Multicultural Week & Assembly Celebration |
Students and staff celebrated and honored the intersectionality of many of the identities and cultures present at Ballard during the March 27-31 Multicultural Week, coordinated by the school's student unions, ASB and school administration.
The weeklong event included informative classroom presentations, a "Unions Unite" after-school gathering Wednesday, and all-school assembly Friday.
Friday's culminating performance event was led by the Multicultural Club, Asian Student Union, Black Student Union, Indigenous Student Union, Jewish Student Union, LatinX Student Union, and the Pasifika Club. Photo c/o and follow @ballardhs_ac. [MORE INFO]
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PTSA Gala Supports Equity and Inclusion at BHS |
Gala attendees, we look forward to seeing you 5 p.m. this evening at Block 41 and hope you are ready for "Breakfast for Dinner!" Check your email for a message with event details and a link to the live bidding catalog.
Even if you can’t attend the Gala, you can join us as we Raise our Paddles for ALL BHS students by focusing on Equity and Inclusion.
We want every student at Ballard to feel seen, to be represented, to feel safe. We know that when kids feel safe and seen, they are more likely to have improved mental health and stronger academic engagement.
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This year’s paddle raise will specifically support the following:
- Addition of another fully gender neutral restroom;
- Professional development for staff supporting inclusion and invisible disability;
- Murals, posters, books and other materials to showcase diversity in the school;
- PTSA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion events to foster community
Please donate today to support Equity and Inclusion at BHS:
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Students Win All Girls Film Challenge Award |
Congratulations! BHS Digital Film students Lola F., ’23, McCall H., ’24 and Imogen S., ’23 won the Award of Excellence for their short film “Through a Window" at the All Girls Film Challenge and Networking Event, March 26 at the Microsoft campus.
The film event, started by Mount Si High School's digital filmmaking teacher Joe Dockery, included activities and panel discussions and judging and feedback by local women filmmakers. Photo c/o and follow @bhsdigitalfilm.
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Grades 10 & 11 Link Crew Applications Open |
Link Crew is ramping up to welcome next year’s incoming students! If you are a current 10th or 11th grader and want to help 9th graders next year, consider completing an application.
Ballard's Link Crew is part of a national high school program that welcomes freshmen and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their high school experience. Link Crew trains members of the Junior and Senior class to be Link Leaders. Getting a diverse group of leaders is vital to creating a group that will engage all members of the school.
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Final Yearbook Pre-Sale Window of Year
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April 3-28: LAST Yearbook Pre-Sale (excludes Spring Break 4/10-14) Cost is $70 and they may be purchased online via parents/guardians Source/School Pay account. Yearbooks will also be sold in the Activity Center at lunch and after school with cash, check or Debit/Credit Card.
Have you purchased your student's yearbook yet? If you're like us and can't remember where your reading glasses are, chances are you'll need to look this up! Tips on how to do so online!
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Let it Glow! The ASB Spring Dance is 8-11 p.m. Saturday, April 22 from in the BHS Gym. Dress code is neon and glow-in-the-dark. No heels in the gym. Tickets will be sold via cash or check during lunch, April 3-21, in the Activity Center or via online sales (look for more details coming soon on the School Dance/Spirit Week page).:
- $10 with ASB Student ID Card
- $15 without ASB Student ID Card
- Pre-sale only, no tickets will be sold at the door.
The Spring Dance precedes ASB Spirit Week, April 24-28. Students, watch for more details on Spirit Week Dress Up Days and Events from the ASB students in the hallways, in-school announcements, and on their Instagram @ballardhighasb.
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Do You Identify as Mixed Race or Multiracial?
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Do you wish you had more people to talk to who understood the experience of being racially ambiguous, or feeling stuck between different cultures? Are you tired of being asked "What are you" by people wanting to know your ethnicity? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, this opportunity is for you!
We are interested in creating a space here at Ballard for mixed race students to be in community. If you think you might be interested, please reach out to our ML Instructional Assistant Ms. Smelser at ktsmelser@seattleschools.org or Assistant Principal Ms. Montes at jmmontes@seattleschools.org
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Pick Up Purchased Cap & Gowns April 24 |
Seniors! Important! Pick up date for purchased cap and gowns is ONLY April 24. National Achievers will be handing them out in the Commons during lunch. If there is any issues with your order they will be able to help you on that day. [MORE INFO]
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SPREE Senior Grad Party Tickets on Sale |
Class of ’23 – Buy your tickets today for Senior SPREE, the all-night grad party, sponsored by the PTSA, and a BHS tradition! Immediately following the graduation ceremony, students hop onto chartered buses. Throughout the night, grads will travel to two different exciting event venues and be treated to multiple activities, meals, and fun. We keep exact details a secret — we want our Seniors to be surprised!
