BHS Principal Abby Hunt: Summer Letter
Summary: Lots of great news & updates for Ballard HS Families.
Ballard High School Students & Families Updates
Dear Ballard High School Families,
We hope that you and your family are enjoying your summer vacation. We are looking forward to the start of the school year and to welcoming back all students on September 4. On this first day, LINK Crew will be holding a special orientation for 9th grade and new-to-Ballard students. Please see below for the exact arrival times for your student(s) as we will have a Special Bell Schedule for our First Day (all students) on September 4, 2024.
In addition to welcoming students back to the building, I am hopeful that we will see all families at one or both of our upcoming family events. For 9th Grade Parents and Guardians, we will have an evening event on August 29 to welcome you to the Ballard community and ensure you have the information you need to support your student(s)’ experience at Ballard HS. And then for all families, we are excited to see you at our Curriculum Night on Thursday, October 10.
We are working hard this summer to ensure that our building and programs are all ready for the return of students, families, and staff and we look forward to seeing you soon! For now, please review the information below, which includes FAQs such as the Main Office Hours, Athletic Paperwork Due Dates, and other beginning of the School Year 2024-2025 information. Visit the Ballard High School website for updates.
For now, please enjoy the rest of your summer and know that I will send out another communication with further updates in August.
Thank you for being a part of the Ballard community. Go Beavers!
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal
Ballard High School
BHS Main Office Summer 2024 Hours | Key Dates | Main Office Phone (206) 252-1000
A friendly reminder that the Counselors are not available during the summer.
- June 24 – Aug 26: Main Office Open: Summer Hours 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- July 26 & Aug 9: School Library Summer Open Hours 10a.m. – 12 p.m.
- July 31 – Aug 2: Main Office Closed for Cleaning
- August 20: Athletics Registration Due: FinalForms
- Beginning Aug 27: Main Office Open: Regular Hours 8a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Last Week of August: Performing Arts Uniform Fittings
- Details to follow – Refer to the Ballard Performing Arts Newsletter over the summer.
- August 29: 9th Grade Parent/Guardian Orientation 7 p.m.
- September 2: Labor Day Closed
- Wed, September 4: All Students First Day of School (no early release) and Special Bell Schedule
- New Student Orientation (refer to Special Bell Schedule)
- September 5 & 6: School Pictures (more details to follow)
- October 10: Curriculum Night (Parents/Guardians Only) at 6:30pm
- October 11: Professional Development Day. No School for Students
- October: SAT (Grade 12), PSAT (Grade 11). Testing dates at BHS to be determined.
Grades, Not Attending, Absence First Week of School
Second Semester Grades: For students who attended Ballard High School second semester of 2024, final grades will be viewable on The Source on July 15, 2024.
Not Attending Ballard HS in the Fall? Complete these steps.
Step One: Email Erin Hayes at emhayes@seattleschools.org. Include the parent/guardian’s name, student’s full name and date of birth, your phone number, and the name of the school your student will attend instead of BHS.
Step Two: To withdraw your student from the SPS District, please visit Not Attending and complete the online form.
Planned Absence the First Week of School? Email ballardhs.attendance@seattleschools.org and our registrar Erin Hayes at emhayes@seattleschools.org if your student is not able to attend the first 8 days of school. Students who do not attend on those days and have not informed us of their late arrival will be dropped from Ballard HS as “no shows” which means the student’s courses will be dropped and you will have to re-enroll in Seattle Public Schools online or at the JSCEE district enrollment office.
9th Grade Parent/Guardian Night! 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
Parents/Guardians of incoming 9th graders: Please join us at 7 p.m. for a special Orientation Night just for you! The purpose of the evening is to share tips on how you can help your student make a successful transition from middle school to high school. Event is for Parents/Guardians only.
Welcome Incoming Freshman Families to Ballard HS!
Did you know Incoming Freshman Families need to Opt-In for the Ballard HS PTSA Newsletter? Learn about upcoming events for new students and families, check due dates for Ballard Athletic paperwork, and find out about our BHS PTSA and how you can get involved! Sign Up/Opt In For the PTSA Newsletter | Class of 2028
Ballard HS PTSA Weekly Newsletter
BHS PTSA Weekly Newsletter: The Ballard HS PTSA sends out a Weekly Newsletter via email. If you are not already receiving the BHS PTSA Newsletter or want to add additional email addresses, please visit the BHS PTSA Newsletter page.
Start of School Paperwork Packets
Start of School Paperwork Packets: Many of the SPS required forms will be available online. In addition, paper copies of Start of School forms will be in the Main Office and online on the BHS website starting the first week of school. Start of School packets also include Naviance High School & Beyond Planning information, BHS Nurse & Teen Health Center details, and informational materials about Schoology and the Source.
Fall Athletics Registration & ASB Fees Due
Fall Sports: A reminder to complete all required forms for each sport you will play on FinalForms. FinalForms Registration is due August 20 for Fall Sports, as well as any Athletic Season for the 24-25 School Year. Visit the Ballard HS Athletics webpage for detailed instructions as well as a current Coach Directory. Late paperwork may limit participation for tryouts.
