Vote Yes to Ensure Student Success! |
Levy renewal ballots have arrived! Vote YES today!
The Ballard High School PTSA has voted to endorse Prop 1 and Prop 2 in the Feb. 8 special election.
It is crucial that these measures pass as they bridge funding gaps that affect our schools. These levies are not new taxes, but a renewal of expiring Seattle school levies. They provide STEM programs, nurses, athletic funding, Special Education programs, and critical building maintenance.
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Save on Tickets Through Feb. 5!
BHS Auction Ticket Sales Now Open
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Auction ticket sales NOW OPEN! It’s time to grab your tickets for the biggest BASH of the year, the Ballard High School Auction! Join us for a Sunday barbecue, as we bring our community back together.
This week only, tickets are $65 per person. Prices increase to $80 per person on Feb. 6.
Don’t miss the fun at Block 41 on April 3. This year’s Ballard High School Auction will offer loads of great items for bidding, from restaurant gift cards to amazing trips away! Everyone will enjoy games in the courtyard and a picnic supper provided by FOODZ.
Funds raised through the Ballard High School Auction support teacher grants for academic materials not covered by district funding. Past grants included new novels for English Language Arts, music stands, graphing calculators, sensory materials for the Special Education Department, and general books in French, Spanish, and Japanese for World Languages.
Auction tickets are limited, so get yours today! (Note: All attendees must be fully vaccinated.)
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DEI Committee First Meeting Feb. 3 |
The PTSA's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee welcomes the BHS Community to its first meeting 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3 via Teams. At the meeting, the group will be finalizing plans for its Book Club.
Please contact co-chairs Naida Boyer and Shelley Bolser at DEIatBHS@gmail.com for information and meeting link. We’d love for you to be involved! We want everyone to link arms toward creating a more welcoming, diversity-rich safe space in our school community. [MORE INFO]
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Mark Your Calendars! 7 p.m. Feb. 10
Jo Langford to Talk at Winter General Meeting
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The BHS Community is invited to our Winter PTSA General Meeting, featuring a presentation by author and international speaker Jo Langford, M.A. The meeting is 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 via Teams.
Langford is a BHS dad, a Master’s-level therapist and sex educator for tweens, teens and parents. For the last 20 years, he has worked in the intersection of adolescence, sexuality, technology and behavior. [MORE INFO]
We look forward to seeing you at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 (following our 5:30 p.m. Board Meeting). More details and meeting link in next week's newsletter!
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Class of 2022 Graduation set for June 15 |
Mark your new 2022 Calendar for the Ballard High School Graduation Ceremony at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 15 at Memorial Stadium.
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Seattle Promise Applications due March 1 |
Seniors: The application deadline has been extended to March 1! Don't miss out on two years of free tuition at Seattle Colleges. The Seattle Promise scholarship is available to all SPS graduates regardless of GPA, income, ability, or country of birth.
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Scholarship options online |
Looking for scholarships? Head straight to the Counseling Center's Scholarship Bulletins page, and r eview the published SPS monthly Scholarship Bulletin, as well as the extensive list available on Naviance. (Here's what the page looks like!)
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Microsoft Disability Scholarship |
Microsoft is offering a scholarship which will be awarded to promising high school seniors with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and target a career in the technology industry.
The scholarships are renewable – each winner who continues to meet the criteria is eligible to receive an annual award of $5,000 for up to four years for a potential total $20,000 scholarship. Applications due by March 15.
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Get Your Second Semester Holds Delivered |
Beaver Readers: Did you know you can have library books delivered to your classroom?
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Just login to Destiny Discover
- Look for books you'd like to read
- Click HOLD
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We will deliver your holds to your first-period classes every week! (That's Ms. Elam pictured, rocking the awesome Book Cart.)
