Join Us This Thursday!

PTSA Feb. 15 General Meeting: Teen Mental Health

Attention ALL BHS PTSA Families! 

Please join us at our Winter PTSA General Meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15 in the BHS Library.

Licensed Therapists Charlie Delavan and Caleb Visser will be sharing important information about teen brain development and skills for self regulation. We look forward to seeing you there! Speaker bios and more info.

We'll offer an online viewing option for the General Meeting via Zoom, but we'd also love to see you in person! (Zoom Meeting is linked | ID 972 569 4044 Passcode 700677)

The General Meeting and speakers will follow our monthly 5:30 p.m. PTSA Board Meeting in the Staff Lounge (just past the Counseling Center on the second floor), and all are welcome at this business meeting as well! Questions? Email President Karla Rava at bhs.ptsa.pres@gmail.com

Reflections Entries Move Onto State Judging

Congratulations to the following Ballard PTSA Reflections entrants, whose works inspired by this year's theme "I Am Hopeful Because" have been selected by Seattle Council PTSA to represent Seattle at the Washington State PTA level:

Musical Composition:

• Max Germann "Better Future From Past Mistakes"
• Ben Jaynes (Ingraham student participant through Ballard program) "Over the Horizon"

Dance Choreography:

• Ruby James Madden "Chosen Family"

The following students earned Honorable Mention, but will not be moving on to WSPTA judging: Lake Neill and Juniper Stoddard (visual arts); Lucas Salm-Rojo (photography); and Josiah Hoy-Tisdale (musical composition).

Check out this year's submissions on the Reflections Program page.

PTSA Fun at Prospective Families Night

Thanks to everyone who visited the PTSA table and said hello at Prospective Families Night Thursday night!

Whether you’re new to Ballard or a longtime Beaver family, you can learn more about the Ballard PTSA and how to get involved in support of BHS students and staff on the BHS website.

Thanks to President Karla Rava and Family And Community Engagement Chair Victoria Watson for engaging new and prospective Beaver families at our table, handing out PTSA tote bag shoppers, and hanging with Bucky!

Photo c/o and follow us @bhs.ptsa.

GALA FUNDRAISER UPDATE

Join Us at the PTSA Gala Dinner March 24

Help Raise the Paddle for Ballard Building Pride 

After 25 years, our "new" school still looks great, but the wear and tear from thousands of students and staff along with just plain age means that our building could use some attention. 

From replacing vital safety equipment like cameras and AED defibrillators to giving our science classrooms a power boost with upgraded wiring, it's time to give our beloved school the MVP treatment it deserves. Let's team up as a community to slam-dunk these necessary repairs and keep our "Beaver Dam" pride soaring!

Join the madness at this year’s PTSA Fundraising Gala at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at Block 41, where we’ll raise our paddles to support a revitalization of our high school building.

Support Our Staff

Let’s show some love to our teachers and staff by purchasing a Fundraising Gala ticket for your favorite teacher, or someone at the school who has made a positive impact on your students’ years at Ballard.

Just head to the Gala website and grab a teacher ticket at a reduced price. You can add the teacher’s name in the comment field. Also, remember to score your tickets today. Full details, tickets and more!

GALA FUNDRAISER UPDATE

Help Procure Items for Gala Fundraiser Bidding

Some great items have been donated for both silent and live bidding at the PTSA Fundraising Gala event, but fabulous donors are needed right up until our March 6 procurement deadline. Please get involved and make a donation today. 

How can you help?

• Request a gift card from a favorite local business and/or restaurant.
• Offer an hour (or more) of your true talent: gardening, organizing, decorating, DIY, tarot card reading, cooking, music, and more.
• Are you an artist? Potter? Woodworker? A handmade treasure is a priceless item!
• Have a vacation get-away? Donate a two-night stay.
• Tickets to a game-day you can’t use? Donate them!
• Bottles of wine, spirits and cider ($20+ value) are also needed for the Wine Toss.

Making your donation is easy. Either fill out our online form or email ballardprocurement@gmail.com directly.

ADVOCACY CHAIR OPENING

PTSA Legislative Liaison Needed

PTSA Legislative Liaison Needed: If you are looking for a way to help support Ballard students and staff, please consider joining the PTSA Board! We have an immediate opening for Legislative Liaison (Advocacy Chair). Share advocacy news and information with the Ballard HS community through newsletter updates, information shares at monthly meetings, and promote attendance at WSPTA and SCPTSA events of interest.

