March 24 @ Block 41

Tonight's the Night for the PTSA Gala!

Tonight’s the Night! The PTSA's BHS Fundraising Gala is at Block 41, 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24

Thank you to all of our attendees, and to those who purchased tickets for teachers. We are incredibly excited to welcome nearly 170 people to the event tonight. If you are attending, check your email for the schedule of events and make sure to review the live auction items online before you make your way to Belltown. 

Everyone can join us for the evening’s highlight, raising our paddles for Ballard High Building Pride. If you can’t raise your paddle in person, please consider donating online to support our amazing custodian Young Wong, and to help make our building the best it can be.

Thank you again to all of our volunteers, donors and sponsors. Check this space after the Gala to learn the results of your efforts at the biggest BASH of the year! More info.

Rainy Start Didn't Slow Running of the Beavers 5K

A rainy start couldn't damper the shining spirit of the the Ballard High School Foundation's 5th Annual Running of the Beavers 5K Fun Run/Walk Saturday at Golden Gardens.

This year, the senior class won the Class Competition, earning $500 for their class ASB account! Congratulations Class of 2024!

Thanks to organizers, including Foundation Executive Director and Co-Founder Dick Lee '61; race chairs Beth Sylves and Sue Stimac Verduin '78; Athletic Booster Club President Suzanne Dale Estey; Activities Coordinator Laura Lehni; ASB President Addy Wynkoop; band and cheer team members; and parent/guardian, community, and student volunteers.

Thanks also to sponsors Anchor QEA, Goodman Foundation, Carter Motors, Duke's Seafood and Cafe Appassionato. Rough & Tumble hosted an after party and Visit Ballard also helped get the word out about the event. Thanks to participants who shared food donations at the event for Ballard Food Bank. We can't wait to share race results next week!

Dance Team Dazzles at State Championship

The Ballard Dance Team competed in the State Championship Saturday at the Yakima SunDome. Lead by Head Coach Bethany Nielcen, you can catch their performance to "Burn" from the Hamilton Musical. Congratulations Dance Team!

New Student Hall Pass System Implemented

In her Friday Message, Principal Abby Hunt shared that the school has implemented a new hall pass system that requires students to sign in and out a classroom should they leave to use the restroom.

"With this, students are required to carry a school hall pass that indicates to admin and security which class the student is coming from" Ms. Hunt said.

Additionally, students are not to leave class during the final 10 minutes of the period, she added.

"Please note that there are always unique circumstances that fall beyond this general practice, but these steps are intended to provide a baseline to improve student attendance in class and improve hallway and campus safety.

"And I am very happy to say that in our first week things have been noticeably better! I am grateful to our amazing educators who helped share the information and to students for their cooperation with this mid-year refinement. Further, I appreciate your support with these efforts."

Note: Families can also help support messaging that students should not park in the Staff Lot. See this week's School Bulletin for more info on this helpful reminder.

MisInfo Day Helps Students Develop Tools to Navigate Online Research

Accompanied by teacher-librarian Ms. TuesD Chambers, social studies teacher Mr. Shawn Lee took his social studies students to MisInfo Day March 12 at the University of Washington.

The annual media literacy educational event, sponsored locally by UW's Center for An Informed Public, brings together high school students, teachers and librarians to learn how to navigate complex information environments and make informed decisions about what to believe online.

A couple BHS students were also interviewed by KUOW journalists in a piece that ran Thursday morning.

Listen to Deepfakes and conspiracy theories drive push for media literacy: NPR:

Look for more information on Ballard's MisInfo Night coming later this spring! Photos c/o @beaverreadersbhs

SPS School Board District 2 & 4 Appointment Update

The eight Seattle School Board candidates will participate in a candidate forum from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at Lincoln High School. The meeting will also be live streamed on SPS TV.

District 2

Sarah Clark

Danielle Gahl

Shawn Sullivan

Carol Thompson

District 4

Gabriela Gonzalez

Joe Mizrahi

Rachelle C. Olden

Laura Marie Rivera

Review information about the appointment process and view the candidate profiles.