This week's meetings:
- Library Leaders (community service), 1 p.m. Monday
- Library Ambassadors (technology helpers), 1 p.m. Tuesday
- Manga Library Club, 1 p.m. Thursday
- Reading Buddies With Second Graders, 8 a.m. Friday
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Beaver Book Club (reading White Smoke), 1 p.m. Friday
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Counseling Center has great online options |
The BHS Counselors work with students to help them develop strategies for success in academics, social skills, and in considering their post-high school plans and career options.
Second semester schedule changes will only be made for students with holes in their schedules or who are scheduled in the incorrect level of a course. Please email your counselor to take care of any discrepancies.
Counselor contact details, scholarship information, applying to college resources, job and volunteer opportunities are available on the Counseling Center webpage.
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Shout out a Deserving BHS Counselor! |
National School Counseling Week, Feb. 7-11, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
Have you had a BHS Counselor reach above and beyond for your student? Nominate an outstanding BHS Counselor at publicaffairs@seattleschools.org so SPS can give them a well-deserved shout out!
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♫ Someday! We’ll Be Together ... ♫
63rd Annual BPA Spaghetti Dinner | Feb. 12
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Performances will be livestreamed by all the groups in Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Theatre.
Dinners ( Spaghetti Dinner Kit: $30 | Wine: $15 | Dessert: $25) must be ordered in advance. Order today, there is a limited supply.
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Livestream 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12
(Students will perform at school)
Pick up Dinner Kit, Wine and Dessert:
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | North Parking Lot of Ballard High School
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Beauty and the Beast to be staged in March |
Mark your calendars for the Spring Musical, Beauty and the Beast, which runs March 17-20 and 24-27. You can buy tickets at www.showtix4u.com: $20 for adults; $15 for seniors; $10 for students.
NEW Want to reserve Primo Seats to help support the Theatre Department? You can now reserve premium seating in Row L, which is in the center of the front section and offers EXTRA LEG ROOM. Tickets for these special seats are $100 for the pair, or $50 per single seat. Contact Jill at bpabtreasurer@gmail.com to reserve these special seats. [MORE INFO]
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Hoops Squads End January on Roll |
The Ballard Girls Varsity and JV teams both beat their opponents last week, Roosevelt on Friday and Chief Sealth at a home quad on Wednesday.
The Ballard Boys Varsity Team completed a winning trifecta last week after it beat crosstown rival Roosevelt Friday 44-38. They also topped Chief Sealth 59-49 Tuesday and Stadium 49-37 Saturday, Jan. 22.
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No Spectators Extended to Feb. 5 at SPS Gyms |
Seattle Public Schools will continue to have no spectators or audience for indoor athletics until Saturday, Feb. 5 in SPS facilities.
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The Winter Athletics webpage features all BHS Athletics and club sports details, including a link to team schedules and Coach Directory.
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Spring Sports Registration |
Spring Registration 21-22 | Paperwork due Feb. 14 | Sports Start Feb. 28
Spring Sports: Baseball, Girls Fastpitch Softball, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Boys Tennis, Girls Track & Field, Boys Track & Field.
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Spring Club Sports Signup |
Club sports are a valuable part of BHS but are not WIAA (WA Interscholastic Activities Association) sanctioned sports. Team funding comes from players, families and donors, instead of SPS and WIAA. Scholarships, however, are available. [MORE INFO]
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Register for Boys Lacrosse Season |
Registration for the 2022 Boys Lacrosse Season is OPEN! The 2022 Season will begin on Monday, Feb. 28. Practices will typically be from 8:30-10 p.m. weeknights at the BHS Field. Games will begin mid-March. We are optimistic that we will be able to roster both JV and Varsity Teams! So please help us fulfill this dream by registering early, and spreading the word! Registration deadline: Feb. 18.
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Join BHS Girls Ultimate Team |
Join the Ballard HS Girls Ultimate Team for the Spring Season! We are a fun group of players and value friendship, competition, fun and spirit of the game. We welcome players of all experience levels (including none) and would love to have you join our Ultimate Family. The Girls Spring Season runs Feb. 28-May 27 with practices and games occurring during the school week after school.
