December 11, 2023

MONDAY MESSENGER

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THIS WEEK:

• Monday, 12/11, 4 PM–7 PM • Drama Auditions
• Monday, 12/11 • Choice Schools Application Period Opens*
• Monday, 12/11, 6 PM • Information Night for Costa Rica and DC Focus Week Trips in IS Library
• Wednesday, 12/13 • Winter Market*
• Wednesday, 12/13 • AMC 8 Registration Deadline*

NEXT WEEK:

• Tuesday, 12/19, 4 PM–7 PM • Drama Callbacks
• Wednesday, 12/20–Monday 1/1 • No School (Winter Break)

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Wednesday, 1/3 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 10th Grade Families
• Thursday, 1/11, 8 AM–1 PM • MS Jazz Festival
• Monday, 1/15 • No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• Friday, 1/19 • Choice Schools Application Period Closes
• Wednesday, 1/24, 2 PM • AMC 8 Competition in IS Library*
• Friday, 1/26 • End of First Semester
• Friday, 2/2 • International School Winter Auction Gala*
• Tuesday, 2/6, 6:30 PM • Admitted 5th Grade Parent Night for 2024–2025
• Wednesday, 2/7, 6 PM • Bite of IS*
• Thursday, 2/8, 6:30 PM • Middle School Parent Night
• Wednesday, 2/14 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by Our Chinese Community
• Monday, 2/19–Friday 2/23 • No School (Mid-Winter Break)
• Wednesday, 3/6 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 11th Grade Families
• Wednesday, 3/13, 7 PM • HS Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, 3/14, 7 PM • MS Orchestra Concert
• Wednesday, 4/3 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 7th Grade Families
• Monday, 4/8–Friday 4/12 • No School (Spring Break)
• Tuesday, 4/16, 6:30 PM • 8th Grade Parent Night
• Monday 5/6–Friday 5/10 • Staff Appreciation Week
• Wednesday, 5/8 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 8th Grade Families
• Wednesday, 6/5 • Seniors and Staff Luncheon Hosted by the 12th Grade Families
• Wednesday, 6/5, 6 PM • MS Orchestra Concert
• Wednesday, 6/5, 7 PM • HS Orchestra 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 ISPTSA ANNUAL WINTER MARKET IS BACK!

Let's celebrate winter, winter holidays, and our international community with a European-style Winter Market. Come to sell or shop - or both!

Join us for a fun community night of food, crafts, music, gifts, and more at the annual ISPTSA Winter Market in the International School Commons THIS Wednesday, December 13, 6 PM - 8:30 PM. Come and check out all the tables or host a table yourself! Pay for a table here. Are you a musician? Sign up to perform! Last year was amazing, don't miss out! Please note that the form has been updated and should work now. Questions? Check out our website or contact Melissa Richardson, ISPTSA VP of Outreach.

COMING SOON - INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 2024 AUCTION

Last year, almost 200 people joined the IS PTSA Auction to celebrate the school and raise funds to inspire and support our students and teachers. We're looking forward to another great night together.

• Save the Date! - This year's auction will be on Friday, February 2. More details coming soon. You won't want to miss this fantastic night celebrating IS students, teachers, and the community.
• Donate to the Auction! - Do you have season tickets? Consider donating tickets to a game or a performance for the auction. Gift cards, hosted dinners, boat rides, weekends at vacation homes, and unique experiences make great donations that help us raise funds. Email VPFundraising@isptsa.org today to inquire about donation opportunities.
• Join the Auction Team! - Help make the auction a success and enjoy the rewards. We're looking for volunteers to assist in the following roles: Food and Decorations, Marketing and Ticket Sales, Auction Procurement Support, and Auction Night Programming. Email VPFundraising@isptsa.org to join the team. Thank you!

Questions? Contact Phil Bloch and Gang Chen, Co-VPs of Fundraising.

HOLIDAY STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

As the festive spirit fills the air, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each parent and volunteer who played a pivotal role in supporting the delightful holiday-themed lunch for our dedicated teachers on December 6. To our wonderful teachers, thank you for your unwavering dedication and the positive impact you make in our children's lives every day. Thanks a ton to the parents for your support: Dongfang Orien Kuang, Helene Law, Anna Zhang, Alice Chong, Pearl Ho, Monette Anderson, Qinghui Liu, Arty Christianto, Alison Parish, Lindsay Posner, T. May Kulthol, Kimberly Graves, Lita Lilia, Seonghui Chen, Jasmine Isaac, Kai Gao, Dennis Chow, Jun Park, Hua Yang, Hailey Moilanen. Special thanks to our volunteers: T. May Kulthol, Pearl Ho and Maggie Lo. Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful holiday season! Questions? Email Kai Gao, 6th Grade Parent Rep.

