Clockwise from top-left: Eva Lynn Woelfel, Sharon Carter, Mary McNichols, Marilee Easter, Randy Martinez, CMSgt Julie Eddings

Battle Ground Public Schools is bidding a fond farewell and thank you to a number of valued employees as they head into retirement. The following is a list of employees who’ll be stepping into the next phase of their lives this year. Collectively, this list comprises over 1,000 years of service to our students and school communities. Battle Ground Public Schools wishes each of them the best, and heartfelt appreciation for so many years of helping our students succeed.

SERVED OVER 35 YEARS

Geraldine Schut, Head Custodian at Laurin Middle School. Served 44 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Betty Melton, Office and Basic Education Assistant at Amboy Middle School. Served 41 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Rene Soohoo, 8th grade Language Arts and History teacher at Pleasant Valley Middle School. Served 49 years, 29 with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Eileen O’Connor, 5th grade teacher at Chief Umtuch Middle School. Served 39 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Sarah Lashua,  6th grade teacher at Laurin Middle School. Served 39 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Julie Schile, Resource Room teacher at Chief Umtuch Middle School. Served 40 years, all but two of those with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Kathy Davis, 3rd grade teacher at Tukes Valley Primary School. Served 37 years, including 22 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Frank Dean, Math teacher at Summit View High School. Served 39 years, 17 with Battle Ground Public Schools.

SERVED 25-34 YEARS

Teri Presser, Head Secretary at Captain Strong Primary School. Served 31 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Kym Alexander, Science Teacher at Battle Ground High School. Served 30 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Linda Hess, 5th grade teacher at Pleasant Valley Middle School. Served 31 years, including 29 with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Norma MacKenzie, Library Tech at Maple Grove Primary School. Served 29 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Roxanne Johnson, Special Education Assistant at CASEE. Served 28 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Lynette Key, Science teacher at Summit View High School. Served 27 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Sarah Belokonny, Special Education teacher at Maple Grove Primary School. Served 31 years, including 26 with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Terri Beach, Library Tech at Battle Ground High School. Served 26 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Madeline Sahme, Resource Room teacher at Tukes Valley Middle School. Served 30 years, including 15 with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Ann Croze, Health & Fitness teacher at Tukes Valley Primary School. Served 30 years, 10 with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Traci Eccles, ELA teacher at Summit View High School. Thirty-two years of service, including nine with Battle Ground Public Schools.

SERVED 20-24 YEARS

Teresa Ellis, Special Education Assistant at Glenwood Heights Primary School. Served 23 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Dr. Jill Smith, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Instructional Support Services. Served 21 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Jeri Stith, Art teacher at Summit View High School. Served 21 years, nearly all with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Katy Root, Teacher Librarian at Maple Grove Primary School. Served 21 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Laurie Creager, Teacher Librarian at Captain Strong Primary School. Served 21 years, all but one with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Robert Rakoz, 6th grade Math and Science (ASPIRE) teacher at Chief Umtuch Middle School. Served 20 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Anita Hindberg, Art teacher at River HomeLink. Served 22 years, including eight with Battle Ground Public Schools.

SERVED 10-19 YEARS

Eva Lynn Woelfel, Family and Consumer Science teacher at Battle Ground High School. Served 24 years, including 18 with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Sharon Carter, Assistant Counseling Secretary for Battle Ground High School. Served 18 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Mary McNichols, Assistant Secretary at Pleasant Valley Primary. Served 18 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

CMSgt Julie Eddings, AFJROTC instructor at Prairie High School. Served 17 years, seven with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Randall Martinez, 8th grade teacher at Laurin Middle School. Served 15 years, all with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Marilee Easter, Library Tech at Amboy Middle School. Served 15 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Shirley Howard, Career Guidance Transitional Facilitator at the district office. Served 15 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Cindy Martin, Custodian at Battle Ground High School. Served 14 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Susan Howard, Executive Administrative Assistant to Special Services at the district office. Served 13 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Cynthia Boyle, Special Education Assistant at Glenwood Heights Primary School. Served 12 years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

SERVED 1-10 YEARS

Doug Frahm, Custodian at Battle Ground High School. Served nine years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Joy Wagner, Basic Education Assistant at Pleasant Valley Middle School. Served eight years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Linda Storm, Secretary at the Family and Community Resource Center. Served seven years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Rodney Veriato, Special Education Assistant at Battle Ground High School. Served seven years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Lorin Conlin, Head Secretary at Daybreak Primary School. Served six years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Carol Blohm, Support Services Instructional Assistant at Yacolt Primary School. Served five years with Battle Ground Public Schools.

