We at the BHS PTSA wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! See you in 2019!
 MAKE AN IMPACT for Ballard High School
Ballard High School PTSA Direct Appeal donations go to the BHS PTSA General Fund. where we try to use your dollar wisely. We think we do OK!
The Focus of the Ballard High School PTSA is to enhance the educational environment for all Ballard High School students. We say Direct Appeal is "Money for Academics" for a reason!
Ballard High School PTSA Direct Appeal
for 2018-2019 is focused on academics. Of course, we help Performing Arts, Athletics, Maritime, and other specific programs and general school support (loved funding a new pressure washer for the custodial staff last year!), but our focus is on enriching academics. This is why you see most funding to go World Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.
We fund the tools that academic departments need to cultivate that great educational environment and provide tools to teachers that give them that extra little bit of punch. We love the requests for replicas of historical documents, computers for the classroom, analytical scales, and innovative website tools that motivate students to want to spend more time learning.
We cannot do this funding without your help, though. We are very close to our goal, but we have only a couple of weeks left for Direct Appeal. If you have not made your donation, now is the time to do so. Remember, any amount helps! Find that
Ballard High School PTSA Direct Appeal envelope we sent a few weeks ago, or donate online today.
Again, any amount helps!
If you would rather send a check, look for your return from from the Direct Appeal mailing a few weeks ago, or just send a check to the address at the bottom of this email, marked as "Direct Appeal."
And, don't forget to see if your company offers
Corporate Matching, and of course, remember that your donation is tax deductible
You can bet we'll continue to disperse money wisely and with a great deal of thought. Donate today!
Read more about Direct Appeal
HERE
.
NE
W! Last Day for Seniors is now Thursday, June 13, 2019
Finals Wed, June 12 & Thurs, June 13, 2019
Counselor's letters for COLLEGE APPLICATIONS | Those of you applying to colleges with upcoming due dates in January need to turn in your Counselor Letter of Recommendation information ASAP and be sure to add us to your online applications! The Counseling Center will be closed over Winter Break so please don't wait! If you need an "Official Transcript," you MUST to come to the counseling center NOW to order it.
Students
! Have you picked up your Student ID yet? There are still many ID cards waiting to be picked up in the front office. Remember--your ID is good for student discounts at the school and community so be sure you have yours.
Need a great stocking stuffer? The Greenhouse program is selling lotion and lip balm! Drop by NW203 after school or during 1st lunch any day to peruse the selection of awesome student made products. All proceeds benefit the BHS greenhouse programs.
Planners still available: Don't wait until New Years to get your life in order! Buy your 2018-19 BHS planner now! They are $10 and available in the Main Office. Proceeds support the Senior Spree.
Beaver Gear is on sale for the Holidays | Hurry! It's not too late to order Beaver Gear in time for holiday gift giving!
Go to
www.ballardatheltics.com
and click on the Beaver Gear tab to download your order form or collect one from in front of the Main Office at school. Return to the school with payment NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 20TH! Orders will be filled on DECEMBER 21st and MUST BE COLLECTED FROM THE MAIN OFFICE BY 3:00 p.m. before doors are locked for winter break!
COLLEGE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
SPS and BHS Scholarship Bulletins |
BHS Families check out the
SPS & BHS Scholarship postings on the
BHS Website > Resources and Services > Counseling Center >
Scholarships
often for scholarship opportunities. The November bulletin can be found HERE.
Teens in Public Service
TIPS | TIPS hires teens (ages 15-19) and provides them with paid summer internships working at a selection of nonprofit organizations in the Greater Seattle area. In addition to their nonprofit work, TIPS interns participate in leadership trainings, service activities, and public speaking events led by our organization to help develop these teens into young leaders who understand the need for service, compassion and civic engagement within their community. Application is available online HERE. To be selected for a TIPS internship, you must complete the following:
- Fill out and submit an application.
- Have 2 letters of recommendation submitted on his/her behalf.
- Have a high interest in serving their community.
- Complete an interview (if application is accepted).
