Click here to view the District 2021-2022 calendar for families.

* More information included in message below

The ISPTSA needs a new email forwarding service. We currently use Site5 that is not compatible with Yahoo addresses. Are you an IS parent that can help us find the best email forwarding service to fit our budget and our needs? We would only need your help for a short period of time. Please email Secretary@isptsa.org.

International School will be administering the PSAT to 11th grade students on Wednesday, October 13. We are looking for parents who are able to proctor the test. Proctoring involves:

If you are the parent of a student who is NOT in 11th grade, you are eligible to proctor the PSAT. We need at least 3 volunteers but more would always be appreciated. If you are able and interested, please contact Assistant Principal Traci Sullivan at sullivant@bsd405.org.

One of the things that makes International School exceptional is the level of support we get from our family volunteers, especially when it comes to volunteering in the main office. We count on daily volunteers to keep things running smoothly throughout the year. Volunteers will need to register and provide proof of vaccination status. We still need a weekly or biweekly volunteer for the following time slot:

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Assistant Principal Traci Sullivan at sullivant@bsd405.org.

Please email board@isptsa.org to learn more and sign up. Thank you!

Congratulations to our winners this week: Fernanda B., Shirley Y., and Michael A. Become a member, and have the chance to be a lucky weekly raffle winner. Visit www.isptsa.org and become a ISPTSA member today! 

A great big thank you to all our ISPTSA members! We are now 60.34% toward our goal of 100% membership with each IS student supported by a PTSA member. If you have any questions, please contact Membership@isptsa.org.

Start gathering your donations! The International School PTSA will be hosting a Goodwill Drive on Saturday, November 20, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. Clothes, shoes, household items, small electronics, books, toys, sporting goods and accessories can be collected. Please no large furniture. Goodwill is also a certified e-waste recycler, so they will take computers, peripherals, televisions, monitors, and other e-waste. Email president@isptsa.org with questions.

This week’s Titan Teacher of the Week is… DAVID BENNETT! David earned a bachelor’s degree in Math from Willamette University and a master’s degree in Teaching from UW. For the past 8 years, David has taught Algebra, Precalculus, and Math Models, and if he could, he would love to teach shop. While David teaches math, his favorite class in school was Language Arts, taught by his favorite teacher, Mrs. Peters. David’s favorite vacation spot is Spain, which is a long way from his birthplace of Coos Bay on the Oregon coast. Indian food, hiking, and backpacking are what keep him busy when he’s not at school.  Next time you are in the 100 hallway, say hi to David Bennett, our Titan Teacher of the Week!

For questions about Titan Tribute of the Week, email townej@bsd405.org.

Virtual Middle School Family Night will be held Tuesday, October 5 at 6:30 PM on Teams.  Arty Christianto, Middle School Counselor, will present topics relevant to 9th and 10th graders including outside learning, AP credit, and high school course credits in middle school. For questions, email MS Counseling.

Attend the ASB Club Fair THIS Wednesday, September 29 before (7:30–8 AM) and after (1:45–2 PM) school! Explore clubs and activities available at International School, and bring your questions. Preview your options in the Club Announcements channel in the IS High School Teams and on the ASB webpage. For questions, email the ASB Advisor.

The 2021–22 Yearbook is available for sale through October 15. Don’t miss out on ordering your yearbook! Click HERE to purchase your yearbook online. Questions? Contact the Main Office at (425) 456-6500.

Catch up on the latest International School News from Principal Russell White. Highlights include:

Questions? Contact the Main Office at (425) 456-6500.

Picture Day was this past Wednesday. If you haven't ordered pictures yet, you still can! Order online at mylifetouch.com with ID: EVTV9NZVJ. If you missed picture day, retakes are scheduled for Wednesday, October 20. Call 800-736-4753 with questions.

If you missed the International School Virtual Curriculum Night on Friday, September 17, it is available for you to watch at your convenience. The introductory TEAMS event may be accessed HERE. You may access the teacher videos at https://flipgrid.com/3d5487cb. For questions, email internationalschooloffice@bsd405.org.

Almost 300 students are partaking of the hot lunches at IS. This is double what normally happened prior to COVID, but Patti Lydon, Kitchen Manager, and her team try to keep the lines moving and keeping social distancing. Thank you!

Get real-time information about your child's school bus transportation with the Edulog Parent Bus Tracking Program. Bellevue School District Transportation provides the Edulog Parent Portal smartphone app to help you receive information about your student’s school bus ride. It allows you to do the following:

Please join Bellevue Schools Foundation and Bellevue School District Educators for a presentation on current mental health trends in Bellevue's public schools. You will have a chance to hear directly from the District's experts about how students are currently supported, the impact of this support, and which tools and resources are most effective. There will be a chance for attendees to engage with educators directly through a Q&A session and learn about future programming planned. Email info@bsfdn.org with questions.

Through the Equity Communication Collaborative Action Network, a weekly newsletter in Spanish is available for Bellevue School District and Lake Washington School District families. These video newsletters include up-to-date district news, information about district or school-related programs, and ways to navigate the school system. This communication provides more equitable access to district information, allowing parents to better support their students. Check out past weekly newsletters, available every Monday. Email pubinfo@bsd405.org with questions.

