April 19, 2024

Dear Ballard Families,

Next week, April 22-26, we will be celebrating Multicultural Week at Ballard HS. With this, I want to extend a warm invitation to the Multicultural Festival Potluck, which will take place on Friday, April 26, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. I truly hope you can make it to this event.

To support this event, the Multicultural Student Union is asking for volunteers to sign up to bring a dish, perform a piece from your culture, host a game, and talk about your culture. Further, the MSU is inviting all to attend and help celebrate!

Additional information containing two links—one to RSVP and one to sign up to volunteer to help lift this event can be found on the MSU student’s Featured News post.

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

Dear Ballard Families, 

I hope you enjoy a wonderful spring break with your student(s).

Safe and Welcoming Environment: As we return on Monday, April 15, I am excited to share that our school community will be engaging in daily activities focused on supporting a safe and welcoming environment at Ballard HS. With this, we will have daily lessons on student rights and responsibilities as well as how to be an upstander as opposed to a bystander should one observe harm being caused to another. I am incredibly proud and appreciative of the student and staff leadership that has helped put this work together and I am hopeful that together we can continue to work toward making Ballard a place where every student has a sense of belonging and feels known, seen, welcome, and heard.

Multicultural Festival Potluck April 26: I am also excited to share that the following week, April 22-26, we will be celebrating Multicultural Week at Ballard. With this, I want to extend a warm invitation to the Multicultural Festival Potluck, which will take place on Friday, April 26, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

To support this event the Multicultural Student Union is asking for volunteers to sign up to bring a dish, perform a piece from your culture, or host a game, and talk about your culture. Further, the MSU is inviting all to attend and help celebrate! 

Additional information containing two links—one to RSVP and one to sign up to volunteer to help lift this event can be found on our Multicultural Festival page.

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

March 29, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

Thank you to all of you who were able to attend the Running of the Beavers and/or the PTSA Gala!  The following information has been shared with students, but I want to flag it for you as well in case this comes up in conversation at home: Elections for 22 positions with Associated Student Body (ASB) are coming up. Learn more about the BHS ASB on our webpage. Students currently in grades 9-11 who are interested in one of these leadership opportunities are encouraged to apply! Packets are available in the main office, in English Language Arts classrooms, or in SW100. Contacts are Ms. Lehni  lllehni@seattleschools.org or Taiya Fletcher; 1tafletcher1@seattleschools.org

ASB Elected Position Packets are due: April 5

ASB Appointed Position Packets are due: April 22

I am always inspired by our student leaders. And while there are many different types of leadership opportunities at BHS, ASB is a powerful way to support the continued growth of our school culture. If your student is at all interested, please encourage them to learn more. 

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

March 22, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

It’s that time of year when the cherry blossoms are out, and it has been a wonderful week watching students enjoy their lunch break amidst the lovely outdoor spaces of our campus! 

In the building this week, our school community has implemented a new hall pass system that I want to ensure you are aware of. With a focus on students being present and engaged in their learning and in maintaining campus safety, we have instituted a hall pass system that requires students sign in and out of a classroom should they leave to use the restroom. With this, students are required to carry a school hall pass that indicates to admin and security which class the student is coming from. Additionally, students are not to leave class during the final ten minutes of the period. Please note that there are always unique circumstances that fall beyond this general practice, but these steps are intended to provide a baseline to improve student attendance in class and improve hallway and campus safety. And I am very happy to say that in our first week things have been noticeably better! I am grateful to our amazing educators who helped share the information and to students for their cooperation with this mid-year refinement. Further, I appreciate your support with these efforts. 

In looking to the weekend, I hope that you can make it out to both the Running of the Beavers tomorrow morning or to the PTSA Gala on Sunday evening. Both should be exciting events! And if you haven’t seen The Addams Family yet, it’s running again this weekend and is not one to miss.

March 15, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

The reviews are in–The Addams Family is a hit! I am so proud of the students and educators who have put in countless hours to lift this production. And thank you to all the families who have provided so much support along the way. 

With so many amazing activities taking place within the Ballard HS community, I want to call special attention the Ballard HS Foundation’s annual Running of the Beavers and the PTSA’s Gala. Not only do these fundraising events make a significant impact in helping the school, but they are also great ways to connect with other families.

Please see the following messages from the PTSA and the Ballard HS Foundation regarding these events:

PTSA Fundraising Gala: Looking forward to the Fundraising Gala next weekend! “Day of” Volunteers are still needed to help make it a smashing success. If you are able to lend a hand, head to our sign up genius. Students are welcome to join in as volunteers and are able to earn service hours. 

If you’d planned to purchase a ticket, but haven’t gotten it done yet, we have a few seats left to fill up.  Be sure to act quickly as they won’t last! Purchase your last minute ticket. 

Ballard HS Foundation Running of the Beavers 5K Run/Walk: Please join our student community at the 5th Annual Running of the Beavers, a 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, March 23 at Golden Gardens Park. We’ll enjoy performances from our band and cheer squad, a journey at your own pace along the scenic views on a flat, fast 5K course and a great morning of fellowship with Ballard families and supporters. 

