Battle Ground Public Schools To Offer Free Meals This Summer -06/06/25

Kids and teens ages 18 or younger can receive free meals at two Battle Ground schools starting on June 17. The Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the district and funded primarily through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, helps provide nutritious meals during the summer months when children are not in school. Children and teens do not need to attend a Battle Ground school to participate. Meals must be consumed onsite (no curbside pickup).

Meals will be served on weekdays at the following locations June 17 through Aug. 14 (except the Fourth of July).

Maple Grove Primary School, 610B SW Eaton Blvd., Battle Ground

• Breakfast 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

• Lunch 12 noon to 1 p.m.

CAM Academy, 406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground

• Breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. 

• Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; Fax: (202) 690-7442; or Email: program.intake@usda.gov; or Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Five Battle Ground Schools Honored By State Board Of Education For Performance -05/28/25

More than a quarter of Battle Ground Public Schools’ 19 schools have been recognized by the Washington State Board of Education for exceptional achievement, growth and efforts to close educational gaps during the 2023-24 academic year. Earned by only 16% of public schools statewide, this recognition highlights achievements in key areas of student success.

The honored BGPS schools are:

• CAM Academy — CAM’s achievements led to its inclusion in the top 20% of schools in the state. CAM performed highly on English language arts and math state tests and maintained high graduation and attendance rates. It also had a high percentage of ninth graders on track to graduate in four years and a strong dual credit completion rate. 

• Chief Umtuch Middle School and Yacolt Primary School — Chief was recognized for growth among multilingual students who are learning English in the areas of state test scores, language proficiency scores and attendance. Yacolt was recognized for boosting state test scores and attendance among students in special education. These schools were among the top 10% of Washington state schools showing growth.

• Daybreak Middle School and Tukes Valley Primary School — Both schools made significant progress in areas identified for improvement in previous school years. Daybreak made gains in language proficiency scores among its multilingual students who are learning English. Tukes Valley Primary also improved its English language arts test scores among its students in special education.

Said Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten, “I am very proud of these schools for all of their work to help each student be successful. This award indicates sustained work to improve student learning. Professional Learning Communities, school improvement plans, waiver days and other efforts to improve instructional practice are all paying off. Congratulations to the staff, students and families at each of these schools!”

The Washington School Recognition Program emphasizes the importance of identifying and celebrating successes across the state's public education system. Rather than solely focusing on test scores, which are incomplete measures of success, the awards are based on a variety of indicators including academic growth, graduation rates, attendance and other efforts to improve student learning. Together, these measures provide a more meaningful and comprehensive indication of school improvement.

Each year, the State Board of Education partners with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee to honor schools across Washington.

Battle Ground High School To Present 'Cinderella' Musical For Spring Production (Photo) -05/16/25

Battle Ground High School's theater program is excited to present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical "Cinderella” for their final production of the year.

"This show is a labor of love and our cast has poured many hours into learning the songs and choreography," said Liz Hix, director and language arts teacher. "I'm also excited about our set. I'm hoping the simplicity of it will capture the magic and nostalgia of listening to a bedtime story."

"I think it's just so magical, and it's gonna really come together," said Lyric Hawkins, a senior participating in the production. "When everyone dances together, it becomes so beautiful," agreed fellow senior Atlas Arnold, a flower girl and ensemble cast member.

"Cinderella" tells the story of a young woman who lives a life of servitude under her stepmother and stepsisters until the king announces a royal ball to find a wife for the prince. With the help of her fairy godmother and animal friends, Cinderella charms the prince, leaving behind a glass slipper as she flees at midnight.

"I think they're gonna be enticed by the magic that we're bringing into it,” said freshman Josh Postupak, who plays The Herald. “And I hope my role gives them lots of laughs." Postupak is a veteran of more than a dozen productions at Chief Umtuch Middle School and Journey Theater group.

Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Friday, May 23 and 30, and 2:30 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 and 31. Tickets are $10 for general admission or $7 for students, available online in advance at https://wa-battleground-lite.intouchreceipting.com/BGDrama or at the door. Performances will be in The Lair at Battle Ground High School, 300 W. Main St., Battle Ground.

Kindergarten Orientations Happening Soon For Battle Ground Public Schools (Photo) -05/14/25

Children who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2025 are eligible to attend kindergarten next fall. Online enrollment is available now. Parents/guardians are encouraged to enroll their child as soon as possible and participate in kindergarten orientations happening this month.

2025 kindergarten orientation dates:

• Captain Strong: May 20, 4:30 - 6:15 p.m.

• Daybreak: May 20, 5 - 6:30 p.m.

• Glenwood Heights: May 22, 5 - 6:30 p.m.

• Maple Grove: May 22, 5 - 6 p.m.

