February 26, 2023

Week of Feb. 27 | Spring Athletics Tryouts

Feb. 28 | DEI Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. via Zoom (w/ Lincoln HS DEI Cmte.)

March 2 | PTSA Board Meeting, 7 p.m. via Teams
March 16-18 | Secret Garden Musical, 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Ctr. (PAC)

March 18 | BPA Goodwill Truck, 9-12, North Staff Lot

March 24-26 | Secret Garden Musical, 7:30 p.m. 3/24-25; 2 p.m. 3/26, Performing Arts Center
March 25 | Running of the Beavers, 9 a.m. 5K Fun Run/Walk, starts and ends at Golden Gardens

April 2 | BHS PTSA Dinner Fundraising Gala, 5-9 p.m. Block 41

More updates can be found on the School Bulletin
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
We Need Your Ideas & Input for our School PTSA!
March 2 PTSA Board Meeting via Teams
BHS Parents/Guardians: Interested in getting more involved with your BHS PTSA? Drop in to our next PTSA Board Meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2 via Teams.

We'll have a representative from Seattle Special Education PTSA sharing their "Getting to Results: A Guide to Special Education in SPS."

Our meeting will also feature committee reports, sharing ideas and inspiration, and a school update from Principal Abby Hunt. Please join us, meetings run a little more than an hour! [MORE INFO]
Join the Fun April 2 at Block 41!
BHS PTSA 'Breakfast for Dinner' Fundraising Gala
It’s time to grab your tickets for the biggest BASH of the year, the Ballard High School PTSA Fundraising Gala, April 2 at Block 41. This year’s Fundraising Gala will offer loads of great items for bidding, from restaurant gift cards to amazing trips away! Everyone will enjoy games in the courtyard and "breakfast for supper" provided by Foodz Catering. Funds raised through the BHS Fundraising Gala support teacher grants for academic materials not covered by district funding.

Tickets are $90 per person. One drink ticket is included with each ticket purchase. Add a Teacher Ticket to your cart for just $50. (Let us know if your ticket is for a specific teacher, or for the teacher community at large.)
[MORE INFO] Tickets are limited, so get yours today!
Peachjar Informational Flyers For BHS Families!
Peachjar is a digital platform that hosts district-approved accessible flyers (jobs, internships, skills center, summer info, events) for all schools. To view flyers and information specific for Ballard HS families select the button located at the bottom of the Ballard HS website.
To view flyers and information for all schools view the SPS Peachjar page or to learn more about the Peachjar platform, signing up or unsubscribing for emails visit the district Peachjar site.
STUDENT LIFE
School Board Student Members
Applications for the 2023-24 Seattle School Board student member positions will be open Monday, Feb. 27 – March 24. These positions were created under the recently adopted School Board Policy No. 1250, School Board Student Members. Students entering their Junior or Senior year are eligible to apply for a one-year term that will begin August 2023 and conclude at the end of the 2023-24 school year. [LEARN MORE]
Not Too Late to Join a Student Club!
Clubs are a great way to get involved. Ballard HS has more than 75 clubs available for students this year! Students … find a club that matches your interests and get involved. If you can’t find a club that fits your interests, start your own club!

View club list by day of the week too! Students, if you have any questions, reach out to ASB Student Clubs Coordinator Addy Wynkoop at 1acwynkoop@seattleschools.org. [MORE INFO]
Grade Level Resources & Checklists
Hey Beavers, check out what's coming next for your specific grade level via the student grade resource pages on the Ballard High School website.

Learn about college and career readiness. Graduation requirements and helpful checklists for each grade level are available too. [MORE INFO]
SENIORS
Senior SPREE Ticket Sales Start Soon
Senior SPREE is your all-night grad party and a BHS tradition, sponsored by the BHS PTSA! Immediately following the June 23 Graduation Ceremony, students hop onto chartered buses. Throughout the night, grads will travel to two exciting event venues and be treated to a variety of activities, food, friends, fun and a final Class of '23 memory. Look for details on ticket sales coming soon! [MORE DETAILS]
BHS Foundation Golden Beavers Scholarships
Applications Due March 10
Ballard High School Foundation Golden Beavers Scholarships applications are available in the Counseling Center or can be downloaded below. Due date is March 10. Applications can be dropped off in the BHS Counseling Center.

