New Deadline Nov. 20

Reflections Student Arts Program

The National PTA’s 2023-24 Reflections theme is "I Am Hopeful Because ..."

Students submit original works of art from the following categories:

Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. There is also a Special Artist Division option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

New submission deadline is Monday, Nov. 20. More info.

Questions? Email Anna Harper at bhs.ptsa.reflectionscmte@gmail.com.

It's Time to Join or Renew Your PTSA Membership

If you haven't done so already, please remember to sign up for or renew your annual BHS PTSA membership.

By signing up or renewing your annual membership in the Ballard PTSA, you are helping to support our mission to create an inclusive, supportive community that cultivates a tradition of excellence for all students.

We encourage all members of our Ballard Beaver community -- teachers, parents and students – to become members of the BHS PTSA. The more members we have, the stronger our voice!

Subsidies are available, reach out to membership chairs Lisa

Vanderford-Anderson or Deborah Frieze for more information at bhs.ptsa.membershipchair@gmail.com.

PSAT/NMSQT Scores Release Date

Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT taken at Ballard High School should be available on the College Board website on Nov. 16.

Learn more about understanding scores on the BHS Assessments Overview.

Annual Dance Team Winter Showcase

Please join the Ballard HS Dancers as they host their Annual Winter Showcase at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 in the PAC!

The Showcase features over 20 individual student choreography pieces in various styles of dance, including jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop.

There will also be special presentations from Lincoln High School Dance Team, Ballard Academy of Dance and Music, and our Ballard HS Student Dance Workshop participants!

Everyone is invited! Tickets: $20 (adults), $15 (senior citizens), $10 (children under 18).

SPS Shares Safety Info

Abridged from SPS Chief of Staff Bev Redmond's Nov. 7 email to families:

"We all play a role in school safety.

It is important that everyone in our school knows and follows our safety procedures and processes."

• All visitors should sign in at the main office when on campus.
• All adults should wear SPS staff or visitor identification while in school buildings.
• School exterior doors should be kept closed and locked.
• Please let your school leader and school staff know if you have concerns or questions regarding student safety and well-being.
• Safety concerns should be reported right away by calling 911 or the Safe Schools Hotline (206-252-0510), or the new SPS mobile app.

More info on Safe and Welcoming Schools webpage.

Graduation Cap & Gown Orders Due Dec. 15

Graduation Cap & Gown orders are due Wednesday, Dec. 15. Place orders online with National Achiever Ordering (Cap & Gown, Announcements etc.). 

• Choose a Cap & Gown Unit (Cap, Gown, Tassel, Stole) or scroll down the National Achiever page to order individual items. Cap and gowns will be delivered at school in the spring. Announcements are sent to purchaser's home.

• Please note! The Ballard HS Counseling Center has loaner Caps & Gowns. Seniors would still need to purchase a tassel and stole for the Class of 2024 (if you need assistance reach out to a BHS Counselor).

Full details on the Senior Resources page.

Dec. 8 Due Date!

Senior Grad Ads

Grad Ads are an opportunity for families to submit photos and a personal message for graduating seniors to be printed in the BHS Shingle Yearbook.

The Ads include photos of your choice and a personalized message of your choice for your graduating student.

Order a beautiful Grad Ad (if interested) to congratulate your student’s accomplishments. Submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 8.

Full details and upload link.

Senior Reminders

November: Continue to do College Visits and go to the Counselors Drop In College Admissions Application support. Get information about Seattle Promise in the Counseling Center as well.

December: National Achiever Cap & Gown Orders Due, FASFA & WASFA Opens.

December 8: Grad Ads due if interested. Continue to do and turn in your Service Learning Hours.

January 2024: Continue to work on your Naviance High School & Beyond Plan Required Steps, Buy your Yearbook during the Open Sales Window.

Details on the Senior page.

Deep Dives into Learning at BHS Library

We often focus on the fun and creative things going on in the Ballard Library that make it the hub of our school and a great place for a reset during lunch or after school.

Did you know Teacher-Librarian Ms. TuesD Chambers also teams with teachers for deep dives into learning throughout the school day?

This week, Ms. McKenna's class visited to rate book trailers on popular new titles, play Blackout Book Bingo, shared some thoughts on gratitude, and finally, enjoyed some quiet reading! Thanks Ms. Chambers and Ms. McKenna's class for sharing!

Photo c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs. Updates and resources are on the Library Events Dashboard.

Spotlight Scholarship

Ballard Elks due Nov. 13

Did you know the Counseling Center has information on a variety of scholarships online?

The Ballard Elks Lodge awards three local male and female students $1,000 each to be used towards college tuition. Applicants may also advance and be considered for additional State and National Elks scholarships. 

Read the FAQ for more details.

Eligibility:

• Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the US are eligible to apply.
• Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.

Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. Apply by Nov. 13.



