Click here to view the District 2022–2023 calendar for families.

*More information in the message below

TODAY, Monday, January 16, is the last day of the early-bird special for the winter auction. Buying tickets now helps us plan for the event and ensure we have the best event we can. Don’t forget that More People = More Fun! Let’s fill the room for a great evening. There will be performances from the International iJazz group, an Around the World photo booth, and more.

Have questions? Check out our FAQ or email VPFundraising@isptsa.org.

Thank You Auction Sponsors: Straight Arrow Real Homes; Seattle Boat Company; Schoenfeld Interiors; Bellevue Park Dental; Foster Realty Group; Renuka Getchell/Windermere; and Juhee’s Alterations & Cleaner.

Have questions? Check out our FAQ or email VPFundraising@isptsa.org.

We need a quorum to pass the budget so please plan on dialing in and joining us for an informative meeting. Questions? Contact ISPTSA.

Please Sign in to Renew OR Click here to Join today!

Questions? Please contact Honglian Gao at membership@isptsa.org

THIS Tuesday, January 17, 7:30 - 8:30 PM

We will discuss the advocacy work of the Washington State PTA and our district PTSA Council (including all PTA's within our district). We are a community more than a committee. Our goal is to empower, advocate and collectively raise our voices for change for the benefit of students and our schools. Register here.

Questions? Email Joel Ingraham and Kristi Schwesinger, Bellevue PTSA Council Advocacy Directors.

Learn more about these positions here. Please email board@isptsa.org if you have questions or if you're interested in signing up. Thank you!

22-23 yearbooks are available for purchase through THIS Tuesday, January 17. A limited quantity is available. Buy online. Get yours now! Questions? Email Ellen Stone, IS Office Secretary

Due THIS Friday, January 20 at 4:30 PM

Click here to apply.

Lottery applications for incoming 6th-grade (current 5th-grade) students for the 2023–2024 school year are open until Friday, January 20 at 4:30 PM. After the close of the application period, incoming 6th-grade (current 5th-grade) students that missed the application period may submit a waitlist application to be added to the bottom of the waitlist.

Siblings of current International School students must apply by Friday, January 20 at 4:30 PM to be enrolled in Autumn 2023.

Questions? Email Katherine Parkin, IS Registrar.

FINALS WEEK: JANUARY 23–27

Finals Week will be January 23–27. The schedule can be found here. Please note that the normal bell schedule will be followed for most days that week other than Friday, in which 1st period is lengthened and 2nd period is shortened. The last period of the day on Friday is for makeup finals. High school students who are not in mixed-level courses with middle school students may leave early during that time, although space will be provided for students who stay. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

The next Principal Coffee will be held on Thursday, January 26 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM in the Library. We will take some time to discuss recent communications from the district regarding enrollment trends as well as what is known about the IS rebuild plans at this point, share some information about current work at IS, and preview what is coming up in the next couple of months. For those unable to join in the day, this information will also be shared at the next evening PTSA meeting. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

The Bite of IS is back! This is a community event that showcases and celebrates the incredible diversity, talents, and culture we find at International School. Within that framework, the Bite also serves as a way to raise funds for a global charity, enabling our students to be advocates for positive change in their world. This year, the Bite will be held on Wednesday, February 15 from 6 pm-8 pm in the International School Gym. Find out more about this year's charity and all the ways you can participate here! Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

CAREER DAY – CALL FOR SPEAKERS

This year, we are planning a Career Day for students during Focus Week on Wednesday, May 24 to inspire, learn, and be exposed to different careers along with learning different life skills. Would you or do you know someone who would like to come speak to our students about:

Get more information here! Questions? Email Arty Christianto, IS Middle School Counselor

We are excited to welcome a new member to the Titan family. Kyla Carlson is joining us as our new General School Assistant. In this capacity, Kyla will supervise the Testing Center for students who need this support, support the office and clinic, and generally provide assistance to all school programs. Before joining us, Kyla worked with the King County Library System, supported Makerspace programs at KCLS, and has been a senior editor at PC Computing Magazine. She has volunteered at multiple schools in BSD and has been involved with PTSA (at the school and district levels). This position is jointly funded between the school and PTSA and we are grateful for this support. We are thrilled to have her join us. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

