MONDAY MESSENGER

October 14, 2019

Please Note: This newsletter may be truncated by your email program. Please click VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE at the bottom to read the full newsletter.

THIS WEEK:

NEXT WEEK:

LOOKING AHEAD:

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

ARE YOU A 7TH-GRADE PARENT? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!

IS and the ISPTSA are currently seeking the following volunteers:

Click  here to learn more and sign up.

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE VOLUNTEERS—PLEASE READ!

New in 2019–20: Current and prospective BSD volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation at their school site. There will be three orientations in the month of October. These are intended for all current and future volunteers . 

The NEXT orientation is Wednesday, October 23, 12:00–12:45 PM. 

If you are planning to attend this orientation, please R.S.V.P. by emailing Traci Sullivan at  [email protected] . 

PTSA NEWS

RAISE THE TORCH FOR NEW & RECURRING GRANTS BY THE PTSA!

 

What a great turnout last week for the Annual Family Dinner hosted by the PTSA before our first General Meeting of the year. We had robust discussions around our newly approved budget, which highlighted the need for financial support beyond what is provided by BSD and the state.  The new budget includes over $50,000 in grants toward Curriculum Enrichment across all departments, as well as over $20,000 toward Student Activities & Support resources. Check out some feedback on How PTSA Grants Helped Our Students last year. The ability for the PTSA to continue to support new and recurring grants to the school depends on generous donations by families like you.  To see a robust list of how your donation is sp ent, please check out  What Your Donation Supports.

 

Join the over 100 families who have already committed to  RAISE THE TORCH with their generous donations. Your participation matters! Your contribution—no matter the amount—makes a difference! All donations to the Fall Fundraiser you give today are tax-deductible and 100% goes back to the IS community. 

Choose a support level that works for you:  Gold $500,  Silver $250,  Bronze $100, or define your own amount. For those families who can, we ask you to consider becoming a  Titan Torch supporter with a donation of $1,000 or more.     

Please, DONATE ONLINE NOW!

Prefer to write a check? Fill out this donation form and mail it back to the ISPTSA. 

 

Questions?  Please contact  [email protected] .  

Thanks for your consideration! 

Go Titans!

JOIN OUR PTSA COMMUNITY—SHOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE

At curriculum night, I asked a friend to renew her membership and become a part of our community after a lapse of a couple of years. She agreed, and it made me so glad to have her as a part of our ISPTSA community again. Every member is valued, not only as a supporter of each and every student, but as a reminder to our students that we as parents, guardians, teachers, and staff care about them. When we participate and involve ourselves in our kids' education, nothing but good comes from it. 

Please take a moment to see if your name is listed correctly on our current membership list .

You can become a member or renew your membership online by clicking here , or you can stop by our membership table in the next week. ISPTSA membership will be represented at the following event, where we can take cash, credit, or check for you to join the ISPTSA or renew your membership:

Thank you!

Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen

Questions? Contact  [email protected].

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US FOR THE ISPTSA GENERAL MEETING & FAMILY DINNER!

Last Thursday night's ISPTSA General Meeting and Family Dinner was a great way to fill up on both tacos and important information about the upcoming school year at IS. The PTSA approved its rules and budget. Principal Tara Gray discussed the Blue Ribbon Award, Senior Project, and Focus Week. And parents discussed how the PTSA dispersed its funds.

We encourage you to attend an upcoming ISPTSA General Meeting—next up: Thursday, February 6, 2020.

For information about upcoming General Membership Meetings and a link to a PDF of Thursday's presentation, click here.

ADVOCACY SURVEY FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Dear ISPTSA Members, 

State legislators will be getting to work soon on bills that will impact our children. You can have a voice! Your responses to this survey will be recorded by your advocacy chair (me) so that I can better represent you at our PTA's legislative assembly this month. I am hoping to take an IS student and teacher as well.  

To complete this, you will need a cup of coffee and to keep the Voter's Guide handy.  

Please click here to link to the survey, o r scan the QR code above to open it.  

If you don't have time for every question, no problem! Just skim and answer the ones that you think are important. I need responses before October 25!

Thank you,  

Krista Hammer 

[email protected]  

DIRECTORYSPOT NOW AVAILABLE!

Thank you to our amazing Registrar Katherine Parkin and School Secretary Ellen Stone for supplying the ISPTSA with data! The 2019-2020 ISPTSA Directory is now available online via DirectorySpot.

Download the app, available for iPhones and Android devices, and you will always have the directory with you. You can also access the directory from your computer at  DirectorySpot.net . For those of you who cannot part with paper, there is an option to self-print a copy of the directory using downloadable PDFs. Please see  this page  for more details.

