To our International School Community, have a wonderful winter break! Our Monday Messenger newsletter team will also be enjoying the time off, and we will be in touch again in the New Year on January 10, 2022.

Click here to view the District 2021–2022 calendar for families.

* More information in the message below

Please email the ISPTSA Board to learn more and sign up. Thank you!

Do you want to show your support but you're too busy to volunteer at school? No problem! Click here and join ISPTSA today! Together, we can better support our school!

Questions? Please contact Membership@isptsa.org.

A big success! The annual Snowflake tradition organized by our ASB Senior Class Officers ended last Tuesday, December 7, and our senior class won the donation drive. Our International School community came together to support Hopelink, an organization that provides local Bellevue families with emergency services, food, and essentials. Thank you to everyone who participated. Contact ASB Advisor, Matt Lyon, with questions.

THIS Thursday, 12/16, 6:30–7:30 PM

Principal Russell White will share information about the International School’s seven-year program on Thursday, December 16 from 6:30–7:30 PM. Learn more HERE. For questions, contact the IS Main Office.

THIS Tuesday, December 14, 7–8:30 PM

For questions, email Band Director, Andy Rubesch.

Winter break is just around the corner, and there’s nothing better than curling up with your favorite book and a cup of hot cocoa. New books and eBooks have been added to our library’s Winter 2021 collection. Please stop by our library or visit our online Winter 2021 collection to choose books for your break. Feel free to email me or contact me via Teams for assistance and book suggestions.

If you missed the window to buy a yearbook, you're in luck! This "last chance" opportunity runs through THIS Thursday, December 16. Purchase through your student account in Touchbase. Not sure if you already purchased a book? Check your payment history in TouchBase.

Click here to apply.

For siblings of current International School students, the International School Lottery Applications lottery is now open! You MUST apply by Friday, January 14 at 4:30 PM to be enrolled in autumn 2022. This applies to incoming 6th-grade students (current 5th graders) for the 2022–2023 school year. Those who miss the application period may submit a waitlist application to be added to the bottom of the waitlist, so don't delay! Click here to apply today. Questions? Email IS Registrar, Katherine Parkin.

We completed the SOS lessons and wellness screener for our 7th to 10th-grade students. Our students were engaged during the lessons, and they learned the importance of ACT: Acknowledge, Care, and Tell. Thank you to our MHAT counselors, Melissa Odegaard and Alison Christensen, for making this happen at International School. If you have any questions or concerns for your student, please reach out to Middle School Counselor, Arty Christianto.

BSD Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis, responds to communications he has received around concerns of sexual assault, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in the BSD community. Read more and watch the video HERE. Email BSD with questions.

The Bellevue School District thanks its two outgoing school board directors, Erica Melief and Francine Wiest, for all of the time and energy they have committed to the BSD students, staff, and community. The Bellevue School District is pleased to welcome two new members to its board of directors. Joyce Shui and Jane Aras will represent constituents for District 3 and District 5, respectively. Read more HERE. For questions, contact BSD.

Microsoft Teams student private chat will be suspended beginning THIS Friday, December 17, for all students, except for those who are enrolled in the Bellevue Virtual Academy. Students will still be able to utilize other forms of communication, which include email and Teams classroom channels. Read more HERE. For questions, email BSD.

District facilities and programs will have modified hours over Winter Break, which takes place from Monday, December 20 to Monday, January 3. Learn more about the modifications and additional resources available to families. Read more HERE. Email BSD with questions.

Congratulations to Da Ravens, IS's very own Robotics team, for bringing home a Core Values Award at the First Lego League (FLL) event! All 3 teams did an amazing job, and while it was the first time participating for many of our students, we saw a lot of growth through this experience. We are especially proud that everyone did their best to embody IS Titan Robotics Club's and FIRST Robotic's values. Special thanks to our student advisors, Nusha and Abhishri, who set the example and mentored the team. Way to go, Da Ravens! For questions, email the Titan Robotics Team.

Auditions will be held on January 4 from 4–6 PM in the IPAC. Callbacks will be held on January 6 from 4–6 PM. Drama Club welcomes 6th to 12th-grade students to come and audition for the musical, Mamma Mia.

See you on January 4th! Questions? Contact Drama Coordinator, Karen Gath.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services is looking to hire part-time youth sports coaches, specifically for basketball leagues. Expertise in sports is not required. They are looking for enthusiastic, positive individuals who enjoy working with kids and can commit to Tuesdays 5–7 PM and Wednesdays 4–6 PM. Training provided with flexible hours. Click HERE to apply.

Email Erin McCaslin, Recreation Program Coordinator, or call 425-452-4627.

Any teenager (13–19 years old) can sign up for a FREE TeenTix pass! The pass entitles teens to purchase $5 day-of-show tickets at 70+ partner organizations in the greater Seattle area. Explore the TeenTix.org calendar for events available on a specific day, or in a specific genre, and subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter for updates on what's happening each week. Email TeenTix with questions.

Bellevue Schools Foundation's annual benefit luncheon raises critical funding to promote and fund the best possible learning opportunities for ALL students in Bellevue's public schools. Learn more on the Bellevue Schools Foundation website, or email info@bsfdn.org with questions.

Register here for the Zoom link.

Identify scholarship opportunities and learn how to apply for them! Learn about sources and application techniques, including the new Washington state resource, WashBoard.org. and how students are matched with scholarships. Presented by Doug Breithaupt, College Planning Network, and hosted by King County Library System. For adults and teens. Learn more on the website, or email access@kcls.org with questions.

TODAY, December 13, 5:00 PM

Register here.

Join Peg Keough and Matt Carpenter, college funding experts at College Aid Pro, as they help families complete these forms. They show common mistakes that parents make that can significantly decrease your financial aid. If you have already submitted your forms and realize you made a mistake, no problem. They show you step-by-step how to correct your forms and project financial aid and scholarships at different colleges. If you can’t make it on December 13th, all registrants will receive a recording. Questions? Call 833-537-3388.

UW Youth & Teen Programs are for students who want to explore engineering, architecture, or writing. Register for one of these online winter courses: 

Registration closes on December 23 or after the class fills, whichever comes first. If you have any questions, contact UW Youth & Teens.

Stay charged in this moisture-wicking, color-preserving fleece in heathered yarn dye. Click here to shop for this and more! Orders can be picked up from Winner's Sportswear Bellevue for free or delivered. Proceeds benefit ISPTSA. Email Melissa, VP of Community, with questions.

Raise funds for ISPTSA with the Box Tops for Education app. By scanning your grocery and office supply store receipts, qualifying products will be instantly credited to our school. It's easy and adds up fast! Download the app on your phone, and select IS by searching zip code 98005. Questions? Email ISPTSA Fundraising.