NO SCHOOL MONDAY, 1/15
Martin Luther King Day 



**SUICIDE PREVENTION**
BHS PTSA General Meeting with Special Topic: Suicide Prevention | 2/1 at 7 p.m. in the BHS Library 

Did you know almost 30% of BHS students indicated they felt so sad or hopeless in the past year they stopped some of their usual activities? Or that more than 17% of sophomores seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months? And the vast majority of BHS sophomores (70%) reported feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge several days in the previous two weeks?

BHS PTSA invites you to the general meeting as we welcome Principal Keven Wynkoop, PTSA VP Jenny Peters, Karen Boudour from the Ballard Teen Health Center, and BHS parent Karen Kazanjian as they lead an informative suicide prevention workshop for BHS parents. This workshop developed in partnership with University of Washington Forefront Suicide Prevention will provide information and skills valuable to any parent. You will LEARN™  to identify warning signs and risk factors, get tips on how to respond, and find out what resources are the available to your family, child's friends and loved ones.
 
More than 1 in 20 BHS students reported that they had attempted suicide in the last 12 months. That means that on average, EVERY classroom at Ballard has at least one student who attempted suicide in the last year. Please join us for this discussion that just may save a life.
 
LIBRARY NEWS
Our Harry Potter Extravaganza has started with fantastic success. All students are invited to the library to check out the Harry Potter series or to revisit some of their favorite classics. 

Please encourage your children to join the Virtual Reality Club  on Thursday  afternoons from  3:45-4:45  in the library. This week research professor Elin Bjorling, from the University of Washington came to the Ballard Virtual Reality Club to engage students in human-centered design. Students shared their perspectives to help design Build-a-Bot, the robot designer game. 

We also continue to work on transforming our library as outdated televisions and VCRs are removed to make way for updated technology and presentation stations. We will continue to share pictures and stories as we convert our library into a true Learning Commons. 

Thank you for the continued support, as we start the year with renewed vigor and excitement I encourage you to make literacy in all forms a part of your families' lives. Please ask your friends, family, and child, "What are you reading?" and watch as we change the world! 

Happy Reading, 
Ms. Chambers

Spilled Ink is coming back to Ballard!  Please talk to your child about their artistic endeavors and encourage them to share an original drawing, painting, poetry, short story, photography, video, music, sculpture or more at  ballardinkclub@gmail.com or in room SW105.  

Thank you so much for all of your continued support.  You and your children make Ballard High School the best place to be!
- TuesD Chambers

What's New! Find out the latest news, library events & check out the Library book wish lists too!

SENIORS 
For the latest Senior news click HERE

FOR STUDENTS
Winter Spirit Week is coming! Click HERE for more information.


Winter Ball | 1/27, 8-11 p.m. - Bell Harbor. Tickets on sale through 1/22 (during both lunches and after school in the AC) for $20 with ASB card and $25 without and then the price will increase by $5 the following week. Add your favorite song to the SONG LIST  HERE .

Learn to fly an airplane! | For students who are 16+, Cascade Warbirds is offering aviation scholarships. Cascade Warbirds has teamed with Galvin Flight Training at Boeing Field, Seattle, WA, to provide the scholarship recipient with tuition, books and supplies, and two introductory instructional flights. Click HERE for more information or see Ms. Flanagan in the Counseling Office for more details.

Interested in Medicine? | Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is hosting The Mini Med School, which will be held on Saturday, 4/14. The program is of no charge to students, but there are only 150 spots available, and each student will be required to send a letter of nomination from teaching or counseling staff at their school. For more information, click HERE. Applications due Friday, 1/19.
 
Military Fair | Any students interested in a branch of the military and/or ROTC, is invited to the military fair in the Counseling Center on Tuesday, January 23rd during both 1st and 2nd lunch. Please sign up in the Counseling Center.

