Message from BHS Principal

Dear Ballard Performing Arts Community,

As shared with students yesterday, our performing arts program is temporarily impacted by the current absence of two key staff members who are on leave. During this time, we are doing everything we can to prioritize the support and well-being of students. Additionally, in this communication, I want to respect the privacy of these BHS staff members.

Please know that at this time, all performing arts programs will continue to operate. For example, rehearsals for the musical began yesterday, the Spaghetti Dinner will still take place in February, and at this time, there are no changes to the plans for the trip to New York.

I am incredibly grateful for the support of the Ballard Performing Arts community and together we are working to secure solutions that are necessary to lift these programs. Please understand that things are changing by the day, so at this time, I do not have any additional information to share other than the fact that all programs are continuing. I would also ask that in the interest of all involved, folks refrain from speculation. If you do have questions or wish to speak with me, please do not hesitate to reach out, though, I do not have much more information that I can share with you at this time.

I will be at the BPA Booster Club meeting next Tuesday, January 10^th, at 6:00 pm to discuss this matter in-person and I encourage you to also attend as I will have more updates at this time.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your support.

Sincerely,

Abby Hunt (she/her)

Principal

Ballard High School

Jan 10, 6 pm - BPA Booster Board & Mattress Fundraiser Meeting

Come join us in the BHS library for the first BPA meeting of 2023! 

6:00 pm - Listen in on board business to hear program updates and upcoming event planning. 

7:00 pm - Learn about the Feb. 5th Mattress Fundraiser and the Feb. 11th Spaghetti Dinner! 

What is a Mattress Fundraiser? Come learn about this bizarre (yet successful) fundraising opportunity. For every adult in the room, we automatically get $5, PLUS students will get extra credit or service hours from the directors if they get an adult family member to show up!

Save the Date! 64th Annual Spaghetti Dinner - Feb 11

The 64th Annual Spaghetti Dinner is coming up on Saturday, February 11 from 5:30-8:30 pm. The theme this year is…One Hit Wonders!

After two years of remote/virtual spaghetti dinners, we are so excited to be back with live performances and our traditional community-style dinner. The theme this year is One Hit Wonders, featuring memorable tunes performed by every Ballard Performing Arts group. 

For more information and to buy your dinner tickets, click here!

This is truly a community event. We need LOTS of volunteers (before, during, and after) to make it a successful night. Students, family members, alums… all are encouraged to help out! Sign up here!

Band

Basketball & Pep Band Games This Week

Over the winter, students will be required to participate in pep band for 5 of the 11 basketball games (some days have multiple games). Students are signing up in class for their preferred games. Students may choose to participate in additional games and can earn service learning hours for doing so. Please check with your student to see if they are signed up. It's always a good idea to get to some of the early ones so that conflicts later in the year do not interfere. 

Note: All band students are required to purchase an ASB card. If you have not yet gotten yours you can purchase online through SchoolPay or cash or check in the Fiscal office in the activity center. Cost is $35.  

Upcoming games:

Jan 6 - Call time 7 pm

Jan 13 - Call time 7 pm

Save the Date: Jan 25 is Pizza and Pep night and will be required for ALL students  

This event showcases the pep band to current 8th graders considering attending Ballard High School. 

Band Trip to Disney (April 5 to 8) Payments OVERDUE! 

All payments were due January 3, 2023. Email BPABtreasurer@gmail.com to apply funds from student accounts.

* Visit our website for more payment information: https://www.ballardperformingarts.org/post/trip-payment-information

Jazz Updates

1/22/23 Jazz 1 Ellington Recording

Our Jazz 1 students will have the opportunity to record at Avast Studio for our Ellington recording! All Jazz 1 kids are asked to be ready to spend 3 hours recording in the studio on Sunday, January 22nd. We start at 11:00 am. This should be really fun and a great experience!

1/27-1/28 Jazz Trip to Clark College

SAVE THE DATE! BHS Jazz will be performing at Clark College!

This will be an overnight trip, departing on Friday Jan 27 and coming back late on the 28th. The cost of this trip is $150.00 per person. We are looking for just 1 more dad to chaperone in order to make this trip happen. Please let Mr. G know if you are interested in chaperoning this fun trip!

Orchestra

Orchestra Trip to Disney (April 5 to 8) Payments OVERDUE! 

All payments were due January 3, 2023. Email BPABtreasurer@gmail.com to apply funds from student accounts.

* Visit our website for more payment information: https://www.ballardperformingarts.org/post/trip-payment-information 

Theatre

Stay tuned for updates in the next newsletter.

The district only pays for teachers’ salaries; everything else we have to raise or donate.

Mattress Fundraiser Meeting

Join us in the BHS library on Jan. 10 from 7-7:30 pm to learn about this unique fundraising opportunity. For every adult in the room, we automatically get $5, PLUS students will get extra credit or service hours from the directors if they get an adult family member to show up!

Buy Your Dinner Tickets! 

The 64th Annual Spaghetti Dinner is coming up on Saturday, February 11, 2023, 5:30-8:30 pm. The theme this year is… One Hit Wonders! 

Our very own Ballard Performing Arts groups will provide us with a magical night of live entertainment. You won’t want to miss it! Admission is free, but you can buy dinner tickets here!

Freshman/sophomore parents, we need you! 

A majority of our dedicated volunteers have graduating seniors and we will need lots of new volunteers next year. Come to our BPA Booster meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in the BHS library to listen in on board business from 6-7pm, see how things work, and stay from 7-7:30 to learn about the Mattress Fundraiser and Spaghetti Dinner event. For every adult in the room, we automatically get $5, PLUS students will get extra credit or service hours from the directors if they get an adult family member to show up!

Sign up to help with the Spaghetti Dinner!

Students, family members, alums… all are welcome! We have a wide variety of big and small jobs starting several days before the event and going all the way until after the event. Pick the job and the shift that works best for you! Sign up here.

Social Media Help Wanted

With all of our programs, there are a lot of opportunities to post about our performances, upcoming events, and fundraising. If you have a knack for writing and an eye for what the cool kids are doing on the socials, please reach out to Jeannette Chen at bpabsocial@gmail.com.

Wondering what performances at the Spaghetti Dinner are like?

We'll feature one here in the weeks leading up to the Feb 11 event! Check out this super fun rendition of a Brittney Spears tune from Concert Choir in 2020 (right before the Covid shutdown).

Check out past performances any time on our YouTube and Vimeo channels.