The Ballard High School Foundation Golden Beavers Scholarships are one-time grants awarded to students pursuing further academic or trade education. Awards can range from $500 to $5,000. Please include in your application: your resume, including school and community activities, work experience, special interests, talents, hobbies, honors and awards. Those selected will be notified by email and asked to participate in a 10-minute interview with the Committee on April 4 or 5. Please email Carol Bristol (chbristol@seattleschools.org) in the Counseling Center if you have questions at all. [APPLICATION]
Above and Beyond Service Learning Award
Did you know? Seniors must complete and turn in a Service Learning Form to have Above and Beyond SL Award (240 or more) hours count by May 26. If students (Seniors) already have 240 or more hours turned in, they do not need to do anything else in order to receive the award.

Hours beyond the required 60 do not appear on the Source. To keep track of SL hours beyond 60, contact Carol Bristol at chbristol@seattleschools.org.

Need some ideas on how to get involved? Keep reading this week's newsletter, or check out these Service Learning Opportunities.
Many Scholarship Options Available
Looking for scholarships? Check the BHS Counseling Scholarship page as well as Naviance often! Here are some available options:
Sheng-Yen Lu Foundation Lotus Scholarship assists recent immigrant students who plan to continue their education after high school. Apply by March 24. [MORE INFO]
The Rotary Club of the University District will awards scholarships to graduating students from Seattle seeking to attend a college/university or vocational school. Apply by April 7. [APPLICATION]
The Southeast Chapter Blacks in Government provides outreach to the community through educational opportunities. This includes a Scholarship Program for African American youth. Apply by April 1.
COUNSELING CENTER
Important Updates from the Counseling Center
Seniors: Mid-year transcripts to the Common App will be uploaded as soon as they are finalized.
Students: Quarter 2 grades will be posted to the Source once they are finalized.
Seattle Skills Center School Year Course Application & Summer School Info
Applications for the Seattle Skills Center’s School Year Courses are now available. Seattle Skills Center prepares students for college, career, and life through advanced Career and Technical Education courses. There are classes in a wide range of career pathways at several locations around the city.

Summer Course information and application will be available around mid-March. Visit the Skills Center Information featured news on the BHS website for more details.
BHS Sophomores & Juniors
Interested in Running Start?
BHS Sophomores & Juniors Running Start Info Sessions in March: The school counselors will hold Running Start info sessions on Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, during the first half of lunch (11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.) for current 10th-11th graders who are interested in learning more about the Running Start Program for the 2023-24 school year. Interested students just need to attend one session. 
Service Learning | Emergency Preparedness
Rejuvenate Classroom Safety Buckets
Rejuvenate the Safety Grab-n-Go Bucket for every classroom, office and/or workspace after school on Mondays and/or Tuesdays (until the project is completed). Collect buckets, inventory contents, clean and relabel buckets, replenish missing or deteriorated contents, and return updated buckets to classrooms.

For more information, check in with Kim Nickerson, Registrar/BHS Building Safety Team Member at her office in the Counselor Hallway or email her: kdnickerson@seattleschools.org. [MORE INFO]
Service Learning Option
Help BPA Fill A Goodwill Truck March 19
BHS Student volunteers are needed to assist with the Ballard Performing Arts Goodwill Fill-A-Truck Event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 18 in the Staff Parking Lot off of Northwest 67th Street. Questions? Contact BPA President Kelsey Fatland at bpabpresident@gmail.com. [MORE INFO]
In-Person College Visits
Students can sign up for college visits at the Counseling Center online through Naviance. Full details here.
  • Seattle Pacific University | 8:50 a.m. Thursday, March 9
  • DigiPen Institute of Technology | 9:50 a.m. Friday, March 10
  • University of Oregon | 10:50 a.m. Friday, March 10
  • University of Utah | 8:50 a.m. Friday, March 17

