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LET'S THANK OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS THIS WEEK!

This Wednesday, April 24, is Administrative Professionals Day. Please take a moment to say thank you to our IS office staff for all the work that they do for everyone in the International community—students, families, staff members, and so many others. Thank you!

THIS WEEK:

NEXT WEEK:

LOOKING AHEAD:

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU CAN HELP!



IS and the ISPTSA are currently seeking the following volunteers:

Click here to learn more and sign up.

PTSA NEWS

SPRING SOCIAL IN PICTURES!



What a great night for our community! Check out these fun memories from our Spring Social,  Spring into Action , which took place on March 23. Thank you to parent photographer Liying Tan who graciously shared some of her favorite photos. To view more pictures from the evening, visit the ISPTSA website . Did you capture some fun moments from the event that you’d like to share? Please send them to  [email protected] and we’ll add them to the collection.  

We’re not done yet! You can still:

In case you missed it, you can view results from the event in our  Monday Messenger archives .

With gratitude,

Your Spring Social Committee

ISPTSA BOARD POSITIONS

 

We are in the process of recruiting board members for the next school year. Nominations are open for board positions now, and will remain open until May 10. Serving on the PTSA board is a great way to apply our energy and passion to making our school the best school in the region. It is a fantastic opportunity to lead and represent our community, stay connected with the happenings at our children’s school, and contribute toward making IS an awesome place to be. You can nominate yourself or others that you believe will make a significant contribution to the PTSA.

 

Please consider joining us! Click on  this document  to see descriptions of duties,  this webpage  to see current board members, and email [email protected]  if you're interested or have questions on any position.

Nominating Committee

Ching Guo, Zena Heywood, and Azfar Moazzam 

106TH WSPTA CONVENTION TO BE HELD APRIL 26–28 AT SEATAC HILTON CONVENTION CENTER

Why attend the convention?

WSPTA is pleased to announce the keynote speaker for Saturday morning's general session, JC Pohl, President & CEO of Teen Truth. JC is an award-winning producer and nationally certified counselor. He offers a direct pathway to one singular solution: resiliency. In his keynote, "Building Resilient Students From the Inside Out," JC offers five proven and immediately applicable ways to help students build self-efficacy and resilience. These keys to building resilient students might stop the next potential school shooter, save a suicidal student, or remind every bullied child that brighter days lie ahead.

WSPTA members and students, with paid membership for 2018-2019, can attend one, two, or all three days of the 2019 convention.

All three days–$140 ($100 student)

Two days–$100 ($70 student)

One day–$50 ($35 student)

For more information and to register, click here.

10TH-GRADE FAMILIES!

This Wednesday, April 24, we're hosting the Staff Appreciation luncheon and planning to provide a Spring Salad Bar. If you haven't had a chance to sign up yet, please use this  SignupGenius link  to help us show our fabulous staff how much we appreciate all they do each day for our students! There are still items needed—thank you!

REMINDER: STATE TESTING TAKES PLACE THIS WEEK

Don't forget that required state testing at International runs from Monday, April 22–Friday, April 26 . Attendance during ALL testing days is vital. Testing and non-testing students are expected to maintain regular attendance on all testing days. A score is only considered viable if a student completes all parts of each exam. Any student who misses a test will be pulled upon return to school to complete testing immediately. If possible, please reschedule any student appointments on testing days that will cause late arrivals or early dismissals. If your student is sick, please do keep them home; they won’t perform at their best and, given the challenging flu season we’ve had, we don’t want to share any of those germs! In the event of illness, we will work with the student to make-up the tests during the school day.  

To ensure a successful testing experience for all students, we recommend students bring the following:

Below is the Test breakdown by day:

 

Please note that some middle school students in off-grade level courses (like math, science or French,) will be assigned testing locations. 10 ^th  grade students that find themselves in regularly scheduled classes full of majority 10 ^th  graders will test within their regularly scheduled classes (for example, Biology class). 10 ^th  grade students that find themselves in a multi-grade class (for example, High School PE,) will report to the library for testing. Students that will be assigned locations will receive more information by email this week. Please keep an eye out!      

 

We encourage students to get quality sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and give their best efforts throughout testing! Thank you for helping your student perform their best.

11TH-GRADE FAMILIES:

Spring Junior Parent Night is Thursday, May 2, from 6:30–8:00 PM in the library. The presentation will focus on college prep and expectations for senior year, including yearbook photos, grad ads, and senior project.

JOB OPENING AT INTERNATIONAL

Kitchen Assistant, assisting during lunch service

3.25 hours/day, Monday–Friday

$15.75/hour; $17.50 after probation period 

 

Interested applicants may contact Wendy Weyer with Nutrition Services at 425-456-4578 or apply online here .

