MONDAY MESSENGER

January 27, 2020

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THIS WEEK:

NEXT WEEK:

LOOKING AHEAD:

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

LOOK AT ALL THESE FUN WAYS TO HELP OUT!

IS and the ISPTSA are currently seeking the following volunteers:

Click here to learn more and sign up.

PTSA NEWS

ISPTSA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear ISPTSA Community, 

Happy 2020. I hope the new year is turning out to be a healthy and happy year for you.

 

I am writing to you about two very important events coming up in the next several days: the  BSD School Bond  (ballots due on February 11) and the  ISPTSA General Assembly  (February 13, 7:00 PM).

 

You must have received your ballots for the  School Bond  in the mail by now. The reconstruction for the International School, improvements for our children’s safety, and other critical needs will be funded by the School Bond. The International School PTSA board and the PTSA Council has endorsed the bond proposal. For the bond proposal to pass, at least 40% of those who voted in the last general elections have to vote, and a super majority is required for the proposal to pass. It is critical that each of us make our voices heard by voting and turning in our ballots. Please make sure you  turn in your ballots by February 11,  at the latest. 

 

Our next  PTSA General Assembly  is now scheduled for Thursday,  February 13, at 7:00 PM in ISPTA Commons . We will be sharing an update from the discussion on budgets from the last general assembly meeting, voting in nomination committee members for next year’s ISPTSA Board positions, and discussing other topics of interest to the IS Community. If you are interested in serving on the nominations committee or know someone who would be, please email their name and contact information to  [email protected] .

We hope to see you all at the General Assembly.

Azfar Moazzam

2019-2020 ISPTSA President

SCHOOL BOND BALLOTS ARE IN THE MAIL! PLEASE VOTE!

Did You Know?  

For a school bond proposal to pass, two things have to happen: 

The last day to turn in your ballot is February 11.   

Register to vote now on the  VoteWA website .

You have until Monday, February 3, to register to vote in this election. If you have recently moved, February 3 is also the deadline to change your address in order to vote.

Have questions about the bond?  Go to www.bsd405.org/2020bond  or  https://bellevuequalityschools.org/about/ .

The 2020 school bond has received endorsements from ISPTSA Board , Bellevue PTSA Council , and the Bellevue City Council , among others. 

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO GRADE-LEVEL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES!

Thank you so much to the following parents & caregivers for stepping up and volunteering as Grade-Level Representatives this year!

6th Grade: Renuka Getchell , Azure Zhang (both pictured)

7th Grade:  Sylvie Sanguin ,  Thyda Tsai (both pictured)

8th Grade: Sophia Cheng (pictured), Courtney Stanton

9th Grade: Jinny Cocorocchia (pictured), Winnie Hou

10th Grade: Azure Zhang (pictured), Melissa Richardson

11th Grade:  Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen (pictured), Vincent Chong

12th Grade:  Fengling Cheng

Thanks to Dori Kelleran for hosting a recent parent rep get-together.

Keep an eye out for grade-level social events coming your way soon!

Also pictured: Rachel An & Qiong Chen, VPs of Community; Dori Kelleran, VP of Fundraising; Li Wu, VP of Communication; and Emilie Castle, Fundraising Committee.

PLATINUM IS ALMOST WITHIN REACH!

Thanks to the parents and grandparents who stepped up to become members! Can you help us get just five more members in order for us to become Platinum and reach the 500 mark? Only two high schools in Bellevue are working toward full school membership. Bellevue HS has reached the WA state platinum level, and we only need five more members to reach that too. Can you help us?   

All of this helps us create community, and support each and every student at IS. You can do this by clicking online here .



Questions? Please contact  [email protected].

ISPTSA NOMINATING COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP

The ISPTSA needs 3-4 people to be on its Nominating Committee. Not sure how a nominating committee works? You can find the details  here . In a nutshell, the Nominating Committee contacts potential candidates to fill next year’s volunteer openings—either by phone, email, or in-person—with the purpose of describing the volunteer position and asking if the person would be willing to consider filling the position.  

