Battle Ground Public Schools inform parents and students of schools closure

Graduation dates for high school seniors will not change

BATTLE GROUND — Battle Ground Public Schools (BGPS) is closing all its schools Mon., March 16, through Fri., April 24. Gov. Jay Inslee has directed all Washington state K-12 schools to close to help our state and nation slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Here is a letter Superintendent Mark Ross sent to parents in BGPS Friday afternoon:

We recognize that closures can pose difficulties for families and disrupt students’ education. However, this is an important step to preventing the spread of the coronavirus and protecting the lives of those who are at greater risk for contracting the virus.

Please review the following important information:

Athletics/Activities: Effective immediately and throughout the closure, ALL athletics and afternoon/evening school activities will be canceled.

Lunches: Children ages 1–18 can pick up a free and nutritious sack lunch and sack breakfast each weekday between 11 a.m. and noon in front of all our primary schools and Battle Ground and Prairie high schools. We will provide these meals on weekdays March 16–March 27 and April 6–24 (meals will NOT be served spring break week, March 29-April 3). Meals will be distributed at:

  • Battle Ground High School
  • Captain Strong Primary
  • Daybreak Primary
  • Glenwood Heights Primary
  • Maple Grove Primary
  • Pleasant Valley Primary
  • Prairie High School
  • Tukes Valley Primary
  • Yacolt Primary

Makeup Days: Some of the missed school days will be made up at the end of the school year, and the last day of school will be June 19. The make-up days will be: May 1 (snow makeup day), June 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The district will apply for a state waiver for the additional days that students miss.

Running Start Students: Follow the Clark and Lower Columbia College schedules for your classes at these colleges.

High School Seniors: Graduation dates will not change. We are still getting information about making up AP tests and credits and will provide updates as we learn more.

Medications: The parents of students who have medications on file with the school nurse need to pick up those medications. Contact your school office staff to arrange a time to do that.

Community Education and Facility Rentals: All community education events and facility rentals are canceled throughout the duration of the closure.

During the closure we will continue to provide information via several methods:

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we address this unprecedented situation. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our students, their families, our staff members, volunteers and community.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another. We are a resilient community, and I know that we will get through this challenging time together.

Information provided by Battle Ground Public Schools.