Class of 2024 Graduation Info Announced | |
Senior Families! Seattle Public Schools recently announced full details for the Class of 2024 graduation!
The ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Friday, June 14 at Memorial Stadium!
This means graduates attending the PTSA's SPREE all-night grad party will have the opportunity to return home, grab a bite to eat and change clothing before meeting SPREE buses at the Ballard High School parking lot to be taken to their all-night graduation party.
Full details. See more Senior News and reminders below! Photo by Bruce Johnson, Rowland Studios.
| SPREE Senior Party Tickets on Sale thru Dec. 31 | |
Senior SPREE Tickets Are on Sale NOW! Senior SPREE is an all-night grad party and a BHS tradition, sponsored by the BHS PTSA!
As described above, following the June 14 graduation ceremony, students will get a short window to change before hopping onto chartered buses back at Ballard High School.
Throughout the night, grads will travel to two exciting, secret event venues and be treated to a variety of activities, food, friends and fun before being dropped off back at BHS for parent/guardian pickup around 5 a.m.
Tickets are now on sale through Dec. 31. Prices are $200 per ticket.
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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. More info.
For behind the scenes SPREE fun follow @BHSspree on Instagram.
NOTE: Completed SPREE Permission Forms must be dropped off in the Main Office (emails not accepted). More Class of 2024 News below in this week's newsletter.
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Final Week to Help BHS Families in Need!
Bucky's Home for the Holidays Gift Card Drive
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Consider brightening the holiday season for BHS families with donation of gift cards!
Bucky’s Home for the Holidays is a partnership between the Ballard High School PTSA, Ballard High School Foundation, Ballard Teen Health Center and Ballard High School staff.
The intent of this partnership is to provide donated gift cards to BHS families in need of financial assistance to help with food and household essentials during Winter Break. Thanks to families who have already contributed!
Please purchase and donate a variety of gift cards to Fred Meyer, Target, Starbucks, Town & Country, Safeway or other local businesses.
Be sure to note the amount on the gift card.
Donations are accepted through Friday, Dec. 8! Donors can:
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Drop off gift cards in the Main Office with Cal Hartmann or Bethany Nielsen; or,
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Donate monetary gifts through the Ballard High School Foundation (Tax ID #91-1811275), which will be converted into gift cards.
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Gift cards will be distributed equitably in festive Bucky gift bags. Recipient information will remain anonymous to the community except for a few program leads.
If your family could use some assistance this holiday season, contact program chair Victoria Watson at bhs.ptsa.face@gmail.com or Ross Humphries at rdhumphries@seattleschools.org.
Full details.
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Deadline extended to Dec. 10
Reflections Student Arts Program
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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:
Our new submission deadline is 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Fill out the entry form below and submit with entry virtually to Reflections Chair Anna Harper at bhs.ptsa.reflectionscmte@gmail.com.
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Support the BHS PTSA Academics Fund | |
We are overwhelmed and thankful for your generosity!
To date, we have raised more than $46,000 to fund the academic grants to Ballard High teachers and staff.
Please help us reach our goal of $75,000 so the PTSA can fund the humble requests from BHS teachers and staff. Make sure to ask if your employer has a matching gift policy. What an easy way to magnify your gift.
Many thanks!
Kristin Anderson,
Direct Appeal Chair - Ballard High School PTSA
All donations are tax-deductible. (Ballard High School PTSA Tax ID #91-1303069). More info.
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Preparing for Winter Weather | |
If snow or ice in the Seattle area affects road conditions, our schools may have schedule changes.
Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association have created a plan to use technology and remote learning instruction so students can continue to learn from home during inclement weather/snow days: two-hour late start with in-person learning or school buildings closed with students at home engaged in remote learning.
Learn more about how SPS sends weather-related alerts on the BHS website.
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Mental Health Resources for BHS Students | Ballard HS students have access to mental health services through several different sources at Ballard High School: BHS Counselors, Social Worker Mackenzie Fee, School Nurse Beth Guynes, and the Ballard Teen Health Center team. | If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org | | |
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Update from the Athletic Booster Club (ABC) Beaver Gear team! BHS duffle bags are in transit to Ballard HS.
The bags had been previously back ordered and were just recently at the printers and then shipped to school. The ABC Team will be emailing families and distributing them from the Ballard HS office as soon as they arrive.
When your order has been fulfilled, a member of the Beaver Gear Team will contact you to arrange pick up in the Ballard HS office.
More info. Questions? Email bhsabcgear@gmail.com.
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Save the Date: BHS Fundraising Gala March 24 | |
Hey Ballard High School Parents and Guardians!
