UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS |
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THIS WEEK:
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Tuesday, 8/31, 10 AM–2 PM • International School open for families with in-person, back-to-school needs
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Wednesday, 9/1 • First Day of 2021–22 School Year—Students will attend all seven classes this day*
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Wednesday, 9/1,
9–10 AM 8–9:30 AM • PTSA Welcome Coffee for Parents*
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Thursday, 9/2–Friday, 9/3 • Olympic Village High School Retreat*
NEXT WEEK:
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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
LOOKING AHEAD:
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Friday, 9/17 • IS Virtual Curriculum Night
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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
Click here to view the District 2021-2022 calendar for families.
* More information included in message below
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HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT NEEDS YOU!
THIS Thursday, September 2–THIS Friday, September 3
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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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS - PLEASE REGISTER
We are beyond excited to welcome back our International School (IS) community volunteers. Welcome back to those of you who already know us, and we look forward to meeting our new volunteers.
Please click here to register as a volunteer, and we will be in touch with you in due course. For questions, contact the Main Office at 425-456-6500.
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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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ISPTSA welcomes back International School students, staff and parents. |
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PTSA WELCOME COFFEE
THIS Wednesday, September 1, 8–9:30 AM
Welcome back, IS Parents and Families! Join us for coffee, tea and wrapped treats at the nearby Kelsey Creek parking covered area. Meet new families, catch up with friends, and learn more about ISPTSA membership. All are welcome, and we encourage everyone to practice safety protocols in a group setting.
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COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO CREATE SUCCESS AT IS!
A great big thank you to the 72 new members who joined our PTSA this last week! A total of 132 new members have joined in the past two weeks! 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 (every IS student is supported by an ISPTSA member). 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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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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BLOOD DRIVE FUNDRAISER
Now through Thursday, September 9
Donate blood at Bloodworks NW, and help ISPTSA earn fundraising dollars! Start to finish, an hour of your time and a pint of your blood will be the gift someone in our community needs. Click here to book a blood donation appointment at any Bloodworks Donation Center or Pop Up Location. When you check in, share code: 832B for your donation to count toward our fundraising. We need a minimum of 35 donors, so to help us tally the number of donors, please add your name to our list. Blood donors must be at least 16 years old to participate, and each donor needs to book an appointment, wear a face mask, and show their photo ID.
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GET READY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT!
THIS Thursday, September 2–THIS 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.
More details for students coming soon—watch your email! For retreat questions, email Tamara Truax or Lee Holt.
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LIBRARY NEWS
Welcome Back!
I’m so pleased that our library use will be back to normal this school year. Our operation hours will be from 12:15 PM to 4:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We’ll open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Wednesday. More than 200 print titles have been added to our Summer–
Fall 2021 collections since June. Please click here to explore these new collections and come to our library to check them out. You can also put a hold on your favorite title and stop by the library to pick it up.
Please feel free to email me or contact me in Teams if you need any assistance.
Happy New School Year!
Michele Dang
Library Specialist
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SCHOOL ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
- School begins at 8:15 AM and the doors will open at 8:00 AM. Dismissal is 3:15 PM with the exception of Wednesday dismissal at 1:40 PM.
- Students enter the building through one of three clearly marked doors and go straight to class.
- Door A for students with first class in the 200 hall.
- Door B for students with first class in the 100 hall.
- Door C for students with first class in the 300 hall and PE.
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Please refer to our Parking & Transportation webpage for transportation and parking guidelines.
If you have questions, contact the Main Office at 425-456-6500.
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START OF SCHOOL AT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
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Students will attend all seven classes on the first day of school so they have a chance to meet all their teachers.
- Students, staff and visitors MUST wear acceptable face masks indoors.
- All classrooms will be set up to maintain 3 feet physical distancing.
- School lunch is available and free this year, however snack bar, vending machines and microwaves will not be.
- Mealtime seating in the commons will be arranged to maintain physical distancing. Hallways and locker bays will also be open at lunchtime with the same distancing.
- Hallways will follow the same one-direction traffic pattern as last year.
- Student lockers will NOT be available this year.
- Water fountains and water bottle filling stations are available.
- If you are a returning student, be sure to charge and bring your laptop.
This is a quick summary of the recent Start of School email from Principal Russell White. Please refer to the email for more information. If you have questions, contact the Main Office at 425-456-6500.
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START OF SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION
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WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?
Want an easy way to find out what’s for lunch? Download the My School Menus app on your mobile device to quickly check on the menu and more! Remember school lunches are FREE this year for everyone, and there is no need to register.
- View menu and items offered each day.
- Filter food choices by the top 8 allergens and seeds.
- View detailed nutritional information and ingredients for each menu item.
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Use the "Build a Meal" feature to determine nutritional value (calories, carbohydrates, etc.) of an entire meal to meet personal dietary needs.
- Translate menus in multiple languages.
You can access MSM by going to either the iTunes App Store or Google Play and downloading the app to your device. If you downloaded the app in the past, MSM updated the app last year during the pandemic school closure. Please visit your device's app store to ensure you have the most current version.
For questions about school lunches, contact Nutrition Services at (425) 456-4507. For questions about MSM, email program.intake@usda.gov.
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STUDENT NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS: CROSS COUNTRY, SOCCER AND GIRLS GOLF
Begins Monday, September 13, 3:45 PM
Middle School Coed Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer, and Girls Golf start Monday, September 13. Activities begin 3:45 PM after tutorial. These activites are led by Jubilee Reach and are FREE for all students. All skill levels are welcome. Check out the BSD Middle School Athletics webpage for more information on these sports activities and more.
To register for athletics and activities, visit the FinalForms webpage. Jubilee Reach will contact you via email before the sports season begins with details about practice times and event schedules.
Problems registering? Contact the BSD Athletics and Activities Office at arnonea@bsd405.org. For questions about activities, contact Club Jubilee Advisor, Brock Hay, at hayb@bsd405.org.
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ECOHACK 2021: FREE ONLINE YOUTH HACKATHON
THIS Saturday, September 4–Monday, September 6
Are you interested in improving and practicing teamwork, time management, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and presentation skills? Would you like an opportunity to collaborate, connect, and work to solve real world problems? Look no further! EcoHack, a virtual hackathon held in conjunction with EmP, focuses on solving environment-related issues such as global warming or endangered species. Participants work in teams of 5 to pick a solvable environmental issue, and during the hackathon, teams will research, design, and create their own original product. There will also be student-driven workshops, giving teams a multitude of chances to learn helpful technical and soft skills. Prizes include a total of $240 worth of gift cards!
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SUPPORT ISPTSA WITH YOUR AMAZON PURCHASES
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ISPTSA CAR MAGNET—ONLY $5
In rain or shine, show your school spirit wherever you go with this 8" round car magnet! You can purchase your magnet in the school office for only $5. Proceeds benefit ISPTSA. Click this link for the ISPTSA Store.
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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 1/4-ZIP CADET COLLAR SWEATSHIRT
A versatile addition to your wardrobe, the 1/4-zip cadet collar sweatshirt features:
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8-ounce, NuBlend® pill-resistant fleece
- Double-needle coverstitching on armholes and waistband
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
Grants
Advocacy Chair
Monday Messenger
Website
IS Staff Liaison
OPEN
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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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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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