All applications are due Monday, 2/25/19 at 5:00 p.m. along with TWO letters of recommendation.
Ewing C. Kelly Scholarship |
The Ewing C. Kelly Scholarship is designed to reward students who demonstrate good citizenship while striving to attain their academic goals. Applicants judged on their academic merit and extracurricular achievements--both scholastically and in their community. Awarded to students applying to either 4- year and 2- year schools.
DEADLINE: March 10, 2019. For more information, click HERE.
BALLARD PERFORMING ARTS
Ballard Music's Winter Concerts Dec. 18-20 Featuring Choral-Orchestral Masterwork, Handel's Messiah.
Performed nightly at Choir Concert, December 18; Band Concert, December 19;
Orchestra Concert, December 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Ballard High School music program brings a sparkle to your holiday season with their Winter Concert Series on December 18, 19, and 20. Enjoy three free nights of spectacular performances by the award-winning BHS Choir, Band, and Orchestra programs. Each evening will culminate in a masterwork performance with a full symphonic orchestra and choir featuring selections from Handel's Messiah. You won't want to miss the biggest night of music of the year! Each performance begins at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be at the Earl Kelly Center for Performing Arts at Ballard High School. 
ASSESSMENTS AND TESTING
PSAT Info, Score Reporting, and Preparing for the SAT
PARENTS AND STUDENTS |
Refer to the following information on how to understand your student's PSAT scores and how students can use them to prepare for the SAT. The SAT will be offered to all Juniors on March 6th at Ballard High School.
 PSAT Results will be released online on 12/12
.
Students who took the PSAT at BHS in October will need to 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 BHS Counseling Center. Ballard HS counselors are there to help.
Students will receive their original PSAT test booklets and PSAT Score Print out in their LA class before winter break, and Juniors will also receive a SAT Student Guide. Running Start students need to pick up their info from the Counseling Office. Visit the HS website PSAT & SAT pages for helpful info and links to resources.
AP Exams Registration Info: Registration and payment for AP exams begins January 7th. Click
HERE for more information.
Come and support the upcoming Winter Sports Teams!
V
isit
MetroLeagueWA for current athletic schedules.
Back this
year - Ballard High School Gymnastics Kids Camps!!
The Ballard High School gymnastics team--4th place winners at the 2018 WA State
Gymnastics Championships--welcomes your K-5-aged child to join our 2019 kids camps!
BHS gymnasts will teach campers on bars, beam, vault, and floor for hours of fun and instruction.
Tickets are $45 per date, per camper (additional campers from the same family are $40) per date. No gymnastics experience is needed!
Contact Kimball Mullins (Kids Camp coordinator) at
kimball.mullins@gmail.com
with questions.
This event is always a community favorite, secure your spot at the camps today!
Makes a great holiday gift!
LIBRARY NEWS
 Extreme Beaver Reader Season is almost here! We are encouraging all parents, staff, students, and community members to read harder into the new year. Snap a photo, send it to
tschambers@seattleschools.org
and see if you are the most Extreme Beaver Reader. The contest starts on December 21st and ends on January 15th. There is still plenty of time to stop by the Ballard High School library and stock up on books for this winter season. Remember all you need to do is READ!
Stay connected with Ballard HS Library events and check out the Library
What's New
page, online Calendar and the
Photo Gallery
too!
Organizing Meeting for BHS Winter Art Show |
12/19, 4 p.m., in Room SW110.
Come join the brand-new BHS Visual Arts Booster Club to start planning for the winter art show. For more information about the the meeting, or the Visual Arts Booster Club, please contact Kate Kaehny (parent of BHS art student) at
kkaehny@gmail.com
.
BHS PTSA | ADVOCACY ACTIONS ADVISORY
1. BHS
PTSA General Membership Mtg 1/31/18, 7:00 pm, Library (SPS Levies endorsement vote)
2. WSPTA Lobby day at State Capitol in Olympia Feb 11, 2019
3. Seattle Public Schools Capital and Operating Levies Election, Feb 12, 2019
4. WSPTA Annual Convention, SeaTac Hilton, April 26-28, 2019
SERVICE LEARNI
NG OPPORTUNITIES
Need Service Learning Hours?