Are you ready for some fun? Our annual PTSA Fundraising Gala is back again! This year, join the madness in March at Block 41, a cool venue in the heart of Belltown.
Save the date and stay tuned for more details as we get closer to March 24th, from 5 to 9:30 p.m., for a night of bidding and socializing to support our school.
More info.
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Staff Appreciation Shared With Office Professionals | |
The PTSA Staff Appreciation Team distributed festive coffee mugs and cards Nov. 15 to staff members in celebration of Education Support Professionals Day:
Gifts went to:
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Administrative Secretary Cal Hartmann and Assistant/Athletic Secretary Bethany Nielcen in the Main Office;
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Attendance Secretary Alice March;
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Counseling Secretary Carol Bristol;
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Registrar Erin Hayes;
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Fiscal Specialist Jana Pitman;
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Library Assistant Britta Bowman.
The mugs were accompanied by handwritten cards that included a package of Extra gum: "The difference between ordinary and EXTRAordinary is just a little 'EXTRA' Thanks for all you do. - Ballard PTSA."
"Cal helped us pass around in person and everyone seemed both surprised and delighted," said Appreciation Co-Chair Lisa Willis.
Thanks to both our Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs, Lisa Wilis and Lisa Vanderford-Anderson, for their creative efforts to honor our staff!
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Make New Connections Through a BHS Club | |
Clubs are also a great way to sustain and create new connections at Ballard HS. Find a Club that matches your interests and get involved or start one too! We have over 70+ clubs to choose from!
Full details on all BHS clubs and organizations!
This week, we're highlighting the Multicultural Union!
| Join the Multicultural Union (MCU) for a good time, snacks, and event planning! Get service hours too. MCU meets Tuesdays at lunch in Ms. Dowdy's (S103). Graphic c/o and follow @ballardmulticulturalunion | | |
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News and December fun from Ballard ASB via @ballardhighasb:
Students, mark your calendars and get ready for the ASB "Week on Film" Spirit Week Dec. 11-15.
Dress up themes and more information on the BHS Website.
Friday, Dec. 15 will have a Special Bell Schedule, with a one-hour early release (2:40 p.m.).
| Winter Grams: From Dec. 4-14 the ASB will be selling Winter Grams ($2 each) outside the library during lunch. Beaver students can buy their friends a special treat that will be delivered the Friday before break! | | |
BHS Graduate Wins Photo Contest for Talisman Image | |
BHS grad Tom Fathi won First Place in the National Scholastic Press Association’s (NSPA) Photo of the Year 2023 contest. Tom’s photo for the BHS Talisman student newspaper featured the student walkout following the Ingraham High School shooting last Fall.
"This was the second year in a row that the yearbook photo editor won a national photography award," said Talisman and Shingle Yearbook Advisor Michael Smith.
NSPA’s Individual Awards are among the top prizes in scholastic media (often considered the Pulitzer Prize of high school publications), and the awards are a showcase of journalistic excellence.
Winners were announced during the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Media Convention, on Nov. 4, in Boston. More info.
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From the School Bulletin:
Beavers, regardless of who won the big game, come show support for your Apple Cup favorite and your resident DECA Beavers by donating to our pet food campaign. Throughout the school, you’ll find boxes for either cat food or dog food where you can donate to show support for either the Huskies or the Cougs.
At the campaign’s conclusion, DECA will announce which of the two big teams received the most donations and we’ll finally know who Ballard's favorite team really is!
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Explore Careers Dec. 4, 11
Professionals Visiting BHS to Talk About Their Jobs Dec. 4, 11
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Also from the School Bulletin:
Google Representatives will be at BHS on Monday, Dec. 4, for a Q&A session for those interested in a career in technology.
In addition, a Seattle Central College Dental Hygiene Instructor will be at BHS for a Q&A session on Monday, Dec. 11. Both sessions will be held in Portables during 3, 4, and 5 periods. Any BHS student is invited to attend.
Send an email to CTE Teacher Brent Martin for attendance: brmartin@seattleschools.org
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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.).
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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.
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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). Also, remember to donate any gowns you'll no longer be needing to the Counseling Center!
Full details on the Senior Resources page.
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Dec. 8 Due Date!
Senior Grad Ads
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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.
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December: FASFA & WASFA open soon. Continue to turn in your Service Learning Hours. Continue to do College Visits. SPREE tickets on sale. Get information about Seattle Promise in the Counseling Center as well.
Wednesday, Dec. 6: Counselors Drop In College Admissions Application Support after school until 3:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 8: Grad Ads due (if interested).
Friday, Dec. 15: National Achiever Cap & Gown Orders Due.
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.
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Library Affiliated Clubs Offer Week of Fun |
- Library Leaders meet on Mondays. They've been crafting book turkeys, winter-themed bookmarks, and sharing thanks on the library's Gratitude Tree.
