Safety Tips & Resources Shared

In Principal Abby Hunt's Friday Family Letter, she reiterated safety tips for students, family and staff, and provided community resources.

"As we continue to work with local city partners to ensure that our students are safe in our community, I want to ensure that you saw the communication sent out earlier this week from Seattle Public Schools about this ongoing regional issue that has impacted our Ballard community," she wrote. "Thank you for all of your support as we work together to support our students."

This information is also compiled on the district's Fall Safe and Welcoming Schools Update.

Assessment Updates

AP Exam Registration & Payments Due by Nov. 6

Important! BHS Students who want to take an AP Exam and enrolled in an AP Course must register AND pay for their AP Exams by Monday, Nov. 6.

AP Exam registration info and updates are on the BHS website.

Senior SAT Scores Posted Nov. 1

SAT Scores will be posted on the College Board site on Wednesday, Nov. 1 for students who took the SAT Oct. 11. Students will need to log into their College Board account to view scores. More info.

SPS Websites Offline? Here Are Some Key Resources

On Saturday evening, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) websites began experiencing issues, such that district, staff, and school websites were not available until Sunday afternoon. If any outages happen again in the future, here are some key resources that you can access directly:

• The Source
• SPS Outlook
• Schoology
• Clever
• SchoolPay

Also, here's the SPS Safe Schools Hotline (available 24/7), for any campus-related safety concerns, 206-252-0510.

Reflections Student Art Program

The National PTA’s 2023-24 Reflections theme is "I Am Hopeful Because ..."

Students submit original works of art from the following categories:

Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. There is also a Special Artist Division option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 8. More info on BHS and the WSPTA Reflections page.

Questions? Email Anna Harper at [email protected].

PTSA Newsletter Co-Editor Sought

Help Keep That PTSA News Coming!

The PTSA Newsletter Editor's student will be graduating in June, so we're looking for a co-editor to help put together the newsletter at least once per month, and assist with other PTSA e-news announcements as able.

Interested in learning more? Email Gloria Kruzner at [email protected].

Looking For an Article?

Check out the BHS PTSA Newsletter Archive!

Help Us Shape Future Meeting Topics

We are interested in learning more about what PTSA parent-education meeting topics you'd like to hear about!

Please take our quick survey!

Questions? Email Family And Community Engagement Chair Victoria Watson at [email protected].

New Dec. 8 Due Date!

Senior Grad Ads

Grad Ads are an opportunity for families to submit photos and a personal message for graduating seniors. They include photos of your choice and a personalized message of your choice for your graduating student, friend, etc. Photos and text need to be uploaded (link coming soon) by Wednesday, Dec. 8 so start looking through those baby photos!

Full details, ad sizes and prices, available on the BHS website.

Senior Portrait Upload Due Tuesday, Oct. 31

Senior families can upload one senior portrait to Herff Jones eShare by Tuesday, Oct. 31 for use in The Shingle yearbook.

Full upload instructions and senior portrait requirements. (Informational PDF.)

If seniors do not submit a photo to the yearbook staff by the deadline, the yearbook staff will use the student ID photo instead.

Senior Timeline | Important Dates This Week

Sr. Portrait Upload Due Oct. 31, Also Sr. Meeting Nov. 3

Senior Portrait & Grad Ads for Yearbook (if interested):

• Senior Portrait upload for the Yearbook (Due this Tuesday, Oct. 31)
• New due date! Senior Grad Ads (Due Wednesday, Dec. 8) Learn More

Important, Seniors please attend! Senior Meeting: Friday, Nov. 3 at lunch in the PAC. Principal Hunt, Senior class reps, and National Achiever (graduation cap/gown and products) will be there with important information for seniors.

College Visits: Happening Now. Learn more.

College Admission Application Support: Wednesdays, Nov. 1 & 22; Dec. 6; Jan. 3 & 31. Learn more.

Updates on the Senior Timeline page.

Not Too Late to Join Student Clubs

Students: It's not too late to explore interests, celebrate cultures, gain new skills and friendship groups, and more through Ballard's student clubs and organizations!