Learn more on What Does the PTSA Do? page. Questions? Email Nominating Committee Co-Chair Victoria Watson at join.bhs.ptsa@gmail.com.

BLT REP OPENING

Join the School's Building Leadership Team

BLT Representative Needed: The Building Leadership Team (BLT) includes the principal, staff members, teacher representatives and parent representatives from each grade. It is a goal setting body, developing school-wide initiatives and strategies to further academic achievement and a positive school climate.

Time commitment: The BLT meets on the second Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. BLT meets virtually via Microsoft Teams or on-campus location. This position also provides updates at the monthly PTSA board meetings.

Additional information is on the PTSA BLT page. Thanks to outgoing BLT rep Kristi de Vadder for her commitment to this role. Email Victoria Watson at join.bhs.ptsa@gmail.com with questions or interest.

BHS LATINX STUDENT UNION

Latino Night of Celebration March 1

Ballard's Latinx Student Union (LSU) is presenting their Latino Night of Celebration at 6 p.m. Friday, March 1 in the Performing Arts Center.

Open to the community, tickets include dinner and a show ($20)!

This celebration features a special performance by the award-winning folklórico dance group Bailadores de Bronce; catered authentic Mexican cuisine; and Latino/e/x vendors from across Seattle with jewelry, snacks, artisan work and more! More info

MARK YOUR CALENDARS, APRIL 19

Multicultural Festival Potluck

Please join the Multicultural Student Union’s first festival in the Commons on Friday, April 19! Sign up to bring a dish, perform a piece from your culture, or come host a game and talk about your culture!

The BHS Multicultural Union is looking for volunteers to come and help celebrate! Thank you! More info.

Parents! Families! Students! Can You Help Out?

• Bring a food from your culture!
• Bring a game!
• Come and perform a dance, a song, an instrument that represents you or your culture!

Mock Trial Club Participates in 1st Event

Congratulations to the Ballard Mock Trial Club who participated in a Seattle Public Schools team scrimmage hosted by Franklin Mock Trial Feb. 7 in preparation for Districts.

"Our students did a FANTASTIC job at their very first Mock Trial event," said the team's teacher-advisor, Ms. Robin Dowdy. "They learned a ton but also really showed up well. It was awesome."

In Mock Trial, teens across the State receive a case in October and work as a team to become witnesses and attorneys. Students compete throughout the winter and early spring in District Tournaments with the goal of making it to the State Championship in the spring. Students gain public speaking skills and critical thinking experience in addition to working closely with their peers as a team.

The team meets Thursdays during lunch in S108. Photos c/o and follow @ballardmocktrial

Philosophy & Ethics Club

Congratulations to the three teams of Beaver student philosophers who recently participated in the Washington State Ethics Bowl!

With the Ethics Bowl behind it, the Philosophy and Ethics Club is now returning to its regular Socratic-style discussions! Open to all! Come as you please, no attendance requirements. Now is the chance to see what it's all about if you didn't get the chance to join us in the Fall!

Also if you're interested in participating in Ethics Bowl next year, this is a great time to get yourself accustomed with the club! Learn more (and graphic c/o) @bhsphilosophyandethics.

Talisman Includes Helpful Scholarship News

Photo of BHS Foundation Executive Director Dick Lee (Callum Martinson/Talisman).

Read about the impact of the new, life-changing Hughbanks Family Scholarships (part of the Ballard High School Foundation's Golden Beavers Scholarship Program), Ballard's new bell tones, student opinion pieces, and more in the Feb. 1 issue of the Talisman.

View the articles online or pick up a copy outside the Main Office. More info.

Attn. 10th & 11th Graders!

Running Start Info Sessions Coming

Interested in learning more about Running Start? The school counselors will offer Running Start Info sessions on Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27 during the first half of lunch (12:05-12:40 p.m.) for 10th-11th graders inquiring about the program. All sessions will cover the same info.

Meet in Rm. S217 for the presentation and Q & A. More info.

COUNSELING CENTER UPDATE

Mid-Year Transcript Requests

Seniors: If you have colleges/universities that are messaging you that they need a mid-year transcripts/report, please let them know that reports will be uploaded and available mid-February before our break (Feb. 19).

More info.

Class of 2024 Updates

More Class of 2024 updates:

Senior Timeline

NEW! Final Virtual Seattle Promise Workshops | Applications Due Feb. 16

Cap & Gown Orders | Act quickly!