- That Dam Book Club meets every other Tuesday. Students meet up in the Makerspace and can read whatever they want and talk about it.
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Comic Book Club meets on Wednesdays in Mr. Lee’s classroom. They're starting Nightwing: Leaping Into Night by Tom Taylor, illustrated by Bruno Redondo.
- 3D Printing Club and Architecture Club meets on Wednesdays in the Library.
- Garment Club meet on Thursdays in Ms. Carlson’s room using Library Makerspace sewing machines.
- Reading Buddies meet at 8:10 a.m. Fridays to read books online to first grade students at Magnolia Elementary.
- Pride Book Club meets every other Friday.
Full details on the BHS website. Photo c/o and follow @beaverreadersbhs.
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Meet Library Assistant Britta Bowman |  | |
From the Nov. 8 Talisman article, "New Library Assistant":
If you have been visiting the library lately you may have noticed a new face checking out books and helping out students: Britta Bowman, the new library assistant. She helps out in the library, assisting students in finding books, checking out books, assisting students in any other ways they may need, as well as serving the community.
“I have always liked books,” Assistant Librarian Bowman said. “When I was little, everybody in my family were big readers, so I would find if we were together as a family, that nobody would talk to me because they were all reading, so I (knew I) better start reading a book.”
Bowman also loves helping people and the library gives her a space to do this.
“My favorite part about my job is probably interacting with the students and helping them find a book that they’re looking for,” Bowman said. “It’s nice to be surrounded by books of all kinds, especially genres that I’m not familiar with ...."
Read Talisman Staff Reporter Phoenix Edson's full story. Photo by Talisman photographer Tansy Velush
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Drop-in Help With Schedule Planning at Lunch | |
Current 9, 10, and 11 graders: Beat the rush! We will be selecting courses for next year in January.
If you’d like to get a jump start on how you’ll meet graduation requirements and set yourself up for your post-high school plans, please stop by the Counseling Center during lunch.
The school counselors have drop-in times every day and can work with you so when the time comes to select classes in January you’ll have a plan.
Even more resources on the Counseling Center Dashboard
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College Application Drop-In Help Session Dec. 6 | |
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.):
- December 6, January 3 and 31
Bring your laptop and/or your questions! More info.
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Spotlight Scholarship
WSAC American Indian Endowed Scholarship
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From the Counseling Center's Scholarship Bulletins:
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will accept applications for the 2024-25 American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) through March 1.
Full details and application.
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Spotlight Scholarship
Women's University Club
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Also from the Scholarship Bulletins:
Women’s University Club of Seattle Foundation (WUCF) invites senior girls to apply for one of five $10,000 scholarships ($2,500 per year for four years to be used for tuition and fees) to be awarded in the spring.
More Info, Application
Letter to Applicants
Applications close on Feb. 14.
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College Visits
Sign up on Naviance
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Upcoming College Rep visits at the Counseling Center include:
- Tuesday, Dec. 5: Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), 1:45 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 7: Pacific Northwest College of Art, 1:45 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 8: University of Bristol, 8:50 a.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 8: Bellevue College, 1:45 p.m.
Sign up details and more info.
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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.
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Service Learning
Offers Lessons Beyond the Classroom
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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.
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Service Learning Spotlight
Phinney Neighborhood Association
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The Phinney Neighborhood Association is in need of volunteers for those interested in baking!
Volunteer Bakers
Get service hours by baking at home and delivering to the right location! Learn more and sign up.
Questions? Email LeAnne Chow at leannec@phinneycenter.org
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Pep Band Brings Spirited Fun to Basketball Games | |
Mark your calendars for these upcoming Pep Band basketball game appearances:
Dec. 6 - Girls Varsity vs. Ingraham at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 - two games! Girls Varsity vs. Nathan Hale at 5 p.m., Boys Varsity vs. Lincoln at 8 p.m.
Jan. 9 - Boys Varsity vs. Lakeside at 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 - Girls Varsity vs. Cleveland at 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 26 - Girls Varsity vs. Chief Sealth at 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 - Boys Varsity vs. Ingraham at 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 - Girls Varsity vs. Lincoln at 7:30 p.m.
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Special Winter Concerts Share Magic of Season | |
Winter Concerts are coming up in the Performing Arts Center. Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Orchestra | Tuesday, Dec. 12
Band | Wednesday, Dec. 13
Choir | Thursday, Dec. 14
Note: Concert Choir and Advanced Chorale are combining with Chamber Orchestra and select Wind Ensemble members and percussionists to present Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms for the Winter Choir and Orchestra concerts!
