Pleasant Valley families and students:

Thank you so much for a fantastic start to the 2023-24 school year. It was great getting to see all of our students at the expectations expo and making sure everyone knows how to be the best Patriot possible. In addition, it was amazing seeing so many great student-to-student and student-to-staff positive interactions through the first few days of school. Sports have started for girls basketball and Co-ed cross country; please make sure to get your students involved if they are looking to participate.

Again, a big thank you to all of our PVM families for a great start to the school year!

Mr. Brothers and Mr. Bennett

Battle Ground Public Schools is a great place to work!

We have openings for paraprofessional educators, basic education assistants, coaches, Russian and Spanish parent outreach liaisons/interpreters, custodian, classified and certificated substitutes, and more.

Visit the Employment Resources page for job descriptions, benefits information, employee contracts, and information about how to become a substitute.

For job openings questions, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@battlegroundps.org or call 360-885-5300.

Job Openings

View all current job openings

Administration
Certificated
Classified
Extra Curricular

Substitutes

Substitutes

All families are required to complete the annual student update every year before school begins (Wednesday, Aug. 30). To complete the student update, please log in to Skyward (Family Access) and click “2023-24 annual student update” (do not select new student online enrollment) on the navigation bar in the left column of the webpage. Get instructions with screenshots. If you do not remember your password, click “Forgot your Login/Password” on the login page to have it sent to your email address that is on file with the district. If you do not have a login, please call your school office. The student update provides an opportunity to fill out required forms online and ensures the district has correct contact information for families.

• 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. Making this selection ensures that First Student, the district’s transportation service provider, can accurately schedule and balance bus services on the first day of school.

Also

• Student schedules will not be visible on Skyward until the 2024 Annual Update has been completed. (schedules will not be visible until the weekend before school starts, as changes are still being made).
• Contact information, emergency contacts, and health information updates are all completed electronically rather than sending home a pile of papers at the beginning of the school year.
• IT IS VITAL THAT CONTACT INFORMATION IS UPDATED/CORRECT! Unfortunately, every year we have cases where we urgently need to contact a family regarding their student and the contact information is not correct.

One paper that does come home is the Emergency Early Release form. This form DOES NOT UPDATE SKYWARD INFORMATION. It is placed in a homeroom teacher folder and is used in case of an unplanned early release. You will write the plan for your student should there be an unexpected early release from school. Anyone (including all parents/guardians) that will be allowed to pick your child up from school if we have an unexpected early release must be listed on this paper. We will not release your student to anyone not on either this list or your student's emergency contact list in Skyward. Persons picking up your student from school must also show photo ID before we will release your student to them. Please keep your eye out for this form at the beginning of the school year and return it to your child's teacher as soon as possible.

View instructions for logging into your Skyward account below (English & Spanish)

(updates/changes must be requested from the parent/guardian account. Student accounts do not have access to these functions).

There are many styles and colors available to view online.

Battle Ground Public Schools offers students the opportunity to earn world language high school credits through remote world language testing. Students who test proficiently can earn up to four world language credits on their high school transcript. Students who earn credits and meet their high school English language arts district and state graduation requirements are eligible to earn the Seal of Biliteracy with their high school diploma. Credits earned and Seal of Biliteracy awards will be assigned prior to graduation in June. Battle Ground Public Schools partners with Avant Assessment and LTI for world language testing. Applications are open now on the district website, along with a schedule of upcoming testing dates.

Students enrolled in Battle Ground Public Schools grades 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 are eligible to test.

Registration opens through Family ID starting Aug.16th.

2023-24 Activity fee

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.

2023-24 Season

• Season 1: Girls Basketball & Co-ed Cross Country, Wednesday September 6 – October 19
• Season 2: Girls Volleyball & Boys Soccer, Monday October 23 – December 13
• Season 3: Girls Soccer, Monday January 8 – February 23,
  Boys Basketball Monday January 29 – March 14
• Season 4: Co-ed Track, Wednesday April 10 – May 22

*Registration opens three weeks prior to the start of the season, registration closes 2 weeks after the 1st practice.

Sports Physical

Students who participate in sports must have a sports physical before practices begin (physical clearance is good for 24 months). The completed sports physical form can be uploaded directly into Family ID. Sports physicals must be completed prior to the start of practices.

