9th Grade Family Orientation!

Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Ballard High School Auditorium

Program

• Welcome and Introductory Comments: Abby Hunt, Principal
• LINK Crew and 9th Grade Orientation: David Fort, Assistant Principal
• From a Student’s Perspective: Student Leaders
• Helpful Hints from PTSA: Kim Flin, PTSA President
• Information from School Counselors: Sonja Petersen, School Counselor
  • Overview of Packet – Helpful Hints
• Introduction of Support Staff: Admin Team and Support Staff
• Welcome from BHS Librarian: TuesD Chambers

Please join us in the Foyer after the program. Staff will be available to answer any remaining questions you might have.

Thank you for coming this evening and welcome to Ballard High School!

We appreciate your suggestions on improving our program handout. Please email Sonja Petersen at slpetersen@seattleschools.org to share your feedback.  Thank you!

When is New Student Orientation? New student orientation will occur on the first day of school on first Wed, in Sept. (not an early release). Students should arrive in the Commons to pick up their schedules before joining a welcome assembly and touring their classes with 11th and 12th grade LINK leaders. The first day schedule is available on the Source.

What should my student bring on the first day of school? On the first day, students should bring several pencils and pens, paper on which they can take notes, and a folder or other notebook with pocket dividers in which to collect class handouts. The student should also bring lunch or money for lunch on the first day. Throughout the day, teachers will instruct students if any materials are required for the class and may have a syllabus. For instance, some teachers may require a Composition Book to tape assignments into. Once your student receives this information from each teacher on the first day, they can gather the school supplies that they need and create an organizational system for homework. Help your student set up an organizational system so that they know exactly where to place completed work to be turned in, assignments to be completed each night, and how to put long-term projects onto their calendar or planner.

Do we need to buy a calculator? All students in Algebra 2, Precalculus, Statistics and higher math must have access to a graphing calculator, specifically the TI-84 or TI-84+. If you plan to purchase one calculator for your high school student, we recommend the purchase of a TI-84. Algebra 1 and Geometry students need at least a scientific calculator; we use the TI-30 in class. If students are unable to purchase a calculator, there will be some available for checkout from their math teacher. Math teachers will give more information through their classrooms.

When will school pictures be taken? First week of September during the school day via the students’ classes. An info sheet with picture ordering details will be handed to each student as they have their picture taken. If your student is unable to attend picture days, there will be a make-up opportunity.

When can I meet my student’s teachers? Please plan to attend Ballard High School’s Curriculum Night in October. This is an open house during which you will follow your student’s schedule, meet each teacher, and learn about each class.

How much does school lunch cost? SPS has launched MySchoolBucks, an online platform that will allow families to pay for school meals. Student Meals can be paid for with a credit card online at MySchoolBucks and requires the Student’s ID number to create an account. The Student ID number can be found on The Source.  To avoid a transaction fee families can pay cash or write a check to Culinary Services include your student’s name and ID and give to the Kitchen Manager in the Ballard HS Lunchroom. Learn more on the SPS Culinary Services.

How do we sign up for free/reduced lunch? Paperwork for free/reduced lunch will be included in Start of School forms and is also available in the main office. Please return hard copy applications to the Ballard HS lunchroom. You can also access this application online at SPS Culinary Services. Students who were on free/reduced lunch last year in a Seattle public school must fill out a new form each year, but prior eligibility will be carried over for the first month of school. There are additional benefits available to students who qualify for F/R lunch, such as help with some school fees, so if you do qualify, it is good to submit the form even if the student does not plan to eat school breakfast or lunch.

Does my student have to buy an Activity Card and how much is it? Students who wish to participate in a sport or music must buy an Activity Card. Otherwise, paying this fee is not required, but it is encouraged as this allows students to receive some discounts. The Activity Card fee can be paid online via the Source, or in the main office before school, at lunchtime, or after school. Payment of this fee is indicated by a sticker placed on the student’s ID card. Student ID cards will arrive a few weeks after picture day. Until student ID cards arrive, there is a digital record of the Activity Card fee being paid, so your student will not miss out on any discounts in the meantime. Learn more about Activity Cards.