Register today, and choose which Ballard High School program/activity will earn 70% of your registration fee. There’s a class competition with the winning year receiving a $500 donation, if you have a favorite, make a choice. Each registration comes with a RED “Running of the Beavers” custom performance tech shirt. We’ll have packets available for pick up in advance on Friday after school from 4-7 p.m., we’re asking participants to bring donations for the Ballard Food Bank when you come to pick up race bib, timer & shirt. 

Thanks to the Ballard High School Foundation, ASB & Athletic Booster Club for presenting and supporting Running of the Beavers, see you at Golden Gardens!   

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

March 14, 2024 8:50 a.m.

Dear Ballard Families,

This morning, some of you may have seen or heard about a highly concerning social media post that references a severe safety threat to “BHS.” Please know that this was quickly investigated by law enforcement and SPS safety and security, and that a suspect in Bremerton has been taken into custody.

Both law enforcement and SPS security state that there is no security threat to Ballard HS related to this post.  

Thank you,
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

March 8, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

As many of you know, Ballard has an amazing theater program and I am excited to share that performances for our spring musical begin next week. Please read below for additional information about this year’s musical, and I hope to see you at one of the shows! 

The Ballard High School Playmakers are pleased to present The Addams Family Musical, March 14, 15, 16, and March 22, 23 at 7:30 and March 24 at 2:00 p.m., with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The Addams Family musical is based on the quirky characters created by Charles Addams in his darkly humorous cartoons published in the New Yorker from 1937 through the 1980s. These kooky characters, with their gleeful obsession with the macabre, represent the offbeat, weird and loving sides of us all. In this story, wild child Wednesday, the now 18-year-old daughter, falls in love with a normal boy, Lucas, and invites him and his painfully prosaic family to dinner at her house. Chaos ensues, secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. The musical is campy and funny, and is ultimately an affirming story about family, acceptance and joy. The Ballard High School’s production of The Addams Family is directed by Miller Shor with musical direction by the BHS choir director, Courtney Rowley, and choreography by Megan Moore. Daniel Valdez, Ballard HS orchestra director, will conduct the pit orchestra.

Students involved in the show are selling ads for the program. We’d love to feature your business in our program and we’ll be so grateful for your support. Please email bpabtheatrerep@gmail.com for more information.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students and staff. Tickets may be ordered online at ShowTix4U.

Performances will take place at Ballard High School’s Earl Kelly Center for the Performing Arts at 1418 NW 65th St. in Seattle.

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

March 1, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

I hope that you were able to enjoy some quality time with your student(s) over the mid-winter break. As you may have heard, many of our students were busy over the week with our Cheer team winning two events at nationals and our Gymnastics team finishing 3rd in state! Congratulations to these student-athletes on these major accomplishments.

As we transition into March we have some exciting events coming up with the Spring Musical, and the Annual Running of the Beavers, and the Ballard PTSA Fundraising Gala all fast approaching.

While I am excited to see you at these amazing events, I also want to specifically invite you to join me at the PTSA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee’s upcoming meeting next Tuesday, March 5. We will be at the Fish Ladder Lounge from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and we’d love to see you! The PTSA DEI Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month. Please reach out with any questions to: DEIatBHS@gmail.com.

As always, thank you for your support, and a reminder that additional Ballard HS news and information can be found on our school website.

February 16, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

I hope that you and your students enjoy your time together during the upcoming mid-winter break. If you are looking for a great way to kick off the week, please come out to support some of our student-athletes who are competing at state. Our boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams are sending 7 wrestlers to state down in Tacoma. And Swimming continues tomorrow at the King County Aquatic Center. Or, if you happen to be down in Anaheim, then perhaps you will see our Cheer Team as they compete in Nationals. Additional information about these events and our other school programs can be found on our school website.

And as we return from break, I hope to see you at the Latino Night of Celebration on March 1 here at Ballard HS. Below is a message from the student leaders about this event:

We, the BHS Latinx Student Union, invite the Ballard community (and beyond!) to join us in celebrating our first-ever Latino Night of Celebration!

We are so excited to bring in: 

• Award-winning folklórico dance group Bailadores de Bronce
• Authentic Mexican cuisine (tacos al pastor, barbacoa, and more!), provided by Maya’s Fiesta Catering
• Latino/e/x vendors from local organizations (including the University of Washington!) to share the intricacies and richness of our Latino cultures!

This celebration will take place in the Ballard HS Performing Arts Center (PAC) on March 1. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the performance starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets required for entrance and include catered dinner and performance! 

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

February 9, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

It has been a great week as we had our first full week of the second semester. As I shared in last week’s Friday Message, in recognition of Black Lives Matter at School Week classes focused on projects and lessons that explore Black experiences, contributions, and history.

We also had our Prospective Families Night last night. Thank you to those of you who were here helping to showcase the many wonderful programs that Ballard has to offer. 