Thank You for PTSA Direct Appeal Support

Thank you again for your generous support to PTSA Direct Appeal! Over 165 parents, grandparents, and neighbors have given $52,360 to BHS Direct Appeal this year. The BHS PTSA Academic Fund received an additional $17,844 in corporate matching contributions from your employers. Thank you for making those connections and thank you to your employers.

In total, you helped the PTSA raise $70,204, all of which will support academic programming, and it's just in time as the PTSA Grants Committee will be awarding grants in the next month. Thank you for your care and commitment. We couldn’t do it without you.

~ Kristin Anderson, Direct Appeal Chair

ASB Election Packets Now Available!

Students interested in applying for an ASB position for the 2024-25 school year should fill out the election packets, made available in student's LA classes last week, in the Main Office, or in SW100. Elected position packets are due Friday, April 5, while appointed position packets are due Monday, April 22. Learn more.

Questions? Reach out to ASB VP Taiya Fletcher (SPS student email only) at 1tafletcher1@seattleschools.org or Advisor Ms. Laura Lehni, lllehni@seattleschools.org.

Graphic c/o and follow @ballardhighasb.

Write, Direct & Perform in BPA One Acts!

From the School Bulletin: Students are invited to share their creativity through Ballard Performing Arts' Spring One Acts. These plays will be student-written and student-directed! You can submit a play and apply to be a student director, as well as audition!

For playwrights: we are looking for short plays, between 5-10 pages. Around the school you will see QR codes to a brief application to submit a play or sign up as a director.

All play and director submissions are due at 4 p.m. Monday, March 25! Students of any grade level and any experience level can apply. Audition information will be posted shortly!

If you have any questions, or need an extension on the deadline, please see Ms. Miller in the Black Box Theatre.

Apply to be a Seattle Youth Commissioner

Students can apply to join the Seattle Youth Commission! This group is appointed by the Mayor and City Council to connect youth to local elected officials, advise on city policies, and discuss issues that youth in Seattle are facing.

There is a Youth Commissioner representing each of the seven City Council Districts, as well as eight at-large commissioners.

Applications are due Wednesday, May 1. More info.

Check out the New Talisman Paper

There's a new issue of the Ballard Talisman to dive into! Pick up a copy outside of the Main Office, Library or the Talisman newsroom. Articles include:

• The new semester brings the end of Maritime, by Alfie Koll-Williams

• A class kept from growing: the concern about Ethnic Studies, by Max Bykowski

• LSU puts on a Night of Celebration by Elouan Thomas

More info.

NHS & Bloodworks NW Blood Drive March 29

National Honor Society is partnering with Bloodworks Northwest to host another Blood Drive here at Ballard for students 16 and older!

The Blood Drive is Friday, March 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym. Save lives and sign up to donate in Mr. Feise’s room.

Learn More About Club Events.

Students Excel at HOSA State Competition

Congratulations to BHS Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) future health professionals for participating in this year’s State Competition, and to Ethan Li for placing 2nd in the Dental Sciences competitive event.

Ethan will be traveling to Houston in June to compete in the international HOSA competition.

More Club Information.

State Board of Education Seeks Student Rep

The WA State Board of Education seeks a current sophomore ready to step up and serve as the Student Representative for the 2024-26 term.

Applicants must:

• Have a passion for improving K-12 public education.
• Be able to participate in all scheduled meetings.
• Have a positive academic and/or extracurricular record.
• Commit to making up for missed schoolwork while attending meetings and board functions.

Application deadline is March 29. 

Visit the Association of WA Student Leaders website for more information.

Student Leaders Wanted for Seattle School Board

Rising Juniors and Seniors: Do you want to make your voice heard? Do you want to make sure that the Seattle School Board is representing the real needs and experiences of the Seattle Public School students? If so, apply to be a School Board Student Member!

Applications are open now and are due April 10.

Class of 2024 Senior Updates

Did you miss the Senior Meeting, or want to familiarize yourself with some of things that were discussed? All details are on the Senior News page, including these action items:

Important Reminder! Today, March 24 is the final day to get in your Golden Beaver Scholarship Application! This includes an infusion of support for students who plan to attend college or study a trade in Washington state through the Hughbanks Family Scholarship. Full details.

