BHS PTSA Gala Dinner: March Madness

Early Bird tickets on sale Jan. 21 – one week only!

Calling all Ballard High School Parents and Guardians! Are you ready to show your school spirit and support our students?

Our annual PTSA Fundraising Gala will be 5-9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at Block 41.

Early bird tickets go on sale Jan. 21 at Ballard Gala. Act fast to save your spot! Tickets are $80 for one week only and will go to $95 on Jan. 28. You’ll also have the chance to sponsor a teacher and ensure they get to attend as well.

The Gala Committee is still looking for donations! Do you have a vacation rental? Know of a fun business willing to donate? Have a skill to share - pottery, art, baking? Please get in touch with ballardprocurement@gmail.com or make a donation directly at Ballard Gala.



Let's make this gala a slam dunk for our school! Go Ballard! More info.

PTSA Winter General Meeting: Teen Mental Health Feb. 15

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. Our FACE Committee has a great program planned and we hope you can make it! We have invited Licensed Therapists Charlie Delavan and Caleb Visser to learn about teen brain development and skills for self regulation.

Charlie Delavan MS, MA, LMFT: Charlie received her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She particularly enjoys working with families around issues such as anxiety and depression, identity development, self-awareness and personal growth, and social skills. 

Caleb Visser MA, LMHC, MACP: Caleb received his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. His focus is with adolescents and teens, is heavily influenced by the work of Dr. Daniel Siegel and feels that the teenage years present a special window of opportunity for learning greater insight and empathy, as well as skills for self regulation. Full bios and more info.

Grades 9-11 Registration Ends Tuesday, Jan. 23

Online registration for students in grades 9-11 ends Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Students, please follow the steps and instructions in your Course Registration packets, Schoology or view on the Course Registration webpage.

Consult with your current teachers if you have questions regarding a specific subject area’s course sequence.

The counseling team is available Jan. 22-23 for 15-minute scheduled appointments via online booking or students can drop in during lunch (no appointment needed).

Full details.

1st Semester Finals: Special Bell Schedules Jan. 25-26

BHS finals may be offered over the course of the following window. Students should check with their teacher and Schoology for their final date/time. Finals may be given during the following days and time frames:

Thursday, Jan. 25 Special Bell Schedule Class Periods 1, 3, 5

Friday, Jan. 26 Special Bell Schedule Class Periods 2, 4, 6

Monday, Jan. 29 Regular Bell Schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 30 Regular Bell Schedule

Wednesday, Jan. 31 Regular Bell Schedule

Learn more.

WSPTA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

2024 Legislative Session: Week 2

Last week was a busy week in Olympia, including WSPTA’s Focus on Advocacy campaign. Here's a summary of last week’s legislative activity by WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan, and don’t forget to track bills with her latest Bill Status Report.

Also, some bills of interest:

• SB 6216 would establish a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health.
• HB 2309 would establish the Washington 13 Free Guarantee to pay for one year of community/technical college for all Washington public high school graduates within 1 year of graduation.
• HB 2374 would establish the Washington Promise Program to pay for 2 years of community/technical college for Washington public high school graduates from families with incomes 150% below the median family income.
• HB 2018 would task state agencies with creating a model policy for restricting mobile phone use in schools and would require school districts to adopt their own policies and procedures by the 2027-28 school year.

Interested in learning more? The WSPTA has organized Action Alerts to keep you posted on the legislative session. More info.

Winter Ball Feb. 10 SAM

Dance Tickets on Sale

Mark your calendars for the ASB "Aurora Borealis" Winter Ball semi-formal event from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Seattle Art Museum.

More info, dance forms.

Donate Items through Jan. 24

Winter Ball Dress & Suit Exchange

Students: Do you have extra dresses, suits, and other clothing from past dances and events? Donate and exchange clothing at the Winter Ball Clothing Exchange. Donations will be accepted through Jan. 24 in S217.

Exchange Dates:

• Wed. Jan. 24 from 2:30 – 4 p.m.
• Wed. Jan. 31 from 2:30 – 4 p.m.

More info.

BHS CLUBS UPDATE

DECA Qualifies 36 Members for State

Congratulations to Ballard DECA club members on a successful Area 2 Career Leadership Conference. BHS had 36 members qualify for the State Competition Feb. 29 through March 2 at Bellevue's Meydenbauer Center.

Originally known as Distributive Education Clubs of America, DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Best wishes to the students and marketing teacher Mary Jereczek as they continue on to state! Follow Ballard's organization on Instagram @deca.ballard.