Golden Beaver Scholarships | Applications Due March 24

Tell Your Story Thru Podcasting

With all the hustle and bustle in the Ballard Library, gone are the days of "shhhhh!" In fact, you can even find and share your own voice in the library! That's right, one of our library meeting rooms has been equipped to host podcasts. The school also now has a Yapping Club, the brainchild of sophomore Cove Brammer. (The club devoted to podcasting production meets on Fridays during lunch.)

This semester, Cove is also teaming up with UW Library Science intern Andrew Quinn to reimagine how podcasts are produced at Ballard High School.

They are hoping to inspire Beaver Readers and BHS staff to share their own stories and participate by filling out a survey. Thanks for sharing what stories you would like to tell!

Full details. Questions? Email Cove at 1jcbrammer@seattleschools.org, Andrew at aquinn23@uw.edu or Teacher-Advisor Ms. TuesD Chambers at tschambers@seattleschools.org.

Crafty Fun Coming to Library MakerSpace

Welcome University of Washington Capstone students Connor, Emma and Anna! They are thrilled to announce the reopening of the BHS Library MakerSpace, a hub for creativity, collaboration, and community-building!

The MakerSpace is open during lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays! Check out fun Valentine’s (or Palentine’s) crafts on Monday, Feb. 12. See you there!

Look for flyers around the halls announcing upcoming projects and activities. Updates and new projects will also be shared on the MakerSpace Announcements page.

Photo c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs and @ballardhsmakerspace.

Thank you BHS Counselors!

National School Counselors Week was Feb. 5-9. Thank you to Ballard's counselors (left to right) Sonja Petersen, Maya McKenzie, Tom Kramer, Gail Olson Laing, Katie Huguenin, and Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol for all your efforts to be there for all Ballard students! Explore the Counseling Center Dashboard for the many resources they have available.

Want to shout out a BHS Counselor? SPS is taking nominations to recognize school counselors for their unique and integral roles in our schools. Please share your nomination for School Counselor of the Year.

The nomination form is accessible until March 5 and the winner will be announced in June. Counseling News page.

College Visits and Events

Check out the variety of school representatives offering College Visits in the Counseling Center over the next month. Sign up via Naviance or ask Ms. Bristol for assistance. Upcoming schools include:

Tuesday, Feb. 13

Fairfield University | 8:50 a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 29

Franklin University Switzerland | 8:50 a.m.

Monday, March 4

University of Arizona | 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6

Willamette University | 8:50 a.m.

Thursday, March 7

University of Utah | 8:50 a.m.

DigiPen Institute of Technology | 9:50 a.m.

Friday, March 8

University of Alaska Fairbanks | 9:50 a.m.

CWU On the Spot Admissions

Also, from the College Events page, Central Washington representatives are offering "on the spot" virtual admissions appointments for all interested students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Sign Up for Virtual Appointment

Free Online Therapy Through City of Seattle/Joon

Students! Do you know you can get free online therapy paid for by the City of Seattle through June 30? See your school counselor for more information or check out Joon – a Seattle-based company that provides online therapeutic services for 13-24 years old. Students are matched with a therapist with expertise in their particular areas of need. Joon therapists use evidenced-based practices like cognitive behavioral therapy to help reach unique goals. For mental health crisis, reach out to the TeenLink.

Spotlight Internship

Teens in Public Service at BHS Feb. 13

Teens in Public Service (TIPS) hires teen leaders for paid community service internships and pairs them with nonprofit organizations over the summer. There will be a TIPS Information Table outside the Main Office during lunch on Tuesday, Feb. 13 for students to learn more. TIPS applications due March 4.

TIPS also has a new partnership with the Washington Neurodiversity Project for students with IEP or 504 plans or documented ADD, ASD or ADHD diagnosis.

FAQs flyer and more info.

Seattle Promise Scholarship Deadline Feb. 16

The Seattle Promise scholarship application deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 16. It provides up to two years of free tuition towards a graduating SPS senior’s first degree at Seattle Colleges.

For more information, reach out to BHS Seattle Promise Outreach Specialist Trinity Covington in the Counseling Center from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Also, check out Final Virtual Seattle Promise Workshops. You can also email Trinity at trinity.covington@seattlecolleges.edu or text her at 206-661-1290.

Stim Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship

Seattle Public Library's Stim Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship is now open for submissions through March 15.

Students must write a 1,500-word essay about an individual or group of individuals in Washington state who have demonstrated civic courage on an issue of importance to the community at great personal, political, or professional risk. First place is $5,000 scholarship, second place is two $2,500 scholarships. Full details.

