Ballard Dimensions
November 2021
From the Superintendent's Desk
This month I am sharing a video that tells what Ballard is about in the words of our staff and students, as well as footage taken the Friday of Homecoming this year. Ballard partners with the Donovan Group to support our efforts in improving communication with our community and this is the latest video production. Donovan Group has also collaborated this year with our Athletic Boosters, the Ballard Network, and the Ballard Education Foundation. Among the many things I love about the video is hearing the words of our teachers and students in these unscripted interviews. It is a great reminder to me of all that we have to be thankful for at Ballard.
Additional projects in development with Donovan Group are a new and improved Dimensions and an app that will serve as a single platform for all district communications. We will be working with a small group of parents, community members, and students in a beta testing format to seek feedback prior to the release of the app. Stay tuned for updates.
Lastly, I encourage you to vote in the upcoming school board election Tuesday, November 2nd. Polling places are on the banner at the top of the Ballard webpage.
Have a fantastic November and I look forward to seeing you soon! GO BOMBERS!
Ballard Inclement Weather Communication Plan
Ballard Health Department
West Elementary News
Submitted by Annie Cleveland, 2nd Grade Teacher
East Elementary News
East Fall Conferences will be held on the following days:
Wednesday, November 3rd
Thursday, November 4th
East Elementary Vocal Concerts
Ballard East Vocal Concerts will be on Thursday, December 16, 2021 @ The Ballard High School Auditorium!
3rd grade @ 5:30 pm
4th grade @ 6:30 pm
5th grade @ 7:30 pm
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Mindy DeVries at mdevries@ballard.k12.ia.us
Middle School News
High School News
AP Student Exams
Students taking AP courses are encouraged to take the AP exam in May. The cost of each exam is paid by our school district. All students who intend to take an AP exam in May need to register for the test by November 5. If your student would like to register for an AP exam, they will need to complete this form by November 5, 2021.
Students who want to take an AP test but do not submit this form by the deadline, will need to pay a late-order fee of $40. Students who sign up for an exam and later decide they do not want to take the exam will be charged a cancellation fee of $40.
If you have any questions about AP testing, please email Lisa Doland at ldoland@ballard.k12.ia.us.
“Dating can be hard. Especially when your date happens to be a raging kleptomaniac, or your cousin, or a mime, or any one of the other crazy characters--possibly exaggerated from real-life experiences. “Check, Please” follows a series of blind dinner dates that couldn't get any worse -- until they do. Could there possibly be a light at the end of the tunnel?”
The Ballard Drama Department is excited to share with you, “Check, Please.” Performances will be Nov. 12 and 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.
Activities Department
Digital Ticketing and Activity Pass Information
The Ballard 2021-2022 activity season will see a few changes for the upcoming year. Admission prices for high school events will be $6.00 for K-12 students and adults. Admission prices for middle school events will be $4.00 for K-12 students and adults. These prices were adopted by the Raccoon River Conference and approved by the Board of Education.
DIGITAL TICKETING
New this year, patrons will be able to purchase tickets online for individual home events or any road Raccoon River Conference event. To purchase tickets online, please CLICK here. Cash sales are still available at the gate.
ACTIVITY PASSES
Ballard activity passes are back for the 2021-22 season. Passes provide a cost savings for those who wish to attend multiple events throughout the year. Activity passes must be purchased online and passes will be sent to you directly through email.
Student Passes - $60.00 ( CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE)
Adult Passes - $100.00 ( CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE)
RESOURCES
Community Resources
Ballard Community Wishing Tree Project
Wishing Tree Project for Ballard families at the Ballard Community Clothes/Food Pantry
Located behind Ballard Creek Retirement Center across from
Fareway, Hwy 69, Huxley
The Wishing Tree Project to buy gifts for families in the Ballard Community begins on Wednesday, November 24, 4 – 6 PM. Community members with children, newborn – seniors in high school here at Ballard are able to fill out a wish list at the pantry. All information is confidential. Parents will need to fill out a list of wants and needs and put the list on the tree. Community members wishing to fulfill wishes are encouraged to come to the pantry as well and adopt a family from the tree. The project will end on December 8, the last day to request assistance and the last day to help a family.
Only one request per family and if your family is receiving help elsewhere, please do not duplicate requests.
The first 10 families to sign up will receive a decorated tree sponsored by Harvest Assembly of God Church, Huxley.
Wishing Tree Timeline
WISHING TREE BEGINS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 , 4-6 PM BALLARD FAMILIES CAN COME IN AND FILL OUT A WISH LIST FOR THEIR CHILDREN FOR CHRISTMAS
COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN COME AT THE SAME TIME AND TAKE A LIST OFF THE TREE TO FULFILL WISHES
PROJECT CONCLUDES Wednesday, DECEMBER 8TH . (LAST DAY TO FILL OUT A WISH LIST AND LAST DAY TO TAKE A WISH LIST)
GIFTS NEED TO BE RETURNED TO PANTRY BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12TH.
FAMILIES MAY PICK UP THEIR GIFTS Wednesday, DECEMBER 15 & Saturday, December 18.
HOURS FOR THE PROJECT ARE: WEDNESDAYS 4-6, SATURDAYS 10-12 AND SUNDAYS 1-3
PANTRY WILL BE CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING ON NOV 27 & 28 AS WELL AS DECEMBER 15, & 18 TO DISTRIBUTE GIFTS AND DECEMBER 25 & 26 FOR CHRISTMAS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO DONATE, CONTACT JERIANN MCLAUGHLIN AT 515-291-3543 OR EMAIL: DEANMAC1954@GMAIL.COM OR FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: BALLARD COMMUNITY CLOTHES/FOOD PANTRY
Ballard Elementary PTO
Ballard Education Foundation
Ballard Dollars for Scholars
Ballard Fine Arts Boosters
Ballard Activities Boosters
Digital Backpack
Ballard Community School District
Email: ajungst@ballard.k12.ia.us
Website: www.ballard.k12.ia.us
Location: 509 North Main Avenue, Huxley, IA, USA
Phone: 515-597-2811
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BallardCSD
Twitter: @BallardCSD