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Girls Lacrosse Registration Continues |
Registration is now open for the Ballard High School Girls Lacrosse Club. This a no-cut, fun athletic opportunity with both Varsity and JV teams. Tryouts begin Feb. 28 and the season usually runs from mid-March to early-May. [ SIGN UP INFO]
Also, congrats to senior midfielder Sam Simpson, who has committed to pay D1 Lacrosse at Boston University. Follow the team @bhs_girlslax.
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Join the Nominating Committee |
In order to identify candidates for next school year's PTSA Executive Board (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), a nominating committee is formed.
Members of the nominating committee are elected by fellow BHS PTSA members at the Feb. 10 General Meeting.
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Social Media Position Opening |
The Ballard High School PTSA is looking for a social media chair, perfect for someone who has a few hours a week to devote to volunteering.
This is also a role a couple of social media savvy Beavers could share. Love to create on Canva? We have a vibrant Instagram page just waiting for your graphics and inspiration. We are also developing our own Facebook page to reflect PTSA news and information. Love to Tweet? We'd love to pick up our post pace there too.
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BHS Health & Safety Webpage |
In addition the Ballard Teen Health Center page has information about Vaccines, Immunization, Medical and Mental Health Resources for BHS families.
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Reminders from the Office! |
NEW! Students who are not participating in teacher meetings, or after school-affiliated sports and clubs, are asked to leave campus grounds after school.
The school building remains closed to visitors, including parent/guardians (other than approved nurse visitors and volunteers who have been vaccinated).
Please wait outside the building and call the Main Office, 206-252-1000.
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Prospective & Incoming Families Update |
Per district guidelines, we will unfortunately not be hosting an In-Person Open House, or Tours including Students Shadowing this year.
But we still want to share our school with the community! Tell your friends with incoming students to explore our school website, including the Prospective Families Update, packed with links, newsletters, historical updates, videos, and information about Ballard High School!
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Online Calendar Subscription Update! |
Great news! Families can now subscribe to the district and/or school website calendars. Your personal calendars update automatically when a change is made or when a new event is added.
To subscribe (add each month), scroll to the bottom of the calendar page, select Subscribe to calendar and select an option. If using Outlook, we recommend the iCalendar.
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Golf Classic Aug. 19 at Newcastle |
Registration is now open for the Victor Salvino 22nd Annual Ballard High School Foundation Golf Classic, Aug. 19 at Newcastle Golf Course.
New name, new day of the week, new location, new golfers welcome too!
Come join in and support Ballard High
School Athletics, the Performing Arts Boosters, as well as Dance & Cheer.
When registering, please note in the
comments section if you would like to support a specific team or program.
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Black Lives Matter at School Week |
Seattle Public Schools supports Black Lives Matter at School Week, Jan. 31-Feb. 4, in solidarity with our students, families, educators, and community partners.
At Seattle Public Schools, we are working to dramatically improve academic and life outcomes for Students of Color by disrupting the legacies of racism in our educational system.
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SPS 2nd Semester Learning Option |
Seattle Skills Center is accepting applications for second semester in several programs, like Maritime Vessel Operations, Careers in Education/Teaching Academy, and Core Plus Aerospace Manufacturing.
These half-day classes are located around the city. Any high school student can attend. Transportation provided.
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Lunar New Year Feb. 1 Celebration |
Feb. 1 is Lunar New Year, celebrating the Year of the Tiger. The holiday is also known as Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal, Tibetan Losar, and Spring Festival.
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Celebrate Black History Month with these virtual events and socially distanced happenings in Seattle and around the country.
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Beyond Black & White Roosevelt Documentary premiere 7 p.m. Jan. 31
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Learn how we can do better in this
documentary about race and education,
based on the experiences of Roosevelt High School yesterday and today, at this documentary premiere 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, followed by Q&A with a mixed-race panel of students, staff, parents and alumni -- including School Board President Brandon Hersey & Roosevelt Principal “Q” Hollins. [INFO & ZOOM LINK]
Equity Corner items shared by DEI Committee Co-Chairs Shelley Bolser and Naida Boyer.
