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

*More information in the message below

Thanks to all of the 7th-grade families who supported and contributed to the Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon on February 8. It was a wonderful event that showed how grateful we are to our teachers and staff. They help us build a warm, loving, and caring community for our kids to thrive in! Questions? Contact parent-rep2028@isptsa.org.

Dear IS families, thanks to your strong support, ISPTSA only needs 27 more families to join to reach 100% membership -- our goal is to support every IS student! Everyone in the IS community, teachers/staff, students, parents and guardians are invited to join PTSA.  If you haven’t joined or renewed your ISPTSA membership, please join now! Questions? Contact Honglian Gao at membership@isptsa.org.

Focus on Advocacy Day is just around the corner on Monday, February 20 at the Capitol Building in Olympia. Registration is open but there are two important ticket cutoffs:

Questions? Contact WSPTA.

Notes from the Backpack is a PTA podcast designed for millions of parents and the decision-makers they influence. When our kids talk about the latest social media trends, it can feel like they’re speaking a foreign language. Founder and CEO of The Social Institute, Laura Tierney, joins the show to help us understand how we can best support our children in navigating the current social media landscape. She highlights the importance of positive social media education and shares how technology can support our children’s mental health and even their study habits. Find out more and listen now on your favorite podcast platform. Questions? Contact National PTA.

Position descriptions can be found here. Send nominations to nominations@istpsa.org. You can self-nominate or nominate someone you believe in! Questions? Contact the Nominations Committee.

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!

International School will be administering the school day SAT to 11th graders Wednesday, March 22. We are looking for parents who can proctor the test and parents who can provide school support. Parents of 11^th graders CANNOT proctor the test or provide support. Find out more information here.

If you are interested in helping or have questions, contact Traci Sullivan.

This year’s spring musical is NEWSIES. Ticket sales are OPEN NOW (online presale closes the Tuesday before each show weekend). Find tickets on Touchbase under "My School" and "ASB Activities/Clubs." There will be assigned seating and any remaining tickets will be available to purchase at the door. These purchases are associated with a student account, so any extended family or friends tickets should be bought at the same time. For questions, please email Renuka Getchell, Drama Co-Parent.

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 THIS 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! Tickets can be bought in advance through TouchBase (go to Choice School, then International School, then ASB Activities). Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

Parents, students, and families: Our lost-and-found drawer is overflowing and we would love more than anything to reunite you with your lost possessions. We have AirPod cases, AirPods, watches, glasses, jewelry, keys, and more. Please peruse the photos below, and if you recognize an item, come to the front office to claim it. At the end of the month, we will donate all unclaimed items. Thank you! Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

An International School Update was sent through email on Wednesday, February 8 to all current IS families with great updates. An additional email was sent out on Tuesday, February 7 that discussed Focus Week. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

A Middle and High school leadership and community service program in the City of Bellevue. Take the opportunity to engage in your community, but most importantly get your voice heard. More info can be found on Bellevue Youth Link. Apply at Bellevue Youth Council.

Upcoming special events: BellevUnity – Friday, March 3, RSVP here.

Questions? Contact Bellevue Youth Link.

Applications to intern at a non-profit this summer with Teens in Public Service are due on Friday, March 3. Find out more here. Questions? Contact TIPS.

Register NOW to be sure your paperwork is completed in time for spring high school sports and activities (first practices begin soon!). Learn more on the BSD Athletics Webpage and your neighborhood high school athletics webpage:

The February 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

On Thursday, February 9, Interim Superintendent Jarvis shared the Bellevue School District's recommendations to consolidate schools in the 2023-2024 school year. Find out more here. Questions? Email BSD.

BSD will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits to students, staff, and their families THIS week ahead of Mid-Winter Break. COVID-19 testing allows people to take precautions in a timely manner to help prevent the virus from spreading. Tests are voluntary and will be distributed from ESC West, Room 100 at the following times:   

Questions? Email covidtesting@bsd405.org. 

The Northwest African American Museum is partnering with the University of Washington Libraries' Special Collections to offer two Research and Writing Workshops in February for Black History Month. Find out more here. Questions? Contact NAAM.

Rainier Avenue Radio is converting the historic Columbia City Theatre in Seattle into a museum for the entire month of February entitled the "Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum". The museum will celebrate the achievements and the achievers of the PNW while recognizing the Black excellence that shines today through a toured exhibit -- featuring installations and exhibits. Find out more here. Questions? Contact Rainier Avenue Radio.

Wintergrass 2023 takes place February 23-26 in Bellevue WA at the Hyatt Regency AND the Westin (just across the skybridge from the Hyatt). We’re exploring the world of Torch and Twang – featuring great singers and players exuding the soul of bluegrass and Americana. We are also shining a spotlight on the rich musical heritage of Louisiana, featuring four bands with artists from that state. The festival offers four days of performances on five stages, dances, adult and youth education opportunities, and jamming. Find more information here. Questions? Contact Wintergrass.

The 11th annual Seattle Asian American Film Festival is back in person this year at Northwest Film Forum February 23-26. SAAFF is the only film festival to provide a space for pan-Asian American voices, perspectives, and histories told through multimedia arts in Seattle. Our volunteer-run organization empowers and uplifts Asian American creatives and builds community connections through our annual festival and other year-round events. We aim to be a platform that broadens the understanding of our community’s stories by elevating independent films that reflect the diversity and richness of Asian Americana and Asian diasporas. Find more information here. Questions? Contact SAAFF.

The Nerd Party promotes downtown local, small businesses by highlighting nerd culture in a street-wide event. Small businesses between 2nd & 4th Ave on W. Meeker in Kent, WA will host local makers, artists, and authors specializing in nerd culture, science fiction, fantasy, horror — books, games, toys, and more. Find out more information here. Questions? Contact Kent Downtown Partnership.

Learn how to play chess and other board games. Meet other teens and eat some free snacks! Find out more and register here. Questions? Contact KCLS

Learn to cook different Asian foods with Mercer Island High School students from the Education Coalition for Asian American Representation (ECAAR). This is an online event via Zoom.

Click on the link above to register. Questions? Contact ECAAR.

THIS Tuesday, February 14

Join Chouchan Airapetian for games and some chess instruction in the library. Challenge yourself and others! Register for the event here. Questions? Get more information here or contact KCLS.

More Information can be found here. Questions? Contact National Park Service.

Computer Science: THIS Tuesday, February 14, 11:45 AM-1 PM, WISC Campus, Rainier Room.

Join our Computer Science program leads as they share how computer science learning outcomes are integrated into the curriculum of the District, including an effort to increase the racial and gender diversity in computer science as a whole. Lunch will be provided by Newport Knives. Please RSVP here. More information can be found here. Questions? Contact info@bsfdn.org.

Saturday, March 11th, 9 am – 11:30 am or when the 2 trucks are full.  

Help the Bellevue High School Band Boosters raise money by cleaning out your closets and garage. Goodwill is bringing a truck to BHS on Saturday, March 11th to accept donations of used goods. The more trucks we can fill, the more money to support the Bellevue High Band (and you'll get a donation tax receipt). Donation guidelines can be found here. Questions? Contact Bellevue High PTSA.

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.

Start 2023 off with some stress relief for yourself! Signup 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.