AP Registration and Payment Information | Students must register for AP exams HERE. Registration closes on Wednesday, 2/28. The AP exams will be given at BHS in May. Each exam will cost $102 and payment will be made through SchoolPay via The Source. We will continue to offer a reduced price of $15 per exam for students who qualify for F/R lunch. Students who qualify for F/R lunch will register and make payment (cash or check) at 1st or 2nd lunch in SW207 with Mr. Broom. Students will receive hard copies of the Bulletin for AP Students and Parents, which includes exam schedule, testing policies, and a student checklist to help prepare for exam day. Please direct questions to Mr. Broom at mrbroom@seattleschools.org or call 206-252-1107.
  • Deadlines:  Students will not be able to register after the closing date of 2/28. Registrations that are not paid by 3/3 will be canceled and exams will not be ordered.
  • Click HERE to visit Ballard's assessment page for more information and resources pertaining to the AP exams.
History Day is coming! "An event for especially Junior parents/guardians not to miss!" Please attend the 2nd Annual Ballard High School National History Day Showcase on 1/18 between 6:00-7:30 p.m., in the History Pod (South Wing). Click HERE for more information. 
  
Interested in GAP Years? | Roosevelt High School is hosting a Dynamy Internship Year & USA Gap Year Fair on 2/15, 6:15-9 p.m. Any Ballard student who is interested or curious about a GAP year should take this opportunity. Pre-register HERE

Yearbook Sales | Through 1/26. Yearbook sales dates are established in accordance with state tax policies. Yearbooks are sold before school, during break, during lunch, and after school in the Activity Center and NEW this year pay online on THE SOURCE and SchoolPay. If you haven't purchased your ASB Card purchase the Combo online!  If you already purchased your ASB card this year you can still purchase your Yearbook separately online. 
  • Through 1/26 $55.00 with Activity Card/$90 Combo
  • LAST WINDOW:  4/2-27 $55.00 with Activity Card/$90 without Activity Card (Excludes Spring Break)
PSAT Results are now available online. Students who took the PSAT on 10/11 can log onto their  College Board Account in order to view their scores. If you would like to learn more about how to understand your scores, get tips for preparing for the SAT or need assistance with your College Board account, come to the Ballard Counseling Center. BHS counselors are there to help. Students will receive their original PSAT test booklets along with their score report in their LA class before Winter Break. Running Start students will need to pick up their information from the counseling office. Please visit  HERE for more information regarding PSAT score reporting and to start preparing for the SAT.
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.

PERFORMING ARTS

Take a trip back to the 80s at the Ballard Performing Arts 59th Annual Spaghetti Dinner | BHS Commons 2/3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy a rad spaghetti dinner with live entertainment from all the Ballard Performing Arts groups, plus get a sneak preview of the upcoming musical, Damn Yankees. And try your luck at the awesome raffle! Tickets on sale now at squareup.com/store/bpa or available at the door. All-You-Can-Eat: $22.50 (Online Reservation Only.) Adults: $15; Student, Child, Seniors (65+): $10; Kids Under 5: Free. Sign up HERE to volunteer and help make this event a success!  
 
Don't Miss New Shorts from Ballard's Award-Winning Filmmakers!
Everyone is invited to a screening of new work by students in the Ballard High School Digital Filmmaking Program. The Ballard Film Festival (BFF) will be Saturday 2/10 at 7 p.m. in the Ballard High School auditorium. The screening will feature short comedies and dramas, advertisements, and documentaries. Tickets ($10 for adults and $5 for students) will be sold at the door. Funds raised will benefit students in the Digital Filmmaking Program. This year, a dozen film students will travel to Los Angeles to visit prestigious college film production programs, tour the industry, and meet with professional filmmakers. Your support helps make trips such as this possible for any student in the program. For more information, click HERE

HEALTH & SPORTS
Flu season is here! Flu shots are free and available to all BHS students in the Teen Health Center. Stop by and talk to Annie about scheduling an appointment. 

Don't forget that students get into home games either free with an ASB sticker on their student ID or $4 without (adults are $6). 

Ballard Girls Basketball Mid-Winter Break Camp: 2/20-22 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for girls 3rd through 8th grade, beginner to advanced. For information and to register, click HERE.