CONNECT WITH YOUR CLASS

Connect with classmates and class families! Join your class FB group to share information, discuss ideas, and organize activities - for families, students, or parents only! 

• Class of 2024 (12th Grade Families)
• Class of 2025 (11th Grade Families)
• Class of 2027 (9th Grade Families)
• Class of 2028 and 2029 (7th & 8th Grade Families)
• Class of 2030 (6th Grade Families)

Questions? Email Melissa Richardson, VP of Outreach

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I came across some neat tidbits about the history of International School that I cannot resist sharing:

• The first is an article written by Bruce Saari, one of our school founders, that talks about the beginnings of IS titled "History of Bellevue International School."

• The second is a three-part YouTube video created by an IS student as part of their Senior Project in 2002:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I hope you enjoy these glimpses into our roots!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Li

ISPTSA MEMBERSHIP 2023–2024

Unlock a Year of Excellence: we cordially invite you to join or renew your ISPTSA Annual Membership today. Your contribution is the driving force behind our exceptional school programs, elevating the educational journeys of our students.

Questions? Contact membership@isptsa.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We are looking for Volunteers to help us support our school! We need your help!

Outreach (Email vpoutreach@isptsa.org if interested in one of the following positions):

• Volunteer Coordinator
• Membership Chair (contact membership@isptsa.org)

Communications (Email vpcommunications@isptsa.org if interested in one of the following positions):

• Monday Messenger Liaisons

Community (Email vpcommunity@isptsa.org if interested in one of the following positions):

• Grade Parent Liaisons for 8th grade
• Staff Appreciation Chair

Learn more about these positions here. Please email the respective Board Member if you have questions or if you're interested in signing up.

BELLEVUE PTSA COUNCIL

BELLEVUE PTSA COUNCIL RESOLUTION

the Bellevue PTSA Council published a resolution titled "Bellevue School District Budget Shortfall 2024 and Beyond" that was voted on and adopted by the general membership on December 4. Read it here. Questions? Contact them via their online form.

NATIONAL PTA

PROGRAMS

National PTA offers a variety of programs that parents and caregivers can take advantage of right away. Find out more here. Questions? Contact programs@pta.org

CHOICE SCHOOLS APPLICATION PERIOD

Reminder: The Choice Schools application period for the 2024-25 school year opens TODAY, Monday, December 11 through Friday, January 19. Don't forget that sibling applications to International must be filled out during this time! Read more here. Questions? Email studentplacement@bsd405.org.

BITE OF IS

Wednesday, February 7 at 6 PM

Join us for the Bite of IS, an annual multicultural potluck in the International School Gym! Contribute a dish reflecting your culture or perform a cultural act. Booth sign-ups are open till January 26. Proceeds support The Hunger Project, addressing hunger and poverty globally.

How to Participate:

• Booths: Host one individually, with a club, or as a family. Contribute to the Bite of IS Cookbook!
• Performances: Showcase your ethnic background through dance, song, etc. Solo or group performances welcome.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, February 7 at 6 PM
• Venue: International School Gym
• Tickets: Information will be sent in January.

Support The Hunger Project and Embrace Diversity!

• Booth Sign-up
• Performing Sign-up
• Learn about The Hunger Project

Questions? Email Emelia Bechthold.

LOST AND FOUND

Students and Families: Despite our best efforts to reunite students with their belongings, our Lost and Found continues to grow! Don’t let your student go through these cold, wet winter months without their warm clothes! Please look carefully through these photos and have your student pick up their items ASAP. In addition to the very nice clothes, we have a host of water bottles and other accessories. We will donate all unclaimed items before Winter Break! Questions? Please contact Kyla in the front office. Thanks!

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL UPDATE

An International School Update was sent through email on Monday, December 4 to all current IS families with great updates. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION 8

Participate in the American Mathematics Competition, the biggest math competition in the nation! The AMC 8 test is here, and registration is open.

• AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple-choice examination that covers topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Students who are in grade 8 or below and under 14.5 years old may take the test. 
• AMC 8 provides an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers.

Registration Deadline: THIS Wednesday, December 13

Competition Date and Location: Wednesday, January 24, in the IS Library at 2 PM after school. 

Registration Fee:

The registration fee is just $10, and you can easily pay online. Participants must pay for the test PRIOR to arriving at the testing center. Students who show up without prepaying will NOT be allowed to take the test. NO REFUNDS will be provided for no-shows.

Check out the flyer here. If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to email chum@bsd405.org.