Looking ahead, I want to feature an upcoming event that the Ballard Latinx Student Union is planning for March 1. Below is a message from the student leaders about this event: 

We, the BHS Latinx Student Union, invite the Ballard community (and beyond!) to join us in celebrating our first-ever Latino Night of Celebration!

We are so excited to bring in: 

• Award-winning folklórico dance group Bailadores de Bronce
• Authentic Mexican cuisine (tacos al pastor, barbacoa, and more!), provided by Maya’s Fiesta Catering
• Latino/e/x vendors from local organizations (including the University of Washington!) to share the intricacies and richness of our Latino cultures!

This celebration will take place in the Ballard HS Performing Arts Center (PAC) on March 1. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the performance starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets required for entrance and include catered dinner and performance! 

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

February 2, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

We are two days into the second semester and off to a strong start! If you are looking for something to do this weekend, I hope you can join us Saturday at 5:30 p.m. for the 65th annual Spaghetti Dinner. This is a great way to support the Ballard Performing Arts while enjoying a wonderful evening of food, community, and performances. 

Additional information is available on the Ballard Performing Arts Dinner FAQ.

And as we enter Black History Month, I want to reflect on the fact that five years ago, SPS began a journey to make education in SPS more equitable and just. Our focus was on improving outcomes for Black/African American boys. Students and teachers have been at the forefront of this education and change, organizing a week of action to demonstrate inclusive instruction and further efforts toward positive, systemic transformation. 

This year, Ballard staff in collaboration with students have created projects and lessons that explore Black experiences, contributions, and history. Throughout next week, February 5-9, our school community will engage in these lessons as we seek to equip all students with excellent 21st century skills and achieve our goal of a just and equitable society.

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

January 26, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

As we near the change in semesters I am thinking about many of the exciting events coming up for our school community. One event that is both incredibly fun and that greatly benefits the school is the PTSA Fundraising Gala. If you haven’t purchased your ticket(s) yet, do so before this Saturday at midnight, which is when early-bird pricing ends.

Thank you to all who serve on the PTSA for the many amazing ways that you support the students and staff at Ballard and to those of you who support the Gala by donating items. This really is a wonderful community event and I look forward to seeing you there. 

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

January 19, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

I hope that you were able to stay warm during the recent cold snap. Perhaps the frigid temps prompted you to think about warmer days ahead, or maybe you are the parent or guardian of a senior and you are thinking about your student’s plans for next year. Whichever the case, and whichever grade your student is in, I want to highlight an important resource that all students and families should be aware as students consider their post-high school plans. 

On the BHS website, our counseling team maintains a robust list of scholarship opportunities that support a wide range of post-secondary options. Among the number of scholarship opportunities listed, I want to specifically call attention to the Hughbanks Family Scholarship, which is available thanks to the generous donation from the estate of Ballard High School Foundation Co-Founder C. David Hughbanks, class of ’54. The Hughbanks Family Scholarship is specifically for Ballard HS graduating students pursuing further academic or trade education in Washington State. The scholarship prioritizes students with situational and/or financial need, and awards are $5,000 for two years.

Please refer to the Ballard HS Counseling page for more information about this and other scholarship opportunities. As always, thank you for your support, and a reminder that additional Ballard HS news and information, can be found on our website.

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

January 12, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

This has been an eventful week. With it, I want to express how grateful and proud I am of the students in Ballard’s Black Student Union (BSU). As I noted last week, BSU prepared daily lessons for the school community to engage in as we spent the week celebrating and honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Then this afternoon we came together as a school community for our annual MLK Assembly, which was led by BSU. 

I hope that with the weekend you and your student(s) are able to engage in opportunities taking place throughout the city to continue to live out King’s vision of community and justice.

As always, thank you for your support, and a reminder that additional Ballard HS news and information, can be found on our website.

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

January 5, 2024

Dear Ballard Families, 

I hope that you were all able to enjoy some quality time with your student(s) over the break. This week it has been truly heartwarming to see the students again and to welcome everyone back into the building. 

As we look to next week, I want to call attention to two important events taking place at Ballard HS.

1. The first is that throughout the week our school community will be celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in preparation for MLK day (January 15).
   • Each day, we have a Special Bell Schedule to ensure that we have dedicated time during which students will be participating in activities prepared by the Ballard HS Black Student Union (BSU). These activities will take place adjacent to students’ 3rd period classes.
   • Then on Friday, we will come together as a whole school community for a special MLK Assembly.
   • I am grateful to the students in BSU for the time and effort that they have put in to preparing these activities.
2. Also taking place next week is the start of course registration for the 2024-2025 school year for current 9, 10, and 11 graders.
   • The counseling team will be visiting language arts and social studies classes to support students with this process. Information about course offerings can be found in the Ballard HS Online Course Catalog.

As always, thank you for your support, and a reminder that additional Ballard HS news and information, can be found on our website.

Happy New Year!

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal