February 19, 2024

MONDAY MESSENGER

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HAPPY MID-WINTER BREAK!

NO SCHOOL THIS WEEK

SHOUT-OUTS!

The following are shout-outs and thank-yous to and from various members of our community.

Thank you to all the wonderful book fair volunteers that helped run the week long event: Masako Tamura, Aletha Howes, Melissa Richardson, Megan Zahn, Apple Zhu, Jingyuan Huang, Honglian Gao!

THIS WEEK:

• Monday, 2/19–Friday 2/23 • No School (Mid-Winter Break)

NEXT WEEK:

• Wednesday, 2/28, 2–4 PM • iJazz Clinic
• Wednesday, 2/28 • HS Band 1 Eastshore
• Friday, 3/1, 7 PM • IS Drama: Amelie the Musical*
• Saturday, 3/2, 2 PM & 7 PM • IS Drama: Amelie the Musical*

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Wednesday, 3/6 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 11th Grade Families
• Wednesday, 3/6, 1:30–7 PM • IS Red Cross Club Blood Drive
• Wednesday, 3/6, 5–9 PM • Senior Class Chipotle Fundraiser
• Thursday, 3/7, 8:30 AM–3 PM • HS Orchestra 1 Eastshore
• Thursday, 3/7, 8:30 AM–3 PM • HS Choir 1 Eastshore
• Friday, 3/8 • iJazz: DeMiero Jazz Festival
• Friday, 3/8, 7 PM • IS Drama: Amelie the Musical
• Saturday, 3/9, 2 PM & 7 PM • IS Drama: Amelie the Musical
• Tuesday, 3/12, 7 PM • HS Band Concert
• Wednesday, 3/13, 7 PM • HS Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, 3/14, 8:30 AM–3 PM • HS Choir 2 Eastshore
• Thursday, 3/14, 6 PM • 11th Grade Parent Night Pt. 2
• Thursday, 3/14, 7 PM • MS Orchestra Concert
• Saturday, 3/16 • iJazz: Commencement Bay Jazz Competition
• Monday, 3/18, 7 PM • HS Choir Concert
• Tuesday, 3/19, 8:30 AM–3 PM • HS Band 2 Eastshore
• Tuesday, 3/19, 8:30 AM–3 PM • Orchestra 2 Eastshore
• Tuesday, 3/19, 7 PM • MS Choir Concert
• Wednesday, 3/20 • SAT (Juniors)
• Friday, 3/22 • School Open (Make-up Day)
• Wednesday, 3/27, 1:45 PM • Le Grand Concours*
• Thursday, 3/28, 7 PM • MS Band Concert

Click here to view the ISPTSA Calendar, which can be added to your personal Google or Outlook Calendar.

Click here to view the District 2023–2024 calendar for families.

*More information in the message below

Orange denotes new/updated calendar entries.

THE SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR IS STILL OPEN ONLINE!

The Scholastic Book Fair in our library has come to a close, but it is still OPEN online. Use this link to shop our school book fair until Sunday, February 25 and our school will receive 25% back in the form of Scholastic Dollars to spend on books for our library. Purchases $25 or more ship free to your home, and visit the site for special online offers.

Questions? Contact Amanda Johnson, ISPTSA Treasurer 1.

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK CHAIR NEEDED!

Join our team as the Staff Appreciation Week Chair! Coordinate events to honor our hardworking staff during the week of Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. Work closely with the various Grade Level Reps and our Co-VP's of Community to help show our staff how much we love and appreciate all they do for us. Have questions or want to volunteer? Email VPCommunity@isptsa.org.

LUNAR NEW YEAR STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who put on a truly impressive spread for the Lunar New Year Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, February 14! They spent days decorating beforehand and had many of the staff members reworking their schedules in order to be sure to attend. A group of parents from our Chinese community does this every year and we are truly grateful! Happy Lunar New Year! Questions? Contact VPCommunity@isptsa.org.

ISPTSA MEMBERSHIP

All ISPTSA members are Washington State PTA and National PTA members. Please click the link to the websites WSPTA member discounts and National PTA member offers for special member discounts, such as: 15% off concert and event tickets at the Seattle Symphony;  25% Off Rentals at Avis Car Rentals; 30% off at Great Wolf Lodge; Special Rates for Printing at FedEx Office; and much more.

We are inviting every IS family to join ISPTSA to help us reach the 100% membership goal and help you with some amazing discounts. Please Sign in to Renew OR Click here to Join today!

Questions? Contact membership@isptsa.org.

NATIONAL PTA NEWS

NOTES FROM THE BACKPACK

Real Experts. Real Parents. Real Conversations.

A Podcast for Parents, by Parents. Notes from the Backpack is a PTA podcast designed for millions of parents and the decision-makers they influence.

Latest Episode: Behind the Scenes in the School Cafeteria

How can families partner with schools to ensure their children are enjoying nutritious meals? Our hosts talked with Briana Webster Campbell, the managing director of Center for Best Practices at No Kid Hungry to get an inside look into the school cafeteria. Briana shares how schools determine what foods to serve, how families can get more involved and why your child’s cinnamon roll may be healthier than you think! Listen here. Questions? Contact info@pta.org.

TITIAN PLAYERS PRESENT AMELIE THE MUSICAL

Spring is just around the corner, and so is the International School Musical. Don't miss out on this opportunity to see our students shine! There will be six amazing shows spread across four days: Friday, March 1; Saturday, March 2; Friday, March 8; and Saturday, March 9. New this year, there is a discounted matinee show available to students on March 2 at 2 PM.

Buy tickets here.

Questions? Contact Renuka Getchell.