Can we get help with other school fees? Yes, if your student qualifies for free/reduced lunch they can also get help with ASB fees, class fees, etc. Please have your student see their school counselor for assistance with course fees, SAT etc.

Can students leave campus at lunchtime? Students in grades 9 – 12 may leave campus for lunch, but they need to be back in time for their next class.

What is the best way for me to stay up-to-date with information about school events? Visit the Ballard High School website regularly which posts news, upcoming events, and the ASB Announcements Bulletin. Also, sign up for the PTSA newsletter. This is a great way to stay up to date on important information about deadlines and opportunities. To sign up for the newsletter, visit the PTSA page.

How does Ballard HS communicate with students & families? Refer to the Communication to Families page for all the ways Ballard High School communicates with students and families to keep everyone connected and informed.

What are the general rules of the school? All students will review the BHS Student Online Handbook in the first week of school which outlines school policies and procedures. This handbook is posted on the school website.

Is there a dress code? Detailed information will be listed in the Student Handbook. In general, if there is a concern about decency or messages on t-shirts, the assistant principals will speak with the student about this concern and might ask them to change clothes or send them home.

Are cell phones or electronic devices allowed? Students are not to use their cell phone during class time without teacher permission.

Does each student get a locker and when do they get one? Do they need to share? Whom does my student contact if they do not get a locker? Lockers are distributed the morning of the first day of school when students pick up their official schedule. Each 9th grader should be able to have a locker and not need to share. However, this sometimes takes a few weeks to settle out at the beginning of the year because we are adjusting our rolls to reflect students who have moved over the summer or who do not require a locker. If your student has not been assigned a locker by the second week of school, your student should check with our custodian in the Commons regularly to see if a locker has become available.

Can students drive to school? Yes, but students cannot park in the staff parking lot by the tennis courts, in front of the school in the Visitor parking spots, or in designated Ballard Pool parking spots. Students must park on the street.

If I have a question about transportation to school, such as bus passes, whom should I contact? Call the Seattle School District transportation office at 206-252-0900. If you have a question more specific to Ballard High School, please call your student’s assigned assistant principal.

When and where is the first PTSA meeting? The first general PTSA meeting is in September and will be held in the BHS Library or the Performing Arts Center (PAC). Please be sure to sign up for communication from the PTSA for announcements and further information.

If I want to get involved with PTSA right away or if I want to volunteer for school projects, whom should I contact? Contact the PTSA volunteer coordinator volunteer.ballardhs@gmail.com for volunteer opportunities.

Is there a fee to join PTSA? People interested in joining can do so online on the PTSA page. There will also be a membership form sent home in the PTSA packet the first week of school. Scholarships are available.

Where can I find out about upcoming PTSA activities? We encourage you to sign up for the PTSA newsletter, which lists important announcements regarding PTSA, school activities, and the Daily Bulletin. You can sign up and find more information on the PTSA webpages.

We Have Open Key BHS PTSA Roles Open Each Year Ballard HS relies heavily on parent volunteers to help provide the best possible experience and opportunities for all students…even more so now! Find out more about your BHS PTSA and how you can help just by becoming a member and how the PTSA supports your student, staff, teachers and families too!

Read issues and sign up for the PTSA Weekly Newsletter to stay informed, and refer to our What Does the PTSA Do page as well.

How many credits are needed to graduate? 24 credits are required for graduation for every student at Ballard High School.

How much credit does each class earn? A student earns .5 credit for one semester in each class, so a student who takes 6 classes each semester can earn 3 credits per semester, to total 6 credits per year. Therefore, if students take a full schedule of six classes every year and pass all classes all four years, they would graduate with 24 credits.

What is a quarter and a semester? A quarter is nine weeks. A semester is two quarters or an 18-week grading period. Semester grades are the final grades that are posted on the transcript. Quarter grades are not posted on the transcript.