Ballard graduate Anne Welman won a scholarship last year. Read her essay: “Women Against Thirteen: Upholding Local Queer Rights”

More options from the Counseling Center's Scholarship Bulletins:

WSPTA Scholarship & Contest Application | Deadline is Feb. 15.

Golden Beaver Scholarships | Applications Due March 24

Port of Seattle NMA

High School Speech Contest

The Port of Seattle chapter of the National Management Association (NMA) is hosting their annual speech contest for high school students.

Topics such as leadership in the world, its application to the free enterprise system and what leadership means to the student are some examples of speech themes.

The winner will win a trip to Orlando to compete for a $2,000 first prize at NMA's national convention. With the trip, the student will also win a pass to an amusement park of their choice in Orlando.

Entry forms due Feb. 29. Full details. Questions? Contact: Arthur Kim, Kim.A2@portseattle.org

Service Learning Spotlight

Discovery Park Habitat Restoration

Interested in environmental studies? Want to help restore the Discovery Park South Meadow's native ecosystem? Join University of Washington Environmental and Forest Sciences students for work parties from 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays and Sundays.

Sign up via the flyer QR code. More information is also on the group's website.

Service Learning Spotlight

Pancake Breakfast

Loyal Heights Community Center is hosting its Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Sunday, March 3. Volunteers are needed to assist from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Contact Teen Coordinator Ron Brown at (206) 684-4052 or email ronald.brown@seattle.gov to sign up.

Spring Job/Service Learning Opportunity

Little League Teen Umpires Sought

Thinking about a part time job this spring? Ballard Little League is seeking teen umpires for spring baseball and softball games. No experience necessary, they will train!

Pay is $25-$38 a game (or service hours). All equipment provided. Come help provide our younger players a "real game day" experience by umping games between March-June. It's a fun atmosphere and a way to give back to Little League. Teen will be paired with an adult volunteer umpire for most games.

Sign up on the www.ballardlittleleague website or for more information, email info@ballardlittleleague.com

Musical Opens March 14

The Addams Family Tickets Now on Sale

The Ballard Thespians are staging The Addams Family musical in March. Filled with that signature Addams Family macabre, this production is a delightful expression of the wild and weird joy of family and love. Shows are 7:30 p.m. March 14-16 and March 22-23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24 in the Performing Arts Center.

Buy your tickets now at Showtix4u. Tickets: $20/adult, $10/student & staff, and $15/senior citizen. More info.

POPULAR EVENT RETURNING!

Donate Items to Goodwill Trailers at BHS March 18

If you'd rather spend your Super Bowl Sunday spring decluttering, Ballard Performing Arts has a great fundraiser coming up just for you!

Goodwill trucks will be parked in the BHS staff parking lot on Sunday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your donations and your neighbor’s too! For every truck we fill we get $600 for BPA! 

More info.

Register Online for Spring Sports by Feb. 13

Register for Spring Sports online through Feb. 13. Ballard's spring sports include: baseball, fastpitch softball, boys soccer, tennis and track. Club sports are boys and girls lacrosse, and girls ultimate frisbee.

Register online via FinalForms. If you still need to pay ASB, you can do so on SchoolPay via the Source.

Questions? Call Bethany Nielcen in the Main Office at 206-252-1000. More info

Spring Athletics Parents/Guardians Meeting March 5

The Spring Athletics Parents/Guardians Meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 in the Gym, including Beaver Gear sales. Athletic Director Eric Ensign will share important information. Meet BHS trainer Loka Murphy and Strength/ Conditioning Coach Colin Matthiesen. Breakout groups for individual spring sports teams to follow. There will also be a few fan giveaways from the Athletic Booster Club too so don't miss out! More info

Districts at Ballard Feb. 17

Gymnasts Earn Third Consecutive Metro Championship

For the third consecutive year, the Ballard Gymnastics team is Metro Champs following their hard work, artistry and return trip to the top of the podium Friday at Nathan Hale. Congratulations to Senior Captain Naomi Kildal, who is also the Metro League Champion on beam and floor!

Districts will be at Ballard, featuring 17 area teams, starting at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Come cheer on the gymnasts! While the meet runs throughout the day, Ballard competes at 5:45 p.m.

Students, email Coach Stephanie Gundel if you would like to assist at the meet for service hours: ballardgymnastics@gmail.com.

