January 8, 2018

Upcoming Events and Deadlines
1/9/2018
7:00 pm
PTSA Board Meeting - IS Library
1/10/2018
7:00 pm
5th Grade Info. Night
1/11/2018
7:00 pm
5th Grade Info. Night
1/15/2018
8:15 am - 3:15 pm
No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/17/2018
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Staff Appreciation Luncheon - Organized by 7th Grade Parents
1/17/2018
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
PTSA General Meeting - IS Library
1/17/2018 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Innovation Night (Tech Jamboree) - Commons
1/18/2017
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
IS High School Parent Education Night - Library
PTSA NEWS
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
    
Persistence is Omnipotent

Hello Everyone,

We started out the year with a goal of 100% membership and we have not deviated from that goal. Some welcome their reminder and others asked not to be contacted, but we persisted. Why? Because we believe we have a wonderful community of IS parents & Teachers & staff and students. The ISPTSA did not create this community but we are the organization behind this community. We represent every grade and try to bring our community together at times to check in, educate, listen and assist. We persist because we know we are needed. We persist because we believe in our mission. Please help us reach our goal of 100% membership, we need 50 more members. As the famous quote from Calvin Coolidge inspired both my dad and I when we read it in middle school, I hope it inspires you too.
 
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge, 30th US president, 1923-1929
 
Best
Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen
ISPTSA President 2017-2018
"Community Creates Success at IS"
MEMBERSHIP
 

WE ARE SOO CLOSE! 521 Members strong- THANK YOU for stepping up and passing our goal of 515 from last week!!!
 
We want to celebrate our community on the 17 th with a party. Help us reach our goal of 100% PTSA membership. We need just 50 more members.
Did you think you were already a member or signed up at back to school? If your name is not on the list, you are not a member yet. Review the list  here.
If you signed up for a single membership, you can add a person from your family for an additional $15.00 and become a dual membership. Every member counts toward our goal.
Please Join Us!. Or if you would prefer to send in a check, download and fill out the form and drop it off at the office.
Thanks to every parent and teacher and student who is supporting this goal. Any questions, please contact Joanie Chang at   [email protected].
ISPTSA GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - LIBRARY
 
Please join the ISPTSA for our upcoming General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, January 17th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This meeting will be running in tandem with the IS Innovation Night (Tech Jamboree) so come and enjoy an informative evening. We will be electing our 2018 Nominating Committee as well as discussing important PTSA items. Please watch for further details.

TECH JAMBOREE / INNOVATION NIGHT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM - COMMONS
 
Join us Wednesday January 17th from 6:30 pm -8:00 pm in the commons for an evening event for IS students to explore, create, problem-solve, and conduct hands-on learning through technology (Coding, Hot Wheels, Sketchup, Virtual Reality, 3D Printing, Makey Makey, Poster Printing, etc). Parents must say on campus if student is attending event, however parents may attend the PTSA general meeting in the library while students participate in the event. 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
   
We are going to continue for one more week with the current question to get a few more results. We will present our results to the administration. Please take the time to fill out the survey. Comments welcome.
 
The Question of the Week for January is:
 
What kind of things gave you a sense of belonging to your school in middle or/and high school?
 

Comments:
 
  • Pep rallies on Fridays for all sports & other teams.
  • Science Fairs and fundraisers where kids work together for their school-fun events not just about academics.
  • Things like car washes-field trips and sports teams give you a feeling of community!!
     
Thanks to everyone who responded to our QW for 12/11.  

Q.:  What is your favorite thing to do over Winter break.  
A.:   7% Travel, 93% Do things together as a family.
JANUARY STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH - CALL FOR 7th GRADE PARENT VOLUNTEERS

The 7th Grade Families of the class of 2023 will be providing a delicious Luncheon to show our appreciation to our 55 wonderful staff on Wednesday, January 17, from 11:45 am until 12:15 pm
We need volunteers to sign-up to bring food and/or to help setup/cleanup. Food should be delivered to the Staff Room no later than 10:30 am . Clean-up will take place from 12:15 pm to 1:30 pm. 
We'll be serving "International Quick and Easy Bites" and we welcome all your home and store-bought favorites!   
Any questions?  Contact your grade-level reps: Michelle Surkan at [email protected], Li Wu at [email protected], or Cathy Shen at [email protected]
ISPTSA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW

We have Four volunteer opportunities available now-- Scholastic Book Fair, Campus Improvement (Curtains) Chair, Campus Improvement Day Chair, and Closet Organizer. Please see descriptions below and contact the person in charge if interested or have questions. Thank you for your consideration!
 
Scholastic Book Fair Chair
1-2 volunteers needed to organize the Scholastic book fair (early February). Will have lots of support from Michele Dang (Librarian) & Tara Jones (Research Technology Specialist). Attend in-person workshop or online webinar on running a book fair; collaborate with Michele & Tara; organize, manage, and train volunteers; make sure paperwork is completed for PTSA & Scholastic. Any questions or interest please contact Li Wu at  [email protected].

