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Jan. 24 | 1st & 4th periods
Jan. 25 | 2nd & 5th periods
Jan. 26 | 3rd & 6th periods
Jan. 27 | Make-Up Day
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Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. |
Life's most persistent and urgent question is,
"What are you doing for others?"
~ Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, Jan. 17 is a great day to honor the words of Martin Luther King Jr. through service, reflection and advocacy.
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Here are some local options:
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☮ MLK Day of Service event City Year commemorates the Civil Rights Movement and honors the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. by celebrating MLK’s birthday as a “day on."
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To ensure COVID safety, City Year is not accepting any further registrations for its planned afternoon Outdoor Community Cleanup, but is inviting people to sign up for the for its morning Virtual Community Summit, from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday on Zoom.
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☮ The Northwest African American Museum will host a hybrid King Day 2022 with a virtual afternoon program (2-3:30 p.m.) featuring poet Nikki Giovanni as keynote speaker and a morning in-person, offsite popup featuring a vaccination clinic, a "Knowledge is Power" Book Giveaway, a Hygiene for Humanity supply drive, music of the movement, and more.
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First Semester Finals Schedule | Jan. 24-26
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The First Semester Finals Schedule, Jan. 24-26, is now available. Mornings will be time for tutorials and exams will be after lunch in the afternoons.
Note: Thursday, Jan. 27 (the makeup day for Nov. 12), will be a normal school attendance day, with no new instruction. Students will have the opportunity on Thursday to communicate with their teachers concerning assignments, grades, etc. [SCHEDULE]
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BHS COVID RESPONSE
School Health and Safety Protocols, FAQs
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With a new spike in omicron cases in Western Washington, here's a link to the BHS webpage that includes helpful school health resources, district updates (including a new link to the school closure page), and information on BHS-based COVID testing and Pfizer vaccination availability (by appointment only).
Thank you to Jani Lauvrak, our Health & Safety Support person, School Nurse Laurie Tirtanadi, and Ballard Teen Health Center staff members for managing the increased interest, and accompanying workload, in school-based testing and vaccinations.
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Ballard High School offers rapid COVID testing on a limited basis. Students testing will need to bring a signed Parent Consent Form.
Please test only if you are symptomatic or were exposed to a COVID positive person at least 5 days prior. [MORE INFO]
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Pfizer Vaccine at Teen Health Center |
Pfizer Vaccine for BHS Students and Staff: The Ballard Teen Health Center has the Pfizer COVID Vaccine (1st, 2nd and Booster) by appointment.
If you are younger than 18, your parent or guardian will need to sign a consent form. To schedule please email Clinic Coordinator Say Tuitele at Sailau.Tuitele@swedish.org or text/call 206-390-3355.
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Look for Levy Renewal Ballots Arriving Soon! |
Seattle voters will soon consider renewing two levies that continue funding for our students, staff, and schools. Voter-approved education levies support all Seattle students. These levies help bridge the gap between what the state funds for our schools and what it actually costs to support our SPS students.
Ballots will be arriving this week for the Feb. 8 election. Vote yes!
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Save Date for Biggest BASH of Year, April 3! |
Donations may be made online. As always, we are looking for our school community support in procuring items to make this a fabulous evening. Do you have something special you can offer the community: a cottage getaway, a piece of unique art? From gift cards, to concert seats, to the extremely unique -- we would love to hear from you about a donation.
Please contact us at ballardauction@gmail.com to volunteer, ask questions or donate. Our hope is to have an in-person experience in which our community can meet once again. However, please know that your safety is of the utmost importance. All attendees must be fully vaccinated. We will be keeping an eye on the situation and, when necessary, take the appropriate precautions to ensure the safety and health of our community.
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Yearbook Pre-Sale Continues Through Jan. 23 |
Did you forget to purchase a yearbook in the fall? Shingle Yearbooks are for pre-sale through Jan. 23. Yearbooks are sold online through the Parent Source/SchoolPay account. (If the Yearbook option is not displayed on SchoolPay check the payment history to see if already purchased.}
Cost: $55 with Activity Card (plus $35 if ASB needs to be purchased)
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Student Clothing Swap Jan. 20 |
BHS Clothing Swap! Clothing swaps are a fun/easy way to reduce waste in our everyday lives. Look for drop off boxes around school to put your clothes in through Jan. 19.
The Clothing Swap will be on Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. in Ms. Maykut’s room, SW 215.
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Share Gratitude with Ballard Appreciation |
Our BHS Library Leaders are sharing posts of appreciation and gratitude with our community and would love to have everyone participate. This can be to staff, students, parents, colleagues, or community members.
It doesn’t need to be long, heartfelt is the best. We understand and value what a gift it is to share in someone’s gratitude. The Library Leaders will take your words and add the layout and images too! Please direct message comments to @ballard_appreciation or email ballard.appreciation@gmail.com.
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Get your literature and art in print! |
Ink, Ballard High School’s literature and arts journal, is accepting submissions of drawings, paintings, poetry, short stories, photography, art, sculptures, pottery and collages. Submission deadline: April 1
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Digital Film-Making Alum's Borrego Hits Screens
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Victor Simoes, on the MyBallard Community News Page, shares the awesome story: "A Ballard High graduate has made it to the big screen with his first major feature film set to hit theaters this weekend. Filmmaker, Seattle native, and former BHS student Jesse Harris’s first major feature film, starring Lucy Hale, will be available in theaters today, Friday, Jan. 14. [FULL STORY]
Also, as featured on Evening Magazine ...
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Ballard Rotary Students of the Month |
The Ballard Rotary has selected its January Students of the Month. These seniors have shown excellence in multiple areas. This includes academic achievement, extra curriculars, service work and other unique hobbies.
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Maddie has been chosen for her engagement in school activities and positive energy she brings during class. She uplifts the student body with her academic excellence and is the definition of Ballard pride! Her AP Biology teacher speaks very highly of her saying that, “Maddie is a gentle soul. She is always there to help her team out. She is reliable and kind and a pleasure to work with," said Ms. Weith.
Maddie is in Model UN, Tutoring, National Honor Society, French Club, Link Crew (junior year), Junior State of America, Orchestra, and Tennis. She also volunteers weekly at the Ballard NW Senior Center.
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Carter has been chosen because of his hard work ethic and academic success these past four years, he is also a leader in the Ballard community in and out of school! Carter is one of five captains on the Ballard Football Team.
“Carter models the consistency and dependability we love to see in students," said Coach Humphries. "Carter is a stud, and has worked hard to set a great foundation for himself as he heads into his next chapter."
Carter also participates in cleaning up Green Lake.
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Class of '22 Service Learning Update |
The Seattle Public Schools Superintendent and School Board approved suspending the Service Learning Hours Requirement for the Class of 2022. The 60 hours are no longer required as part of graduation for this class.
Qualifying seniors are still able to submit their service hours for the Above and Beyond Service Learning Award, which is granted to those who have completed and documented more than 240 hours of service learning volunteer opportunities. Students who are earn the award will be listed in the Academic Program and receive a medallion. [SERVICE LEARNING]
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Time to Complete FAFSA Applications ... |
Seattle students follow many paths upon graduation from high school. For seniors interested in college, completing a FAFSA or WASFA is one of the first steps to receive college financial aid.
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Also, Seattle Promise Applications due Feb. 1! |
Seniors: Don't miss out on two years of free tuition at Seattle Colleges. The Seattle Promise scholarship is available to all SPS graduates regardless of GPA, income, ability, or country of birth. Apply by Feb.1.
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Scholarship options online |
The Counseling Center offers many scholarship options online, including the continuously updated Seattle Schools Scholarship Bulletin. Here's a recent option: |
NEW! Bellevue College Foundation
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Bellevue College Foundation went live with accepting scholarship applications for the 2022-23 school year earlier this month and has already received a number of completed applications! However, they've also noticed some common problems, questions, and challenges to those trying to complete their applications.
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Scholarship Eligibility: You only need to apply once and you will automatically be considered for all scholarships you are eligible for.
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How to Submit an Application: AwardSpring is a new software that the Foundation is using this year for submitting applications. You must register for an account with AwardSpring to fully submit your application. Your application will not be able to be submitted otherwise.