Ballard Students check out December
service learning opportunities
on the Service Learning page
HERE
.
YESC Wallace Falls Hike |
Kick
off the New Year chasing waterfalls with on a hike to Wallace Falls on Thurs., Jan. 3 from 8 a.m.
-
5 p.m
. Learn about different kinds of waterfalls while viewing the 9 falls along the hike, take in the view of the Skykomish River valley at multiple lookouts along the trail, and learn how to identify mountains and waterfalls on a topographic map. Transportation available from select locations. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Register
HERE
or by contacting them (206-587-6116 or yesc@seattleymca.org).
Snowshoe at Commonwealth Basin |
Join YESC for their first snowshoe trip of the season on Fri., Jan. 4 from 8:15am-4:15pm. Everyone will snowshoe through old growth forests and get frosty
while exploring the trails of Snoqualmie Pass. Look forward to seeing the beautiful waterfall on this 5-mile trek and learning about animal track identification. Transportation is available from select locations and snacks will be provided (bring your own lunch). Register HERE or by contacting them (206-587-6116, yesc@seattleymca.org).
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WE LOVE VOLUNTEERS!
Attention Parent/Guardians Ballard HS appreciates every family's contribution to the school and volunteering is a great way to support your student, teachers and directors and allow them to continue to have the great opportunities that having volunteers like you provide.
Please consider volunteering and completing your
SPS Online Paperwork today. Visit the
BHS Website Volunteer Needs page often to see how you can help out.
THANK YOU BHS FAMILIES!
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY WINTER BREAK EVENTS | Looking for something to do during the winter break from school? The Seattle Public Library will offer free programs ranging from holiday Photoshop classes to board game bonanzas, movies, crafts, chess and more! See below for the schedule of events from Friday, Dec. 21 to Sunday, Jan. 6.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club
- Interested in D & D? Play and learn with other teens at the Ballard Branch. This group is organized and led by Ballard teens. Snacks will be provided. First time attendees, please come at noon for character creation.
1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22
at the Ballard Branch.
Teen Space -
Hang out with your friends and other teens your age! Play board and video games, hang out, listen to music, use a computer and eat snacks until the food runs out.
Peter Manos
- Local author Manos will discuss A Girl Named Cricket, about a teenage alien who is tricked into leaving her dying planet and forced to enroll in high school in California.
UW STARS Program
| Seniors who are applying to U of W and are interested in engineering may want to consider the STARS program.
Why?
U of W's engineering program is now "Direct to College." Students who have identified engineering and are accepted are admitted "freshman direct" to that program, as well. However, sometimes a student's transcript may not show their aptitude for STEM coursework coming in as a freshman. They may be accepted to UW but not accepted "freshman direct" to the College of Engineering.
What?
The STARS program offers an alternative route to receiving a degree in engineering. This program puts them into a cohort of classes that would allow them to get into their engineering program of choice after they finish the 2 year program. Note - student must be eligible for financial aid (preference for Husky Promise, Pell Grant, and State Need Grant recipients).
The early application deadline for this program is coming up on December 21, and the normal deadline is next year on March 31st 2019, which is right after our decision letters will be going out (March 1st-15th). Click
HERE
for more information.
SEATTLE CASCADES is Seattle's pro ultimate team. We're hosting a 5v5 tournament for High School aged players and older.
- All abilities and genders are welcome
- We have cleats to share if needed
- Scholarships are given to all who need it. No questions asked.
Winter Baller!
Seattle Cascades is hosting a 5v5 tournament under the lights of Memorial Stadium. All genders and skill levels are encouraged to attend. Must be in high school or older. Register HERE.
$15-20 per person. The bigger your group, the better the deal! Includes a Cascades home game ticket. Scholarships available, email
monica@seattlecascades.com
Crystal Clear College Planning
| January 3, 7 p.m., Redmond Library. No Matter How Much Money You Make or How Good Your Student Is, This Class Is For YOU!