Photo c/o and follow @ballardgymnastics.

Girls Basketball Shows Strong Effort at Metros

Congratulations to the Girls Basketball team on their successful 14-6 season!

Led by first year Head Coach Jennifer Anderson, the team left it all out on the floor, dropping a close one to Franklin 45-41 Tuesday at home to end their Metro Tournament.

Seniors Lidet Becker and Vivian Nabou were both named to the Metro Sound 2nd Team. Lidet is a three-year point guard for the program and Vivian amassed more than 20 three-pointers this season!

Junior Clara Haynes, with four double doubles (including a career high 30 point effort), was named to the Metro Sound 1st Team.

Photo c/o and follow @ballard_girls.basketball.

DURANT METRO COACH OF YEAR!

Boys Basketball Hustles to Stellar 17-5 Finish

Kudos to the Boys Basketball team on an amazing 17-5 season! The Beavers aced their Metro post-season opener against Cleveland at home Tuesday before dropping a loser-out game to Seattle Prep 79-72 Wednesday at Chief Sealth.

We're thrilled to hear Coach Lorenzo Durant III was named the Metro-Sound Division Coach of the Year. Congrats also to shooting guard Jackson Carver who earned 2nd Team All Metro honors too.

Photos c/o and follow @ballardbball

7 WRESTLERS GOIN' TO STATE!

MatClassic Next, Feb. 16-17, for Brawlin' Beavers

For Saturday's State Qualifiers,

Girls Wrestling grappled at Bonney Lake High School, while Boys Wrestling competed at Eastside Catholic.

After a full day of competition, Ballard is advancing seven wrestlers to the MatClassic XXXV Feb. 16-17 at the Tacoma Dome.

A week after winning Metros, Miles Price (144) has pinned his way to the title of Regional Champion. Congrats!

Also heading to Tacoma are 3rd place Regional finishers: 

113 Lucca Rava

132 Simon Moreno 

150 Hayden Wiggins 

140 Jackie Benson

And 5th place competitors:

138 Tommy Megal 

215 Lazlo Davis Rudin

We can't wait to root on the Brawlin' Beavers! Photos c/o and follow @ballard_boys_wrestling and @ballard_girls_wrestling. Thanks again to Captain Jackie Benson for this timely post-season update!

Ballard Swim & Dive Makes Waves at Metros

From Head Coach Kyle Morean: Congratulate the Ballard Beavers Boys Swim & Dive for an incredible Metro Championship Meet! Major time drops all around and it was a remarkable end of the season for our great team!

Noteworthy highlights:

• Senior Captain Kian Vae’ena bettered his recently set Ballard 100 backstroke record and swam the 3rd fastest time in Prelims (53.58) earning him a berth in the 3A State Championship Feb. 16 & 17! Additionally, he swam a 49.29 in the 100 freestyle which is just shy of both state qualifying and another long-standing Ballard record. Kian will swim both events this week at the District tournament!

• Senior Evan Sadler swam District qualifying times in both the 50 and 100 freestyle.

• Sophomore Tristan Olensky swam District qualifying times in both the 200 & 500 freestyle

• Sophomore Matteo Montague swam District qualifying times in both the 200 freestyle & 100 butterfly

• Senior Jesse Hill swam a District qualifying time in the 100 breaststroke

• Sophomore Clay Stuart earned 245 points in the 11 Dives competition earning him a spot in this week’s District dive contest

• Also joining the Beaver District qualifying team are: Seniors Thomas Stacey and Nathan Williams; Juniors Nate Hurley and Branson Griffin; and Sophomores Moritz Scheunemann, Xavier Garibaldi and Gus Bosetti.

Congratulate these Beavers on their successes and continuing into the post-season! (District results weren't available at newsletter deadline.) The Boys Swim & Dive State Tournament is Feb. 15-17 at King County Aquatic Center Photo c/o and follow @bhsboys.swim

Bowler Reps Ballard at State

Congrats to Bowling team member Natalie Bauer who scored 72nd out of 100 bowlers who competed in the WIAA 3A Bowling State Tournament Feb. 2-3 at Bowlero in Renton. She accrued 699 points over her six games.

Photo c/o and follow the team @ballardgirlsbowling.

Flag Football Feb. 3 at Memorial

A week after finishing their regular season Feb. 3 at Memorial Stadium with a 27-7 win over Rainier Beach, the Flag Football team lost in a squeaker to Nathan Hale 23-20 in their single-elimination tournament early Saturday morning. Great hustle on the gridiron! Follow the team @bhs_girlsflagfootball.

