Fall play, Greater Tuna, livestreamed Nov. 5-7
Playmakers stage first-ever virtual production!
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Livestreamed at 7 p.m. Nov. 5, 6 and 7, the play is an affectionate comment on Southern life, small-town living, and the attitudes that go with it.
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Ticket prices are $10 per person or $20 for a group of five or more. For questions please contact Shawn Riley at smriley@seattleschools.org. Greater Tuna will be livestreamed via a password-protected YouTube link. Purchasing a “streaming” ticket is the same as buying a ticket to a traditional live production.
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Make it dinner and a show! |
Tom Douglas Restaurants (Serious TakeOut in Ballard) is putting together a fun, southern-themed Greater Tuna takeout dinner box ($55 for two) to enjoy with the show. Pre-order below, dinner boxes are expected to sell out quickly! (A portion from every special dinner box sold will help to support BPA.)
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MisinfoNIGHT: Timely information featuring history students' research strategies |
MisinfoNIGHT was AMAZING and taught essential digital fact-checking skills! Thank you to all who attended! There were more than 300 people watching on Teams with BHS history students sharing their research strategies!
Great job to BHS Teachers Mr. Kyle Morean, Ms. Robin Dowdy, and Mr. Shawn Lee’s students. Thank you also to Dr. Jevin West, Director of UW Center for an Informed Public, for participating in this timely discussion.
For those who couldn't attend, here's quick a mnemonic device -- "SIFT"-- to help develop useful fact-checking skills:
Stop before liking or sharing information online.
Investigate the source.
Find trusted coverage.
Trace claims, quotes, and media back to their original context.
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Cast your vote by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3! |
"Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it." -Susan B. Anthony
The Ballard High School PTSA reminds our community of our right and privilege to vote.
It is recommended to get your ballot turned around as quickly as possible and put in a secure King County Elections drop box. Drop boxes are open until 8 p.m. Election Day.
Students, ages 16 and 17, it'll be your turn soon too! You can pre-register to vote online! ("History has its eyes on you ..." per Lin-Manuel Miranda.) A ballot will automatically be sent in time for the next election after you turn 18.
Election 2020 Resources:
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Student vote rules at BHS Mock Election |
BHS Club Rush a fun welcome
Rush is done, now check out those clubs!
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T hanks to student club organizers/BHS Link Crew for rolling out the virtual welcome mats last Wednesday for the Club Rush via Teams. Freshmen Beavers were able to view five-minute club introductions and get a sampling of a myriad of groups.
Clubs are a great way to be involved at BHS and add some community and spice to that asynchronous time! Most clubs meet weekly during the Enrichment Period 12:30-1:05 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
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BHS Free Online Tutoring now available |
Did you know that BHS offers FREE virtual tutoring? Even though school is online this year tutoring, led by qualified student volunteers, is still going on.
To sign up for a session, go to http://calendly.com/bhs_tutoring and select between Math; Biology and Chemistry; Physics; Computer Science; and Spanish. Choose a time and enter your email and name. That’s it! Make sure to check your email for meeting link and we’ll see you there!
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BHS School Picture Days at Rowland Studio |
Sittings for the Yearbook photo & Student ID Cards are free of charge for Ballard HS students. You are not required to have photos taken in the studio. This is an optional service.
If you choose to have a studio photo taken, you'll get a Student ID (free) as well as be able to use the photo for the yearbook if you’d like. More info is available on the BHS Website, as well as additional options for Seniors.
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Say thanks through the Ballard Appreciation page! |
Share your reasons why it's #AGTBB (# Always Great to Be a Beaver) by recognizing a BHS staff member, teacher, coach or anyone else from the community who rocks! The Ballard Appreciation Club will make an awesome Instagram shoutout to these honorees! |
Anyone in the BHS Community can cast some deserved sunshine and highlight the awesome efforts or a teacher, student or staff member!
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Only a few days left!
AP Exam Registration closes Nov. 2
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BHS Students must register and pay for their AP Exams by Nov. 2. Students must be currently enrolled in an AP class at Ballard High School to register for the corresponding AP test.
