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

* More information in the message below

At our last board meeting, our board members had lots of suggestions for speakers for the general membership meeting or for other meetings. Remember that our board members are parents of IS students ranging in grade from 6–12th with the same concerns as you. The suggestions ranged from electronic usage of our students—how middle school and high school use them differently, and the EFFECT of this on sleep and teens— to the loss of learning that occurred during the COVID shutdown and the mental health of our teens. We plan on addressing these subjects and the concerns of parents at future meetings and events this year.

Our general membership meeting is tomorrow. Hope to see you tomorrow to help us pass a budget, hear the state of our school from Russell White, and meet and greet! Students are welcome.

THIS Tuesday, October 18, 6–8 PM

Kindly RSVP here and please include any dietary restrictions.

Please join us for the first General Membership Meeting of the year. A taco dinner will be provided, and children are welcome. Kindly RSVP so we have enough food. Principal Russell White will provide school updates, and there will be a presentation on our new mental health program being rolled out by the district. We'll also be voting on the standing rules and budget for the year. We welcome you back to IS.

Please review these documents before the meeting:

Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday! Questions? Please contact Judy Cam, ISPTSA Secretary.

Thank you to our amazing Registrar Katherine Parkin and Office Manager Mary Pyrah for supplying the ISPTSA with data. Download the app, available for iPhones and Android devices, and you will always have the directory with you. You can also access the directory from your computer at DirectorySpot.net (option to self-print a copy of the directory using downloadable PDFs). The website and app have different ways of viewing the information. Be sure to explore both to see all the options. Please see this page for more details. Email directory@isptsa.org for support.

Let’s RAISE THE TORCH for IS! We invite ALL families to participate in this campaign because your contribution makes a difference. Choose your support level: Gold $500, Silver $250, Bronze $100, or define your amount. For those families who can, please consider becoming a Titan Torch supporter with a donation of $1,000 or more. Donations are tax-deductible and 100% go back to the community. You can even contribute online using Zelle using the ISPTSA Zelle account, treasurer2@isptsa.org. Click here for a flyer. Questions? Email Emilie Castle and Phil Bloch, VPs of Fundraising.

We are 70% toward our goal of 100% membership, where each IS student is supported by a PTSA member! ISPTSA members are Washington State PTA and National PTA members. Membership cards were sent to all ISPTSA members last week, which include valuable WSPTA member discounts and National PTA member offers.

ISPTSA membership helps to create a stronger IS community! Everyone in the IS community, including teachers/staff, students, parents/guardians, and other community supporters are invited to join PTSA. Everyone counts! Sign in to renew OR click here to join today! Questions? Email Honglian Gao, Membership Chair.

Reflections is a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition that provides an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships.

Students may also enter theme ideas by entering a Theme Search Entry Form to the WSPTA office by November 1. We will send out submission information close to the end of October. If you have questions or if you can volunteer, please email Jiayuan Huang, ISPTSA Reflections Chair. 

Click here for the order form. 

The International School Class of 2023 is holding its traditional fundraiser selling festive holiday poinsettias and wreaths from Squak Mountain Nursery in Issaquah. Proceeds fund the graduation activities this June.

Thank you for your support! Questions? Email pegarsenault@msn.com.

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!

THIS Wednesday, October 19, 7:30 AM to Noon

This Wednesday, we need volunteers to help on school picture retake day, Wednesday, October 19 from 7:30 AM to noon. We are requesting four volunteers, two to help out between 7:30 and 9:45 AM and another two to help out between 9:45 AM and Noon. Sign up here. Thanks for helping with this event! For questions, email Mary Pyrah, IS Office Manager.

Hello, IS Parents! International’s 2022 Homecoming is just around the corner!! We need volunteers who can help chaperone this dance. This year, homecoming will be on October 22, 8–10 PM at International School. Chaperones need to come by 7:45 so ASB officers can explain what to do. Our special events and dances cannot happen without chaperones and volunteers! Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested! For questions, email IS High School ASB.

If you're a parent of a senior, please consider joining one of our many committees to help make our seniors' last school year memorable. We're looking for more volunteers to help with commencement, senior celebration, senior/staff lunch, grad night party, fundraising, etc. Please email Samia Seghir at samiaseghir@yahoo.com if interested in helping. Let's make it a great year for our senior students!

From Monday to Friday, dress according to the themes to earn your grade (or staff) points and show school spirit! Your 1st-period teacher will take a tally of the students who participate, so make sure to show up on time!

Our days for this Spirit Week are:

For questions, email Matt Lyon, ASB Advisor.

