* More information included in message below

If you have articles to contribute, please refer to the Submission Guidelines at the bottom of this newsletter. Send article submissions to news@isptsa.org by the Thursday at 5:00 PM before publication.

Please email board@isptsa.org to learn more and sign up. Thank you!

Membership in ISPTSA is ready for you. By becoming a PTSA member, you help build a strong community of support for our students and teachers. Your voice and your vote are important in creating a budget that funds educational opportunities and resources. We are the only high school in Washington that has 100% membership. Help us reach that 100% support again in our community.

Our flexible Family Membership can be used for 2 adults + 1 student, 3 adults, or 1 adult + 2 students. Choose any of these memberships and complete the registration. You will be supporting the PTSA and all that PTSA does to help our school and your student succeed. 

              Membership categories and annual fee

Visit www.isptsa.org, and become a member today. Any questions, please contact Membership@isptsa.org.

Thursday, August 26–Thursday, September 9

Donate blood at Bloodworks NW, and help the International School PTSA earn fundraising dollars! In addition to raising fundraising dollars, all adult donors this month will be entered to win a foldable Oru Kayak and pack. You have the power to save a life by donating blood at any Bloodworks Donation Center or Pop Up Location! Start to finish, an hour of your time and pint of your blood will be the gift someone in our community needs. Someone tomorrow needs a blood donor today! 

Click here to book a blood donation appointment. When you check in to donate, share code: 832B. That way your donation will count toward our fundraising. We need a minimum of 35 donors. To help us keep track of the number of donors, please add your name to our list to let us know you signed up or to let us know if you need more information. Blood donors must be at least 16 years old to participate, and each donor needs to book an appointment, wear a face mask, and show their photo ID.

Click here for the blood drive flier for more information. Email questions to Emilie at president@isptsa.org.

Superintendent Art Jarvis launched the new Let’s Talk video series to share vital district information with the district. These regular messages are meant to strengthen two-way communication on a combination of important issues involving you and your students. You will be able to respond to Let’s Talk messages on the Let’s Talk website. Your comments and questions will be shared with a subject matter expert who will respond with the information you are seeking.

Read the recovery plan approved by our Bellevue School Board Directors, and share any thoughts or input you have on this plan here. For questions, email communityrelations@bsd405.org.

Visit the district Start of School first day of school information page for the most up-to-date information in one place. We acknowledge the urgency and many factors parents must consider including physical distancing, lunch, masking-wearing, COVID-19 vaccination, testing and virtual options, just to name a few. Please continue to check for information regularly as updates will be made in conjunction with guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Office of the Superintendent of Instruction (OSPI) and local health departments for the latest procedures and safety protocols. We anticipate new guidance the week of August 16. As for now, all health and safety measures practiced in-person last school year are in place until further notice. Priority is on a healthy and safe return for our students. For questions, email communityrelations@bsd405.org.

Most students kept their school laptops over the summer and will continue to use them for the upcoming school year. Schools will issue new laptops to returning students in grades 2, 6 and 9.

We encourage all students to plug in, turn on and log in to their school-issued iPad or laptop before the start of school. If the laptop or iPad does not turn on or students are unable to log in, they may visit the Student Tech Center for in-person support through August 25. Technical support is available Monday through Friday from 12–3 PM at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center (building 6) located at 12241 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005. Starting August 26, students may get technical support from our IS Tech Specialist Jess Albrecht. Students leaving BSD can return their devices and peripherals to the Student Tech Center.

See the Tech Support website for up-to-date information. Email BSD Tech Support at parenthelp@bsd405.org or studenthelp@bsd405.org with questions.

In order to support our students with the college application process, particularly our seniors, Bellevue School District will offer the SAT during the regular school day on Thursday, October 28. Seniors and juniors will have the opportunity to take the test on this day. There will be no cost to students taking the SAT on October 28. Seniors and juniors who do not wish to take the SAT will have an ‘opt out’ provision. Further specifics related to the October 28th SAT school day testing will be shared with students and families mid-September. For more information, click here or contact communityrelations@bsd405.org.

