inside this week:

• Late Start Wednesdays February 14, 21, 28
• NO SCHOOL Monday Feb. 19th in honor of Presidents' Day
• Friday, March 15th students WILL attend school to make up a missed snow day
• Thank you for voting! Video: Learn the facts about the Feb. 13th capital levy
• In district boundary exception applications being accepted
• PTA - Fred Meyer Community Rewards
  
• Yearbook photo submissions needed - 8th grader baby photos!
• Yearbook order/reservation has begun!
• *** Flyer updated 2/20 ***STEM Day March 2nd 2-5 p.m. Volunteers Needed- sign up LINK!
• Sports and basketball practice info.
• Basketball game schedules (some changes to times and locations coming soon)
• Counselor's Corner - emotional supports
• Chai with a PI flyer
• Notes from the Nurse - latest Covid 19 guidance
• Report incidents anonymously with SafeSchools
• Weather-related information
• FirstView Bus app - get updates on late buses, see where your bus is in the route etc
• PV PTA - key dates calendar
• 8th grade celebration fundraising
• Family Resource Center information
• BGPS information links
• February menu
• Contact info - hours, calendars, handbooks

* March 2nd STEM Day, 2-5 p.m. - Volunteers Needed!

* March 22nd PV Bingo Night

We want to thank everyone who worked so hard to get out the word about the BGPS Capital Levy, and everyone who exercised their right to vote by February 13th. If you have not yet had the chance to watch, check out the video below that goes over the facts of the levy and what needs it is to address.

Despite decades of maintenance, many Battle Ground schools have facility needs that impact the teaching and learning environment for students and staff. If approved, a three-year capital levy on the Feb. 13 special election ballot would begin to pay for some repairs and updates at all schools.

This video lays out the facts of the levy: What the needs are, how the levy would address them and how much it would cost the average taxpayer.

Schools are accepting requests for in district boundary exceptions for the 2024=2025 school year. If you need to renew or apply for a new boundary exception, please complete the request form and submit it to the school where you wish your student to attend, or the BGPS boundaries office.

In district boundary exception application

2024-2025 out of district boundary applications will not be accepted until May 1st at 7:00 a.m. Current BGPS students living outside the district may submit a letter of intent to your school to alert us you intend to submit a boundary application in May. You will still need to submit the boundary request in May. This helps with enrollment projections as we start to work on plans for the fall.

Out of district boundary intent letter

If you need more information on boundary exceptions, please visit our BGPS boundaries webpage.

Hey there! Guess what? Every time you hit up Fred Meyer for your shopping needs, you can actually sprinkle a little magic dust (aka cold hard cash) into the Pleasant Valley PTA, all while reaping your own rewards! All you need to do is link your card and continue to shop as you always have.

Getting started is easy-peasy!
1. Go to fredmeyer.com
2. Log in to your account
3. Go to My Account
4. Scroll down to Community Rewards and click View Community Rewards
5. Search for “Pleasant Valley PTA”
6. Give that enroll button a satisfying click and watch the magic unfold!

See? Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy! Each time you shop Fred Meyer will donate a percentage straight to the PTA!

Yearbook staff is looking for great photos for our 2023-24 yearbook. If you have taken some good photos of PVM sporting events, activities, PTA events, class projects or general student life, please upload them through the link below so they may be considered for our yearbook.

The qualities below make for a better photo for yearbook purposes:

• Close up photos, as it is often hard to see students/activities in distance photos
• Good focus, not fuzzy
• High resolution is better for larger photos
• Action shots are always fun to look at

If possible, please note names of all students/staff being pictured so we may check our "no photos" list for any who are not to be pictured in the yearbook.

*** 8th grade parents please send in your student's baby photo - ages 0 to 3. Only one photo is needed. Please be sure to add your student's name when you upload the photo.

Upload photos here

We have started taking orders for yearbooks. Payment must be received at the time you reserve your copy. Yearbooks will be $20 this year. We order a limited number of yearbooks, so get your order in early to reserve a copy before they are all sold. Checks may be made out to PVM. We do not have a change box, so exact change is appreciated if using cash.

This event has been very popular and is a really fun time for kids to learn in a hands-on way the science behind how things work. Volunteers are so important for making this event a success. Please consider donating an hour or two of your time to make this a fun time for our kids and families.

Link to volunteer sign up page (updated 2/20/24)

Students who participate in middle school sports pay a one time $40 activity fee per sport that cover some program costs such as transportation between games and officials. Find out if your family qualifies for waved activity fees.

All fines and current fees must be paid before the first contest in order for the student to be able to participate. If fees are a burden to your family, please contact your school’s main office.

• Season 4: Co-ed Track, Wednesday April 10 – May 22

Track registration for 6th - 8th grade boys and girls opens on March 20th.

Many high school sports have summer training programs open to incoming 9-12 graders. More information is available from your high school’s ASB office.

*Registration opens three weeks prior to the start of the season, registration closes one week after the 1st practice.