Girls Ultimate Registration is Open! 

The Ballard Gx Ultimate Frisbee team is open to all girls who want to participate in the Spring Ultimate league.

The season runs from Feb. 26 to May 19 with practices and games occurring during the school week after school. Everyone is welcome and no prior experience is necessary.

Find more information and register here. Email any questions to ballardultimate@gmail.com. Go BUF!

Girls Lacrosse Registration Open

Girls Lacrosse registration is open! Come out and have fun with us this spring and become part of the fastest growing sport in the Northwest! Season runs Feb. 27 through May 5. Lacrosse is a no-cut sport – everyone is welcome and no prior experience is necessary. More info and registration.

Boys Lacrosse Registration Open

Registration is OPEN for Boys Lacrosse! Practice begins Feb. 26 with games through May, plus tournaments. Conditioning is now. It is a no-cut sport with Varsity & JV teams. Scholarships are available. The Dam will be rocking with lots of lacrosse excitement!

Follow along @ballard_lacrosse, email info@ballardboyslacrosse.com with questions and for scholarship info. Spread the word, recruit your friends, join the fun this season! Sign up here.

5th Annual Running of the Beavers March 23

Get ready to lace up your sneakers and join the Ballard High School Foundation's 5th Annual Running of the Beavers 5K Walk/Run at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at Golden Gardens. Direct your registration proceeds to your favorite BHS team and/or Performing Arts.

The grade level with the greatest participation gets $500 for their class ASB account. See you on the course this spring!

24th Annual Victor Salvino Golf Classic

Golfers of all ages and skill levels are invited to sign up for the 24th Annual Victor Salvino Ballard High School Foundation Golf Classic Aug. 16 at Newcastle Golf Club benefiting BHS Athletics, Cheer, Dance Team and Performing Arts!

Choose from the challenging Coal Creek Course or the scenic China Creek Course! Pre-event barbecue and putting contest at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. tee off. More info.

Golf Classic Registration

DEI Committee Meeting March 5

The next DEI Committee meeting is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 at the Fish Ladder Lounge, 4910 Leary Way N.W. We’d love to see you! The Ballard PTSA DEI Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month. Please reach out with any questions to: DEIatBHS@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 15 (Northwest African American Museum, Free) Black History Month Keynote with Dr. Doretha Williams “Join us for our Black History Keynote with Dr. Doretha Williams and her family history team from the Smithsonian Museum. Dr. Doretha Williams will be NAAM's keynote speaker in honor of Black History Month where she will discuss Black family history and genealogy.” NAAM — Black History Month Keynote with Dr. Doretha Williams (naamnw.org)  

Now through Feb. 28 (paid entry; Tuesdays-Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; in person) calltoconscience.world

March 19 deadline: City of Seattle’s Food Equity Fund Now Accepting Proposal — Front Porch

Free online therapy for 14-24 year olds thru June 30. Joon therapy is paid for by the City of Seattle’s Human Service Department, and managed by the city's Youth and Family Empowerment Division through June 30, 2024

In the News

MENA-X After-School Program Empowers Students by Blending Middle Eastern and Northern African Culture with STEAM | South Seattle Emerald

Ijeoma Oluo’s New Book ‘Be a Revolution’ Calls On Readers to Take Action Against Systemic Oppression | South Seattle Emerald

Check out “Parenting at the Intersections.” Library Journal calls it “A necessary, engaging, educational, and eye-opening perspective, not often found, about parenting children of color with neurodivergence.” (highlighted by Seattle Special Education PTSA)

Why Black Disabled History Matters - World Institute on Disability (wid.org)

Seattle Special Education PTSA shared some resources for Black and African American Families:  

PAVE presents: Black/African American Family Support Group. This group gathers online on the 4th Thursday of the month from 7-8 p.m. The Black/African American Family Support Group provides a safe, validating, and empowering space for parents, caregivers, and families of African descent so they can find understanding, strength, and resources to navigate their unique and often challenging and isolating journey of raising Black/African American children or family member with a disability. Calendar page

The Arc of King County “serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan: from prenatal diagnosis through end of life care. We provide specialized services and activities in English, Spanish, and specifically for African American families. For other languages, we utilize interpreters." Contact Khadijah Toms, Information and Resource Specialist for Black and African American Families.

OPINION | Civil Rights Reflection: Decolonization and Desegregation | South Seattle Emerald

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.