March 15, 2021
MONDAY MESSENGER
UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
THIS WEEK:
  • Monday, 3/15, 7:00 PM • 11th Grade Parent/Guardian Virtual Meet-Up*
  • Wednesday, 3/17, 1:00 PM • 6th Grade IS PE Experience*
  • Thursday, 3/18, 7:00 PM • Reach Out! Parent "Night Out"—"History of IS" Video Presentation*

NEXT WEEK:
  • Wednesday, 3/24, 4:00 PM • Field Learning Webinar: Data Science*
  • Thursday, 3/25, 6:30 PM • Virtual Middle School Parent Night: Social Media Presentation

LOOKING AHEAD:
  • Wednesday, 3/31, 1:00 PM • 6th Grade IS PE Experience*
  • Monday, 4/5, 9:00 AM • 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Virtual Meet-Up*
  • Thursday, 4/8, 6:30 PM • 8th Grade Parent Night: Transition to High School
  • Thursday, 4/8, 7:30 PM • 8th Grade Parent/Guardian Virtual Meet-Up*
  • Monday, 4/12–Friday, 4/30 • IS Challenge 5k/10k
  • Monday, 4/12–Friday, 4/16 • NO SCHOOL—Spring Break
  • Wednesday, 4/21 • AP Exam Payments Due (formerly March 1)*

* More information included in message below
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
THESE POSITIONS NEED YOU!

  • ISPTSA VP Fundraising, current school year
  • ISPTSA VP Communications, current school year
  • Grade-Level Representatives, current school year

Please email board@isptsa.org to learn more and sign up. Thank you!
PTSA NEWS
THANK YOU, TEACHERS!

We do feel so lucky to have you! Last week, all IS teachers and staff received a gift from your ISPTSA. Each packet included our new IS vehicle window cling, IS sticker, and lucky chocolate coins! We hope to find our community on the road with our new window clings which are now available in our spirit wear store!
JOIN A GRADE-LEVEL VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR!

Stay connected to IS! Connect with parents and guardians in your student's cohort. Discuss topics of interest, find support from other parents, or organize the meetup for the class. Grab a beverage, relax, and enjoy the company!

11th Grade Parent & Guardian Meet Up
THIS Monday, March 15, 7:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 966 3711 2373
Passcode: 82KMTA

7th Grade Parent & Guardian Meet Up
Monday, April 5, 9:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 992 1879 4407
Passcode: zZ7gKj

8th Grade Parent & Guardian Meet Up
Thursday, April 8, 7:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 925 0652 5726
Passcode: PqR79r

For more information, contact Melissa Richardson at sam_mel@yahoo.com.
6TH GRADE IS PE EXPERIENCE!

THIS Wednesday, March 17, 1:00–2:00 PM
Wednesday, March 31, 1:00–2:00 PM
International School
Sign up here.

Give your 6th grader a casual taste of PE at IS by running—or walking—off-campus PE running routes with volunteer high school students! This is a great way to get outside, get moving, feel connected to IS, and meet fellow students. Each meeting, high school students (and volunteer parents!) will lead our 6th graders on one of IS's many runs—Short Kelsey, Long Kelsey, Secret Garden—just name a few!

There are no timers or competitions. Join us for a voluntary meet-up and make some new friends!

Check out the SignUpGenius page for more info and to sign up. More dates will be added soon. Sponsored by ISPTSA.

To learn more, contact Melissa Richardson at sam_mel@yahoo.com.
REACH OUT! "HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL" PARENT MEET-UP

THIS Thursday, March 18, 7:00 PM

Stay connected to IS! Watch an older senior project video about the History of IS, and stay on for an after-video chat. Hear the "Fab 6" founding teachers share their original vision for the International School.