ATTENTION STUDENTS IN GRADES 8-11:

2019 HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT!

September 5-6, 2019

The International School offers an annual retreat for our high school students in order to build community and realize its mission of providing students with a globally focused education. The academic content of the retreat follows a four-year cycle of geographic and cultural regions including Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

The 2019 retreat’s objectives are for students to explore a few forms of Asian cultural expression; to understand some of the challenges facing Latin American societies and the power we and the world community have to address them; and to appreciate the value of the IS community and its contribution to our overall success for the coming school year.

The students will come to school the morning of Thursday, September 5, and will be bused to Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood, WA. They will spend the night there and return by bus the following day, Friday, September 6, by 3:15 PM.

The cost is $100. After focus week, the fee for camp will be added to your student's account online, so you may pay online or in the school office.

Please see the following links:

2019 HS Retreat Flyer  (Information about the retreat)

2019 HS Retreat Forms  (Permission slips)

THE DUE DATE FOR FORMS IS EARLY THIS YEAR—FRIDAY, JUNE 7.  

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TAKE CARE OF THIS! 

YOU CAN EVEN DO IT TODAY!

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT CHAPERONE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED—JOIN US!

The trip is only possible with your support! We need 12 males and 12 females. Chaperones attend free of charge. Please let Tamara Truax  [email protected] or Lee Holt [email protected]  know if you are available.

CLASS OF 2021 (10TH GRADE)—BE IN THE KNOW!

Students and parents, you should have received an email about hot topics for 10th grade on April 5 from Counseling Secretary Jill Follett. If you didn’t, please click this link for the bulk of the information. Email Jill at [email protected] with questions.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR IS EXPERIENCE: HOST A FRENCH INTERN!

Our students have benefited tremendously from the dedication of this year’s French intern, Elodie Perez. While we will be sad to see her go, we have hired an absolutely charming French intern for the 2019-2020 school year, Pauline Oliveira-Machado. Pauline will surely uphold the standard of professionalism and congeniality that we have come to expect from our interns. She plans to eventually pursue a teaching degree in France and is extremely excited to be a part of our fabulous IS community. She is particularly interested in teaching the traditional songs, dance, and cuisine of France, and will be given every opportunity to do so next year.

As part of the IS community yourself, you have the unique opportunity to host Pauline for a semester or a quarter. By opening your home, you will create an unforgettable experience for Pauline by allowing her to see the best that American culture has to offer. The Intern program also allows you to support IS by helping to maintain a rich, engaging foreign language program. By volunteering your home, you are making it possible for the whole student body to benefit from having a foreign language intern. Finally, hosting an intern allows you to learn about yourself and your culture and see the US through the eyes of an international visitor, creating an invaluable educational experience for yourself and your family. 

To seize this opportunity, or for more information, please contact Traci Sullivan at [email protected].  This is a great experience—PROFITEZ-EN!

STUDENT NEWS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

HIGH SCHOOL LAB EVENT ATTENDEES SOUGHT FOR SENIOR PROJECT

Any high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in science or just want to get lab experience should consider going to the Synbio Bonanza ! This event is a workshop at a local lab in Seattle that is designed to provide real-world research experiences to high school students. Event attendees will be completing a “transformation” protocol. Specifically, they will be making bacteria glow by inserting a glow gene into e. coli. 

 

This event is a two-day workshop scheduled for Saturday, April 27, from 12:00–2:30 PM and Sunday, April 28, from 12:00–2:00 PM. There is a $21 registration fee which covers lab materials. There will also be a lunch discussion with Rachel Calder, the director of Systems Education Experiences (SEE). SEE is a program by Institute for Systems Biology, providing internships and research opportunities for high school students.

 

The transformation process is one that genetic engineers do commonly and consists of actually editing the DNA of a bacteria and giving it more properties, in this case making it glow. The protocol that we will be doing is one that students would usually only complete at the undergrad level, so please consider this opportunity. It’s a really great resume booster as well!

 

If you are interested, please register here .

There are 8 spots available and registration closes on April 23.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have registered and would like to pay, please contact me before you pay to make sure that all the spots have not yet been filled.

 

Contact Sarah Alvi ( [email protected] ) if you have any questions, as this is part of her senior project.

EARN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS VOLUNTEERING FOR ALL IN FOR AUTISM 5K/10K RACE

All in for Autism is a 5K/10K race sponsored by Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club to raise funds to support autism and children & family projects. It takes more than 300 volunteers to produce and will take place on April 28 at Bellevue Downtown Park. Community Service opportunities range from 2–5 hours and may be combined for additional hours. 

Click here for more info and to register.

THREE-HOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY!

What: Earth Day 2019 at Bridle Trails State Park

When: Saturday, April 27, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Where:   5505 127th Ave NE, Kirkland 98033 (NOT at the park main entrance)

Join other community volunteers removing invasive laurel and ivy. Invasive plants are a major threat to our urban forest. Bring good work gloves if you have them. Boots and appropriate clothing for pulling weeds recommended. Free snacks and drinks will be provided in the morning at the work site and a free pizza lunch will be served at noon in the picnic area near the main park entrance at 5300 116th Ave NE, Kirkland.

