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

* More information included in message below

International School will be administering the SAT to 11th and 12th-grade students THIS Thursday, October 28. We are looking for parents who can proctor the test and parents who are able to provide school support. 

If you are the parent of a student who is NOT in 11th or 12th grade, you are eligible to proctor the SAT or provide school day support.  If you are able and interested, please email Assistant Principal Traci Sullivan.

We are looking for adult and student volunteers to help with the Goodwill Drive on Saturday, November 20, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. Students earn volunteer hours while helping IS! Please email Emilie at president@isptsa.org if interested.

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

ISPTSA MEMBERSHIP–PLATINUM AWARD WINNER!

Congratulations to our sixth and final fall membership raffle winners, Julia R., Annalisa A., and Lauren H.! A great big thank you to all our awesome ISPTSA members for your support, and congratulations to us all! We won the highest WA State PTA award, the Platinum Award for membership growth.

We only need 165 more members to reach our perfect goal. Visit www.isptsa.org and become a PTSA member today! Questions? Email membership@isptsa.org.

The ISPTSA General Meeting was held last Wednesday evening with a presentation by Laura Kastner on The Launching Years. The presentation and meeting were offered both in-person and online. For those attending in person, the emphasis was on safety and social distancing (see picture). The opportunity to see the screen and speaker at the same time was limited on Zoom—click here for the slides.

Any questions regarding the presentation or the meeting, please send them to president@isptsa.org.

1450 114th Ave SE, Suite 120, Bellevue, WA 98004

1450 114th Ave SE, Suite 120, Bellevue, WA 98004

Please join us and meet other parents from International School! Email sam_mel@yahoo.com if you have questions.

This week’s Titan Teacher of the Week is… BECCI KERSTETTER! Becci teaches Special Education and Humanities here at International School, and this year is her 6th year of teaching. Becci was born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and her favorite place to go is Ireland. Becci’s favorite book is A Christmas Carol; she loves Indian food; if she could have one superhero power, she would fly! Her favorite class in school was art, and she loves to make pottery and do photography. Next time you are in the 200 Hallway, say hi to Becci Kerstetter, our Titan Teacher of the Week!

For questions about Titan Tribute of the Week, email townej@bsd405.org.

Friday, November 5, 7 PM

Saturday, November 6, 2 PM & 7 PM

Come support your Titan Players and see the timeless classic, Romeo and Juliet! Tickets are available for pre-purchase by clicking here. The due date to buy tickets is November 1 at 1 PM, so reserve your tickets today! For questions, email the Drama Coordinator.

International School is now offering diagnostic testing and will be offering pooled surveillance testing in the first week of November. Click here to read Principal Russell White's recent email. Tests are approved for self-administration under trained observation (does not need to be a health care professional) for people ages 4 and up, allowing for more efficient and expanded access. Testing may only occur with permission and consent. Click here for more information on COVID testing in Bellevue School District. For questions related to testing at our school, see our IS webpage or contact the IS Main Office or IS Nurse, Sarah Kim.

The Advanced Placement (AP) exam payment window is open through Monday, November 1 on Touchbase. A $40 late order fee applies for exams ordered after November 15. Click here for complete BSD information and timeline. Click here for the exam schedule. Email Jill at follettj@bsd405.org if you missed registration or if you would like to cancel.  

The International School Class of 2022 is holding its traditional fundraiser selling festive holiday poinsettias and wreaths from Squak Mountain Nursery in Issaquah. Proceeds fund the graduation activities this June.

Checks and online payment through Zelle are accepted (Zelle Account Name: International School Senior Parent Group, Email Address: isseniorparents@outlook.com). The IS Class of 2022 thanks you for your support! For questions, email k_shirokane@hotmail.com.

Bellevue School District is seeking two levy renewals in the February 8th election to continue our work to provide an excellent education for every Bellevue student. Click here for more information. Email pubinfo@bsd405.org with questions.

Bellevue School District is required to realign its Director districts periodically based on population information from the most recent federal census. Read more here. Email pubinfo@bsd405.org with questions.

BSD is proud to announce the semifinalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Congratulations to the BSD students who worked hard to earn this recognition! Let's recognize the semifinalists from International School: Rachel Feng, Jessica Massey, Henry Rodgers, and Elle Soderquist. Click here for the full list of BSD semifinalists and learn more about the program. Questions? Email communityrelations@bsd405.org. 

This October, as we honor Disability History and Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we hear from the students, staff, and families who embrace an individualized approach to education as part of the Evergreen Transition Program. Read more here. Questions? Email strehlej@bsd405.org.