Homecoming is going to be on Saturday, October 22 at International School. This will be a formal event for high school students only.  The theme for this year’s dance is “Once upon a time.” For questions, email Matt Lyon, ASB Advisor.

IS TITAN PLAYERS PRESENT…

Come support your Titan Players and see a Shakespeare comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream! Tickets will only be available for online presale from October 17–28 through Touchbase. These purchases are associated with a student account, so any friends or extended family purchases should be made at the same time. No tickets will be sold at the door. Reserve your tickets today! For questions, please email the Drama Coordinator.

Our clubs website is now updated to include the times and locations of our active clubs! Most clubs meet during lunchtime. We would love for every student to be engaged in at least one club. If you have questions about a certain club, email the advisor for that club. Announcements about club meetings will be posted on Teams or announced during the morning announcements. For questions, email Matt Lyon, ASB Advisor.

AP exam fees are now on student accounts! Please log in to TouchBase to pay for your exams by Friday, October 28. Contact Jill Follett, Counseling Secretary, if you want to make changes (add/cancel a test) to your registration. Contact Colleen Courtney, High School Counselor, for scholarship information.

Bellevue School District has updated its attendance procedures to align with state requirements. There are some significant changes, such as the use of “Pre-Arranged Absences.” A summary of Attendance Procedures is provided to proactively share this critical information. Questions? Email IS Attendance.

Would you like to host a French student from Nantes from December 3–14? We need host families for 3 boys and 2 girls. Host families would ideally have one high school student (most are sophomores) who would participate in some group activities while the student is visiting. While we also have space to bring 3 boys and 2 girls to France with us in May, it is not required. What we really need are families to host in December. If you are interested, please email Joe Kheriaty, IS French Teacher.

Register by THIS Saturday, October 22

The MAA American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) are a series of 25-question multiple-choice examinations and curriculum materials that build problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge in middle and high school students. International School will be hosting these AMC exams:

The price is $5 for AMC8 and $10 for AMC10/12. Register or express interest here by THIS Saturday, October 22. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

We have many honor societies here at International School with students who are looking forward to tutoring their peers. The students in these honor societies are very strong students who are excited to provide peer assistance. Tutoring is open to all grades and all classes at IS. If your student would like some extra assistance, please sign up for tutoring using the following student tutor request form. For questions, email Joanne Whang, NHS Advisor.

The Washington State Legislature established the observance as a civic holiday in 2008 to promote the appreciation and inclusion of people with disabilities. In addition, National Disability Employment Awareness Month also takes place every October. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

International School Senior, McKenzie Toomey, shares her perspective on global competency and what it means to be a creator of her future world. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

Parents, would you like to learn more about the educational technology your student uses here at BSD? Here is your chance. K–12 families are invited to attend one of our educational technology information nights. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

BSD is performing a review of social studies graduation requirements and seeking two family members of current high school students to join the committee. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

The International High School Retreat took place on September 14–15 at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, WA. The retreat is a way for students to build community and focus on the school’s mission of developing global competency. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

Visit the Superintendent Search webpage to learn more and view the search process details in multiple languages by using the "Select Language” menu at the top left-hand corner of the webpage. You can also email BSD Superintendent Search and receive answers to any questions.

Join our mental health experts for a timely and important discussion of the work of the Mental Health Assistance Team. This crucial program is found at all 30 schools in our district. Recently, 1,777 students have been screened for signs of suicidal ideations. 247 of these students (14%) reported thoughts of self-harm within the past week. 476 (27%) reported concerns related to anxiety and depression. These statistics highlight the need for our current prioritization of mental health funding, as well as our future commitment. Read more here. Questions? Email Bellevue Schools Foundation.

The nights, and mornings, are getting brisk, and what better way to get ready for fall than stocking some new pajama pants? Your ISPTSA is adding some new items this year. Get comfy while studying, grading, or hanging out in these snuggly pants. Currently only available in black. Order yours here! Questions? Email Melissa Richardson, VP of Outreach.

Support IS PTSA with your Amazon purchases! Amazon donates a percentage of your Amazon Smile purchases to our school when you select Bellevue International School as your charity of choice. Click here to begin! Set it and forget it. 0.5% of your purchases will be donated to International PTSA. Email Paul Bloch, VP of Fundraising, with questions.

Raise funds for ISPTSA with the Box Tops for Education app. By scanning your grocery and office supply store receipts, qualifying products will be instantly credited to our school. It's easy and adds up fast! Download the app on your phone, and select IS by searching zip code 98005. Questions? Email ISPTSA Fundraising.