July 2, 2023
B H S C A L E N D A R


July 15-16 | Athletic Booster Club Booth at SeafoodFest, buy Beaver Gear or sign up to volunteer!
Aug. 11 | BHS Library Summer Hours, 10-noon


Aug. 17 | BHS Foundation Celebrating All Things Ballard Salmon BBQ, 6 p.m. Pacific Fishermen Shipyard
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Thanks to a Great PTSA Board!
Thank you to all of the PTSA Board, Committee Chairs and volunteers who worked so hard this year to support our school community.

This includes Treasurer Shelley Rousseau; our Family and Community Engagement Team of Victoria Watson (Bucky's Home for the Holidays, Parent Education Meeting, and Campus Cleanup Co-Chair) and Katie Heinrich (Ballard Food Bank Weekend Food for Kids Liaison); Grants Coordinators Libet Wallblom and Nancy Wesche; DEI Committee Chair Shelley Bolser; Communications Liaison (and eagle-eye newsletter proofreader) Diane Taylor; Membership Chair/Staff Appreciation Co-Chair Lisa Vanderford Anderson; Staff Appreciation Co-Chair Michelle Peters; Fundraising Gala Co-Chair Carol Cheyne; Building Leadership Team PTSA Representative Kristi De Vadder; Reflections Chair Anna Harper; and SPREE Coordinators Shelby Reynolds and Danielle Steele.

A special shout out to those board members who are moving on from their positions:

This includes:
  • Secretary Gena Mason Frank;
  • Volunteer Coordinator (and Campus Cleanup Co-Chair) Tanya King;
  • Legislative Liaison Brian Duncan
  • Stand Alone Editor Chuck Fuller;
  • Direct Appeal Fundraising Chair Terry Richardson; and
  • Fundraising Gala Co-Chair Deb Fitzpatrick.

We will miss you and thank you so much for all your dedication!

It was a pleasure serving as Newsletter Editor and President this school year. I will still be around as Newsletter Editor next year! I hope you will consider joining the PTSA Board or taking on a committee role. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Nominating Committee Chairs Victoria Watson and Lisa Vanderford-Anderson at [email protected]. We have some important positions open and want to start the 2023-24 school year strong.
Thank YOU, BHS Community, for all your support this school year!

~ Gloria Kruzner, [email protected]
2022-23 PTSA President
'23 Class & Graduation Photos Available
The Class of 2023 photo (c/o Rowland Studio) is available for purchase as well as photos of the graduates getting their diplomas at Memorial Stadium! (Use BHS student ID to order photo online.) Thank you again to Briane and her team at Rowland Studio!

Photo purchase information is also available on the Graduation Page, as well as the following important information for graduates:

  • Learn how to pick up your diplomas in the fall.
  • Recycle your graduation gown; and
  • Read the full details on transcripts.

A big shout out and thank you to the SPREE Team, led by Shelby Reynolds and Danielle Steele, for coordinating a fun and festive post-graduation all-night party. Thank you also to the chaperones who also enabled this annual PTSA event to take place. Get ready Class of 2025 (rising junior) parents/guardians, we'll be asking you to help next year as chaperones so the Class of 2024 can have their night of fun!

Note to Class of 2023 families: If you would like to continue receiving the weekly PTSA Newsletter, please email [email protected] and we'll put you on a general interest list. The Class of 2023 will soon be moved to an alumni list, so please do not unsubscribe.
Summer Assignments for AP Classes
If students requested an AP course, please be aware that some courses require that they complete assignments over the summer before beginning class in the fall.

The following AP courses require summer assignments:

  • Grade 11APLA and Grade 12APLit.
  • AP Studio Art
  • AP Photography

Visit the Ballard HS Website > Summer Topics for complete details.
LIBRARY
S'more Summer Reading Action!
Read s'more this summer! As a sweet treat, enjoy books over the break and then share your faves with Ms. Chambers, Ms. Gaulin, and your teachers in the fall.

Need ideas of what to read over Summer Break? Explore the titles on the Summer Beaver Reader List.
The BHS Library will also be open for special hours over the summer, from 10 a.m. to noon July 18 and Aug. 11. Come explore the library whether you are a new Beaver Reader or just want to say hello! Full details.
All students, including incoming freshmen, are asked to fill out this survey to help Ms. Chambers plan for the 2023-24 school year:
COUNSELING CENTER
Counseling Center Thanks and Updates
Thank you to our hardworking Counseling Center staff for their outreach and support this school year. Thank you and best wishes to longtime Seattle Public Schools employee and Ballard HS Registrar Kim Nickerson on her retirement and for all that she has done for our school community over the years!

