PATRIOT PRESS
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S CORNER
Hello PVM Community,
Due to the current situation with the Covid-19 virus threat. The Governor of our state has closed schools statewide through April 24th. Please be listening to the news and district notices for any updates as we move through these strange times. Please practice safe hygiene habits moving forward to prevent any spread. Thank you all for your understanding and help. We will miss your children!
Mike Maloney, Principal Pleasant Valley Middle School
ALL SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED FROM 3/16 - 4/24
Letter sent to families by District 3/13/20
Dear families of Battle Ground Public Schools,
To help our state and nation slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Battle Ground Public Schools will close all schools after today through Friday, April 24. This directive is from Governor Jay Inslee and applies to all schools in the state of Washington.
We recognize that closures can pose difficulties for families and disrupt students' education. However, this is an important step to preventing the spread of the coronavirus and protecting the lives of those who are at greater risk for contracting the virus.
Please review the following important information:
Athletics/Activities: Effective immediately and throughout the closure, ALL athletics and afternoon/evening school activities will be canceled.
Lunches: Similar to our summer meal program, children ages 0–18 can pick up a free and nutritious sack lunch and breakfast items for the following mornings each week day between 11 a.m. and noon at one of our primary schools or Battle Ground and Prairie high schools. We will provide these meals on weekdays March 16–March 27 and April 6–24 (meals will NOT be served spring break week, March 29-April 3).
Makeup Days: Some of the missed school days will be made up at the end of the school year, and the last day of school will be June 19. The make-up days will be: May 1 (snow makeup day), June 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The district will apply for a state waiver for the additional days that students miss.
Running Start Students: Follow the Clark and Lower Columbia College schedules for your classes at these colleges.
High School Seniors: Graduation dates will not change. We are still getting information about making up AP tests and credits and will provide updates as we learn more.
Medications: The parents of students who have medications on file with the school nurse need to pick up those medications. Contact your school office staff to arrange a time to do that.
Community Education and Facility Rentals: All community education events and facility rentals are canceled throughout the duration of the closure.
During the closure we will continue to provide information via several methods:
Battle Ground website for updates
Email
Automated phone call
Social media
BGPS Information line: (360) 885-5343
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we address this unprecedented situation. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our students, their families, our staff members, volunteers and community.
Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another. We are a resilient community, and I know that we will get through this challenging time together.
Sincerely,
Mark Ross, Superintendent
Battle Ground Public Schools
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE DISTRICT UPDATED 3/17/20
Dear families of Battle Ground Public Schools,
As we enter the first of several weeks that our schools will be closed, we want to update you on the resources that are currently available to families, and answer some frequently asked questions.
Distance learning: Battle Ground Public Schools cannot provide an educational program during a school closure because of concerns about equity and the inability to ensure that all students would benefit from online learning. About 15% of our students need special services, nearly 7% require language services, and many students do not have the resources at home to learn online. Almost 34% of our students receive free or reduced meal benefits. In addition, online learning for grades K-2 requires parent support that some households cannot provide.
We are working to provide supplemental online educational resources. These are not meant to be a substitute for classroom instruction, and will not be required nor graded, but will help students practice their skills and learn independently during the closure.
Medications: The parents of students who have medications on file with the school nurse need to pick up those medications by the time school offices close on Tuesday, March 17.
School and district hours: Schools are closed to the public. If you need assistance from someone in the district office, please make an appointment by calling 360-885-5300.
Graduation ceremonies & requirements: High school graduation ceremony dates will not change. The last attendance day for seniors will be extended beyond the graduation ceremony. As of March 13, OSPI has canceled all required state testing for the remainder of the school year. We will have more information on graduation requirements in the future.
AP Tests: Makeup testing dates will be available later this school year, and The College Board will work with the district to determine next steps. The College Board is aware that students in Washington, Oregon and California are out of school during this public health crisis. Watch for more information.
SAT Exams: The makeup for the SAT exam on March 28 (originally scheduled for March 14) and the SAT exam scheduled for May 2 have been canceled. Students who already registered for the May 2 exam (and whose March test centers were closed, or who do not receive March scores because of any irregularities) will receive refunds. Students can go to https://www.khanacademy.org/sat to keep their readiness skills sharp while schools are closed. As of now, the SAT exam on June 6 is still scheduled.
