April 3 Ballard Auction Tonight!
Thank You Ballard High School Community
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Tonight’s the Night! Auction at Block 41, 5 p.m.
Thank you to all of our attendees, and to those who purchased tickets for teachers. We are incredibly excited to welcome nearly 200 people to the auction tonight. If you are attending, check your email for the schedule of events and make sure to review the live auction items online before you make your way to Belltown.
Everyone can join us in a highlight of the evening, Raising our Paddles for the Ballard High Library -- a PLACE FOR ALL. If you can’t raise your paddle in person, you can text APLACEFORALL to 44321 now (or, if you prefer, donate online here)
Thank you again to all of our volunteers, donors and sponsors. Check this space after Spring Break to learn the results of your efforts and the biggest BASH of the year! [MORE INFO]
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Bring on the Spirit Week Fun April 4-8!
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The Ballard ASB is planning an amazing Spring Spirit Week, April 4-8. Each day has a dress-up theme and special activities too!
Students are invited to show spirit throughout the week to collect Beaver Bucks for their class and fight for the Class Cup!
One way is by answering trivia questions! Throughout the week, students may get stopped in the hallways to answer questions for the chance to win Beaver Bucks!
Here's a sampling of dress-up day themes and activities, all details linked below:
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Monday: Groutfit – Roll out into the week in sweats and grey comfies
Tuesday: Adam Sandler Day – Dress like the legend
Wednesday: Pink Out – Wear pink!
Also After School Club Rush/SPREE ticket sales until 4 p.m.; Beaver Gear Pop-up Store at 6 p.m.; Pep Band & Dance Team Lacrosse Tailgate/Food Trucks 6:30 p.m., then head over to cheer at the 7:30 p.m. Girls Lacrosse Game!
Thursday: Anything But a Backpack (ABAB) – Bring all your school supplies in anything but a backpack
Friday: Class Colors – Seniors wear Black; Juniors Red; Sophomores White; and Freshman Grey
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Spring Break | Office Notes
Families to COVID Test Prior to Return to BHS
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Some office notes as Spring Break approaches, from April 11-15. The Main Office will be open on Tuesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 14 from 8 a.m. to noon. The Counseling Office is closed all week.
On Wednesday, April 6, BHS will be sending home COVID Rapid Antigen tests (two per student). We know some families will be traveling during Spring Break and in order to prevent the spread of COVID we are asking students and staff to test within 24 hours prior to returning to school on April 18. While we are asking anyone who is sick or tests positive to stay home, we are not requiring people to report their test results.
Visitors
One-time/one-day visitors and volunteers are allowed in buildings during the school day with the following requirements:
- Visitors must sign in at the Main Office and show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours.
- Home tests will be accepted.
- Same-day rapid antigen tests are highly recommended.
Parking
Students may not park on the school premises. The front Parking Lot off NW 65th Street is for administration and visitors (two-hour limit) only. The Staff Parking Lot, on the north end of campus, is for staff and Ballard Pool visitors only.
Main Office Contacts
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Two Running Start Info Sessions on April 6
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If you are interested in signing up for Running Start next year, it is important that you attend one of the Running Start Info Sessions on Wednesday, April 6:
- In-person for students at lunch in SW205
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Virtual Teams Session for students/families at 7 p.m.
Running Start is a dual-credit academic program for 11th-12th grade students. Students receive both high school and college credit for these classes. [MORE INFO]
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Yearbook Pre-Sales Open Through April 29 |
May 2-6 & May 9-13
AP Exam Important Instructions
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Students who pre-registered in November for AP Exams or who are not sure they registered can confirm their exams by signing into the myap.collegeboard.org to confirm their AP Exam Registration status.
Students cannot arrive late: Students arriving after the start of the exam will forfeit their exam. No refunds or make-up exams will be offered.
Students cannot be dismissed early: Morning exams should end between 12-12:30 p.m. and students are expected to attend their afternoon classes. Afternoon exams should end between 4-4:30pm and students are expected to attend their morning classes.
The music and language exams will run longer due to the recording piece so plan accordingly.
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SPREE Ticket Sales Off to a Brisk Start! |
Wow, thanks to the more than 100 Ballard families who have bought SPREE tickets for their seniors! We are definitely feeling '22!
Senior SPREE tickets are now available for $200. Ticket sales end May 27.
We still have mini candy buffets for students who purchased SPREE tickets during Early Bird Sales in March. Stop by to pick up your treats at our SPREE table during Club Rush after school on Wednesday. Remember to bring your signed forms to our table (or the Main Office) and have one less thing to worry about on Graduation Night.
Junior Parents: We'll be looking for chaperones soon! Look for details on how you can help our seniors celebrate and pay it forward.
Follow all the SPREE fun @bhsspree on Instagram! We want all seniors to join us! Scholarships are available, talk to your counselor. [MORE INFO]
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More Important Dates for Class of '22 |
Ballard Library | Say Thanks for Our Librarians!
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April is School Library Month, please remember to say thank you to Ms. Chambers and Ms. Elam for making the library such an inclusive place for all students and staff.