Parking: Work will take place in the northeast corner of the park behind a house on 127th Ave NE, about the 5500 block (end of the street). You can park along NE 60th Street where allowed (including near Ben Franklin Elementary) and walk to the work site. There will be signs to guide you.

Click here for more information.

BELLEVUE PTSA COUNSIL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Bellevue PTSA Council offers scholarships each year to outstanding students in the Bellevue School District. The Dr. Michael Riley and Alice Hurd Memorial scholarships are each $1,000 scholarships awarded to one graduating senior from each of the six Bellevue high schools: Bellevue, Interlake, International, Newport, Sammamish, and Big Picture. 

​ The Dr. Michael Riley Memorial Scholarship  is sponsored by local PTAs, and is awarded to one student from each of the high schools. It is named in honor of Bellevue’s former superintendent. The Dr. Riley Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from a Bellevue high school who demonstrates exceptional accomplishment in academics, leadership, and activities.  

 

The Alice Hurd Memorial Scholarship  is funded by a trust established by the Hurd Family to honor wife and mother Alice Hurd. She was a tireless and enthusiastic volunteer in PTA and an outstanding child advocate. In recognition of her volunteer spirit, the Alice Hurd Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from a Bellevue high school who has gone above and beyond in service to the community and contributed a substantial number of community service hours.  

The application deadline for both scholarships is April 26 at 11:59 PM.

For more information and to apply, please click   here.

THREE REMAINING "PREPARING FOR COLLEGE" WORKSHOPS STILL OPEN TO ATTENDEES

Bellevue PTSA Council, Bellevue Gifted Alliance, and Transcend Academy present a series of four exciting NEW workshops geared toward students in grades 8-11. Workshops will be led by Transcend Academy CEO Tina Tran Neville and BSD Counselors.

 

FREE to any BSD student with student ID card, $20 for BSD adults, $40 for out-of-district attendees. No registration or reservation needed. Pay at the door.

 

I. Top 10 Things Colleges Look for in Admissions and How to Get There 

Monday, April 15,    6:30–8:00 PM, Wilburton Instructional Service Center, Rainier Room, 12241 Main St., Bellevue

II. Rocking Standardized Tests

Monday, April 29, 6:30–8:00 PM, Wilburton Instructional Service Center, Rainier Room, 12241 Main St., Bellevue

 

III. How to Write an Unforgettable Essay

Tuesday, May 14,  6:30–8:00 PM, Newport High School, Library, 4333 Factoria Blvd. S.E., Bellevue

 

IV. How to Find Your Passion

Tuesday, May 28, 6:30–8:00 PM, Wilburton Instructional Service Center, Rainier Room, 12241 Main St., Bellevue

Click  here  for more info.

BSF SPRING FOR SCHOOLS LUNCHEON FRIDAY, MAY 3

International School Families! We have open seats available at the ISPTSA/International School table. Come represent our school and support the Bellevue Schools Foundation and all of the wonderful things they do for the Bellevue School District, like co-presenting the  Education Connections  series providing BSD families with valuable information about student support, and so much more. To view the many ways the Bellevue Schools Foundation supports Bellevue students, click here .

John Stanton, Seattle Mariners CEO and Bellevue School District alum, will be the Honorary Chair. Join 1,100 other parents to hear inspiring stories from students whose lives have been changed by the Bellevue Public Schools. Discover how you can make a difference for every student in every classroom, every day.  Plus, the Mariner Moose will be there!

 

The schedule on Friday, May 3, at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency is as follows:   Education Showcase from 10:15–11:50 AM, Luncheon and program from noon–1:15 PM.

 

To register click  here  and select International School/Amy and Kevin Frei Table Captain , or contact I nternational School BSF Ambassadors Amy Frei [email protected]  or Kevin Frei  [email protected] to get a personalized registration link.

Come and join us for a wonderful event and thank you for being a part of the International School community and for supporting the Bellevue Schools Foundation.

If the International School table fills up, you may also register to attend the event using this link .

STUDENT SPORTS & OPPORTUNITIES

REGISTER NOW FOR BBLC SUMMER LAX CAMPS!

Dates have been set for the 2019 Summer Camps! Sessions run Monday–Thursday from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM. All sessions take place at the International School and are open to players starting K-8th grade in Fall 2019.



CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ONE OR MORE SESSIONS

Share with your friends! Summer camps do NOT have school/residence eligibility constraints and are open to age-appropriate players from ALL areas. Summer camps are designed to improve individual skills and are a fun way to meet more lacrosse players. The camps are specifically geared toward fundamental individual skills and the introduction to team concepts. Our outstanding staff will focus on teaching the skills each player needs.

Click here to learn more.