WINTER BASKETBALL CAMP

The Sammamish basketball program is hosting a Winter Basketball Camp for 3rd - 8th graders over winter break on Wednesday, December 20 through Friday, December 22 from 9 AM-12 PM at Sammamish High School (main gym).

The Girls Varsity team and coaches will be running the players through fun drills, competition, games, and scrimmages over the course of the three days. All levels welcome. Bring a snack and be ready to play!

More info here. Sign up here. Questions? Email jeanjpark13@icloud.com.

BUS ROUTE CANCELLATIONS

THIS Monday, December 11 through Friday, December 15, the following bus routes are canceled due to driver availability: 1, 11, 22, 29, and 40. Impacted school communities include Ardmore, Bennett, Chinook, Highland, Odle, Tillicum, and Tyee. Find out more here. Questions? Contact transportation@bsd405.org.

OPEN HOUSE EVENTS

Students and families are invited to learn more about schools and programs at individual school open houses beginning THIS WEEK. Find all the school dates here. Questions? Contact BSD.

NEW BILINGUAL PROGRAMS

The Bellevue School District Multilingual Learners (MLL) department is delighted to offer two new programs for the 2024-2025 school year. We welcome a Korean Bilingual Program at Newport Heights Elementary School and a Hindi Bilingual Program at Ardmore Elementary School. Both programs will be accepting applications for incoming kindergarten students for the fall of the 2024-2025 school year beginning THIS Monday, December 11, and continuing until Friday, January 19. These programs are open to both in-district and out-of-district students entering kindergarten and require no prior language experience.

Families interested in learning more are invited to attend the following information nights:

• Hindi Bilingual Program Information Night: THIS Tuesday, December 12, at Ardmore Elementary School
• Korean Bilingual Program Information Night: THIS Thursday, December 14, at Newport Heights Elementary School

Questions? Contact HeritageLanguagePrograms@bsd405.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION

Community feedback from the recent community forums and districtwide survey has been published. The district has also shared an update on the study and what the BSD learning community can expect next in the process. Find out more here and check out the District's responses here. Questions? Contact BSD.

SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS SCHOOLS AND TRANSPORTATION

Severe weather conditions can impact schools and transportation. Due to heavy rain, road closures and detours can cause delays and disruption to bus routes. Families that would like to have immediate notification of route delays or closures should sign up for the Edulog Parent Portal, the district’s transportation information platform. Sign up for Edulog for alerts.

We remain committed to running as many routes as possible while prioritizing student safety. Please contact transportation@bsd405.org with any questions.

Learn more about BSD’s inclement weather policies.

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT WELL-BEING ANNUAL PLAN FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

The School Board has approved our 2023-24 Annual Plan on August 17, 2023 (PDF).

If you have any questions, please email pubinfo@bsd405.org.

BSD NEWSLETTER

An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Wednesday, November 22, with information about how community partners support BSD schools, mental health resources, preparing for school and program open houses, and more. Read it here. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign up here! You can see all newsletters here. Questions? Contact BSD.

BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION 2022-2023 GRATITUDE REPORT

Before we turn the page to 2024, we are thrilled to share our annual Gratitude Report. It's a tribute to every single dollar and donor invested in 2022-2023. View the Gratitude Report here. Questions? Email info@bsfdn.org.

BIKE BELLEVUE: HOW TO IMPROVE THE BICYCLE NETWORK

The City of Bellevue is looking for community members to participate in paid online focus groups or interviews about how to improve the bicycle network in the city's urban core — including Downtown, Wilburton, and BelRed. We are conducting online focus groups or interviews in English, Mandarin, and Spanish, that are easy to participate in from the comfort of your home, workplace, or anywhere where you can use a phone or computer and engage in a conversation. 

Participants will be paid $100-150 as a thank-you for participation.  

Please click on this link to complete this brief survey to determine your eligibility. Questions? Contact Freya Liu or Franz Loewenherz.

THE WINTER PORCH LIGHT PARADE

The cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline will be hosting the fourth annual Winter Porch Light Parade -- a winter program showcasing communities shining bright during the holiday season. These four cities invite their communities to create light displays that will become part of a virtual holiday map, marking the many traditions celebrated during winter. 

Embark on this exciting holiday light adventure at your leisure throughout the month of December. Whether you are bundled up with your family or friends, this is the perfect tradition to see the magic of lights from the ease of your car throughout four cities in the Pacific Northwest. 

• Insider Tip: The light displays are best seen between 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. -- we recommend planning your route using the virtual Winter Porch Light Parade Map. This is a self-guided driving experience.

Find out more info here. Get the map here! Questions? Contact the various cities here.

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.