PATRIOT PRESS

Here's what's inside this week:

• Principals' message
• Back to school open house Thurs., Aug. 22nd. PVM 4-6 pm (PVP 5-7)
• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, TUESDAY, AUGUST 27TH - Classes begin 8:10 am, day ends 2:40 pm
• Late start Wednesdays September 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
• August 28th is a regular 8:10 to 2:40 school day, NO late start
• NO SCHOOL Friday, Aug. 30th and Monday, Sept. 2nd in observance of Labor Day
• School hours
• School calendar
• Meal information
• Required yearly update of student health/contact information
• BGPS information links and additional information
• FirstView bus app.
  
• Notes from the Nurse - medication drop off, updating EAPs
• Fall sports
• Counselor's Corner
• Report incidents anonymously with SafeSchools
• PTA - Fred Meyer Community Rewards
• Family Resource Center information
• Contact info - hours, calendars, handbooks

* Thurs., Aug. 22nd: Back to school open house PVM 4-6 pm, PVP 5-7 pm

* Tues., Aug. 27th: 1st day of school, classes begin 8:10 am, release 2:40 pm

* Wed., Sept. 4th fall sports begin, girls basketball and co-ed cross country

* Thurs., Sept. 26th: School picture day

Dear PVM Families,

We are so excited to have you at Pleasant Valley Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. We have a busy schedule next week, getting our teachers and staff ready to welcome our students and families back to school. Please be aware that we have our Open House next Thursday, here at PVM, from 4:00-6:00. Please come and check out our campus, get your class schedule, meet your teachers and reconnect with some of your classmates. Don’t forget that we have Girls Basketball (6th-8th) and Co-ed Cross-Country (6th-8th) starting this fall. We encourage you to sign your child up for sports online at our district website, or in-person during Open House next Thursday.

School will start at PVM on Tuesday, August 27th at 8:10. Please ensure that your student is enrolled and ready to learn on the first day of school. Make sure you have opted in for busing in Skyward; make sure your student is out early to the bus on the first day of school. If you have any specific questions, please check our school website for additional information for support. It is very important that your students attend the first days of the new year. Teachers will be reviewing classroom and school expectations on how we stay Safe, Responsible and Respectful at PVM. During this first week of school we also work hard to build relationships with our students so we can support them and each other throughout this school year.

We look forward to a fantastic year of education and learning with your student(s). Our staff has high expectations for academic success and educational growth. We work diligently to know each and every student by name, strength and need. Thank you for the opportunity to work with your family this year. We look forward to seeing you very soon!

Thank you,

Austin Brothers (Principal)

Erin Thompson (Assistant Principal)

Please join us at PVM on Thursday, August 22nd from 4 pm to 6 pm for our back to school open house. You may drop in at PVM any time between 4 and 6. (PVP will be having an open house from 5 pm to 7 pm for primary school students). Teachers will be here to greet students and families. Students can see their classrooms, drop off supplies if they wish, pick up class schedules, meet classmates and ask questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Unable to attend?

If you are not able to come to the open house and still wish to pick up a paper schedule for your student, the school office will be open Friday, Aug. 23rd and Monday, Aug. 26th from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Schedules may also be viewed on your Skyward Family Access account (if you have completed the 2025 Update of student forms/information) the weekend before school starts. Paper schedules will also be with each homeroom teacher on the first day of school. We will have homeroom lists up so students know which room to report to.

Schedule changes

We will not be taking requests for schedule changes at the open house. Classes have been scheduled to be balanced and changes will not be made for students to be with a preferred friend group or class. If there is a missing or duplicated period on the student's schedule we will note it so a correction may be made. Please contact the school office if there is an error on your student's schedule. 360-885-5500, info.pvm@battlegroundps.org .

PTA message for back to school night:

Get Excited for Back To School Night Fun!

Can you believe summer is almost over? We are so excited to see everyone at Back to School Night! Get ready for a night of fun and excitement with these awesome activities:

- Snowie Vancouver will be there selling delicious Snow Cones, with 20% of profits going back to PV PTA.

- Check out our selection of apparel for sale, including a new design! Come early for the best selection! If you pre-ordered you’ll be able to pick up your gear as well. Don’t see what you want? No problem - we'll have info available for ordering!