The ideal nominating committee member is one who is friendly, outgoing, and has lots of connections. Please consider joining the Nominating Committee. It is very likely the most influential committee and has a huge impact on future years at International. The time commitment is a few hours per week from March through mid-April. 

If you have any interest or additional questions, please contact [email protected] .

NOW ACCEPTING DONATION ITEMS FOR THE AUCTION!

Help make Spring Social a success for our students!

The Spring Social is only 61 days away! The PTSA will host our Annual Spring Social Fundraiser on the evening of Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the Hilton Bellevue.  We need your help to procure or donate items to auction off at the event. Procuring items is easy, fun, and for a great cause—our students!   

Need ideas?

Sponsorship opportunities are available to provide valuable visibility to your business and help underwrite the costs for the evening. If you own a business or know of someone who would be interested, please contact  [email protected] . 

Please donate or procure for the auction by March 14!   The Procurement / Donation form is available to download here.

  

If you have questions or would like to join the planning committee, please contact Dori Kelleran at   [email protected] .

ADVOCACY NEWS

PTSA members from Bellevue met with Representatives My-Linh Thai (41st), Vandana Slatter (48th) and Tana Senn (41st) last Monday in Olympia. The legislators were impressed and very moved by what Bellevue students had to say about social and emotional health, drug use & vaping, the environment, and more. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, spoke to PTSA and answered questions. It was a great day of learning and sharing! 

Thank you IS students  Julia Ruan (6th) & Jessica Massey (10th), and parent Qiong Chen  for accompanying ISPTSA Advocacy Chair Krista Hammer in attending! 

Thank you to the Bellevue PTSA Council advocacy chairs Lily Yin  and Jessica Pan for their hard work for a successful Focus Day 2020.  

DON'T LET THE BOOK FAIR LAST ONLY ONE DAY! VOLUNTEER!

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming February 4–7,  and students are already waiting impatiently outside the library for it to open.  Volunteers are badly needed —a few in the early morning, at lunchtime, and after school. Can you spare an hour? Training always provided, but it's all easy to learn!

If we don’t get volunteers in all the necessary time slots, we will only be able to stay open during the times when we have shopping assistants AND cashiers.  No school personnel can help here, this is a volunteer-only event.  

Please click here for volunteer sign-up.

Contact Meribeth with questions.

ACTIVE BILLS ADDRESSING THE HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The legislature is in session. As a PTSA member, you can make an impact!  Click here to see a status report on active bills.  Scroll quickly through and click on the blue bill number of anything that sounds interesting. You will then be directed to a page where you can find the complete text of the bill, and you can make an immediate comment or select to receive updates on the bill's progress.  

Whether you care about mental health , dyslexia screening , firearm safety , pesticides & children , or expanding access to higher education , all of these and more will pass or fail this session!   

ATTENTION 12TH-GRADE FAMILIES—IF YOU HAVEN'T ORDERED A CAP & GOWN YET, YOUR ORDER IS OVERDUE!

 

Graduation is quickly approaching!  Cap and gown orders needed to be submitted online by Friday the 24th of January.  Students received order forms in class on Thursday, January 16th. If you haven't ordered yet, do it now!

 

Orders can be made directly online at  www.herffjones.com  or by calling toll free 866-238-5336. Your contact is Jayshawn Jones. Please select the Cap & Gown Unit ($64.85 after handling and tax) as tassels are included in this package. All additional purchases are optional. If students would like to access scholarship funds for this purchase, please contact our counseling staff.

 

Please have all caps and gowns (along with your student’s name) delivered to:

International School Main Office (Attn: Grad Dept.)

445 128th Ave SE, Bellevue WA 98005

MIDDLE SCHOOL MOVIE AND GAMES NIGHT

Friday, February 7, 6:30–9:00 PM

We are so excited to have your students join us for a night of community! The Middle School Movie and Games Night is presented to you by IS Next and ASB. There will be Zootopia playing in the commons, basketball & lawn games in the gym, and card & board games in the library. We will have popcorn available but no drinks (just the water fountain!).

This event is FREE! The only thing students need in order to attend is a signed permission slip turned into the Front Office.

 

PARENTS: We are also in need of parent chaperones! Please email Arty Christianto if you’re interested in chaperoning. Chaperones will need to arrive by 6:00 PM on Friday, February 7. 

