Daybreak Middle Newsletter
August 8th, 2023
February 2024 Daybreak Middle School News
Principal Update
Hi Dragon families,
As we move into second semester, we want to take time to reflect on all the hard work students and staff have been up to at DBM. Students districtwide in grades 1-8 take the iReady assessment in the fall, winter and spring to measure academic growth. We give diagnostic assessments in both Reading and Math. You will see graphs below that show where Daybreak Middle School ranks among the other school completing the iReady diagnostic district wide. The graphs show student growth from fall to winter. You will notice that DBM is in the top group of schools showing significant growth in Math from fall to winter. You will also notice that Daybreak Middle School is THE top school in the district for Reading growth from fall to winter. We want to congratulate our students and staff for this growth! We're working hard to make DBM the best middle school in Battle Ground and it shows in our academic growth. Way to go Dragons!
We are also working hard to make DBM a fun place to come to school, as well. We continue to appreciate all your donations to the Dragon Store. Students have been really enjoying spending their Dragon dollars every month. If you’d like to donate items feel free to drop them off at school at any time. Here’s a few ideas of items students enjoy : Izze sodas, small bags of snacks, individually wrapped candy or cookies, stickers, key chains, fidgets, etc.
or you can use our Dragon Store Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SAEQG4B88QPW/ref=hz_ls_biz_exc.
Our Character Strong Social Emotional Learning curriculum character trait for February is honesty. Our hope is to partner with families in building up positive character traits and modeling academic language for our students. You can support these efforts by talking with your student(s) at home about our character traits, completing the monthly character dare, and talking about academic appropriate language. We appreciate your partnership with this endeavor to build strong character for each and every student at DBM.
Go Dragons,
Lesli Collum (Principal)
Angela Sauser (Assistant Principal)
February is Bus Driver Appreciation Month
Thanks to all our bus drivers, mechanics, and maintenance supervisors who work hard to keep our students safe on the way to and from school. We appreciate all our bus drivers!
North County Honor Band
DBM students make the North County Honor Band
Trinity Abbott and Annaliese Betts took the stage recently to perform with the North County Honor Band. The Honor Band is made up of top musicians across Clark County. Thanks ladies for representing Daybreak so well!
After School Activities
Our current session of After School Activities will continue through March 15. Our final session will run from April 15 - May 31, 2024. Watch for more information regarding the available activities next month!
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Olson
College Bound Scholarship Enrollment for 7th and 8th grade students
Washington State has a helpful program for our families who qualify for Free and Reduced lunches. In fact, enrollment for the College Bound Scholarship program is automatic if you are approved for our lunch program. We strongly encourage our families with 7th or 8th grade students to apply if they are unsure whether they qualify. Enrollment has to occur in 7th or 8th grade in order to be eligible to receive funds in college. If you have any questions, please send me an email at olson.rebecca@battlegroundps.org or call at 360-885-6905. You can also find more information at https://wsac.wa.gov/college-bound.
Monthly Character Trait: Honesty
Fred Rogers is an iconic figure in our country. He once said, “Honesty is often very hard. The truth is often painful. But the freedom it can bring is worth the trying.” Our ability to be honest has significant impact on our relationships and healthy relationships are the key to a happy life. Here is a newsletter from Character Strong about Honesty. It has ideas that can help reinforce the topic at home.
Trending at DBM: Gossip and Sharing Space Well
Checking in with your student about their experience with and potential participation in gossip sessions will help us support our students toward a more positive school experience. Anytime we are talking about someone who is not present, we are engaging in gossip. Most of the time, this is not a healthy or productive activity. We encourage students to avoid harming one another while they are here and gossip can cause a lot of harm. Your help in bringing this to light with your student is much appreciated. Remember - confident, secure people do not need others to feel bad about themselves. We hope all our students grow into confident, secure people.
Dragons of the Month for January PERSEVERANCE month
5th grade Students of the Month
Skye Rosenlund, Gabriella Hernandez, Sawyer Polos, and Magdaleno Castaneda-Barragan are being recognized for their PERSEVERANCE this month. Thanks for modeling good character to your peers!
6th Grade Students of the Month
Denis Derezenko, Nazar Vakulych, Yulii Yukhmyets and Emma Hendriskson were recognized for showing PERSEVERANCE this month. Thanks for modeling perseverance in all your classes for students and staff.
7th grade Students of the Month
Anatasia Kalutsky, Marshall Ray, Miles Peterson, and Maya Williams (not pictured) were recognized for showing PERSEVERANCE this month. Thanks for being a great example to your peers.
8th Grade Students of the Month
Emily Pham, Natalia Yukhymets, Jacob Bryant, and Bror Kysar went above and beyond in showing PERSEVERANCE. Thank you 8th graders for being responsible leaders on our campus!
