Help BHS Families in Need by Dec. 8

Bucky's Home for the Holidays Gift Card Drive

Consider brightening the holiday season for BHS families with donation of gift cards!

Bucky’s Home for the Holidays is a partnership between the Ballard High School PTSA, Ballard High School Foundation, Ballard Teen Health Center and Ballard High School Staff.

Affectionately known as "Bucky's", the intent of this partnership is to provide donated gift cards to Ballard High School community families in need of financial assistance to help with food and household essentials during Winter Break.

• The BHS PTSA is kindly asking for gift card donations through Friday, Dec. 8! Families and staff are asked to purchase and donate a variety of gift cards to Fred Meyer, Target, Starbucks, Town & Country, Safeway or other local businesses in the amount of $10 or more. Be sure to note how much is on the gift card!
• Gift cards will be distributed equitably in festive Bucky gift bags. Recipient information will remain anonymous to the community except for a few program leads.

It’s easy to give!

• Simply drop off gift cards in the Main Office with Cal Hartmann or Bethany Nielsen. Be sure to note the amount on the gift card.
• Donate monetary gifts through the Ballard High School Foundation (Tax ID #91-1811275), which will be converted into gift cards.

Full details. If your family could use some assistance this holiday season, contact program chair Victoria Watson at bhs.ptsa.face@gmail.com or Ross Humphries at rdhumphries@seattleschools.org.

Donate on Giving Tuesday!

Support the BHS PTSA Academics Fund

Giving Tuesday is Nov. 28. If you plan to give, please make your beneficiary the academic programs at BHS by donating to the Ballard High PTSA.

We are overwhelmed and thankful for your generosity! To date, we have raised over $40,000 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. 

Corporate Matching Gifts – Double Your Gift

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.

Deadline extended to Dec. 10

Reflections Student Arts Program

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:

• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Literature
• Music Composition
• Photography
• Visual Arts

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.

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

Save the Date: BHS Fundraising Gala March 24

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. More info.

Kim Flin Joins the Ballard PTSA Board

Meet our new PTSA Vice President, Kim Flin!

Why do I participate in PTSA? I believe being involved at my kids' school emphasizes that school is important while reinforcing they matter and are supported. Bonus about being involved at BHS, I’m more informed and get to know a wider circle of families and teachers. I have two boys: BHS Sophomore Ramon and 2015 graduate Isaac. I was active at BHS with my oldest in many areas, football, PTSA, SPREE, Gala, and many fundraising activities. I’m excited to be an active BHS PTSA member again and support where needed.

Note: Kim was a PTSA Golden Acorn Award recipient in 2014-15!

Winter Spirit Week | Dec. 11-15

Students, mark your calendars and get ready for the ASB "Week on Film" Spirit Week Dec. 11-15.

Dress up themes and more information on the BHS Website.

Winter Spirit Week will culminate on Friday, Dec. 15, the last day of school before Winter Break. Dec. 15 will have a Special Bell Schedule, with a one-hour early release (2:40 p.m.).

Watch for more updates from the BHS ASB Students @ballardhighasb. Full details

Ballard 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 Performing Arts Center!

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

The Ballard High School Dance Team is a competitive dance team and committed school spirit organization. The BHS Dancers perform at school assemblies and games, local performing arts events, and accompany the BHS Marching Band at select events. The Dancers also compete at the regional, district, and state levels. For more information, email bhsdanceteam@gmail.com.

Offered Through Dec. 13

Vaccine Clinics at Multiple School Locations

SPS Health Services is hosting free vaccine clinics at multiple school locations. GO-Vax Kids is offering flu, COVID-19, and school-required vaccines for children ages six months to 18 years.

Seattle Visiting Nurse Association is offering flu vaccines to anyone age four to adult; and COVID-19 boosters to anyone age five to adult. Bring your vaccine records and insurance card if available.

Can’t make it to one of these clinics? Please visit Washington Vaccine Finder to find another appointment. 

Full details.

Thankful for Closet Cleanout Helpers

Before the long holiday weekend, Ballard PTSA decluttered their school storage closet that was in serious need of some Marie Kondo-type love.