 

We hope to see your students there!

SIGN UP FOR THE NATIONAL FRENCH CONTEST

The National French Contest (Le Grand Concours) is an annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. Students of French in grades 6–12 can choose take a written test on their comprehension and language skills and compete against students from around the country. The test takes place at IS on Wednesday, March 18 at 2:00 PM and should last about an hour. Encourage your child to participate!

 

The test costs $5.00 and students can pay at the cashier—cash or check.  The deadline to register is Friday, February 7.  Please contact Tami Wietfeldt, [email protected] , with any questions.

IS MAKER EVENT

Thursday, February 13, 5:00–6:00 PM at International

(Parents Must remain on campus!)

A special Coding Activity for IS Students will take place during the PTSA Meeting from 6:00–6:45 PM.

PLEASE RSVP TO HELP MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH MATERIALS! 

Sponsored by: Makerspace Technology Team, Computer Club, KCLS, Samlabs, and Titan Robotics Club

This year's materials funded through: BSF, ISPTSA, and WEA

Please contact Tara Jones with questions.

BITE OF INTERNATIONAL 2020

Join the International School community at our annual Bite of IS fundraiser on Friday, February 28, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the IS Gym!

This year, all proceeds will benefit  Water First International , a non-profit organization helping people in poor countries implement water, sanitation, and hygiene-education projects.

Ticket: $10 per person  (suggested donation)

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the front office or at the door on the day of the event.

For more info, contact Arty Christianto or parent coordinator Josephine Anderson.

Volunteers Needed for Bite of IS

We are seeking Food, Crafts, and Entertainment Volunteers for our annual Bite of IS on Friday, February 28! This event can't happen without strong community support.  We need volunteers to bring food, crafts, and/or entertainment reflecting a country, region, or heritage. 

Sign up for a food/craft booth by filling out this form.

Sign up for a performance by filling out this form.

 

Each booth host will receive one ticket for the event. 

FOCUS WEEK DONATION WINDOW NOW OPEN!



*CLICK HERE TO DONATE*

Students are not  required to pay to attend Focus Week, but we depend on parent support for the success of our activity offerings! We are working hard to reduce the cost of Focus Week by using parent drivers, public transportation, and reduced food expenditures. Focus Week expenses will be an estimated $200 per participant. Please consider donating to cover the cost of providing these enrichment opportunities. Any and all amounts are appreciated in order to make focus week successful!

Our donation drive for Focus week will run until February 28, and families can donate at  TouchBase Lite  or in person in the main office.

The exception to Fee-Free Focus Weeks is for overnight trips. Students selecting to take part in Focus Week activities that have overnight excursions will be charged for these activities. This year, overnight trips include Sixth Grade Camp (and its 11th and 12th grade counselors), the French Exchange, the Taiwan Trip, and the Mount Rainier Trip. If students take overnight trips, they will be charged a fee for the week. Scholarships are available.

ATTENTION: CLASS OF 2021

Class of 2021, click here  to sign up fo r a Junior Appointment to discuss your college list with our high school counselor. Meetings are up to 45 minutes long and for both student and parents.

IS 2020-21 LOTTERY APPLICATION IS OPEN

Applications for next year’s 6th-grade class are open this month.  All 5th-grade siblings need to fill out the online application by January 31, 2020 at 4:30 PM.  If a sibling does not apply, they will not be able to attend International School for 6th grade next year.

Please click here for more information and to apply.

STUDENT NEWS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

CHINESE NEW YEAR STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON INVITES ALL FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ITS 18TH YEAR

First of all, for those who are new, welcome to the IS Community! Although this is our 18th year hosting Chinese theme teachers’ appreciation party, this is the first time we invite every family to join and have fun together!

Who we are:

We are volunteers. We are ISPTSA members.  We welcome everyone from different countries speaking different languages. 

What we do:

Every year, we arrange a Chinese theme New Year party to show the teachers and staffs our appreciation. During the party, we offer a lunch with fancy food, pack each teacher a gift, enhance the teachers’ lounge with Chinese decorations and artworks, and our kids even get a chance to serve their favorite teachers.

