It’s That Time of Year … Help Fund BHS Student Academic Success

Every year the PTSA holds a Direct Appeal to raise funds to support academics at Ballard High School. Our Goal is $90,000. We can do it, but only with your help! We know that you get a lot of requests for money, but this may be the most important donation you make this year. 

This is the only donation request that goes to materials, curriculum, technology, extra support, and enrichment opportunities. In the past, the funds have been used to purchase:

Corporate matching is an important part of a successful Direct Appeal, so ask your employer whether it will match your donation. Many companies match 100% of their employees’ donations.

All donations are tax deductible. Learn more about BHS PTSA Fundraising and the Direct Appeal here.

Not able to donate? That’s ok! You can help by advocating and voting for increased funding for schools at the national, state and local Seattle level. Learn more on the PTSA Overview page about how you can easily get involved with Ballard High School PTSA, as a member, volunteer or advocate, to help close the funding gap at our school.

Questions? Contact PTSA Direct Appeal Chairperson Erika Goodmanson, at bhs.ptsa.directappeal@gmail.com. THANK YOU!

BHS Fall Grants ~ Joyful Giving, Academic Support

Thank you to Grants Chairperson Lori Wilbur, bhsgrants@gmail.com, for coordinating this effort.

AP Exam registration details | Payments due Nov. 5

AP Exams will be given over May 2-6 and May 9-13 at Ballard HS. Students, currently enrolled in BHS AP classes, must register and pay for the classes' corresponding AP Exams by Nov. 5 on SchoolPay via the Parent Source Account. Registrations not paid by Nov. 5 will be cancelled and exams will not be ordered.

Visit the BHS AP Exams Information page for more details and updates. Please direct questions to Mr. Broom at mrbroom@seattleschools.org.

Grade 11 & 12: Tues, Wed., Nov. 2-3 | SBA ELA | Testing during 11 & 12 grade ELA Classes.

Grade 11 & 12: Wed., Thurs., Nov. 3-4 | SBA ELA and Math | Testing during Grades 11 & 12 math classes Algebra 2 and higher

All students MUST have and bring a charged SPS laptop. Refer to the BHS Assessments/Testing page for complete details.

➢ SAT scores will be released online at the beginning of November on CollegeBoard. Visit the BHS SAT Information page for current updates.

➢ PSAT scores will be released online by CollegeBoard on Dec. 10. Information on accessing test scores is on the PSAT Information page.

More information on the Applying to College page.

Have more questions about Seattle Promise? Speaker Kelsey Peronto will also be available to talk with students about Seattle Promise on Wednesdays and Fridays during the school day in the BHS Counseling Center!

Grad Ad Details | Deadline Nov. 16

For Senior Families, yearbook Grad Ads are an opportunity to submit digital photos and a personal message for graduating seniors.

Photo and message parameters are on the Grad Ads page. Note: Shingle editors will arrange the photos and messages themselves according to a set design. Payment and submission deadline: Nov. 16.

Lots happening in the Library this week to kick off November! Remember, all BHS Library and book club titles are available to checkout at bit.ly/ballardlibrary, including the current Beaver Book Club title, Clap When You Land.

🎃 October "BINGO!" Cards are due Monday! Also, Library Leaders meet at lunch Monday in the Makerspace Room, planning their next community project.

🎃 Also, especially helpful as the quarter comes to an end, the Library has free, student-led math tutoring from 8-8:30 a.m. Mondays (except Veterans Day), Wednesdays and Fridays.

🎃 Comic Book Club members are discussing Wytches on Hoopla (text by Scott Snyder, illustrated by Jock) -- confirmed by Teacher-Librarian TuesD Chambers to be "super scary" -- and meeting at lunch Wednesday.

🎃 Reading Buddies read to Elementary Students at 8 a.m. Fridays in the Library. Service Learning Hours available. Bring headphones with a microphone.

🎃 Beaver Book Club meets Friday at lunch to discuss Clap When You Land, by Elizabeth Acevedo, with Mr. Wynkoop and Ms. Chambers. The group will next read The Grace Year by Kim Leggett and is always welcoming new BeaverReaders to join. (Pride Book Club, next meeting at lunch Friday, Nov. 12, is finishing up George M. Johnson's memoir-manifesto, All Boys Aren't Blue.)

