Businesses looking to connect with high school workers and other potential employees in our community are invited to take part in the Battle Ground Public Schools 2022 Industry Fair at Battle Ground High School on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Battle Ground Public Schools is accepting reservations from employers located in and around Clark County for tables at the event, where employer representatives can meet with students and community members about career opportunities. All industries are encouraged to participate, including healthcare, government, manufacturing, technology, construction, finance, hospitality, retail, apprenticeships, transportation, and more. 

Per Washington Department of Health requirements, business representatives attending the Industry Fair must provide proof of full vaccination prior to the event. Full vaccination is reached two weeks after a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson, or two weeks after a second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Acceptable proof of vaccination includes: 

• CDC vaccination card with name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date(s) administered, or a photo of the vaccination card.
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider with the information listed above.
• State immunization information system record with the information listed above.

“The industry fair gives us early exposure to 16-18 year old students who may be interested in a career in the construction industry,” said Paul Hanson with Rotschy, Inc. Since changing their policy to allow students as young as 16 to work at Rotschy part-time, Hanson says they’ve found an eager workforce, and students have found an entry point to a stable career with living wage jobs right out of high school.

This year’s Industry Fair is sponsored by Battle Ground Public Schools in partnership with La Center School District, the City of Battle Ground, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia-Willamette, WorkSource of SW Washington, NEXT and Partners in Careers. 

Businesses interested in setting up a table at this educational evening at Battle Ground High School should sign up by Friday, Feb. 11 online at https://forms.gle/qbWayXr8ReWwudRn8. Contact career guidance specialist Kevin Doyle at (360) 885-6598 or doyle.kevin@battlegroundps.org with questions.

The Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (CASEE) is a half-day hands-on learning program within Battle Ground Public Schools

Soon-to-be or current high school students interested in a hands-on, science-based learning program are invited to register for a virtual ‘Science Night’ on Jan. 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., hosted by Battle Ground Public Schools’ Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (CASEE) program. 

Parents and students curious about what CASEE has to offer will be able to talk with instructors and a few students to learn what to expect while attending the half-day program. Families interested in taking part in Science Night are asked to RSVP at casee.battlegroundps.org. A link to the Zoom session will be sent to registered families prior to Jan. 12. 

CASEE is a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program for high school students that integrates biological, environmental and agricultural sciences with math and English language arts. It is offered through the Battle Ground Public Schools Career and Technical Education program. Students in the program attend classes for ½ day on the CASEE campus, an 80-acre learning laboratory where scientific concepts are explored and reinforced through experiential learning in the classroom, in the lab, and outdoors. Other classes are taken at the students' home high school, and bus transportation is provided to CASEE from both Prairie and Battle Ground high schools. Applications for new students will be available starting Jan. 5 and are due March 25. 

If you have questions about the CASEE program or Science Night, please call (360) 885-5361 or email info.casee@battlegroundps.org.