Deadline extended to Dec. 10

Reflections Student Arts Program

The National PTA’s 2023-24 Reflections theme is "I Am Hopeful Because ..." Ballard students can participate by submitting original works from the following categories:

• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Literature
• Music Composition
• Photography
• Visual Arts

Our new submission deadline is Sunday, Dec. 10. Here's the fillable Student Entry Form Packet. Questions? Email Anna Harper at bhs.ptsa.reflectionscmte@gmail.com. More info.

GSA Screens "Changing the Game" Monday, Nov. 20

Ballard’s GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliance) will be screening the documentary “Changing the Game” at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 in the library in recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance and Resilience.

The documentary follows trans high school athletes struggling for inclusion in sports. All members of the BHS community are welcome! More info.

Helpful Bell Schedule Info

Keep track of a busy end of 2023 with Ballard's online calendar which includes the following school breaks and a special bell schedule for Friday, Dec. 15:

• Nov. 23-24: No School: Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day
• Friday, Dec. 15: Special 1 Hour Early Dismissal Bell Schedule
• Dec. 18 – Jan. 1: No School: Winter Break

Annual Dance Team Winter Showcase

Please join the Ballard HS Dancers as they host their Annual Winter Showcase at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 in the Performing Arts Center!

The Showcase features over 20 individual student choreography pieces in various styles of dance, including jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop. There will also be special presentations from Lincoln High School Dance Team, Ballard Academy of Dance and Music, and our Ballard HS Student Dance Workshop participants!

Everyone is invited! Tickets: $20 (adults), $15 (senior citizens), $10 (youth under 18).

Talisman Publishes First Paper of School Year

Congratulations to the Talisman student newspaper staff on their first edition of the 2023-24 school year which came out Nov. 3!

Read articles online, or pick up your own copy outside of the Main Office or the Library.

Learn more about the Talisman!

Cover art by Tansy Velush.

SPREE Senior Party Tickets on Sale

Senior SPREE Tickets Are on Sale NOW!

What is Senior SPREE? Senior SPREE is an all-night grad party and a BHS tradition, sponsored by the BHS PTSA! Following the June 14 graduation ceremony, students hop onto chartered buses. Throughout the night, grads will travel to two exciting, secret event venues and be treated to a variety of activities, food, friends, fun and a final opportunity to make memories as the Class of '24.

Tickets are now on sale through the end of December. Prices are $200 per ticket.

We want every senior to attend, regardless of financial ability. Scholarships are available -- see your school counselor. There will also be a spring ticket sales window in May.

For behind the scenes SPREE fun (and a few hints about this year's party), follow @BHSspree on Instagram.

More info..

Graduation Cap & Gown Orders Due Dec. 15

Graduation Cap & Gown orders are due Wednesday, Dec. 15. Place orders online with National Achiever Ordering (Cap & Gown, Announcements etc.). 

• Choose a Cap & Gown Unit (Cap, Gown, Tassel, Stole) or scroll down the National Achiever page to order individual items. Cap and gowns will be delivered at school in the spring. Announcements are sent to purchaser's home.

• Please note! The Ballard HS Counseling Center has loaner Caps & Gowns. Seniors would still need to purchase a tassel and stole for the Class of 2024 (if you need assistance reach out to a BHS Counselor).

Full details on the Senior Resources page.

Dec. 8 Due Date!

Senior Grad Ads

Grad Ads are an opportunity for families to submit photos and a personal message for graduating seniors to be printed in the BHS Shingle Yearbook.

The Ads include photos of your choice and a personalized message of your choice for your graduating student.

Order a beautiful Grad Ad (if interested) to congratulate your student’s accomplishments. Submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 8.

Full details and upload link.

Senior Reminders

November: Continue to do College Visits and go to the Counselors Drop In College Admissions Application support. Get information about Seattle Promise in the Counseling Center as well.

December: National Achiever Cap & Gown Orders Due, SPREE tickets on sale, FASFA & WASFA Opens.

December 8: Grad Ads due if interested. Continue to do and turn in your Service Learning Hours.

January 2024: Continue to work on your Naviance High School & Beyond Plan Required Steps, Buy your Yearbook during the Open Sales Window.

Details on the Senior page.

