September 18, 2023

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Thank you Maggie Lo for hosting the middle school and high school tailgates!

THIS WEEK:

• Thursday, 9/21, 6:30 PM • 12th Grade Parent Night
• Friday, 9/22, 7 PM–8:30 PM • Middle School Social
• Saturday, 9/23 • SAT Practice Test*

NEXT WEEK:

• Wednesday, 9/27 • Picture Retakes
• Wednesday, 9/27, 2PM • ASB Club Fair
• Thursday, 9/28, 6:30 PM • Curriculum Night

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Sunday, 10/8 • ISPTSA S1 Grant Submission Deadline
• Wednesday, 10/11 • Super Wednesday
• Friday, 10/13 • No School (District Training)
• Monday, 10/16–Friday, 10/20 • Spirit Week
• Thursday, 10/19, 6:30 PM–8 PM • 9th/10th Grade Parent Night
• Saturday, 10/21, 8 PM–10 PM • Homecoming (HS Only)
• Thursday, 11/2, 6:30 PM (Time Change) • 11th Grade Parent Night
• Friday, 11/3, 7 PM • IS Drama's "Cyrano De Bergerac"
• Saturday, 11/4, 2 pm & 7 PM • IS Drama's "Cyrano De Bergerac"
• Tuesday, 11/7, 6:30 PM • 6th Grade Parent Night
• Thursday, 11/9 • End of 1st Quarter
• Friday, 11/10 • No School (Veteran's Day)
• Wednesday, 11/15, 7 PM • HS Band Concert
• Thursday, 11/23–Friday, 11/24 • No School (Thanksgiving)
• Monday, 11/27–Friday, 12/1 • Snowflake Drive
• Tuesday, 11/28, 6:30 PM • Middle School Parent Night
• Wednesday, 11/29, 7 PM • Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, 11/30, 7 PM • MS Band 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.

ISPTSA MEMBERSHIP 2023–2024

While you are scanning, remember to start planning to renew your membership. We have just about reached 150 members. Membership = Community.

Visit isptsa.org to sign up.

Questions? Contact membership@isptsa.org.

THE MONDAY MESSENGER NEEDS YOUR HELP!

As a unique environment drawing from multiple high schools and middle schools in our district, we need your help to stay connected and informed!

Do you already receive another school's newsletter or love to keep up with what is happening at the district level? We're seeking liaisons who will be responsible for specific schools or community partners within our district. Your role will involve reading their newsletters and checking their websites regularly to identify any relevant events or opportunities for our students and families. You'll then submit that information to the editor to be added to the next Monday Messenger. By joining our team, you'll ensure that our students and families are well-informed about the incredible opportunities available to them.

If interested, or if you have any questions, contact Jennifer Li, VP of Communications.

RAISE THE TORCH – FALL DONATION DRIVE

This year, the ISPTSA will raise and spend more than $100,000 supporting our school and students. These funds will be allocated to important programs that enhance student experiences, provide supplemental materials, and offer grant funding for the school's greatest needs. We invite all IS families to participate in this fundraising effort because we all benefit from the sense of community, academic excellence, and school reputation that these funds support. Please join me in making a tax-deductible donation today to support our students.

Questions? Check out our website or email VPFundraising@isptsa.org.

ISPTSA GRANTS COMMITTEE

Join the ISPTSA Grants Committee and help decide where the money goes! The grants committee is seeking at least one additional member to join for the 2023 - 2024 school year. The minimum obligation is to meet two times as a committee, once in the 2023 semester and again in 2024, to review and select grant proposals for programs that enhance the student experience at International School. Please email Edward Chung, Grants Committee Chair, if you have questions or want to join.

TAKE AN SAT PRACTICE TEST

• THIS Saturday, September 23, 9:00 AM
• Register by THIS Wednesday, September 20.

ISPTSA, in collaboration with Princeton Review, offers an online SAT practice test on Saturday, September 23, open to all students. It's a valuable preparation opportunity for Super Wednesday when the district provides free SAT tests to 11th and 12th graders.

How it works:

1. Register via ISPTSA.
2. Princeton Review sets up online accounts.
3. On test day (Saturday, September 23), students log in for timed and proctored exams, with results available immediately.
4. Access to the practice test starts on September 23 at 9 AM and remains available for 30 days to accommodate schedules.