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Tickets are $200. We want every Senior to attend regardless of financial ability. Scholarships available — see your school counselor. For behind-the-scenes SPREE fun, follow @BHSspree on Instagram! [MORE INFO]
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Don't have a Senior? No problem! We need families of future Seniors to help make this event a success. Consider volunteering the night of graduation and seeing what SPREE is all about. Check-in helpers needed, along with all-night chaperones!
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Attn. Seattle Promise Seniors
Seattle Promise Support at BHS
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Seattle Promise Students & Parents: Come to the BHS Counseling Center on the following timeline and meet up with the BHS Outreach Specialist May Saetern for FAFSA/WASFA support. Parents are encouraged to come in with their students.
FAFSA/WASFA Support Timeline:
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Friday, April 5: Period 1-11:30 a.m.
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April 10-14 Spring Break: May Saetern available by email, phone, text or Zoom.
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April 30: FAFSA/WASFA must be completed and submitted or risk losing Seattle Promise Scholarship.
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Are you a Senior who has committed to going to a 4-year college or university in Washington state? Do you have financial need? Please see your school counselor by Monday, April 3 to be considered for the Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund.
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The Rotary Club of the University District will award $5,000 scholarships to graduating students from Seattle high schools seeking to attend a college/university or vocational school. Recipients will be selected on the basis of scholastic achievement, financial need, community service, and leadership. Application deadline April 7. [APPLICATION]
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Did you miss the Seattle Promise application deadline? Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarships application is now open!
Students are encouraged to apply now through April 13. [MORE INFO]
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The P.E.O. Women Helping Women Reach for the Stars Scholarship (attached here) is offered to high school women graduates who are planning on attending vocational institutions as well as college and universities. Candidates will be chosen based upon merit, leadership and financial need. Deadline April 17.
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Local Service Learning Options |
Loyal Heights Community Center (2101 N.W. 77th St.) needs volunteers for its Spring Egg Hunt from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8. High School students can earn Service Learning hours toward graduation. They still need volunteers to come and stuff eggs after school this next week before the event. For more information, email Ronald Brown at Ronald.Brown@seattle.gov, call 206-684-4052, or stop by the Community Center. [ APRIL TEEN EVENTS] |
Spring may just have sprung but Ballard Alliance is already looking for volunteers for this summer's Ballard SeafoodFest on July 14-16! Get Service Learning hours in while having a blast! There are a wide variety of times to accommodate your schedule and each shift comes with a complementary Alder-smoked salmon BBQ dinner. [SIGN UP HERE]
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Univ. of California - Santa Cruz | 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, April 5
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Durham University | 8:50 a.m. Thursday, April 20
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Cardiff Metropolitan University (U.K.) | 8:50 a.m. Friday, April 21
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Westminster College (Utah) | 9:50 a.m. Friday, April 21
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The University of Tampa | 12:45 p.m. Friday, April 21
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Weber State University | 1:45 p.m. Friday, April 21
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Students, take a deep dive into a job or internship! Here are some listings on the Counseling Center's Job & Internship Board! |
Career Quest is a Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Internship program. Students can earn high school credit outside of their school day with meaningful career exploration. Learn more about this program and regional internships on the BHS website.
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Woodland Park Zoo is hosting a Career Exploration Day from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The all-day event is geared toward high school students to learn more about different careers at Woodland Park Zoo! Activities include: Career panel, animal keeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours and workshops. Registration: $35, scholarships available. [MORE INFO]
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King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps is a PAID summer internship program for teens interested in jobs in parks and the environment. Ten positions are open to all King County students entering grades 10-12.
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Welcome to Library Assistant Alana! |
Hello everyone! I am Alana and I’m originally from Pacifica, CA! It’s a beach town on the coast, about 10 miles south of San Francisco, famous for the dog surfing competition and the Taco Bell on the sand. I moved to Washington with my partner and golden retriever almost 2 years ago and am close to being done with my Masters in Library Science from UW. If you ask me about Winnie the Pooh, Disney, or Kelly Clarkson, I will have way too much information to share. I am super excited to be here at Ballard; come say hi!
