Help boost academics through Direct Appeal |
One more week for the PTSA Direct Appeal! The Direct Appeal is the one time of year the PTSA asks for donations to support academics at Ballard High School. The Ballard community has always generously supported the Direct Appeal — we are so grateful — but this time we are doing something different.
This year, with so many in our community struggling, the Ballard Foundation will be doing another round of the Ballard Cares fundraiser in a few weeks. We encourage you to support that important fundraiser if you can.
BUT, the PTSA remains committed to supporting BHS teachers as they teach our kids in this unique environment. The funds will be used to purchase items such as digital teaching tools that allow real time engagement between teachers and students, printers and ink cartridges, whiteboards, and headphones.
Corporate matching is an important part of a successful Direct Appeal, so ask your employer whether it will match your donation. All donations are tax deductible (Ballard High School PTSA Tax ID #91-1303069).
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New! BHS Instagram webpage and the Ballard Appreciation Account
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What Is The Ballard Appreciation Account? We post teachers, staff and
people from the community who we appreciate on our Instagram Account!
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How can I nominate someone I appreciate?
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Want more BHS on Instagram?
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Clubs help make connections during remote learning |
Clubs are a great way to be involved at Ballard High School. Most clubs meet weekly during the Enrichment Period 12:30-1:05 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
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Student Club Profile: Ballard Earth Service Corps |
The YMCA founded Earth Service Corps in 1989 in the Greater Seattle area. YESC is a youth-led program that empowers students to take a hands-on role in creating a healthier environment in their schools, communities and region. Earth Service Corps youth collaborate with peers, teachers and community to solve pressing environmental issues.
Do you want your BHS club featured in "Student Life"? Email your club description, art and contact info to [email protected]. Please keep your writeup to 100 words or less.
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Register online to vote by Oct. 26 for Nov. 3 election |
Seniors, or anyone turning 18 by the next election (Nov. 3) can register online up to 8 days before the election, or in person up to and including the day of the election by 8 p.m.
Students, ages 16 and 17, can pre-register to vote online! A ballot will automatically be sent in time for the next election after they turn 18.
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Grades 10-12 Yearbook Pickup |
Students in grades 10-12 who have pre-purchased a 2019-20 BHS yearbook may pick it up Nov. 24-25.
Pick up schedule:
2-3 p.m. – Last Names A-L
3-4 p.m. – Last Names M-Z
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AP Exam Registration Has Started | Closes Nov. 2
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AP Exam Registration has started. BHS Students must register and pay for their exams by Nov. 2. Students must be currently enrolled in an AP class at Ballard High School to register for the corresponding AP test.
The join codes were provided to students during the first couple weeks of school by each AP teacher, and may also be available on Schoology pages. Students may need to ask their teachers for the join codes if they don't have them. More information on the AP Exam Registration Page.
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Counseling Center offers myriad of helpful resources |
Students are assigned to counselors by last name:
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Financial Aid Night video presentation |
Here's the video from the Oct. 13 Financial Aid Night! Thanks to the BHS Counselors for organizing this informative presentation. |
'All About Financial Aid for College' | Oct. 20 online |
If you missed the BHS Counselor's Financial Aid Night, you can still register to see David Aramaki’s presentation, "All About Financial Aid for College," online at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 through the King County Library Service.
David Aramaki is a member of the Washington Financial Aid Association as well as the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling.
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Families can now order Cap & Gowns |
Time has come to begin the process of getting your Cap & Gown for Graduation! Visit and follow the steps on the National Achiever website. Order deadline is Jan. 31, but we recommend ordering before then.
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Senior photos, Grad Ads due Nov. 13 |
Senior yearbook photos are due by Friday, Nov. 13.
Digital photos should be sent to: [email protected]. You may use any photographer you choose, as long as the portrait meets requirements listed below.
Stay tuned for details on school photos for students in grades 9-11. The Main Office is currently working on a plan for this. Thank you!
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Helpful 'Applying to College' resources here |
Welcome to the Counseling Center's Applying to College resource section! Find answers to commonly asked questions about applying to college as well as upcoming events and opportunities. Check the Counseling Center Applying to College webpage regularly for new content and these popular helpful links:
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Get college application questions answered!
Senior & counselor check-in times Oct. 21 & 28
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Seniors: Drop in anytime from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 21 and 28 to ask a BHS counselor your college application questions. Links to join these meetings are posted on BHS Counselor Schoology pages.