- Head over to PVP and sign up as a PTA member at BTS night and spin the prize wheel for a chance to win free apparel, snow cones, stickers, and more. Bonus, the class with the most members by Sept 30th wins an extra recess with popsicles, and the teacher gets an extra $100 classroom grant!

- BTS Night exclusive: Drop by the Box Tops table to sign up with our referral code - we’ll get $5 and you’ll walk away with a free treat! Plus, link your Walmart account at BTS night we’ll get an additional $5, and you’ll be entered to win a basket full of Box Tops items!

- NEW THIS YEAR - 5th graders will now be participating in Fun Run! Fun Run packets will be available to pick up at BTS night so your student get a head start on earning those prizes. If you can't make it, have them get one from their teacher when school starts up. The Fun Run will happen on Sept 20th - remember, only volunteers may attend! Make sure you have a valid BGSD background check (must be done every two years) so that you can join us for the fun!

We can't wait to see you all there for a night of fun, food, and prizes. Let's make this Back to School Night the best one yet!

PVM school hours

Office: M-F 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Student attendance hours:

M/T/Th/F 8:10 am - 2:40 pm (also any Wednesdays that are not late-start)

Late-start Wednesdays 9:10 am - 2:40 pm

Early release 8:10 am - 11:40 am

Students may be dropped off at school starting at 7:45 am when staff are outside to supervise students. Right At School before/after school program is available for families who need to drop off or pick up students before or after school supervision is available. Navigate to BGPS Right At School information webpage for information on their program, registration and fee schedule.

First bell is at 8:00. Second bell students may enter classrooms at 8:05. Tardy bell 8:10, any students not in classes by 8:10 are considered tardy. (Late-start days bells are one hour later).

On late-start days buses will come one hour later than their normal times.

2024-25 school calendar

The 2024-25 academic calendar (Русский) (Español) is available online. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:

• First day of school: Tuesday, Aug. 27, for grades 1-12

• First full day of kindergarten: Tuesday, Sept. 3

• 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)

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, 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.

Consent to share

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.

Each year families are required to complete forms to update student health, contact, emergency contact and other information. These forms are online in Skyward. It is vital for student safety that we have complete, up-to-date health and contact information. Health information is NOT pulled forward each year and must be updated EVERY YEAR by a parent/guardian. This update is how our nurses will know if your student has a life threatening condition, allergies etc. Please review contact information and make sure phone numbers, address, emergency contacts are up to date.

• You will find the 2025 Update at the top of your Skyward Family Access account when you log in to Skyward.
• To log in to your Battle Ground Skyward Family Access account you may find the log in page link at the top of the BGPS district website, or follow this link: SKYWARD LOG IN . You may download instructions below on how to log in to Skyward.
• 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.
  
• Please log in and update each of your student's information as soon as possible. If you have difficulties logging in, contact the school office for assistance, or stop by the office and we will help you log in on a school Chromebook. 360-885-5500
• 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.

• Students will bring home a "Family Emergency Plan" form to fill out and return to teachers. This form is strictly for teacher safety binders, so teachers/staff are aware of the plan for your student should we have an unexpected or emergency early release from school (power outage, gas leak etc). These paper forms DO NOT UPDATE SKYWARD ELECTRONIC RECORDS. Skyward records may only be updated online. Please include any person who is authorized to pick up your child from school if there is an emergency release, including all parents, on this form. We will require photo ID to verify identity before releasing the student. As non-office staff may be helping release students, even parents who are known to school office staff should be prepared to show photo ID upon request. Your child's safety is our top priority.

You will also find other forms, such as opt-outs for sexual health curriculum, and opt-in for busing etc under the district forms in your Skyward account.

Skyward log in information

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

Athletics

Boundary exceptions

Bus routes

First View bus app (view bus progress etc)

Calendars

Enrolling students

Child nutrition eligibility and education benefit application (we encourage all families to apply)

Immunizations

Medication at school (forms and other health information)

Nutrition services (menus, meal prices)

School supply lists

Additional back-to school information

• Busing/transportation: Bus routes will be published on the district website one week before school begins.

• School supplies: 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.

• Health and safety:

• Please keep your child home if they have symptoms of illness. See our health and attendance brochure.

• Confirm that your child meets Washington state immunization requirements or has an approved exemption by the first day of school. Learn more about vaccination requirements for public schools in Washington state.