Additionally, over the summer Marrene Franich was accepted into Seattle University School of Law and will be departing to take advantage of this opportunity. While we are excited for this new season in her life, she will be missed at International School. For questions, contact the IS Main Office.

If you have any technology software issues that your teacher can’t help you with, or if your computer is broken and needs replacement, please contact our International School Tech Specialist Jess Albrecht at albrechtj@bsd405.org.

We know that some families will have some needs that must be taken care of in person. The school staff will be available to assist families August 31 from 10 AM–2 PM for the following needs:

For questions, call the International School Main Office at (425) 456-6500.

If you submitted your parking application in June 2021 and received a confirmation approval, please stop by International School Tuesday, August 31, 10 AM–2 PM to choose your space and pick up your pass. You can pay parking fees online here.

If you got your license over the summer and would like to submit an application, a message with a link will go out the first week of school via TEAMS and email. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. For questions, call the Main Office at (425) 456-6500.

Follow this link to find International School bus routes this school year.

Orca cards: Students who live outside the school’s walking boundary are eligible to receive an Orca card for school transportation. Students can pick up their Orca card at International School on Tuesday, August 31 from 10 AM–2 PM or in the front office once the school year begins. 

Reserve your 2021-22 yearbooks today! Yearbooks are available for purchase until October 15 and cost $50. Purchase your yearbook online here.

Grad Ads for the yearbook are available for seniors. Cost is $40 for a full page or $20 for a half page ad. Purchase your senior grad ads online here.

Due to extended USDA funding, ALL students enrolled in the Bellevue School District can receive school lunch at no charge during the 2021–2022 school year. Learn more here.

Even though school meals are free, families that are eligible for free or reduced lunches are still encouraged to apply for free/reduced lunch. By applying, you may also qualify for the Fee Waiver program and other programs offered through BSD. The Fee Waiver Program offers waived fees for IB & AP tests, extracurricular activities such a ASB dues, event registrations, field trips, performances, social events/dances, transportation fees, athletic fees and discounted summer school tuition. Complete an application through Nutrition Services, and check the Fee Waiver box when submitting the form. Applications will be available this Wednesday, August 18 on the Nutrition Services website.

Begins THIS Wednesday, August 18

Parents and guardians are required to annually verify their student’s information electronically via ParentVUE. Health updates are included in this data update. Even if nothing has changed for your student, you will still need to verify that all information is accurate. After verification, you will not be able to access other features of ParentVUE, including checking grades.

Starting THIS Wednesday, August 18, parents and guardians can update student information by signing into ParentVUE. Upon logging in the first time, you will be directed to data verification, and parents and guardians can: 

For more information, visit the district Online Student Data Verification website or email dataverification@bsd405.org.

Look for an email from FinalForms for instructions. If you don’t have the email, use this LINK to request another secure confirmation link. Once you received the email with a link you will be able to establish your account. After you have created an account, you will be able to login and update information using this link. https://bellevue-wa.finalforms.com/.

International and the Bellevue School District uses the School Messenger notification system to send important announcements to parents and guardians via phone calls, emails and text messages. You will automatically receive calls and messages to the phone number and email address we have on file in your student’s profile. By setting up a Contact Manager account, you can adjust how you prefer to be notified or add additional contact information. Click here to set up your account or to get more information.

Being involved in a school team or club is a great way to get to know other students at your school and to participate in something you are interested in. We highly encourage all students to participate! Associated Student Body (ASB) membership gives students access to participate in ASB clubs and supports school wide events such as assemblies, socials and retreats. ASB cards are available for the low price of $25 for the 2021-22 school year and can purchased online at https://wa-bellevue.intouchreceipting.com/. Click here for a full list of our ASB clubs at IS and learn how to get involved!

Download the Box Tops for Education app from Apple Store or Google Play on your phone, and select International School (easier to search by zip code, 98005) as your school. Visit Box Tops for Education for more information. Any questions, email vpfundraising@isptsa.org.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP—more than featured here!

Orders are available for delivery or FREE pickup from Winner's Sportswear in Bellevue. Proceeds benefit ISPTSA. Email sam_mel@yahoo.com with questions.