Gala Countdown - Buy Your Tickets by March 23 |
Don’t delay — tickets are going fast for this year’s Ballard High School PTSA Fundraising Gala, April 2 at Block 41. We think you’ll agree this casual evening with live entertainment from Ballard Performing Arts students, yummy breakfast options from FOODZ Catering and chances to win great raffle and auction items, will be a BASH to remember!
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This year, we will Raise our Paddles for Mental Health Supports and Equity at BHS. At a time when teen mental health has never been more important, we will be raising our paddles to create a space, physically and in spirit, that has space for all students. Raise the Paddle funds will go towards the installation of an additional gender neutral bathroom; materials that are inclusive and help represent the many students at Ballard throughout the academic pods (such as posters, murals, maps, flags and books); graduation gowns; and staff development opportunities. Raise the Paddle Donations are welcome now through April 2.
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Gala Dessert Donations Still Needed! |
Gala Dessert Donations Still Needed! Can you help out? If you're interested in donating a dessert to support the BHS PTSA Gala Fundraiser it's easy as pie!
Step 1 - Sign up. If you have decided what fabulous dessert you will make/purchase, please note it in the Comments section. If you are undecided, no worries, just note "TBD" in the Comments section.
Step 2 - Watch for an email from us about a week prior to the Gala. In this email we will request to firm up the details of your donation and will also provide details regarding delivery/pick up, which will happen on the day of the Gala, April 2. [SIGN UP HERE]
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Register for Running of the Beavers by Thursday! |
Ballard High School Foundation's 4th Annual Running of the Beavers is 9 a.m. Saturday, March 25 at Golden Gardens. The 5K Fun Run and Walk benefits Ballard Athletics, Cheer, Dance, Band, and ASB. Enjoy a rousing performance from the Pep Band while you stretch and lace up your sneakers too!
Here's an update on the new Class Competition. The grade level with the most participants earns $250 for their class! Looks like the Seniors are in the lead!
Class of 2023: 36.63% | Class of 2024: 11.88%
Class of 2025: 21.78% | Class of 2026: 29.70%
Want to the join the fun? Registration is open through Thursday, March 23!
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NEW! Packet Pickup is 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 24 in the school's South Staff Parking lot (off of Northwest 65th St.) Race participants can pick up their race bib, timing chip and Running of the Beavers race shirt.
Please bring donations for Ballard Food Bank (unexpired food items, hygiene items, brown paper bags, egg cartons, heavy plastic bags) on Friday when you pick up your packet, and to the race on Saturday morning. [MORE INFO]
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PTSA Grants at Work | Thanks for Your Donations!
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Last week, we were able to provide grant funds in support of bus transportation so Mr. Shawn Lee's World History 3 Sophomores and chaperones could attend MisinfoDay at the University of Washington. PTSA grants also supported an informative visit from the Holocaust Center for Humanity for the Freshman ELA classes to the Ballard High School Library. Thank you!
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WSPTA Reflections
Student Earns Accolades for Arts Piece
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We are thrilled to share Lake N. received an Honorable Mention for his visual arts piece, "Save Our Planet," in this year's state level Reflections program. We thank everyone for their participation in the 2023 Reflections Program and look forward to next year's entries and participation.
There will be a virtual Reflections Student Celebration from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on April 27. Click here to register. The 2022-2023 Washington State PTA Reflections finalists list is here. [MORE INFO]
Thanks to Reflections Chair Anna Harper for coordinating our participation in this year's Reflections program.
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Pick up the Talisman and Read All About It! |
Pick up your March issue outside the BHS Main Office or School Library today! Or read all about it online too!
Seattle Public Schools sues social media companies
Local employers allow students to work schedules that violate youth employment regulations
DECA is going to State
School-wide assembly spurs conversations about hate speech
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Feminist Club Highlights Women's History Month |
March is Women’s History Month. Ballard Feminist Club has created presentations highlighting influential women throughout history. These presentations are linked on the Schoology page.
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Multicultural Week March 27-31 |
March 27-31 is Multicultural Week!
- Daily Slide Shows
- Wednesday, March 29 | Unions Unite: Come check out the Unions Presentations + Fun Games!
- Friday, March 31 | Multicultural Assembly: Special Bell Schedule posted soon!
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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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Spin the SPREE Prize Wheel March 24!
SPREE Senior Grad Party Tickets on Sale
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Class of ’23 – Stop by the SPREE information table, located near the BHS entrance from the Staff Parking Lot, after school on March 24. Take a spin on our prize wheel and learn more about the all-night grad party. All Seniors win on the prize wheel!
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!