Ballard's own KBFG 107.3 FM Public Radio serves as the flagship station for Ballard Boys Basketball with BHS teacher Eric Muhs as executive producer and lead technician. Gameday coverage features 30 minutes of pre- and postgame coverage.

The 2017-2018 broadcast schedule:
1/16 @ Roosevelt 7:00 p.m.
1/19 vs West Seattle 8:00 p.m.
2/2 vs Ingraham 8:00 p.m.

The "C2X" broadcast team is composed of Jon Adams and Billy Rodgers who call the action on the Beaver Sports Network. Coach Adams is a highly regarded play-by-play broadcaster who has served as an assistant coach for the past 5 years. Coach Rodgers, who provides analysis and color commentary, is a Ballard alum and former longtime basketball coach at Ballard. A variety of BHS students work closely with Mr. Muhs to handle portions of the pre- and postgame coverage for the network while providing courtside reporting and in-game analysis.

In addition to live coverage on 107.3 FM KBFG, fans may live stream the action HERE. All previous broadcasts can be accessed at ballardboyshoops.com.

Click HERE to access sports and medical forms. 

The flu is in full swing now! Flu vaccine is now available free to all BHS students in the Teen Health Center. Stop by and talk to Annie about scheduling an appointment. They are open from 8-4 p.m.
 
SERVICE LEARNING
Museum of Flight Museum Apprentice Program (MAP) | A year-round volunteer program for high school students. During this program, students work on projects related to aerospace, the museum field, docent training, living history, and documentaries. They will go on offsite adventures, interact with guests of all ages, and create hands-on activities. Students must be able to attend meeting held on Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m. The next training session begins Thursday, 2/15; applications are due 2/9. Learn more and download an application HERE or contact Julie Bowman at jbowman@museumofflight.org or (206) 768-7187.
. 
Warren G. Magnuson Park (NE Seattle) Work Party | 1/20 9 a.m.-1 p.m. To learn more and sign up, click HERE
 
Loyal Heights Community Center Teen Program | LHCC (2101 NW 77th) needs teens to volunteer one or more days each week on an ongoing basis for the teen program that runs Monday-Friday 3:30-6:00 p.m. You can also volunteer on the third Thursday each month (1/25) at the Community Dinners Program from 4:30-6:30 p.m. if a minimum of three teens sign up. To sign up, email Ron Brown or call 206-684-4052.

Please check out current Service Learning opportunities  HERE.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS                            
Superintendent Search Survey closes 1/19. The provided input will shape the position description and candidate selection criteria. You are also invited to attend a community Town Hall on 1/18 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Nova High School Cafeteria (2410 E Cherry St, Seattle, WA 98122).
 
**POSTPONED** Public Forum on 2018-2019 SPS Funding | 1/18, 7 p.m. in BHS Commons. Come listen to Asst. Superintendent JoLynn Berge, SCPTSA's Heidi Bennett, and invited reps from Seattle City Council, state legislators, and SPS Board directors
 
WSPTA Focus Day | Lobby the legislature on school issues, including funding on 1/29. Check WEA or SEA websites for buses that may be chartered. Click HERE for more information. 

*Flu and cold season has arrived. Thank you for considering a donation of Kleenex, hand sanitizer, or Clorox wipes to the nurses and main office.

Student Assignment Plan, High School Boundaries & HC Pathways High School Boundary Update | For the most current High School Boundary Updates and Decision Timeline, please visit the SPS Website at  seattleschools.org or the BHS Website Featured News articles at  ballardhs.seattleschools.org.       