Get your forms in! Turn in any PE waiver forms and Service Learning forms; take your PE competency test if you need to. Deadline is May 1 so Counselors have time to process the forms and you stay on track for graduation. See your School Counselor if you have any questions. The Counselors have drop ins at lunch every day so swing on by.

NEW! Want to speak at, perform for or host the graduation festivities? Turn in the attached interest form by April 15! Auditions will be April 18-19 during lunch in the PAC.

Senior Dinner! RSVP Needed! June 5: Senior Dinner at the Ballard Elks 5-8 p.m. | Students only, RSVP ASAP, tickets will be sold closer to the date.

Social Media Shouts:

NEW! Seniors, share your post-graduation decisions with classmates on the student-run Ballard Decisions 2024 Instagram Page

Parents/guardians: Join the discussion, follow updates at Class of 2024 Facebook group

Beaver Readers Like Library Lunch Clubs!

The Library hosts many clubs during lunch, including the following:

Monday | Library Leaders (library planning and service learning) and Yapping (Podcast) Club

Tuesday | That Dam Book Club (every other week) and Drain Club (discusses Drain Gang music)

Wednesday | Comic Book Club (well, actually it's in Mr. Lee's classroom) and 3 D Printing Club

Friday | Pride Book Club and Yapping (Podcast) Club

Photo c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs. More library updates on the BHS website!

Makerspace Crafting also at Lunch

The Library Makerspace is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during lunch.

University Washington Capstone students Anna, Connor and Emma have been hosting crafting opportunities throughout the quarter in the Makerspace.

Future craft projects will include jewelry making, and screen printing, in collaboration with Ms. Carlson's Garment Club.

More info. Photo c/o and follow @ballardhsmakerspace.

Last Running Start Info Session Wednesday

Attention sophomores and juniors!

Interested in learning more about Running Start?

The school counselors will offer a final Running Start Info session for interested 10th-11th graders from 12:05-12:40 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 in Rm. S217. More info.

College Visits

Juniors, check out the school representatives offering College Visits in the Counseling Center. Sign up via Naviance. Upcoming schools include:

Monday, March 25

Queen's University Belfast | 1 p.m.

Tuesday, March 26

Air Force Academy | 12:45 p.m.

Monday, April 1

Columbia College Chicago | 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 3

University of California - Santa Cruz | 1 p.m.

Woodland Park Zoo

Career Exploration Day & Teen Ambassador Program

Woodland Park Zoo is also hosting a Career Exploration Day for teens from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Explore diverse career pathways and leave with some tips about educational paths and experiences that can help launch you into a zoo or conservation career.

After the program is over, you will be able to explore the zoo for the rest of the day on your own! Cost: $20,

scholarships available. Learn more.

Teen Ambassador Program: The Zoo is also offering a new volunteer cohort program for high school students (entering grades 10-12. Through this upcoming summer program, teens will have the opportunities to bring a youth voice to inspiring conservation actions, connecting with guests about wildlife and conservation, and fostering community with fellow teens.

The program runs June 25 through Aug. 15. Applications close March 31.

More info.

Spotlight Service Learning

YESL Pre-Employment Program

Apply today for Seattle Parks & Recreation's YESL (Youth Employment and Service Learning) Pre-Employment Program offered online April 22 through June 10. 

Class Options:

Ages 13-14 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; or 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Ages 15-18 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Gain skills on time management, resume writing, fostering a growth mindset, and more. Earn a $300 stipend toward program expenses or Service Learning hours. Possible chance of earning high school credit.

Apply by April 5. Questions? Email teen.programs@seattle.gov

Spotlight Service Learning

WILD Leadership Training

Wilderness Inner-city Leadership Development (WILD) aims to engage students in learning about their culture, connecting with their community, developing skills in leadership, cultivating a deep commitment to environmental justice, and exploring and growing their passions.

WILD offers an outdoor leadership-oriented program. The program serves all students, with a focus on teens from Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds. Students have the option of earning a stipend of $100 per quarter or gaining service hours. Learn more.

