One-Hour Early Dismissal Friday
ASB Winter Spirit Week Fun
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Winter Spirit shines this week as we head into the break! Thanks to the Associated Student Body for planning a wonderful week of activities! Reminder that Friday will have a special bell schedule and one hour early (2:40 p.m.) dismissal!
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ASB Winter Spirit Week | Dec. 11-15, daily dress up themes and fun activities too, including an assembly after third period on Friday. Students, check out more details in this week's "Student Life" section of the newsletter.
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Ballard Performing Arts Winter Concerts | Shows at 7:30 p.m. in the PAC: Choir Tuesday, Dec. 12; Band Wednesday, Dec. 13 and Orchestra Thursday, Dec. 14. Choir and Orchestra shows feature Leonard Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms."
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Jam the Dam Unified Basketball Celebration | Unified Basketball welcomes Lincoln's new team! Let's "Jam the Dam" Thursday, Dec. 14 in support! Game at 5 p.m., arrive around 4:30 for pre-game festivities. "This will be a great event – I look forward to seeing you all there!" Principal Abby Hunt noted in her Friday Message.
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Quad Basketball Games and Toy Drive | Girls JV and Varsity basketball games, followed by Boys JV and Varsity basketball games on Friday, Dec. 15. Bring a new toy to donate to Children's Hospital patients. Llama Fusion (Mexican) food truck, cheer and Pep Band (performances at varsity games) too!
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Deadline Dec. 10
Reflections Student Arts Program
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The National PTA’s 2023-24 Reflections theme is "I Am Hopeful Because ..." Ballard students can participate by submitting original works from the following categories:
Our new submission deadline is 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Fill out the entry form below and submit with entry virtually to Reflections Chair Anna Harper at bhs.ptsa.reflectionscmte@gmail.com.
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Support the BHS PTSA Academics Fund | |
We are overwhelmed and thankful for your generosity!
To date, we have raised more than $50,000 to fund the academic grants to Ballard High teachers and staff.
Please help us reach our goal of $75,000 so the PTSA can fund the humble requests from BHS teachers and staff. Make sure to ask if your employer has a matching gift policy. What an easy way to magnify your gift.
Many thanks!
Kristin Anderson,
Direct Appeal Chair - Ballard High School PTSA
All donations are tax-deductible. (Ballard High School PTSA Tax ID #91-1303069). More info.
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Save the Date: PTSA Gala March 24
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Hey Ballard High School Parents and Guardians!
Are you ready for some fun? Our annual PTSA Fundraising Gala is back again! This year, join the madness in March at Block 41, a cool venue in the heart of Belltown.
Save the date and stay tuned for more details as we get closer to March 24th, from 5 to 9:30 p.m., for a night of bidding and socializing to support our school.
Want to help the cause and have fun behind the scenes too? The Gala Committee is always looking for volunteers.
More info.
Photo of Stephen Kilbreath with pj-clad Beaver supporters from last year's "breakfast" theme event ... but comfies are always welcome!
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WSPTA Legislative Session Preview | |
As part of the Washington State PTA's "Focus on Advocacy," the community is invited to join key leaders of the Washington State Legislature for a preview of priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session from 7-8:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 on Zoom.
This interactive meeting will allow attendees the opportunity to learn how policy and budget priorities may align with WSPTA's adopted legislative platform and get the most current information about how to participate in the process this year.
Schedule:
7-7:50 p.m. – Current legislators
7:50- 8 p.m. – Break
8-8:45 p.m. – New legislators
Current legislators:
- Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island
- Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle
- Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy
Newly elected legislators:
- Rep.-elect Chipalo Street, D-Seattle
- Rep.-elect Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens
- Sen.-elect Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent
The 2023 legislative session begins Jan. 9 and runs 105 days.
More information, registration.
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Students, it's time for the ASB "Week on Film" Spirit Week! Full details on dress up themes and daily activities. Graphic c/o and follow @ballardhighasb.
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Movie of the Day will be shown in the library during lunch.
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The ASB will be selling Winter Grams ($2 each) through Thursday outside the library during lunch. Students can buy their friends a special treat that will be delivered Friday!
Monday: Like Mike – Dress up but make it rhyme: PJ and DJ, Baller and Scholar
Tuesday: Surfs Up – Favorite summer outfits
Wednesday: Ice Age – Warmest winter clothes or "iced out" in your most fashionable 'fit!
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Staff vs. Student Pickle Ball Championship at lunch in the Gym.
Thursday: The Mighty Ducks – Wear your favorite Ugly Sweater
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Unified Basketball Game, warm ups at 4:30 p.m., game starts at 5 p.m.
Friday: Inside Out – Winter class colors: staff red; seniors purple, juniors blue, sophomores green, freshmen yellow.