Thank you all for your years of service to public education!

Children and teens ages 1-18 can enjoy a free breakfast and lunch in Battle Ground this summer through the Summer Food Services Program (SFSP) for children. The program addresses the need for nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session. It is sponsored by Battle Ground Public Schools and funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There will be no curbside pickup. Meals must be consumed on site. Meals will not be provided on Monday, July 4.

Breakfast and/or lunch will be provided at three Battle Ground locations:

• River HomeLink, 610A SW Eaton Blvd. in Battle Ground
  • Lunch - Monday-Friday, June 20 to Aug. 18, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Breakfast - Monday-Thursday, July 11-28, 8:10-8:40 a.m. (No Friday service)
     
• Daybreak Primary, 1900 NW 20th Ave in Battle Ground
  • Lunch - Monday-Friday, June 20 to August 18, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
     
• Glenwood Heights Primary, 9716 NE 134th St in Battle Ground
  • Monday-Thursday, July 11-28 (No Friday service)
  • Breakfast: 8:10-8:40 a.m. 
  • Lunch: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m..

Children do not need to attend a Battle Ground school to participate; all children and teens are welcome.

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.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or

fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

email:
program.intake@usda.gov
 

Eric Sakshaug will be the next principal at Laurin Middle School

Battle Ground Public Schools is announcing the following administrative changes for the 2022-23 school year.

PRINCIPALS

Kelly Gorby will be the new principal at Yacolt Primary School. Gorby, who was previously assistant principal in Yacolt, takes over for Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray, who accepted a director position in the district office.

Eric Sakshaug is the new principal at Laurin Middle School. Sakshaug is a familiar face, having previously served as assistant principal at Laurin prior to this school year. He takes over for Travis Drake, who accepted a director position in the district office.
 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

Lisa Ferguson-Hipolito will become the new assistant principal at Yacolt Primary, replacing Gorby. Ferguson-Hipolito was previously a Learning Support Programs coordinator with the district.

Angela Sauser becomes the new assistant principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School. Sauser replaces Anna Leeper, who has accepted a position in special services at the district office. Sauser was previously assistant principal at Amboy Middle School.

Lori Walker will become the new assistant principal at Amboy Middle School, replacing Sauser. Walker was previously an assistant principal at Glenwood Heights Primary. 

Jen Havig will become the new assistant principal at Glenwood Heights Primary, replacing Walker. Havig was previously an administrative intern in the district and an English teacher at Prairie High School.

Kelly Hart will join Prairie High School as a new assistant principal. She takes over for Lindsay McQuiston, who took a job outside of the district. Hart previously served as an assistant principal in the Gresham-Barlow school district.

Kelsey Kai will officially become the new assistant principal at Laurin Middle School. She was previously an administrative intern, serving temporarily as assistant principal at Laurin, and a 5th grade teacher.

Colin Rush will become the new assistant principal at Captain Strong Primary, pending board approval. Rush replaces Neil Varble, who is leaving for a position in another district. Rush previously was the Dean of Students at Prairie High School.
 

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

David Kennedy has been named Executive Director of School Improvement. The change is part of a restructuring initiated by the retirement of Dr. Jill Smith, Executive Director of Federal Programs & Instructional Support Services. The restructuring will help the district achieve its goals of providing high-quality instruction and safe and caring environments for all students. Kennedy’s previous title was Director of School Improvement. As the executive director, he will continue to oversee school improvement initiatives and assume some duties previously administered by Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith's other duties will be handled by Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray, who has been named a director (see below). 

Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray will become the district’s Director of Federal Programs in the restructuring of positions previously held by Dr. Jill Smith, who is retiring, and David Kennedy.

Tamra Scheetz has been named Director of Instructional Interventions, replacing Sandy Mathewson, who accepted a position outside of the district.

