November 22, 2021
MONDAY MESSENGER
UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
THIS WEEK:
  • Tuesday, 11/23, 9–10 AM • Rescheduled Virtual Principal Coffee*
  • Wednesday, 11/24–Tuesday, 12/7 • Snowflake Donation Drivemore information to come
  • Thursday, 11/25–Friday, 11/26 • No School: Thanksgiving

NEXT WEEK:
  • Thursday, 12/2, 7–8:30 PM • IS Orchestra Concert
  • Friday, 12/3 • Middle School Snowflake Social

LOOKING AHEAD:
  • Wednesday, 12/8, 6:30–7:30 PM • Incoming 6th Grade Virtual Parent Information Night
  • Monday, 12/20–Monday, 1/3 • No School: Winter Break
  • Monday, 1/17 • No School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Friday, 1/28 • No School: Non-Student Day Make-up day for 11/12
  • Friday, 1/28 • End of Semester
  • Monday, 2/21–Friday, 2/25 • No School: Mid-Winter Break
  • Friday, 3/18 • No School: Professional Development Day
  • Monday, 4/11–Friday, 4/15 • No School: Spring Break

Click here to view the District 20212022 calendar for families.
* More information included in the message below
Orange denote new calendar entries.
Dear International School Community,

November is often a time when we reflect on things we are thankful for. I am thankful for the wonderful community we have at IS, from our amazing staff and administration to the great students and parents. Thank you for being part of our community. I hope you have a restful Thanksgiving weekend and safe travels if you are out of town.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER CHAPERONES NEEDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL

Parents and Guardians of IS middle schoolers, we're looking for chaperones to oversee the middle school social! It will be held on Friday, December 3, and we need your help to run the event with food, movies, and games. We need adults to distribute food and oversee various areas of the school. Without you, we won't be able to make this event happen, so thank you for considering helping us out. Please contact ASB Advisor, Matthew Lyon, at lyonm@bsd405.org to sign up to help at the social.
THESE POSITIONS NEED YOU!

  • Co-VP Fundraising, current school year
  • Co-VP of Communications, current school year
  • Grade-Level Representatives, current school year

Please email the ISPTSA Board to learn more and sign up. Thank you!
PTSA NEWS
ISPTSA MEMBERSHIP
 
In appreciation of all our members, the ISPTSA is holding a raffle on Thanksgiving Day for ten gift cards. All members are eligible. Join ISPTSA today and be part of our Thanksgiving appreciation. Any questions, please contact Honglian, Membership Chair.
GOODWILL DRIVE—THANK YOU!

We did it! We filled two trucks. Many thanks to our fabulous volunteers and to the people who donated items. If you left without a receipt, please email president@isptsa.org to have it emailed to you.
SCHOOL NEWS
TITAN TEACHER OF THE WEEK

This week’s Titan Teacher of the Week is TAMARA TRUAX! Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, Tamara teaches Human Geography and loves it when students are really into learning. A lover of Thai food, Tamara’s superhero power would be flight! Her favorite places to visit are the Sahara Desert, Jamaica, Corsica, and La Push, Washington! Tamara’s favorite class in school was a multi-disciplinary study of the Mississippi River—cool! Next time you are in the 200 hallway, say hi to Tamara Truax, our Titan Teacher of the Week!
VIRTUAL PRINCIPAL COFFEE

TOMORROW, November 23, 9–10 AM

There was some confusion around the November Principal Coffee. The next attempt for a Principal Coffee will be TOMORROW from 9–10 AM. Please join us! For questions, please email the IS Main Office.
POINSETTIA AND WREATH PICKUP

Tuesday, November 30, 10:30 AM–2:30 PM
International School drive-through pick-up

Thank you for supporting the IS 2022 class and making the Poinsettia and Wreath Fundraiser successful. We sold 508 poinsettias and 122 wreaths—yay! Pick up for orders will be on November 30, 10:30 AM–2:30 PM at International School. It will be a drive-through pick-up, and you can arrange for one person to pick up multiple orders. This is the only official pick-up time, so please be sure to mask up and be there! Click here for important pick-up and safety logistics, information on gift tags/cards, and other distribution details. If you have questions, please contact kayokoprice@comcast.net.  
WMEA ALL-STATE HONOR GROUPS 2022

Outstanding high school music students from across Washington have received top honors by being selected to participate in one of the 2022 WMEA All-State performing groups. These musicians were selected through auditions to participate in this outstanding event, which is sponsored by the Washington Music Educators Association. Please congratulate the International School band, orchestra, and choir students listed HERE for receiving this honor! For questions, email our Band Director, Orchestra Director, or Choir Director, .
"LAST CHANCE" YEARBOOK SALES

If you missed the window to buy a yearbook, you're in luck! There will be a "last chance" opportunity coming up from THIS Saturday, November 27 to Thursday, December 16. Purchase through your student account in Touchbase. For questions, email Jill Follett, Counseling Secretary.
SIGNS OF SUICIDE PROGRAM AT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Please visit our Parent Nights webpage for the recording and resources about our Signs of Suicide program. This past week, we started our Signs of Suicide (SOS) program in our 7th–10th grade PE/Health classes. Our goal is for students to understand how to help themselves and others. If you would like your student to opt out, please complete and return this letter to let us know. Please contact one of our school counselors if you have questions, concerns, or need support.
IMT 1 AND IMT 2 MATH RESOURCES UPDATED

Our Academic Resources webpage has been updated. Take note of the unit guide that lets students and families know the equivalent units in our math curriculum, Desmos, and ALEKS. For questions, email Middle School Counselor, Arty Christianto.
DISTRICT NEWS
EQUITY ADVISORY AND ADVOCACY COLLABORATIVE SEEKING NEW MEMBERS

Applications due THIS Friday, November 26

The Equity Advisory and Advocacy Collaborative (formally the Equity Advisory Group) is seeking 58 parents/guardians/caregivers to join this group. Read more here. If you have any questions, please email communityrelations@bsd405.org.
SIGNS OF SUICIDE PARENT DISCUSSION GROUP

Wednesday, December 8, 6:30–7:30 PM
Rainier Room at WISC (12241 Main St, Bellevue)

Due to overwhelming community requests, the Family Engagement office in partnership with BSD Counseling, Mental Health Assistance Teams and community mental-health partners will offer families an additional opportunity to support the well-being of their students. Read more here, or contact BSD.
HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

TODAY, November 22, 6:30 PM—Learn How to Make Frybread with Guest Chef, Joseph J. Newman. Email for zoom link.

November is Native American Heritage Monthwhere we acknowledge, honor and celebrate the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Join the Eastside Native American Education Program as they host this event. For questions, email Native American Education Coordinator, Mary Wilber.
LET'S TALK WITH INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT JARVIS: CRISIS RESPONSE AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

The Bellevue School District learning community suffered a tremendous loss with the death of a student on November 5. BSD Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis, shares a message with BSD families around the importance of community during a crisis and the outpouring of support in our learning community as we navigate tragedy together. Supporting students, staff and families continues to be critical. Please use the mental health and well-being resources on the webpage to learn how BSD and our community partners can support you. Submit questions through the Let's Talk portal.
STUDENT NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
FREE CHESS LESSONS—
GROUP AND 1-ON-1!

425 Kids Chess is offering free online chess lessons for students of all ages! We have taught over 100 students from basic to advanced strategies. Chess helps students improve concentration, creativity, critical thinking, and more! Sign up for 1-on-1 lessons tailored to your student's level throughout the week, or group lessons to learn with peers during the weekend. For more information, check out our webpage, or email 425 Kids Chess.
COMMUNITY NEWS
A PODCAST FOR PARENTS, BY PARENTS

Notes from the Backpack is a National PTA podcast designed for millions of parents and the decision-makers they influence. Through the unique combination of expert, parent, and educator guests, each episode features engaging conversations that offer real-life advice and ideas on how to support children’s learning and development—all in parent-friendly language. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! Email National PTA with questions.
CW ACADEMY OPEN ENROLLMENT