Do you have a student with special needs in the Bellevue area? Help inform Bellevue Special Needs PTA advocacy and outreach efforts by taking the survey! Information will be used to identify advocacy and parent education focus areas. Want to join the Bellevue Special Needs PTA? Visit the website or email bellevuespecialneeds@gmail.com.

Visit the Visitors and Volunteers webpage to see updates that reflect additional guidance regarding volunteers who enter BSD schools. Email Alexandra Nicoara in Human Resources with questions.

Last year was canceled, but this year, Bellevue Ski School is back! Registration begins Monday, November 1. Sign up for 6-week and 8-week programs beginning January 8, 2022, including bus transportation and full days on the slopes. For more information, visit the Bellevue Ski School webpage. Please send any questions to Info@BellevueSkiSchool.com.

MISSION 2021—ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE

EVENT: Saturday, November 13–Sunday, November 21

Currently, one of Mission InspirEd’s upcoming events is a nationwide initiative that challenges students ages 10–18 to synthesize their creativity and problem-solving skills in order to propose a product idea that tackles a current issue regarding the Pandemic, Technology, or Education. If there are any further questions, please check out Mission InspirEd's website, where you can find more information regarding how to sign up, the schedule, prizes, contact information, and more!

Jubilee REACH is a non-profit organization and a proud partner of the BSD. Our flag football season at IS begins on November 13. Practices will be held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 3:45–5 PM after the mandatory tutorial. Students must have a ride home after practice. Games will be on Wednesdays against other BSD middle schools and will run approximately 2:45–4:30 PM. For away games, bus transportation is provided to the game location and back to International School. Game schedules will be released shortly after the season begins. Click here to register your child for flag football. We are also looking for high schoolers or adults who can volunteer as flag football coaches. If you have any questions please reach out to Coach Maggie at maggieh@jubileereach.org or hoffmanm@bsd405.org.

UW Youth & Teen Programs enables academically curious students to explore subjects not typically offered at schools. This January, these online courses are offered for middle and high school students:

Click here to learn more. Winter 2022 course registration is now open. Questions? Contact UW Youth & Teen Programs. 

TODAY, October 25, 6:30–8 PM

Meeting Zoom link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85976539709?pwd=SEtXUjVjZ0p0NndEY0gzTy9yOFdBZz09

Bellevue Gifted Alliance is hosting "The 11th-hour essay writing workshop" presented by Yale alumna and College Coach, Poojha Daryanani. This workshop is perfect for high school Seniors who are in the midst of writing their personal statement but is also a great opportunity for Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen to develop a good understanding of the college essay-writing process. Come prepared with printouts. Email BGA with questions.

Night by Elie Wiesel

THIS Tuesday, October 26th, 7 PM

This book club hosted by the Bellevue PTSA Council was created to expose parents to the literary curriculum offered in BSD. Let's read what our students are reading! Email sam_mel@yahoo.com with questions.

Please join Bellevue Schools Foundation and the Bellevue School District Educators for a presentation on current mental health trends in Bellevue’s Public Schools. You will have a chance to hear directly from the District’s experts about the ways in which students are currently supported, the impact of this support and which tools and resources are the most effective. There will also be a chance for the attendees to engage with educators directly through a Q&A session and learn about future programming planned. Email info@bsfdn.org with questions.

Friday, November 12, 9 AM–4 PM

Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. The MHFA curriculum is provided by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing - https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/. For questions, email or call David Combs at 425-213-4670.

Mark your calendars! The Newport Ski Swap is scheduled for Friday, November 12, and Saturday, November 13 at Newport High School. It's huge! New and used snow sports equipment and clothing will be sold at great prices. You can also register now until November 10 to sell your gear. Proceeds benefit local Newport High School PTSA. Email SkiSwapHelp@gmail.com with questions.

The annual Newport Ski Swap fundraiser is one of the region’s premier ski sale events. We need many student and parent volunteers for before, during, and after the event from Thursday, November 11 to Sunday, November 14. The volunteer jobs are simple, and they do NOT require any snow sport or ski knowledge. Students earn volunteer hours that are required for graduation. Masks are required, and volunteers must show proof of vaccination. Come volunteer, help our local Newport High School, and have lots of fun! Click here to sign up for one or more slots. For questions, email Karen, the Newport Ski Swap volunteer coordinator.

A light, compact, basic carryall tote at a great value! 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 sam_mel@yahoo.com 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.