Kellie Clay will be the Director of Special Services as part of a restructuring of that department. She was previously the Assistant Director of Special Services.

Travis Drake becomes the district’s Director of Instructional Leadership for high schools and ALEs. This is a new position.

Luke LeCount takes over as Director of Instructional Leadership overseeing the district’s six middle schools. LeCount replaces Angela Allen, who accepted a position outside of the district. LeCount was previously a principal at Jefferson Middle School in the Vancouver Public Schools district

The new BG Preschool will be similar to Prairie Preschool, where high school students work with preschoolers as part of their own education

A new preschool option is coming to Battle Ground High School starting next September, and interested parents are invited to check it out during an upcoming open house. The open house will be held on Tuesday, June 14 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in room A5 at the high school, accessible from Stadium Way on the northwest side of the campus.

Battle Ground Preschool will be modeled after the popular Prairie Preschool program on the campus of Prairie High School. High school students studying child development work with preschoolers, including children with disabilities, under the supervision of trained educators.

Christina Wood is the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Battle Ground High School and is working to set up the Battle Ground Preschool program. “The preschoolers get the benefit of some really personalized relationships and instruction,” Wood said, “and the high school students learn a lot through the experience and the curriculum as well. It’s really just a wonderful program, and we’re excited to bring it here.”

Child Development I and II is part of the Family and Consumer Sciences pathway offered through the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Through the Child Development pathway, students can earn both college credit and their initial STARS childcare industry certification. Working with preschool kids is considered the lab portion of their classwork and provides students with valuable hands-on experience in early childhood education.

Battle Ground Preschool will initially have space for up to 20 children, with classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Afternoon classes are planned for the future, depending on community interest. Registration costs $60 and tuition is $165 per month. Families who qualify for free and reduced meals can apply to pay a reduced monthly rate.

Preschool students must have a current immunization record on file before attending. They must also be potty trained (no pull-ups) and self-sufficient in the bathroom. High school students will not accompany children into restrooms. Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up their children from preschool.
 
Learn more about early childhood education available through Battle Ground Public Schools and our partners in Community Education by visiting the district website.

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Registration is open for Battle Ground Community Education summer camps and workshops. These full and half day camps are an excellent opportunity for children to keep active over the summer months while learning skills and making friends. Enrollment is also open for Tigerland Preschool for the 2022-23 school year.

Battle Ground Community Education is a department of Battle Ground Public Schools that provides educational and recreational opportunities for youth and adults throughout the area. Summer camps start the final week of June and run through mid-August.

QuickStart Sports Camps

QuickStart Sports Camps are available for children from kindergarten through 8th grade. These full or half day camps last four days and include soccer, teeball, baseball and basketball. There are also several camps combining two sports, such as baseball and basketball, soccer and teeball, or soccer and basketball. Participants will be provided with a curriculum-based plan that includes activities, games, and competitions. Athletes are encouraged to have fun, make new friends, learn from new coaches, and improve their skills. All participants are expected to come ready to have fun, participate to their best abilities and practice good sportsmanship and teamwork towards all coaches and players throughout the week.

With organized sports now available at middle schools throughout the district, these summer camps are a great opportunity for students to continue developing skills. Prices are $99 for half day camps or $188 for full days.

Volleyball Summer Camps

Community Education also offers two summer volleyball camps. The BGHS Volleyball Camp runs June 27-29. Prairie Falcon Volleyball Summer Camp runs July 11-13. Both camps are priced at $75 for all three days. Participants can learn the fundamentals of volleyball skills, teamwork and friendship. The camps are guided by local coaches from the Battle Ground and Prairie high school volleyball teams.

Dance Workshops

Community Education also offers a variety of summer dance workshops for children as young as four on up to teens and adults. Learn ballroom dancing, tap, ballet and more from local dance instructors. This is a great opportunity to learn a new skill or brush up on old ones while getting in shape and making friends. Dance workshops are a single day and prices range from $10 to $18. Some classes also have a small fee to cover materials.

For a full list of summer camps and workshops, prices, and information on registering, visit the Battle Ground Community Education website.

Tigerland Preschool 2022-23

Battle Ground Community Education is now enrolling for Tigerland Preschool for the 2022-23 school year. Visit our Tigerland webpage for more information and call with questions: (360) 885-6584.