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

* More information in the message below

Lots of things on my mind this week. So happy to see the staff appreciation luncheons starting up. Each grade gets an opportunity to participate in serving a potluck lunch to our well-deserving teachers and staff. 8th grade is up this month, and even though I work full-time, my student can bring in my lunchtime offering. The thing that will make it a success, though, is people signing up to contribute. This brings me to my other thoughts, contributing to the success of our school.

We all contribute by making sure our students attend school each day by providing transportation to our student/students to get to school on time, by donating money to provide grants to teachers for academic success, and by renewing your annual PTSA membership for a strong school community. For all this, we should give ourselves a pat, each of us contributes to the success of IS and the IS community appreciates your dedication.

P. S. Please remember to renew your membership this week. Our goal of 100% = strong community.

THIS Wednesday, November 16, 7:30–8:30 PM

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. Click here to read about Statewide WSPTA’s 2022-2024 Top 5 Issues. Questions? Email Joel Ingraham and Kristi Schwesinger, Bellevue PTSA Council Advocacy Directors.

Deadline: THIS Sunday, November 20 at 8 PM

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. 

Click here to sign up.

The Thanksgiving Staff Appreciation luncheon will be hosted by the 8th-grade class on Tuesday, November 22. Please join us in bringing dishes to share with our staff. We are asking for main dishes, salads, side dishes, desserts, and beverages. Homemade dishes are welcome. Please sign up here. Thank you in advance for your help and support. Please feel free to reach out to Carrie Zhang, 8th-Grade Parent Representative, if there are any questions.

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.

Dear IS families, we are working on a big push before Thanksgiving Break for membership renewals. Two families to join every day will help us reach our goal of 100% membership, meaning every IS student will be supported by an ISPTSA member!

Please sign in to renew OR click here to join today and help us reach this goal by December 15! Questions? Email Honglian Gao, Membership Chair.

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.

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.

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!

The Snowflake Social is Friday, December 2 from 7–8:30.  The theme is A Winter Wonderland. Tickets are $12 with an ASB card and $15 without, or $15 at the door. Cash only at the door. Hope to see you there!

Parents, please email Matt Lyon, ASB Advisor, if you would be willing to chaperone.

Class of 2023, if you purchased a grad ad, your digital art is due TODAY! Here’s an important update – Herff Jones no longer accepts .tif files. Please submit your digital artwork as a .jpg, .jpeg, or .png file. Upload as a portrait to www.hjeshare.com using school code ‘gotitans513.' Click here for submission requirements. If you need help creating your ad, use your BSD student account to fill out this MS Form for our 11th-grade yearbook team. Questions? Email Jill Follett, Yearbook Advisor.

THIS Wednesday, November 16–Wednesday, November 30

If you haven't already reserved your 2022–2023 yearbook, you're in luck! You can order a yearbook starting THIS Wednesday on Touchbase for $50 each. This is the final sales window to guarantee receipt of a book, so be sure to purchase your yearbook before the sales window closes on Wednesday, November 30. For questions, email Jill Follett, Yearbook Advisor.

The Snowflake Food Drive is happening from Monday, November 28 to Friday, December 2. This year, International School is partnering with Renewal Food Bank to collect food for the hungry in East King County.

Each grade level will be electing a representative to promote the collection of goods. The grade level to collect the most goods will have their representatives crowned King and Queen of IS! This will be a fun week for students to support their community. Email Matt Lyon, ASB Advisor, with questions.

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, November 4 to all current IS families with great updates. Look for it in your email! Questions? Email the International School Main Office.

In 1990, a joint resolution was approved by President George H.W. Bush, which called for November to be named National Native American Heritage Month. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

BSD will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits to students, staff, and their families November 21–23, ahead of Thanksgiving break. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD COVID testing.

The Equity and Family Engagement department, led by Shomari Jones, works with other departments throughout the BSD to ensure that the district is serving all families and helping them feel a sense of belonging. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD Equity, Family and Community Engagement.

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.

Parents, would you like to learn more about the educational technology your student uses here at BSD? K–12 families are invited to attend an educational technology information night THIS Wednesday, November 16, 6–7 PM on Teams. Click here to join. Questions? Email BSD.

THIS Monday, November 14, 5:45 PM

THIS Tuesday, November 15, 5:45 PM

THIS Wednesday, November 16, 3:30 PM

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.

Deadline to apply: Friday, March 3

The 2023 Teens in Public Service (TIPS) Summer Internship Application is now open. If you are enrolled in high school and will be aged 15-19 by summer 2023, you are invited to apply. Please review the TIPS Eligibility Requirements and Internship FAQ's. Register here for a free virtual informational session. Email apply@teensinpublicservice.org with questions.

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.