Consider taking it in advance of the upcoming SAT on BSD's Super Wednesday, October 11. A $25 PTSA donation is appreciated. Questions? Email Melissa Richardson, VP of Outreach.

STAFF APPRECIATION PASTA NIGHT

In order to thank the hardworking and dedicated teachers here at the IS, we would like to show our appreciation by providing dinner to them during the upcoming Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 28th. Please help us by signing up to donate food.

For questions, email Co-VPs of Community, Maggie Lo and Anjum Anwar.

TAILGATE TIME!!!

We are off to a terrific year at International School! The ISPTSA welcomed our parents and guardians to the nearby Kelsey Creek Park parking lot right after drop-off to enjoy coffee and treats. Many of us took this great opportunity to meet up with our fellow International Families. The High School Tailgate was on Thursday, September 14.

The Middle School Tailgate took place on Thursday, September 7. A great group of folks showed up to meet and talk. It was a lot of fun to get to know new Middle School parents and touch base with returning ones.

For questions, email Co-VPs of Community, Maggie Lo and Anjum Anwar.

NATIONAL PTA NEWS

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TECH TIPS

As we go back to school, it's time to think about back-to-school devices and policies. Check out this article from ConnectSafely to get support creating school-related plans for your family around tech. Questions? Contact ConnectSafely through their online form.

YEARBOOKS

Buy now! $55 each

• 2022-23: Limited quantity available 
• 2023-24: purchase now, available in June

Questions? Contact Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary, AP Coordinator, and Yearbook Advisor

TITAN WEDNESDAYS ARE HERE!

EVERY WEDNESDAY this school year, wear your Titan gear and Titan colors. This includes Senior Sweats, Orchestra and Robotics gear, or any clothes that are green, black, grey, or white! Please encourage your students to join in this fun and community-building tradition. The PTSA sells spirit wear in case you don't have any or your kids grew a lot over the summer. Questions? Contact Janet Towne, IS AP World History, Contemporary World Affairs, Human Geography.

COLLEGE BOOT CAMP

This annual IS program for rising seniors helps jumpstart their college applications. It was a productive week with participation back up to pre-pandemic levels! Thank you to Emilie Castle, on behalf of ISPTSA, who supplied updated college resource books for CBC and our College Corner. Titans, please keep this opportunity in mind when planning your summer before senior year. Questions? Contact Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary, AP Coordinator, and Yearbook Advisor

CLASS OF 2024

DUE September 25: Senior portrait, baby picture, and 100-word senior thank you! Learn more here. Questions? Contact Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary, AP Coordinator, and Yearbook Advisor

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVES

Juniors and Seniors: College Admissions Representatives will be on campus beginning Monday, September 18. Register for up to 5 visits through Naviance. Questions? Contact Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary, AP Coordinator, and Yearbook Advisor

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL UPDATE

An International School Update was sent through email on Friday, September 15 to all current IS families with great updates. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

FORMER INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FINALIST IN GLOBAL SCIENCE COMPETITION

Isaac Zhang graduated from us last year. He has entered into the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. This global challenge asks students to explain an important scientific theory, concept or principle in a short video that is less than 2 minutes. Thousands of students enter from around the world. Isaac’s submission has made it through the first round (peer reviews from others who submitted) and the second round of an Evaluation Panel that assesses the quality and accuracy of the science concepts. Now, he is at the final round of just 30 entries left—the Popular Vote. If Isaac wins, he receives a $250,000 college scholarship AND International would receive a $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab!

If you feel inclined, feel free to vote and to share the information through Facebook or YouTube. The voting window is NOW through September 20 (THIS Wednesday).

Facebook: https://fb.watch/mTvW0vbSce/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/vpKFrGDY9iY?si=a6vBS--Zcs3rp71v

Questions? Contact the IS Main Office.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

High School sports have begun! As an International School student, you can play sports for whichever High School you are zoned for. Check out the different school links below to find out what each school is offering.

• Bellevue High School
• Interlake High School
• Newport High School
• Sammamish High School

Questions? Contact your local High School.

BELLEVUE FAMILY HUB - NEW HOURS AND NEW SECOND LOCATION!

The Bellevue Family Hub has new hours at its location at Highland Middle School and recently opened a second site at Stevenson Elementary. Families can receive emergency financial assistance and support for basic needs. Students and families can also attend free educational workshops and get connected to community organizations in a welcoming, safe environment. The Bellevue Family Hub is generously supported through district partner, Bellevue LifeSpring.