There are more than 75 clubs available for students and you can always start your own if there isn't one that suits your interests.

Many clubs are held during lunch period, making it accessible to students with after-school jobs and sports commitments.

Full details on the Clubs and Organizations page. New clubs recently added include Ink Club, Chess Club, Entrepreneurial Club, and Sports Debate Club.

Club Spotlight

Mock Trial Club

The Mock Trial Team meets during lunch on Thursdays in S108. The club gives students the opportunity to experience the thrill of the courtroom through mock trial simulations, including district competitions against other high schools, and even state and national competitions!

Teacher Advisors are Ms. Dowdy and Mr. Lee. Student organizer is Sabi Yoon.

Graphic c/o and follow the team @mocktrial_bhs.

New Earlier Time

Math Tutoring Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays

Students: Longtime BHS volunteer math tutor Peter Seitel is available from 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the library. (He's now starting earlier to help accommodate Running Start students.)

Sign up is available on the Circulation Desk. More info.

Updates and resources are on the Library Events Dashboard. Photo c/o and updates also on @beaverreadersbhs.

Service Learning Option Too!

Share Love of Books Thru Reading Buddies

Beaver Readers: Want a fun and fulfilling way to earn service hours? Thinking of a teaching career or just love to read picture books with emerging readers?

Reading Buddies meet at 8 a.m. Fridays. The group reads picture books to first-grade students from Magnolia Elementary online in the library Book Club Room.

College Visits

Sign up on Naviance

Learn more about college life through College Rep visits at the Counseling Center. This week's visits include:

Monday, Oct. 30

• Arizona State University, 9:50 a.m.
• University of the Pacific, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 1

• University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 8:50 a.m.
• University of Washington-Bothell, 1:45 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 2

• George Washington University, 9:50 a.m.
• Central Washington University, 12:45 p.m.
• University of Victoria, 1:45 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 3

• Tufts University, 12:45 p.m.
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1:45 p.m.

Next College Application Drop-In Wed., Nov. 1

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.):

• Nov. 1
• Nov. 22
• Dec. 6
• Jan. 3
• Jan. 31

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

College Events

Black College Expo Nov. 4

SPS is hosting a Black College Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Rainier Beach High School, 8815 Seward Park Ave. S.

The expo is open to students of ALL ages. Everyone is welcome! Meet one-on-one with representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, other colleges, universities and programs.

Attendees will have a chance to get accepted and earn scholarships! More info.

Seattle Promise Workshops

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 following workshops being offered via Zoom.

Seattle Promise Specialist at BHS on Tuesdays

Need help with your Seattle Promise application?

Seattle Promise Outreach Specialist Trinity Covington ([email protected])

is in the BHS Counseling Center from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

More info:

• Counseling Center's Applying to College page
• Seattle Promise Information page

Service Learning Offers Lessons Beyond Classroom

Service Learning is giving time, without pay. One of the graduation requirements for SPS is 60 hours of Service Learning.

The Counseling Center posts service-learning resources at school and online.

For questions, email Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol at [email protected].

Greenwood Salvation Army is seeking volunteers (18 and older, or younger students accompanied by parent/guardian) to serve as bell ringers.

Learn more. Questions? Contact Steve Pavlakis at [email protected]

Service Learning

Nordic Heritage Museum Julefest Nov. 18-19

The Nordic Heritage Museum's Julefest is November 18-19 and in need of lots of volunteer support!

There are several jobs with two shifts each day, morning (9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and afternoon (1-5 p.m.).

If you are interested in volunteering or have question, email Museum Volunteer Coordinator Tim Krumland at [email protected].

Service Learning

Outdoors for All

Outdoors for All enriches the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation. There are winter volunteer opportunities for high school students to provide adaptive ski and snowboard lessons at The Summit at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass. Positions include Ski, Snowboard, Nordic, and Snowshoe Instructors. Positions are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays January – March. Sign up.

Band and Navy Band NW Collaborative Fall Concert Thursday, Nov. 2

This year’s Fall Band Concert is going to be something a little different and very exciting!

The Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble will play the first half of the fall concert and the Navy Band Northwest will close out the show.

You won't want to miss the performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 in the PAC.

Band students will also engage with Navy musicians for instrument specific masterclasses after school, and then share a meal with them before the concert. (Pictured above, last year's Navy Band Northwest collaborative concert.)

Also, don't miss the Fall Orchestra Concert 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the PAC. More info.

Fall Concerts are free, but you can also reserve seats for $25 each, all proceeds go to the Ballard Performing Arts Boosters.

Fall Choir Concert Encore: Catch last week's Choir Concert on YouTube!

BPA Coffee Sale Fundraiser

Support Ballard Performing Arts by ordering your favorite coffees from Caffe Appassionato, now through Nov. 15!

For each $14 12-oz. bag sold, the BPA student you identify will earn $6 toward program fees, camps and trips.

Proceeds with no student named will go into the BPA general fund.

Blends available for purchase (in drip ground or whole bean):



• Arietta Blend (medium)
• Tempest Blend (bold)
• Espresso Blend
• Decaffeinated

Purchase online here. Coffee orders will be delivered by students after their December performances (Dec. 12 orchestra, Dec. 13 band, and Dec. 14 choir).

Welcome New Jazz II Director

This year, Ballard Performing Arts has a new Director for Jazz II. Welcome,

Alexis Rosenberg to the Ballard High Jazz family!

Meet all our BPA Coaches!

Swim Makes a Splash at Metros

Ballard Girls Swim & Dive competed in Metros Oct. 27-28 at Snohomish Aquatic Center.

Congrats to Claudia Yovanovich for her first-place swim in the 50 Free (23.64). The medley relay team made the state cut with a 1:53.26 time. The 200 freestyle relay team also set a Ballard High School record with a 1:43.66.

The following athletes have qualified for state:

• Claudia Y.: 50 Free, 100 Back (Note: Claudia also swam the 100 Free last Saturday night at Metros and came in 4th, but she's doing 100 Back at Districts/State)
• 200 Medley Relay: Mia Onkels, Rosie Barba, Claudia Y., and Alyson Chew.

More Ballard swimmers qualified for Districts last Saturday, including freshman, Freya Godwin, who had great swims last night at Metros in two events. Overall, it was a great night for Ballard. Mia O. also won both B finals in the 100 Fly and 200IM. She dropped more than 4 seconds in her 100 Fly!

Here's a link to Saturday's Metro Finals action! Photo of the relay team c/o and follow @bhsgirlsswimanddive.

With Win, Football Moves Onto State Tournament

Ballard Football beat the Lincoln Lynx for the second time this year, this time a Saturday Matinee at Memorial Stadium, 34-6.

This means they're proceeding into the State Tournament!

Here's the 3A State Football Bracket.

Link for online ticket sales will be available via social media and the BHS website. Go Beavers!

Photos c/o Ed Tanaka. Follow the team @ballardbeaverfootball

Cheer Volleyball Oct. 31 at Metros Match vs. Riders

Volleyball celebrated Senior Night Friday with a first round win in the Metro Championships.

Cheer on the team at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31 in the second round of Metros at Roosevelt against the Riders.

Schedule and Playoff Bracket. Photo c/o and follow @ballardvolleyball.

Fans can also watch games online.

Soccer Wraps Hard Fought Season With Nail Biter

Girls Soccer held the Blanchet Bears to a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime Tuesday night, eventually falling 2-1 in the loser-out Metro Playoff game by shootout. Congratulations to Girls Soccer on another hard fought season!

Follow the team @ballardgirlsoccer. Photo c/o Lisa Vanderford-Anderson.

Cross Country Girls, Stevens Head to State

Boys and Girls Cross Country had great effort at Districts Thursday at Marymoor Park. Many PRs (personal records) to wrap an awesome season. Results HERE.

Congratulations to our State Qualifiers who will compete Saturday, Nov. 4 at the State Tournament in Pasco:

• Girls Varsity Team Qualifier
• Cassidy Armstrong (1st Team All SeaKing)
• Emme Rousseau (2nd Team All SeaKing)
• Dexter Stevens individual State Qualifier

Photos c/o and follow @ballardhsxc.

