January 16, 2017
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
1/16
No School: Martin Luther King Jr Day
1/18
7th Grade Staff Appreciation Lunch
1/24 7:00 PM PTSA General Membership Meeting
1/30
No School: Professional Development Day
PTSA                   
ISPTSA General Membership Meeting

January 24 th , 7:00-8:30pm in the IS Library

Please join ISPTSA leadership for our January 24th General Membership Meeting. We will be holding the election of our 2017 ISPTSA Nominating Committee members. Also, we will be having International School staff speak to the general membership. Tara Jones, IS Information Resource Specialist, will be heading up that presentation by sharing information about what tech opportunities are available for IS students and providing great information for parents. Please make sure to attend and support our fantastic PTSA this coming Tuesday January 24th at 7pm.
ISPTSA Fall Fundraiser

Dear IS Families, 

As we settle into another busy year, your International School Parent Teacher Student Association (ISPTSA) board is grateful for your participation and support. In lieu of an auction this year, we are raising $35,000 through direct giving, and a Spring campus renewal social. We encourage your family to give what you can, as we strive for 100% participation. 

The money we raise is used to support a range of International programs, including teacher grants, graduation ceremonies, 6th grade BBQ, French language intern, advocacy for IS at the regional and state level, microwave ovens, YES counselors, and our new PTSA sponsored Computer Club. If every family gave $100 per student, we can reach our goal.

Since June, your ISPTA board has been meeting to achieve four major goals: Engaging Every Family, Improving Communications, Campus Appreciation, and Connecting to Tech. With your support, I'm glad to say we are making progress on all fronts. 

Engaging Every Family and addressing critical issues important to the community is a top priority of the ISPTSA agenda. Principal Jen's address at the General Membership/Pasta Night was a big success, in which she outlined what makes IS great combined with her efforts to keep us on top.  In case you missed it, here's a link to her presentation: What makes IS Great ( http://tinyurl.com/zxhhupg ).  Last month, Principal Jen addressed the IS curriculum issues and our 'one' language curriculum.   We hope to see you at our monthly meetings as we continue to build and strengthen community.  

In addition to our outstanding website ( www.isptsa.org ) and Monday Messenger updates, this year our communication teamed launched a free online directory for all families through DirectorySpot.  We hope you are benefiting from accessing IS contact information via Directory Spot on your phone or desktop. In case you missed your email invitation to access the directory, please contact our VP of Communications, Leonardo Barros Barreto for login access: [email protected].  

The Campus Improvement Committee is developing a list of projects that we as families, parents, and students can undertake to improve campus life. Stay tuned for an announcement of our spring social for IS campus improvements. We look forward to welcoming everyone to participate in this fun, informal event. 

Finally, our "Connect to Tech" series kicked-off with Digipen, the Coder School, and will continue to foster connections for IS faculty and families.  We are also putting the finishing touches on our own PTA sponsored Computer Club, set to begin in January. Watch the Monday Messenger for details.
 
We hope you will choose to donate $10, $100, $500 or more to bolster our efforts to keep IS great this year and into the future. Payments can be made online through the "Donate" area at www.isptsa.org or sent to: 

ISPTSA/International School
445 128th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA. 98005

Please contact me or President-Elect Meribeth Nordloef Pedersen if you have any questions. Thank you for giving generously to the International School PTSA. Happy Holidays. 

Best./David Doud
ISPTSA President 2016/7
Cell 425 440 1244
[email protected]
Urgent! Volunteer Still Needed for ISPTSA Nominating Committee
 
ISPTSA is still seeking individuals for our Nominating Committee. Those volunteering to participate on the Nominating Committee will be elected at the Jan. 24th General Membership Meeting. As the election deadline is fast approaching please consider volunteering! The Nominating Committee is tasked with finding outstanding candidates for the elected positions for the 2017-18 ISPTSA Executive Committee. We have tools to help you and the Bellevue PTSA Council is offering a training session for those who are participating in PTSA nominating committees. 