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You can apply for scholarships here. Application deadline: March 7.
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Thanks from the busy BHS Library!
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From Ms. Chambers' Jan. 10 Family Letter:
"The Ballard High School library owes you a debt of gratitude. Without your considerable support, we wouldn’t be able to provide the literacy and community opportunities we do. We have book clubs and community service available daily, the library remains open before AND after school, and we have so many new books in students’ hands that we have THE highest high school circulation stats in the district. We did that together!"
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Want to check out books with your child? Go to bit.ly/ballardlibrary
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Want to donate to the library? Go to bit.ly/ballardlibrarydonorschoose
- Does your child have an overdue book? They can bring it to the library Monday-Thursday 8-4:45, or Friday 8-4
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Want to see all our awesome library action? Sure, the building is closed to parent visitors during COVID, but follow @beaverreadersbhs on Instagram and see all the great things Beaver Readers and our librarians Ms. Elam (left) and Ms. Chambers are up to! Also here's the epic Library Page on the school website.
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This Week in the Library: Seeds of Reading Fun
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The north window of the library is growing books ... well, books about plants ... and cool terrariums from the Plant Club!
Students, want to get your hands in some soil too?
Check out the @ballardhsplantclub, which meets Tuesdays after school in Ms. Carlson's Room, next to the Ballard Greenhouse. |
Whether you read with a green thumb or not, here are some library group options for this week: |
- Library Ambassadors, offering library tech support, meet 1 p.m. Tuesday;
- Eager Beaver Readers, who rate books for the Evergreen Teen Book Award, meet 1 p.m. Tuesday;
- Comic Book Club on Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. in S108, reading "The Mighty Thor: Thunder in Her Veins"; and
- Beaver Book Club meets at 1 p.m. Friday, reading and discussing "White Smoke."
- Library Leaders, planning community events, meet 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 24
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Counseling Center has great online options |
The BHS Counselors work with students to help them develop strategies for success in academics, social skills, and in considering their post-high school plans and career options.
Students can find also find scholarship information, applying to college resources, job and volunteer opportunities, and even schedule appointments with their counselors via the Counseling Center webpage.
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College Bound Resource Fair |
The College Bound Resource Fair is a unique virtual event for people with disabilities who aspire to become college students and the families and educators in their lives.
The online fair, from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 via Zoom, includes presentations and resources on college programs, preparing for college, transportation, financing college, advocacy and independence, academic support, and much more!
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Complete Your Cleanout at Goodwill Truck Jan. 22 |
Spaghetti Dinner is Saturday, Feb. 12 |
Plans are underway for BPA's 63rd annual Spaghetti Dinner! The theme for this BPA fundraiser is Motown, and the directors will be grooving with our students to come up with something fun.
For the second year in a row, the Spaghetti Dinner will be livestreamed. This year, join the fun at 7 p.m. Feb. 12. Students will be performing at school, while families enjoy spaghetti meal kits at home and enjoy the show on YouTube. [DINNER DETAILS]
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Set Work Begins on the Spring Musical |
"We were a small but mighty group today at the first work call for Beauty and the Beast. The set has begun.
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No In-person Fans, But Athletics Online Too! |
Seattle Public Schools has updated the spectator policy and no fans will be allowed at games played at any SPS school until Jan. 22.
The Ballard Athletics YouTube page is streaming contests, however, and you can get caught up with all the action by checking out the Girls and Boys Basketball Teams facing Nathan Hale and Eastside Catholic last week, as well as the Boys Swim and Dive Team making strides in the pool against Lakeside last Friday.
Ballard Wrestling also shares matches on its Facebook page. Go Beavers!
Also, congrats to Ballard Gymnastics for winning its Meet Friday against crosstown rivals Roosevelt! Lilly took first on beam and all-around!
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The Winter Athletics webpage features all BHS Athletics and club sports details, including a link to team schedules and Coach Directory.
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Spring Sports Registration Due Feb. 14 |
Spring Registration 21-22 | Paperwork due Feb. 14 | Sports Start Feb. 28
Spring Sports: Baseball, Girls Fastpitch Softball, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Boys Tennis, Girls Track & Field, Boys Track & Field.
