Crucial Roles Need to Be Filled
Join BHS PTSA Board for 2023-24
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If you are looking for a way to support your student's school community, please consider joining the PTSA Board next year.
You can volunteer for quick or long-term PTSA Committee projects or help fill roles that will be opening next fall (positions can be shared): President, Vice President and Legislative Liaison (Advocacy Chair).
As Principal Abby Hunt noted in her Friday Message, "We are fortunate at Ballard to have the support and involvement of you, our families, and this enables us to run the remarkable programs and events that benefit students." Learn more on What Does the PTSA Do? page.
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SPREE Grad Party Ticket Sales End Friday |
Senior Families: Last chance to buy your grad a ticket to the all-night grad party SPREE! Sales close on May 26!
Our graduates need to celebrate their big day. And we want them to do it in a safe and FUN way! Chartered buses leave Memorial Stadium following the ceremony and take graduates to two secret venues where they will be treated to activities, fun and food all night long. Buses return the next morning to the BHS parking lot.
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Calling all 9-11th Grade Parents/Guardians!
SPREE Chaperones Needed
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Grade 9-11 Parent/Guardian Chaperones are needed to make Senior SPREE a success. It has been a longstanding BHS tradition that underclass parents/guardians help chaperone at SPREE for our senior class parents/guardians. And then when you are senior parents, someone will come and support your family and students in this role. And it just happens to be a blast!
Grab a friend and help allow our 2023 graduates to celebrate safely and their parents to put their feet up after a long day of celebration. Chaperones can pick an all-night shift, or elect for the first or second part of the event, via the online signup form.
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SPS-Provided Laptops Required
Smarter Balanced Assessments
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Seattle Schools Scholarship Fund |
On May 11, Seattle Schools Scholarship Fund awards ceremony honored 51 graduating seniors from every SPS high school, including Ballard High School students Natalie A., Sir H. and Sienna S. Award recipients were recognized for their personal tenacity, contribution to their community, and academic accomplishments. Full details.
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Ballard Rotary Seniors of the Month |
Ballard Rotary honors two outstanding seniors at Ballard High School each month as part of its Students of the Month program. Here are their March honorees. |
Hadley A. is president of the Indigenous Student Union, a club for both Native and non-Native students to share and celebrate culture. "My favorite part of Ballard is the ability to find a community within the school," she says. She also plays the cello in the Symphonic Orchestra. Outside of school, she spends her time playing club soccer and volunteering for United Indians of All Tribes. Read more about Hadley!
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Orlando L. has enjoyed engaging in the school community through Chess Club, Earth Service Corps, National Honor Society, and the boys soccer team. Outside of school, he's played club soccer and, over the last three years, volunteered at the Ballard Food Bank. He has embraced challenging course work throughout his four years at Ballard High School and was recently named a National Merit Finalist. Read more about Orlando!
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Important Senior Updates! |
Class of 2023 families: Several important deadlines are listed below, as May winds to a close on the Senior Timeline:
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- Now-May 26:
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Review list of senior names across from the Main Office. This will be the name used on your diploma. Share any needed changes with Ms. Peterson in the Main Office.
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Purchase Prom Tickets online or in the Activity Center during lunch and after school.
- Last week of Senior SPREE Ticket sales online. Scholarships available, see your Counselor for details!
- Now-May 31:
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Complete the Senior Academic & Scholarship Awards Survey. Your awards may be recognized at the Senior Dinner on June 15 at the Elk Lodge.
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Friday, June 23
Graduation Day News and Notes
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Some Graduation Rehearsal details are emerging:
- Seniors only need to be at Ballard HS June 23 for the Graduation Rehearsal.
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Rehearsal Time is TBD. Seniors must attend the Rehearsal in order to participate in Graduation at Memorial Stadium.
- Graduation Rehearsal will be at Ballard HS in the PAC and on the Field.
Graduation Reminders:
- The arrival time for graduates at the stadium is TBD.
- There is a graduation just prior to Ballard's 8 p.m. start time, so families should plan for time to park.
- No tickets are required for the graduation and the event usual lasts two hours. Stadium seat cushions are a good idea.
- Spree participants will be leaving directly after the ceremony from the Memorial Stadium parking lot. They will receive full details of what to expect the week before graduation.
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Senior Yard Signs Celebrate Graduates |
Seniors can now pick up their free Class of 2023 yard sign in the BHS Library! There are also extra "2023" outdoor stickers in the Main Office if you just want to update an existing sign at your home from an older Beaver graduate. Thanks to the PTSA and ASB for purchasing yard signs/2023 stickers to celebrate our seniors! Full details.