For more information or to volunteer please contact ISPTSA President David Doud at [email protected]  or Amy Frei at  [email protected] .

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.  
Please take a moment to:
1) Create an ISPTSA account or update your current information. We will be using this for directory information. We will also have an online directory which will be available to ISPTSA members.
2) Join the ISPTSA, just click on the link that says Join.
3) Sign up for the Monday Messenger weekly e-newsletter, this is the best way to get the most current information on what is happening at school.
4) Volunteer - There are lots of ways to volunteer, both from home and at school. Parent involvement in creating and staffing programs such as Reflections, Staff Appreciation, Grade level representatives, awarding grants and editing the website is what makes IS unique.
5) Donate - Your donations to the PTSA allows us to invest, approximately $100,000 a year toward the school's mission of academic excellence through a broad spectrum of curriculum extension grants, programs, clubs, and community building.
School News                 
7th Grade Staff Appreciation Lunch: Wed. 1/18/17

It is our turn to show the teachers and staff just how much we appreciate them! What better way to do so than with a hot lunch during this cold month? We've chosen soup and salad as our theme.  Please click here to sign up for an item and bring it to the staff lunch room by  11am on 1/18/17 . 

Details:
  • Setup needs to be complete by 11:30.
  • Lunch will be served from 11:45 until 12:15.
  • Cleanup starts at 12:30.
  • Please bring your contributions to the staff lounge by 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 18th. You may pick up your clean serving tray after 1pm on the same day.
  • Please label your food item if it contains any of the following: meat/poultry/seafood, celery, or tree nuts.
Thanks so much for your contributions and support! The teachers and staff love these events so let's show them how much the 7th Grade appreciates them!

If you have any questions, please contact the 7th Grade class representatives Candice Soderquist, Katie Surbeck and Katie Artz.
Parent Drivers Needed for PE

Drivers  still needed for classes this week through Thurs. 1/26!
 
Every year in January, PE offers a High School PE unit that gives students a chance to participate in a sport that is not available on campus, and requires transportation of students to the sports venue. In order for this opportunity to continue, the PE department needs many, many parent drivers who would be willing to drive students. You do not have to have a student in high school, or in a particular PE class to help out. This is something that will take the whole IS community to make happen this year, and in the future. 

Please check out the signup on signup genius at the link below. 

Thank you for your support of our whole program, not just your individual student's classes. It is much appreciated.

Best regards,
High School PE Teachers: Corynn Fiechtner, Nick Lombardo, Judy Temple


Our annual Bite of IS will be held this year on Friday, February 10th.
We are seeking Food, Crafts and Entertainment Volunteers!
This event can't happen without strong community support.
We need volunteers to bring a food, craft or entertainment idea reflecting a country, region, or heritage.

Sign up for a booth by filling out this form and dropping it off at front office.
Each booth host will receive one ticket for the event.
Sign up by January 27th to receive an extra ticket!

International Foods Buffet

Friday, February 10th

6:00pm to 8:00pm

IS Gym

Ticket: (Suggested donation) $10 per person

Tickets can be purchased at front office or at the door on the day of event.

Join the International School community in our annual fundraiser.
This year, all proceeds will benefit the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
The IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives.
At work in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, the IRC leads the way "from harm to home."

For more info, contact Josephine Anderson at [email protected].
First Lego League Champion's Award

Congratulations to Nishita Khosla and Catalina Blanco, members of  First Lego League (FLL) Team 6778 Rose Dragon for earning the FLL Champion's award.  This award recognizes a team that embodies the FIRST LEGO League experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and Project. Team Rose Dragons is advancing to the FLL semi-final tournament on January 22
Titans Robotics CLUB FTC Team Wins Pasteur League Championship

Titan Robotics Club First Technical Challenge (FTC) Team 3543 won the Pasteur League Championship this Saturday. They've had an incredible season and have been undefeated in their previous competitions. They were undefeated in the qualifying rounds at the Interleague Championship and only lost a round in the semi-finals and finals but went on to win the entire competition along with our alliance partners Primetime Robotics (competition is played 2 on 2). They were also recognized as finalists for 4 awards including the PTC design award, Rockwell Collins Innovate Award, Control Award and Inspire Award which is the highest ranking award in FTC. They'll go on to compete at the FTC State Championship February 4th at the Kent Showare Center.