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Girls Lacrosse signup now available |
Registration is now open for the Ballard High School Girls Lacrosse Club. This a no-cut, fun athletic opportunity with both Varsity and JV teams.
Tryouts begin Feb. 28 and the season usually runs from mid-March to early-May. [ SIGN UP INFO] |
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SCPTSA Community Meeting 1/18
COVID-19 Governance & Protocols in SPS
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The Seattle Council PTSA is sponsoring a virtual Community meeting: COVID-19 Governance and Protocols in SPS, hosted SPS Board Directors Liza Rankin and Vivian Song Maritz (our recently sworn in District 4 Director) from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 via Zoom.
Pre-registration required. Spanish and Somali translation provided.
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Focus on Advocacy Week Jan. 17-21 |
In the grassroots spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, Jan.17, we will kick off the week by meeting with state representatives and senators.
Throughout Focus on Advocacy Week, WSPTA organizers will send calls to action to help you share your opinion and your story with your legislators.
Each day will focus on a themed priority message that advocates can email to their legislators through the Action Network system. (Schedule is subject to change.)
➤ Monday, Jan. 17 – Call to Action: Focus on dismantling racism
➤ Tuesday, Jan. 18 – Call to Action: Focus on equity
➤ Wednesday, Jan. 19 – Call to Action: Focus on mental health & wellness
➤ Thursday, Jan. 20 – Call to Action: Focus on preserving funding
➤ Friday, Jan. 21 – Call to Action: Focus on safety and emergency preparedness
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WSPTA Game Development and Essay Contest |
The WSPTA has two contests of interest for students, and an annual scholarship for graduating seniors, all with a deadline of March 1: |
Game Development Competition |
The WSPTA Game Development Competition is a STEM-based program, introduced in 2016, to encourage and support student success. Students share their knowledge and creativity based on this year's theme, "Changing the World."
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The WSPTA Essay Contest is for students of all ages to write an essay about an influential role model that has had a profound impact on their life. The objective is to help celebrate the people that are most important in influencing the lives of children around the state of Washington.
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Washington State PTA offers four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington state public high schools with an active PTA, who will be starting college (either two-year or four-year) in the fall.
Applications due March 1. (Interested seniors: You will need the BHS PTSA Number for the Application: 6.15.460)
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Prospective Families Update |
Due to COVID, we will unfortunately not be hosting an In-Person Open House, or Tours including Students Shadowing this year.
But we still want to share our school with the community! Tell your friends with incoming students to explore our school website, including the Prospective Families Update, packed with links, newsletters, historical updates, videos, and information about Ballard High School!
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As COVID-19 cases surge in our community, SPS is working closely with public health, meticulously monitoring data, and communicating regularly with school leaders.
To minimize transmission in schools, SPS:
➤ practices universal masking and social distancing,
➤ mandated vaccination for SPS employees,
➤ enhanced air circulation, including the incorporation of hospital grade (MERV13 filters) and free- standing HEPA filters. Air circulation is monitored consistently in SPS buildings in partnership with outside consultation.
➤ provides on-site protected health rooms, diagnostic testing, and a COVID site supervisor; and
➤ offers vaccine clinics and testing options for SPS students and staff.
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VOPP enrollment open thru 2/18 |
Enrollment for the 6-12 Virtual Option Pilot Program (VOPP) is now open through Feb. 18 for second semester.
Families seeking an online virtual option can learn more by attending a Virtual information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18.
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Reminder to Keep SPS Laptops Updated |
REMINDER! SPS Student Laptops should be restarted every weekend:
Please restart the device, reconnect to wifi, and login. Leave the computer on for at least an hour to make sure new software updates have been completed.
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SPS Warehouse Team Delivers |
"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
This quote has long been associated with postal workers, but after SPS drivers and warehouse workers braved the cold and snow to pick up and distribute 60,000 COVID tests during the New Year’s Day weekend, they can claim the title of “Most Valuable Workers.”
