Only TWO weeks left to grab your Auction tickets! |
Last year’s event was tremendous fun and this year is shaping up to be even better. We have loads of great items for bidding: restaurant gift cards, trips both near and far, as well as tickets for experiences from sporting events to tourist attractions to once-in-a-lifetime concerts! Follow @BallardFundraisingGala on social media (Instagram | Facebook) to see some of the items available.
Funds raised through the Ballard High School Fundraising Gala support grants for academic materials and support services not covered by district funding.
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Assessments & Testing At Ballard HS |
Attn: All BHS Sophomores | SBA English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment
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All Sophomores will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) in English Language Arts (ELA) in their Language Arts classes March 13-17.
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Any Juniors who have not yet passed the exams will have the opportunity to retake the SBA ELA Exam the week of March 20.
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Students must have an SPS-issued laptop. Students will need to bring headphones that work with the SPS laptops for the SBA ELA test.
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Rowland Studios Student ID Photos |
Rowland Studios will be back on Tuesday, March 14 during lunch in the Activity Center if you have not yet had your photo taken and still need a Student ID. [MORE INFO]
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Adoptee Pizza & Bubble Tea Meetup |
If you were adopted and like pizza and bubble tea, come to the school year's second Adoptee Meetup from 3:50-5 p.m. on Friday, March 31 in the Counseling Conference Room.
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Journalism Students Earn Honors |
Congrats! Ballard Journalism Students won at the Washington Journalism Education Association 2023 State Journalism Competition:
Alexa T., Honorable Mention, Review Writing, Annie W., Excellent, News Writing; Semai H., Honorable Mention, Newspaper Feature Writing; Hazel E., Excellent, Sports Feature Writing; Tom F., Superior, Yearbook Feature Photos and Excellent, Yearbook Sports Photo; Marley H., Honorable Mention, Yearbook Feature Writing; Sabi Y., Honorable Mention, Editorial Cartooning
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Not Too Late to Join a Student Club! |
Clubs are a great way to get involved. Ballard HS has more than 75 clubs available for students this year! Find a club that matches your interests and get involved. If you can’t find a club that fits your interests, start your own club!
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Seniors: SPREE Tickets on Sale Now! |
What is Senior SPREE? Senior SPREE is an all-night grad party, sponsored by the PTSA, and a BHS tradition! Immediately following the graduation ceremony, students hop onto chartered buses. Throughout the night, grads will travel to two different exciting event venues and be treated to multiple activities, meals, and fun. We keep exact details a secret — we want our Seniors to be surprised!
The Senior SPREE committee, comprised of BHS parents, has been hard at work to create an amazing and memorable night for this year’s Senior Class. Give your student the gift of one final night as the Class of 2023 where great memories will be created!
Tickets are $200. We want every Senior to attend regardless of financial ability. Scholarships available — see your school counselor.
Don't have a Senior? No problem! We need families of future Seniors to help make this event a success. Consider volunteering the night of graduation and seeing what SPREE is all about. Check-in helpers needed, along with all-night chaperones!
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Ballard Rotary honors two outstanding Ballard High School Seniors each month as part of its Students of the Month program. Congratulations to the February honorees! |
Finn makes new friends everywhere he goes — from the halls of BHS to the fishermen at the Ballard Locks. Speaking of the locks, he made an awesome working model for an elementary school science fair.
Whether it’s leading cheers in the Beaver Brigade, glaring through the net at the Buff Puff opposition, hitting the soccer pitch, or prepping yearbook layouts, Finn loves being part of the BHS community. Go Beavers!
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Monse is the concertmaster of Ballard’s Symphonic Orchestra and plays regularly with Chamber Orchestra. She is also a part of Ballard’s slowpitch and fastpitch softball teams for which she was named Metro League 1st all-league pitcher for slowpitch as well as Ballard Slowpitch Softball MVP award. She also plays on Ballard’s Ultimate Frisbee team. As for clubs, Monse is the Chief Marketing Officer for the Adoptee and Foster Club. Outside of school, Monse co-created a string quartet and is a member of the Girl Scouts.
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The Sub Pop Loser Scholarship is back again! Artsy Seniors who may not have access to as many academic scholarships are invited to submit a one-page essay for a chance to win one of three $6000 scholarships. Deadline March 21.
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Ballard's Sons of Norway Leif Erikson Lodge is offering a $1,000 Youth Leadership Scholarship to students interested in higher learning or trade school. Deadline March 31.