Lunches: Grab and go lunch and breakfast is available to children ages 0–18
When: 11 a.m. to noon weekdays, March 17–27 and April 6–24
(meals will NOT be served spring break, March 29-April 3)
Where: In front of all our primary schools, Amboy Middle, and BGHS and PHS
Makeup Days: Some of the missed school days will be made up at the end of the school year, and the last day of school will be June 19. The makeup days will be: May 1 (snow makeup day), June 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The district will apply for a state waiver for the additional days that students miss.
We know this is a stressful time for our students and families. Our students have been working hard all year and looking forward to athletics, events and activities that normally occur in the spring. It is disappointing and frustrating to have those plans put on hold or cancelled altogether.
Please know that we are here for you, and we are working hard to provide resources and information and answer questions.
This experience is new for all of us, and we expect to work through it, learn from it, and demonstrate to our students that we all can be brave, supportive, and resilient in difficult situations.
Thank you and have a good evening,
Battle Ground Public Schools
March Happenings
March 14th
Solar Car Challenge postponed, rescheduled for May 9th
ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED - ACTIVITIES CANCELLED 3/16 - 4/24
Last day of school has been moved to June 19th. Graduation dates for seniors remain the same.
FROM THE NURSE
With all the information out there regarding Covid-19 (Novel Corona Virus) there are certain things we need to remember.
- Covid-19 is transmitted by people to other people
- Anyone, regardless if they are YOUNG (children) or OLDER, can get Covid-19
- Covid-19 illness is more severe in the elderly and people who have underlying health conditions (based upon what is known now)
- Children likely will not have as severe a case of Covid-19 as older people, but remember, the virus is transmitted from person to person
- All of us should use the precautions as outlined by CDC to protect ourselves and others
Stay Healthy!
Nancy Boldt,BSN, RN
School Nurse
Battle Ground health brochures contain information on common student illnesses. Please click on the link below to view these helpful brochures.
CELEBRATION TIME!
Haleigh Rich/ Leslie Sanchez Aguilar , Colton McCall/Cricket Blythe, Kaidence Ford/Claire Elliot, Kevin Garcia/Braeden Slamp, Kayla Rhodes/Talan Desmet
Great job to all students who received a PRIDE award. You are amazing and a large part of what makes Pleasant Valley great!
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLOR RUN/WALK
Friday May 15th at 5:00!
Paperwork will be out in April...put this fun family event on your calendar!!
8TH GRADE CELEBRATION PLANNING!
Calling all 8th grade parents! Planning is underway for this year's 8th grade celebration ceremony. The theme, voted on by the majority of the students, is Your Future's so bright, You're gonna need Shades! Please join the parent committee if you are available to help, in any capacity. We will need plenty of help with decorations and set up/take down, and we are also looking for someone willing to create a slide show.
We would love to see A LOT of parents band together to make this a spectacular celebration for our kids before they move on to high school.
The next meeting has been postponed. Please contact Abby Uribe at uribe.abigail@battlegroundps.org if you are interested in helping, or getting more information about our next meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Smarter Balanced Testing
2020 Census is coming, April 1st
YEARBOOK - ORDER YOURS NOW!
Spirit Wear Ordering
No need to wait to show your PV spirit, Pleasant Valley spirit wear is available all year! This year there will be a different coupon every month. The new spirit wear fliers are available at school, and show upcoming coupon specials on the back. You can order online any time at: www.pleasantvalleyspiritwear.com.
A part of the proceeds go to our wonderful PV PTA to support students and staff at Pleasant Valley.
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION
We believe ALL students can experience academic and personal growth.
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Office: 360-885-5500
Fax: 360-885-5510
Email: info.pvm@battlegroundps.org
Website: https://pvm.battlegroundps.org/
Location: 14320 NE 50th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686
Phone: 360-885-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVMiddle/
BATTLE GROUND STUDENT AND FAMILY HANDBOOK
VOLUNTEERS AND CHAPERONES
The application is online, though, we do need to get a copy of your driver's license at the school office in order to process the background check. Click the link below for more information and to apply.
Once approved, the clearance is good for two (2) years.
We encourage you to get cleared now, as the process can take 7 -10 days and is not always possible to complete in time if you wish to chaperone on a field trip with your child's class at the last minute. Thank you so much for spending time here helping at PVM!
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Issue #13