UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
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THIS WEEK:
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Tuesday, 8/24, 3:00–7:00 PM • Vaccination Clinic at Odle Middle School*
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Saturday, 8/28, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM • Vaccination Clinic at Sammamish High School*
NEXT WEEK:
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Tuesday, 8/31, 10 AM–2 PM • International School open for families who have in-person, back-to-school needs*
LOOKING AHEAD:
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Wednesday, 9/1 • First Day of 2021–22 School Year
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Wednesday, 9/1 9–10 AM • PTSA Welcome Coffee for Parents
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Thursday, 9/2–Friday, 9/3 • "Olympic Village" High School Retreat*
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Monday, 9/6 • No School: Labor Day
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Wednesday, 9/8 • IS 6th Grade Retreat
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Thursday, 9/9, 7–8:30 PM • ISPTSA Ice Cream Social
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Wednesday, 9/22 • IS Student and Staff Picture Day
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Friday, 10/8 • No School: Professional Development Day
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Thursday 10/28 • BSD School Day SAT Test for Seniors and Juniors
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Friday, 11/5 • End of First Quarter
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Thursday, 11/11 • No School: Veterans Day Observed
* More information included in message below
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HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT NEEDS YOU!
We are excited to welcome high school students back on campus with an on-site Olympic-themed High School Retreat on the second and third days of school. The retreat is a way to connect with one another, build community, and launch the new year with positive intention. We’ve always enjoyed amazing parent involvement at our retreats in the past, and this year WE NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER to create a special start to the school year. Plus being on campus makes it more convenient than ever!
HOW CAN YOU HELP IN PERSON?
- ~25 on-site chaperones each day (full and half day shifts)
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Set up crews (6:30–7:30 AM each day)
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Tear down crews (3:15–4:15 PM each day)
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SIGN UP HERE: Sign-Up Genius Link
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Questions about the sign-up? Contact Melissa at sam_mel@yahoo.com.
CAN YOU LEND OR DONATE?
Note: With 320 students, we advise not lending anything too precious!
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CANOPY TENTS for shade and activities
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Outdoor friendly BLANKETS and TARPS to sit on—the front lawn may be wet especially in the mornings.
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WATER COOLERS with spigot (ex. Igloo) for refilling water bottles
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LAWN GAMES for the Carnival station—ring toss, hula hoops, corn hole, boules, etc.
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TABLE GAMES, CARDS, CRAFTS, ACTIVITIES for the Olympic Village station, a station for relaxation, conversations and low key activities. Please, no items with small pieces that can easily be lost.
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COMPLETE THE LENDING AND DONATING FORM, so we can return your items.
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DROP OFF ITEMS in the office during school hours by Wednesday, September 1.
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FRONT OFFICE VOLUNTEER NEEDED
Volunteers will be needed in the front office. A sign-up will be set up soon. Stay tuned for the details in the next Monday Messenger.
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THESE POSITIONS NEED YOU!
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Co-VP Fundraising, current school year
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Co-VP of Communications, current school year
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Co-VP of Outreach, current school year
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Grade-Level Representatives, current school year
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Membership Chair, current school year
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BLOOD DRIVE FUNDRAISER
THIS Thursday, August 26–Thursday, September 9
Donate blood at Bloodworks NW, and help the International School PTSA earn fundraising dollars! In addition to raising fundraising dollars, all adult donors this month will be entered to win a foldable Oru Kayak and pack. You have the power to save a life by donating blood at any Bloodworks Donation Center or Pop Up Location! Start to finish, an hour of your time and pint of your blood will be the gift someone in our community needs. Someone tomorrow needs a blood donor today!
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COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO CREATE SUCCESS AT IS!
A great big thank you for the more than 60 new members who joined our PTSA this last week. We see a trend of parents and a student signing up with the Family Membership rate. This popular Family Membership provides the opportunity to register three people for only $35. Our goal is to get 100% membership. Join today by visiting isptsa.org!
Our new rates are as follows:
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Family membership, 3 people—$35
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Dual membership, 2 people—$25
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Single and student membership—$15
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Teacher/staff—$10
To oversee the success of our membership this year, we welcome our new Membership Chair Honglian Gao. She is the parent of an 8th grader at IS. Any questions about membership or our rates can be sent to Honglian Gao at membership@isptsa.org.