Bellevue School District will offer the SAT to seniors and juniors during the regular school day on Thursday, October 28. There will be no cost to students, and all 11th and 12th grade students will be automatically registered to take the SAT on October 28. If you do NOT wish to take this test, follow the link in the BSD email sent to all 11th and 12th graders, and complete the Microsoft form. Check out the BSD Counseling webpage for more information on SAT testing through the Bellevue School District. For questions, contact Maria Frieboes-Gee, Director of Student Services, at frieboem@bsd405.org.

During the 2020–21 school year, teachers were encouraged to make shifts in their grading as part of an ongoing move towards more equitable and consistent grading across the district. In January 2021, there were changes to middle and high school semester report card grades in response to the conditions of remote learning. There is new information on grading for 2021–2022 as well as long-term grading plans on the BSD Grading Practices 2021–2022 page. For questions, contact Parent Help at (425) 456-4222, or email the District at pubinfo@bsd405.org.

The Winter 2021–22 Advanced Learning testing application for students in grades 2–4 and 6–11 is now available. First and fifth grade students will be automatically screened and do not need to apply. District families interested in applying for testing must apply before the Friday, October 29, 2021 deadline at 4:30 PM. Learn more on the Advanced Learning webpage. For questions, contact the Advanced Learning office via email at advancedlearning@bsd405.org or by calling (425) 456-4136.

In early October 2021, BSD will implement two types of testing for COVID-19, diagnostic testing and screening testing in our schools. More information about the testing process has been added to our website, including how students and staff can participate, where testing will occur, and other frequently asked questions. More information will be added to the COVID-19 Testing in Bellevue School District webpage, and families will be notified as we get closer to beginning this new process. Questions? Email pubinfo@bsd405.org.

Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school and too sick for after-school programs can be a difficult decision for parents to make. When trying to decide, use these BSD Too Sick for School guidelines to help you with your decision. For questions, contact pubinfo@bsd405.org or your school nurse.

425 Kids Chess, a Washington nonprofit run by BSD high school and middle school students, is offering free weekly groups and 1-on-1 chess lessons to elementary and middle school students online. The hope is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of chess and foster creativity and critical thinking at a young age. These lessons are for beginners of all ages, teaching them the basics, openings, advanced strategies, and more! Learn more or register at 425kidschess.com.

Questions? Email 425kidschess@gmail.com.

CW Academy just opened enrollment for over 15 FREE, exciting courses! Courses include Python 1, HTML, Introduction to Algebra, Biology, Psychology, Business/Economics, Chinese, Music Theory, and more, all taught by amazing high school students. Visit the course catalog to explore the full list of courses and sign up. If you have any questions, please email cwacademybellevue@gmail.com.

Mission InspirEd is a nonprofit providing youth-to-youth learning in the Greater Seattle area. Elementary and middle school students learn from passionate high school instructors who are excited about their specialized topics. Enrollment is open, and classes begin in early October. See the Mission InspirEd website to learn more about their FREE class offerings, sign up, or ask questions.

ALL IN FOR KIDS 2021–2022

Help us launch the 2021–2022 school year by participating in Bellevue School Foundation’s annual fundraising drive. The Bellevue School Foundation’s initiatives support 20,000 students, enrolled in 29 schools, and allow all students to achieve higher levels of academic success and social-emotional well-being. This year, we are distributing $800,000 to Bellevue students and educators to fund the following:

Donate today! For questions, email info@bsfdn.org, or call (425) 456-4199.

Life After High School online events provide teens and families the information they need to plan for the future. These KCLS programs are hosted on Zoom Wednesdays at 6 PM. Register here for these and other career and college events:

For questions, contact Rochelle Brown, Newport Way Library Teen Services Librarian, at rochellb@kcls.org.

Tutor.com is available FREE to KCLS library card holders. Get one-on-one, real-time tutoring. For students in grades K-12, entry-level college, and adult learners. Submit an essay, math problem, cover letter or resume for review. Prepare for the SAT, ACT, AP, or graduate school entrance exams. Get help with study skills for students and families. Check out what's available today!

For a list of session limits, subjects you can get help with, and tools for teachers view our frequently asked questions. For Tutor.com technical support, email librarysupport@tutor.com. For KCLS questions, get help here.

With schools reopening in-person, Backpack Meals for Kids will return to their model of providing weekend food packs. They need volunteers to help deliver the packs from the district warehouse (12037 NE 5th) to the individual schools on Thursday mornings, 10–11:30 AM. Interested parents, please contact Maggie Rader, Backpack Meals for Kids volunteer coordinator, at radermag@comcast.net.

One 3" x 3" sticker, endless possibilities. Click here to shop for this and more! Orders are available for delivery or FREE pickup from Winner's Sportswear in Bellevue. Proceeds benefit ISPTSA. Email sam_mel@yahoo.com with questions.

Help raise funds for ISPTSA with the Box Tops for Education app on your phone. By scanning your grocery and office supply store receipts, any qualifying products will be instantly credited to our school. It's quick and easy, and it adds up fast! Visit Box Tops for Education for more information. To select IS as your school, search zip code 98005. Any questions, email vpfundraising@isptsa.org.