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.

Popular People’s Choice Award Returns For 66th Annual Battle Ground Public Schools District Art Show (Photo) -05/02/25

The Battle Ground Public Schools District Art Show returns this month for its 66th year, bringing back the popular People’s Choice Award. Community members can vote for their favorite submission at each grade level (primary, middle and high) through Monday, May 12, at 8 a.m. Top selections will receive the People’s Choice Award at the May 27 board of directors meeting. Board meetings are open to the public and available to watch online.

“We are excited to show off the amazing talent of our students and the hard work of the district’s dedicated art teachers,” said Allison Tuchardt, the district’s director of curriculum, instruction and assessment and one of the organizers of the art show. “Having the artwork online allows family members from all over to see our students’ work and participate in the show. We’re excited to see whose work resonates with our community.”

Tuchardt is the daughter of the late Bob Peck. The longtime Battle Ground High School art teacher created the BGPS Art Show in 1959 along with Battle Ground city librarian Florence Rieck as a way for the community to enjoy the creativity of its students.

All grade levels are represented in the show in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, 3D sculptures and digital art/video. Winning student-artists will be recognized in person at the May 27 school board meeting.

“Our community always looks forward to the art show and that is a feeling we share,” said incoming Superintendent Shelly Whitten. “Last year, more than 500 people voted for their favorite online, and that’s a testament to the popularity of this event even after so many years. It is our pleasure to support our amazing art students and teachers with this event.”

In addition to People’s Choice Awards, students will be eligible to receive the coveted Bob Peck Award, Superintendent Awards, Board’s Choice Awards, Best of Show and juried awards.

The public is invited to view students' art on the district website and choose their favorites for the People's Choice Award through the morning of May 12.

Sixth Year In A Row: BGHS Cadets Earn Coveted Flight Academy Spots (Photo) -04/24/25

Two Battle Ground High School AFJROTC cadets have been selected to attend the Air Force Flight Academy this summer, marking the sixth consecutive year that Tigers will take to the skies.

Juniors Charlie Weiner and Jeremiah Norwood will attend the eight-week flight training program at Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The program is sponsored by Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC.

“I can now achieve my dream of flying commercial aircraft,” Weiner said, “and it gives me a great base to go to the Air Force Academy after high school.” Weiner is currently the flight commander of his class and attends the Cascadia Tech Aviation Program.

Lt .Col. (ret.) Andrew Woodrow, the senior aerospace science instructor, said Weiner has been “immersed in the study of aerospace science since his first day at Battle Ground.” Woodrow also noted Weiner’s involvement with the precision marksmanship team.

Norwood, a CAM Academy student who also served as a flight commander and flight sergeant, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “When I heard about the flight academy, I jumped at the thought of actually obtaining a pilot’s license. The chance to step forward toward my dream career is hard to explain, but I marvel at the truth of God’s grace for giving me this opportunity.”

Woodrow said the cadets were “truly stunned” at the announcement made in class, adding, “I really think their classmates celebrated the opportunity with them.”

Each year, only 250 students nationwide are selected from nearly 1,100 applicants for the flight academy. Since the program began in 2019, 12 cadets from Battle Ground High School have completed the certification program.

“The flight academy is essentially a $22,000 scholarship applied to one of about 24 universities across the country,” Woodrow said, adding there are no obligations for the student except to focus on the flight training during the eight-week program.

Mark Norwood, Jeremiah Norwood’s father, said the scholarship program is “a fantastic opportunity for any cadet.” He added, “We are still a bit awed that the Air Force offers such a program and are beyond grateful that Jeremiah has been given the opportunity to participate.”

Ana Taylor, Charlie Weiner’s mother, said, “Attending an Air Force-sponsored flight school, on full scholarship as a junior in high school, marks the beginning of what we expect to be an exciting and rewarding career as a pilot. This is truly going to be a before-and-after experience in his life.”