May 16, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families,

Ballard High School’s Spring athletic season has been quite a successful one, with five teams qualifying for their respective state tournaments! This achievement is a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and resilience of our student-athletes and coaches, and the support from you, our Ballard community. Girls’ fastpitch, boys’ soccer, boys’ lacrosse, boys’ baseball, and boys’ golf will be competing in the coming days, and we encourage everyone to come out to cheer them on! 

1. Fastpitch Softball won the metro title with a win last week and will compete in the district championship tonight, May 16 at the Southwest Athletic Complex at 6:00 p.m.
2. Baseball competes in the Metro championship Saturday, May 17 at Steve Cox at 4:00 p.m.  With a win, it will be the first baseball metro title since 1994. 
3. Boys’ Lacrosse plays in the state quarterfinals this Saturday, May 17 at Ballard at 5:00 p.m.
4. Boys’ Soccer made it to the state tournament, with the opening rounds beginning on Tuesday, May 20. BHS match date and time still TBD.
5. Golf competes in the state championships in Spokane May 20-21. 

Ballard Track and Field remains in the post-season hunt for a state birth, currently competing in Metros (May 15 – 17), with the meet happening at the Southwest Athletic Complex. Athletes advancing to Districts will compete for the SeaKing Championships at Renton Memorial stadium May 22 – 24. 

We are so proud of all our student-athletes and encourage everyone to come out and support our Ballard Beavers at one or more of these upcoming events.

For additional updates and all other Ballard HS news and information check out our website.

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

May 9, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families, 

Thank you so much for your love and support as we celebrated our amazing educators during Staff Appreciation Week! The PTSA took great care of us with breakfast, treats, and lunch through the week. It all provided a meaningful boost to everyone as we look to finish the year strong.

And in planning for the end of the year, I want to ensure that you are aware of a new late work policy that our BHS department chairs recently passed. All teachers were to share this information with students and have this information posted on Schoology. Please know that this late work policy does not override any standing guidance from a student’s IEP or 504.

For Grades 9-11:

• Any assignments given prior to June 2 must be submitted no later than June 2 to be eligible for credit.
• Any assignments given between June 2 and June 13 must be submitted no later than June 13 to be eligible for credit.

For Grade 12:

• Any assignments given prior to June 2 must be submitted no later than June 2 to be eligible for credit.
• Any assignments given between June 2 and June 6 must be submitted no later than June 6 to be eligible for credit.

And as we continue AP exams next week, I want to thank all parents and guardians who have volunteered and to all of you who have ensured that your student have both their laptop and charger.

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

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

May 2, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families, 

This is one of those weeks where our students give me great hope for our future. Associate Student Body (ASB) elections were held yesterday, and we had 62 students apply for the elected and appointed positions. This is very exciting as all these students are active leaders and will continue to be leaders in the school in a variety of settings. An example of the work of our student leaders is that on Monday and Tuesday of next week we will be engaging in lessons on student rights and responsibilities with a focus on ensuring that students understand their responsibility to be an impactful bystander when they see harm, such as bullying or racist acts, being caused. Together, with student voice and leadership at the center of our work, I am confident that we can continue to make growth in our school community. 

Also, as we look to next week, I want to remind those with a student testing that AP exams begin Monday, May 5, and we are scheduled to administer well over 1,000 exams during the testing window.  Students will need their SPS laptops and chargers! Details were shared with students by AP course teachers and information can be found on our website.

And for families of 12th graders, Ballard’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 13 at 8pm. The event is at Memorial Stadium and is not a ticketed event. SPS is needing to know if families will have any ADA or Accessibility requests for the event. If so, please fill out this Graduation Ceremony Accessibility Accommodations Form by May 8 to help us create plans and supports for family members in attendance.  Additional information about graduation can be found on our website.

As always, thank you for your support. I hope you will join me in recognizing all our amazing educators next week as we celebrate teacher appreciation week!

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

April 25, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families, 

It was great to have everyone back in this building this week. A reminder to those with a student testing, AP exams begin May 5, and we are scheduled to administer well over 1,000 exams during the testing window. Students will need their SPS laptops and chargers! Details will be shared throughout the week by AP course teachers and information is on our school website. 

In news of celebration, we are proud to announce that Ballard High School’s Digital Film Program has been nominated for fourteen NATAS NW Regional Student Emmy Awards! The nominations from this chapter highlight excellence in student-produced film/television from schools across Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. Details on the school website. 

Also, we have 21 students whose artwork is currently being shown at the Seattle Art Museum as part of the 2025 Naramore Art Show, which runs through June 1. Admission to show is free and does not require a ticket, so head downtown and check it out! More details on the BHS Website.

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

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

April 11, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families, 

It’s time for a well-deserved spring break! I hope that your student gets to enjoy a nice balance of fun and relaxation during this time. Looking to the weeks, ahead I want to flag several key dates for you. One is for the PTSA BASH on April 26 and the other is for ASB and LINK Crew leadership application deadlines. 

PTSA BASH, April 26  BHS PTSA will be holding their 33rd annual BASH fundraising dinner on Saturday, April 26.  The BASH is the largest contributor to the PTSA which funds more than $50,000 in Educator Grants PLUS funding Writers in the Schools, Staff Appreciation events, Bucky’s Home for the Holidays, Jenny Lee Scholarships and more. Get your tickets or donate now! for a fun evening raising money to compliment BHS academics and raising your “beakers” to upgrade the electrical systems in science classrooms/labs. There will be a short-original musical skit performed by 12 of your beloved BHS Educators, a delicious Italian buffet and much goodness for BHS. 

ASB and LINK Crew Leadership Application Deadlines 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, Piper Obenauer; 1pcobenauer@seattleschools.org AND Alexa Seeman; 1ajseeman@seattleschools.org

Elected ASB Position Packets are due: April 25

Appointed ASB Position Packets are due May 5

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. 

Also, Link Crew Applications are open. Link Crew is our High School transition program that helps new to Ballard students feel welcomed and supported as they start high school. This last year we had over 120 leaders in 11th and 12th grade help us welcome over 500 freshman and transfer students. We are looking for students who are interested in building relationships and creating connections. It is also a great way for students to earn community service hours and build connections with their peers. We are looking for at least 120 current 10th and 11th graders. Every 10th and 11th grader received an email invitation from Ms. Lehni to apply!

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

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

April 4, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families,

It has been an inspiring day here at Ballard HS. Today we came together for an assembly to celebrate our performing arts programs. We enjoyed performances from our choir, band, orchestra, drumline team, and the cast of Hadestown. It was a special opportunity for our school community to gather and experience these amazing performing arts groups. 

Additionally, we were able to celebrate the Day of (No) Silence. Dating back to the 90s, the Day of Silence has been a day in April when students would go through the school day without speaking, ending the day with breaking the silence to create awareness about the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people. 

This year, in partnership with the national day sponsored by GLSEN we made the switch to the Day of (NO) Silence to symbolize that our voices matter and show our presence within the community. With this, we gathered around the flagpole during lunch to raise the Progress Pride flag to show our school’s commitment to our LGBTQ+ community.  I think it was fair to say that today was a day of pride for Ballard HS.  

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

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her)

March 28, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families,

Spring is here! If you haven’t been on campus this week, please stop by to check out the beautiful cherry blossoms. And while you are here, you should stay for a showing of our spring musical, Hadestown, which runs this weekend and next. 

As we mark this seasonal milestone, I am especially mindful of our 12th grade students who are preparing for graduation and their post-secondary plans. I want to make sure that all families are aware of the numerous scholarships that are available to BHS students, several of which are generously sponsored by the Ballard HS Foundation. 

Our BHS Counseling team maintains a robust list of scholarship opportunities that support a wide range of post-secondary options. If you or your student have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s counselor. 

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

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her)

March 26, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families,

I am sharing the message below from King County Public Health. This original contents of this message are hyperlinked in the original email that was sent on Wed, March 26 at 3:39 p.m. with link to a “Pertussis Notification Ballard High School PDF” and an info sheet for “Whooping Cough Pertussis Info PDF“

Thank you, 
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal

March 26, 2025

Dear Ballard High School Parents and Guardians: 

There is a student who was recently diagnosed with Pertussis (whooping cough), and it is circulating in King County. Whooping cough can spread easily from person to person by coughing or sneezing. While anyone can get whooping cough, it can be especially dangerous for babies and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of whooping cough develop within 21 days of exposure and usually start like a common cold (e.g., sneezing, runny nose, etc.) followed by a cough that gets worse over one to two weeks. People with whooping cough may have coughing fits in which they can’t catch their breath between coughs. Some may loudly gasp (“whoop”) and vomit or feel like they’re choking.

Please take the following actions.

1. Watch for symptoms of whooping cough. If symptoms develop:
   • a. Avoid close contact with others – stay home from school, do not participate in after school activities, and avoid public places.
   • b. Make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Call the office or clinic BEFORE you arrive and tell them you have been exposed to pertussis. Wear a mask to prevent exposing staff and other patients.
2. If diagnosed with whooping cough:
   • a. Let the school and other people the sick person spent time with know about the diagnosis.
   • b. Stay home from school and activities until 5 days of antibiotic treatment have been completed.
   • c. Avoid close contact with babies, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems.
3. Make sure your family’s vaccinations are up-to-date.
   • a. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

Talk to your health care provider about routine vaccine recommendations for children and adults.

If you have any further questions, please contact your child’s health care provider. You can also visit the King County website.

Sincerely,
Julie Loughran, MPH
Public Health Seattle & King County

March 14, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families, 

I love seeing the change in season as daylight increases and spring activities ramp up. With all that’s going on, I want to highlight an upcoming community event that I hope you can attend as it directly supports BHS students! 

Please join our student community at the 6th Annual Running of the Beavers, a 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, March 22, 9:30 am 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. Lots of post race treats including Dukes Chowder & Scandinavian Specialties Lefse.

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 GRAY “Running of the Beavers” custom performance tech shirt. We’ll have packets available for pick up in advance on Friday, the 21st after school in the Main Lobby 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, and the Athletic Booster Club for presenting and supporting Running of the Beavers.

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

Go Ballard!
Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal 

March 7, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families,

Mark your calendars! The Ballard High School Playmakers are pleased to present their spring musical, Hadestown: Teen Edition, March 27, 28, 29 at 7:30, April 4 and 5 at 7:30 and April 6 at 2:00 p.m., with music, lyrics and book by Anais Mitchell. First performed on Broadway in 2019, Hadestown has won 8 Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score. 

Hadestown: Teen Edition is a poignant retelling of the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice, the classic tale from Greek mythology. In this tale, Orpheus fights for his love, armed only with his unwavering hope and the power of his music.  Down below in Hadestown, another mythic couple struggles with the forces of love and hate, heat and cold, life and death.

Set in a world not too different from our own, Hadestown explores the balance between survival and hope. Told with gorgeous music and powerful choreography, Hadestown is a story about holding hope and love in hard times and the beauty of art and togetherness. This story invites us to dream of how the world could be.

The Ballard High School’s production of Hadestown: Teen Edition is directed by BHS director of drama, Miller Shor, with vocal direction by the BHS choir director, Courtney Rowley, choreography by Natalya Czosnyka, and music direction by the BHS orchestra director, Daniel Valdez.

I truly hope to see you at a performance! As always, thank you for your support, and Go Ballard!

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal 

February 28, 2025

Dear Ballard HS Families, 

It has been a great week as we returned from mid-winter break. Over the break, several of our Beaver athletics programs were hard at work, and I am so proud to share highlights from our Gymnastics, Wrestling, and Cheer programs. 

First, our Gymnastics team won the 2A/3A State Championship! With this significant accomplishment, the BHS Gymnastics Team became the first Seattle Public School to ever win a State Championship in gymnastics and they are also Ballard HS’s first WIAA State Champion in multiple decades! The State Championship was the perfect finale to an undefeated season, a Metro league title, and a District Championship. For more on this amazing team, I encourage you to read this Seattle Times article (may need subscription) that was published just before they took the State Title.

In addition to the team title, Mari P. finished 1st on floor, Brook A. finished 2nd on bars, Caitlyn A. and Claire S. tied for 4th on bars, and Dylan K. finished 6th on vault! 

Also at State were our Ballard Wrestlers, with senior Miles P. bringing home the 3rd place finish. Miles has been a phenomenal wrestler for Ballard, and we are so proud of him!

Beyond the State Tournament, our defending National Champion Cheer Team traveled to California over the break and returned with their second USA Spirit National Championship! They finished 1st in varsity band chant and fight song, 3rd in crowd leader, and 4th in traditional! 

We will be holding a special assembly Thursday (March 6) to recognize and celebrate these incredible accomplishments. 

Additional information about our Winter Sports seasons as well as information about Spring Sports can be found on our Athletics webpage.

As always, thank you for your support, and Go Ballard! 

Abby Hunt (she/her)
Principal