New Economics Club

Learn about and talk about ways to better the economy at this new club that meets Tuesdays during lunch in Mx. Fox's room, SW207. Full details on club page, below.

Yearbook Sales Window Ends Tuesday, Jan. 23

Beavers: Did you forget to purchase a yearbook in the fall? There are only a few more days to get your Shingle yearbook for $65, as the winter sales window runs through Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Payment Options:

• Cash, Check (Ballard High School), Debit, Credit Card
• Pay online via parents Source/SchoolPay
• Yearbooks are also sold in the Activity Center at lunch and after school.

The final sales window of the school year is in April (but not during Spring Break), and the cost will go up to $70.

Full details, including how to check if you've already purchased a yearbook are on the Yearbook Sales page.

Learn more about the Shingle Yearbook and the Ballard Talisman newspaper, both student driven! Teacher advisor: Michael Smith.

Golden Beaver Scholarships

Applications Now Open

Seniors: Apply today for the Ballard High School Foundation Golden Beaver Scholarships!

Hughbanks Family Scholarships: Hughbanks Family Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing further academic or trade education in Washington state and will prioritize students with situational or financial need. Awards are $5,000 for two years.

Golden Beaver Scholarships: Golden Beavers Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing further academic or trade education (unlike the Hughbanks Scholarships, not limited to schools in Washington). Awards are for one year and can range from $500 to $5,000.

The Scholarship Committee is looking to award students who have an array of interests, backgrounds, academic achievements, and post-high school educational goals, so make sure to apply to be considered! Application deadline is March 24. Full details.

More Scholarship Offerings

The Ballard High School Golden Beaver Scholarship Committee is also offering the following scholarships:

The Ballard Nineteen Scholarship is to remember the nineteen men from Ballard High School who died serving in Vietnam. A $1000 award to any graduating senior at Ballard High School for college or accredited trade school who meet the criteria listed on the application.

The Daniel Chavez Scholarship is in honor of fallen Marine Daniel Chavez who graduated from Ballard High School in 2003. Seniors who are a relative of Daniel Chavez or have a parent, grandparent, or sibling in the armed forces should apply. The scholarship is a one-time $1,000 award.

Application deadline is March 24. Full details.

Order Cap & Gown Soon to Have for Graduation

Did You Miss the Cap & Gown Deadline? Seniors Act Quickly!

There is still time to place your order, but you need to act quickly to get them on time for graduation! Learn More. Remember cap and gowns are available to borrow (no stole scarf or tassel) from the Counseling Center.

College Application Help Jan. 31

Come get help with your college admission applications! Drop-in help is available in the BHS Counseling Center from 2:30 -3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. Bring your laptop and/or your questions! Learn More.

Follow Class of 2024 updates!

Senior Timeline

Class of 2024 Facebook group

NEW! Helpful Financial Aid & Scholarship Info from SPS too!

Evergreen Teen Book Awards

Here are the nominees for the Evergreen Teen Book Awards, honoring the school year's best young adult books!

• Love in English, by Marie E. Andreu
• Firekeeper’s Daughter, by Angeline Boulley
• Skin of the Sea, by Natasha Bowen
• Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall, by Heather Demetrios
• You’d Be Home Now, by Kathleen Glasgow
• Perfect On Paper, by Sophie Gonzales
• Before We Disappear, by Shaun David Hutchinson
• The Initial Insult, by Mindy McGinnis
• The Girls I've Been, by Tess Sharpe
• Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao 

BOOK TALK

The Girls I've Been

By Tess Sharpe

Want a deeper dive into one of the Evergreen Teen Book award nominated titles?

Here's Ms. Chambers' Book Talk for "The Girls I've Been" by Tess Sharpe:

The story begins with Nora O’Malley being held at gunpoint in the middle of a bank heist, along with Wes (her ex-boyfriend) and Iris (her secret new girlfriend). Nora’s been playing “normal” and trying to heal from traumatic childhood experiences while hiding from her mother’s abusive ex-boyfriend. But ex-con Nora has always gotten herself out of tricky situations and the gunmen have no idea who she really is- also known as Rebecca, Samantha, Haley, Katie and Ashley- the girls she’s been. Each identity taught her something new: creativity, deceit, fear, sacrifice, and cunning. Nora didn’t choose a life of deception, but she will need all her past skills to get the two people she loves out of this dangerous situation. 

Stop by the library to check out these great titles, suggested by area young adult librarians!