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Senior Prom Ticket Details |
"A Starry Night" Senior Prom is scheduled for 8-11 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at Columbia Tower.
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Counseling Center Offers College Visit Info |
Check out the myriad of helpful post-high school resources on the Counseling Center webpages:
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More Service Learning Options |
Here are some upcoming Service Learning Opportunities. |
➤ Ballard Community Center is looking for students to assist with its K-5 summer camps (9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. weekdays) and weekly “Tuesdays in Ballard” community barbecue. Contact Coordinator Timothy Ewings at Timothy.Ewings@seattle.gov or 206-684-4093 for details. |
➤ Boyer Children’s Clinic is hosting its RBC Race for the Kids June 3 at Magnuson Park. Volunteers needed from 7-10 a.m. and/or 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help with course set-up, registration, water/activity stations, and more. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by guardian (can be a group of students with one adult). Visit event page for more details. To sign up, email development coordinator Marianna Rojas at marianna.rojas@boyercc.org. |
➤ Volunteers are needed to help make a Ballard art show/color experience/community event, "Slow Color Project", come alive from 4-9 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at The Ballard Collective on Market Street (former Ballard Blossom Building) Greet guests and/or assist them with painting. Light straightening up needed as guests cycle through. For more info, contact artist/event coordinator (and BHS parent) Anne Livingston at anne@annelivingston.com
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Students, take a deep dive into a job or internship! Here's a listing from the Counseling Center's Job & Internship Board! |
➤ Consolidated Supply Co., a 95-year-old family owned and operated wholesale distribution company with 22 locations in the Northwest, is looking for self-motivated individuals who want to learn and grow. Entry-level positions are available with a plethora of opportunities for advancement.
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Library Reset Available as Needed |
Between the May Mental Health Awareness titles, Makerspace crafting options, Library Assistant Ms. Gaulin's jokes of the day, the fun Lego building wall, and a sea of books of all genres, there are plenty of ways for Beaver Readers to hit the "reset" button in the Ballard Library.
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Band & Chamber Choir at Syttende Mai |
As excitement for the Syttende Mai Parade built Wednesday afternoon in Downtown Ballard, the Chamber Choir entertained with their performance at Bergen Place.
Later that evening, parade goers cheered as the Ballard High School Band marched by, propelled by the beat of the drumline. Hip, hip, hurrah!
Photo c/o Rachel Hart Rios.
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One Act Play Festival Draws Cheers |
Bravo to Ballard High School Playmakers for bringing back the tradition of the student-directed One Act Play Festival, May 18-20.
Congratulations to the Ballard Thespian cast members for the well-received staging May 18-20 in the PAC, led by student directors Elliot J. (Sure Thing); Ella P. (The Yellow Wallpaper); Autumn B. (The Support Group from Hell); Izzy R. and Milo P. (The Hallmarks of Horror); and Rose C. with her original Up, All the Way Up? production. Photo c/o and follow @ballardperformingarts
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Spring Concerts Coming Soon! |
The Spring concerts are coming up soon in the Performing Arts Center!
- Choir, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 1
- Orchestra, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7
- Band, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8
While all concerts are free to attend, you can make an optional donation of $25 to BPA by reserving a seat for these well-attended, final concerts of the year. Reserve seats now on www.showtix4U.com!
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Spring Sports post-season action continues! More info and updates as available will be on the Spring Athletics page. |
Beaver Track athletes competed May 17 and 20 at Districts at Renton Memorial Stadium with many outstanding performances. Qualifying for State included:
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Cassidy A. (3rd in 1600m and 2nd in 3200m); Madeleine K. (4th Pole Vault); Hazel E. (4th in Triple Jump); the 5th place 4x100 Relay Team (Mahlia M., Anna S., Jill S., Annelise G.); and the 6th place 4x400 Relay Team (Siena S., Lucia W., Hazel E., Annelise G.)