The join codes were provided to students during the first couple weeks of school by each AP teacher, and may also be available on Schoology pages. Students may need to ask their teachers for the join codes if they don't have them. More information on the AP Exam Registration Page.
NEW Testing Update: At this time, the expectation of the College Board is to have students test in-person, and there is not an option for online exams. The College Board may decide later to offer an online testing option, but we have no information about that at this time. As you know, Seattle Public Schools are operating 100% remote right now, and we do not know if Seattle Public Schools will be open for in-person learning when tests are administered in May. If we are not open, and the College Board does not offer an online option, students will likely not be able to take the AP exams.
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January 26 school day PSAT cancelled |
As SPS will not return to in-person instruction during the first semester, the administration of the Jan. 26 school day PSAT has been cancelled.
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Counseling Center offers helpful resources |
It's easy to book a Virtual Counseling Appointment |
Select an option and then select your Counselor's name from the drop down list. Make sure to enter your correct email address, or you will NOT receive a confirmation email with a link to the meeting. More information on the Counseling Center dashboard page.
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Senior yearbook photos/Grad Ads due Nov. 13 |
Keep track of the evolving Senior Timeline |
Help design an iconic 2021 BHS Senior Shirt! |
"I've always thought of the T-shirt as the Alpha and Omega of the fashion alphabet." - Georgio Armani
Unleash your inner Armani, Class of 2021! Your Senior class need Senior Shirt ideas and want your input!
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Shingle seeking photos of seniors voting |
Class of 2021! Did you vote for the first time this year? Filling out your ballot and mailing it in or taking it to a King County drop box are excellent ways to exercise your rights -- and capturing the moment is even better proof!
Images can be uploaded to our Google Form (https://forms.gle/cGtyetvXLkgrWWWHA). NOTE: Do not directly take or submit pictures of your ballot anywhere, as Elections Officials could invalidate your vote. If you are of age and haven’t yet, make sure to get out there and VOTE! (And try to capture the momentous occasion if you can.)
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Helpful 'Applying to College' resources here |
Welcome to the Counseling Center's Applying to College resource section! Find answers to commonly asked questions about applying to college as well as upcoming events and opportunities. Check the Counseling Center Applying to College webpage regularly for new content and these popular helpful links:
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FAFSA and WASFA applications open |
FAFSA and WASFA applications opened on Oct. 1. Completing these free applications is the first step to accessing college financial aid and is required for most scholarships, grants, and loans. To help students and families complete these forms, SPS is offering virtual financial aid support events.
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Learn about tuition-free college thru Seattle Promise |
Learn how Seattle Public Schools 2021 graduates can apply for the Seattle Promise scholarship. Students and families are welcome to attend an upcoming Seattle Promise scholarship workshop.
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Sign Up For Virtual College Visits | Naviance |
BHS is hosting Virtual College Visits this year via Naviance. Log onto your Naviance account to sign up. You will need to access the link for the College Visit at the assigned time on the day of the visit. Log onto Naviance and the link will be available at the same place you registered online (under Colleges > Visits).
Email Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol for more information at: chbristol@seattleschools.org. Note: The Oct. 23 Western Washington University visit had some technical interruptions so it will be rescheduled.
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College virtual visits for this week |
Monday, Nov. 2
1:10-2 p.m. | Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
2:05-3 p.m. | Linfield University, McMinnville, OR
Tuesday, Nov. 3
1:10-2 p.m. | University of Washington - Tacoma Campus
2:05-3:00 p.m. | University of Utah
Wednesday, Nov. 4
9-9:45 a.m. | Boston University
9:45-10:30 a.m. | Goucher College, Towson, MD
10:30-11:15 a.m. | University of Vermont
Thursday, Nov. 5
1:10-2 p.m. | Smith College, Northampton, MA
2:05-3 p.m. | University of California - Santa Cruz
Friday, Nov. 6
1:10pm - 2:00pm | Northern Arizona University
2:05pm - 3:00pm | Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas
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Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship Award |
The Ballard Elks Lodge awards three local senior girls and three local senior boys $1,000 each to be used towards college tuition. Be sure select “Ballard Elks” during the application process. Applicants may also advance and be considered for State
and National Elks scholarships. Deadline is Nov. 15.
