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

* More information in the message below

A big thank you to our community, for stepping up to meet the donations goal for the Raise the Torch campaign. At the same time, we were in the midst of a donation drive for the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF). So a lot of ask, but a lot of use too! BSF just came out with their A, E & I grants for the schools, and International School received three grants.

Our PTSA grant cycle is starting soon, and the budget is about $9,000. This is a great opportunity for teachers and staff to put forth innovative ideas for grants that benefit IS students. We need two more people along with either a Junior or Senior student to complete this committee. This committee meets online and its purpose is to review grant requests and make recommendations to the board. If you would be interested in seeing this side of how PTSA money gets utilized, please contact me.

Thank you to everyone that helped make our fall fund drive a smashing success. It was exciting to watch the final spurt of donations come in on the last day, and we're excited to report that at 7 PM on October 31, we exceeded our goal. Since then, donations have continued to arrive, and we're excited to report that we have raised $26,645. So far 97 families have given to support International School, and we appreciate everyone's generosity. I know a few more families are still planning to send in support. We look forward to adding those gifts to the tally. Thank you, Everyone! Questions? Email Phil Bloch and Emilie Castle, VPs of Fundraising.

In-person: Sammamish High School, Room 211

Online: Click here for the Zoom link.

Advocacy for the PTSA is supporting and speaking up for children, families, and schools on important issues impacting education, health, and safety. Join us for a roundtable discussion of advocacy efforts you see as important to focus on this year. This will be held both in-person at SHS and online.

Statewide WSPTA’s 2022-2024 Top 5 Issues:

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

Click here to submit your entry.

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. Click here to submit your entry. If you have questions or if you can volunteer, please email Jiayuan Huang, ISPTSA Reflections Chair. 

SAVE THE DATE — INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AUCTION: CELEBRATING OUR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Saturday, February 4, 6–10 PM

Join a great group of volunteers on the Auction/Event Committee! Help out by donating a unique experience or becoming a sponsor? Email Phil Bloch and Emilie Castle, VPs of Fundraising.

A big THANK YOU to everyone that purchased poinsettias or wreaths or made donations. The senior class reached their fundraising goal for their graduation activities. We couldn’t have done it without your support.

Pickup will be on Tuesday, November 29. More information to come. For questions, email pegarsenault@msn.com.

We are now 78% toward our 100% membership goal!

All 7th-grade and 8th-grade families, only 60% of your classes are ISPTSA members, please consider renewing/joining. Let's bring your class to 65% next week!

As a high school PTSA, everyone in the IS community counts, including our students, teachers/staff, parents and guardians, and other IS community supporters. Please sign in to renew OR click here to join today! Questions? Email Honglian Gao, Membership Chair.

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!

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 if you're interested in helping. Let's make it a great year for our senior students!

THIS Tuesday, our school will remember our community’s veterans in a schoolwide assembly. This is an annual recognition of their service to their country, and the sacrifices they have made. If you or a family member are a veteran, please respond to this survey so that their service can be honored at our assembly. If you have multiple family members in the armed forces, submit the survey as many times as needed. All veterans from the same family will be represented on one or two slides. Questions? Email Your ASB Officers.

November is Native American Heritage month. During this month we celebrate and honor all remarkable Native Americans who have contributed so much to build and improve the character of our nation. Please stop by our library to explore our Native American Heritage Month book collection; and check out books on the diverse and rich cultures, histories, and traditions of the Native Americans. Questions? Email Michele Dang, IS Library Specialist.

An International School email was sent on Friday, October 28, and also on Friday, November 4 to all current IS families with great updates. Look for it in your email! Questions? Email the International School Main Office.

For those who have registered to take the AMC Test, please note that payment is now available through the Touch Base until THIS Saturday, November 12. Click here to pay on Touch Base. Please make sure to pay. Thank you! Questions? Email the Math Honor Society Execs.

Sign-ups for our upcoming middle school badminton season are currently open in Final Forms through THIS Wednesday, November 9. The season begins on November 14 and ends on January 20. Our head coach this year is Alex Yeung, the Technology Specialist at International School. Questions? Email Alex Yeung, Badminton Head Coach.

LANGUAGE ACCESS NOTIFICATION — INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION RESOURCES

BSD must provide interpretation and/or translation services, when needed, to communicate with parents/guardians who have limited English. A new Language Access webpage has been developed to include information about these resources and to ensure that BSD families can receive the support they need. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD Language Access Coordinator.

In January 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin requiring food manufacturers to list a ninth major food allergen, sesame, on their ingredient labels. Upon learning of this upcoming change, Bellevue School District’s Nutrition Services Department began examining our products and recipes for sesame ingredients. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD Nutrition Services.

Bellevue School District is pleased to announce the dates of the Class of 2023 Graduation ceremonies. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

Beginning with the class of 2023, qualifying Bellevue School District seniors will receive guaranteed admission to five Washington colleges and universities through the Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP). Read more here. Questions? Email BSD Online Data Verification or GAP General & Program Inquiries.

Parents, would you like to learn more about the educational technology your student uses here at BSD? K–12 families are invited to attend one of our educational technology information nights:

Questions? Email BSD.

THIS Tuesday, November 8, from 11:45 AM to 1 PM

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.

THIS Friday and Saturday, November 11–12

Mark your calendar! The 36th annual Newport High School Ski Swap will be on November 11–12. Clear out your garage and bring your snow sports gear to sell at the swap. There will be several retail ski vendors selling new gear as well. You can find thousands of items available at unbelievable deals! Skis, snowboards, boots, poles, jackets, pants, and more! Click here for the flyer or visit the website for more information. Sponsored by the NHS PTSA. For questions, email NHS Ski Swap.

Meet in the gym! Bring a friend! New coaches! New season! Go, Wolverines!

Click here for details. For questions, email the Bellevue High School Basketball Booster Club.

UW Youth & Teen Programs offer after-school enrichment opportunities year-round. This January, your child can master the fundamentals in writing, computer-aided design, or coding and circuity by enrolling in:

Registration closes on December 20. Questions? Email UW Youth & Teen Programs.

A new park in Bellevue opened last month, Newport Hills Woodlawn Park! Located at 11560 SE 60th Street in Bellevue, the park includes an open lawn, walking trails, sheltered picnic areas, a playground, and restrooms. In the spring, there are plans for a fenced off-leash dog area. Read more here. Questions? Email Parks & Community Services.

The nights and mornings are getting brisk, and what better way to get ready for fall than stocking some new pajama pants? 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.