Campus Improvement Day Chair
Leader needed for our Campus Improvement Day. The event is planned for February 10th. The person will lead the effort to work with the administration to have a plan to improve our campus on that day.  Any questions or interest please contact Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen  [email protected] .

Curtains for International School - (community campus improvement project)
With the support of the PTSA, we are planning on replacing the paper curtains that are used during lockdowns. We have the collected the materials needed to start assembling the curtains.   We are looking for parent volunteers to help cut the material using the quilting board and rotary cutters.   Help is also needed for snipping,  gluing, sewing and installing the curtains.  We are also looking to borrow the following supplies for our work party  - Quilting boards, very sharp  fabric scissors, rotary cutters.  Please, contact Minal Shah at   [email protected]  or 425 633 7659, if you any questions regarding this project.  

PTSA Closet Organizer Extraordinare
1-2 volunteers needed to be in charge of the PTSA closet -- keeping it organized, replenishing supplies as needed, tracking down borrowed items... etc. Any questions or interest please contact Li Wu  [email protected].
ISPTSA NOMINATION COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!

What does the nominating committee do? Nominating Committee members seek out individuals within the IS community to fill the elected positions of the ISPTSA Executive Committee i.e. President, VP positions, Secretary, and Treasurer positions. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help build a strong PTSA and International School community and be a current ISPTSA member. We have tools to help get you started! Interested in volunteering, please contact Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen at
[email protected] for more information.  
ISPTSA TRAVEL TUMBLERS - NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

I SPTSA is selling these wonderful tumblers this year, and they are now available online. These are dual wall insulated stainless steel tumblers with our new ISPTSA logo. They carry 14 ounces of liquid, cold or hot, with a swivel lid with drink thru opening with plastic ring seal to stave off spills. The cost is $17 for PTSA members and $20 for non-members. 

If you would like to purchase a tumbler, you can pay cash, by check, or order online.  Or, you can send in cash or a check to ISPTSA 445 128th Ave SE Bellevue WA 98005 and indicate your student's name. Items can be picked up at the main office by Friday if purchased by Wednesday.  We will notify you when they are waiting to be picked up.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
CAR MAGNETS SHOW THE WORLD YOU ARE PART OF THE IS COMMUNITY

Want to Show Your Titan Pride?
 
Get a custom designed IS Magnet for only $5!
 
Purchase an 8" round magnet to go on the outside of your car and show your community spirit wherever you are. Are too many cars looking the same in the parking lot? By placing this magnet uniquely on your car, your student can locate your car in minutes and you can be on your way. Only $5.00 and stays on thru rain or shine or car washes.  

You can purchase your magnet at the school office.
Don't miss out on this great opportunity! 
Questions? Contact [email protected]
USE AMAZON SMILE TO SUPPORT ISPTSA

Do You Shop on Amazon.com?

Support IS PTSA as you shop. The AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible purchases.
Simply link your Amazon.com account, and our students benefit!
Go to smile.amazon.com, and choose Bellevue International School PTSA as the 'charitable organization' that you would like to link your account to, and Amazon will now give a percentage of all of your eligible purchases to IS PTSA.
If you have Amazon bookmarked in your browser, change your bookmark to Amazon Smile, which allows you to shop as you normally would, but links your purchases to IS PTSA. From now on, please always shop through smile.amazon.com rather than www.amazon.com, and ask your family, and friends to also.
School News
HIGH SCHOOL PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT 1/18/2018 at 6:30 PM

Hello High School Parents,
Please join Youth Eastside Services' Alex Iani, our BSD funded onsite behavioral health support specialist, for a parent presentation on addiction with focus on a growing trend: vaping. The presentation will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday, January 18, 2018 in the library.

AP EXAMS DEPOSIT ($94) DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 12
Please check your student account to confirm your AP exam registration. If you want to make any changes, please see Jill in the main office or email [email protected]. Payment is accepted online and in the office. 

Questions? Contact Jill Follett at [email protected].
FOCUS WEEK SIGN-UPS FRIDAY, JANUARY 17
Focus Week signups will be on January 17th during Community. Make sure to look over the catalog and identify your top four choices.
 
 
http://www.bsd405.org/international/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2017/11/2018-Focus-Week-Brochure_.pdf?x39100
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL NEIGHBORS 
Parents, we continue to appreciate your continued patience and courteousness towards our neighbors with whom we share our streets. Please follow all rules of the road and respect their property. If you are picking up your students off campus please have a conversation about walking safely through the neighborhood and watching for cars. If you are parking off campus and waiting for your students please do not block mailboxes, garbage cans or driveways. Thank you very much!


MATH OLYMPIAD
Does your student want to participate in Math Olympiad this year? Ms. Lorden organized a successful event last April and is looking for volunteers to lead and organize the event this year since she will be on maternity leave. Tasks include: advertise, tutoring sessions, and chaperones for the actual test. Test date is Saturday April 28th. Please contact Ms. Lorden ( [email protected]) if interested.
MATH RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS

Do you know about the resources available for your students with a focus on Math? Check-out the following links for more information:
..........................................................................................................................................................