• Technology checkout:

• Sixth-12th graders who need a Chromebook should go to their school media center. Starting this year, the fee that families can pay to cover the cost of damage/theft will change from being a one-time fee to an annual fee. The change will affect only sixth graders in 2024-25, CAM Academy grades 3-6 and River HomeLink grades K-6. Learn more.

• Monitor Chromebook use with the Go Guardian parent app.

• Middle school sports: Schedules, seasons and requirements can be found on the district website. Registration opens three weeks before the start of each season. Please note, students in grades 6-12 attending one of the district’s alternative learning experience schools may participate in sports at their neighborhood school.

• Get involved: BGPS is looking for members of its Citizens Advisory Committee. Find out how to apply.

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

Hello PVM families!

Medication at school sign-in and Emergency Action Plan updating

Please remember that for students with medication(s) at school, parents/guardians will need to deliver and sign in with the nurse all medications to be kept at school. Each medication must be accompanied by a completed and physician-signed medication at school form. Prescription medications must be in containers with the pharmacy prescription information label attached. Over-the-counter medications should be unopened and in the original package. Students may not carry medications to school with them on the bus, a parent/guardian must transport and sign in the medication to the nurse. Students may not self-carry medications during school except in limited cases such as inhalers. Self-carry inhalers require separate paperwork be signed and student/guardian meet with the nurse prior to carrying the inhaler.

Parents/guardians of students keeping medication at school and/or having an Emergency Action Plan (EAP for students with a life-threatening condition) last year were sent information regarding medications at school/EAPs for the 2024-25 school year. Medication at school forms and Emergency Action Plans must be renewed/updated each year. If you did not receive these forms or are new to our school, please contact the school nurses.

Office Phone: 360-885-5500

salisbury.janel@battlegroundps.org

davis.diane@battlegroundps.org

Health and safety resources

See health and safety resources from the Washington state Dept. of Health.

Updating contact and health information

Parents/guardians please make sure you are updating the School Health Form in Skyward each year so that we have correct and current information regarding your child/ren (complete the "Update" in Skyward Family Access. Update opens August 1st each year to update school forms.). Skyward does not pull information forward each school year. There are many School Health Forms that have not been updated for 2-4 years. We need current information and this is how we most often know if your child has a Life threatening health condition. We want to keep your child/ren safe while at school and we can't do our job if we do not have correct and updated information.

Thank you for your time in this important matter.

From your School Nurse Janel Salisbury, BSN, RN & Building Nurse Diane Davis, LPN

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.

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

Medication at school authorization form

Co-ed cross country and girls basketball registration opens August 14th.

Consent to share

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.

You may explore the BGPS middle school athletics webpage for information on registration and sports physicals. Click here to navigate to BGPS middle school athletics webpage.

Our PVM sports liaison, Cathy Roeper, will be available to answer questions during our PVM back to school night, Thursday, August 22nd, 4-6 pm.

2024-25 sports season dates

Season 1

Starts Wednesday September 4, 2024 - student clearance opens on Wednesday August 14, 2024

Girls Basketball clearance closes at end of day on Tuesday September 10, 2024

Coed Cross Country clearance closes at end of day on Tuesday September 17, 2024

Last day of the season Wednesday October 16, 2024

Season 2

Starts Monday October 28, 2024 - student clearance opens on Monday October 7, 2024

Girls Volleyball and Boys Soccer clearance closes at end of day on Monday November 4, 2024 (there is a waiver day on Wednesday October 30, 2024)

Last day of the season Wednesday December 18, 2024 (could use the 19th and 20th as make updates)

Season 3

Girls Soccer starts Monday January 13, 2025 - Student Clearance opens on Monday December 9, 2024

Clearance closes at end of day on Friday January 7, 2025

Last day of the season is Wednesday January 26, 2025

Boys Basketball starts Monday January 27, 2025 - Student Clearance starts on Monday January 6, 2025

Clearance closes at end of day on Friday January 31, 2025

Last day of the season is Wednesday March 12, 2025

Season 4

Coed Track Starts Wednesday April 9, 2025 - student clearance opens on Wednesday March 12, 2025

Clearance closes at end of day onTuesday April 22, 2025

Last day of season Wednesday May 21, 2025

Care Solace: Your link to mental health support

Battle Ground Public Schools has partnered with an organization called 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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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

Principal: Austin Brothers

Asst. Principal: Erin Thompson

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)

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Pleasant Valley Middle Student and Parent Handbook 2024 - 2025

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

August 16, 2024

Issue #1-25