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Advocate for Educational, Youth Bills |
Hey Community! We need your voice for these upcoming bills for Monday and Tuesday next week. Interested in Testifying? Reach out to Sam Fogg at samantha.fogg@scptsa.org
Upcoming bills relevant to youth and education:
Sign up for remote testimony or sign-in pro for the following by 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31. Submit Written Testimony by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1:
SSB 5595 - Increase Prototypical Formula to Increase Nurses, Counselors
SB 5581 - Pupil Transportation Allocations
Sign up for testimony or sign-in pro by 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 1. Submit Written Testimony by 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 at 3:30 PM
HB 1664 - Increase Prototypical Formula to Increase Nurses, Counselors
The more supporters, the more legislators hear us!
You can also make your opinion known through written testimony, by phoning in your testimony to the Legislative Hotline: 1.800.562.6000 or by signing into the bill online, and clicking pro or con.
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Keep tabs on the Legislative Session |
Keep up with the bills and committee hearings related to WSPTA member-generated legislative priorities and long-term positions by utilizing the WSPTA Bill Status Report.
Subscribe to the Action Network to participate in timely action alerts through the session. As a bonus, subscribers to the Action Network receive the new “Focus on Advocacy” newsletter.
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The BHS PTSA offers Community Resources for informational purposes & does not necessarily support activities or views presented therein. |
YESC Environmental Symposium March 25 |
The YMCA Earth Service Corps is hosting its annual Environmental Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 25 at the University of Washington.
Space is limited! [REGISTER] Questions? Deadline: March 17.
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Ballard Food Bank Needs Paper Bag Donations |
The Ballard Food Bank needs grocery bag donations. It is short on brown paper bags and in need. The food bank staff spend around $600/week on bags if it doesn't have any.
"With food costs rising it's tricky," they posted in their community ask. "Please bring any extras you have."
The Food Bank can use brown paper bags, heavy plastic grocery sack bags (not the flimsy ones), and any reusable bags you can donate.
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Time to register for UW Youth and Teen Programs Spring Writers Workshop, which runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings April 5 through May 26.
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'Welcome to the Landfill' Teen Production |
Actors, 14-19, are invited to participate in Penguin Productions "Welcome to the Landfill", directed by Annika Prichard.
When three estranged siblings get a call that their deadbeat, small-time grifter father has died and they need to pay for the funeral, their families are forced to reunite. But as their road trip goes from bad to worse, tensions rise as they uncover their father’s most elaborate scam yet.
From youth playwright Valentine Wulf comes a dark comedy featuring three generations of liars whose secrets have the potential to tear a family apart — or bring it back together.
Rehearsals are 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 31 to March 9 at University Congregational UCC for March 19-20 performances at Taproot Theatre's Isaac Studio.
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Hands-on Fisheries Internships in Alaska |
Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association's (ALFA’s) Crew Training Program application period is now open for the 2022 season for young adults, 18 and older.
Formalized as part of ALFA’s Young Fishermen Initiative in 2015— in late 2017 ALFA was awarded funds to get more boots on deck statewide. Since 2015, ALFA has placed more than 100 apprentices on local fishing vessels in Southeast Alaska.
This crew training program is a way to attract younger entrants into an industry where the average fisherman's age in Alaska is over 50.
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Program participants get hands-on experience in audio, video, and design production; opportunities to meet with diverse artists and industry leaders; and direct access to paid production work with local organizations.
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Aeronautical Science Pathway Info Night |
Are you a sophomore or junior interested in becoming a Professional Pilot, Air Traffic Controller, Airline Dispatcher, or Airport or Airline Manager?
Join the Museum of Flight staff for a virtual presentation and Q&A about how you can join the 2022-2023 ASP class to jumpstart your career in aviation.
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Participants will have the chance to develop a piece of creative writing based on viewing a show at On the Boards and with the mentorship of professional writers. Sessions are in March, April, and May, and are free to participate! For workshop details and information about the performances you’ll attend, see here! Must be a TeenTix member to participate.
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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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