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GET READY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT!
Thursday, September 2–Friday, September 3
Our on-site retreat is Olympic-themed, reflecting our goal of coming together as an International Community
FAMILIES: What will you need to be ready for High School Retreat?
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Update medical forms and medications if needed.
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Complete your FinalForms information.
STUDENTS: What should you bring?
Note: We will be outside all day, both days.
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Labeled water bottle
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Active wear and athletic footwear. Nothing fancy needed, but you will be active.
- Be prepared for all weather possibilities. Bring hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, jacket, rain gear, etc.
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Snacks— Single serve only, and bring extras to share!
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Small bag for your belongings—you will NOT have access to inside the school building or to your cars. You must keep your belongings with you at all times.
- Leave your computer and other valuables at home.
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JOIN OUR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL COMMUNITY FACEBOOK GROUP!
Over the past few months, we’ve been thrilled to see so many new members joining our school Facebook group. This discussion group is open to families, caregivers, teachers, staff, students, and other community members with a connection to International School. It’s a friendly place to ask questions, share school news, and connect with others. We’d love for you to join us!
Find us on Facebook at: “International School Community - Bellevue, WA”
We do filter membership requests, so be sure to answer the questions after clicking “join.” And if you or anyone you know has been “declined," please reach out, and let us know. We want to include everyone!
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REPLACEMENT OF "BACK TO BUSINESS DAY"
Recognizing the busy schedules of families as well as the need to ensure safety, International will NOT have a “Back to Business” day in August. Families will be able to take care of these needs in other ways:
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Drafts of student schedules will be available through StudentVUE/ParentVUE after 8 AM on August 30 and after families have completed the online student data verification process.
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Families may make payments online or stop by the Main Office.
- School pictures will take place during the school day on September 22.
We know some families will have some needs that must be taken care of in person. The school staff will be available to assist families August 31 from 10 AM–2 PM for the following needs and more:
- Picking up parking passes for students who have registered in June.
- Dropping off medications for the school nurse.
- Picking up ORCA cards for students riding Metro buses.
For questions, call the International School Main Office at (425) 456-6500.
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RETURNING STUDENTS: PREPARE YOUR LAPTOPS FOR SCHOOL
We encourage all students to fully charge and log in to their school-issued laptop before school starts. If the laptop does not turn on or if students are unable to log in, they may visit the Student Tech Center for in-person support through this Wednesday, August 25. Technical support is available Monday through Friday from 12–3 PM at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center (building 6) located at 12241 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005. Starting Thursday, August 26, students may get technical support from our IS Tech Specialist Jess Albrecht. Students leaving BSD can return their devices and peripherals to the Student Tech Center.
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IS PARKING
If you submitted your parking application in June 2021 and received a confirmation approval, please stop by International School Tuesday, August 31, 10 AM–2 PM to choose your space and pick up your pass. You can pay parking fees online here.
If you got your license over the summer and would like to submit an application, a message with a link will go out the first week of school via TEAMS and email. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. For questions, call the Main Office at (425) 456-6500.
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BUS ROUTES AND ORCA CARDS
Follow this link to find International School bus routes this school year. Students who live outside the school’s walking boundary are eligible to receive an Orca card for school transportation. Students can pick up their Orca card on Tuesday, August 31 from 10 AM–2 PM at International School or at the front office once school begins. Questions? Contact District Transportation at (425) 456-4512.
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YEARBOOK
Reserve your 2021-22 yearbooks today! Yearbooks are available for purchase until October 15 and cost $50. Purchase your yearbook online here.
Grad Ads for the yearbook are available for seniors. Cost is $40 for a full page or $20 for a half page ad. Purchase your senior grad ads online here.
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STUDENT NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
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IS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Being involved in a school team or club is a great way to get to know other students while participating in activities that interest you. Click here for a full list of our Associated Student Body (ASB) clubs. We highly encourage all students to participate and become an ASB member!