Concerts are open to the public and free to attend; however, if you’d like to reserve seats for $25/seat, the money directly supports our BPA programs.
Visit ShowTix4U to reserve them today! More info.
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Cheer Competes in Jungle Jam, Black Team Wins! | |
Congratulations to Ballard Cheer who participated in Jungle Jam Saturday, Dec. 2 at Auburn Mountainview High School. Team Black won and qualified for State; Team Red came in second place.
Next weekend, all three teams (Black, Red, White) are competing at Spirit of Northshore at Bothell High School.
Photo of the Black Team with their trophy and update c/o Team Parent Kimberley Mertz. Follow the program @ballardcheer.
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Winter Athletics Upcoming Contests at the Dam! | |
Attention Beaver Brigade and all Ballard athletics supporters! Here's some upcoming Winter Sports action at the Ballard High School Gym!
➠ Ballard Gymnastics is hosting its first meet at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 against Chief Sealth, Ingraham and Nathan Hale! Photo of the team's senior leaders c/o @ballardgymnastics
➠ Boys Basketball is hosting Cleveland on Tuesday, Dec. 5. JVC tipoff is at 4 p.m., JV starts at 5:45 p.m., and the Varsity game is at 7:30 p.m.
➠ Girls Basketball is hosting Ingraham on Wednesday, Dec. 6. JV tips off against the Rams at 5:45 p.m., while Varsity tip is at 7:30 p.m. The Pep Band will be performing at the Varsity game.
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More Winter Athletics on the Calendar | Full Winter schedules, online ticket purchase info, and team updates are on the Athletics webpage. | |
➠ Boys Swim and Dive hosts its first home meet against Lakeside at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at the Ballard Pool.
➠ Girls Bowling takes on Roosevelt on Monday, Dec. 4 and Lincoln Friday, Dec. 8. Both matches are at 3 p.m. at West Seattle Bowl.
➠ Boys Wrestling will compete in the 20th Annual Larry Brown Invitational at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Fife High School. Other teams competing are: Fife, Auburn Riverside, Camas, Interlake, Kent Meridian, Mercer Island, North Mason, O'Dea, Port Angeles, Prairie, Renton, Stadium and Washington
➠ Girls Wrestling will compete in the Santa Slam at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Juanita High School. Other teams competing are: Juanita, Arlington, Auburn Mountainview, Bellevue, Blaine, Cascade (Everett), Cedarcrest, Chief Sealth, Curtis, Everett, Ingraham, Jackson, Kamiak, Kennedy Catholic, Kentlake, Lake Washington, Mariner, Mount Baker, North Creek, Oak Harbor, Redmond, Sammamish, Skyline, Stanwood, Sumner, Sunnyside and Woodinville
Go Beavers! Send game and meet recaps to ballardhighnews@gmail.com.
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Admissions Fair and Open House January 27 | |
To help families prepare to enroll new students, learn more about option schools, and talk with staff about Seattle Public Schools (SPS) programs and services, SPS is hosting an informational event on Saturday, Jan. 27!
The SPS Admissions Fair is Jan. 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the John Stanford Center, 2445 3rd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98134.
More info
Check out the prospective students page and explore the BHS website to learn more about Ballard High School.
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Money Talks with Dr. Buttleman Dec. 7 | |
SCPTSA is hosting a community engagement session from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, "Money Talks with Dr. Kurt Buttleman," where they'll delve into the financial state and decision-making processes of our school district. Register for Zoom meeting here.
SCPTSA is collecting questions in advance to give to SPS Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Buttleman, ample time to provide thoughtful responses. Share your questions via linked survey through 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6.
The Zoom event will also be recorded and posted on the SCPTSA YouTube page.
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December Teen Programs
Loyal Heights Community Center
| 15th Ave W/NW & Ballard Bridge Paving & Safety Project | The design for the 15th Ave W/NW and Ballard Bridge Paving and Safety Project is complete, and we’re scheduled to start construction preparation by the end of the year. The final design was informed by community input and our Vision Zero goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets. See the final design and more details on the project website. | |
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Meet the Robinsons!
Ballard Historical Society Free Lecture Dec. 6
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The Ballard Historical Society will be hosting a free lecture featuring the Robinson Family (publishers of the Ballard News-Tribune) at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the Ballard Branch of Seattle Public Library (5614 22nd Ave. N.W.)
Ballard Historical Society welcomes the longtime publishers, the Robinson family to discuss their rich history. Established in 1891, the paper combined Ballard Tribune and Ballard News.
Hear and see 130 years of the print history, stories, photos, and people of the Ballard community. Facebook Event Link.
Lecture funded by King County 4Culture.
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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 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 Resources purely for informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.
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