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BES Mission Statement: Our mission is working together to promote high levels of learning for all students.

BES Vision Statement: Building Exceptional Students

Strategic Goal 1:

The percentage of students (all grades) performing at Proficient and Distinguished will improve from 40.4% to 46% on the 2025 EOG Milestones ELA assessment.

Strategic Goal 2:

The percentage of students (all grades) performing at Proficient and Distinguished in each grade level will improve by 5% on the 2025 EOG Milestones Math Assessment.

• 3rd grade: 44% to 49%

• 4th grade: 47% to 52%

• 5th grade: 39% to 44%

Strategic Goal 3:

Our Map Fluency scores in the areas of Exceeds and Meets will increase from 57.8% to 70% on the Spring Map Fluency Assessment.

• We will create a caring environment where all students can succeed.

• We will work collaboratively to learn, plan and grow as educators in order to promote high levels of achievement.

• We will help our students reach their potential by prioritizing individual student goals, differentiating instruction, and utilizing best practices

• We will work together to encourage and celebrate student success.

• We will give 100% to know and meet the social, academic, and emotional needs of each child.

"To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step."

- Rosa Parks

First, a BIG thank you for your amazing support of our APEX Fundraiser! I’ll be meeting with APEX this week to finalize our totals, but from what we’ve seen so far—it was a huge success! Thank you to all the family members who came out to cheer on our students—it meant so much!

Georgia Milestones Testing begins Monday, April 21st. This is an important time for our students to show what they’ve learned this year. Our students and teachers have worked hard all year to prepare, and this is their time to shine.

Here's the testing schedule:

• Monday, April 21st – Writing

• Tuesday, April 22nd – ELA/Reading

• Wednesday, April 23rd – Math

• Thursday, April 24th – Science (5th grade only)

• April 25th – May 2nd – Make-up Testing

To help your child do their best, we ask for your help with a few things. Make sure they get a good night’s sleep each night and have a healthy, filling breakfast each morning—lunch schedules may shift during testing week. It’s also very important that students arrive at school on time. Once testing begins, sessions cannot be interrupted. Students who arrive late will wait in study hall and take their test on a make-up day. Please keep sick students at home, and remember that smartwatches are not allowed during testing, so we ask that those stay at home as well.

We encourage students to try their best, but we also do everything we can to keep testing stress low. This is their chance to show what they’ve learned this year—and we know they’ll do a fantastic job!

Looking ahead, May 5th–9th is Teacher Appreciation Week! We hope you’ll join us in celebrating our incredible BES teachers. A kind note, a quick email, or a small treat can go a long way in showing your appreciation. Ms. Bailey and I are so proud of our teachers—they truly go above and beyond every day for their students. BES teachers are the BESt!

With Mr. Brock retiring as our Head Custodian (see article below), I’m excited to introduce Travis Taylor as our new Head Custodian! Travis brings over a decade of custodial experience, including eight years as a school custodian and three as Head Custodian at Graysville Elementary. His wealth of experience and dedication make him a fantastic addition to our team.

We Are Battlefield.

Dr. McCrary

National Assistant Principals Week is celebrated each year from April 7th to 11th, and it’s the perfect time to recognize the invaluable role Ms. Jan Bailey plays in the success of our school. Ms. Bailey is truly one of the unsung heroes—supporting students, teachers, and families every single day. From managing daily operations to building strong relationships and ensuring a safe, positive school environment, her impact is felt in every part of the building.

Her leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts help create a place where students can thrive and teachers feel supported. Whether she’s handling situations with compassion, organizing the countless details that keep us running smoothly, or jumping in wherever she’s needed, Ms. Bailey wears many hats—and she does it all with heart and grace.

Please take a moment this week to thank and celebrate Ms. Jan Bailey for all she does. Our school is a better place because of her!

At this year's Superintendent’s State of the School Address, Battlefield Elementary was honored with three prestigious medals—a proud and exciting achievement for our entire school community!

Battlefield received the following awards:

• Creating Hope Award in Math
• Creating Hope Award in ELA
• Academic Achievement Award in Math

Each medal represents the collective effort of the entire school school. Whether it’s academic growth, student support, or creating a positive school culture, these honors show that Battlefield continues to lead with heart, purpose, and excellence.

Ms. Jan Bailey and I are absolutely thrilled to celebrate this moment with you. This accomplishment belongs to every teacher, student, and staff member who shows up every day to make a difference. Your hard work, passion, and perseverance are what make Battlefield a truly special place to learn and grow.

WE ARE BATTLEFIELD!

Parents/Guardians,

Please take a moment to discuss with your students the importance of responsible posting on social media and the power of our words. What we share online can have a lasting impact, and it’s essential that we use our voices in a positive and respectful way. To support this conversation, CCPS has created a series of informative videos for all parents and students in our school system. We encourage you to watch them and help promote a culture of kindness and accountability online.

Statement from CCPS:

Any verbal or written threats of violence, intimidation, or harm directed towards students, staff, or school property will be taken seriously and reported to the authorities immediately. This includes online threats, social media posts, or direct communication expressing intent to cause disruption or danger within the school environment.

4/14: Track Meet at Heritage High School @ 5:00

4/17: Track Meet at LFO @ 5:00

4/18: No School

4/21 - 4/24: Georgia Milestones Testing

4/24: Track Meet at Heritage High School @ 5:00

5/2 Glow Party

5/5: AR field trip to UTC Aquatic Center

5/5 - 5/9: Teacher Appreciation Week

5/8: Field Day

5/9: Field Day Make up Day

5/12: Senior Walk

The Parent Portal in Infinite Campus is a secure online platform that provides parents and guardians with real-time access to their child's academic information. Through the portal, you can:

• View Grades & Assignments – Stay up to date with your child’s progress by checking grades, and missing assignments.
• Monitor Attendance – Track daily attendance, tardies, and any absences.