Questions? Contact Carol Bristol, Ballard HS Counseling Secretary at chbristol@seattleschools.org.
Job & Internship Board
Students, take a deep dive into a job or internship! Here are new listings on the Counseling Center's Job & Internship Board!
Kaspars Catering (3656 34th Ave. W.) has positions currently open for students for part-time jobs. They offer flexible schedules, good pay, delicious meals, and different positions to try out! Positions available: Warehouse Assistance, Laundry, Dishwashers and Kitchen Helpers. Please contact Lucas Weber at lucas@kaspars.com.
Teens In Public Service (TIPS) Internship Program
Teens In Public Service (TIPS) interns work with a wide array of projects with some of the most driven and inspiring nonprofit organizations in the Puget Sound area.

Applications due March 3. [MORE INFO] | [FAQs]
Seattle Children's Nurse Camp

This year’s camp will be held from July 17-21. Visit the webpage for more information. Applications due 5 p.m. April 7.

Questions? Email nursecamp@seattlechildrens.org.
LIBRARY
Earn Service Learning hours in the Library!
Hey Beaver Readers, did you know you can earn Service Learning hours in the library? You can help by:

  • Shelving and processing books, weeding books, fixing shelves, cleaning the library, making book displays;
  • Computer maintenance;
  • Reading online to 1st grade students for Reading Buddies (8 a.m. Friday mornings);
  • Creating online tutorials and PowerPoint presentations;
  • Developing Makerspace craft projects for lunchtime, organizing Makerspace;
  • Creating book posters on Adobespark;
  • Becoming a Library Leader (Group meets at lunch Mondays in the Book Club Room.)
  • Creating Book Collections on bit.ly/ballardlibrary and much more!

Reach out to Teacher-Librarian TuesD Chambers at tschambers@seattleschools.org for specific details. [MORE INFO]
BALLARD PERFORMING ARTS
The Symphonic Orchestra performs at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom as part of the Wintergrass Youth Orchestra at Wintergrass, a bluegrass and acoustic music festival in Bellevue.

Livestream passes are also available to view the day's music online. (Feb. 26 Livestream No-Replay Pass $18.50; Feb. 26 Livestream Pass With Replay Option $25) [FULL FESTIVAL DETAILS]
Buy Tickets for Spring Musical
Tickets are now on sale for the Spring Musical, The Secret Garden, which runs March 16-18 and 24-26. This enchanting classic, based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel, is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman.

ATHLETICS
BHS Athletics Spring Tryout Schedule
Please visit the school website Spring Sports page for a breakdown of the upcoming Sports Tryouts for the week of Feb. 27. This includes Metro League teams (boys soccer, track, tennis, and fastpitch softball) and club sports (boys and girls lacrosse and girls ultimate frisbee) too. Go Beavers!
Gymnastics Team Shines at State
Ballard Gymnastics took 4th at the State 2A/3A Team Competition Thursday at Sammamish High School.

On Friday, Naomi had her best beam routine of the season to score 9.475 and place 3rd!
Alex had a great floor routine, scored 9.4 and placed 4th! And Brooke celebrated her first trip to finals on beam!

Naomi was also 10th on floor and 11th on bars and Alex was 11th on vault and 12th on bars! Photos c/o and follow @ballardgymnastics. 
Cheer Takes 15th Hardware at Nationals
Ballard Cheer's Black Team nailed a perfect routine and placed 15th at United Spirit Association Nationals Friday at the Anaheim Convention Center!

Photo c/o and follow @ballardcheer for fun videos of their experience! Late but heartfelt congrats to the JV team too for their State Championship run!
BUF Finishes Exciting Winning Season
Ballard Mixed Varsity came into the Ultimate Frisbee playoff as the 8th seed. Faced the 1st seed, undefeated Ingraham. Universe point win against the Rams. (Universe point: When the time cap is on, both teams are tied. The last point to call the game is Universe point.) No other team could defeat Ingraham but BHS! Lost at Semi.