PEO Scholarship for Young Women

The P.E.O. Women Helping Women Reach for the Stars Scholarship 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 22.

Application attached or pick up in the BHS Counseling Center.

The Addams Family Delights Audiences

Ballard Playmakers "The Addams Family" musical has one more matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24 in the PAC.

Ballard's staging, an "affirming story about family, acceptance and joy," is directed by Miller Shor with musical direction by the BHS Choir Director Courtney Rowley, and choreography by Megan Moore. BHS Orchestra Director Daniel Valdez is conducting the pit orchestra. Meet the cast!

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students and staff. More info.

Photo by Tansy Velush c/o and follow @ballardperformingarts.

Dine Out at Tutta Bella to Support BPA

Dine Out at Tutta Bella to support our Performing Arts! From Sunday, March 24 to Thursday, March 28, Tutta Bella will donate 20% of sales to Ballard Performing Arts.

Dine-in or order delivery, takeout, or curbside from tuttabella.com. Use the coupon code EasyAsPieBPA at checkout!

The code cannot be used on third-party delivery sites (UberEats, DoorDash, etc). At the Kirkland/University Village grocery store kiosks, orders must be placed from tuttabella.com – not the registers in QFC.

Beavers Athletics Week Two Includes Inspiring Action

In a tightly matched exciting repeat of last year's State Championship game, Boys Soccer lost 1-0 to Lincoln Friday. Their week started with the Beavers dropping Monday's game against Lakeside but they came back beat O'Dea, in their second matchup of the year against the Irish, 2-1 Wednesday. Photo from Beavers/Lynx matchup by Eliot Stoller.

Softball beat Seattle Prep 18-8 Monday before dropping a game against Holy Names Tuesday. They ended the week with a home win against Kennedy Catholic 11-1 Thursday.

Baseball won three last week: topping Meadowdale 4-3 on Monday, Seattle Prep 6-1 Wednesday, and Eastside Catholic 6-2 Friday. Photos by Ed Tanaka.

Tennis faced Garfield Monday at Amy Yee Tennis Center, with both the boys team and girls team celebrating victories. On Wednesday, they visited Eastside Catholic and the girls team won 3-2, while boys fought hard in their 4-1 loss. Congratulations to the team, led by new Head Coach Angel Le! Photo c/o and follow @ballardhighschooltennis.

Track competed at a Bellevue High School meet Tuesday against the Wolverines and Liberty. The girls team came in first and the boys team came in second. Meet results.

Boys Lacrosse dropped a close one to Seattle Academy Tuesday before taking their away game at Liberty 16-2 on Friday.

Gx Ultimate Frisbee kicked off its spring campaign hosting Nathan Hale Wednesday, losing 13-0.

Girls Lacrosse hosted and beat Auburn Riverside 16-14 Wednesday and visited Tahoma for a 20-13 victory Friday. Photo by Ed Tanaka.

Spring schedules are linked under team names and available throughout the week on the BHS website.

Send your team updates to ballardhighnews@gmail.com. Go Beavers!

Next PTSA DEI Committee Meeting April 2

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.

The next DEI Committee meeting

is Tuesday, April 2, from 6-8 p.m. at Fish Ladder Lounge (4910 Leary Way N.W.) 

We’d love to see you there! The Ballard PTSA DEI Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month. Please reach out to DEIatBHS@gmail.com if you're interested or have any questions.

Upcoming Events

Apply now through March 26: Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

This paid summer internship will “provide youth professional and/or structured paid work settings within City departments, local businesses, and non-profit agencies to gain hands-on experience, develop professional connections, and build resumes.” 

Applications are open for folks between the ages of 16-24, who live in the City of Seattle or attend a Seattle Public

School, and who live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income. Seattle Youth Employment Program - Human Services | seattle.gov

March 30 (Free, Seattle Center Mural Amphitheater) Holi Color Festival with Live DJ and Performances, Food Trucks, and Gift Raffles. HOME | Seattle Color Festival

In the News

Dual language education is one step closer to becoming a WA law | The Seattle Times

U.S. judge picks new WA legislative map, moving Latino district | Crosscut