BHS Library Webpage

Library Catalog

Service Learning Hours Available in Library

Students! Come earn service learning hours in the library! Students have earned Community Service Learning hours for:

• shelving books, processing books
• fixing shelves and cleaning the library
• doing computer maintenance
• reading to 1st grade students for Reading Buddies (8:10 a.m. Fridays)
• organizing our Makerspace
• creating online tutorials,
• making scrolling PowerPoint
• Makerspace craft, projects for lunchtime, make book displays, weed books
• create book collections for the online catalog.

Reach out to Ms. Chambers at tschambers@seattleschools.org for specific details. Visit the BHS Service Learning page for forms. Photo c/o and follow @BeaverReadersBHS

Seattle Promise Scholarship Deadline Feb. 16

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

If you have questions or would like support with applying, reach out to Seattle Promise Outreach Specialist Trinity Covington who is in the Counseling Center on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

You can also email Trinity at trinity.covington@seattlecolleges.edu or text 206-661-1290.

Learn more about and how to apply for Seattle Promise.

Student Essay Competitions

In addition to its scholarship program, Washington State PTA offers an Essay Contest for students to share their creativity. This statewide essay contest explores the important and varied influencers in the lives and education of children – from the student's perspective.

WSPTA Scholarship & Contest Application Deadline is Feb. 15.

Ninth Circuit Essay and Video Contest | Students are invited to submit an essay and/or video reflecting on the legacy of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Deadline March 8. Full details

Stim Bullitt Civic Courage Scholarship – The Seattle Public Library Foundation | This competition is designed to engage students by writing an essay about an individual or group of individuals in Washington who have demonstrated civic courage on an issue of importance to the community at great personal, political, or professional risk. Deadline March 15.

Scholarship: InspirASIAN

From the Counseling Center's Scholarship Bulletin:

InspirASIAN, a non-profit employee group led by AT&T employees, is seeking qualified applicants to apply to its scholarship awards. Seniors in good academic standing (minimum unweighted cumulative GPA 3.40), of any ethnic or cultural background, who plan to attend an accredited college or university (2-year and 4-year) are eligible. More info and application.. Deadline: Jan. 31.

Scholarship: Mead & Hunt

The Mead & Hunt scholarship for current or incoming college students is now open and accepting applications through March 1. They are offering scholarships for seniors that identify as ethnic minorities, and a general college scholarship that is open to all. More info and application..

Night at the Movies

65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner | Saturday, Feb. 3

The 65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner: Night at the Movies is coming up 5:30-8:30 Saturday, Feb. 3 in the Commons.

All Ballard Performing Arts groups will provide us with live entertainment throughout the evening, including a sneak peek at the Spring Musical The Addams Family. Please join us for a magical night of food, community, and performances at our biggest event of the year. Thank you so much for your support of performing arts programs at Ballard High.

5th Annual Running of the Beavers March 23

Get ready to lace up your sneakers and join the 5th Annual Running of the Beavers 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Ballard High School Foundation at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at Golden Gardens. Enjoy stunning views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains on this fast, flat course.

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. start. More info.

Golf Classic Registration

Sign up for ABC Trivia Night! Jan. 31 Ballard Elks

Register today for the Athletic Booster Club Trivia Night Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the Ballard Elks Club (6411 Seaview Ave. N.W.).

Join BHS parents, staff, coaches and students for a fun evening testing team trivia skills! Register your team of six players by Jan. 30($20/person):

Email BallardBeaverTrivia@gmail.com if you want to be placed with other players to make up a team. Your registration fee is a tax-deductible donation to the Athletic Booster Club. Doors open at 6 p.m.; trivia starts at 7 p.m. Full details.

Duffle Sale Ends Jan. 31

The Athletic Booster Club's popular custom-order BHS duffle bags (standard and purse size) are on sale through Jan. 31. Bags include shoulder straps, and can be personalized for an additional fee. This is the last opportunity to order for this school year.

The Beaver Gear Team let you know when to pick up your order in the school office, with delivery estimated in 8-10 weeks following the order deadline.

Questions? Email the Beaver Gear Team at bhsabcgear@gmail.com

Full details.

Wrestling Competes at Lads and Lasses

Brawlin' Beavers competed at Lads and Lasses Jan. 13 at Fife High School, with plenty of medals to go around:

• Girls: Elsa 5th, Michelle 3rd and Sydney 4th
• Boys: Rowan 6th, Owen 2nd, Ben 5th, Simon 2nd, Tommy 3rd, Harrison 3rd, Miles 2nd and Hayden 5th

In late Saturday results, the Boys team also brought home the bronze with a 3rd place team finish at Lynden High School Invitational. Several wrestlers reached the podium in their weight class:

• Owen 3rd, Simon 2nd, Harrison 6th, Miles 1st, Hayden 4th and Lazlo 1st

Photo c/o of ballard_boys_wrestling and ballard_girls_wrestling,

Gymnasts Take on New Challenges in Friday Win

Gymnastics crushed it Friday, winning at their meet at Metropolitan! Sienna competed for the first time (on two events!), Elena placed on floor for the first time, Dylan & Linden did new vaults and Vivi & Ella competed for all-around for the first time this season!

