MONDAY MESSENGER

November 11, 2019

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THIS WEEK:

NEXT WEEK:

LOOKING AHEAD:

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP OUT

IS and the ISPTSA are currently seeking the following volunteers:

Click here to learn more and sign up.

PTSA NEWS

MEMBERSHIP

 

Uh oh, the tap is just dripping water. We still need a full stream of sign-ups for PTSA membership. Have you forgotten to renew? This is an annual membership, and you need to renew every year. A full school membership shows the school and community that we are supporting each and every student and supporting the #1 high school in Washington State. 

Don’t ignore—Explore  membership!

Contact Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen at  [email protected]  with questions.

JOIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FACEBOOK GROUPS

Connect with fellow International School families! Check out event reminders; receive school and district information; and share your questions or concerns with other IS families. Join our community online!

International School PTSA

International School BSD—Families Group  *

*Individual Facebook group is parent-organized and not a school or PTSA-sponsored page.

ADVOCACY NEWS

Delegates from PTSAs throughout the state voted on some new issues at October's Legislative Assembly. These will guide our advocacy focus for the year.  

I will highlight a few issues in the coming weeks. Contact me if you have a personal story or expertise in any of these areas!   

Thanks, 

Krista Hammer

ISPTSA Advocacy Chair 

New Issue: Equitable Identification of Highly Capable Students 

The Washington State PTA shall support legislation or policies that achieve equitable representation of all demographic groups in highly capable programs, regardless of zip code, especially low-income students, students with disabilities (“twice exceptional”), English Language Learners, and highly mobile students by universal screening:

https://www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/

PTSA COMPUTER CLUB

Computer Club is an IS club that is sponsored by PTSA, not ASB. The club meets weekly throughout most of the year to create games from scratch. We submit these games in a PTA Washington game development competition for high school students. We consist of coders, artists, musicians, leaders, and just general game enthusiasts. It’s a really fun club where students get to explore fields they may not get to explore elsewhere and get hands-on experience properly executing long-term projects. It’s also just a really fun club to be in!

We plan to meeting on alternating Wednesdays & Fridays from 6:00–8:00 PM. When school sports end in late November, we would like to switch to Wednesdays from 2:00–4:00 PM though for the rest of the year.

A big thank you to Melissa Richardson and Serge Prutean for stepping up to advise the PTSA Computer club! If your child would like to join or you would like to help out, please contact Serge and Melissa .

GREEN TEAM WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE

Please help keep your neighbors warm while also repurposing the coats, hats, gloves, scarves, etc. that you no longer wear.

Bring your gently used kid- and adult-sized winter wear to Room 206 (Tamara’s) by Monday, November 25.

Make the Green Choice and Benefit YouthLink’s Thanksgiving Dinner at Crossroads Community Center!

BSD MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILY TECHNOLOGY NIGHT

Tillicum Middle School

Tuesday, December 10, 6:00–8:00 PM

Interested in exploring technology? Come to BSD Middle School Family Technology Night! Microsoft, DigiPen, Step Academy, Coding with Kids, SAM Labs, Seattle Advocates, Middle School CTE Clubs, Newport Robotics, Neport Rocketry, Sammamish Robototes, Newport Deca, Bellevue School District Assitive Technology, and the Bellevue KCLS Makerspace will provide a fun range of activities for you and your family to engage in.  

This event is open to all middle school families in the Bellevue School District. Please remember to bring your charged laptop. Tillicum PTSA will provide $1 pizza slices available for purchase.  

Please RSVP here .

A NOTE ON AM/PM DROP-OFF/PICK-UP AND PARKING

Dear IS Families,

 

Thank you for ensuring the safety of all our students and staff during our busy morning drop-off time. Please help us maintain a safe arrival period for all by helping us with the following:

 

Families have found that leaving just 10 minutes earlier in the morning can have a significant impact on how long they wait in line to drop-off. Students can also help with traffic flow by ensuring they have all the items they are bringing to school ready to go upon approach to the drop-off zone by the double-doors at the mid-way point of the building. 

 

The School Safety Team has ordered and will be placing additional sandwich board to help us all follow these guidelines for drop-off and pick-up. The district Facilities Department will be supporting us with additional painting to help direct drivers. Watch for these updates to our system over the course of this month. 

 

Thank you for your partnership!

The IS Safety Team 

STUDENT NEWS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL  FUN  DRAISING OPPORTUNITY!

Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink at Bellevue Downtown Park

November 29, 2019–January 20, 2020

When you skate at  Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink and mention you are with International School at the admission counter, a $3 donation will be made to our PTSA for each paid rink admission during the dates listed above!