Bellevue Family Hub Locations and Hours:

Appointments are encouraged and can be scheduled by emailing Help@BellevueLifeSpring.org. Walk-ups are also welcome. Learn more on the Bellevue LifeSpring website. Questions? Email info@bellevuelifespring.org.

SUPERINTENDENT'S BLOG: THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE NATION

In this update to the community, Dr. Aramaki discusses the district’s innovative programs and accomplishments, reinforces its commitments to student mental health and wellness, and answers the community’s questions about declining enrollment at the middle school level, district transportation, and the school year schedule. Read the full update. Questions? Contact superintendent@bsd405.org.

BSD NEWSLETTER

An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, September 14. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign-up here! Questions? Contact BSD.

BSD HIGH SCHOOLS RECEIVE TOP RANKINGS

Recent U.S. News & World Report rankings place all Bellevue School District high schools as among the top 30 best high schools in Washington state. Rankings include data on nearly 25,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools ranked in the top 40% nationally (#7,072 or better) achieved status as U.S. News Best High Schools.

Congratulations to the students, staff, and educators at all Bellevue schools, and especially Bellevue, Bellevue Big Picture, Interlake, International, Newport, and Sammamish high schools for this outstanding achievement! Find out more info here. Questions? Contact BSD.

BELLWETHER 2023

A variety of performances, ranging from live music to video poems to a silent disco party, will feature in this year’s edition of Bellevue’s annual Bellwether Arts Festival. 

Upcoming FREE Events:

• THIS Saturday, September 23, Marketplace at Factoria, 11 AM–1 PM: Student teams at the Digipen Institute of Technology showcase original game consoles, competing for a grand prize. 
• Saturday, September 30, Downtown Park, 1–5 PM: Silent disco party with DJ Indica and Earthseed Collective as participants listen to music on headsets and dance, including family hour and professional dance demonstrations. Tech tent and food trucks.

For more information visit the website. Questions? Email info@pacelive.org.

CAMLANN MEDIEVAL VILLAGE MICHAELMASSE FESTIVAL

When:

• Saturday, September 30 @ 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
• Sunday, October 1 @ 12:00 PM–5:00 PM

Where:

• Camlann Medieval Village

The lord of Camlann invites you to attend his Michelmasse Festival, with cider pressing, puppetry, music, crafts, archery, and minstrels. Come to Somersetshire, ancient realm of Arthur the king, as our morning trumpet & charter proclamation open the village gates upon the colorful world of Chaucer's England in 1376. The pace is leisurely: everything does not happen at once. The scale is small, intimate: leave behind the hectic 21st century. Questions? Call 425-788-8624.

HEALTHY WORLD QUEST

Are you or your children curious about the world and eager to make a difference? The Operation Smile Club at Bellevue High School is inviting elementary and middle school students (grades 2-8) to a FREE captivating educational event that will open their eyes to the challenges of health equity in developing countries!

**Date & Time of Each Session:**

Sunday, October 1st, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Sunday, November 5th, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

**Location:**

Bellevue Public Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 (Room 1)

Find out more information and sign up here! Questions? Contact the club via the sign-up form.

WASHINGTON STATE FAIR

TODAY through September 24 in Puyallup.

Come celebrate with us, grab some fair food, pet the pigs, enjoy hundreds of free entertainers and events, shop 'til you drop, and ride the tallest ride. We'll see you there!

The Fair has something to offer everyone - from animals and agriculture to live music and exciting exhibits.

Check out the insider's guide and the official website for all the info! Questions? Contact the Fair via their form on the website.

2023 SALMON SEESON

The Salmon SEEson program shares the best stream and river locations in King County where people can see salmon as they return from the ocean in late summer and fall. Some locations are self-guided, while others feature volunteer naturalists to guide visitors in seeing salmon and learning about their lifecycle, efforts to protect them, and restoring habitat.

Salmon are an important cultural, economic, and environmental resource for our region, especially to indigenous people. Local governments, Tribes, and community groups around King County and Puget Sound are working to recover salmon populations by protecting and restoring habitat, managing polluted and untreated stormwater runoff from streets and other hard surfaces, and educating people about what they can do to help protect salmon. Use the map on this website to find viewing locations and get more info. Questions? Contact the individual locations.