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THE REFLECTIONS THEME: LOOK WITHIN

 

There was a great turnout last week by students interested in submitting art for the 2019–20 Reflections program. Students may submit original works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: dance choreography, film, literature, music, photography, and visual arts. Only one art submission per category. All International School submissions are  due by Friday, November 15 .

Student can print out the application and rules for each category:

Dance Choreography Rules

Music Composition Rules

Photography Rules

Visual Arts 2D & 3D Rules

Literature Rules

Film Production Rules

Special Artist Rules

Please send questions to  [email protected] .

SUPER WEDNESDAY TESTING— THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

High school students will have a late start. They must be in their assigned classrooms at 9:15 AM. Middle School Students will start class at 8:15 am (same as usual).

9th grade students will take the PSAT 8/9— The PSAT 8/9 tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT and PSAT in a way that makes sense for 8th and 9th graders. It measures what they’re already learning, shows them whether they’re on track for college, and lets them know where they need the most improvement. 

10th grade students will take the Pre-ACT— The Pre-ACT simulates the ACT testing experience within a shorter test window on all four ACT test subjects: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The Pre-ACT predicts future success on the ACT test, and provides both current achievement and projected future ACT test scores on the 1-36 ACT score scale.

11th grade students will take the PSAT— The PSAT measures readiness for college, allows students to access scholarships, and helps students practice for the SAT. Students can use their PSAT score to create a personalized SAT study plan through  Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy .

Please email Melinda Breeze [email protected] with questions, or click here.

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID NIGHT WITH PAULA BISHOP

Thursday, October 17, 5:30 PM, in the Library

The ISPTSA is excited to host Paula Bishop, CPA, once again to present “Paying for College Without Going Broke” to our school community. Topics include saving for college, Expected Family Contribution (EFC), how to apply for federal aid, Net Price Calculator, merit scholarships, and more.

IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT AP EXAMS

AP exam registration is in process! 

Fees are available to pay online through  Touchbase .  Payment is due on 11/1, and exams will be ordered based on payment by the deadline. Even if a student registers for a test but does not pay by 11/1, a test will not be ordered for them.  Late orders incur a $40 late fee per exam from College Board. 

Contact Jill Follett  [email protected]  for information on a payment plan. 

Contact Melinda Breeze  [email protected]  for information about scholarships by October 15.  

Do you want to take an AP exam for a subject not taught at IS? 

Pay online and choose “AP Other” then designate the test, PLUS notify Jill at  [email protected] . 

Please note: some exams, including AP French, are offsite. Transportation is not provided. For more information, visit:  AP 2019-20  .

AMC 8 MATH COMPETITION

What is the AMC 8?

The AMC 8 is a 25-question 40-minute multiple-choice exam in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. The AMC 8 provides an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes toward analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment.

Who: 6th, 7th and 8th graders

When: Tuesday, November 12, during 4th period (Students will be excused from class, but MUST work with their teachers to make up the work)

Cost: $10 (Pay money to the office) 

Deadline to register : Friday, October 25, by 3:30 PM

Please email Regen Lorden with questions: [email protected] .

TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION TRAINING

Tuesday, October 15, 8:15–9:15 AM, in the school office conference room

 

Bring your student’s username and password, so you can follow along throughout the presentation!

 

Note: This information is a repeat from curriculum night and can be viewed through the PowerPoint if you couldn’t attend either event.

Please email Tara Jones with questions: [email protected].

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TITAN PLAYERS PRESENT:

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

Come out and support the Titan Players!

Not to be missed—make it part of your plans for the weekend before Halloween.

Show times:

Friday, October 25, 7:00 PM

Saturday, Oct ober 26, 2:00 PM

Saturday, Oct ober 26, 7:00 PM

Buy tickets in the school office ahead of time, or before the show at the door: $10 students, $12 adults.

POINSETTIA & WREATH SALES

It’s that time of year again! The leaves are falling, and the holidays are around the corner. It’s time for our ANNUAL SENIOR CLASS POINSETTIA & WREATH FUNDRAISER!

Poinsettias from Squak Mountain Nursery in Issaquah come in red, white, or shades of pink for $20 each.  POINSETTIA ORDER FORM

Wreaths, also from Squak Mountain, are 24 inches in diameter with ornamental pine cones and sell for $25 each. Add an optional holiday bow for $2.  WREATH ORDER FORM

These beautiful plants are the perfect holiday gift for friends, neighbors, and co-workers! They also serve as festive holiday decor for your office or home in bunches, or as a table centerpiece to last throughout the holiday season!

You can also order a poinsettia for a teacher or staff member as a holiday gift! What better way to show your appreciation for all that they do for our IS students? You may buy one for a designated teacher/staff member, or order for the staff pool and we’ll make sure that all the teachers receive one of these beautiful plants. We need your participation! 