ASB membership gives students access to ASB clubs and supports school wide events such as assemblies, socials and retreats. ASB cards are valid for the 2021-22 school year and can be purchased online for only $25. Please email the ASB Advisor if you have any questions.
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START OF SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION
Visit the district Start of School first day of school information page for up-to-date information in one place. We acknowledge the urgency and many factors parents must consider including physical distancing, lunch, masking-wearing, COVID-19 vaccination, testing and virtual options, just to name a few. Please continue to check for information regularly as updates will be made in conjunction with guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Office of the Superintendent of Instruction (OSPI) and local health departments for the latest procedures and safety protocols. Priority is on a healthy and safe return for our students. Read the recovery plan as approved by our Bellevue School Board Directors here. Please share any thoughts or input you have on this plan here. For questions, email communityrelations@bsd405.org.
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FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR EVERYONE AND FEE WAIVERS APPLICATION FORM
Due to extended USDA funding, ALL students enrolled in the Bellevue School District can receive school lunch at no charge during the 2021 –2022 school year. Learn more here. Even though school meals are free, families that are eligible for free or reduced lunches are still encouraged to apply for free/reduced lunch. By applying, you may also qualify for the Fee Waiver program and other programs offered through BSD. Complete an application on the Nutrition Services website, and be sure to check the Fee Waiver box before submission. Questions? Contact Nutrition Services at (425) 456-4507.
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ONLINE STUDENT DATA VERIFICATION
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FINALFORMS
Families are required to register their student annually through FinalForms. The district uses this platform to manage student participation in all clubs, activities, and school/class field trips. If you've never logged into FinalForms before, look for an email from FinalForms with instructions on how to create an account, or you can request a secure confirmation link by clicking this link. Once your FinalForms account is established, you can update information on the FinalForms web page. If you have further questions, please email the Athletics and Activities Department at lowellj@bsd405.org.
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SCHOOL MESSENGER
International and the Bellevue School District uses the School Messenger notification system to send important announcements to parents and guardians via phone calls, emails and text messages. You will automatically receive calls and messages to the phone number and email address we have on file in your student’s profile. By setting up a Contact Manager account, you can adjust how you prefer to be notified or add additional contact information. Click here to set up your account or to get more information.
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VACCINATION CLINIC
Vaccination Clinic at Odle Middle School
THIS Tuesday, August 24, 3:00–7:00 PM
Vaccination Clinic at Sammamish High School:
THIS Saturday, August 28, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
In partnership with Safeway/Albertsons, we have appointments available for the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Appointments are available to all BSD students aged 12 and up, their family members, employees and their families, and members of the community. We are also offering the flu shot!
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BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Help raise funds for ISPTSA with the Box Tops for Education app. 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!
Download the Box Tops for Education app from Apple Store or Google Play on your phone, and select International School (easier to search by zip code, 98005) as your school. Visit Box Tops for Education for more information. Any questions, email vpfundraising@isptsa.org.
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FEATURED SPIRIT WEAR: INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FLEECE PULLOVER HOODIE
You’ll cheer for this smooth-faced fleece in International School forest green. ONLY $25!
- 8.5-ounce, 100% ring spun cotton face
- Removable tag for comfort and relabeling
Orders are available for delivery or FREE pickup from Winner's Sportswear in Bellevue. Proceeds benefit ISPTSA. Email sam_mel@yahoo.com with questions.
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MASTHEAD / DIRECTORY / LINKS
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President
President-Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
VP of Communications
OPEN
VP of Community
VP of Fundraising
OPEN
VPs of Outreach
Membership Chair
OPEN
Grants
Advocacy Chair
Monday Messenger
Website
IS Staff Liaison
OPEN
PTSA
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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
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SUPPORT YOUR PTSA
Donate Anytime
Write your check to the International School PTSA and send it to:
ISPTSA, PO Box 221, Bellevue WA 98009
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If you were forwarded this ISPTSA Monday Messenger email and you would like to receive it regularly, subscribe here!
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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.
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MONDAY MESSENGER
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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Please submit articles by THURSDAY at 5:00 PM to news@isptsa.org.
- Please include contact information for questions from readers.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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International School PTSA
P.O. Box 221
Bellevue, WA 98009-0221
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