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Tutors Available in the Library! |
The BHS Library is offering free in-person math and first-year physics tutoring with Peter Seitel from 3:45-4:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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One Act Play Festival May 18-20 |
This spring, six student directors have selected five one-act plays to bring to the Ballard stage, all of which explore what it’s like when reality itself comes into question. Ballard Thespians participated in auditions last week for the performances, which run 7:30 p.m. May 18-20 in the Performing Arts Center.
Elliot J. directs Sure Thing by David Ives, a comedy that follows two strangers in a coffee shop who navigate a conversation with something no one else gets: the chance to start over when you say the wrong thing.
Ella P. directs The Yellow Wallpaper by Cameron Colwell and Georgia Drinan. Based on the chilling short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, this play follows a new mother confined to her bed as she tries to make sense of the figure she keeps seeing in the pattern on her bedroom walls.
Autumn B. directs The Support Group from Hell by Jeffrey Harr, a dark comedy that follows a teen who joins a support group with members that are far more strange (and possibly supernatural) than she was expecting.
Izzy R. and Milo P. co-direct The Hallmarks of Horror by Peter Bloedel. In this “whirlwind tour of horror tropes,” scientists attempt to explain what makes scary movies as scary as possible. The resulting demonstration is much more ridiculous than intended.
Up, All the Way Up? is a new play written and directed by student Rose C., which follows a woman in the late 19th century as she writes the obituary for the peculiar and mysterious death of a millionaire on a mountain.
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Pick up Your Spring Athletics Poster! |
Rep Beaver Athletics on your wall!
The BHS Spring Athletics poster is now available in the Main Office.
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Trivia Night Fundraiser at Elks April 26 |
Mark your calendars for Athletic Booster Club Trivia Night Wednesday, April 26 at the Ballard Elks Club. Registration starts at 6 p.m.; trivia starts at 7 p.m. Put together your team of six people – entry fee is $10 per team member. Gather family, friends, and yes, high school students can play too. The more diverse your group in interests and age, the better you’ll do. More info on our fun Trivia Night coming soon. Want to reserve your spot and register a team early? Send an email to BallardBeaverTrivia@gmail.com.
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ABC Updates and Board Meeting April 3 |
In the March 30 Athletic Booster Club Newsletter: Learn more about BHS Athletics, the popular new BeaverGear gray hoodie, get a quick glance at Spring Sports action, check out recent football signings, and meet new Boys Lacrosse Coach Ray Pryphun.
Meet up with other Ballard Athletics supporters at the next ABC Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 3 at the BHS Staff Lounge. Not getting the ABC Newsletter? Sign up here.
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Baseball Plays at T-Mobile Friday |
Beavers Baseball plays Kentwood at T-Mobile Park next Friday, April 7. It's a 6 p.m. game, and the Home Plate entrance will be open to fans at 5 p.m. It's free to attend. Just walk in, and come sit behind the Beaver dugout and cheer on the team!
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Track Finds High Gear at Ingraham |
On Thursday, Track headed to Ingraham to face the Rams, Bishop Blanchet, Eastside Catholic and Seattle Prep.
Boys highlights: Alexander D. topped 400m; Jack R. and Dexter S. took 2nd and 3rd in 3200m; 4x100m Relay A Team took 3rd (Alexander D., Hayden W., David P., and Logan P.); 4x400m Relay A Team won (Hayden W., Kevin K., Simon C. and Logan P.); Jona S. took 1st in 300m Hurdles and 2nd in 110m Hurdles; Rowan B. took 3rd in 110m Hurdles; and Max G. took 3rd in the High Jump.
Girls highlights: Siena S. took 1st in 200m; Cassidy A. and Chloe B. took 2nd and 3rd in 800m; Cassidy A. took 1st and Emme R. took 3rd in 1600m; BHS distance runners took 1st through 7th in 3200m, with Sadie K. leading the way; BHS 100m hurdlers also filled the top four slots with Makenna M. leading the charge. Sydney M. and Natalie A. took 1st and 3rd in the 300m Hurdles. The 4x100m Relay A Team took 2nd (Mahlia M., Anna S., Jill S. and Annelise G.) while the team's A, B and C 4X400m Relay Teams swept the race, with A Team taking the top of the podium (Sydney M., Siena S., Molly S. and Annelise G.). Finally, Kathryn D. took 3rd in High Jump while Madeleine K. took 1st in Pole Vault.