All proceeds go to the IS Senior Class to help with costs of Graduation Festivities!

Deadline for orders: Monday, November 4 (the sooner the better for teacher orders to ensure all staff receive a gift!)

Pickup: Monday, November 25, 3:00–5:00 PM (no need to pick up teacher/staff gifts; we will deliver for you!)

The Class of 2020 thanks you for your support!!!

NOTE: All Senior families are asked to participate in this fundraiser, either by contributing $150 or purchasing/selling 10 plants. Please email Christina Terterov at  [email protected]  or Susan Ryder at  [email protected] with questions.

STUDENT NEWS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

FENTANYL CRISIS: COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

With the tragic deaths of three students in our neighboring school districts of Issaquah and Seattle from the deadly opioid fentanyl, the Bellevue School District is hosting two community information sessions to help our community respond.

The information sessions—held with our partners the Bellevue Police Department and Youth Eastside Services—will allow parents, students, and community members to learn what is being done to protect our children and, in turn, what actions we can all take.

Information Session Dates:

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The following is just a sample of what participants can expect to learn:

– Bellevue School District:

– Bellevue Police Department:

– Youth Eastside Services:

For questions or more information please call 425-456-4000 or email  [email protected] .

BELLEVUE BSF ANNUAL CLICK-A-THON

The Bellevue Schools Foundation’s Annual Click-a-thon event will be held October 22 and 23. All donations over $100 made on those two days will be matched 1:1. Our goal is to raise $300,000 from parents like YOU.

Public funding is not enough to fund the exceptional programming that makes Bellevue Schools the best in the nation.

Donate  here  or at BellevueSchoolsFoundation.org to fund the following programs in our schools:

ALL-CITY BELLEVUE COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM

Thursday, October 17

Meet the Candidates + refreshments—6:00 PM

Program—6:30 PM

Crossroads Community Center, Community Room

16000 NE 10th Street

Click here for more information.

STUDENT SPORTS & OPPORTUNITIES

WISECAMPS OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS GRADES 3–8

3-2-1 Blastoff!

On Mondays starting October 28, there will be a brand new rocketry camp for students in grades 5-8 at Odle Middle School from 5:00–6:30 PM for 6 weeks (skipping 11/11, since there is no school that day) with the last session taking place on a Saturday at 9:00 AM (Rocket launch day!). The cost is $175, which includes all of the rocket-building supplies. More details and registration at  www.wisecamps.org.

Veterans Day Camp!

On Monday, November 11, there is no school due to Veterans Day. We are offering a fun day of STEM activities at Newport High School for students in grades 3-6 (and have a Red, White & Blue chemistry demonstration to honor Veterans!). The day camp will take place from 8:30 AM–3:30 PM with drop off beginning as early as 7:30 AM and pick up by 4:30 PM. The cost is $150. More details and registration at  www.wisecamps.org .

Click here for flyer.

GIRLS ULTIMATE FRISBEE

Attention Girls!

We are forming Ultimate Frisbee teams for the upcoming Winter and Spring seasons. Practices start next month for the co-ed Winter season. Games begin in the second week of December then take a break over the holidays and resume in January.  

Ultimate is a unique and popular sport. Competition is important, but never over the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. If you enjoy athletics and want to learn more about an awesome non-contact team sport that is growing fast, find out more at  http://bellevueultimate.org . 

INFO MEETINGS FOR ADOLESCO YOUTH EXCHANGE

Saturday, October 26, 1:00–3:00 PM

Bellevue Public Library, Meeting Room 3

1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

 

Sunday, October 27, 2:00–4:00 PM

Capitol Hill Public Library, Meeting Room

425 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102

 

Adolesco Youth Exchange offers a two-way exchange program that gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new language and new culture as well as host a carefully matched exchange partner in turn. The kids are together in each other's country, forging a life-long bi-lingual friendship along the way.

Everyone welcome, please RSVP  [email protected],  and see  www.Adolesco.org  for more information.

 

Start your application at  www.Adolesco.org/pre-application  and get in touch with local mom Marie Meyer, the Adolesco Exchange Coordinator, at 303-913-4845. Applications are due on Friday, November 15, 2019, with matches announced in early January 2020.

PRECALCULUS WITH CODING AND ANIMATION ENRICHMENT COURSE

Remotely taught through chat-based instruction by Dr. Manoj Samanta. Open to high school and advanced middle school students. In this Fall course, students will learn the programming language R and apply it to their learning of precalculus. For details and registration, go to  https://hs.coding4medicine.com.

Feel free to contact us for questions: [email protected] , 425-898-8187.