Spring into Reading
Students looking Spring Break books can explore the amazing shelf displays or check out the online Library Catalog, featuring great books categorized by genre and Ms. Chambers' personalized book recommendations.
Thanks to all who voted in the library's first month-long March Madness book championship. Before deadline, were down to the Final Four: "Scythe" vs. "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder"; and "The Inheritance Games" vs. "Stamped".
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Service Learning Opportunities Spring Forward |
Students can roll up their sleeves and help their community through Service Learning volunteer roles. Information about the program and the more-than-a-dozen Service Learning opportunities blooming this spring are on the Ballard website.
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Counseling Center Offers Many Online Options |
Don't have time in your busy school day to stop at the Counseling Center? Counselor contact details and online scheduling tool; scholarship information; and applying to college resources are available on the Counseling Center webpage.
Scholarships
Spring is not too late to apply for scholarships. Here are many options:
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Even More News, Job Board & Internships |
A myriad of summer job, camps and internships for all grade levels are available on the Counseling Center News Page! Here are some of the featured opportunities:
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Online Job Board offerings include: Summer J Camp, Umpires Northwest, Curious Cub Adventure Camp, Alaska Fisheries and More! BHS only shares postings and does not endorse any of these businesses.
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Orchestra WMEA Performance at BHS April 7 |
Due to weather conditions, Chamber Orchestra was not able to perform at the Washington Music Educator Association Conference in Yakima. It is a big honor to be selected to perform there, so Ms. Fortune has arranged for a performance here in Seattle to honor this group that has worked so hard.
Performance will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7 in the Performing Arts Center. Event is free and open to the public. Audience members are asked to wear a mask due to the airflow in the PAC. [MORE INFO]
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Playmakers' Long-Awaited Return to Stage |
Congratulations to the Ballard Playmaker cast and crew for the marvelous staging of the Disney favorite, Beauty and the Beast.
From Director of Theatre, Shawn Riley, some final thoughts on the production:
"The outpouring of love by our audiences has instilled a new hope for the success of the BHS Theatre department. Our young cast and crew, many of whom have never been on the BHS stage, now are part of a long honored tradition. They see that the theatre isn’t just something they can put on their resume – they understand and feel the importance that their art has on their community."
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Please enjoy the show again here, on the BPA YouTube channel.
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Easy $5 fundraiser, and learn about Mattress Sale |
Help BPA earn $5/person -- Join the Mattress Fundraiser Info Q&A
During the first 10 minutes of the upcoming BPA Booster meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, the rep from the mattress sale fundraising company will be sharing details about the event and answering any questions. BPA gets $5 for every person on the call. [CALL DETAILS]
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Girl Basketball Information Meeting |
SPRING/SUMMER GIRLS' BASKETBALL INFORMATION MEETING: 3:40-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 in Classroom NE116
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BUF Ranked 18th in Nation at Mid-Season |
Congratulations to the Ballard Girls Varsity Ultimate Team, who are ranked 18th in the Nation at Mid-Season!
The BHS Girls Ultimate Team is currently ranked 18th in the nation.
Ultiworld news media noted, "Ballard debuts at #18 after a strong start to Seattle competition. They beat #20 Cleveland last week."
Ballard continued with a win against Holy Names High School this week. The Ballard Ultimate Frisbee (BUF) Girls Varsity Team is looking forward to continuing their strong start to the season. Go BUF!
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Spring Sports Continue | Girls Lax 7:30 April 6
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Spring sports are underway! Support BHS Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee and Track at their events this week.
The Beaver Brigade will be out in full force to celebrate Women's Sports at the 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 Varsity Girls Lacrosse game! (Action shot courtesy of Ed Tanaka.)
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More Sports Updates | Ballard Tennis Smashing Success!
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➤ The Ballard tennis teams celebrated wins over Holy Names 3-2/O'Dea 5-0 on Friday. Tuesday, the teams beat Eastside Catholic 4-1 (boys), 3-2 (girls) at the Lower Woodland Courts. Go Beavers!
➤ Thank you to all Ballard Athletics supporters for raising a pint for the program March 31 at Wheelie Pop Brewing. Interested in volunteering for the Ahtletic Booster Club? [DETAILS HERE]
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➤ Wow! We're seeing snazzy new uniforms on the track team this year! We've also linked the team's March 31 Meet Results against Nathan Hale, Eastside Catholic and West Seattle.
➤ Also, congratulations to multi-sport Beaver athlete Payton Nakagawara, who was selected for the Elite Clubs National Selection Games U-16/17 soccer team that played April 2 in Phoenix.
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April 7 Meeting Includes BHS Spirit Basket Drawing
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Join the BHS PTSA! We are hoping to reach more than 200 members this spring! We want and need your voice on the PTSA!
We will have a drawing at our 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7 Board Meeting where we will gift this special BHS Spirit Basket, pictured, to one of our members!
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The BHS PTSA offers membership scholarship/subsidies for those who would benefit. Please email Membership Chair Lisa Vanderford-Anderson at bhs.ptsa.membershipchair@gmail.com to request a subsidy.
Our remaining Board Meetings are 7 p.m. April 7 and May 5; and 5:30 p.m. June 9.