Seniors Help Curate BHS Library Collection

Continuing from last week’s newsletter, we caught up with another class visit at the library. This time, Ms. Katrel’s seniors were helping curate books!

“Seniors have a perspective others don’t and getting their book recommendations was gold!” Ms. Chambers shared on the library’s Instagram page. Can’t wait to hear what they suggested for the school’s collection! Photos c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs.

College Application Drop-In Help

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. 22
• Dec. 6
• Jan. 3
• Jan. 31

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

Spotlight Scholarship

Gonzaga Access Pledge Due Dec. 1

The Gonzaga Access Pledge is Gonzaga’s full-tuition commitment to bridge the gap for college funding. It provides grant and scholarship aid to cover the cost of tuition for first-year students throughout Washington state who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. Students do not need to pay back grants or scholarships. Apply at First-Year Students Gonzaga. Fall Application deadlines: December 1 and Feb 1 (Late). See your BHS Counselor if you need additional information.

Full details, and info on another Gonzaga Unity Scholars program opportunity, as well as other timely scholarship options at BHS Counseling Center Scholarship Bulletins.

Spotlight Scholarship

Amazon Future Engineering

Also, from the Counseling Center's Scholarship Bulletins page:

Amazon Future Engineer students can boost their future for themselves and their community with the support of college funding, paid internships, and industry mentors.

Receive a scholarship of up to $40,000

(up to $10,000/year) towards an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science and an offer to complete a summer internship at Amazon!

Applications are now OPEN and will close 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.

More info and apply here.

College Visits

Sign up on Naviance

Upcoming College Rep visits at the Counseling Center include:

• Monday, Nov. 20: Whitworth University, 1:45 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 4: Pacific Northwest College of Art, 1:45 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 5: Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), 1:45 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 8: Bellevue College, 1:45 p.m.

Sign up details and more info.

Seattle Promise Offers Two Free Years of Tuition

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 November workshops being offered via Zoom.

Service Learning

Offers Lessons Beyond the Classroom

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

Service Learning allows students to learn and to apply academic, social and personal skills through activities and is important in helping build a resume for college, learn leadership, apply for jobs or other opportunities including scholarships.

Questions? Email Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol at chbristol@seattleschools.org.

Daniel Bagley Elementary School PTA is hosting a movie night from 6-8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1.

They are looking for high school volunteers to help with set-up and clean up, serving popcorn and

helping keep an eye on the kids during the movie.

Volunteers can enjoy popcorn and watch the movie too.

SignUp Genius Link

Questions? Email Nicole at president@danielbagleypta.org

Choir Earns Special Award at CWU Fall Choral Classic

Congratulations to the Concert Choir who won top honors at the CWU Fall Choral Classic this past week.  They were awarded the Linda Marra Award, given by the adjudicators to the choir which most vividly connects with a piece and communicates its meaning in an honest, sincere, thoughtful, heartfelt and effective manner.

Thanks to Choir Director Courtney Rowley for sharing this exciting news!

A Dam Good Combo:

BHS Hoops & Pep Band!

The Ballard High School Pep Band will be performing at the following Ballard Basketball home games!

Tip off time is included below, join the fun!

Tuesday, Nov. 28 | 7:30 p.m. Boys Varsity vs. Edmonds-Woodway

Friday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. Girls Varsity vs. Rainier Beach

Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7:30 p.m. Girls Varsity vs. Ingraham

Friday, Dec. 15 | 5 p.m. Girls Varsity vs. Nathan Hale and 8:30 p.m. Boys Varsity vs. Lincoln

The Addams Family

All BHS Students Invited to Audition for Spring Musical

Auditions for the Spring Musical "The Addams Family" will be held Nov. 28-30. All interested students, whether part of Ballard Performing Arts or not, are encouraged to audition!

Sign up for a time slot in the black box. Please also pick up an audition packet and conflict calendar in the black box in the folders hanging on the wall. This must be filled out and brought to the audition.

More info. Questions? Email Ms. Miller at mashor@seattleschools.org

Winter Sports Night Nov. 21

Ballard Athletics and the Athletic Booster Club are hosting an information night for Winter Sports parents/guardians at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 in the Gym.

Hear more about the Winter Sports season from Athletic Director Eric Ensign, learn about how the Athletic Booster Club supports Beaver Athletics, and meet Athletic Trainer Loka Murphy. Beaver Gear will be there too for purchasing great BHS holiday gifts.

Boys and Girls Basketball, Girls Bowling, and Boys and Girls Wrestling teams will have breakout sessions following the introductory remarks. (Other Winter Sports team meetings will be separately arranged. Look for messaging from your team coach.) More info.

Athletic Booster Club Newsletter | Fall Season Recap

Check out the new Athletic Booster Club Newsletter, featuring a Fall Season recap.

You can subscribe to the ABC Newsletter and be the first to know about fun ABC events, like the Trivia Night athletics fundraiser, coming to the Ballard Elks on Jan. 31!

Soccer Players Named to All Metro Squads

Huge congrats to the Girls Soccer team’s All-Metro Sound Division Honorees:

Co-MVP First Team (left): D - Peyton Nakagawara;

First Team (middle four, top row): F - Reese Carlisle; M - Reese Johnson; D - Edie Welch; M- Bianca Potesta;

Second Team (middle four, bottom row): D - Harper Anderson; F - Maya Krisman; F - Hazel Engstrom; G - Addy Wynkoop;

Honorable Mention (right, top to bottom): F - Micah Starr; D - Keelin Tutor

Photos c/o Lisa Vanderford-Anderson, @ballardgirlsoccer

Winter Sports Teams

Ballard offers the following Winter sports programs:

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

Season updates are available on the Athletics webpage. Coach contact information is also available on the BHS website.

Boys Basketball Needs Student Managers

Boys basketball is looking for team managers. Students who are interested can check in with Coach Ensign in the Activity Center.

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, Dec. 5 (location TBD). We'd love to have you there!

We'll be taking a short break from newsletter posts November 26, but please reach out if you have any questions! DEIatBHS@gmail.com

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.

Upcoming Events

November 21 7 p.m. at Roosevelt High School (1410 NE 66th St.): “The Roosevelt High School Band presents our Native American History Month Concert! 

On Tuesday, Nov. 21, come enjoy musical performances showcasing composers, stories, and culture from Indigenous communities. We will be featuring exciting music from our three concert bands, our percussion ensemble, and collaborative performance with a community Indigenous drumming ensemble. Admittance to all Roosevelt High School Band concerts are free of charge. For this concert, we are encouraging donations, 100% of which will go to the Roosevelt High School Native American Club.” Riderband.org

November 22-30 at Northwest Film Forum: Women Make Movies present: Queer Indigenous Shorts [In-Person Only] - Northwest Film Forum (nwfilmforum.org) “We support women producers and directors from the beginning, planting the seeds for a diverse and inclusive filmmaking landscape. As the world’s leading distributor of independent films by and about women, we amplify historically ignored voices and challenge the mainstream media. wmm.com”

November 24-26 at the Duwamish Longhouse Cultural Center: November Native Art Market 2023 — Duwamish Tribe

November 26 is Indigenous Heritage Day. Ballard and all surrounding areas are on unceded territory of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Duwamish tribe. You can learn about other Indigenous lands all over the world on this interactive map: https://native-land.ca/   

Learn more here: Duwamish Tribe 

December 2 The Rhapsody Project presents Blues at Benaroya Hall: “The multigenerational performance includes The Rhapsody Songsters & staff, award winning blues musician Justin Golden and Seattle legend, John Oliver III... Learn how this local non-profit organization helps each person discover their layers of heritage, and build a multi-generational, multicultural community where Blues, Yiddish music, Jazz, and Northwest Folk music are celebrated.” The Rhapsody Project presents Blues at Benaroya Hall

December 15-17 (free, in person, at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center) Save the date for the 2023 Holiday Native Art Markets “Indigenous artists will be selling and showcasing handmade authentic arts and crafts. Beautiful work such as clothing, jewelry, woodworking, drums, art prints, and more by Native American Artists with many styles and tribes represented will be at Daybreak Star.” More info to come at UIATF's Facebook page  

In the News

Haiku Comics Provide a Way of Feeling ‘Less Desolate’ | South Seattle Emerald

New arts space, hub for youth opens in Seattle’s King Street Station | The Seattle Times 

Will Portland’s teacher strike change a policy that harms Native students? - ICT News

The Pacific Northwest trees shaped by generations of people | The Seattle Times