If my student does not pass one of his/her classes, will summer school or credit retrieval be needed? Yes. Because students need to earn 24 credits, every credit is needed in order to graduate in 4 years. Have your student see their school counselor to discuss credit retrieval options.

When do students learn about credits? Counselors meet with all ninth graders to teach students about graduation requirements and start their High School and Beyond Plan. We go over this information again when students select classes for the following year. Students may request a credit update at any time from their counselor.

What is the grading scale? A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, E.

Does an E count in the GPA? Yes. An E counts as zero points in the GPA average.

Do Honors and AP classes count for extra points? Honors and AP classes receive points for the purpose of class rank only, but this does not affect the GPA.

What is considered a passing grade? A grade that is a 60% or higher (D) is considered a passing grade.

What are Seattle Public Schools’ grading requirements?

• SPS educators will provide biweekly check-ins with students and families for students at risk of earning an Incomplete, No Credit, or a failing grade.
• SPS educators will allow retakes and assignment revisions to the extent possible. Please see your student’s course syllabus for further details.
• SPS educators will not give any grades lower than 50% on any assignment or assessment even for a missed assignment.

Where can I find information about course offerings and special academic programs? Please see our Course Catalog. The Online Course Catalog is on our website under the Academics tab.

Which state tests will my student take and when? Students take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in English Language Arts and in Math the spring of their 10th grade year. Students will take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) in the spring of their junior year. Additional and updated information can be found on the OSPI website.

What other standardized tests might my student take at Ballard? Students may have (follow district announcements) an opportunity to take the PSAT/NMQT in fall of their junior year. SPS may offer an SAT exam for seniors in the fall during the school day. If your student takes an AP class, AP testing occurs in May (must preregister & prepay in fall). An overview of Ballard’s Testing Schedule will be available in early October, and can be found on the following BHS Assessment Overview.

What are “The Source/PowerSchool” and “Schoology Pages” and how do I access them? The Source/PowerSchool is a progress report system on which teachers can choose to post grades and assignments for their students and parents to see. Students and parents can use the Source from home to monitor the student’s attendance and completion of assignments. In addition, teachers have Schoology Pages for their classes which often hold updated class assignment information, materials, and messages to students and parents. The best way for students to access and/or create a login for the Source and Teacher Schoology Pages is through the Ballard High School website and select “Student Portal” at the top of the page.

How often should I check the Source? Most teachers update the Source approximately every two weeks. You are welcome to check as often as you feel necessary, but you may see the most accurate data if you check the Source every two weeks. If you wish to monitor attendance closely, you can check the Source more frequently.

How can I help if my student is struggling in a class? The goal is to help your student learn problem-solving skills, to give them the confidence that they can solve their problems on their own in the future. Talk with your student. Brainstorm with them what they could do to improve their performance, such as making good use of homework time at home, keeping a daily planner for assignments, and finding a quiet place for homework. Help your student set up an organizational system so that they know exactly where to place completed work to be turned in, assignments to be completed each night, and how to put long-term projects into their calendar or planner. Encourage your student to speak to the teacher to ask for assistance in figuring out why they are not doing well. The student should also seek tutoring either from the teacher or from another source. If the student tries these things and is still struggling, the parent may choose to e-mail the teacher to gain insight into what might be helpful. The student can also speak with their school counselor and the parent may choose to call the counselor for assistance.

How do I contact a teacher? E-mail generally works best. E-mails can be accessed directly on The Source (select the teacher’s e-mail) or on the Ballard website Staff list. If you do not have internet access, call the Main Office at 206-252-1000 and ask to be connected to the teacher’s voice mail.

How quickly should I expect a response from an e-mail or a voice mail to school staff? You can typically expect a response within three school days. Teachers are teaching most of their working day and so may not be able to return your e-mail until the following day or two. If you do not hear from a school staff member within this time, e-mail or phone again, and please feel free to contact the principal or assistant principal for assistance.

What tutoring resources are available? Please look for announcements on the school website and library pages.

What is Service Learning and how many hours are required for graduation? Service Learning is volunteer work done by students in their own time for a non-profit agency or organization, preferably in an area of interest to the student. 60 hours of Service Learning are required by the time of graduation.