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Seattle U Sullivan Leadership Award |
Each year, Seattle University selects nine incoming freshmen to receive the Sullivan Leadership Award. This leadership and service award, which covers undergraduate tuition, housing and meals for four years of study, involves some additional steps with regard to the application:
- Students must apply by the Seattle University Early Action deadline of Nov. 15.
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The Sullivan Leadership Award application, which will be made available to students after they apply to Seattle U, along with two letters of recommendation, is due no later than Nov. 30.
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Thanks for coming to Curbside Pickup! |
BeaverReaders were checking out spooky books, showing off costumed pets, and enjoying treats from Link Crew leaders. Check out all the fun here at the online Library Photo Gallery!
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Also, thanks for dropping off your books when you're done, in the bins outside of the north and south (Main Office) school entrances from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
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Virtual BHS Library week at a glance |
Monday: Games Club, 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Library Leaders, 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Picture Book Pilot: Reading Buddies, 10 a.m.
Friday: Black Panther Book Club, 12:30 p.m.
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Chattin' with Chambers appointments |
Students and families: Have questions about online learning or need to share or get a great book recommendation? Sign up, stop by to talk about books, technology or community building -- make your 10-minute Chattin' with Chambers appointments here!
You can also contact Ms. TuesD Chambers, BHS Teacher-Librarian, at 206-252-1121 or
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BHS Teen Health Center available by appointment |
Did you know your student can get health care and confidential mental health therapy through the Teen Health Center (BTHC)? The BTHC also has flu shots available by appointment.
Nurse practitioner Karen Boudour, ARNP is available for all SPS Students in clinic or in-person visits and Telehealth. Chelsea Clark, MSW and Soriah Mitchell (MSW candidate) provide in-person intake sessions in clinic and ongoing Telehealth sessions.
Drug Prevention Interventionist Eddie Medina, BS, CDPT, AAC is available for limited in-person office appointments on Fridays (with social distancing and added safety measures) at the BTHC, as well as Telehealth and phone-call sessions Mondays through Thursdays.
To schedule a visit or a free flu shot, call or text clinic coordinator Say Tuitele at 206-390-3355. You may also reach Say at Sailau.Tuitele@swedish.org.
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BHS Nurse offers positives of online learning |
BHS Nurse Laurie Tirtanadi, ljtirtanadi@seattleschools.org, is available weekdays via email or phone at 206-252-1007. Do not hesitate to email or call if you have any questions or concerns. Check out her latest updates, including her note below, and other wellness tips on the School Nurse webpage. |
Order your BHS Duffel Bag now thru Nov. 16 |
The Athletic Booster Club's Duffel Bag pre-order sale is now open! Ballard Beavers, now is the time to order your full-size or mini duffel bag!
The online store is open NOW through Nov. 16. Each bag is custom-made by Jensen-Lee of sturdy canvas in BHS colors and personalized for you. These bags make excellent holiday gifts; the mini duffel is the perfect purse to show your Beaver Spirit!
Bags will be shipped to the Beaver Gear Team in mid-December in time for holiday distribution. The team will notify you by email when yours has arrived. Act now as this sale only happens twice a year!
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Ballard Fiddlers meeting Tuesday evenings |
The Ballard Fiddlers are meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays with a new instructor, Matt Hopper. All students playing bowed or strummed string instruments are welcome, as are drummers and keyboardists.
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Orchestra students are gearing up for coached sectionals. SPU orchestra, BHS, and other high schools are learning a piece by a Brazilian composer to collaborate on a project produced by SPU.
Students are engaging on the Teams platform about different composers and learning about music from under-represented groups.
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This Fall has been unlike any other at Ballard High School. But, as a PTSA, we still wanted to reach out and thank our professional and creative teaching staff for all they do! |
Thanks to BHS parents Rachel Antalek and Larry Walsh -- also co-owners of the Queen Anne Nordic cafe, Byen Bakeri -- for donating coffee "coins" (worth two cups of delicious Fonte roasters brew/latte or tea) to help us thank our teachers during remote learning.