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Learn about tuition-free college thru Seattle Promise |
Learn how Seattle Public Schools 2021 graduates can apply for the Seattle Promise scholarship. Students and families are welcome to attend an upcoming Seattle Promise scholarship workshop.
The workshops are an overview of the Seattle Promise Scholarship, which provides up to two years or 90 credits of tuition at the Seattle Colleges. All SPS graduates from the Class of 2021 are eligible for Seattle Promise. Seattle Promise representatives will help students to complete the first steps in the scholarship process. They will also describe the required program milestones, and answer any questions that you have.
Join by phone: Call 253-215-8782 Enter meeting ID: 792 536 1900
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Sign Up For Virtual College Visits | Naviance |
BHS is hosting Virtual College Visits this year via Naviance. Log onto your Naviance account to sign up. Go to “What’s New” to see the list, and click on “More Info” to sign up for the visits you are interested in attending.
New! You will need to access the link for the College Visit at the assigned time on the day of the visit. Log onto Naviance and the link will be available at the same place you registered online (under Colleges > Visits).
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Virtual College Fair | Oct. 19-23
College virtual visits for this week
Monday, Oct. 19
1:10-2 p.m. | Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville NY
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2:05-3 p.m. | Saint Martin's University, Lacey WA
6-7 p.m. | University of New Hampshire
Tuesday, Oct. 20
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1:10-2 p.m. | Seattle University
2:05-3 p.m. | Lafayette College, Easton PA
Wednesday, Oct. 21
9-9:45 a.m. | Dartmouth College
9:45-10:30 a.m. | College of Charleston
10:30-11:15 a.m. | University of British Columbia
Thursday, Oct. 22
1:10- 2 p.m. | Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA
2:05-3 p.m. | University of California, San Diego
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2-3 p.m. | Western Washington University
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Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship Award |
The Ballard Elks Lodge awards three local senior girls and three local senior boys $1,000 each to be used towards college tuition.
Be sure select “Ballard Elks” during the application process. Applicants may also advance and be considered for State
and National Elks scholarships. Deadline is Nov. 15.
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Boo-tiful Pet Parade highlights Oct. 29 book pickup
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Need a new read? Or want to ogle over a classmate's cute costumed canine? Check out the next BHS Library Curbside Pickup/Halloween Pet Parade from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 in the north parking lot. GET YOUR COSTUMES READY and put books on hold (Hallowed Eve Eve scary or not - !) at bit.ly/BHSHolds. (All who come to Curbside Pickup are reminded to wear protective masks, have dogs leashed, and use social distancing practices.
When finished your BHS Library curbside books and want to return them, there's a bin is outside the Main Office on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thank you!)
What else is going on through the BHS Library?
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Besides hosting many welcoming and diverse book clubs, Teacher-Librarian TuesD Chambers is offering 10-minute "Chattin' With Chambers" online appointments if you want to talk fave reads, get book recommendations, or learn about the myriad of book clubs/online library groups available.
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Note from the BHS Nurse: Take care of YOU |
One thing we are all experiencing to some degree is stress. Beyond our normal everyday stress, we now have to deal with COVID-19, remote school and all the ramifications thereof. So we especially need a good foundation of mouth-watering nutrition, dream-filled sleep, relaxing after-dinner walks. Make sure to plan something every day that you can look forward to – no matter how small. Have time every day for friends and family to talk and laugh with. However, don’t hesitate to reach out if stress becomes too much.
~ Laurie Tirtanadi, RN, MS, ARNP
Available weekdays via email or call (206-252-1007).
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Flu shots now offered by appointment
Ballard Teen Health Center available to help students with medical, mental health services
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The flu shot is now available by appointment at the BHS Teen Health Center for SPS students. There is no cost.
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Order your BHS Duffel Bag now thru Nov. 16 |
The Athletic Booster Club's Duffel Bag pre-order sale is now open! Ballard Beavers, now is the time to order your full-size or mini duffel bag!
The online store is open NOW through Nov. 16. Each bag is custom-made by Jensen-Lee of sturdy canvas in BHS colors and personalized for you. These bags make excellent holiday gifts; the mini duffel is the perfect purse to show your Beaver Spirit!
Bags will be shipped to the Beaver Gear Team in mid-December in time for holiday distribution. The team will notify you by email when yours has arrived. Act now as this sale only happens twice a year!