Visit  bellevueicerink.com for skating hours, pricing, promotions, and special events.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) ENDING THE SILENCE

Monday, November 18, 2019, 6:30–8:00 PM

Sammamish High School Commons,100 140th Ave SE, Bellevue 98005

NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the arning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of mental illness.  

We talk about Acceptance, Treatment, and Coping Skills.  

The presentation includes a lead presenter and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares a journey of recovery. 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

 

Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Council Office

ESC West 1st floor, 12011 NE 1st Street Bellevue, WA 98005

The Bellevue PTSA Council invites parents to the next Health and Wellness Meeting.  The chair of this group would like to hear what issues are impacting the wellness of Bellevue students.  She will take these concerns to the district, and she will coordinate efforts to enhance student well-being. It would be great if a few of our parents from IS could attend (you do not need to be a PTSA member)!  

 

Contact [email protected] with questions.

SCREENAGERS: NEXT CHAPTER SCREENING &

DISCOUNT CODE

ParentMap is thrilled to announce that an Eastside Screening of SCREENAGERS: Next Chapter has been scheduled.

 

November 19, 7:00 PM, Eastside Preparatory School

screening plus panel after for Q & A

 

Click here  to watch the trailer and purchase tickets. Use the code EASTSIDE for $5.00 off. This is an event for both adults and kids.

DISCUSSION OF BDS'S NEW SIGNS OF SUICIDE PROGRAM

Thursday, November 14, 7:00–8:00 PM

Rainier Room at WISC

12241 Main Street

BELLEVUE, WA 98015 

REGISTER HERE

Deborah Kraft, the Director of K-12 Counseling for the Bellevue School District, will be leading a discussion on the Bellevue School District’s new Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. The presenters will explain the use of universal screeners and how they are used in BSD schools in Grade 10. This suicide prevention program is being implemented in all of Bellevue’s public secondary schools. Deborah will be joined by a panel that includes program staff and Middle and High School counselors. They will be discussing how the program works, how staff are trained to implement it, and how it fits into the existing mental health unit.

The discussion will be followed by a question and answer period.

PLEASE NOTE:

For those who are unable to attend the event, helpful resources to support our children are available here.

STUDENT SPORTS & OPPORTUNITIES

ROBINSON CENTER FOR YOUNG SCHOLARS

What is UW Academy?

The UW Academy is an early admission opportunity at the University of Washington for current 10th-grade students.  Students apply to the program during their 10th-grade year , withdraw from high school, and enroll as freshmen at the University of Washington the following fall. At the Robinson Center, Academy students find a community of like-minded peers and an experienced staff who can help them to make the most of their time at the UW, with access to personalized advising and counseling services, and a robust alumni network. 

What is Transition School?

The Transition School (TS) is a one-year college preparatory program offered through the Robinson Center for Young Scholars at the University of Washington. Each year, we accept a small cohort of students and prepare them to enter the University as fully matriculated undergraduates via the Early Entrance Program (EEP).  Students apply during their 8th-grade year  and begin TS the following fall. To be successful in this intensive learning experience, candidates need to demonstrate academic achievement, a scholarly aptitude, and self-motivation. 

For more information, contact us at (206) 543-4160,  [email protected] , or visit us online .

THE PRINCETON PRIZE IN RACE RELATIONS

Do you know any high school students fighting for RACIAL EQUITY and BETTER RACIAL UNDERSTANDING within their schools or communities?

 

Princeton Prize in Race Relations winners are awarded $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to meet winners from all across the country and participate in the annual Symposium on Race at Princeton University. 

Learn more about the Princeton Prize in Race Relations  or nominate a student doing this important work, and we will send the student a link to apply for the Prize!

ATTENTION: CLASS OF 2025 & 2026 MOMS AND DAUGHTERS!

The National Charity League is having informational meetings for our area chapter in November. There are spots open for graduating Class of 2025 and 2026. I f you have a heart for charity and would like to share that with your daughter . . . NCL is for you!

Please click here for information and sign-ups, or join us on Wednesday, November 13, 6:30–7:30 PM, at the Bellevue Public Library Downtown.

NEWPORT LACROSSE SPRING

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Grades 2–12 Boys and Girls

Now registering for the Spring 2019 season. First-time players registering with Newport Lacrosse will get a $100 discount on registration.

Free Lacrosse Clinics

Non-Contact. We have gear to loan.

Who: Boys & Girls K - 8th grade

Where: Tillicum Middle School

When: Sundays, October 20 & 27, November 3 & 10—10:30 AM–12:00 PM

If you have questions, please contact: John Chesney at [email protected]. More info and registration at www.newportlacrosse.com, or click here for the flyer.