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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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Attn. Seattle Promise Seniors
Seattle Promise Support at BHS
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Seattle Promise Students & Parents: Come to the BHS Counseling Center on the following Fridays and meet up with the BHS Outreach Specialist May Saetern for FAFSA/WASFA workshops. Parents are encouraged to come in with their students. FAFSA/WASFA submissions due by April 30.
Drop In Workshops:
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Friday, March 31: All Day
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Friday, April 5: 8:50-11:30 a.m.
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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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The P.E.O. Women Helping Women Reach for the Stars Scholarship (attached here) is offered to high school women graduates who are planning on attending vocational institutions as well as college and universities. Candidates will be chosen based upon merit, leadership and financial need. Deadline April 17.
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Service Learning Spotlight
Phinney Neighborhood Association
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Holi: Festival of Colors celebration
Spring Cleaning at the Phinney Center
9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15.
Spring Cleaning with the PNA Village
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22 (seniors’ homes in NW Seattle)
Spring cleaning the gardens and grounds: weeding, pruning, spreading mulch, etc. Volunteers will be divided into groups of 5, each group will go to two different homes. Learn more and sign up.
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Running Start Info March 23 |
Counselors are offering one last Running Start Info Session on Thursday, March 23, during the first half of lunch (11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.) for 10-11th graders interested in learning more. [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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Savannah College of Art & Design | 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 21
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Univ. of California - Santa Cruz | 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, April 5
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Durham University | 8:50 a.m. Thursday, April 20
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Westminster College | 9:50 a.m. Friday, April 21
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University of Tampa | 12:45 p.m. Friday, April 21
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Weber State University | 1:45 p.m. Friday, April 21
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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! |
Amazon Career Quest206 is an immersive 2-week summer program aimed at inspiring Seattle Public Schools High School students to pursue technology careers of the future, prioritizing students furthest from educational justice. Students earn 0.5 CTE credit and a stipend. A $500 Stipend, Meals, and Swag provided by Amazon! Click here to apply. [MORE INFO]
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University of Washington Youth & Teen Programs is currently recruiting Group Leaders to support elementary and middle school summer enrichment programming. Group Leaders are the front line and direct link to students and parents and are responsible for the safety and supervision of youth. Ideal candidates bring experience working with youth in informal learning settings. These full-time temporary positions start at $18.69 per hour. [ MORE DETAILS] |
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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From a productive Library Leaders meeting Monday, to creating an Irish-themed book display in honor of St. Patty's Day (thanks Alana!) Friday, to finishing an average of two puzzles a week, Beaver Readers have been very busy!
Don't forget, it's also time to vote on the Evergreen Award, for the best young adult books of the school year!
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Also, make sure to follow the fun @BeaverReaders Instagram page, check the library information board, and/or check Schoology for more details on this week's clubs and activities. [ MORE INFO]
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Spring Musical Opens to Acclaim |
The Secret Garden
March 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday March 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Performing Arts Center
The Secret Garden Cast
Mary Lennox: Anna H.; Archibald Craven: Milo P.; Dr. Neville Craven: Alden P.; Colin Craven: Corinne I.; Dickon: Elliott J.; Martha: Ella P.; Lily: Izzy R.; Ayah: Sophie N.; Fakir: Miriam M.; Mrs. Winthrop: Solenne D.; Mrs. Medlock: Casey M.; Rose: Amelia W.; Captain Albert Lennox: Ezra H.; Ben Weatherstaff: Sam R.; Alice: Rose C.; Lieutenant Wright: Evan D.; Lieutenant Shaw: James S.; Major Holmes: Eli G.; Major Shelley: Cole L.; Mrs. Claire Holmes: Autumn B.; Mrs. Shelley: Emma V. S.
Dreamers: Nia C.-T., Catherine C., Solenne D., Kai H., Kaela L., Natalie
M., Audrey N., Audrey R., Alice S., Katherine W., Wren W.
Show directed and choreography by Eia Waltzer; Indira Rampersad is the assistant director and accent/vocal coach; musical direction is by choir director Courtney Rowley. Band director Jay Gillespie is conducting the pit orchestra. [MORE INFO]
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Concert Choir Performance with Choral Arts NW |
The Concert Choir will perform "Considering Matthew Shepard" with Choral Arts NW at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 19 at Edmonds Center for the Arts
Entry fee is “pay as you’re able.” [MORE INFO]
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March is Music in Our Schools Month, celebrating the impact of music curriculum on today's youth. We thank Ballard's music educators for all they do!
In gratitude to Band Director Jay Gillespie; Orchestra Director Daniel Valdez; and Choir Director Courtney Rowley.
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Catch Beavers in Action This Spring! |
This week in Ballard Athletics includes Ballard Dance heading to State Championships on March 23-25 at the Yakima Valley SunDome! Good luck ladies!
Here team schedules (subject to change):
Some highlights include:
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Varsity Baseball hosting Chief Sealth 4:30 p.m. Monday and West Seattle 4 p.m. Wednesday at Whitman Middle School.
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Varsity Soccer visits the Roosevelt Roughriders at 5 p.m. Monday, Lakeside at 4 p.m. Wednesday and Lincoln at 4 p.m. Friday (Lower Woodland Field).
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JV Tennis hosts the Crusaders at 4 p.m. Wednesday, while the Varsity squads visit Eastside Catholic.
- After taking on Kennedy Tuesday, Fastpitch hosts Franklin at 4 p.m. Thursday at Lower Woodland Park.
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Track has a meet (hosted by Chief Sealth, with Franklin, O'Dea and West Seattle too) 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the Southwest Athletic Complex. Go Beavers!
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3-on-3 Tourney Coming This Summer |
Ballard High School Basketball is hosting the Shilshole Bay Showcase 3-on-3 Tournament July 15-16 (Seafoodfest Weekend) for players from 5th grade to adults.
Questions? Email BHS alumni parent John Verduin at jverduin@dysportsllc.com.
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Nominate Outstanding BHS Educator, PTSA Volunteer |
Calling everyone in the BHS Community! Do you know an educator, staff member or volunteer who makes an outstanding impact at BHS?
Email Gloria Kruzner at bhs.ptsa.pres@gmail.com your nominations, along with a few details why you've chosen them, through Friday, May 12.
Winners will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. June 1 General Meeting in the Library. [MORE INFO]
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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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Join an online event to learn more about the Seattle Public Schools budget at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 20.
Hear details about district budget planning strategies and answers to frequently asked questions. This meeting will also be streamed live on the SPSTV YouTube channel.
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Watch the latest edition of “First Bell,” the Seattle Public Schools news broadcast.
“First Bell” highlights all the great work happening in our district and keeps you informed on important announcements.
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Thanks to our friends at the SCPTSA for their recent newsletter update, including many helpful and timely advocacy notes.
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Also, great news about family involvement from the WSPTA! As of March 1, WSPTA had 82,061 members.
WSPTA Secretary Kim Kuhne reports "We are at 102% of last year’s total, but still nearly 18,000 from our stretch goal of 100,000. Meeting this goal would put us very close to our pre-COVID level of voice, speaking for every child in the state of Washington."
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Equity in Family Engagement Conference March 25-26 |
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
DEI Committee Meeting: March 22 at 7 p.m. in person at Station 18 in Ballard. We’d love to see you! Please reach out with questions: 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 from March 28 - May 23 on Zoom. Drop in for one session or join us for all of them!
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Mark Your Calendars!
Roosevelt High School: Beyond Black & White Film Screening & Discussion April 21 at BHS
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Family-Centered Vaping and Cessation Intervention Module |
The following request is from BHS parent Joelle Fathi, a nurse practitioner and certified tobacco treatment specialist, and Sunny Ohman, doctoral student and University of Washington nursing faculty, who have secured a grant (in partnership with Seattle Public Schools) to develop a vaping education intervention for parents.
3.6 million youth use E-Cigarettes. How much do you know about the crisis? In 2021, 15 percent of 12th graders in the Seattle
Public School system reported vaping products in the past 30 days. This is one in four adolescents. If we don’t help them now, the chances of them quitting after age 18 is almost zero.
Please consider participating in a pilot Family-Centered Vaping Educational Intervention to
improve knowledge and attitudes surrounding vapes. Earn $50 on completion.
Thank you for your consideration.
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Ethics & Philosophy Event |
Y-WE is hosting its Career Day Saturday, April 8! Y-WE Career Day is an annual tradition of engaging with Women and Gender Expansive Individuals across varying fields for career stories, skills building activities, and mentorship.
This free event centers young women, trans, and non-binary youth ages 13-19, but is open to everyone from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 8 at Best Buy Technology Development Center (1000 Denny Way 8th Floor)
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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 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 and meet with featured partner organizations, well as other fun activities and games.
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Celebrate Earth Week with Programs and Festivals |
Join Seattle Parks and Recreation for a variety of public nature programs and gatherings to celebrate Earth Week, starting with Earth Day on April 22.
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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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Summer Day Camp & Class Options |
Spring may not have sprung yet, but here are some summer day camp/enrichment options:
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Know any future Beaver girls hoop stars? They'll definitely want to learn more about the Beavers Girls' Basketball Camp July 10-13!
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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] |
Summer Skills Center
2023 Summer Schedule – COMING SOON!
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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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