How BGPS Supports Student Wellness
Over the past five years, the federal AWARE grant has made it possible for Battle
Ground Public Schools to implement supports that help students navigate life's
challenges. Middle school students, for example, learn coping, resilience and other
social-emotional skills during a weekly advisory class. Prevention programs support
middle and high school students. Primary students learn empathy, problem solving,
how to manage their emotions, and the importance of being kind.
All students benefit f rom the implementation of positive behavioral
interventions and supports (PBIS), which encourages positive behaviors.
A major part of helping students has been connecting those
experiencing emotional distress to mental health professionals.
"BEING KIND IS HELPING
OTHERS. SOMETIMES, THAT
MEANS STANDING UP TO HELP
OTHERS WHEN THEY NEED IT."
— Krista Sarkinen, Yacolt Primary School
student leader
KINDNESS ROCKS
Yacolt students helped create a positive school
culture with their "kindness rocks" project.
Students painted rocks with positive messages of
kindness and shaped them into a riverbed in the
school's courtyard.
77%
got along better
with peers
Of the 392 students
who used mental health
services in 2017-18:
61%
were referred by
school psychologists
or counselors
81%
said they were
better at handling
their problems at
the conclusion of
their sessions
56%
got along better with
their families
70%
said they were doing
better in school
4 | BATTLE GROUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS