May 16, 2012

Today’s Lunch: Hoagie Tuna Sandwich, Chef or Chicken Patty Salad, Breakfast Sandwich, Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Taco Salad, Soft Taco, Burrito or Pizza.

Hey Bruins! A quick announcement from your third period leadership class regarding the upcoming ASB elections happening in May and early June. The officer positions for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be up for grabs for any current 8th grade student who plans on attending Ballou their 9th grade year. The mandatory meeting for ALL students interested in running will be held on Friday, May 18th at 7:00 am in P-7. Any questions, please contact Mr. Schakel. Thanks!

Remember Bruins, our American Heart Association fundraiser begins May 29th. You can purchase a “red-out” t-shirt for $10.00. Everyone will wear their shirts for “red-out day” on Friday, June 1. All proceeds go to the American Heart Association.

Attention Bruins: Homework Lunch will resume on May 29th for all three lunches. Thank you

March Gladness

Hailey Swindall, your 2011-12, March Gladness Coordinator, has some important updates for our school. Our District March Gladness representatives have recognized Ballou for hosting the most school activities and our successfulness in those activities. Great job Bruins! With Pennies for Patients, we as a school raised $6787.49 (average $9.00 per student)…a new school record!

With our Goodwill clothing drive, we collected 1,419 items and with the Soles for Souls shoe drive, we collected over 1,000 pairs of shoes!

Finally, we had an amazing awareness project with my Healthy Heart Movement, and have been recognized for having the most successful "pay it forward" activity.

But we're still not done! Even though the March Gladness student council meetings have ended, Ballou still has a big finale….the Healthy Heart Movement, "Red Out" fundraiser. As a reminder, this is a fundraiser where each person buys a t-shirt for $10.00 in honor of all who have suffered or passed away from heart complications, like my dad. We will be selling t-shirts from May 29th through June 1. On Friday, June 1, we will all wear our shirts on Ballou's “Red Out Day!” This day will be full of health activities, prizes, and information from our Tacoma American Heart Association Coordinator, Karen Hake. Thank you again for the privilege of serving Ballou this year as your March Gladness Coordinator! I am very proud of all of you and your hard work this year!

The Puyallup School District has an anti-discrimination policy (Policy 3211) and a policy covering harassment, intimidation and bullying (Policy 3207). The policies were revised and adopted by our Board of Directors in August of 2003 as a means of providing the safest and most optimum learning environment for all students. Copies of these policies are available on the District website at www.puyallup.k12.wa.us or by calling the Office of Diversity Affairs at
253.840.8966. Please report all harassment, intimidation, and bullying concerns to Brian Fosnick, Ballou's Assistant Principal.

We will be pre-ordering 2011/2012 yearbooks. The price of the yearbook is $25.00. Annuals may be purchased in the main office. They are a great way to keep memories of the friends and activities your student has been involved with at Ballou. Don't miss out!

End of Course exams (EOC) in Algebra and Geometry will take place May 21, 22, 24, 2012. This test is for all students currently taking Algebra or Geometry and students taking 8th grade honors math. Please make sure your students are at school for these important state tests. Make –up dates are not available

Brian Fosnick is Ballou’s SODA (Diversity) Representative. Any issues or concerns you may have involving diversity issues, please contact Mr. Fosnick, Assistant Principal at Ballou JH. Students or parents may also put their concerns in the diversity/concerns box, located in the main office at Ballou JH.

Think you can't afford college? Think again.

Are you in the 7th or 8th grade? You may be eligible for a four-year College Bound Scholarship. Please see your counselor for more information.

May 1, 3, 8, 10, 2012 - MSP Testing - 7th and 8th Grade
May 25 - Snow Make-up Day #2 (This will now be a regular school day)
May 28 - Memorial Day - No School
June 19 - Last Day of School - School hours 7:30 am - 10:45 am

Puyallup School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination may be directed to:
Lorraine Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources ~ (253) 841-8764
Executive Director of Diversity Affairs ~ (253) 840-8966
Title IX Coordinator ~ (253) 841-8785
Section 504 Coordinator ~ (253) 841-8700