Our FIRST Lego League (FLL) Team "The Flaming Gabes" 12320 will also be competing this Saturday January 21 at the FLL Washington Semi-Finals at the Amazon campus. Congratulations to our teams for the progress they have made.
Breakfast Now Served!

Late out of bed?, not hungry before the bus comes?, "I'll eat at lunch" Unfortunately, all excuses for no breakfast before the start of school for your student.  Well, IS has you covered.  A pilot program is being sponsored at IS for breakfast before the bell.  Students can stop in, grab a breakfast and be on their way to class "ready to learn."
 
Breakfast will start Monday, January 9th from 7:40-8:10 AM.  For $2.75, students can buy a choice of  "Grab & Go"  breakfast entrees:  egg/meat cheese bagel breakfast sandwiches, muffins and yoghurt parfaits, coffee cake or breakfast breads, canned or fresh fruit and choice of milk or juice.  This is an a la carte program.  Your school lunch account is available to pay for this.  For free and reduced plans, the cost is free.  To see the breakfast menu, click here.
 
Here is where you as a parent come in to help this program be successful.  Encourage your student to eat a breakfast at least once aweek at school.  We need at least 50 students a day to buy breakfast for the program to continue. ISPTSA is supporting the school in this effort.  We plan on showing our support on Thursday mornings during breakfast.  If you can help hand out tickets to the students, we would love it. Time commitment 7:30-8:10 AM.  

Please contact Meribeth at  [email protected]  if you can help.
Drive Carefully - Treacherous Conditions 

With the colder weather comes black ice and slippery conditions.  Please be careful.  Slow down especially where you know water tends to pool and can become an icy patch or where children are present.
Lunchroom Volunteers Needed!

We are in search of 2-4 parents daily to help provide supervision during Lunch. Presently only one staff member is on duty, and with kids eating in every corner of the school, we're seeking to augment staff supervision and care of campus/clean-up policy with Parent Volunteers.

Please sign up here.
Lost and Found
 
Our drawer is getting filled with your goodies!  Do any of these things belong to you?  If yes, please stop by the main office to retrieve your belongings.


Sports News & Opportunities                   
High School Spring Sports
 
The first practice and try outs for spring sports typically occurs in February.  

Find all registration information on the District Athletic Page:

Bellevue Boys Lacrosse Club

Registration Open!

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.  The Bellevue Lacrosse program is dedicated to developing players at every age and preparing them for a successful high school experience -    for more information about our programs click here.  Over the past 7 years the BHS Varsity team has played in the state championship 6 times and won the state title 5 times.   Visit our alumni page to see where our athletes are playing in college. 

Visit our website at  www.bellevuelacrosse.com  to register for spring season now - just click on the orange REGISTER NOW button!   Youth practices start in February (March for K-2) and high school tryouts start February 27th. High school players must also complete the BHS Athletics Department sports packet and be cleared to participate.
Bellevue West Little League

We are excited to announce registration for Bellevue West Little League ( baseball and softball ) 2017 began November 14, 2016 .

You can register through the Bellevue West website.  Early registration runs through Jan 15th, 2017.

For questions, please email [email protected] or reach out directly to International School leads:

Fumi Atsumi - [email protected]

We look forward to having your child be part of Bellevue West in 2017!!
REGISTER NOW FOR GIRLS LACROSSE

Newport Sammamish Interlake Girls Lacrosse is now open for registrations for all of its teams. We have teams for grade school, middle school and high school girls.

Girl's Lacrosse is a fun, safe, and exciting spring sport - the fastest growing sport in Washington State. For newcomers, this is the perfect time to get involved - many of the girls joining have never played before.

Current players are encouraged to bring a friend who wants to learn more about this exciting sport. Please click here for more information.