Be sure to select “Ballard Elks” during the application process.

Spotlight Scholarship

Amazon Future Engineering

Also, from the Counseling Center's Scholarship Bulletins page:

Amazon Future Engineer students can boost their future for themselves and their community with the support of college funding, paid internships, and industry mentors.

Receive a scholarship of up to $40,000

(up to $10,000/year) towards an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science and an offer to complete a summer internship at Amazon!

Applications are now OPEN and will close 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.

More info and apply here.

Student Job Opportunities

The Job Board on the Counseling Center Dashboard features options for student employment. Here are some current opportunities:

• Kringle's Filling Station seasonal holiday event staff. Application



• Umpire/Referee positions (16 and older) through Umpires Northwest LLC and Sports Officials Northwest LLC

Email Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol, chbristol@seattleschools.org if you have any questions.

BHS only shares these postings and does not endorse any of these businesses.

College Visits

Sign up on Naviance

Learn more about college life through College Rep visits at the Counseling Center.

Upcoming visits include:

Monday, Nov. 13

• University of Delaware, 8:50 a.m.
• Northern Arizona University, 9:50 a.m.
• San Jose State University, 12:45 p.m.
• Whitworth University, 1:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

• New Date University of Washington Bothell Campus, 1:45 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 16

• Earlham College, 1:45 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 4

• Pacific Northwest College of Art, 1:45 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 8

• Bellevue College, 1:45 p.m. (Bellevue College is also hosting an on-campus Open House 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18.)

Questions? Check in with Carol Bristol in the Counseling Center.

Why Visit Colleges

Why Visit Colleges?

• Get a firsthand view.
• Get answers to your questions.
• Get valuable information.
• Get ready to decide.

Research shows that students who attend at least I college visit are 1½ times more likely to enroll in college after high school graduation, and even three times more likely if a parent attends the college visit with the student.

Visiting a campus can help you get a first-hand look at a school or program to see if it is a good fit. You can see what the atmosphere is like. Find out what support programs are offered and talk to faculty, financial aid and admissions office, and other students.

More info from the Washington Student Achievement Council.

Seattle Promise Workshops

Seattle Promise scholarship provides up to two years or 90 credits of free tuition towards a graduating SPS senior’s first degree at Seattle Colleges. Students can choose to study at North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, or South Seattle College.

Learn more about and how to apply for Seattle Promise online or through one of the November workshops being offered via Zoom.

Seattle Promise Specialist at BHS on Tuesdays

Need help with your Seattle Promise application?

Seattle Promise Outreach Specialist Trinity Covington (trinity.covington@seattlecolleges.edu)

is in the BHS Counseling Center from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

More info:

• Counseling Center's Applying to College page
• Seattle Promise Information page

Service Learning

Offers Lessons Beyond the Classroom

Service Learning is giving time, without pay. One of the SPS graduation requirements is 60 hours of Service Learning.

Service Learning allows students to learn and to apply academic, social and personal skills through activities and is important in helping build a resume for college, learn leadership, apply for jobs or other opportunities including scholarships.

Questions? Email Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol at chbristol@seattleschools.org.

The Counseling Center posts service-learning resources online and at school. Here are some current options:

• Nordic Heritage Museum Julefest, Nov. 18-19 | Contact Museum Volunteer Coordinator Tim Krumland with interest.

• Greenwood Salvation Army Bell Ringers (18+; 17 and younger must be with parent/guardian) | To sign up, contact Steve Pavlakis.

• UW Medicine Seattle Marathon Volunteer Nov. 20-26 (log-in required)

• Outdoors for All adaptive ski and snowboard lesson instructors, winter weekends

The Addams Family

All BHS Students Invited to Audition for Spring Musical

The musical this spring will be … THE ADDAMS FAMILY!

Auditions will be held November 28 – 30. All Ballard HS students are encouraged to audition if interested.

Stay tuned for more information.

BPA Coffee Sale Fundraiser

Sale ending on November 15!  Support Ballard Performing Arts by ordering your favorite coffees from Caffe Appassionato.

For each 12-oz. bag sold ($14), the BPA student you identify will earn $6 toward program fees, camps and trips. Proceeds with no student named will go into the BPA general fund.

Purchase online:



• Arietta Blend (medium)
• Tempest Blend (bold)
• Espresso Blend
• Decaffeinated

Coffee orders will be delivered by BPA students in mid-December.

Yovanovich Bringing Home 50 Free State Championship!

Girls Swim & Dive Competes at State

Girls Swim & Dive competed in State Championships Nov. 10-11 at the King County Aquatic Center.

Congratulations to Claudia Yovanovich who won the 50 Free State Championship. Her 23.40 time garners All-American consideration and reporter dad, Jay, says it may have broken her BHS record too! WOW!