• Pleasant Valley: May 22, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

• Tukes Valley: May 22, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

• Yacolt: May 22, 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Parents/guardians will need proof of their child's birth date (such as a birth certificate) and a signed and completed Washington state certificate of immunization status form or certificate of exemption. Please note that the state of Washington requires that immunization records be medically verified. Families can find out which school their child will attend by using the Clark County Property Information Center or by calling the district boundaries office at 360-885-6577.

Jump Start canceled

Please note that, due to the recent double levy failure and resulting budget cuts, Jump Start Kindergarten is unfortunately canceled for the 2025-26 school year. We understand that this may be disappointing news for families who were looking forward to this opportunity. Please know that we remain committed to helping your child have a successful start to their kindergarten experience. More information will be shared during kindergarten orientations.

Alternative kindergarten options

Battle Ground Public Schools’ K-12 alternative learning experiences also offer early learning opportunities: 

Battle Ground Virtual Academy is an online learning option that uses a web-based curriculum with interactive activities, videos and workbooks. All curriculum is provided and lessons are delivered online. Students receive 30 hours of learning activities per week, as well as one classroom experience per week, either in person or virtually.

River HomeLink offers two half-day in-person kindergarten classes along with three days of at-home instruction. All curriculum materials are provided. Parents are asked to volunteer as a classroom assistant two days per week. 

River also offers PrimeLink, where families can receive weekly advice and assistance on planning, implementing and reporting on their child’s home-based instruction. Parents also have the option of selecting their own at-home curriculum from a list of approved options and taking advantage of a one-time consultation to assist with setting up the at-home learning environment. Students in all ALE programs still have the option of taking elective classes at their neighborhood school.

Before and after-school care

The district has partnered with Right At School to provide before- and after-school care at its primary schools from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day that school is in session.

Preschool options

Battle Ground Public Schools also offers preschool options for early learners. Prairie High School, Battle Ground High School and the BGPS Community Education Department offer tuition-based preschool programs for ages 3-5. Battle Ground Public Schools also offers early intervention programs and services for children ages 3-5 who are identified for special education services. Learn more and compare options.

Results Of Battle Ground Public Schools’ Annual Audit -05/12/25

Earlier this year, the Washington State Auditor’s Office spent more than 340 hours reviewing Battle Ground Public Schools’ finances. The results of the three audits recently became available. The state auditor confirmed that BGPS followed state laws and district policies approved by elected school board members. Moreover, public funds were well-managed and protected. The audit revealed no fraud, significant errors or misuse of funds.

Accountability audit

As part of an accountability audit, the auditor reviewed activity from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2024, in the following areas:

• Payroll

• Associated Student Body activities, including fundraising

• Use of restricted funds for professional development

• Use of local levy dollars for enrichment activities

• Compliance with supplemental contracts for enrichment activities

• Compliance with laws for construction projects 

• Compliance with laws regarding public meetings

• Financial condition of the district

The state auditor issued a clean accountability report for the district. This is the 14th consecutive clean accountability report that the district has received since 2010.

Financial statements and federal audits

In addition to conducting an accountability audit, the state also reviewed the district’s financial statements and compliance with federal laws and regulations during the same time period. Auditors found that the district has satisfactory internal financial controls and meets the requirements for financial reporting. 

An analysis of the district’s use of federal grant money, specifically Title I grants and COVID-19 funds, showed that BGPS is in compliance with all requirements. See the full report on the financial statement and federal audits. 

This is the 21st consecutive clean financial statement audit for BGPS since 2005. The district’s last federal grant finding was in 2023, when the state auditor determined that the district unknowingly did not maintain proper records of how it allocated funds from the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund, which helped purchase Chromebooks for students during the pandemic. 

As noted by State Auditor Pat McCarthy, the FCC’s guidance to schools lacked detailed descriptions of the type of records schools should maintain to document their compliance with the grant requirements. BGPS estimated student need for the devices at the time of its grant application, inventoried all Chromebooks and retained data on student use of the devices. 

Since the 2023 finding, the Federal Communications Commission, which administered the fund, reviewed the state audit and the district’s response. The FCC issued a final determination, ruling that Battle Ground did indeed comply with the rules of the fund. The commission will not seek to recover any money and now considers the matter to be resolved. 

Other financial accountability measures

In addition to participating in annual state audits, Battle Ground Public Schools has an audit committee that meets monthly to review expenditures including payroll, timesheets and vendor invoices. The committee includes two board directors. Audit committee findings are presented at regular board meetings, which are open to the public. 

Additional indicators of district financial health

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction also monitors all Washington state school districts’ finances. OSPI recently awarded Battle Ground a score of 3.35 out of 4.0 for the 2023-24 school year, the most recent for which scores are available. The average score for all other K-12 Clark County school districts that year was 2.64. 

The scores are intended to provide a snapshot of a school district’s financial health over time. Higher scores indicate greater financial stability and ability to respond to unexpected expenditures. Learn more.