Come join the excitement and play the fastest game on two feet. The Bellevue Wolverines Girls Lacrosse Club offers more than just opportunities to develop lacrosse skills and to compete in this fun sport, the fastest growing in the US; it also promotes teamwork, exercise and lasting friendships. Interested in becoming a well rounded athlete? Being a multi sport athlete allows you to learn how to compete from a variety of coaches, and learn different skill sets. If you have not registered yet, consider doing so soon. 
Newport HS Cross Country Summer Camp

Early Bird Registration
Who: Camp is open to newcomers, returning team members and incoming freshman!
When: Monday July 24 - Friday July 28, 2017
Where: Fort Flagler State Park - Transportation is provided by charter bus
What: A team tradition and fun way for incoming and returning runners to meet other XC team members, get in shape for the season, and bond as a team.  

Parent volunteers chaperone and cook - contack camp organizers if interested in helping. XC coaches attend and run the camp.
Register now for the super early bird price of $300 until  Friday December 16 .  

The following are the instructions to navigate to the online registration page:
  • Go to the Bellevue School District Online Payment Site
  • Sign in with your User Name (student's ID number) and Password (student's last name with first letter capitalized)
  • Click the Items At All Schools button under the Shop section
  • Click the High School link in the School Type section
  • Click the Newport High School link in the School section
  • Click the TRIPS/CAMPS link in the Categories section.  You'll find Cross Country Camp-Fort Flagler towards the bottom of the page.

Panthers Youth Rugby Club Invite Middle Schoolers to "Try-Rugby" Through January

Join the Panthers Youth Rugby Club for up to two try-rugby sessions!  The goal of the club is to promote youth development through the game of rugby, develop appreciation for team work, discipline, and mental health, as well as individual excellence. Become Rugby ready with us during this Winter and enjoy playing and competing when the game season starts in Spring.

Visit our website www.panthersyouthrugby.com. Email [email protected] for more info about our program.

When and Where You Can Expect to Practice:
  • On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at Grass Lawn Park, Redmond - Softball field #1 - 7031 148 AVE NE, Redmond, WA 98052
  • On Saturdays from 10am to 12pm at Highland Middle School -- Lower grass field - 15027 NE Belred Rd, Bellevue, WA 98007
Hope to see numerous BSD students on the pitch soon! For more info and questions, please contact Sophie Demandolx at (425)208-6060. 
Messenger Submissions                
Messenger Submissions

Want to submit information to publish in the Messenger? Please submit your information by FRIDAY.  (Submissions are subject to PTA approval).   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. Note: you will no longer receive an automatic confirmation response when submitting.

 

Questions or submissions should go to [email protected]
  
In This Issue
School Directory and Links
ATTENDANCE                425-456-6545
MAIN OFFICE                  425-456-6500 
COUNSELING                 425-456-6542 
REGISTRAR                    425-456-6535 

Supporting PTSA 


 

You can donate at any time by simply writing your check to the International School PTSA and sending it to school: 445 128th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98005

Or even easier - just donate via PayPal!


 

Will your employer match your IS contributions?

 

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.


  
Contact Us:

President: David Doud
E-Mail: [email protected]

President-Elect: Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen
E-Mail: [email protected]
 
VP -  Outreach:  Carolyn Watson  and Allison Stirret 

VP - Community: Liying Tan and Shannon Dong
E-Mail: [email protected]

VP - Fundraising: 
E-Mail: [email protected]
    
VP - Communications: Leo de Barros Barreto
 
Treasurer One: Marjorie Blanco
E-Mail:  [email protected]

Treasurer Two: Michelle Lee
E-Mail:  [email protected]

Secretary: Amy Frei
E-Mail: [email protected]
  
Membership: Sylvia Abrahamsson
E-Mail: [email protected]
 
Advocacy: Janice Zahn
E-Mail: [email protected] 
 
Monday Messenger: Stephanie Winkler-Hadley
E-Mail: [email protected]

PTSA Website: www.isptsa.org

Newsletter Submissions:  [email protected]
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.