More Spring Sports Highlights:
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Varsity Fastpitch team took on Bishop Blanchet Tuesday and Cleveland Thursday at Lower Woodland Park. They'll head for Eastside Catholic 4 p.m. Monday, April 3. Next home game is 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 against Rainier Beach at Lower Woodland. Can't make it to the field? Watch the games on the BHS Athletics YouTube page! Photo c/o and follow @ballardbeaversoftball
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Girls Varsity Ultimate Frisbee are having a solid start to the season. Come watch upcoming games on April 18 & 20. The full schedule is here. BUF girls are heading to the PNW Girls Invite on April 1-2 in Burlington, the premier competitive single-gender ultimate tournament in the region.
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Varsity Soccer tied Roosevelt 1-1 Thursday. On Monday, the team travels to Jane Adams Field to face Nathan Hale at 4:30 p.m. Ballard hosts Seattle Prep at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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Girls Varsity Tennis hosts Holy Names Academy 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (Woodland Park) and Lincoln 3:30 p.m. Friday (Lower Woodland Park)
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Boys Varsity Tennis hosts O'Dea 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (Green Lake Park) and Lincoln 3:30 p.m. Friday (Lower Woodland Park)
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Girls Lacrosse faced SnoLax at Glacier Peak Wednesday before hosting Mount Si at home Friday. The Varsity next faces Northshore Wednesday, April 5 before Spring Break. Next home game is versus Overlake 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20. Photo of JV competing at Glacier Peak c/o @bhs_girlslax.
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Girls Varsity Ultimate Frisbee are having a solid start to the season. Come watch upcoming games on April 18 & 20. The full schedule is here. BUF girls are heading to the PNW Girls Invite on April 1-2 in Burlington, the premier competitive single-gender ultimate tournament in the region.
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The Co-ed BUF Team heads to Spring Reign in Burlington on April 22-23. Spring Reign is one of the largest mixed-gender youth ultimate tournaments in the world, The tournament hosts school-based teams hailing from Washington, British Columbia, Manitoba, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho, celebrating youth Ultimate in the Northwest!
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Boys Lacrosse beat Bainbridge 9-4 Tuesday. On Thursday, March 30 they'll visited Nathan Hale, playing at Jane Adams MS field. Saturday they visited Lake Washington. Photo c/o Ed Tanaka/@ballard_lacrosse
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PTSA Earth Day Campus Cleanup April 22 |
We will be picking up litter and weeding to beautify our school campus.
Cleanup supplies — garbage and recycling bags, gloves, litter grabbers and safety vests — will be provided.
Please wear long pants/long sleeves, AND closed toe shoes! Consider wearing hats, sunglasses and bringing your reusable water bottles.
Need more incentive?
Donuts and coffee will be available to thank our awesome volunteers!
Service Learning Hours are available too!
Questions?
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President Needed for Next School Year |
If you are passionate about supporting your student’s school community, please consider joining the PTSA as President next year.
We are actively seeking someone who will take on the following responsibilities (or two people could share the job!):
- Time commitment: 4-8 hours per month.
- Manages overall objectives and strategies of PTSA.
- Acts as liaison between parents and principal/staff.
- Creates agenda and facilitates monthly PTSA Board Meetings and three PTSA General Meetings
- Collaborates with Board and Committees to support PTSA vision, mission and goals.
- Collaborates with Treasurer (budget and check signer) and serves on Grants Committee.
- Speaks at Back to School Night and other events.
- Note: Previous president will be available for mentorship and support.
We are also seeking the following positions (positions can be shared):
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Vice President (performs duties of the President when the President is absent or unable to serve)
- Legislative Liaison/Advocacy Chair
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Nominate Outstanding BHS Educator, PTSA Volunteer |
Calling everyone in the BHS Community! Do you know an educator, staff member or volunteer who makes an outstanding impact at BHS?
Email Gloria Kruzner at bhs.ptsa.pres@gmail.com your nominations, along with a few details why you've chosen them, through Friday, May 12.