Character Trait of the Month for February: Honesty
This month we are focusing on honesty. Students are learning that honesty is being truthful in what you say and do.
Middle School Sports
Season 3: Girls Soccer and Boys Basketball
Season 3 is in full-swing! Our girls soccer team is currently 3 and 0 and will play at District Stadium on Friday, February 9 at 4:15 pm. Come out and cheer for our Lady Dragons!
Boys basketball started last week; with games beginning next week. We had a huge turnout this year and have enough boys to fill four teams! It's going to be an exciting season!
Season 4 is Co-Ed track and runs from April 10-May 22, 2024. Registration for track will open 3 weeks prior through FamilyID. Please see the MS Athletics website for more information.
Students participating in sports must have a completed sports physical before practices begin (physical clearance is valid for 24 months). The completed sports physical form can be uploaded directly into Family ID. Sports physicals and the payment of any outstanding fees must be completed prior to the start of practices.
Go Dragons!!!
Guidelines for keeping children home from school
When should you keep your child home from school?
- 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.
Thanks for helping to keep our schools healthy!
Calendar of Events for February 2024
- Wednesday one-hour late starts: February 14, 21, 28
- No School: Monday, February 19 for President's Day
- Upcoming: Early Release March 20-21 for Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Upcoming: Spring Break - April 1-5, 2024
School Menus are back online
After experiencing some technical issues, Sodexo, the district’s nutrition services provider, has completed updates to their online menu system. You can now find them updated regularly on the district website. We appreciate the patience of our school communities during this process.
Daybreak Middle School Expectations
Snacks, gum, candy, and drinks in class are becoming an issue
Reminder of expectations for all students:
- No gum allowed on campus. Students who are arguing with staff about redirections to follow expectations will receive a defiance referral if they are chewing gum. Gum is being littered across campus which is an ongoing issue.
- No drinks outside the cafeteria except water. Students may bring a juice box or single soda in their lunch to consume in the cafeteria only. Students may not share food or drinks with others.
- Snacks are at teacher discretion. Students are not allowed to eat snacks in the halls or outside. Staff are seeing lots of students who choose not to eat lunch in the cafeteria but who want to snack all day which is a distraction from learning and creating messes in classrooms.
Energy Drinks and Caffeinated Drinks
Students are not allowed to have Energy drinks (Monsters, Rockstar's, etc.), Mountain Dew, or Coffee drinks on campus. If you get your student a Starbucks or Dutch Bros drink please have them consume them before they arrive on campus.
Cell Phones
Our staff are aware of the benefits of cell phones as a useful tool, as well as, the distraction they can be to learning and the easy access they present to cyberbullying. With that in mind, we are trying a new cell phone management system at DBM this year allowing for Green, Yellow, and Red cellphone zones. The attached flier explains the DBM Cell Phone Zones for families and students. Please talk with your student about managing their phone appropriately at school. Students should not be texting, videoing, or calling from their phones while at school. Students can come to the office to call parents if needed. If you need to contact your child please call the office at 360-885-6900 and we will relay a message to them for you. While we are all in the habit of sending a quick text, we ask that parents call the office instead of texting their student. Receiving a text in the middle of class distracts students from their learning.
Getting to & from campus
Students may arrive on campus as early as 7:45 AM when breakfast opens in the Cafeteria. Students who walk or ride a scooter or bike may enter and exit campus from the back gates on 21st Place or 22nd Ave, or from the front sidewalks off of 20th Ave in front of DBP or off of 239th St. Students must walk their bike or carry their scooter/wheelies/skates once they arrive on campus (including being in front of DBP). All scooters, skateboards, and bikes must be parked in the bike and scooter racks at DBM. Students may not leave their bikes or scooters at DBP. Parents who are dropping off or picking up students before or after school must use the Daybreak Primary parking lot. The Daybreak Middle parking lot is for staff parking and buses only. Daybreak is a combined closed campus during DBM and DBP school hours. Students must leave campus immediately after dismissal at 2:40 PM unless they are participating in a supervised activity like sports. DBM students may come back to campus at 3:40 PM to pick up their Primary siblings but can't wait on campus.
Late Start Wednesdays
Students may not arrive on campus until 8:45 AM on late start Wednesdays unless they attend the Right at School Program. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday we have campus supervision beginning at 7:45 AM and on late start Wednesdays our campus supervision begins at 8:45 AM.
Attendance
The first bell rings at 8:00 AM and the tardy bell rings at 8:10 AM. Any students arriving after 8:10 AM will need to check in at the office and get a pass to go to class. Wednesday late start days the first bell is at 9:00 AM and the tardy bells rings at 9:10 AM. It's vital that students are on time and ready to begin their school day by 8:10 AM each day.