Meeting ID: 991 4737 8206
Passcode: 6AQb23

For questions, email Melissa Richardson at sam_mel@yahoo.com.
DISTRICT NEWS
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICED LUNCH (FRL)

If you think you might be eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, but haven’t yet signed up, here is the application:  https://bsd405.org/services/nutrition-services/free-reduced/ 

Why the urgency? There will likely be government funds made available to families with FRL status. These funds will cover the cost of meals that were purchased while school has been conducted remotely. Students with FRL status will also have their ASB card and other fees waived. 

If you aren’t sure if you have signed up for FRL, please call BSD’s Nutrition Services office at 425-456-4507 to confirm. 
SCHOOL NEWS
AP EXAMS—PAYMENT DUE APRIL 21

Thank you to the 146 International School students who contributed to the BSD’s AP exam schedule. A finalized exam schedule incorporating student feedback will be released early next week. 

Due to the uncertainty of timing and format of AP exams, BSD extended the AP exam payment and scholarship application deadlines to April 21. View our AP website for more info on Advanced Placement and paying for exams. 

Please contact Jill at follettj@bsd405.org with questions.
STUDENT NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
FIELD LEARNING WEBINAR
CAREER IN DATA SCIENCE

Wednesday, March 24, 4:00 PM

Does your student want to learn more about careers? Do they wonder what their future could entail?

Then invite your student to come to the Field Learning Webinar hosted by our school's own Titan Robotics Club on March 24 at 4:00 PM to learn and get advice from Dr. Kottege on his career in Data Science. All grades are welcome!

Click here for the Field Learning Webinar flyer. If interested, email the Titan Robotics Club at trc492@gmail.com.
FREE MAKER ACTIVITY KITS
 
With the help of the PTSA, International School will still have a Maker Event this year! Students can sign up for 6 activities that can be completed at home during a virtual Teams Meeting.
 
Please sign up to reserve your student’s Maker Activity kit (materials are limited): https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OUFKmQZ8HkmAmHkAbVdd4BWqSRQe_CxPm2jbfEF4yIdUMEdSVkYyNEJROUhTWkFBT044REY5MThDSC4u
 
If you have questions, contact Tara Jones at jonesta@bsd405.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
PREVENTING GUN VIOLENCE

WSPTA wants to echo our National PTA’s concerns about gun violence. “National PTA and all PTA members nationwide are saddened to hear of the shooting on March 1 at Watson Chapel Junior High. As schools across the country are beginning to reopen for in-person instruction, parents should not have to fear for the safety of their children due to senseless gun violence. The safety and health of all students, educators and staff must be the utmost priority.”

Safe storage is a key element of gun violence prevention and part of our top-five legislative issues. Information about safe storage can be found on our safety page, at BeSmart and King County, or at your local police department.

Have a question not covered by the links? Please contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.kronoff@gmail.com.
SAMMAMISH GOODWILL
COLLECTION FUNDRAISER

Sunday, March 28th, 2:005:00 PM

Now that high school sports has resumed, please help the Sammamish High School Girls soccer team fundraiser by bringing your Goodwill donation items to Sammamish High School on Sunday, March 28th, 2-5pm. Details below: 
  • Where: Sammamish High School front parking lot, SE corner of Main Street and 140th Ave SE
  • What: You can bring (al)most anything, provided it's no larger than an end table. Sorry, no mattresses, hazardous waste or items in need of repair. Benefits the Sammamish High School Girls Soccer team. Click here for the flyer.

Please email questions to Elaine at elaine_ansell@hotmail.com.
WSPTA BILL TRACKING REPORT

Keep up with the bills and committee hearings related to WSPTA member-generated legislative priorities and long-term positions by utilizing the WSPTA Bill Status Report.

Email Elizabeth at elizabeth.kronoff@gmail.com with questions.
MISSION INSPIRED
TALES OF QUARANTINE

THIS Sunday, March 21
Submission Deadline

Currently, one of Mission InspirEd's upcoming events is the Tales of Quarantine, a free nationwide initiative challenging students ages 6-18 to showcase COVID’s impact through a wide variety of artistic expressions.