The Counseling Center is closed for the summer. In the meantime, the Counseling Center webpage has helpful summer offerings on its Regional InternshipsOnline Job Board and Service Learning pages. Refer to the Online School Bulletin as well for summer updates.
Summer Service Learning Options
Here are some upcoming Service Learning Opportunities.
Ballard HS Greenhouse Opportunity Students! Do you like plants? Want to take home fresh produce in the summer? Need Service Learning hours? Then volunteer in the Ballard HS Garden this summer. Take a minute to complete the online form and Ms. Carlson will send you info on when and what dates. Questions? Email [email protected].
BHS Community Volunteer Opportunity! Join the Athletic Booster Club at Ballard SeafoodFest on July 15-16! Beaver parents/guardians and/or students looking for service hours too: Share what we love about our school with the community at the Athletic Booster Club's SeafoodFest Booth. We'll be selling Beaver Gear and sharing opportunities for students AND parents to get involved this fall. Volunteer here!
BALLARD PERFORMING ARTS
BPA Camp Paperwork Due July 7
Save the Dates for Music Camps Too!
BPA dual logo
At the beginning of each year, all students in band, orchestra, and select members of choir go away for the weekend to learn songs, marching steps, bond, and have fun to set the foundation for a terrific year ahead.

Camp paperwork has been sent home! (Note: The paperwork is also available in the June 27 BPA Newsletter.) Ask your child for the packet, fill it out, and return it ASAP. You can send it to BPA Booster Club, P.O. Box 17774, Seattle, WA 98127 or drop it off to the BHS Main Office by Friday, July 7. More info on Camp Fees/Scholarships.

Upcoming Camps for 2023-2024:
  • Band Camp - Sept. 8-10
  • Orchestra Camp - Sept. 15-17
  • Choir Camp - Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Ballard Performing Arts Communications Note
BPA Graduates: If you would like to continue receiving the weekly Ballard Performing Arts Newsletter, please email [email protected] and we'll put you on a general interest list. The Class of 2023 will soon be moved to a BPA alumni list, so please do not unsubscribe.
ATHLETICS
Fall Athletics News & Notes
Athletics registration is now open for the 2023-24 school year. Register online via FinalForms. FinalForms Paperwork is due for Fall Sports by Aug. 15 and must be completed before students can participate in summer practices. Questions? Contact Bethany Nielcen at [email protected]. Note, she's on Summer Break: July 3 – Aug. 16.
Summer training details are now available for Track and Cross Country. Like other BHS Sports offering summer programs, students must have their FinalForms registration completed before they can participate in practices. Beginning July 5 there will be the following options:

  • Sprint Practice Opportunities:
  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Lower Woodland, between the tennis courts and the dirt track (just south of Green Lake) for afternoon practices at 5 p.m.

  • Distance practice opportunities:
  • Monday Through Friday: 5 p.m. at Lower Woodland, between the tennis courts and dirt track.
  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7 a.m. at Carkeek Park (Eddie McAbee entrance off 100th, behind QFC).
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. at Discovery Park, Visitor Center Parking Lot.
Questions? Email Head Coach Neal Howard at [email protected]

➤ Information regarding more team summer workouts are available on the Fall Athletics page. New players interested in Football can email Coach Ross Humphries at [email protected] to start receiving summer practice info. They will also need to sign up on FinalForms to participate.
Golf at Newcastle, Support BHS Athletics & BPA
Golfers of all ages and skill levels are invited to sign up for the 23rd Annual Victor Salvino Ballard High School Foundation Golf Classic Aug. 18 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.
BHS Athletic Teams, Cheer Squad, Dance Team, and Performing Arts groups registering golf foursomes can benefit through participation! Learn more. Questions? Email Dick Lee at [email protected].
Celebrating All Things Ballard Auction
The Ballard High School Foundation's Celebrating All Things Ballard Auction is back this summer. This Foundation fundraiser, which has historically been run as a lead up to and around the Aug. 18 Golf Classic Tournament, benefits Ballard athletic teams, Performing Arts, Cheer and Dance Teams.