The 3rd placement matchup was against Lincoln. BUF took the half: 8-7. The game got tied when the time cap was on. Universe point loss.
Varsity ended up in 4th place (pictured above) and JV (below) had a winning season as well.

First practice for the upcoming Girls BUF spring season is 5-7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Whitman Middle School. Join the fun and register here! Photos and recap c/o and follow @bufballard.
Boys Lacrosse Registration
Registration is OPEN for Boys Lacrosse! The season begins Feb. 27 with the first game on March 14. There are scholarships for both Varsity and JV registration costs and team helmets. Fresh new uniforms will be unveiled this year. For more information follow @ballard_lacrosse, email info@ballardboyslacrosse.com, or go to the website ballardboyslacrosse.com. See you on the field! 
Fastpitch Season Kickoff Fundraiser March 6
All ages are welcome to a Season Kick off for BHS Fastpitch on Monday, March 6 at Ridgewood Bottle and Tap (316 N. 67th St.). This will be a fundraiser with a swag store and raffle prizes. Ticket sales will be held from 6-7 p.m. and raffle from 7-8 p.m., must be present to receive winnings. Ridgewood has pledged $1 back to BHS Softball per pint all day (noon to 11 p.m.) Big shout out to BHS's Ms. Robyn Maddess for partnering with the team on this event.

Rep Fastpitch Too! Also, if you want to purchase a Fastpitch T shirt ($20), email Coach Dale Griffith, or stop by his office at school! Season opener at Lower Woodland against Roosevelt on March 14. [MORE INFO]
OFFICE UPDATE
No Student Parking on Campus
As a reminder to our students and families, there is no student parking on our campus. The north and south parking lots are reserved for staff and visitors who sign in at the Main Office only.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 27 we will implement enforcement of this policy:
  • For a student’s first offense a bright green warning sticker will be placed on the car window.
  • Second offense will be a second green warning sticker.
  • If students park in a staff or visitor spot a third time, parents will be called into the school for a conference with an administrator. 
 
There is also no student parking in the clearly marked Pool Only spots (for the Ballard Pool). As a City of Seattle Parks & Recreation facility, the Pool’s parking enforcement could include a city parking fine and/or your vehicle may be towed. 
 
Thanks for your support in making sure everyone understands the rules regarding the parking lots at Ballard High School. Please contact Assistant Principal, JaLynn Montes, at jmmontes@seattleschools.org if you have any questions.
BHS FOUNDATION NEWS
Running of Beavers Registration Benefits Your Favorite Team!
Ballard High School Foundation's 4th Annual Running of the Beavers is 9 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at scenic Golden Gardens!

The 5K Fun Run and Walk benefits Ballard Athletics, Cheer, Dance, Band, and ASB. Participants can choose their beneficiary and 70 percent of their registration fee goes to the team or activity of their choice!

New this year is a class competition for Beaver students! The grade level with the most participants earns $250 for their class!

Don't want to race but want to support a BHS team or activity? There's also a way to donate on the Running of the Beavers webpage!

See you at the starting line with Bucky!
SPS UPDATE
Check out SPS's news show, First Bell!
Watch the latest edition of “First Bell,” the Seattle Public Schools news broadcast.   
 
“First Bell” highlights all the great work happening in our district and keeps you informed on important announcements.  
 
This broadcast is a video version of the district’s newsletter, “School Beat,” which will continue to be emailed to families monthly.
EQUITY CORNER
See an interesting event that celebrates Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion and you’d like to see it highlighted here? Please send it our way! DEIatBHS@gmail.com
The next DEI committee meeting date is 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 via Zoom: meeting together with Lincoln High School PTSA’s DEI Committee. We’d love to have you join us! Please email DEIatBHS@gmail.com for meeting links or info.
ADVOCACY NEWS
BHS PTSA Rep at 36th District Delegation Meeting
As part of WSPTA's Focus Day on Feb. 20, there was a 36th District Legislative District Delegation Meeting in Sen. Noel Frame's office.

Attending were Rep. Julia Reed (pictured with our Legislative Chair Brian Duncan); Lyndea Kelleher, legislative assistant to Sen. Noel Frame; and Natalie Whitesel, legislative assistant to Rep. Liz Berry.