“Takk så mye” ... or thank you so much ... Ballard staff!
Thanks also to appreciation coordinator Phyllis Rosen for organizing this effort and Administrative Secretary Cindy Peterson for making sure our thank you notes got to our staff.
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WSPTA Legislative Assembly update |
Last weekend, on Oct. 24-25, child advocates from across the state came together virtually to learn, debate and vote on WSPTA's legislative priorities for the 2020-2021 year.
Thank you to our BHS delegates, Brian Duncan, Jeannie Shu and Janette Ambauen, for your voices and participation.
Special acknowledgement to BHS PTSA Legislative Liaison Brian Duncan for continuing to advocate against gun violence, the No. 5 priority on the list. This was his fourth year attending the assembly.
"A number of progressive policy positions were voted into the WSPTA legislative lobbying platform," he said, including, "strengthening the gun-violence prevention positions to include supporting community-based organizations' violence-interruption efforts; addressing disproportionate effects of gun violence on BIPOC communities; promoting safe storage of firearms; and supporting a state ban on sale and transfer of military-style assault weapons.
Visit the WSPTA Advocacy page for more details on all of this year's legislative priorities.
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Next meeting Nov. 5
Check out a PTSA Board Meeting
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Come check out a BHS PTSA Board virtual meeting and learn about how we support our school.
The Board meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, March 4, April 8 and May 6.
For February and June, when there is also a PTSA General Meeting, our virtual Board Meeting time is earlier in evening at 5:30 p.m. (Feb. 11 and June 10)
Board Meetings are open to all, although only board and committee members may actively vote.
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Main Office staffed during closure |
The Main Office is staffed 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays by Cindy Peterson and Rayna Bauer who are only available via their linked emails or phone at 206-252-1000.
School forms and library book returns may be left from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the bin outside of the school's south entry doors, off of Northwest 65th Street.
Helpful quick links:
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SPS continues remote learning thru first semester |
Seattle Public Schools will remain remote with limited in-person instruction through Jan. 28, the first semester of school.
This approach is in response to an increase of COVID-19 cases in King County and after consultation with Seattle Education Association, Seattle Council PTSA, and the Principals’ Association of Seattle Schools.
There is also no guarantee that we will be able to increase in-person instruction next semester.
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Seattle Parks/SPS offer learning hubs |
The facilities offer a stable, productive environment by providing Wi-Fi access to SPS’s virtual learning portals, along with recreational, enrichment and mentoring programs and in-person assistance with connectivity and academics. Participants must wear mask and bring laptop or tablet. Breakfast and lunch are provided daily.
Hub sites are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and run until June 18. Register here.
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SPS Tech Tip: Student email on SPS account |
FYI: SPS student emails can only send to and receive from other "@seattleschools.org" email accounts. This includes teachers, staff, and other students.
SPS device tech help here:
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To make sure all SPS families have access to the latest fall 2020-21 updates and resources, the District has created web pages in each of our community's top six languages: Amharic,
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Apply now for free and reduced-price meals |
Families must re-apply for meal benefits each school year. Households that experience a change in income due to job loss or their circumstances are encouraged to apply. Apply online here.
All students who qualify for free or reduced price meals receive meals free of charge as well as additional benefits such as discounts or no costs for athletic fees, ASB fee, pre-college exams (PSAT/SAT/ACT), college application fees, AP tests, field Trips and Running Start books.
To receive these additional benefits, it is required that you check the boxes next to the benefit on the application.
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Student meals distribution sites |
SPS offers meal distribution for students, parents and guardians at schools and bus routes around the city.
Free meals are available from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. weekdays. On Fridays, families can also pick up a bag of food for the weekend!
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Ballard Food Bank also offers a Weekend Food for Kids service. Check out the Food Bank web page here for more details.
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Apply for the IT Advisory Committee
Seattle Public Schools is seeking members for the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC).
