Ballard Film Student Wins Top Honor from National YoungArts Foundation | Wylie Soltes, a senior in Ballard High School's Digital Filmmaking Program, has been awarded Finalist in Cinematic Arts (the top prize) by the National YoungArts Foundation for his short film Richard. The YoungArts program identifies and supports young talent in the areas of music, theater, visual arts, dance, photography, writing, and cinematic arts. Wylie's film was selected from thousands of submissions through a blind adjudication process by an independent panel of highly accomplished artists. As a Finalist, YoungArts will fly Soltes to Miami in January for a week of networking and mentoring with other promising young filmmakers and professionals. Soltes will be sharing his film with the public at Miami's New World Center. YoungArts will also provide Soltes with financial assistance for college. Soltes is the eighth YoungArts winner from Ballard's Digital Filmmaking Program in the last five years. For more information, click   HERE. 

WE DID IT! BHS and our very own TuesD Chambers won the $100,000 Farmer's Insurance grant to transform the library into a 21st-century Learning Commons. What a wonderful surprise gift staff and students were able to give Ms. Chambers at a surprise assembly! We will receive the funding as early as January 2018 and will immediately start working on connectivity, purchasing moveable furniture and collaboration tools, and finding ways to enhance the space for student learning.

A huge Beaver THANKS to Farmer's Insurance for making this possible! 

Ballard's VR Club (@bvrclub) brought Virtual Reality speakers Eva Hoerth and James Riggall to the library this week. Eva presented to students on the ethics around Virtual Reality design using psychology and neuroscience concepts. Students departed with the message, "As a VR creator, you're creating memories for strangers" and left with that weighty responsibility. James shared his journey of creating a Virtual Reality company with research, social good, and creativity as mantras. You can follow both presenters at @downtohoerth and @jamesriggall

 

Direct Appeal is one of the primary two ways in which the PTSA supports BHS through raising funds for academic grants for teachers and staff. We gave out nearly $70,000 in academic support grants last year. This year, we've already allocated over $55,000 in grants to our wonderful BHS staff!  These grants support infrastructure and staff tools, helping BHS provide the best education it can to all BHS students. We are a little over a month into this year's campaign, and if you have not made your donation, please consider doing so today! Remember, any amount is helpful: from $5.00 to $25.00, $100 to  $1,000.00! 

FOR STUDENTS

Washington State Library Contests

Washington State House of Representatives Page Program

Since 1891, young people from across the state have come to Olympia to serve as pages for the Washington State House of Representatives.  Paging presents students with a unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative process.  Selection as a page is a great honor.  Page duties are varied.  They range from ceremonial tasks such as presenting the flags to operational chores like distributing amendments during legislative sessions.  Each job is vital to the efficient operation of the Legislature.  As the week-long experience draws to a close and pages return to their schools and communities, it is hoped that pages will share their experiences and observations with others in an effort to contribute to a more universal understanding of the legislative process.  Applicants must be at least 14 years of age and have not reached their 17th birthday. For more info click HERE.

 

Washington State Senate Page Program

The Washington State Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country.  Hundreds of students throughout Washington State have an opportunity each year to take part in the legislative process and observe the Legislature and other branches of state government in action.  The page is a helping hand during legislative sessions, which run from January through March or April.  Pages perform many tasks that allow senators and staff to focus on legislative duties.  Pages spend two hours each day in page school learning about the legislative process.  Applicants must be at least 14 years of age and have not reached their 17th birthday. For more info click HERE.

 

Host a Japanese Exchange Student | March 2-12

Open your hearts and homes to a student from Shiga (near Kyoto), Japan. Host families are needed for 15 Japanese high school students this spring. Add an exciting international experience to the school year. For more information about hosting or an application form, email Ms. Sachiko Ogami-Smith or click HERE.

Student Assignment Plan, High School Boundaries & HC Pathways | Seattle Public Schools will open Lincoln High School in Sept 2019. Lincoln will be an attendance area high school serving students based on where they live. This requires drawing an attendance area for the new high school and reassigning students from other high school areas. Visit the Seattle Public School website,  High School Boundary updates and  FAQ to stay informed on both the proposed Boundaries changes and HC Pathway Schools.  

Winterfest Ice Arena, happening at the Seattle Center Ice Rink, Fisher Pavilion (west of the Center House) needs volunteers daily NOW through 1/1/18. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun-Thur and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat. Shifts are 3-5 hours long. Volunteers will hand out and reshelf rental skates and assist customers. Skating ability is not required. Learn more and sign up here. Dress in warm clothes and shoes; the rink is cold. If you have questions, email Sallie Crowell. 

Family Works is the beneficiary of the food drive during the Seattle Parks and Recreation's "Pathway of Lights at Green Lake" on Saturday 12/9. They need 2-3 volunteers from 6-8 p.m. to help collect food at three different sites around the lake and load it into the van. If under 16, please volunteer with a parent/guardian. Sign up here. You will receive sign-up confirmation in your email. Wear warm, weather appropriate clothes.  Contact Kat if you have any questions.