VOLUNTEER 
  
For Volunteer Opportunities at BHS click HERE


College Planning Classes | 2/1 at 7 p.m (Kenmore Library); 2/8 (Newport Way Library); and 2/15 (Redmond Library). This information-packed focuses on high school sophomores and juniors and addresses the following:
  • Which college should you apply to?
  • What do the more selective colleges really want to see in my application?
  • Why are standardized tests (SAT/ACT) so important and which one should I take?
  • How can I maximize my potential to receive scholarships, grants, and other forms of gift-aid?
  • How can I attend a private college for a public college price?
Classes are free, but reservations are necessary. Register online HERE, click HERE for an informational flyer, or email  Crystal Tate
  
Penguin Productions | Calling all artistic types! Whether you want to act, design, direct, or get a backstage look into Seattle's great professional theater scene - Penguin Projects has a project for you! From independent projects to full productions to a theater-going group, there are plenty of ways to get involved, plus opportunities for extra-credit and service learning. A great way to meet new people and develop your artistic self! Click HERE for more information or email Shana Bestock
 
Seattle Public Theater | Now that the days are getting darker and brisker, ignite yourself with curiosity, collaboration, and joy throughonof SPT's  Winter Session classes. Hone your skills in  Introduction to Stage Combat, Deepen your knowledge and technique for musical theater in  From Page to Stage: The Musicals of Your Favorite Books, or explore the comedic trial of the century in  The Trials of Robin Hood. Register for classes  here. For more information, email Ana Maria Campoy.  

BHS Gymnastics Kids Camps | Back by popular demand! 1 more K-5 camp at the Ballard High School gym. Tickets are $45 per date, per camper (additional campers from the same family are $40 per date). No gymnastics experience is needed!
  • Camp 2: 1/27, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Please see our attached poster, including our online link to make registration and payment easy. Contact Kimball Mullins
(Kids Camp coordinator) with questions.

BALLARD HS TOURS & OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION
Ballard Families: 8th Grade morning tours will be 2/6 & 2/14 from 8- 9:30 a.m. Evening Open House will be 2/8 from 6:30-9 p.m. Shadowing: While Ballard does not arrange shadowing opportunities for students, we do allow our current students to host 8th grade students that they know during the month of February. If you know a current BHS student, feel free to contact them to ask if they would host your 8th grade student who is considering attending BHS. The current BHS student would need to complete this  paperwork, also located in Main Office at least one week ahead of the proposed visit. 

Students interested in Music should contact the Directors: Michael James (Band), Courtney Rowley (Choir), or Brittany Newell (Orchestra) who may be able to arrange for a shadow with a current music student. Visit the Ballard Website for the most up-to-date information.
  
Battle of the Bands | 1/20 at the Ballard Elks Lodge. Tickets are $5 at the door. All ages. Show begins at 7 p.m.


Do You Have an Announcement for the BHS PTSA Newsletter? Submit content (appropriate and relevant to BHS or our immediate community only) by Friday 5 p.m. (1 or 2 weeks before your event begins) to the BHS Newsletter editor. Please submit blurbs of no more than 100 words and include relevant URLs, contact information, and a small graphic (if you have one). BHS Newsletter editors have full discretion over what is published.

Social Media is a great way to keep up-to-date with what's happening with BHS PTSA. Please join us on  Facebook and  Twitter
 
BHS PTSA provides community news for purely informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.

1/15  - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)

1/18 - Student of the Quarter, History Day Showcase, RET Meeting

1/18 - **POSTPONED** SPS Funding Forum BHS Commons, 7 p.m. (stay tuned)

ALL WEEK - Yearbooks for sale

SAVE THE DATE

1/22-27 -

1/26, 29, 30 - FINALS

1/27 - Winter Ball, 8-11 p.m., Bell Harbor

2/1 - BHS PTSA General Meeting, 7 p.m.

2/3 - 59th Annual BPA Spaghetti Dinner. For more information, click HERE.

2/6 and 2/14 - BHS Tours for 8th graders.
 
2/8 - E vening Open House 

For up-to-the-minute information, check out the Daily Bulletin.
Quick Links
Helpful Documents
Community Links
BeaverGear!
  Order Form  HERE
Clubs
For a list of clubs, click here.

Participation in student-oriented activities is a vital part of every student's education. BHS provides a wide range of activities for your student to thrive at school, make new friends, and engage with staff. 
 
Interested in starting a club? W e have many clubs on campus and we are always looking to find more ways for students to get involved! If you have an idea for a new club, email Activities Coordinator and Athletic Director Jason Thurston
  
Read the latest edition of the  Ballard Talisman.