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SPS Huddle Up - Welcome Back! |
Optional open season practices |
If your student wants to join practice participation, they can still sign up via FinalForms (online athletics registration site), but they won't be able to join the sessions until they've been cleared by the BHS Athletic Department.
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Greater Tuna cast announced |
CONGRATULATIONS to the recently announced cast of Greater Tuna! (in no particular order):
Hadley Mollman, Elijah Graham, Bridget Donnelly, Maisy Clunies Ross, Matthew Wilbur, Milo Palmer, Lydia Hayes, Nathalie Stanley, Will Shepard, Lydia Van Kley, Maggie Stowell, Ella Papineau, Izzy Rampersad, Vee Ashmun, Maylie Gardner and Elsa Wirth!
The Theatre Department will stage the comedic play Greater Tuna, set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, the "third-smallest" town in the state. The play is both an affectionate comment on small-town, southern life, and attitudes and a withering satire.
This play will be rehearsed completely via Microsoft Teams. Students will work through a couple of Teams rehearsals on their character with Mr. Riley, provide a costume, and then work with the filming schedule and our tech expert, Gustavo, in October to record their part.
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This week, we continue our PTSA welcomes to new staff with an introduction to teachers Laura Lehni and Scott Gross.
New staff welcome
Meet Laura Lehni
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My name is Laura Lehni and I am teaching 11th grade ELA and Humanities.
I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in Middle School and all of my life choices led me to where I am today.
I am always looking for things to incorporate in my classroom and teaching.
In my free time I love to drink coffee, walk my dogs, read books, and listen to music. My family loves eating food together and spend a lot of time bonding over good conversation.
If I was to offer advice to students (and families) it would be this: Find those who will work with you, who love you, and will support you. Community and connection is what we all need.
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I’ve spent the last 20 years working with young people in one way or another, starting with volunteering at an after-school program my senior year of high school.
Since then, I’ve received a bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies from UC Santa Cruz, worked as a behavior therapist for children on the autism spectrum, and taught English and Language Arts at a private school in California before moving to Seattle and joining Ballard first as an Instructional Assistant and now an Economics and World History teacher.
Working with young people has always been a fulfilling career, and teaching high school is especially rewarding as students develop deeper and more engaged interactions with the world.
Outside of school, I enjoy bicycling, disc golf, and an endless stream of b-movies and cult classics at Central Cinema. When things go back to normal, that will be my first destination.
The best advice I could give to students would be this: The most interesting people in the world are the ones who were fearless enough to risk mistakes. If you try new things, ask for help, and are willing to learn from your failures, you’re going to be amazing.
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PTSA Legislative Virtual Forum |
For much of the hour-long forum, 36th District (Belltown, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Ballard/Fremont/Crown Hill/NW Seattle) State Representative candidates Sarah Reyneveld responded to educational justice-themed questions from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth from the NAACP-Youth Council of Greater Seattle. Among the group was 2020 BHS graduate Aneesa Roidad!
We thank both the candidates for joining us this busy election season, the SCPTSA for helping produce this informative evening; BHS PTSA Legislative Liaison Brian Duncan for organizing the Forum and serving as moderator; and PTSA Secretary Michelle Renn for serving as timer.
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Next meeting Nov. 5
Join us online for a PTSA Board Meeting
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PTSA Board meetings are held monthly and are open to all, although only board and committee members may actively vote.
Following Thursdays at 7 p.m.: Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, March 4, April 8 and May 6
Following Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. (when followed by the 7 p.m. Seasonal PTSA General Meetings): Feb. 11 and June 10
To receive a Teams meeting link to the Nov. 5 Board Meeting, email Vice President Gloria Kruzner at [email protected].
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Update on grading process at BHS |
According to Mr. Wynkoop's Oct. 7 update: "As of Nov. 9 (the start of second quarter), all classes will be eliminating zero grades and late work penalties. Many teachers had already implemented these practices, but we decided to make them required school wide.
"I know that this may seem like lowering standards to some, but really this is about avoiding the huge mathematical penalty of a zero grade and a belief that we want to evaluate students on the work that they complete, not WHEN they complete it. The difference between an A and a B or a C and D is 10%, so the difference between a D and a failing grade should be 10% as well.
"You will see Missing designations on the Source, but those will be calculated automatically as 50% of the assignment value."
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Main Office staffed during closure |
The Main Office is staffed 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays by Cindy Peterson and Rayna Bauer who are only available via their linked emails or phone at 206-252-1000.