LE GRAND CONCOURS

The French Department at International School invites students to join Le Grand Concours, an annual French language competition by AATF. It's nationally recognized and endorsed by NASSP. The contest, on Wednesday, March 27 at 1:45 PM, lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, in person at the school. Fee: $6/student, due by Friday, March 1. Read more here. Questions? Contact your French teacher.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL UPDATE

An International School Update was sent through email on Monday, February 12 to all current IS families with great updates. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Somerset Elementary is seeking volunteers to help with their PTSA Pizza Bingo Night on Friday, March 8. High School Students can earn volunteer hours.

Shifts:

• Setup (setting up room/event): 5:15-6:00 PM
• Event shift 1 (pizza and game prep volunteer): 5:50-7:00 PM
• Event shift 2 (game play and prize volunteer): 6:50-8:00 PM
• Teardown (teardown event): 8:00-8:30 PM

Sign up here if interested, Questions? Contact them via this form.

VOLUNTEER HOURS

Cherry Crest Elementary is hosting a Variety Show on Friday, March 15 from 5:30-8:30 PM and we need your help! We are looking for high school volunteers who are interested in helping with setup/cleanup, backstage management, helping performers get ready, photography/videography, concession stand management, being ushers, and more.

• What: Cherry Crest Elementary Variety Show
• When:  Friday, March 15, 5:30-8:30 PM
• Where:  Cherry Crest Elementary (12400 NE 32nd St, Bellevue, WA 98005)

Please help us make the evening a success! No experience required, volunteer hours available. Sign up here. More instructions will come as we get closer to the event. If you have any questions, please contact varietyshow@cherrycrest-ptsa.org.

THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON BEGINS

Saturday, February 10, marked the start of Lunar New Year celebrations and ushered in the Year of the Dragon based on the Chinese zodiac calendar. Over one billion people worldwide celebrate Lunar New Year over multiple days with a variety of traditions. Lunar New Year begins with the rise of the first new moon and spans about 15 days until the full moon. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD

ARABIC LANGUAGE EVENING ON FEBRUARY 28

Middle and high school students and families are invited to learn about 2024-2025 online Arabic class offerings at the Arabic Language Evening on Wednesday, February 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Read more here. Questions? Please email chaabanm@bsd405.org.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS - RISE IN CYBER KIDNAPPING SCHEMES

Cyber kidnappings aim to get an individual to believe that a loved one has been kidnapped, is in immediate danger and a ransom must be paid. These schemes often involve the use of technology such as artificial intelligence voice spoofing, caller ID spoofing, and social media activity to convince unsuspecting victims to pay money. BSD Safety and Security provides some guidance to our learning community in the event they become impacted by a cyber kidnapping scheme. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.

BSD NEWSLETTER

An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, February 8. Learn about the 2024 College Conference Series, nominate someone or apply to join the school board, sign up to attend informational events, and more. Read it here. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign up here! You can see all newsletters here. Questions? Contact BSD.

CHINESE NEW YEAR LANTERN FESTIVAL

Come join the Seattle Chinese Garden in celebrating the Year of the Dragon and the Lantern Festival!

When: Saturday, February 24, 11 AM - 3 PM

Cost: FREE

Where: Seattle Chinese Garden

Find out more here. Questions? Contact officecoordinator@seattlechinesegarden.org.

BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION PRESENTS SPRING FOR SCHOOLS

Join us as we cultivate the next generation with a garden party! Funding raised through Spring for Schools yields critical programming in Bellevue School District. Our annual fundraiser joins community leaders, corporate stakeholders, and philanthropic individuals who are committed to making sure that all 18,000+ students at 28 schools in the District can blossom through programs and enrichment opportunities critical to their growth as students and future leaders of our community.

Join or host a table, get a drink and meal with friends, and stroll through the showcase of student work that our donors support.

THIS EVENT IS FOR ADULTS ONLY!

Read more here. Questions? Email info@bsfdn.org.

POLARIS AT EASTGATE

New Affordable Housing in Bellevue.  Polaris at Eastgate, located at 13300 SE Eastgate Way, is a brand-new community in the heart of Bellevue that is available to qualifying families. In the spring of 2024, there will be 360 available units, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested families can learn about the documentation requirements to qualify. For assistance with the application, contact Bellevue LifeSpring. For more information on qualifications, call 425-946-2562 or email polarisateastgatewa-br@m.knck.io.

SPRING GIRLS BASKETBALL - STARTING MARCH 21st!

Starting March 21, join us at the Tyee Middle School Gym for Spring Skills Training. Our coaches will help the girls work on their basketball skills and organize scrimmages. The fee is $150 and it is open to girls of all experience levels in 2nd – 8th grade who are zoned for Newport High School!  Most sessions will be on Tue/Thu and it runs through May 30. Based on skill level, there will be 2 time slots:

• 6:15-7:45 PM: Beginner/Intermediate skill level
• 7:45-9:15 PM: Advanced skill level

Register here. Questions? Email newportgirlsselectbasketball@gmail.com.

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT!

Check out our wide variety of International School spiritwear! Hoodies, T-shirts, bags, and more, order now! You can pick up your order from Winner's Sportswear in Bellevue or have it delivered. Questions? Email Melissa Richardson, VP of Outreach.

SMITH BROTHERS FARMS MILK FUND PROGRAMS

Sign up for Smith Brothers Farms Home Grocery Delivery and when you do, you'll receive $15 off your 1st delivery & ISPTSA receives a $50 gift donation from SBF! It's a win-win! You get the iconic Porch Box with your 1st order & it can be filled each week with milk that is 2-days-fresh from the farm, eggs that are 3-days-fresh, fresh produce, almond & oat milk, and hundreds of grocery items that are primarily from local PNW companies!

Delivery is free with just a $10 order & there are no monthly fees, no contract. Give it a try - we get the donation if you get one delivery or remain a customer for years. Questions? Contact Smith Brothers Farms.