If your student is absent or tardy there are three options to excuse an absence: 1. Log into Skyward, look under attendance tab, and click on the absence request link. 2. Parents can call our absence line by calling 360-885-6942. 3. Parents may also email dbmoffice@battlegroundps.org to excuse an absence.
Pre-arranged absence forms may be picked up in the office if parents are scheduling an absence. We ask that families avoid vacations or lengthy absences during the school year whenever possible.
Harassment Intimidation and Bullying Policy
At Daybreak Middle we follow the BGPS district policy on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (Policy 3207). Students will be participating in a review of the following policy on the first few days of school:
The district is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and patrons, who are free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional written messages or image — including those that are electronically transmitted —verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability), or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act:
A. Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.
B. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.
C. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
D. Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
“Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status and weight.
“Intentional acts” refers to the individual’s choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s).
Behaviors/Expressions
This policy recognizes that 'harassment,' 'intimidation,' and 'bullying' are separate but related behaviors. Each must be addressed appropriately. The accompanying procedure differentiates the three behaviors, however, this differentiation should not be considered part of the legal definition of these behaviors.
Harassment, intimidation or bullying can take many forms including, but not limited to, slurs, rumors, jokes, innuendos, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral, physical or electronically transmitted messages or images.
This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the educational environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation or bullying may still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom or program rules.
Prevention
The district will provide students with strategies aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation and bullying. In its efforts to train students, the district will seek partnerships with families, law enforcement and other community agencies.
Interventions
Interventions are designed to remediate the impact on the targeted student(s) and others impacted by the violation, to change the behavior of the perpetrator, and to restore a positive school climate.
The district will consider the frequency of incidents, developmental age of the student, and severity of the conduct in determining intervention strategies. Interventions will range from counseling, correcting behavior and discipline, to law enforcement referrals.
District Wide News Updates
Feb. 13 Capital Levy Information
Check out this video on YouTube to learn more about the capital levy and what it would help to fund.
1. The capital levy will appear on the Feb. 13 special election ballot.
2. The levy would fund enhanced security measures, including entry controls and security cameras.
3. It would pay for roof repairs and updated heating and cooling systems.
4. It would create additional spaces for hands-on learning in the construction trades, culinary arts and health sciences.
5. It would fund the replacement of outdated technology, including computers, phones and the district’s wireless network.
6. Every school in the district would receive repairs and/or updates as part of the capital levy.
7. Property tax collections for the levy would begin in 2025.
8. The estimated rate would be $0.44 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
9. That amount matches a bond that expired at the end of 2023.
10. The owner of a home worth $500,000 would pay approximately $18.33 a month ($220/yr) for the capital levy - equivalent to the amount paid in 2023.
Please remember to vote by Feb. 13!
Read more about the capital levy and view a proposed list of projects on the district website.
10 главных фактов о леви – налогe с капитала
В случае одобрения избирателями налог на капитал позволит финансировать усиленные меры безопасности, включая контроль входа и камеры наблюдения.
Он позволит оплатить ремонт крыш и обновление систем отопления и охлаждения.
За счет сбора средств будут созданы помещения для практического обучения строительным профессиям, кулинарному мастерству и медицинским наукам.
Средства пойдут на обновление технологий, включая компьютеры, телефоны и беспроводную сеть округа.
Все школы округа получат средства на ремонт и/или обновление.
Владельцы недвижимости начнут платить за трехлетний налоговый сбор с 2025 года.
Расчетная ставка на $ 1000 оценочной стоимости имущества составляет 0,44 доллара на все три года.
Леви заменит бонд (муниципальные облигации) на строительство школ, срок которого истекает в конце 2023 года. Ставка по бондам, срок действия которых истекает, также составляла 0,44 доллара на $1000 оценочной стоимости имущества.
Владелец недвижимости, оцениваемой в $500,000 по оценкам будет платить $220 в год или $18,33 в месяц, что эквивалентно сумме, выплачиваемой в 2023 году.
Налог с капитала (предложение № 7) будет включен в бюллетень для голосования на внеочередных выборах 13 февраля 2024 года.
Более подробную информацию вы найдете на сайте.
Los 10 factores más importantes sobre el impuesto de capital
Si los votantes lo aprueban, el impuesto de capital financiaría el mejoramiento de medidas de seguridad, incluidos los controles de entrada y cámaras de seguridad.
Pagaría las reparaciones de tejados/techos y la actualización de los sistemas de calefacción y aire acondicionado.