Do hours completed the summer before 9th grade count? Students may fulfill up to 15 hours of their service learning graduation requirement during the summer between 8th and 9th grade as long as it meets the criteria set by the school.

How can my student find meaningful Service Learning opportunities? Ballard HS maintains a Service Learning bulletin that contains a monthly list of Service Learning opportunities. This bulletin can be found on the BHS website Resources Tab.

If my student is ill, what do I do to excuse the absence? Send an e-mail or a note bearing your signature, phone number, reason for absence, and dates of absence with your student the first day they return to school. The student must turn in this note to the Attendance Office within three days if the absence is to be excused.

If my student will be ill for many days, how can I access homework? The best way to access homework if your student is ill is to check the Schoology Pages and the Source, and/or e-mail the teachers directly. Also, encourage your student to contact a fellow student for homework assignments.

How does attendance impact student learning? Students are less likely to pass a class if they miss too many instructional days or if their absences are unexcused and therefore they cannot turn in make-up work for credit. Per state law, students who are excessively truant, meaning 20 consecutive days of unexcused absence, are dropped from Ballard High School.

What does my student have to do in order to play a sport? Fill out sports paperwork via FinalForms, online at and submit by the deadlines stated in the paperwork, including proof of insurance and physical. The ASB Activity Card and sport fees have to be paid at the time the paperwork is handed in. Paperwork will not be accepted without the fee payment. A current physical is required. Physicals are good for two years but physical information from middle schools does not follow a student to high school. Students either need an updated physical or a copy of a physical done within the last two years to hand in with their paperwork. The physical must have the date of the physical and say they are cleared to participate in sports. Students must also be academically eligible to participate in sports, including passing at least 5 full credit classes with at least a C average. Students should check with their coaches early and often to make sure they are meeting these eligibility requirements. Detailed information on all of these requirements is included in the Sports Paperwork Packet. More athletic information can be found on the Athletics pages.

If our family qualifies as low-income, can we get assistance for this fee? Yes. If your family qualifies for free/reduced lunch, the fees are reduced. See your sports paperwork for details.

Are there free sports physicals available? Yes. The Ballard Teen Health Center in the Commons offers free sports physicals (and immunizations as well). Please call 206-781-6400 to schedule an appointment.

Whom should I contact with questions about sports paperwork or to get the contact number of a coach? Please contact the Athletic Secretary at 206-252-1147.

What is the Ballard Teen Health Center? The Ballard Teen Health Center is located in the Commons and is a collaboration between Ballard High School, Public Health-Seattle/King County, and Swedish Medical Center. Staff includes a nurse practitioner, a mental-health counselor, and a patient-care coordinator. Students may be seen by appointment. Services are free. The THC is committed to helping adolescents achieve wellness and success in all aspects of life. Information is available in the Teen Health Center and online under the Resources Tab.

If I am concerned that my student may be depressed or need emotional counseling, whom should I contact? Contact your family doctor for a possible referral. You can also contact the Teen Health Center or your student’s school counselor.

If my student has a health-related problem such as a chronic illness, injury, or severe allergy which might affect my student at school, whom should I contact? Please contact Beth Guynes, school nurse: eaguynes@seattleschools.org

If I have a general concern but do not know whom to call, whom should I contact? Please call your student’s school counselor. School counselors can help determine which person would best be able to help you.

If I am concerned that my student may be using drugs or alcohol, whom should I contact? Please contact your family doctor for referrals so as to maximize insurance possibilities. You may also call the school nurse or the Teen Health Center for a referral list of local agencies that provide drug testing, counseling, and out-patient or in-patient referrals. There is also a chemical dependency counselor at Ballard once a week.

If I am concerned that my student is being harassed or bullied, including cyber-bullying or social media, whom should I contact? Harassment and bullying are serious issues and are not to be tolerated. Please contact the student’s assistant principal immediately to make a report. Reports can also be made online by completing a form with the office of civil rights