How to Access the Parent Portal

1. Visit https://campus.catoosa.k12.ga.us/campus/portal/catoosa.jsp.
2. Log in with your assigned username and password.
3. If you are a new user or need assistance with login issues or account setup, contact Chasity Purcell at cpurcell@catoosa.k12.ga.us to receive a login and password.

Dear Parents & Guardians,

We hope this message finds you well. Currently, our school’s cafeteria debt has reached over $5,000, and we kindly ask for your help in reducing this balance. Ensuring all accounts are up to date allows us to continue providing nutritious meals to all students.

Please take a moment to check your child's meal account and make any necessary payments as soon as possible. Payments can be made online through the school’s payment portal or in person at the cafeteria. If you need assistance or have any questions about your child’s balance, please contact Ms. Jenny Hastick at jhastack.bat@catoosa.k12.ga.us or (706) 866-9183.

More information about our new cafeteria payment system can be found in the link below. Click on the picture for more information.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and your continued support of our school!

The incredible BES cafeteria staff has done it again, earning a perfect 100 rating on their most recent inspection! Their dedication to cleanliness, food safety, and providing delicious meals for students and staff is truly unmatched.

Every day, they work tirelessly to create a welcoming environment while serving up nutritious and tasty food with a smile. Their hard work and commitment to excellence do not go unnoticed. Congratulations to the BES cafeteria team on this well-deserved achievement!

We are thrilled to celebrate Natalie Talley for being awarded the prestigious Ben Carson Reading Room Scholarship! This honor recognizes her dedication to academics, community service, and leadership. Along with the award, Natalie will receive a $1,000 college scholarship to support her future education.

Natalie’s passion for helping the homeless sets her apart. She bakes and sells sweets and flowers to raise money for her cause, demonstrating compassion and initiative beyond the classroom. Her hard work and generosity will be recognized by Dr. Ben Carson himself at a special luncheon on May 4th.

Congratulations, Natalie! We are so proud of you and this incredible achievement!

We are Battlefield!

The Spring PaperPie Book Fair is coming April 8 through April 15. Students will shop from a wide variety of books during their regular media center specials time. See the Battlefield Elementary School website ( https://bat.catoosa.k12.ga.us/) for more information on the fair.

Mr. Young Brock, our Head Custodian, retired on April 1, 2025. We are incredibly grateful for everything he has done to keep our building clean and welcoming for our students, staff, and families. More than just a dedicated team member, he has been a wonderful coworker and a true friend to us all.

The pictures say it all—his fun-loving and comical personality has brightened our days, and his presence will be deeply missed. But more than anything, it’s the friendships he has built with our students that stand out. He has shown incredible kindness and care, always offering attention to those who needed it most. While we will certainly miss him, we know it’s the students who will feel him the most.

Mr. Brock, we wish you nothing but the best in your retirement. Please don’t be a stranger because you will always be a part of Battlefield. We hope to see you soon!

As we continue to utilize Chromebooks for learning, we want to remind you of the importance of taking care of these devices. Unfortunately, damages can occur, and when they do, it is the responsibility of the student to cover the repair or replacement costs.

Below is the list of charges for the 2024-2025 school year for Chromebook repairs and replacements:

• Screen: $25.00
• Keyboard: $50.00
• Trackpad: $45.00
• Broken Case (Top): $20.00
• Broken Case (Bottom): $20.00
• Bezel: $20.00
• Hinge: $10.00
• Hinge Cover: $10.00
• Damaged Headphone Port (requires system board replacement): $140.00
• Damaged USB Ports (if not part of system board): $15.00
• Charger: $15.00
• Damaged Camera: $15.00
• System Board: $140.00
• Complete Chromebook Replacement: $320.00

We encourage students to handle their Chromebooks with care to avoid any damages. If a device is damaged, prompt payment will be required to ensure timely repairs and continued use.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in maintaining our technology resources.

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

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I wanted to share with you an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Catoosa County Public

Schools’ new School Bus Driver Recruitment Campaign at Battlefield Elementary.

The program is an exciting opportunity to involve the community in helping our students find

qualified candidates to drive school buses in the (Ringgold/Heritage/Ft. Oglethorpe) area. To participate, please speak with your friends, family, and neighbors to see if they may know of anyone interested in becoming a part of our outstanding team.

If you have any questions, or if you know someone who may be interested in driving a school

bus, please contact Mr. Ellis or Mary Lanham by email at eellis@catoosa.k12.ga.us or mlanham@catoosa.k12.ga.us by phone at 706.965.2913.

I know that our Battlefield community will lead the charge in helping recruit qualified

school bus drivers who can continue to provide courteous, reliable, safe, and professional

transportation for our students!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kent McCrary

Catoosa County Public Schools

Why Drive with Us?

★ Earn $16.44/hour starting pay with no experience required.

★ More experience = more money! Earn up to $20.03 per hour with experience.

★ Enjoy PAID, in-house training to earn your CDL!

★ Excellent benefits include vision, dental, medical, and retirement packages!

★ Relax on your time off during the summer months and holidays.

★ Choose from a variety of bonus hours driving for field trips and other school activities.

Apply today! Email eellis@catoosa.k12.ga.us or call 706.965.2913

Stay Connected with the CCPS Mobile App! 📲

Click on the picture to get more information about the Catoosa County Public Schools (CCPS) Mobile App and discover how it keeps you updated with important school news, events, and student information—all in one place!

Download today and stay informed on the go!