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Assembly after third period
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Special Bell Schedule, with a one-hour early release (2:40 p.m.).
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Ballard Basketball Quad Games (Girls JV/V, Boys JV/V), Food Truck, Pep Band performs at Varsity games
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Club Spotlight: Hands for the Homeless | |
Hands for the Homeless is a new club that meet Wednesdays during lunch in S101.
The group is planning to make care packages, and get together other supplies/support for the homeless in Ballard. They also want to establish a donation system for old clothes, diapers, and other necessities for homeless organizations like Mary’s Place. They want to want to do a lot during the holiday season and winter because that when people are really struggling.
More information on Hands for the Homeless and learn more about all BHS clubs.
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Monday, Dec. 11
Learn About Careers in Dental Hygiene
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From the School Bulletin:
A Seattle Central College Dental Hygiene Instructor will be at BHS for a Q&A session on Monday, Dec. 11. Both sessions will be held in Portables during 3, 4, and 5 periods. Any BHS student is invited to attend.
Send an email to CTE Teacher Brent Martin for attendance: brmartin@seattleschools.org
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Class of 2024 Graduation Info Announced | |
Senior Families! Seattle Public Schools recently announced full details for the Class of 2024 graduation!
The ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Friday, June 14 at Memorial Stadium!
This means graduates attending the PTSA's SPREE all-night grad party will have the opportunity to return home, grab a bite to eat and change clothing before meeting SPREE buses at the Ballard High School parking lot to be taken to their all-night graduation party.
Full details. Photo by Bruce Johnson, Rowland Studios.
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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.). Prices go up Dec. 16.
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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.
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Please note! The Ballard HS Counseling Center has loaner Caps & Gowns. Seniors would still need to purchase a Class of 2024 tassel and stole (if you need assistance reach out to a BHS Counselor). Also, remember to donate any gowns you'll no longer be needing to the Counseling Center!
Full details on the Senior Resources page.
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SPREE Senior Party Tickets on Sale thru Dec. 31 | |
Senior SPREE Tickets Are on Sale NOW! Senior SPREE is an all-night grad party and a BHS tradition, sponsored by the BHS PTSA!
As described above, following the June 14 graduation ceremony, students will get a short window to change before hopping onto chartered buses back at Ballard High School.
Throughout the night, grads will travel to two exciting, secret event venues and be treated to a variety of activities, food, friends and fun before being dropped off back at BHS for parent/guardian pickup around 5 a.m.
Tickets are now on sale through Dec. 31. Prices are $200 per ticket.
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We want every senior to attend, regardless of financial ability. Scholarships are available -- see your school counselor. There will also be a spring ticket sales window in May. More info. For behind the scenes SPREE fun follow @BHSspree on Instagram.
NOTE: Completed SPREE Permission Forms must be dropped off in the Main Office (emails not accepted).
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Library Affiliated Clubs Offer Week of Fun |
- Library Leaders meet on Mondays.
- That Dam Book Club meets every other Tuesday in the Makerspace.
- Comic Book Club meets on Wednesdays in Mr. Lee’s classroom.
- 3D Printing Club and Architecture Club meets on Wednesdays in the Library.
- Garment Club meet on Thursdays in Ms. Carlson’s room using Library Makerspace sewing machines.
- Reading Buddies meet at 8:10 a.m. Fridays to read books online to first grade students at Magnolia Elementary.
- Pride Book Club meets every other Friday.
Full details on the BHS website. Photo c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs.
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Call for Library Volunteers, Starting January | |
Our wonderful librarian, TuesD Chambers, can use additional parent volunteers, that can sign up for a shift once a week, especially in the afternoons.
Parent volunteers help check in books, shelf returns, create displays and support classroom library activities.
It's a fun way to contribute (and you'll probably discover a book or two that you want to read!)
Parents must be approved by Seattle Public Schools to volunteer.
Photo of PTSA volunteer c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs.
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Drop-in Help With Schedule Planning at Lunch | |
Current 9, 10, and 11 graders: Beat the rush! We will be selecting courses for next year in January.
If you’d like to get a jump start on how you’ll meet graduation requirements and set yourself up for your post-high school plans, please stop by the Counseling Center during lunch.
The school counselors have drop-in times every day and can work with you so when the time comes to select classes in January you’ll have a plan.
Even more resources on the Counseling Center Dashboard
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Seattle Promise, FSA ID Workshop Dec. 12 | |
Trinity Covington, from Seattle Colleges Seattle Promise Scholarship Program, will be in the Counseling Center from noon to 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12 to meet with seniors and parents/guardians if they have questions about the FAFSA, important dates, help with completing the Seattle Promise application or setting up a FSA ID (needed to complete the FAFSA).