The competition covers three categories of art: Media, Visual, and Writing. Students are encouraged to submit an original piece of artwork by MARCH 21 that showcases their creativity and skills, and can win up to $1,000 and be featured on the news.

SAVE THE DATE!
SPRING FOR SCHOOLS

Friday, April 30, 12:00 PM

Join us for the Bellevue Schools Foundation’s first virtual Spring for Schools event. This is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser, and our students need your support now more than ever.
 
Bellevue Schools Foundation provides critical resources for our district and students, positioning BSD at the forefront of education with new tools including but not limited to:
  • Lightbox eBooks subscriptions for all Elementary students
  • Digital Makers for all Middle School students to create engaging web content
  • Music software apps designed to help all secondary students practice independently during remote learning
 
Our theme this year is Engaging Hearts, Enriching Minds. Our 30-minute engaging Spring for Schools program will showcase initiatives that help students with social/emotional health and wellness and programs that interject joy into the online learning process.

Please join us and our special keynote speaker and local celebrity, Duff McKagan, founding member and bassist from Guns ‘N Roses, who will be sharing through personal stories why your support is so vital to our students.
 
Please register online at www.SpringForSchools.com. If you are not able to make it to Spring for Schools, please consider making a donation online. We appreciate your continued support. Hope you will join us!

For questions, email Elizabeth at elizabeth.kronoff@gmail.com.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR
WEAR YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT WITH PRIDE!
Your ISPTA is proud to make International School Spirit Wear available online with pickup or delivery options!
 
Browse our selection of hoodies, sweatshirts,
T-shirts, bags and more.

NEW! IS Stickers and Vehicle Window Clings
All items are semi-customizable with two logo placement choices on all wearable items and optional additional printing.

 

 
(More options than are pictured here are available on the website.)
 
Contact Melissa at
sam_mel@yahoo.com with questions.

MASTHEAD / DIRECTORY / LINKS
President
Secretary
Treasurer 1
Treasurer 2
VP of Communications
OPEN
VP of Community
VP of Fundraising
OPEN
VPs of Outreach
Membership
Grants
Advocacy
Monday Messenger
Website
IS Staff Liaison
Marrene Franich & Wesley Hung
PTSA
Website: www.isptsa.org
Newsletter Submissions: news@isptsa.org
SHOP FOR THE BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Enter Amazon.com through this link and Amazon will donate 8% of every purchase you make to support Bellevue students, including those at IS! Share the link and spread the word to family and friends anywhere.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY & LINKS

Attendance 425-456-6545
Main Office 425-456-6500 
MS Counseling 425-456-6546
HS Counseling 425-456-6542 
Registrar 425-456-6535 

SUPPORT YOUR PTSA
Donate Anytime

Write your check to the International School PTSA and send it to:
ISPTSA
PO Box 221
Bellevue WA 98009-0221
Or, even easier, donate
via PayPal.
Visit the International School PTSA Store. Proceeds benefit the International School PTSA.
CONFUSED ABOUT SOMETHING?
The ISPTSA is always here to help answer your IS questions.

Email us here, and we'll help you find the answers you need.
MONDAY MESSENGER
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • Please submit articles by THURSDAY at 5:00 PM to news@isptsa.org.
  • Please include contact information for questions from readers.
  • We encourage submissions that align with our mission.
  • Submissions are subject to review by the ISPTSA and may be accepted, rejected, or edited.
  • Please use a separate email for each article submitted.
  • Documents in plain text are preferred, however, you are welcome to include an image or icon as a separate attachment—please do not include them in the body of your email or document.
  • If you need to link to a registration form or document, send us either the address of the link or a pdf copy of the document.
  • If you would like your article to repeat in successive Monday Messenger editions, please resubmit it for each edition in which you would like it to appear. If you do not resubmit it, it will not be republished.
  • Note: you will receive an automatic confirmation email response once you submit material to the Monday Messenger.