Student athlete clearance instructions

WIAA Sports Physical form (PDF)

Register for sports on Family ID

Pleasant Valley Middle

New guidance for athletic events

We are implementing changes to provide a safer, more enjoyable environment for our students and families during events at District Stadium. Beginning Friday, Sept. 1, any primary or middle student attending athletic events at District Stadium must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older who will be responsible for the student(s) for the duration of the event. The adult cannot be a high school student. Primary and middle school students will not be allowed to enter if they are not accompanied by an adult.

In addition, only clear bags are allowed into District Stadium. Students will need to leave all backpacks and bags that are not clear at home.The school district will not be responsible for any student bags that are lost, stolen or not allowed in the stadium.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to ensure that all students and spectators are able to enjoy BGPS events.

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

If your transportation needs have changed, please make sure to opt in or out of busing during the annual student update. Making this selection ensures that First Student, the district’s transportation service provider, can accurately schedule and balance bus services on the first day of school. Bus routes will be posted to the district website no later than one week prior to the start of school.

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 H5ED.

An updated 2023-24 school calendar is now available. The district has received approval from the state to once again add two additional student non-attendance days for staff development. This year, these dates will be on Wednesday, Nov. 15, and Wednesday, Feb. 7. In addition to late-start Wednesdays, these days will provide teachers with opportunities to plan instruction, analyze data and determine next steps for student growth. The additional time also allows for classified staff to complete required training.

How to get backpacks and school supplies

Middle school families in need of a free backpack and basic school supplies may request one from their school office as long as supplies last. We appreciate the support of our community and the Battle Ground Education Foundation for helping to provide this valuable resource. Families in need of assistance with school supplies, clothing or personal hygiene products are invited to contact the Family and Community Resource Center at 360-885-5434 or by email.

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

Athletics

Boundary exceptions

Bus routes (to be updated the week before school)

Calendars

Enrolling students

Free/reduced lunch application

Immunizations

Medication at school (forms and other health information)

Nutrition services (menus, meal prices)

School supply lists

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

APPLY FOR MEAL BENEFITS

Free and reduced-price meal applications must be completed each school year. One application per household is necessary.

** Apply for meal benefits online through Skyward Family Access.

OR

**Print a paper application: ENGLISH / SPANISH / RUSSIAN

We recommend submitting your application prior to the start of school to ensure the continuation of coverage. If a new application is not submitted, you will be responsible for meal charges. When you are approved for benefits, Battle Ground Public Schools will send you a confirmation letter. If you have not received an approval letter for the current school year, you must complete an application to receive meal benefits.

CONSENT TO SHARE

*Families MUST be approved for free/reduced-price meals in the same year that they receive waived/discounted fee benefits and have a Consent to Share Form on file* If you qualify for free or reduced-price meals, you may be eligible for decreased fees to participate in other school programs. Due to confidentiality restraints on free/reduced income data, these events and activities require parental consent to release and share information with the programs. The online free/reduced application includes the Consent to Share authorization (you must check the box). If you apply with a hard copy free/reduced application, then you must also complete and sign the Parental Consent to Share form authorizing the release of their free/reduced eligibility status if you wish to benefit from the fee waivers. Submitting/not submitting this form will NOT affect your child’s eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals.

Consent to Share Forms: English / Spanish / Russian

FULL MEALS

Under federal guidelines, approval of meal benefits is limited to full meals. This means that if your child wants to purchase only a milk, they will be charged full price for the milk.

A meal is

• One entree
• Fruit/vegetables
• One milk or juice

• Free and reduced-price meal applications may be submitted at any time during the school year when financial or household changes occur.
• Application status is not retroactive. Charges on a student’s account before approval are the parent or guardian’s responsibility.
• Families may be qualified directly by the state under state programs.
  • If you are approved under these direct certifications, you will receive a confirmation letter from our district stating approval start date.
  • If you do not receive a direct certification approval letter from our district, you must fill out an application to be approved for any meal benefits this school year.
• Approved applications are valid through September of the following school year to give families time to complete a new application.
• Application information is confidential and is not transferable between school districts.

NOTE: Those who qualify for free/reduced lunch may also be eligible for decreased school fees and the Washington State College Bound program. To learn more and to apply, visit https://www.battlegroundps.org/free-and-reduced/.

Meal information and prices

Registration is open for Right At School before and after school care programs.

Registration for the fall program is open.

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)

The 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

September 10, 2023

Issue #2-24