During Wednesday’s Community, esteemed Class of 2022 alumni Hale Behan (Claremont McKenna College/undecided), Ainsley Chisman (Boston University/business), Sully Misner (Santa Clara University/French+film), and Nusha Sepehri (UW/computer science) shared their experiences since graduating in June with our seniors. From time management to dorm life, their insights provide guidance for a strong second semester and getting comfortable with the unknown. It was a pleasure having them back on campus and hearing about life after International School! Thank you, ’22 Titans! Questions? Email Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary

An International School Update was sent through email on Wednesday, January 11 to all current IS families with great updates. It can also be found on the IS website. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

The next season of middle school sports will offer both Volleyball (coached by IS staff) and Flag Football (coached by Jubilee Reach staff). The registration window for both will be January 18 – February 1 and the season will run from February 6 – March 29.

Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

High school students are invited to attend a virtual information session hosted by Teens in Public Service (TIPS) to learn more about the 2023 TIPS Summer Internship Program! Scheduled Meetings take place from 5:00 - 6:00 pm on the following dates:

More info? Questions? Email TIPS

Washington State PTA offers scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington state public high schools who will be starting college (either two-year or four-year) in the fall. The application deadline is February 15, 2023. The submission process is newly streamlined this year. If you want to learn more, check out this blog post. Questions? Email WSPTA.

Please join us THIS Thursday, January 19, for a family-focused session about the Special Education Evaluation process. Topics include the initial referral process, timelines, components of the evaluation, three-year re-evaluations, and more. Presenting are two BSD psychologists, Ben Mast, Psy.D, and Meggan Jung, Ed.S. Both come with many years of experience at both the elementary and secondary levels. Included will be a PowerPoint presentation and time for questions and answers. This event will be virtual only. 

Learn more about this event. Questions? Email BSD.

There’s still time to apply for Open Transfer, Choice Schools, and Choice Language Programs for the 2023–2024 school year. Learn more about the application process and apply by THIS Friday, January 20 to be considered. 

Nonresident students who wish to enroll in BSD schools may also submit waitlist applications. Learn more on the Inter-District Transfer webpage. Questions? Email BSD.

ATTEND 2023–24 SCHOOL YEAR FAMILY INFORMATION NIGHTS

To help families prepare for their next grade-level transition in the 2023–2024 school year, BSD’s neighborhood schools, choice schools, and choice language programs will host information sessions for prospective students and families. Review this year’s information night dates, which will occur between January 4 and 19. Questions? Email BSD.

Read a message here from Dr. Jarvis, Interim Superintendent of the Bellevue School District. In his address to the BSD community, he expresses his thanks and shares updates on the search for the next superintendent, declining enrollment, safety and security, and innovation and change. Questions? Email BSD.

JANUARY CTE SPOTLIGHT

The January CTE Spotlight can be found here.

CTE stands for Career and Technical Education. The CTE Spotlight is a monthly newsletter that highlights the great work students are doing and the different career pathways in CTE. These courses are available from middle to high school. To see the entire program you can log onto the district website and see all the career pathways. Questions? Contact Marilyn Henselman, CTE Director

Calling all 5th-8th graders interested in learning science and math! Find out more here.

When: Saturday, February 4th, 8:30am - 2:30pm

You can only reserve seats as a team of 3 to 4 students. Register here.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Bellevue Schools Foundation, which will fund more programs to help your child and every child in the Bellevue School District to succeed in school and life. Questions? Email Kosha.

Monday, January 16, from 9–noon (MLK Jr. Day, No School!).

There will be 7 stations: Chemistry, Art, Aerospace, Engineering, Culinary/Snack, Winter Games, and More Science! Learn more and register here!

Questions? Contact Melissa Baker & Jake Nonis, Wise Camp Directors.

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.