Classes are free, but reservations are necessary. Register online at HERE or
watch our video. I
nformation-packed classes focus on high school
juniors and address the following:
- How to pick a college that is a good Academic, Social and Financial Fit.
- Why procrastination may cost a family thousands of dollars.
- Why standardized tests are important and which one to take SAT/ACT.
- How to maximize your student's potential to receive scholarships, grants, and other forms of gift-aid.
- Illustrate to families how to attend a PRIVATE COLLEGE for a Public College Price.
Penguin Productions
| Want a complete holiday theater experience, without the lengthy rehearsal process? Is being a part of an awesome community-building theater event on your wish list? Join us as an actor, writer, stage manager, designer, or general production support! We'll get together, talk a little about what the holidays mean to us, generate some themes and ideas. Then we'll form some groups to collaborate on performance pieces, which we'll share with family and friends. Create the holiday play you've always wanted to see/star in, make new friends, and re-discover the magic of community theater. All ages are invited to participate! Never worked with Penguin before? No problem! We welcome newcomers to get to know us in a friendly, relaxed, and inclusive environment.
There is no financial obligation for any Penguin opportunities.
Voluntary donations ensure access for all.
More information at
www.penguinproductionsseattle.org
, on Facebook, or email Producing Artistic Director
Shana Bestock
.
_____________________________________________________________
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
Please submit blurbs no more than 100 words & include relevant URLs, contact info, and a small graphic (if you have one). BHS Newsletter editors have full discretion over what is published.
* The BHS PTSA provides community news for purely informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.
|
|
|
WINTER SPIRIT WEEK!
12/17 -
PJ Day & Holiday Gram Sales
12/18 -
Flannel Day
&
Holiday Gram Sales
12/19 -
Ugly Sweater Day &
Free Holiday Polaroids
12/20 -
Snow Day Wear White &
Ugly Holiday Headbands
12/21 -
BHS Colors/Gear Day
12/17-19: Holiday Concert Series (see details in newsletter)
12/18:
-
Varsity Gymnastics
@ BHS 7 p.m.
12/20:
-
Varsity Boys Wrestling -- Franklin, Garfield, and Roosevelt @ BHS 6:30 p.m.
12/21:
- Varsity Girls Basketball - Seattle Prep @ BHS 7:00 p.m.
- Varsity Boys Basketball - Seattle Prep @ BHS 8:30 p.m.
- Varsity Boys Swimming -
against Cleveland @ SW Pool
12/28-29:
- Varsity Boys Basketball - Mountlake Terrace Holiday Tournament @ Mountlake Terrace HS 6:00 (12/28) and 7:30 (12/29) p.m.
- Varsity Girls Basketball - Surf and Slam Tournament -- details TBD (check Metroleague)
1/4:
-
Varsity Girls Basketball - @ Lakeside 7:00 p.m.
-
Varsity Boys Basketball - @ Lakeside 7:30 p.m.
12/24 - 1/4
: Winter Break
NEW 3/9/19: Ballard Blast
|
Beaver Gear Holiday Sale
12/11-12 (During lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
Beaver Gear will be on sale during lunch 12/11 and 12/12. All your favorites will be available including hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts and pajama pants. Our holiday specials includes a Strideline Sock and Supporter Scarf bundle for only $25 and limited edition 17 oz stainless steel water bottle to keep beverages cold or hot for only $20. Beaver Gear makes great holiday gifts for friends and family!
Order forms are available in front of the main office, HERE, or you can pick one up at our holiday sales table that will be set up on the 2nd floor atrium during these days/times:
We're offering our normal awesome selection of
Beaver Gear
items plus a couple of holiday specials.
- Scarf/socks combo at a discount
- NEW! metal water bottle
- Limited availability - Plaid pants
Get your duffel bag for the rest of the month
HERE
|
The BHS 2018-19 Club List is now posted
on the BHS Website Clubs page. For more information on BHS clubs in general, 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 Clubs Coordinator Clara Propst.
|
|
 |
|