Joey Bunich Reps BHS Golf at Districts, Girls Compete at Metros

Congrats to Joey Bunich who represented Ballard Golf in the District Tournament last week.

Abby Dutton, Justene Li, Georgia Preston and Elsa Sand participated in the Girls Metro Championship Oct. 25 at West Seattle Golf Course.

Full schedules include regular season scores for both the Boys Team and Girls Team. While we're waiting to hear how the Girls Team did at Metros, Joey's score did not qualify him for next spring's State Tournament. Still, excellent effort for the senior golfer!

Photos c/o and follow @ballard.golf.

Winter Sports Signup Coming

The deadline to submit athletics registration online via Final Forms is Tuesday, Nov. 7 for Winter Sports starting Monday, Nov. 13.

Ballard offers the following programs:

• Basketball
• Gymnastics
• Boys Swim & Dive
• Boys Wrestling
• Girls Wrestling
• Girls Bowling
• Girls Flag Football
• Mixed Ultimate Frisbee
• Unified Basketball

Also, the Boys Lacrosse Team is playing Fall Ball, from early November through the first weekend of December. See the announcement below for more info.

Updates on the Athletics webpage. Coach contact information is also available on the BHS website.

Ballard Ultimate Frisbee Mixed Season Tryouts

Interested in playing Ultimate Frisbee for Ballard High School this winter? The mixed/co-ed season is Nov. 20-Feb. 17. Tryouts are the week of Monday, Nov. 13 after school.

Visit ballardultimate.org website for details and registration link. You must register in order to try out. 

Flag Football Captain's Practice Oct. 13

Girls Flag Football is hosting a Captain's Practice from 4-5:30 Tuesday, Oct. 13 at P105. Bring cleats and athletic clothing, no experience required. Graphic c/o and follow @bhs_girlsflagfootball

Boys Lacrosse Fall Ball

Registration is open for Boys Lacrosse Fall Ball!

Season is the month of November and ends with the Space Needle Shootout tournament the first weekend of December!

Follow along @ballardlacrosse and register here.

Questions? Email Coach Ray Pryphun: [email protected].

Everyone welcome and scholarships are available. 

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, Nov. 7, at Station 18 (5425 Russell Ave. N.W.).

We’d love to see you there!

Upcoming Events

November is Native American Heritage Month.

Learn more about Indigenous culture in Seattle here: VS_NativeAmerican_Guide_2016_FIN.pdf (visitseattle.org) 



Learn more about the Duwamish tribe here: Education — Duwamish Tribe

November 2-5 (Town Hall, Ticket $33) “During the family annual Catrinas Festival the public is invited to bring pictures, flowers, candles, and mementos of loved ones to place on the giant altar decorated with flowers, folk art and 'ofrendas'. The festival includes a street market, music, dancing, Loteria, performances, children’s activities, and more Catrinas Festival 2023 | – Celebrating the Day of the Dead (seattlecatrinasfestival.com) 

November 4 Seattle Hmong New Year (seattlecenter.com) “Seattle Center Festál presents Seattle Hmong New Year in partnership with Hmong Association of Washington (HAW). The festival celebrates the end of the harvest season with intricate clothing, dance, food, and more.” 

In the News

Indigenous Language Is Land, Is Sovereignty | South Seattle Emerald

Mam's Books opens in Seattle's Chinatown International District | king5.com Watch this short video about Mam’s Books, Seattle’s first independent Asian American bookstore that just opened in Chinatown International District. You can read more about it here: Mam’s Books Is the Chinatown-International District’s First Asian American-Owned Bookstore | South Seattle Emerald

Native American music is heard around the world on Daybreak Star | king5.com Check out this short video describing the huge variety of Native American musicians that can be heard on Daybreak Star’s radio station!  

Architect provides historic overview, updates on Northwest Native Canoe Center » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star Check out the Northwest Native Canoe Center to be built at South Lake Union Park.

See an interesting event that celebrates Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion and you’d like to see it highlighted here? Send it our way at [email protected].