Boys Basketball Practice Information

Tryouts will start on Monday, January 29th, directly after school until 4:45. Teams will be announced on Tuesday, February 6th. Practice/tryouts are every day after school until 4:45. Parents/Guardians MUST pick up their player by 4:45.

Students who will be attending sports events as a spectator at the middle school will need to go home after school and return for the game later. We do not have supervision for students to stay after until the game. Students attending games will need to be accompanied by an adult and will need to remain inside the gym while they are on campus.

Players must be transported home from the game site after the game by a parent or guardian. There is NO bus back to Pleasant Valley Middle School.

*** This schedule is subject to change. Please keep an eye out on communication from the school and coaches for changes. (Blended team games at Tukes will have a change of location. 6, 7, 8th teams at Amboy will have time changes coming up).

Click below to download the boys basketball schedules

***

Social-Emotional Supports

There are great resources available for social-emotional support via the Battle Ground Public Schools website. On the district page there are links that lead you to more information for different topics. Here is the link to our school district's page: Social Emotional Supports

NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. Groups are Free of charge.

.https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups/NAMI-Family-Support-Group

NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness

800-950-6264

Or Text “HelpLine” to 62640

Talk 360-984-0396 (text)

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish

Text 988

311- Non-life threatening concerns

211- County Resource Directory

800-273-8255- Suicide Prevention

741741- Suicide Text

360-205-1222- Lifeline Crisis Center

360-695-9677- Housing Line

360-903-2833- CVBAP Warm Line (4 pm- 12 am)

866-789-1511- Washington Recovery HelpLine

360-356-1890- Rainier Springs Detox

360-397-8246 ext 30846- Lifeline Detox

800-626-8137 OR 360-696-95560 SW Washington Crisis Line

Locations

Recovery Cafe Clark County

3312 E Fourth Plain Blvd. Suite #100

Vancouver WA 98661

The Reach Center

1601 E 4th Plain Blvd

Building 17, Suite A114

Vancouver, WA 98661

The Recovery Resource Center

9317 NE Hwy 99 Suite M

Vancouver, WA 98665

The People's Harm Reduction Alliance

Online training/Order Free Narcan

https://phra.org/naloxone-training

Inhaling and exhaling the aerosol produced by an electronic vapor device, also known as vaping, carries health risks. Vaping products can include nicotine, chemicals, marijuana or other drugs that can affect students’ learning, attention and self-control. While most youth nationwide are choosing not to vape, we are concerned whenever a student chooses to use these products. Read about how the district helps students make healthy choices, how parents and guardians can help teens and consequences when a student uses vaping products at school.

Learn more and find resources for teens

Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance

Hello PVM families!

Latest COVID-19 guidance

The health of our children is important to all of us. Battle Ground Public Schools is working with Clark County Public Health and the Washington state Department of Health to continue best practices for responding to COVID-19.

COVID safety in schools

• Battle Ground Public Schools is following the standard guidelines for keeping children home from school. These are based on the infectious disease guidelines provided by Clark County Department of Health. The guidelines apply to both staff and students.
• Staff and volunteers are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Volunteers must still complete the standard clearance process.
• General masking is optional in schools, including in school health rooms.
  • Anyone may choose to continue wearing a mask on school grounds. We expect our students and staff to continue to show respect for one another and the many different viewpoints that make up our community.
• Rapid test kits will continue to be available in buildings for use at home. Depending on availability, these also may be obtained through the Washington Department of Health website.

Staying healthy

Clark County Public Health recommends that people take the following actions to prevent colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

• Stay home if running a fever or experiencing other symptoms of illness. See our guidelines for keeping children home from school for more information.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched.

COVID-19 cases in schools

Starting with the 2023-24 school year, the district will no longer maintain a COVID-19 information dashboard. Information on outbreaks, as identified in consultation with Clark County Public Health, will continue to be communicated to staff and families as necessary. Previous data can be found for the 2022-23 school year, the 2021-22 school year and the 2020-21 school year.

If you need to email our nurses:

salisbury.janel@battlegroundps.org

davis.diane@battlegroundps.org

School office 360-885-5500

Additional information:

Health & Attendance flyer

BGPS Corona Virus guidelines/requirements page

Medication at school authorization form

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.

It may be hard to believe, but the potential for wintry weather will soon be in the forecast. Please visit the district’s weather and emergency information page to make sure you are ready in the event of a school closure or delay.

How we notify families

• Automated phone calls, emails and texts: Please keep your contact information updated in Skyward (Family Access) or contact your school office. On weather days, calls may begin going out as early as 5:30 a.m. to families who have not opted out.

• Information line: 360-885-5343 (updated by 6 a.m. on weather impacted days).

• District website

• BGPS Facebook page

• Flash Alert: Sign up for email alerts or download the mobile app for updates about emergency and non-emergency issues. You must re-subscribe every year.

• TV and radio stations, local newspapers may share information at their discretion.

Please download and print our weather guide for quick access to weather-related information and make sure you know if your child’s school is in the north or south part of the district.