ITAC members are asked to commit to join monthly meetings for a year. The ITAC application is open until Monday, Nov. 9.
ITAC serves as an advisory committee for IT recommendations and future funding planning. The committee includes students, parents/guardians, community members, teachers, and staff.
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Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council |
SPS is seeking members for the Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC's task is to build systemic capacity at each school to facilitate strong family engagement to support student learning.
This group will gather parent and guardian leaders who will help co-design systems that support school-based engagement.
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COMMUNITY ARTS, CULTURE, ACTION |
The BHS PTSA offers these Community Activities for informational purposes & does not necessarily support activities or views presented therein. |
Art as Activism TeenTix Workshops |
Learn about the history of social justice movements and how art has played a role in both the past and present movements.
Workshop dates are:
For more information and to sign up, SEE HERE.
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Parent University Virtual Events |
Bush School is offering Parent University, a quarterly virtual parent education series. Each event will feature a relevant topic about raising our children.
The first presentation will be: Parenting and Civic Responsibility: What It Takes To Raise The Next Generation Of Civic Catalysts with Eric Liu, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Liu, author of "Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility and Democracy," will focus on ways we can raise our children to embrace the spirit of citizenship, restore faith in democracy, and celebrate our differences and the values we share as American citizens.
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BHS needs volunteers, even during building closure |
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Sign up for the BHS PTSA here! |
Become a member of the BHS PTSA here and help drive our mission of supporting our school through fundraising, volunteerism, grant support, holiday gifting to families in need and more!
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BHS PTSA social media links |
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The BHS PTSA offers Community Resources for informational purposes & does not necessarily support activities or views presented therein.
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Seattle Promise is offering workshops for students and families to complete the FAFSA/WASFA with step-by-step guidance online. You must register in advance at the Washington Student Achievement Council website.
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NACAC Virtual College Fair Nov. 8 |
More than 600 colleges and universities will offer Zoom sessions and meetings from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Students everywhere can log in, drop in, and ask questions. Free! Visit the NACAC website for more details.
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PNA Virtual College Application/Admission Seminar on Nov. 17 |
The Phinney Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a College Application/Admission Seminar (Free Virtual/Zoom Class) from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Do you know a teen preparing for college? Dr. Mark Hofer helps students find, get admitted to, and graduate from great colleges and universities that will best serve their academic, social, financial, and personal needs. He guides students and their families through the application and admissions process to identify the best colleges while maintaining a focus on graduating with as little debt as possible. Join Dr. Hofer at this free introductory talk for parents and college-bound high school juniors and seniors.
Dr. Hofer received a doctorate in education and a master’s degree in teaching from Seattle University. He is a graduate of UC Irvine’s College Counseling program and is one of only four Certified Educational Planners (CEP) in Washington state. Mark was also the college admissions advisor and taught leadership for 10 years at the Bezos Family Foundation. With other degrees in the sciences, Mark has also worked in psychology, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, and aerospace research labs and has taught high school science and psychology.
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Jazzed Virtual College Summit on Nov. 1 |
The Nov. 1 Seattle JazzED Virtual College Summit is a valuable and free resource for high-school students. They'll get to hear from 19 local and national schools with music programs, ranging from Juilliard to University of North Texas to CalArts to Belleuve College. Including how things at these schools are operating in light of COVID-19.
The Virtual College Summit is happening on Zoom on Sunday, Nov. 1. Any high-school student can participate for FREE, no questions asked by entering the code WAIVER when registering.
Even if your students CAN'T make it to the event they should still sign up so they can still get access to the recording of the Audition Workshop with Willem de Koch and Riley Mulherkar AND all of the digital materials provided by JazzED (like the College Planning Guide) and the participating schools.
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Do You Have an Announcement for the BHS PTSA Newsletter?
Submit content (appropriate and relevant to Ballard High School or Community) by 5 p.m. Thursday (1 or 2 weeks before your event ) to the BHS Newsletter Editor email at ballardhighnews@gmail.com. Please submit posts no more than 100 words and include relevant URLs, contact info and a small graphic (if available). Editor has 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.
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