School forms and library book returns may be left from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the bin outside of the school's south entry doors, off of Northwest 65th Street.
Other helpful quick links:
➢ Sign up for PTSA, BPA and BHS athletics newsletters on the Stay Connected page!
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Students, stay connected with BHS via Remind! |
Students: Don't miss anything at BHS by signing up today for Remind!
Learn how to sign up on the Ballard High School website. (Because of limits on class sizes we request only students sign up for Remind.)
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Family and Student Surveys coming |
Starting the week of Oct. 19, Seattle Public Schools will be delivering a short survey to students in grades 3-12, families, and staff to see how remote learning is going.
All survey results will be publicly available shortly after the survey window closes.
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District computer weekly upkeep |
SPS computers still should be restarted every weekend: Please restart the device, reconnect to Wi-Fi, and login. Leave it on for at least an hour to make sure new software updates have been completed.
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SPS Technology Resource Center staff are also available to help families in multiple languages with issues with their SPS laptop or iPad, accessing remote learning tools (Schoology, etc.), and general technology questions. No appointment needed!
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Apply now for free and reduced-price meals |
Families must re-apply for meal benefits each school year. Households that experience a change in income due to job loss or their circumstances are encouraged to apply. Apply online here.
All students who qualify for free or reduced price meals receive meals free of charge as well as additional benefits such as discounts or no costs for athletic fees, ASB fee, pre-college exams (PSAT/SAT/ACT), college application fees, AP tests, field Trips and Running Start books.
To receive these additional benefits, it is required that you check the boxes next to the benefit on the application.
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Student meals distribution sites |
SPS offers meal distribution for students, parents and guardians at schools and bus routes around the city.
Free meals are available from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. weekdays. On Fridays, families can also pick up a bag of food for the weekend!
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Ballard Food Bank also offers a Weekend Food for Kids service. Check out the Food Bank web page here for more details.
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Help as a BHS volunteer, even during building closure |
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Sign up for the BHS PTSA here! |
Become a member of the BHS PTSA here and help drive our mission of supporting our school through fundraising, volunteerism, grant support, holiday gifting to families in need and more!
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BHS PTSA social media links |
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The BHS PTSA offers Community Resources for informational purposes & does not necessarily support activities or views presented therein.
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Seattle Promise is offering workshops for students and families to complete the FAFSA/WASFA with step-by-step guidance online. You must register in advance at the Washington Student Achievement Council website.
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NACAC Virtual College Fairs |
Sunday, Oct. 18: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On each fair date, more than 600 colleges and universities will offer Zoom sessions and meetings. Students everywhere can log in, drop in, and ask questions. Free! Visit the NACAC website for more details.
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Black College Expo | Oct. 23
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The Virtual Seattle Black College Expo is an ONLINE Experience for students to get access to colleges, highlighting HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), and other educational programs. More info here!
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Hugh House Fall Writing Workshops |
Hugo House is a place to read words, hear words, and make your own words better.
This fall, Hugo House increased the number of youth classes being offered for students in 5th–12th grade. In recognition of the financial difficulties that many families are facing, all classes are priced on a sliding scale — pay-what-you-can.
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Join Penguin Advisory Council |
Youth ages 14-18 are invited to join the Penguin Advisory Council, to help shape the area theater's goals. Next meeting is 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8.
Register for Zoom link HERE!
FREE, no previous experience with Penguin necessary!
The November meeting will be a chance to process the election together. Plus, look ahead to changes coming to Penguin in 2021, and talk about plays, workshops, mentors, and partnerships to explore. More info on Penguin programs here.
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Virtual Protest Songs Project |
Learn to play (or sing) famous protest songs performed by Nina Simone, Charles Mingus, Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye and Janelle Monae in a groove-based style (think Beyonce's Homecoming music).
Open to instrumentalists, including ukulele, and vocalists in grades 5-12.
- You'll register for a difficulty level based on your musical experience.
- Time commitment: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks, October-December.
- Classes start the week of Oct. 19 are on Zoom with a culminating jam session on Dec 12. The jam session will be outdoors and socially-distanced.
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Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize |
The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers recognizes outstanding young poets and is open to high school sophomores and juniors throughout the world.
The winner receives a scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop. In addition, the winning poem and the poems of the two runners-up will be published in the Kenyon Review, a widely read literary magazine.
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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 (1 or 2 weeks before your event ) to the BHS Newsletter Editor email at [email protected]. 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 News for purely informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.
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