Unfortunately there was a technical snafu so the Zoom link did not work, but Duncan said it was still a beneficial meeting for those in attendance.

"The meeting emphasized SCPTSA high priorities of ending isolation and ratcheting down further on minimizing restraint of students, ending corporal punishment by teachers, fully funding inclusion, passing wealth tax to pay for it, passing more gun-violence prevention reforms and anti-racism efforts," Duncan said. "It was preaching to the choir; they were glad to hear of WSPTA support of the wealth tax!" 

With Advocacy Day behind us, the efforts to appeal to Olympia on behalf of our students continue. Here's Legislative Bill information to continue looking up bills of interest.

And as prepared by Brian, here are some of the Seattle Council PTSA/Washington State PTA hot button bills.

That could be you in the photo, meeting next time with Rep. Julia Reed! Want to learn more, or join the BHS PTSA Advocacy Team? Email Brian at bhs.ptsa.legislative@gmail.com 
Focus on Advocacy Day 2023 Recap
From WSPTA: Following on the success of our virtual Focus on Advocacy Week, during which PTA members sent over 3,300 messages, advocates came to Olympia on Feb. 20 to meet with their legislators. WSPTA leadership had eight meetings with legislators on key committees, to discuss WSPTA legislative priorities and aligned bills. 
 
PTA members also had the opportunity to take a tour of the Capitol, hear from several guest speakers, and watch WSPTA President Nancy Chamberlain and Advocacy Director Lizzy Sebring (pictured) participate in a panel discussion focused fully funding special education services. The complete discussion can be found at https://bit.ly/UnitedForSpecialEducationPanel.

Read more about the event on the WSPTA blog.
SCPTSA Take Back PTA Workgroup Feb. 28
Seattle Council PTSA will be hosting its online Take Back PTA workgroup from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 via Zoom.

SCPTSA will be joined by advocates from the Portland organization Reform PPS Funding, who will talk about Portland Public Schools' pioneering fund-sharing structure and its implications for funding equity advocacy in Seattle Public Schools.

The Take Back PTA work group has its basis in the 2019 SCPTSA Take Back PTA resolution. All are welcome to attend. Future meeting dates can be found on the SCPTSA calendar.
Equity in Family Engagement Conference March 25-26
Washington State PTA is delighted to cohost with Washington Family Engagement the Equity in Family Engagement virtual conference on March 25-26.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Ballard Food Bank Open House Feb. 28
You're invited to an Open House at the Ballard Food Bank, from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 1400 N/W. Leary Way

• Chat with staff and volunteers and have a chance to ask questions

• Tour the grocery-store style food bank

• Learn about volunteer opportunities 

• This is a great time to bring the kids by show them what happens here! We’ll have a fun scavenger hunt for them

• Feel free to bring by food and hygiene donations! And if you're looking to be more environmentally conscious, bring your brown paper grocery bags and egg cartons – these are welcomed as well!
Did you know Ballard High School PTSA/Ballard Teen Health Center partner with the Food Bank on the Weekend Food for Kids program? Learn more here.
College Financial Aid Workshop
Local college choice authority Teri Thompson, test prep expert Greg Smith (who recently appeared at the PTSA's Feb. 2 parent education meeting), and local college aid consultant Albert Israel CFP, will be the speakers at a free virtual informational workshop addressing college financial aid, how that aid is assigned to individual families, how that aid can sometimes be increased, what role test prep plays in these times, and how to pick the right college for your child to hopefully avoid the fifth year.

The free workshop will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 by Zoom. Advance registration is appreciated.
Nominate WA State Teacher of the Year
Washington State Teacher of the Year nominations are now open! Nominate today using the Educator of the Year Nomination FormThe deadline is March 1!


BHS PTSA also honors educators of the year in June. BHS Community members may share nominees for consideration at any time with Gloria Kruzner at bhs.ptsa.pres@gmail.com.

Please send a short reason why they've received a nomination as well! Thanks for your consideration.
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 Resources for purely informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.