La recaudación de capital crearía espacios para el aprendizaje práctico de los oficios de construcción, las habilidades culinarias y las ciencias de la salud.
Los fondos se utilizarían para actualizar la tecnología, incluyendo computadoras, teléfonos y la red inalámbrica del distrito.
Todas las escuelas del distrito recibirían reparaciones y/o actualizaciones.
El dueño de una propiedad comenzará a pagar impuestos de capital por un periodo de tres años, comenzando en el 2025.
La tasa estimada por cada $1,000 de valor de la propiedad es de $0.44 por cada uno de los tres años.
Esta recaudación de fondos tomaría el lugar de la recaudación de fondos que se vence al final del 2023. La recaudación de fondos que ya está por terminar también es de $0.44 por cada $1,000 del valor estimado de la propiedad.
Se calcula que el propietario de una vivienda valorada en $500,000 pagará $220 al año, o $18.33 al mes, equivalente a la cantidad pagada en el 2023.
La recaudación de capital (Proposición no. 7) aparecerá en la papeleta en las elecciones especiales del 13 de febrero de 2024.
What you need to know about vaping among youth
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.
Save the date: Feb. 15 Industry Fair
Attend the Battle Ground Public Schools Industry Fair to learn about apprenticeships and jobs in health care, education, manufacturing, technology, construction, finance, hospitality, retail, transportation and more. The event is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at Battle Ground High School. Some employers may be hiring--bring your resume! There is also a resume workshop from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Everyone is welcome. This event serves students, families and the community. Child care will be available at the event.
If you represent a business or know someone who does, reserve a table at this free annual event to connect with current and future workers. Register now.
Check out this video to hear from local businesses about how the Industry Fair benefits them.
Employee Recognition Award
Do you know an amazing staff member? The new Employee Recognition Awards will highlight staff members who reflect the district’s strategic plan goals. Three nominees will be selected each month and recognized at a board meeting. Everyone is welcome to submit a nomination.
Review proposed science materials for middle and high school
Battle Ground Public Schools is in the process of evaluating new science materials for grades 6-8 and 9-12. Parents, guardians and community members are invited to view the potential curricula and provide their input at the following times and locations (more may be added):
Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Prairie High School - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 9, at Battle Ground High School - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Summit View High School - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit the district website to learn more about curriculum adoptions. The board of directors will vote to approve the new materials later this school year.
Weather related information
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).
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.
New payment option available
There’s a new way to add funds to a student’s meals account, pay class and sports fees, buy yearbooks and more! Using this one-stop shopping option, parents and guardians can pay for each of their children in one transaction. Follow the instructions labeled “1st Time Parents” to access one account for the entire family. Meal payments will be reflected in Skyward every hour between 7:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m.
E-Funds also remains an option for adding funds to a student’s meal account.
Student online safety
Keeping students safe online is a priority in Battle Ground Public Schools. Recent events have reinforced the need to use caution when interacting online. These include national reports of online groups targeting children and teens. While we are not aware of BGPS students being targeted by these groups, it is important for staff, students and parents/guardians to work together to keep our young people safe.
How you can help students be safe
Please periodically review these tips with your child:
Students should keep their passwords confidential. They should not share passwords or allow others to use their Chromebook after they sign in.
Use school email addresses for only school-related communication and activities.
Be cautious when accepting friend requests; communicating with other people online; and sharing photos, videos, and identifying information on social media and other sites. Review privacy settings to limit who can see this information.
Monitor what your child is doing online and discuss risks associated with sharing personal content.
Use GoGuardian Parent to see how your child is using their device. Get information on GoGuardian Parent.
How BGPS keeps students safe
BGPS supports the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and insists that websites the district uses adhere to this law.
The district provides active supervision and filtering of content on all devices in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
The district restricts access to apps that have the potential for abuse or pose cybersecurity risks.
Student data privacy agreements protect student information in conjunction with the Washington Student Data Privacy Alliance.
Students learn about digital citizenship and appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.
Russian, Ukrainian and Spanish translation and interpretation services
Услуги по устному и письменному переводу на русский и украинский языки 360-885-5433
Servicios de Traducción e Interpretación en Español 360-885-5431
Report incidents anonymously with SafeSchools
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.
Family and Community Resource Center opens in its new location
The FCRC is now open at its new location on the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave.), open Mon.-Thurs. from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit the FCRC webpage for more information.
Looking for something to do?
Be sure to check out our Community Events page for fun ideas of things to do throughout the local community. Nonprofit organizations looking to share their own upcoming events are welcome to submit a flyer to be included. Flyers are posted on the community events webpage and printed at relevant schools on their community bulletin boards. The BGPS community flyer checklist provides information about what is required for flyer submission.
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.