Ballard HS Foundation Summer Events
Learn more about how the Ballard HS Foundation supports Ballard High School! Check out the Ballard HS Foundation Summer Events for Ballard HS Families, Friends, and BHS Alumni!
Ballard High School Foundation Victor Salvino 24th Annual Golf Classic: Golfers of all ages and skill levels are invited to sign up for the 24th Annual Victor Salvino Ballard High School Foundation Golf Classic Aug. 16, 2024 at Newcastle Golf Club benefiting Ballard HS Athletics, Cheer, Dance Team and Performing Arts! Find registration and event schedule details on the Ballard HS website.
Ballard HS Library News & Events
Students come to the BHS Library Summer Open House on July 26 & August 9 from 10 – noon. Check out the BHS Library webpage for more updates and news for BHS Students!
Outstanding Fines, Overdue Library/Textbooks: During the summer, library items/textbooks may be returned to the Main Office. Outstanding fines may be paid in the Fiscal Specialist’s Office in the Main Office starting August 13, 2024.
Service Learning Hours
Service-Learning Hours: Service Learning (SL) is giving time without pay. SL allows students to learn academic, social, and personal skills through real hands-on activities. Summer hours that students complete that meet the SL requirements can be counted toward the 60-hour graduation requirement, except for incoming freshmen who can only claim 15 SL hours in the summer. Forms are available on the Ballard HS website.
Class of 2025 Senior Yearbook Photos
Class of 2025 Senior Yearbook Photos: Senior Portraits have typically been due in October. If you do not submit a senior photo to the yearbook staff, they will use your Student ID photo instead. Rowland Studios has been in partnership with Ballard HS for many years and will take pictures of all our students for ID cards and for the yearbook. It is not required that your Senior Portrait be taken at this studio. Stay tuned for senior portrait due date and submission information.
Transportation, Free & Reduced Meal Program
Transportation | ORCA Cards: The district is no longer managing ORCA cards for students. A statewide measure now allows youth under 19 years of age to ride public transportation for free. Students will need to request a new ORCA card, but can use their student IDs when boarding buses in the meantime. Please visit SPS Transportation Information to find instructions for ordering new cards.
Free & Reduced Meal Program | More Than Breakfast and Lunch: Forms for this program are available in the Main Office or online at paypams.com/onlineapp. If your student qualifies, there may be additional benefits such as discounts or no costs for Athletic fees, ASB fee, Pre-college exams (PSAT/SAT), College Application Fees, AP Tests, Field Trips, and Running Start books. For students to receive any of the benefits listed above, you will need to complete Part 7 of the application and check all the boxes. Mail the completed form to Nutrition Services-MS 32-372, P.O. Box 34165, Seattle, 98124, or you may hand deliver to our BHS lunchroom once the school year starts.
Summer AP Assignments
Summer Assignments for AP Classes: If students requested an AP Course, please be aware that some courses include non-required enrichment opportunities available to students over the summer before beginning class in the fall. The following courses include summer activities: AP Art Studio, AP Drawing. Students taking Grade 12 APLit are encouraged to acquire a book. For both 12 APLit and 11APLA, recommended reading lists are available on the school website. Students are not assured a place in an AP class until they receive their schedule. Hard copies of reading lists and assignments are available in the Main Office if needed. Visit the BHS Website for more details.
Ballard HS Bell Schedules 2024-25
Bell Schedules: View all the Bell Schedules on Ballard HS website.
- Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri the Start Time is 8:50 a.m. and the End Time is 3:40 p.m.
- Every Wednesday (except Sept. 4) is a 75-minute Early Release with a Start Time at 8:50 a.m. and an End Time at 2:25 p.m.
As you may have heard, per OSPI and SPS requirements, we will have a new Bell Schedule for the 2024-2025 school year. With this, I want to extend my appreciation to all those who participated in the collaborative efforts with our Building Leadership Team to fine tune this schedule as much as we could to serve our school’s needs.
First Day of School | Special Bell Schedule | Wed, Sept. 4, 2024
- 9th Grade & New Students, please arrive at 8:30 a.m. to pick up your schedule.
- Orientation for Incoming Students starts at 8:50 a.m.
- All other students (grades 10-12) can view their schedules on the Source.
- All other students (grades 10-12) will arrive at 12:10 p.m. for lunch, then all students will rotate through all six periods in the afternoon.
Wed, Sept. 4 First Day of School (Not an Early Release)
9th Graders & New Students to BHS
- 8:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. 9th Graders and new to BHS students meet in the Gym.
- Incoming Students will be partnered with their LINK leaders.
- 9th Graders and new to BHS students will be given their class schedules and locker combinations.
- Ballard HS Orientation begins with 9th Graders and new to BHS students.
- Incoming Students will be partnered with their LINK leaders.
All Students Grades 9 – 12
- 12:10 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. Lunch for ALL Students
- 12:45 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. All students in Grades 9 – 12 will rotate through their 1st – 6th period classes (25 minute classes)
- Period 1: 12:45 – 1:10
- Period 2: 1:15 – 1:40
- Period 3: 1:45 – 2:10
- Period 4: 2:15 – 2:40
- Period 5: 2:45 – 3:10
- Period 6: 3:15 – 3:40