Thanks to Kim Flin, Gloria Kruzner, Victoria Watson and student Sara Watson (behind the camera) for their assistance! And special thanks to Assistant Custodian Earl Hutson for all the supplies and encouragement. Now we can more easily access our staff appreciation table decor, signs and meeting materials! Learn more about What Does the PTSA Do.

SPREE Senior Party Tickets on Sale

Senior SPREE Tickets Are on Sale NOW!

What is Senior SPREE? Senior SPREE is an all-night grad party and a BHS tradition, sponsored by the BHS PTSA! Following the June 14 graduation ceremony, students hop onto chartered buses. Throughout the night, grads will travel to two exciting, secret event venues and be treated to a variety of activities, food, friends, fun and a final opportunity to make memories as the Class of '24.

Tickets are now on sale through the end of December. Prices are $200 per ticket.

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.

For behind the scenes SPREE fun follow @BHSspree on Instagram. More info..

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.

Seniors of the Month | October and November

Ballard Rotary Honors two outstanding BHS seniors each month as part of its Students of the Month program. Here are their recent honorees:

October 2023



Flora B.: (left) Plays soccer and runs track for Ballard as well as being an active member in National Honor Society and President of Jewish Student Union. Serves as a Link Leader and just named Managing Editor of the yearbook. Read more about Flora B.

Ryan B.: Played football at Ballard all 4 years, and just last year started as a Manager of the softball team which he loved and he's going to manage again this year. Volunteers at his church Ballard First Lutheran. Read more about Ryan B.

November 2023



Claudia Y.: One of three team captains for the Ballard High School swim team, Claudia recently won State Championship. She has committed to swim for UCLA, starting in the Fall of 2024. Read more about Claudia Y.

Dexter S.: (right) Ballard XC/Track, Ultimate, Band, Asian Student Union. Dexter says, "Ballard Athletics have meant a lot to me since I was a freshman. As a Freshman XC and Track allowed me to meet people at Ballard through online school. It still lets me meet new people. One thing I love about athletics is how it bridges different classes together." Read more about Dexter S.

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. SPREE tickets on sale. Get information about Seattle Promise in the Counseling Center as well.

December: FASFA & WASFA opens. Continue to do and turn in your Service Learning Hours.

December 15: National Achiever Cap & Gown Orders Due.

December 6: Counselors Drop In College Admissions Application Support after school until 3:30 p.m.

December 8: Grad Ads due if interested.

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.

Beaver Readers Gratitude Tree & More Fun

Love to see students sharing their appreciation on the Library Gratitude Tree for other Beaver Readers! Nearby, a new spot has been found for the library's bevy of board games as well! And, as always, student puzzlers are cranking out puzzles as part of the SPS puzzle challenge too.

Stop by the library and check it all out! Photos c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs.

College Application Drop-In Help

Seniors! Come get help with your college admission applications!

Drop-in help is available in the Counseling Center on the following Wednesdays after school (2:30-3:30 p.m.):

• Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Jan. 31

Bring your laptop and/or your questions! More info.

Spotlight Scholarship

Women's University Club

From the Counseling Center's Scholarship Bulletins page:

Women’s University Club of Seattle Foundation (WUCF) invites senior girls to apply for one of five $10,000 scholarships ($2,500 per year for four years to be used for tuition and fees) to be awarded in the spring. More info, application.

Applications will be accepted beginning Nov. 28 and will close on Feb. 14.

Letter to Applicants

College Visits

Sign up on Naviance

Upcoming College Rep visits at the Counseling Center include:

• Tuesday, Nov. 28: Pacific Lutheran University, 9:50 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 4: Pacific Northwest College of Art, 1:45 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 5: Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), 1:45 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 8: Bellevue College, 1:45 p.m.

Sign up details and more info.

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 online or through one of the November workshops being offered via Zoom.

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.

Daniel Bagley Elementary School PTA is hosting a movie night from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.

They are looking for high school volunteers to help with set-up and clean up, serving popcorn and

helping keep an eye on the kids during the movie.

Volunteers can enjoy popcorn and watch the movie too.