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Service Learning Spotlight
Skate Like a Girl
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Skate Like a Girl's Youth Employment Skateboarding (YES) program gives teens the opportunity to gain professional skills through skateboarding and make a positive impact in their community, all while earning service hours.
Apply by March 19.
Space is limited.
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Running Start Info Sessions March 16, 23 |
Counselors are offering Running Start Info Sessions on Thursdays, March 16 and 23, during the first half of lunch (11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.) for 10-11th graders interested in learning more. Students only need to attend one session. [MORE INFO]
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Students can sign up for college visits at the Counseling Center online through Naviance. Full details here. |
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University of Utah | 8:50 a.m. Friday, March 17
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Savannah College of Art & Design | 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 21
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University of California - Santa Cruz | 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, April 5
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Students, take a deep dive into a job or internship! Here are some listings on the Counseling Center's Job & Internship Board! |
Seattle Youth Employment Program |
The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) supports young people (ages 16 to 24) from qualifying-income households and communities that experience racial, social, and economic disparities. The goal is to increase youth and young adults' ability to pursue careers that pay well and are meaningful to them. Applications are open through March 24 for SYEP's 2023 Foundations and Pathways Internship Program. [MORE INFO]
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YESL Pre-Employment Training Program |
Receive 28 hours of pre-employment virtual training 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays with Youth Employment and Service Learning (YESL).
- Gain skills such as resume writing & interviewing
- Receive support & mentoring from the YESL Staff
- Earn a $299 Stipend
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Teen Evergreen Book Awards |
Move over Oscars, it's time for teens to vote on the Evergreen Award, for the best young adult books of the school year! Here are the nominees ... |
HIGH SCHOOL EVERGREEN BOOK LIST 2022-23
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Also, Beaver Readers, don't forget to follow @BeaverReaders Instagram page, check the library's dry-erase board, and/or check Schoology for more information on this week's clubs and activities. [ MORE INFO]
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Hey Beaver Families, did you know March is National Reading Month? And studies show that just like going for a run exercises your cardiovascular system, reading regularly improves memory function by giving your brain a good workout. So set aside some time to put down those devices and read as a family!
Parent/guardian volunteers also help our busy library continue to thrive, so please reach out to Ms. TuesD Chambers at tschambers@seattleschools.org if you want to learn more about supporting literacy at Ballard High School.
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Spring Musical Opens March 16 |
We can't wait for Opening Night of the BHS Playmakers Spring Musical:
The Secret Garden
March 16, 17, 18, 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday March 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Performing Arts Center
This dramatic adaptation of the classic children's story features a beautiful score by Grammy award-winning composer Lucy Simon. The talented BHS cast and chorus will be bringing this story to life, accompanied by a live orchestra made up of BHS instrumentalists.
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March 11 was a busy day for Ballard Performing Arts, as the Orchestra participated in the Central Washington University Orchestra Festival in Ellensburg and the Ballard Brass Band celebrated the reopening of the Ballard Commons Park.
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Fill the Goodwill Truck at BHS March 18 |
Bring your household and clothing donations to the BPA Fill-a-Goodwill-Truck event from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 18 in the North Staff Parking Lot. BPA programs earn $600 for every trailer filled with your gently used donations. [ MORE INFO] | [ EARN SERVICE HOURS] |
Running of Beavers Benefits Your Favorite Team! |
Ballard High School Foundation's 4th Annual Running of the Beavers is 9 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at scenic Golden Gardens. The 5K Fun Run and Walk benefits Ballard Athletics, Cheer, Dance, Band, and ASB. Participants can choose their beneficiary and 70 percent of their registration fee goes to the team or activity of their choice!
New this year is a class competition for Beaver students! Here's an update on the Class Competition. The grade level with the most participants earns $250 for their class!
Class of 2023: 36.63% | Class of 2024: 11.88%
Class of 2025: 21.78% | Class of 2026: 29.70%
Register by Friday, March 17 for a chance to win a $200 Duke's Seafood Gift Card.
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Dance Team Routines Qualify for State |
Ballard Dance Team had a very successful District Competition at Redmond High School on Saturday. They got second place in the dance/show category and fourth in hip hop/kick. Both routines qualified for State!
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Catch Beavers in Action This Spring! |
Go Beavers! Here are some upcoming Spring athletics matchups:
MARCH 13 Baseball Hosts Shorecrest 4 p.m. @ Whitman Field 4 p.m.
MARCH 23 Boys and Girls Track Meet hosted by Chief Sealth @ SWAC 2:45 p.m. (also competing against Franklin, O'Dea & West Seattle)
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SCPTSA Meeting Includes FAFSA Info, Special Ed. Guide |
Join the Seattle Council PTSA at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 16 via Zoom for a panel of speakers at their monthly board meeting.
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Keep on Scrolling for All the Details |
The Ballard High School Website landing page has top school and district news items, helpful logins, as well as the week's upcoming calendar highlights. Don't forget to keep scrolling and check out the full resource!
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School Board Student Members |
Applications for the 2023-24 Seattle School Board student member positions will be open soon. Students entering their Junior or Senior year are eligible to apply for a one-year term that will begin August 2023 and conclude at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
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Seattle Skills Center Course Application & Summer School Info |
Applications for the Seattle Skills Center’s School Year Courses are now available. Seattle Skills Center prepares students for college, career, and life through advanced Career and Technical Education courses. There are classes in a wide range of career pathways at several locations around the city.
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Youth Maritime Career Launch Program |
The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle has partnered with the Port of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools to introduce the Youth Maritime Career Launch Program.
This initiative provides an avenue for black and brown young adults to be introduced to different careers in the maritime industry.
Rolling application deadline, open to Juniors and Seniors. [MORE INFO]
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Our Youth and School Safety: Activism to Action Webinar |
Join Grandmothers Against Gun Violence for an important panel discussion with Educators, Survivors, Activists and Advocates as they share their experiences in advocacy and the changing world of school safety at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 14 via Zoom. [MORE INFO]
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Equity in Family Engagement Conference March 25-26 |
Federal Action Needed to Address Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education |
Addressing funding, inclusion, and supports in special education is a Top 5 legislative priority for Washington State PTA. We need your voice to let our members of Congress know we want them to fully fund special education, promote full inclusion, and provide the necessary supports for both students and staff so that every student’s needs are met.
Please include your personal stories when writing your legislators. These stories are impactful and are what our decision-makers need to hear to understand what is happening in classrooms and school buildings in our state. Every student deserves to feel included and receive the supports that they are entitled to as part of their basic education.
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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
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Starting March 28: Drop In Virtual Learning & Strategy Sessions, adapted from Rhapsody's Face the Music Curriculum (FREE online) Join Lady A and Joe Seamons of The Rhapsody Project for a series of virtual classes and strategy sessions to establish a culture of equity and accountability in the North End public school community, hosted by Lincoln High School!
Open to students, parents, administrators, and teachers, these weekly sessions will celebrate Black American musical history while grounding participants in the history and evolution of racism in our country, drawing on stories from the era of Minstrelsy all the way through the golden era of Hip Hop. In addition to building community and awareness, these sessions will help us collaborate in establishing an event series and process for combatting racism at Lincoln HS and the surrounding community.
These sessions will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday evening from March 28 - May 23 on Zoom. Drop in for one session or join us for all of them!
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Summer Day Camp & Class Options |
Spring may not have sprung yet, but here are some day camp options for your teen this summer:
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Assistance League Summer Enrichment Scholarship |
The Assistance League of Seattle offers scholarships for students in grades 6-11 wanting to attend summer camp.
Application deadline is April 15. [ MORE INFO] |
Ballard Bridge/15th Ave W & NW Project Updates |
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Teen Action Fair at Gates Discovery Center |
The Teen Action Fair, created for teens by teens, is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Bill and Melinda Gates Discovery Center. Connect with more than a dozen organizations that are creating opportunities for youth to make a difference locally and globally.
Enjoy performances by an incredible line-up of artists including Totem Star, Northwest Tap, and Red Eagle Soaring, and meet with featured partner organizations, well as other fun activities and games.
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Demystifying the College Process |
Learn more about Demystifying the College Process in a free webinar from Liddane Tutoring and Kussick College Coaching at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 14.
Learn about:
- College admissions landscape
- What does it mean when a college goes “test optional”?
- How to make an application shine without a test score
- What to look for when building a college list
- Timelines for 10th, 11th and 12th grade
- Which tests to take, when to take them and how to prep
- Money: Financial aid vs. merit aid
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Hugo House Misty Mint Launch Party March 18 |
The Misty Mint Magazine Editorial Team invites you to an afternoon celebrating the inaugural volume of Misty Mint Magazine, Hugo House's new literary journal made by youth for youth at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18.
The House will be alive with collaborative writing activities, mocktails at the Hugo House bar, and the featured event — readings by youth whose pieces are published in Volume I: "The Unexpected."
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Ethics & Philosophy Event March 30 |
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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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