Go to the Library Program Support Page on Schoology or the Library News page to learn more. Questions? Email tschambers@seattleschools.org.

Thank you to all who were able to help support the library through the Oct. 21 Donors Choose double your gift day!

@beaverreadersbhs (Instagram) | @BeaverReaders (Twitter)

The Counseling Center webpage has a myriad of resources for students, including News, College Visits/Events, Scholarship Bulletins, Job/Internship Board, Service Learning Opportunities and more. It's also an easy place for students to Book an Appointment with their Counselor.

Students should enter their FIRST & LAST name and correct SPS email address, or they will NOT receive a confirmation email with a link. More information here.

The Counseling Center's online Job/Internship Board has rotating opportunities for teen employment at area businesses, this week including:

Check out these opportunities and more on the Job Board! (BHS only shares postings and does not endorse any of these businesses.)

Students: Even though we don't have in-person visits due to the school building closure, college representatives are live online, providing an overview of their program and answering your questions.

To sign up: Log onto Naviance and select “What’s New” to see the College List and select “More Info” to sign up for visits. Students you may use the Commons Area as a space to access the virtual visits on their laptops.

November Visits | Tuesday, Nov. 2

More November school updates, as well as online college fairs, are available on the College Visit page. Email Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol, chbristol@seattleschools.org if you have any questions.

The Seattle Promise Scholarship provides up to two years tuition at Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, or South Seattle College. All Seattle Public School graduates from the class of 2022 are eligible.

Mark your calendar and join Seattle Promise representatives online to learn more about completing your financial aid application. Get your FAFSA or WASFA questions answered as well. Sign up for workshops here.

Visit the Counseling Center News Page for more information on this event.

You can still catch the beautiful performance, as well as this week's shows, on BPA's YouTube page. All livestreamed shows feature amazing artistry of our student performers and directors playing pieces from underrepresented composers.

Nov. 2 | Orchestra concert, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4 | Band concert, 7:30 p.m.

Shows will be available to watch after the initial performance as well. Check the BPA website for more concert details and a take-home meal kit option from the Lockspot Cafe to enjoy with the shows.

(Mention "Dine Out with BPA" to your server and 20% of your order will support BPA programs.)

Save the date for the BPA Screens to Stage campaign Wrap Party from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. Families are invited to the all-ages celebration at Peddler Brewing Company, 1514 N.W. Leary Way

If you would like to help out that evening, you can sign up here (we need about 8 volunteers):

Stay tuned for more details on the BPA website. More campaign details in the Oct. 26 BPA Newsletter.

Time to register your student athlete for Winter Sports by completing the online FinalForms. Registration forms must be completed by Nov. 8 for your athlete to be cleared in time to participate in tryouts and practices. Here are the winter sports and coach contact details:

Pay ASB fee and/or any additional team fees on SchoolPay via the Source. Forms can be uploaded through Final Forms; dropped off in the Main Office bin; or emailed to Athletics Secretary Bethany Nielcen at blnielcen@seattleschools.org.

Detailed instructions for Athletics Registration are on the BHS Website.

Boys Basketball: Tryouts for basketball will be held on Nov 15-16. Email Coach Mike Broom for more information at mrbroom@seattleschools.org if you have not been receiving basketball specific information. If anyone is interested in trying out, then complete these three steps:

Duffle bags purchased during the Athletic Booster Club fall sale to arrive soon! For those who purchased bags, the Beaver Gear Team expects to have them available for disribution by the first week of November. A member of the Beaver Gear Team will contact you when your pre-ordered bag has arrived!

Did you miss the fall sale? No worries! Look for the online store to open again in January! More information on Beaver Gear on the ABC website.

The season runs from Nov. 15 to Feb. 26. Tryouts are week of Nov. 15. More information and register at: https://ballardultimate.org/. 

Interested in playing lacrosse this spring? The team has nine practices this fall, ideal for both new and returning players. Register here today! Practices take place at BHS starting on Nov. 6. BHS is excited to welcome back Coach Christian Kelso, who played lacrosse for Colby College and was defensive coordinator for University of Texas before coming to Ballard.

Nov. 8 is Dine Out for BHS Boys Lacrosse at Ballard Mod Pizza! Ordering on site: Mention the Group Raise event for Ballard Boys Lacrosse at checkout. For online/pick up ordering, use code: GR197798B.