CW Academy has opened enrollment for 8 free, exciting courses. Courses include Python 1, HTML, Introduction to Algebra, Biology, and more, all taught by amazing high school students. This will be the final wave of courses for the year so consider enrolling your child. To explore the full list of courses, please visit the course catalog. Email the CW Academy Team with questions.
UW YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAMS

This January, UW Youth & Teen Programs is offering these exciting online courses for middle and high school students:

Classes fill fast. Registration for winter 2022 ends Friday, December 23. Learn more here. If you have questions, please contact us. 
DOLLARS & SENSE

Wednesday, December 1, 5 PM via Zoom

Join Bellevue Schools Foundation and Bellevue School District’s Deputy Superintendent for Financial Services and Operations, Melissa deVita, for a discussion about the funding model for all 29 public schools within Bellevue. Invitation to RSVP coming soon. Click here for more information, or email Bellevue Schools Foundation with questions.
SUPPORT OUR ISPTSA
SMITH BROTHERS FUNDRAISER

ISPTSA has partnered with Smith Brothers Farms to raise money for our organization! Simply use our code InterPTSA at checkout when you set up a new account for Home Grocery DeliveryYOU get $15 off your first delivery order and the International School PTSA will receive a gift of $50! Enjoy fresh dairy and hand-selected products delivered straight to your door and help us raise much-needed funds for our kids! You'll get the iconic porch box with your first delivery! Click here to download the flyer. Please email Emilie, ISPTSA President, if you have questions.
FEATURED SPIRIT WEAR: INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FLEECE PULLOVER HOODIE

You’ll cheer for this comfy smooth-faced fleece in casual heather gray—only $25! Click here to shop for this and more! Orders can be picked up from Winner's Sportswear Bellevue for free or delivered. Proceeds benefit ISPTSA. Email Melissa, VP of Community, with questions.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

Raise funds for ISPTSA with the Box Tops for Education app. By scanning your grocery and office supply store receipts, qualifying products will be instantly credited to our school. It's easy and adds up fast! Download the app on your phone, and select IS by searching zip code 98005. Questions? Email ISPTSA Fundraising.
MASTHEAD / DIRECTORY / LINKS
President
President-Elect
Secretary
Treasurer 1
Treasurer 2
VP of Communications
OPEN
VP of Community
VP of Fundraising
OPEN
VP of Outreach
Membership Chair
Grants
Advocacy Chair
Monday Messenger
Website
IS Staff Liaison
PTSA Website: www.isptsa.org
Newsletter Submissions: news@isptsa.org
CONFUSED ABOUT SOMETHING?
The ISPTSA is always here to help answer your IS questions.

Email us here, and we'll help you find the answers you need.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY & LINKS

Attendance 425-456-6545
Main Office 425-456-6500 
MS Counseling 425-456-6546
HS Counseling 425-456-6542 
Registrar 425-456-6535 

SUPPORT YOUR PTSA
Donate Anytime!
Write your check to the International School PTSA and send it to:
ISPTSA, PO Box 221, Bellevue WA 98009
Or, even easier, donate
via PayPal.
MONDAY MESSENGER
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • Please submit articles by THURSDAY at 5:00 PM to news@isptsa.org.
  • Please limit articles to 600 characters including spaces.
  • Please include contact information for questions from readers.
  • We encourage submissions that align with our mission.
  • Submissions are subject to review by the ISPTSA and may be accepted, rejected, or edited.
  • Please use a separate email for each article submitted.
  • Documents in plain text are preferred, however, you are welcome to include an image or icon as a separate attachment—please do not include them in the body of your email or document.
  • If you need to link to a registration form or document, send us either the address of the link or a pdf copy of the document.
  • If you would like your article to repeat in successive Monday Messenger editions, please resubmit it for each edition in which you would like it to appear. If you do not resubmit it, it will not be republished.
  • Note: you will receive an automatic confirmation email response once you submit material to the Monday Messenger.