Winners will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. June 1 General Meeting in the Library. [MORE INFO]
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Vote on 23-24 WSPTA Board!
Four BHS PTSA Delegates Needed for Annual Meeting
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This is a member-only event and there is no cost for registration. Note: SCPTSA President Samantha Fogg is on the ballot. Sign up today!
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For Teens, Text-Based Crisis Lines Increase Accessibility |
The people who answer the phone aren’t there to give advice, says Logan Shideler, who supervises volunteers for the California Youth Crisis Line, which is run by the nonprofit California Coalition for Youth. Instead, when appropriate, they give encouragement and share resources—like information for a food pantry, for example, if the caller mentions food insecurity. The young people and sometimes parents who call, text or chat with crisis line volunteers are many times simply looking for someone to listen, he adds. Read the article.
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How to Add Mindfulness to Your Teen's Day |
From the National PTA News: Many adults are able to recognize feelings of anxiety, stress and frustration, but when children and teenagers experience these emotions, they are often less equipped to deal with them. Read the article.
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School Board Student Members Sought |
Applications for the 2023-24 Seattle School Board student member positions are due Monday, April 3. 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.
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Naramore Art Show Opens April 8 |
The Naramore Art Show celebrates more than 200 artworks by Seattle Public School’s middle and high school students. Naramore is a partnership with Seattle Art Museum.
Exhibition dates: April 8 – May 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
in Seattle Art Museum's first floor corridor (1300 First Ave.)
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Art by Hannah Sheffer, Naramore 2021
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Legislative Liaison Co-Chair Sought |
PTSA Legislative Liaison Brian Duncan is still looking for a co-chair with a taste for advocacy to mentor before he graduates as a BHS parent in June.
If you are interested, especially during this active legislative session with so many issues on the table affecting our students, please email Brian at bhs.ptsa.legislative@gmail.com.
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Each week, WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan puts together a list of bills and upcoming events that are associated with the group's legislative priorities.
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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
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Tuesday evenings, now through May 23: Drop In Virtual Learning & Strategy Sessions, adapted from Rhapsody's Face the Music Curriculum (FREE online)
Join Lady A and Joe Seamons of The Rhapsody Project for a series of virtual classes and strategy sessions to establish a culture of equity and accountability in the North End public school community, hosted by Lincoln High School!
Open to students, parents, administrators, and teachers, these weekly sessions will celebrate Black American musical history while grounding participants in the history and evolution of racism in our country, drawing on stories from the era of Minstrelsy all the way through the golden era of Hip Hop.
In addition to building community and awareness, these sessions will help us collaborate in establishing an event series and process for combatting racism at Lincoln HS and the surrounding community.
These sessions will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday evening from March 28 - May 23 on Zoom. Drop in for one session or join us for all of them!
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Mark Your Calendars!
Roosevelt High School: Beyond Black & White Film Screening & Discussion April 21 at BHS
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2023 Storm Dance Troupe Auditions |
Energetic and experienced dancers of all genres between the ages of 5-15 are invited to audition for the 2023 Storm Dance Troupe from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, April 16 in the SPU Royal Brougham Pavilion. [MORE INFO]
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Seattle Center Foundation: Seattle/King Co. Clinic |
Free Medical, Dental and Vision services April 27-30 at Seattle Center:
- For people in need, no ID required
- First come, first served
- Limited number of admission tickets, distribution starts at 5:30 a.m. in Fisher Pavilion.
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Summer Day Camp & Class Options |
Spring may not have sprung yet, but here are some summer day camp/enrichment options:
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3-on-3 Tourney Coming This Summer |
Ballard High School Basketball is hosting the Shilshole Bay Showcase 3-on-3 Tournament July 15-16 (Seafoodfest Weekend) for teams from 4th grade to adults.
Full details here or on flyer graphic. Registration deadline for teams is July 7. The tournament is a fundraiser for Ballard's boys and girls basketball programs.
Questions? Email BHS alumni parent John Verduin at jverduin@dysportsllc.com.
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Assistance League Summer Enrichment Scholarship |
The Assistance League of Seattle offers scholarships for students in grades 6-11 wanting to attend summer camp.
Application deadline is April 15. [ MORE INFO] |
Know any future Beaver girls hoop stars? They'll definitely want to learn more about the Beavers Girls' Basketball Camp July 10-13!
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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 Resources for purely informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.
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