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Follow BHS PTSA on Social Media |
Stay in the know on all our PTSA initiatives and exciting upcoming BHS events.
Follow the Ballard High School PTSA on Social Media!
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Dr. Brent Jones Listening Sessions |
The Seattle Council PTSA is hosting a series of community engagements with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones.
Please join us to share your voice with our district leader about safe and welcoming environments. To register, please use the following links.
ASL and closed captioning will be available at each listening session. Interpretation (Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Amharic) is available as well. Listening sessions are 5:30- 7:30 p.m.:
April 25: Black families (Interpretation in Oromo and Tigrinya available in addition to listed languages)
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Submit Proposed WSPTA Resolutions |
Any PTA member is encouraged to submit an issue, resolution, or legislative principle that addresses concerns that affect children on a state-wide level to the WSPTA.
The deadline to complete the online form(s) is May 27:
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Sign up for WSPTACon2022 May 20-22
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All WSPTA members may attend the 109th annual WSPTA Convention and Conference, in-person or at the remote conference.
The in-person convention will be May 20-22 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. The remote conference is also May 20-22 through the Whova app.
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Legislative Session Debrief |
Join the WSPTA at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26 to hear from their Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan, as she recaps the 2022 legislative session, focusing on the WSPTA's impact on legislation. She will also provide a look at bills that didn’t pass that might make good positions for the Fall Legislative Assembly. There will also be time questions and answers.
A Zoom link will be sent to registrants closer to the session date.
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Apply to be a Student School Board Member |
Seattle School Board is accepting applications for three 2022-23 student school board members. The student school board members will provide guidance to the board. Current 10th-11th grade Seattle Public Schools students are eligible to apply.
Applications are due April 20.
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Spring Break is coming, and Seattle Public Schools is working hard to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and communities.
We are optimistic about COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations dropping in our communities and encouraged by recent announcements by health officials easing COVID-19 requirements.
We realize the pandemic is not over and we know that surges and new variants are possible. That is why we want you to know that SPS is prepared and ready to respond to a surge in our schools if/when necessary.
SPS is preparing by:
➤ Encouraging families to opt-in to in-school on-demand testing so that we may quickly respond to increases in cases in classrooms, schools, or communities (more details coming soon)
➤ Maintaining a supply of high-quality masks and rapid COVID tests to send to schools if needed. As there is greater access to home tests, SPS recently closed its regional testing sites due to limited use. SPS is ready to redeploy support again if needed.
➤ Continuing important COVID safety measures in our schools like staying home when sick, testing, and strong air flow
➤ Having a plan for when to re-instate COVID safety measures like masking when rates increase
Families may prepare by:
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What is Social Emotional Learning? |
SEL is the lifelong process of learning how to:
- Develop a health identity
- Manage emotions
- Achieve goals
- Have supportive relationships
- Make responsible decisions
SEL starts at home with families and continues at school where students learn about emotions, show empathy for others, and contribute to the community.
Why focus on SEL at school? When students feel connected to their teachers, peers, and school, the learning networks in their brain become stronger. Children’s social emotional development is best supported when parents and families, schools, and community partners all work together.
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DEI Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m. April 5 |
The PTSA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee will be meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5. We’d love it if you would join us. Email DEIatBHS@gmail.com for the meeting link.
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More Equity News and Events |
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The BHS PTSA offers Community Resources for informational purposes & does not necessarily support activities or views presented therein. |
FBI Teen Academy May 24-25
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The FBI Seattle Teen Academy is now accepting applications. This will be virtual from 6-8 p.m. May 24-25.
Applicants must be juniors or seniors. Deadline is 5 p.m. April 22. [MORE INFO]
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Young Executives of Color |
Young Women's Leadership Summit |
Ballard Community Center Summer Volunteer Jobs |
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Ballard, Make April "Idle Free" Month |
Hey Ballard! Let’s make April “Idle Free” Month!
Save money, protect air quality, and slow climate change by turning off your engine when you’re not going anywhere – outside school, in the drive-through, or checking your phone.
Did you know --
10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting
16 million gallons of fuel are wasted by unnecessary idling in the U.S. every day
Sustainable Ballard has “idle free” cards and posters to get the word out to neighbors and others. [MORE INFO] or email BHS parent Polly Freeman to help. Remember -- idling gets you nowhere!
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Sound Careers in Healthcare |
Art Camps
Career Camps
Creative Writing Camps
Skating Camps
Theatre Camps
Ultimate Frisbee Camps
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Registration is open for remote and in-person summer enrichment classes at the UW.
This is a great opportunity for high school students looking for unique summer learning with classes in creative writing, Engineering Design, Coding in Java and Python, Esports, Algorithmic Thinking and more!
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WA DOH COVID Symptom Flow Chart |
Accounting Career Awareness Program |
If you are interested in accounting and business, will be a sophomore, junior or senior next year, Seattle ACAP’s summer Residency Week program is for you!
Applicants must be students of color, with priority given to those that are considered underrepresented in the accounting field: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American. The priority application deadline is April 15, with additional spaces to be filled on a rolling basis.
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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 News for purely informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.
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