Questions? Email Trinity at trinity.covington@seattlecolleges.edu or text 206-661-1290.
Read more about Seattle Promise
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Seattle Promise Offers Two Free Years of Tuition | |
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.
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Internship Spotlight
You Grow Girl
| Paid Internship opportunity for female-identifying youth, 17 years old and older. You Grow Girl! is accepting applications for their upcoming cohort for their Peer Support Vocational Training Program. Youth with lived experiences participating in mental health and other service systems who are interested in supporting systems-involved middle-school aged youth through peer mentorship are encouraged to apply. Completion of this program includes a stipend of $1,000 and attainment of industry recognized professional credentials and employment opportunities. Call or text Jamila Coleman at You Grow Girl! at (206) 417-9904 for more information. | | |
Special Winter Concerts Share Magic of Season | |
Winter Concerts are this week in the PAC. Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Orchestra | Tuesday, Dec. 12
Band | Wednesday, Dec. 13
Choir | Thursday, Dec. 14
Concert Choir and Advanced Chorale are combining with Chamber Orchestra and select Wind Ensemble members and percussionists to present Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms for the Winter Choir and Orchestra concerts!
Concerts are free to attend; however, if you’d like to reserve a spot at ShowTix4U for $25/seat, money directly supports BPA programs. More info.
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Congrats to Spring Musical "The Addams Family" Cast | |
From Theatre Director Ms. Miller:
Congratulations to everyone who auditioned for the musical this year! It takes real guts to put yourself out there, so please be proud of yourselves. It was great fun to see everyone bring their best. Performers worked hard and decisions were tough.
Now that the show has been cast, we look forward to rehearsing, designing, and building for our spring production of The Addams Family.
Applause all around and hooray for our cast!
See the cast list!
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Save the Date for the 65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner | Saturday, Feb. 3 | |
The 65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
The theme this year is … Night at the Movies.
All of our Ballard Performing Arts groups – band, orchestra, choir, and theater – will provide us with live entertainment throughout the evening.
Please join us for a magical night of food, community, and performances at our biggest event of the year. You won’t want to miss it!
More information coming soon …
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Jam the Dam Unified Basketball Event Dec. 14 | |
Ballard's annual Jam the Dam Unified Event will be Thursday, Dec. 14. Game will start at 5 p.m., but fans should arrive at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy the warm-ups, team introductions, special senior moment, and national anthem! Ballard Unified will be playing Lincoln High School.
"This is Lincoln's first year with a Unified team so we really want to show them a fun time and get them excited about hosting their own event next year," said BHS Unified Coordinator Robyn Maddess.
Unified Programs are partnerships between SPS and Special Olympics of Washington that partner students with and without disabilities together to practice and compete. Unified is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through activities, shared sports training, and competition experiences.
Photo of last year's Jam the Dam Event (with Roosevelt) c/o and follow @Ballard_Unified. Full details on the Winter Athletics page.
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Ballard Hoops Quad Night & Toy Drive | |
Kick off Winter Break supporting Ballard athletics and local children in need!
The Boys and Girls Basketball teams will be hosting a Quad Night and Toy Drive Friday, Dec. 15! Bring a new toy donation to the gym and share some goodwill at the games!
The Pep Band will be at both Varsity games too, to bring the spirit. And for hungry fans, the Llama Fusion will be on hand from 5-8:30 p.m. for tasty Mexican fare.
To open the quad, Girls Basketball hosts Nathan Hale:
- JV 4 p.m.
- Varsity 5:30 p.m.
After, Boys Basketball hosts Lincoln:
- JV game 7 p.m.
- Varsity game 8:30 p.m.
Full details on the Winter Athletics page.
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Cheer Teams Compete at Spirit of Northshore | |
Congratulations to all three Ballard Cheer Teams (Black, Red and White) who competed Saturday at the Spirit of Northshore at Bothell High School.
All the teams had an amazing day! Black and Red came in first (with the Black Team increasing its state qualifying score) and White came in second. White also earned an invitation to State!
Photos c/o Team Parent Kimberley Mertz. Follow the program @ballardcheer.
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Full Winter schedules, online ticket purchase info, and team updates are on the Athletics webpage. | |
➠ Ballard Gymnastics hosted its first meet Friday against Chief Sealth, Ingraham and Nathan Hale. Next, the team heads to Roosevelt at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. The Rider-hosted meet also includes Ingraham and Lincoln.
There will be more home meets for the Beavers: Saturday, Jan. 6 at 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. and the District meet on Saturday Feb. 17.
Photo c/o and follow @ballardgymnastics
| ➠ Congratulations to the Dance Team which competed in their first competition Saturday at Shorewood High School. The team competed in the Dance and Hip-Hop categories and they placed for Districts! Photo c/o and follow the team @ballardhsdanceteam | ➠ Boys Swim and Dive hosted its first home meet against Lakeside Friday at the Ballard Pool. While we're still waiting on the score against the Lions, we can report the team won a decisive victory Friday, Dec. 1 at Rainier Beach Pool against Eastside Catholic: 129 to 44! Ballard won first place in 10 of 12 events and earned top points in all 12 events – a team first! Come out and support the team at its home meets at 4 p.m. on Fridays, Dec. 15 (West Seattle/Cleveland) and Jan. 19 (Blanchet). Follow the team @bhsboys.swim. | | |
➠ Congratulations to the Boys Wrestling team for their 2nd place finish at Return of the Seahawk Dec. 2 at Chief Sealth! The team had 11 medalists, topped off by champions Simon Moreno and Miles Price! On Saturday, the team competed in the 20th Annual Larry Brown Invitational at Fife High School. | |
➠ Three members of the Girls Wrestling team competed at Return of the Seahawk on Dec. 2 contributing to Ballard's 2nd place finish. Congrats to Sydney Craig and Michele Malinovskaya who both medaled, finishing 3rd in their divisions.
The team will next compete in the Santa Slam at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Juanita High School.
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➠ Girls Bowling Bucky came to cheer on the Bowling team at their match Monday against Roosevelt at West Seattle Bowl. Congrats to Mia who won game one and Maile who won game two (and took top score overall). Follow the team @ballardgirlsbowling
➠ Mixed Ultimate Frisbee hits the turf on Saturday, Dec. 16! Ballard JV faces Cleveland 9 a.m. at Jefferson Playfield, while Varsity plays Roosevelt at 11 a.m. at Magnuson Park.
Mixed Varsity heads into their game against the Riders fresh off their Saturday win against Bainbridge 8-4. Go BUF!
Send game and meet recaps to ballardhighnews@gmail.com.
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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.
The next DEI Committee meeting is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9 on Microsoft Teams. Please email DEIatBHS@gmail.com for a link.
(The Ballard PTSA DEI Committee normally meets the first Tuesday of each month, but we’re adjusting the meeting date in January due to the holidays.)
Save the Date: On Jan. 17 the DEI Committee will host a Welcome/Happy Hour at a local BIPOC-owned restaurant (location to be confirmed soon). We’ll provide food and drinks for attendees. Come meet the DEI Team and find out more about this work – we'd love to meet you. Everyone is welcome to attend!
We’d love to see you!
Please reach out if you're interested or have any questions: DEIatBHS@gmail.com
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Dec. 12-30 Black Nativity – Intiman Theatre “Celebrate the holiday season at this joyful community gathering! Langston Hughes’ Gospel Song-Play returns to Intiman Theatre in an all-new, reimagined production.” | Dec. 16-17 Duwamish Native Arts Market Duwamish Native Arts Market | Facebook | | |
College Planning Zoom Seminar Dec. 14 | |
Join the free College Planning Zoom Webinar at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14. There have been a lot of changes to college admissions recently! Find out how those changes impact your high school student on their path to college.
Teri Thompson, of Thompson College Consulting, will discuss how acceptance rates have been dropping at selective colleges, including our own University of Washington, and the role of extracurricular activities in the college process.
Greg Smith, of Northwest Educational Services will discuss the test-optional landscape and how that is changing, especially with the new Digital only SAT coming out in 2024.
And financial planner, Albert Israel, will talk about the new FAFSA which is coming out at the end of December and how college aid is quantified.
Registration
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December Teen Programs
Loyal Heights Community Center
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Online Health Resource: Teen Health Hub | |
The Department of Health (DOH) is launching a new online health resource for teens and young adults.
Teen Health Hub WA (the Hub) is a new webpage on DOH’s website. It was cocreated with Washington teens and young adults, including members of DOH’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The Hub features a curated online directory of youth-friendly information and resources on behavioral health, primary care, navigating the health care system, sexual and reproductive health, and teen dating and violence prevention. Teens and young adults, parents and caregivers, and youth-serving professionals can use the new webpage to find easy links to health-related resources that have been vetted by experts at DOH and approved by the YAC.
Check it out at: Teen Health Hub WA | Washington State Department of Health
| 15th Ave W/NW & Ballard Bridge Paving & Safety Project | |
The design for the 15th Ave W/NW and Ballard Bridge Paving and Safety Project is complete, and we’re scheduled to start construction preparation by the end of the year. The final design was informed by community input and our Vision Zero goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets.
See the final design and more details on the project website.
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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 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 purely for informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.
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