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Boys Soccer is in the State Semis after defeating Kent-Meridian 5-0 on Tuesday; Shorewood 3-0 Thursday; and, lastly, a 3-0 quarterfinals victory over Seattle Prep Saturday! The team faces the Lakeside Lions at noon, Friday, May 26 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Tickets/Bracket. Photo c/o and follow @ballardsoccer. |
Fastpitch Softball is heading back to the State Tournament, May 25-27 in Lacey after a 5th place finish at Districts! The team first had to get through a couple days of play at the District 2 Fastpitch Tournament May 16 and 19 at the Southwest Athletic Complex. In their tournament opener Wednesday, the Beavers fought but lost to Liberty (Renton). They bounced back on Friday, beating Lake Washington in a 6-5 nail biter, a win that ensured their trip to State, before getting into a 18-17 slugfest win against Juanita in the final evening matchup. Photo c/o and follow @ballardbeaversoftball. |
Tennis: While their post-season roads ended at Districts, congratulations to Silas H., who placed 9th in Metros and competed in boys' singles at Districts; and Asher S. and Nils H., who got 8th in boys doubles at Metros and competed at Districts. Photo c/o and follow the team @ballardhighschooltennis. |
The Metro-Public Champion Boys Lacrosse team hosted Mt. Spokane at the Dam Saturday afternoon and battled to an 11-10 overtime loss to the Wildcats. Follow the team @ballard_lacrosse. |
Congrats to Girls Lacrosse senior Goalie Louise W. and freshman Defender Tess K. for being named to the Metro All-Conference team. The Beavers received awards at the Starfire Stadium Friday from the Washington State Girls Lacrosse Association. |
Congratulations to Beaver golfer Justene L. who recently competed at Districts at Riverbend in Kent. The junior shot a 104. According to Coach Scott Cachopo, the future is looking bright for Ballard Golf when they tee off next fall with two young teams. Follow the team @ballard.golf
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Thank You BHS SLP Cindy Nitz! |
We'd like to extend our gratitude to Cindy Nitz, Ballard's awesome Speech Language Pathologist, in honor of last week's National Speech Pathologist Day (May 18). You rock, Cindy! |
2023-24 Athletics Online Registration |
➤ BHS students can get free Sports Physicals at the Teen Health Center, located next to the Main Office, and be ready for Fall Sports! Full details.
➤ Pre-season Football Practices begin May 30. Players and families will need to have their Final Forms paperwork completed before then.
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SPS Fest Arts & Music May 21 |
SPS Fest is a student-led music and arts fundraiser featuring the talent of current and former Seattle Public Schools students from 6:30-9 p.m. at The Vera Project, 305 Harrison St.
The festival will showcase the talent of current and former SPS students, including Cork, Dexter Shack, Arlo Wallis Bond, Rowen Morales, Nardo Dick, youth poets, artwork from the Naramore Art Show, and more. Donations will go toward visual and performing arts programs at SPS schools. Full details.
Artwork by Tiffany Nguyen, Rainier Beach High School, “City Scape”
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New First Bell SPS News Program |
Watch the latest edition of “First Bell,” the Seattle Public Schools news broadcast.
“First Bell” highlights all the great work happening in SPS and keeps you informed on important announcements.
This broadcast is a video version of the district’s monthly newsletter, “School Beat."
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2023-24 School Year Dates |
Advocacy news, notes and links from Legislative Liaison Brian Duncan! |
Celebration of the 2023 Legislative Session |
Are you curious about how school funding works in Washington State? Join WSPTA's free informational webinar at 7 p.m. on June 12, featuring JoLynn Berge, who is Deputy Superintendent of Capitol Region ESD 113, and incoming Deputy Superintendent of Northshore School District. (Berge also recently completed six years as SPS Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance.)
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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. |
7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 on Zoom:
Last session for these free online workshops by The Rhapsody Project, using lessons from the history of American music to frame discussions of how we parents can work toward equity in our school communities. Everyone is welcome!
Feel free to drop in for the discussion even if you weren't able to attend previous sessions.
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Pride ASIA Fest 2022
May 28, Noon to 4 p.m. (In Person at Hing Hay Park, Free)
Hing Hay Park
423 Maynard Ave
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The State Board of Education is working toward the creation of an assessment tool that they would like to make available to schools across the state in the future. The University of Washington's Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors are working with them to ensure that this instrument best reflects the wants and needs of schools and families across Washington.
Their anonymous Washington School Climate Survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. There's also an opportunity to join a virtual focus group for families so that they can share their thoughts and experiences. Focus groups can be scheduled from the same survey link and focus group participants will receive a $25 pizza gift card for their participation.
More info:
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We're hearing about a lot of area opportunities for teen summer enrichment.
Here are some options:
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Summer Hoops Camp for Lil Beavers |
Know any future Beavers hoop stars? Ballard Basketball is hosting a Summer Hoops Camp for boys and girls players going into 4th-8th grades from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 10-12. Camp is run by BHS players and coaches. Cost: $250.
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Revisiting Early Ballard: Uncovering Lost Voices |
The Ballard Historical Society will present "Revisiting Early Ballard: Uncovering Lost Voices" from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 at the Greenwood Library.
Learn and hear the process of uncovering lost voices of Ballard and making them part of an interactive map.
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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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