Follow @ballard_lacrosse; email questions to info@ballardboyslacrosse.com.

The Beavers fought valiantly but fell 12-16 to Bishop Blanchet on Friday at Memorial Stadium. Coach Ross Humphries' young team, which started the year with 16 new starters, looks forward to its 2022 campaign after a year of learning and growth. There will be one more game this week. Look for details on the team's Instagram page, @ballardbeaverfootball.

Follow the team and photo courtesy of @ballardgirlsoccer.

Congratulations to BHS Cross Country athletes Emme Rousseau, Jack Rousseau and Dexter Stevens who qualified for the State Championships Saturday, Nov. 6 in Pasco.

Congratulations also to the Girls Varsity Team and Boys Varsity's Hudson Hobbs, who also participated in the District Meet against a fast and crowded field Saturday at Lake Sammamish State Park. More details on the District Meet will be posted on the team's Athletic.net page.

Thanks to @BallardHSAthletics/Twitter for helping us keep track of an exciting week of BHS Metro playoffs!

Update! Tickets for Sea-King Fall Athletic events will need to be purchased online ahead of time. GoFan is the official online ticket source for the SeaKing post-season events. All tickets for the Sea-King Fall Athletics events will be sold through GoFan only.

There will no longer be ticket booths so fans can go straight to the gates and have their ticket(s) redeemed on their smart phones. More information on the Fall Athletics News page.

PTSA CONNECTIONS

National Principal's Month | Thank you Head Beaver!

October is National Principal's Month and we are indebted to the Head Beaver for his commitment to our community. Check out why it's AG2BB! on our PTSA Padlet Thank You card!

Thanks to the student artist, photographers and essayist who participated in this year's Reflections efforts.

It was fun to see the world through your eyes, paint brush and words and we'll keep tabs on your entries as they head for the SCPTSA evaluation process!

Treasurer Shelley Rousseau

Email Shelley at bhs.ptsa.treas@gmail.com

Last weekend, more than 350 members, including BHS delegates Brian Duncan, Heidi Bennett, and Janette Ambauen, came together at the 43rd annual WSPTA Legislative Assembly to learn, listen, debate and vote on additions to our grassroots legislative platform.

The Resolutions webpage has been updated with the titles of the new resolutions and are identifiable as *new* or *amended* or *retired*.

OFFICE NOTES

Looking for a quick stop for school news and information?

The newly updated Ballard High School and Seattle Public Schools websites both have convenient Calendars and News pages.

Check out the Ballard High School Calendar and News page here (image linked as well).

Check out the District's version here.

Contact the Main Office at (206) 252-1000 for assistance. Email Administrative Secretary Cindy Peterson at crpeterson@seattleschools.org or for Sports email Athletic Secretary Bethany Nielcen at blnielcen@seattleschools.org.

For attendance needs and information, check out the Attendance Resources Page.

You can also contact Attendance Secretary Alice March at ballardhs.attendance@seattleschools.org.

SPS UPDATES

We are excited to offer a valuable opportunity to serve our 7th-12th Grade African American boys and teens across the district through an extension of Kingmakers of Seattle, a program designed to place young Kings on an upward pathway to mastering their cultural identity.

More information. Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/r/Ek4Gt7D5MS

-Local TV stations: KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7, Q13 FOX

-Radio: KOMO AM 1000, KIRO 97.3 FM

-District Facebook and Twitter social media.

-District and School Websites.

Check out recent SPS updates on the new BHS School Health and Safety Protocols Page.

Seattle Public Schools will begin implementing components of the new quarantine requirements on Monday, Nov. 1. More information here.

Lunch and Weather Conditions: If Seattle is affected by winter weather, schools with outdoor lunches that are particularly exposed may move lunch indoors. Details on safe eating environment support here..

Review the changes and learn what guidelines to follow on the Responding to Cases or Symptoms Guide.

SPS/SCPTSA Vaccine mandate discussion Nov. 2 opportunity for students of color

Seattle Council PTSA is sharing an important moment of engagement and community conversation on the Resolution on the State Board of Health Vaccine Mandate process.

Click here to join the meeting.

More information is also available on the SCPTSA news page.

Want to make a comment on the process? Email the School Board at schoolboard@seattleschools.org.