Research & Writing Toolkit:  

KCLS Free Tutoring: 

Student News & Opportunities
TITAN TIMES STUDENT NEWS NOW AVAILABLE TO PARENTS

Hello Parents! Did you know it's Badminton and Flag Football Season for Middle School Students? Did you know that the Green Team is helping to reduce trash? Here's another way to stay connected with what's happening in the school. The Titan Times contains school news and updates and broadcasts over the PA System every day at 8:15 am. The link is updated around 3:00 pm for the next day. 
Community Events & Advocacy News
COMMUNITY EVENTS

Free Movie "Most Likely to Succeed" and Panel at Bellevue Big Picture

The award-winning Most Likely To Succeed is a thought-provoking documentary feature film that reveals the growing shortcomings of conventional educational methods in today's innovative world. The film explores compelling new approaches that aim to revolutionize education as we know it, inspiring school communities to reimagine what students and teachers are capable of doing.

Let's ignite the conversation: Join us to learn from Panelists and from the Bellevue Big Picture Middle and High Schools on how you can activate change now.

Date: January 10, 2017.

Time: Doors open at 6, movie starts at 6:30 with a panel following at 8:00 pm

Sign up today; audience limit is 230 attendees:

Student Sports & Opportunities
BELLEVUE BOYS LACROSSE CLUB - TRY LACROSSE DAY JANUARY 20TH
BBLC is hosting a  Try Lacrosse Day  for youth players K - 8th grade on January 20th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm at Bellevue Downtown Park. This is a great opportunity for boys to try the game before committing to the whole season. This event is free and requires no equipment.  Sign up here!
  
All youth families are also welcome to attend our  Youth Kick-off Meeting, 6:30pm on Thursday, January 11th @ Medina Elementary  to learn more about our youth program and the coming season.

Lacrosse is a fast-paced sport that has grown exponentially over the past decade.  Bellevue Boys Lacrosse Club serves boys in grades K-12
who reside within the Bellevue High School boundary area.  We are dedicated to developing players at every age.  Learn more here.  Youth practices start in February (March for K-2) and high school tryouts start February 26th. 
Visit our website at www.bellevuelacrosse.com to register for spring season - just click on the orange REGISTER NOW button. Registration closes January 22nd. 
KING COUNTY SPORTS RESULTS

Check King County Sports results here.
Messenger Submissions
MONDAY MESSENGER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • Please submit your information by FRIDAY at 12:00 (noon)  to  [email protected].
  • We encourage submissions that align with our mission. Click here for the PTSA mission statement.
  • Submissions are subject to a review by the IS PTSA and may be accepted, rejected or edited.
  • Please use a separate email for each article submitted.
  • Subject line should include the Section Header where you want your information and the title: Here's a list of sections:  
    • PTSA News
    • School News
    • Student News & Opportunities
    • Help Wanted
    • Sports News & Opportunities
    • Summer Camps & Opportunities
  • Plain text is preferred, although you are welcome to send along an image or icon to include.
  • Need to link to a registration form?  Send us the link to include or a pdf copy.
  • For the "Help Wanted" session, feel free to also contact the IS PTSA to ask for support.
  • Note: you will receive an automatic confirmation response when submitting.

Visit our website keep informed about what is going with ISPTSA including meetings, programs and community events and activities. We hope it will be your home for joining the ISPTSA, volunteering, signing up for the Messenger weekly newsletter and keeping current on what is happening at the school.  
In This Issue
Color Key
Content titles are colored coded for easy navigation:

GREEN New Content
RED : Changes to Content
BLACK: Repeat Content
Contact Us:
President
                 President-Elect                  Ching Guo       
                     VP - Community                            Li Wu                                    Sylvia Abrahamsson
VP - Communications
Treasurer 1
Treasurer 2
Secretary
Membership
  Advocacy
  Monday Messenger 
Website
IS Staff Liasons
PTSA
Website: www.isptsa.org
Newsletter Submissions:  [email protected]
 
School Directory and Links
ATTENDANCE                 425-456-6545
MAIN OFFICE                  425-456-6500 
COUNSELING                 425-456-6542 
REGISTRAR                    425-456-6535 

Supporting PTSA 

Donate at any time. Write your check to the International School PTSA and send it ISPTSA at 445 128th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98005


 

Or even easier - Donate via PayPal!

  

Donate 
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International School Store
Show your school spirit! Shop for sweatshirts, t-shirts, duffel bags and more! Visit the International School Fieldhouse store. Proceeds benefit the International School ASB
  
Shop for the Bellevue Schools Foundation

Enter Amazon.com through this link and Amazon will donate 8% of every purchase you make to support Bellevue students, including those at IS! Share the link and spread the word to family and friends anywhere.