When the decision was made to close schools on Jan. 3 to provide students and staff with COVID-19 testing, one giant hurdle needed to be cleared: how to get the tests into school buildings in a snowstorm during the holiday season when most businesses are closed.
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Apply by 1/28
Superintendent Student Advisory Board
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The application for the High School Superintendent Student Advisory Board (SAB) is open now.
SAB consists of student representatives from each SPS high school and creates space for student voice, advice, and perspectives to Superintendent Brent Jones and school district leaders.
SAB also spends the school year meeting with district leaders to learn about the work of the district and to share feedback, which is critical to the work of centering our students in programming and impact in Seattle Public Schools.
Applications are due Friday, Jan. 28.
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SPL Library Link opens doors to online learning |
Through Library Link, Seattle Public Schools students and teachers get instant access to Seattle Public Library's online resources without a Library card. (This includes free live virtual tutoring through Tutor.com)
Use your student or staff ID number to create a Library card number and use free online resources and digital media.
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Stay in the know with Seattle Public Schools social media pages:
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SCPTSA testifies for students |
From SCPTSA Legislative Chair Samantha Fogg, following the first week of 2022 Legislative Session: "Some bills we supported are on the move. THIS IS GOOD" she said. "One easy way to kill a bill without ever voting against it is to just not let it move forward."
TESTIFY in Appropriations on Monday.
Hearing starts at 3:30 p.m.
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Take Action By 1/18
Advocate for School Bond Simple Majority
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From WSPTA Advocacy Director Lizzy Sebring: Washington requires a super-majority of 60% to pass school bonds, one of only 11 states that requires more than 50% of the vote. This extra requirement has cost school districts billions of dollars and puts our students' safety at risk.
House Bill 1226 would start the process to amend our state constitution and allow a simple majority (50%+) vote to authorize school construction bonds. WSPTA has a long history of supporting “Simple Majority for Bonds”. Let’s make sure that all school districts can pass their construction bonds with a majority of voters.
To do before 7 a.m. Jan. 18:
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Click on this link and follow the prompts to select “Pro”, write your name, and add “Parent Advocate” in the Organization space.
- Fill in the rest of the information.
- Confirm you aren’t a robot and click on “Submit Registration.”
And that’s it! Our voices matter, and it matters to our legislators when they see parent support!
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Become an Advocate for Special Education |
From the Seattle Special Education PTSA: Act now to fully fund Special Education!
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Feds to Offer 10M COVID Tests Per Month to Schools |
The new effort comes as President Biden and others in his administration try to keep schools open, even with the omicron wave making it harder than ever to manage.
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The BHS PTSA offers Community Resources for informational purposes & does not necessarily support activities or views presented therein. |
Seattle Aquarium Ocean Career Series |
Join Seattle Aquarium for a free virtual series to learn about different marine and ocean sciences careers!
- Jan. 25, learn about what it takes to care for the Aquarium animals, as well as how researchers connect to animals in the wild.
- May 3, meet the Aquarium’s veterinarian and learn more about what’s involved in caring for the diverse population of animals.
Register by Jan. 24 and/or May 2 to receive a link for these webinars. [FULL DETAILS]
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College Informational Workshop Jan. 20
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Local college choice authority Teri Thompson, test prep expert Greg Smith, and local college aid consultant and radio host Albert Israel CFP, will be the speakers at a free virtual informational workshop addressing college financial aid, how that aid is assigned to individual families, how that aid can sometimes be increased, what role test prep plays in these times, and how to pick the right college for your child to hopefully avoid the fifth year.
The workshop is designed for parents of college-bound high school students and will be held Thursday, Jan. 20 by Zoom.
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Ballard Sprouts fresh produce for food banks
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This spring, Ballard Sprouts is celebrating nine years of growing and feeding our community! Volunteers plant vegetable seeds, transplant the sprouts and provide the Seattle Giving Gardens with vegetable starts.
Seattle Giving Gardens are dedicated plots in the P-Patch gardens where food is grown and donated to food banks, meal programs and shelters. Last year, Ballard Sprouts distributed more than 10,000 sprouts to the P-Patches, resulting in thousands of pounds of produce being harvested and donated.
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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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