On Wednesday, July 5, start viewing items for the online auction and buying tickets ($75) for the 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 Salmon Barbecue Dinner/In-Person Auction event at Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, featuring Stephen Kilbreath.

Online bidding runs Aug. 5-20. In addition to raising monies for Ballard Athletics, Performing Arts, Cheer and Dance Teams, there will be a special raise the paddle at the in-person event for Ballard Strength and Conditioning. There will also be a way to donate to the Strength and Conditioning program through the online auction event link starting July 5.

More information. Questions or want to donate an item? Email Dick Lee at [email protected].
PTSA UPDATES
We Need You on the PTSA Board!
Hey Ballard, let's start next year strong! We still have several openings on the BHS PTSA Board and are working to move to a co-chair model so incoming PTSA members can learn from and train with those who have held the position prior.

Some openings include:
  • Co-President (thanks to Karla Rava for stepping forward as Co-President!)
  • Vice-President
  • Secretary
  • Direct Appeal Fundraising Chair
  • Co-Newsletter Editor
  • Legislative Liaison Co-Chair (thanks to Stephanie King for agreeing to co-chair)

Interested in learning more? Email Victoria Watson and Lisa Vanderford-Anderson at [email protected] for more information.
Join the DEI Committee!
The PTSA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is planning events for the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Please reach out at any time if you have suggestions, questions, or would like to join us! [email protected]

ADVOCACY NOTES
Watch School Board Candidate Forum
On June 22, Seattle Student Union and partners hosted a Seattle School Board Candidate Forum. You can watch the recording here.

The Board of Directors for Seattle Public Schools is an elected body of seven citizens who serve four year terms and represent geographical regions within the City of Seattle.

These directorships will be contested in the Aug. 1 Primary:

Director District No. 1

Director District No. 3

Director District No. 6

There are two candidates for Ballard High School's Director District No. 2 who will be on the Ballot for the Nov. 7 General Election:

Director District No. 2

OFFICE NOTES
Summer Meal Support
Our School Social Worker, Mackenzie Fee, MSW, LSWAIC shared summer meal opportunities for families. Full details.

Ballard Food Bank | Grocery Store hours Monday and Thursday, 1-7 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kindness Cafe hours Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

City of Seattle Summer Food Service Program | Sites operate approximately July 5 through Aug. 25. Text the word "Food" to 304-304 to find the sight nearest you.

Hunger Intervention Program Summer Eats | Sites operate weekdays through Aug. 28. Parents or other caregivers are invited to share a meal with their child.
Grade Level Pages Provide Window Into Next School Year
Congratulations to all Beavers for completing the school year. If you'd like to look ahead, here are helpful details, great resources and all the intel on what to expect when you start school in the fall.

ORCA Cards Update
The district is no longer managing ORCA cards for students. Due to a statewide measure, youth who are under 19 years old are able to ride public transportation for free. This means that the district no longer provides cards to SPS students.

Learn more on the BHS Transportation page.
SPS UPDATES
Happy End of School Year!
As we begin summer break, we hope you can refresh from this busy and productive year. School will resume Wednesday, Sept. 6, for 1st – 12th grade students. View all the 2023-24 school year dates.
SUMMER BHS CAMPS
Camps for Younger Future Beavers
BHS Offering Summer Sports Camps
BHS Youth Volleyball Camp, open to incoming 4th-9th grade girls and boys. Fundamental skills for every volleyball position taught by current varsity players. Learn skills and strategies specific to high school level play. Camps run July 20-22, incoming 7th-9th graders 9 a.m. to noon; 4th-6th graders 1:30-4 p.m. Cost: $90 (includes t-shirt and snacks), $75 for additional siblings. Sign up.
➤ There is a Ballard Girls and Boys Basketball Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 10-12 and a Ballard Boys Basketball Camp 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25-28 in the BHS Gym for players ages 8-15.

Full details on flyer. Register here. Questions? Email BHS Boys Varsity Hoops Coach Lorenzo Durant III at: [email protected] or Girls Varsity Hoops Coach Jennifer Anderson at [email protected]
Ballard Lacrosse Camp for 1st-9th graders (separated into grade-leveled age groups) is 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 17-21. The camp is organized and run by BHS Boys Lacrosse Coaches and players.

Participants must have own equipment, an active US Lacrosse membership, and bring a lunch. Cost: $150. More info. Questions? Email Coach Ray Pryphun at [email protected].
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 Resources for purely informational purposes and does not necessarily support the activities or views presented therein.