Why we do it:

 

How you can help:

 

Party date and time: 

Wednesday, January 29, at 11:40 AM in the staff lounge.

 

Your student’s name will be listed on the luncheon menu (unless you choose not to). The staff always enjoy the chance to celebrate the season together and it is really a fun and festive luncheon. Hope to see you all there! Thank you so much!

SCREENING OF SCREENAGERS: NEXT CHAPTER

Thursday, February 6, 5:15–7:30 PM

Chinook Middle School Commons

Bellevue Schools Foundation and the Chinook Middle School PTSA, Enatai Elementary PTSA & International School PTSA invite you to join us for a special screening of the new documentary Screenagers: Next Chapter and to hear from special guest speak er Dr. Don Shifrin.

Filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston takes the conversation around screens and teens to the next level with Screenagers: NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience —a film that examines the science behind teen’s emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done in our schools and homes to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age.

Dr. Don Shifrin, distinguished pediatrician and expert on childhood health and media issues will address parents and answer questions following the screening. Dr. Shifrin is seen on TV weekly as the resident pediatrician on KING 5 Morning News on KONG. He is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. For 39 years, he was in private practice at Pediatric Associates, now Allegro Pediatrics. Dr. Shifrin has an extensive background speaking about children and screen time. He represented the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) at the national level, including testifying on its behalf before the United States Congress at a House committee hearing regarding the effect of media images on children.

Since 1997 Dr. Shifrin has voiced the Minute for Kids radio spots airing Monday through Friday on the CBS flagship station, WBBM in Chicago, and available on podcast. Always up-to-date on the latest issues, Dr. Shifrin is a dynamic communicator with a knack for dispensing parenting advice in a memorable and engaging way.

Please click here to register to attend.

2020 BSD COLLEGE CONFERENCE

February 6, 2020, 5:45–8:30 PM

Bellevue High School, 10416 SE Wolverine Way, 98004

(Also February 5 at Sammamish High School)

The College Conference is a great opportunity for high school families to listen to professionals discuss the ins and outs of preparing for college. Our presenters come from colleges and businesses from across the country and are available to answer your questions. We are pleased to offer a wide range of sessions that are sure to fit your needs.

Click here for more info.

WORLD LANGUAGE CREDIT TEST

International Students can test at Sammamish Hi gh School on APRIL 1, 2020!

High school students can earn up to 4 credits for a Language that they already know!  This test is for World Language credit, so it is about language learning and is focused on basic reading, writing, speaking and listening.

 

For further information,  click here  or email:   [email protected]

Click here to regist er by March 18.

STUDENT SPORTS & OPPORTUNITIES

GIVE YOUR SOPHOMORES A HEAD START FOR A CAREER IN SPACE

Western Aerospace Scholars (WAS) is an online distance learning course and summer experience specifically designed for high school sophomores interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pathways through the exploration of space and space travel. The online curriculum is a University of Washington college course focused on NASA’s space exploration program as well as topics in Earth and Space Science.

 

Why Students Should Participate

Click here to learn more about Western Aerospace Scholars.

Click here to apply. Application Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2020

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PATHWAYS AT MERCER SLOUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

Be curious with us! Inquisitive middle schoolers are invited to join us for five Saturday sessions this spring to explore wetland ecology and practice field science skills. We’ll have fun learning how to identify native plants, surveying for macroinvertebrates in Polliwog Pond, getting our adventure on while canoeing the Slough, and more. 

 

Program details:

Register online here.

Limited scholarships available. For scholarship application, please email [email protected]. To learn more, contact us at 425-450-0207 or  [email protected]. 

CALLING ALL 3RD–8TH GRADE BASKETBALL GIRLS!

Newport Select Girls Basketball is happy to announce that we are bringing back Spring Ball! Based on interest and availability, we’ll be able to determine the best format and league in which we will play.

Please click here to register today (at no cost), so we can assess interest and availability level of your daughters. Once we have that nailed down, we will send out a formal registration form for the season. Please don’t delay! Registration is open until Friday, January 31, 11:59 PM.

For more info, please click here.