The FirstView bus tracking app gives families direct access to the status of their school bus. Families and students can see where their bus is on the route and set email and push notifications that alert families when the bus is a specific distance from their stop.

The FirstView bus tracking app gives you direct access to bus information:

• Know where the bus is
• Get alerts when the bus is nearby
• District notifications about delays or changes
• Parent support
• Multiple kids … one app

You can download the FirstView app and start using it to track your student’s bus. The app is available from both the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Please refer to your introductory email or call your school for the district code.

Instructions in English, Spanish and Russian. Please note that if you set Distance Alerts, you might want to consider Wednesday Late Starts when setting your timeframe for receiving alerts.

If you need assistance with the app, FirstView provides a dedicated customer support team Monday through Friday to assist you:

• Call toll-free 888-889-8920 from 7:00 a.m. ET to 5:00 p.m. ET
• Email Customer Support at support@firstviewapp.com
• Use the in-app “✉” button (right corner) to provide feedback

Pleasant Valley PTA supports students and teachers at Pleasant Valley by providing programs, activities, and events that help them grow socially and academically. We work closely with school administrators and teachers to determine the needs of our schools and advocate for our students.

We all care about our students. Some of us just don’t know how we can make a difference or don’t have the time to volunteer because of other obligations. Pleasant Valley PTA and Washington State PTA can be your voice and can help make a difference in the lives of ALL our students. As a large organized body we can impact decisions at the National and State levels that affect our students at Pleasant Valley.

By joining Pleasant Valley PTA and exercising your right to vote, you have a voice in your students education. Become a member and stay connected with important issues and information about our school.

What Membership is:

• Support for students & staff

• Our legislative voice! (Membership count affects our number of votes at Convention & Legislative Assembly)

• Funding for student programs & activties

What Membership is NOT:

• A commitment to volunteer. The PTA will never require your participation in fundraising or volunteering.

What your Membership includes:

• Access to resources

• Discounts from State and National PTA

• Perks & Discounts

Join the PTA now

• NEW PTA WEBSITE: PleasantValleyPTA.org,
• Sign up here to receive info on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities: https://pleasantvalleypta.org/volunteer

Download 2023-2024 PTA key dates calendar below

8th Grade Celebration: June may feel far away but FUNDRAISING for the celebration activities has begun. This event is fully planned and supported by parents.

DONATION REQUEST - We are seeking donations for our concession stands which will sell snacks during Middle School Sport games and PTA events. If you have contacts with companies who may donate (product or gift cards) or if you would like to contribute, please contact Cindy Martinez (cindylmnez@gmail.com)

Battle Ground Public Schools’ Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC) helps meet the needs of families faced with housing instability and similar economic challenges.

While a main goal of the FCRC is to assist families experiencing housing instability, it can also help connect families with many other types of resources and is intended to respond to the changing needs of the community.

The FCRC is a continuation of the district’s joint efforts with the Battle Ground Education Foundation, an all-volunteer, nonprofit community organization whose purpose is to leverage community resources to help maintain quality education for all students in Battle Ground schools.

The Family Resource Guide is full of contacts to aid families in connecting with agencies who are able to help with a great variety of needs. Please click the link below to view this helpful guide.

Family Resource Guide

(click below to be redirected to the FCRC page)

Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC)
Phone: (360) 885-5434
Email: fcrc@battlegroundps.org

The FCRC office has moved from CASEE to our Lewisville campus.

Here are some helpful links to the Battle Ground Public Schools website for back to school information.

Athletics

Boundary exceptions

Bus routes

Calendars

Enrolling students

Free/reduced lunch application (we encourage all our families to apply)

Immunizations

Medication at school (forms and other health information)

Nutrition services (menus, meal prices)

School supply lists

* * *

Download middle school menu below

Every student at Pleasant Valley Middle School is known by name, strength, and need.
We believe ALL students can experience academic and personal growth.

Office: 360-885-5500

Fax: 360-885-5510

Absence reporting: 360-885-5512

District office switchboard: 360-885-5300

Mailing address:

PO Box 200

Battle Ground, WA 98604

PVM webpage

BGPS district webpage

PV PTA

PV PTA on Instagram

Email: info.pvm@battlegroundps.org
Website: https://pvm.battlegroundps.org/
Location: 14320 NE 50th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686 Mail to: Pleasant Valley Middle, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: 360-885-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVMiddle/

Regular days: 8:10 - 2:40

Late start Wed.: 9:10 - 2:40

Early Release: 8:10 - 11:40

2-hr late start: 10:10 - 2:40

School colors: red, white and blue

Mascot: Patriots (Patriot Pete)

English

Russian

Spanish

23-24 Handbook

Battle Ground Public Schools provides equal opportunity in programs and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin/language, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, HIV/Hepatitis C status. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other

designated youth groups. Contact the following regarding questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Tom Adams, Director of Student Services, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, Title IX Compliance Officer, 360.885.5415; Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 360.885.5481; or a letter may be submitted to the designated coordinator at the Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604

February 18, 2024

Issue #13-24