More results:

Adaptive 50 Freestyle:

• Amelia Laing came in 7th (1:06.53)
• Kaya Scheuerell came in 8th (1:30.33)

Adaptive 50 Backstroke:

• Amelia Laing came in 6th (1:38.48)
• Kaya Scheuerell came in 7th (1:53.77)

100 Backstroke:

• Claudia Y. came in 3rd in the State (55.80)

While the Girls 200 Medley Relay team of Rosie Barba, Alyson Chew, Mia Onkels and Claudia Y. disqualified at state, congratulations to this hard working group for qualifying, such that the 200 Medley had a return trip to state!

Meet info and results. Thanks to Jay Yovanovich for sharing results and photo too. Follow team  @bhsgirlsswimanddive.

Beaver Athletes Participate in National Signing Day

Congratulations to the following Beaver athletes who participated in the Nov. 9 National Signing Day in the BHS Commons:

Claudia Yovanovich, UCLA swim

Madeleine Koenig, Westmont College track - pole vault

Peyton Nakagawara, USC soccer

Winter Sports Night Info Meeting Nov. 21

Ballard Athletics is planning a Winter Sports Night for parents and guardians at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 in the Main Gym.

Ballard offers the following programs, Winter sports tryout dates and updates are on the BHS website:

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Gymnastics
• Boys Swim & Dive
• Boys Wrestling
• Girls Wrestling
• Girls Bowling
• Girls Flag Football
• Mixed Ultimate Frisbee
• Unified Basketball

Also, the Boys Lacrosse Team is playing Fall Ball, from early November through the first weekend of December.

Updates on the Athletics webpage. Coach contact information is also available on the BHS website.

Ballard Ultimate Frisbee Mixed Season Tryouts

Interested in playing Ultimate Frisbee for Ballard High School this winter? The mixed/co-ed season is Nov. 20-Feb. 17. Tryouts are the week of Monday, Nov. 13 after school.

Visit ballardultimate.org website for details and registration link. You must register in order to try out. 

Boys Lacrosse Fall Ball

Registration is open for Boys Lacrosse Fall Ball!

The Fall Ball Season runs the month of November and ends with the Space Needle Shootout tournament the first weekend of December! Everyone is welcome and scholarships are available.

Follow along @ballardlacrosse and register here.

Questions? Email Coach Ray Pryphun: raypryphun@gmail.com.

The Ballard PTSA DEI Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month. The next DEI Committee meeting is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 (location TBD).

Please reach out if you'd like to join the meeting, or have any questions to Committee Chair Shelley Bolser at DEIatBHS@gmail.com. 

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.

Upcoming Events

November is Native American Heritage Month, with many options to celebrate throughout the Salish Sea region. See Seattle Emerald’s list here, with a few local events highlighted below.  

November 13 7:30 p.m. at The Grand Illusion Theater: Watch Navajo Star Wars - The Grand Illusion Cinema

“Conceived by Navajo Nation Museum director Manuelito Wheeler and his wife Jennifer, this version of STAR WARS: EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE is dubbed in the Navajo language and voiced by nearly 70 Navajo voice actors. It is the first major motion picture ever dubbed into a Native language. In Navajo with English subtitles (obviously!).” 

November 18 at MOHAI: Living Voices: Native Vision — MOHAI

“A Navajo girl explores her family’s past while struggling to keep her culture in a government-run boarding school. Her vision of becoming a modern healer in a changing world is brought to life as her community joins the U.S. in World War II. Living Voices combines live theatrical performances with archival film, turning history into a moving personal journey.”

November 22-30 at Northwest Film Forum: Women Make Movies present: Queer Indigenous Shorts [In-Person Only] - Northwest Film Forum (nwfilmforum.org) “We support women producers and directors from the beginning, planting the seeds for a diverse and inclusive filmmaking landscape. As the world’s leading distributor of independent films by and about women, we amplify historically ignored voices and challenge the mainstream media. wmm.com”

November 24-26 at the Duwamish Longhouse Cultural Center: November Native Art Market 2023 — Duwamish Tribe

December 15-17 (free, in person, at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center) Save the date for the 2023 Holiday Native Art Markets “Indigenous artists will be selling and showcasing handmade authentic arts and crafts. Beautiful work such as clothing, jewelry, woodworking, drums, art prints, and more by Native American Artists with many styles and tribes represented will be at Daybreak Star.” More info to come at UIATF's Facebook page  

In the News

‘The Color of Law’: Housing Experts Talk New Book About Segregation Solution and Celebrate Fair Housing Law | South Seattle Emerald

Community Reinvestment Project - Washington State Department of Commerce “The Community Reinvestment Plan Report (PDF) sets out a strategy for the distribution of $200 million from the Community Reinvestment Account to invest in communities disproportionately harmed by the historical design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession, “War on Drugs”.  

Read more about it here: WA to invest $200 million to address disparities created by “war on drugs” | Bellevue Reporter