Vault: Linden 2nd, Dylan 3rd, Naomi 4th, Caitlyn 5th

Bars: Naomi 2nd, Brooke 3rd, Caitlyn 4th, Justene 5th

Beam: Naomi 1st, Brooke 3rd, Justene 5th

Floor: Naomi 1st, Linden 3rd, Caitlyn 4th, Justene 5th

All Around: Naomi 2nd, Brooke 3rd, Caitlyn 4th, Linden 5th

Photo c/o and follow @ballardgymnastics.

Beavers Basketball 2-0 in Double Header

At Wednesday's Varsity double header, Boys Basketball defeated Chief Sealth 54-44, while Girls Basketball topped Cleveland 70-25.

Thanks to the Pep Band for performing, and fans for donating items to the food drive.

Basketball fans are also invited to Dine Out in Support of Ballard Hoops 4-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22 at Duke's Seafood (Greenlake location, proceeds split between both girls and boys teams).

Women & Girls in Sports Night Friday, Jan. 26

Girls Basketball is hosting Women and Girls in Sport Night at its games against Chief Sealth on

Friday, Jan. 26. Girls Varsity tip is at 7:30 p.m.

Female BHS athletes will be recognized throughout game and halftime will feature younger players from the Ballard Basketball youth program.

Swim & Dive Honors Seniors

Boys Swim & Dive celebrated its Senior Night Friday at the Ballard Pool facing off against Bishop Blanchet. The team also honored its 10 senior swimmers in its final meet of the regular season. Looking for details soon on post season swim competition for the Beavers!

Photo c/o and follow @bhsboys.swim

Bowling Team Rolls Out Win & Salute to Seniors

The Bowling team celebrated its seniors at its last regular season game of the year Friday against West Seattle at West Seattle Bowl.

Congrats on their win Wednesday against Rainier Beach.

Photo c/o and follow @ballardgirlsbowling.

Beavers Set Sights on Bulldogs & Riders Jan. 27

Flag Football takes on Garfield at 11 a.m. and Roosevelt at noon on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Memorial Stadium.

Follow the team @bhs_girlsflagfootball.

BUF Mixed Varsity Has 2 More Games Upcoming

BUF Mixed Varsity has two more games in its regular season, 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 against the University Prep Pumas at home and Westside Ultimate 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 at Delridge Playfield. Schedule.

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.

Boys Lacrosse Registration Open

Registration is OPEN for Boys Lacrosse! Practice begins 2/26 with games through May + 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 & for scholarship info. Spread the word, recruit your friends, join the fun this season! Sign up here.

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, Feb. 6 at Fish Ladder Lounge, 4910 Leary Way N.W.

We’d love to see you! Please reach with 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

January 25 6:30pm (Hugo House in Capitol Hill, $25) Cedar Sigo with Diana Delgado | Hugo House “Join us in welcoming Cedar Sigo, poet and member of the Suquamish Tribe, for a reading from his collection of work followed by a conversation with Hugo House Executive Director Diana Delgado and a Q&A session with the audience. Books, provided by our friends at Elliott Bay Book Company, will be available for purchase and signing after the event.”

January 29 5:30-7 p.m. - School to Prison Pipeline Open Discussion

  

“Join guest speakers Principal Sharonda Williams, Interagency School; LaMaria Pope and Johnny Walker Jr., Program Managers at Choose 180; Molly Mitchell, Director of Student Support Programs at Seattle Central College; and Dana Brown, Private Attorney in Seattle specializing in juvenile defense. Moderated by SPS Kingmaker Trevon, UW Student and Kingmaker Alumni.” hosted by Seattle Council PTSA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee together with RARE. Meeting Registration - Zoom

In the News

In Seattle, the Black Legacy Homeowners Network wants to help fulfill MLK Jr.’s ‘dream’ | The Seattle Times

Creative Cafe Provides Job Opportunities for Youth and Intergenerational Space for Black Artists | South Seattle Emerald

Seattle Art Museum presents first solo show by a Cambodian American artist | The Seattle Times

OPINION | Multicultural Village Offers Real Help for People With Disabilities |  

South Seattle Emerald