SignUp Genius Link

Questions? Email Nicole at president@danielbagleypta.org

Service Learning | Dec. 9 Youth Transporation Summit

Help Create Youth Climate & Transportation Action Plan

The Seattle Department of Transportation is hosting the Youth Transportation Summit on Saturday, Dec. 9. The goal is to learn how the pandemic has changed the transportation experiences of young people and center their voices in upcoming climate-responsive transportation investments.

This full-day event will include community experts providing presentations on climate optimism and transportation justice, as well as afternoon discussions and breakout rooms for participants to co-create a Youth Climate & Transportation Action Plan that will be delivered to Mayor Bruce Harrell.

The signup deadline has been extended to Wednesday, Nov. 29. More info, registration.

Mark Your Calendars for Winter Concerts

Winter Concerts are coming up in the Performing Arts Center. All shows start at 7:30 p.m.

Orchestra | Tuesday, Dec. 12

Band | Wednesday, Dec. 13

Choir | Thursday, Dec. 14

Concerts are open to the public and free to attend; however, if you’d like to reserve seats for $25/seat, the money directly supports our BPA programs. Visit ShowTix4U to reserve them today! More info.

The Addams Family

All BHS Students Invited to Audition for Spring Musical

Auditions for the Spring Musical "The Addams Family" will be held Nov. 28-30. All interested students, whether part of Ballard Performing Arts or not, are encouraged to audition!

Sign up for a time slot in the black box. Please also pick up an audition packet in the Black Box in the folders hanging on the wall. This must be filled out and brought to the audition. The cast list will be posted Dec. 1. More info. Questions? Email Ms. Miller at mashor@seattleschools.org

XC Runner Rousseau

Heading to U Portland

Congratulations to Emme Rousseau who participated in a Signing Day Ceremony with her family Wednesday in the Commons.

The senior runner, who recently finished her Ballard Cross Country career with a 6th place Girls Varsity Team finish at State, will be continuing her cross country career at the University of Portland.

Winter Athletics Upcoming Contests at the Dam!

Attention Beaver Brigade and all Ballard athletics supporters! Here's some upcoming Winter Sports action at the Ballard High School Gym!

➠Boys Basketball is hosting:

• Edmonds-Woodway on Tuesday, Nov. 28. JVC tipoff is at 4 p.m., JV starts at 5:45 p.m., and the Varsity game is at 7:30 p.m. The Pep Band will be performing at the Varsity game.

• Boys Hoops also play Shorecrest on Wednesday, Nov. 29. JVC tipoff is at 4 p.m., JV starts at 5:45 p.m., and the Varsity game is at 7:30 p.m.

➠Girls Basketball is hosting Rainier Beach on Friday, Dec. 1. JV tipoff 5:45 p.m., Varsity 7:30 p.m. The Pep Band will be performing at the Varsity game.

• On Wednesday, Dec. 6, Girls Hoops host Ingraham. JV tips off against the Rams at 5:45 p.m., while Varsity tip is at 7:30 p.m. The Pep Band will be performing at the Varsity game.

➠ Ballard Gymnastics is hosting its first meet at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 against Chief Sealth, Ingraham and Nathan Hale!

Go Beavers! Send game recaps to ballardhighnews@gmail.com.

Full Winter schedules and team updates are on the Athletics webpage.

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). We'd love to have you there!

Upcoming Events

Continuing through Nov. 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 26 is Indigenous Heritage Day. Ballard and all surrounding areas are on unceded territory of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Duwamish tribe. You can learn about other Indigenous lands all over the world on this interactive map: https://native-land.ca/   

Learn more here: Duwamish Tribe 

December 2 The Rhapsody Project presents Blues at Benaroya Hall: “The multigenerational performance includes The Rhapsody Songsters & staff, award winning blues musician Justin Golden and Seattle legend, John Oliver III... Learn how this local non-profit organization helps each person discover their layers of heritage, and build a multi-generational, multicultural community where Blues, Yiddish music, Jazz, and Northwest Folk music are celebrated.” The Rhapsody Project presents Blues at Benaroya Hall

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 

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.