Click here to view the District 2022–2023 calendar for families.

* More information in the message below

As the weather starts turning, we start thinking of fall traditions. One such event is our October 18th, first General Membership Meeting at International School. As part of this annual tradition, we serve a meal before the meeting to provide an opportunity for a community to meet, break bread and then go into an important meeting to approve our budget and standing rules. We need a quorum to make this happen. We will have Russell White discuss our school along with another speaker. A previous response from the community was "it was so interesting and informative." Please plan on joining us for an enlightening evening.

Let’s RAISE THE TORCH for IS! We invite ALL families to participate in this campaign because your contribution makes a difference. Choose your support level: Gold $500, Silver $250, Bronze $100, or define your amount. For those families who can, please consider becoming a Titan Torch supporter with a donation of $1,000 or more. Donations are tax-deductible and 100% go back to the community. Click here for a flyer. Questions? Email Emilie Castle and Phil Bloch, VPs of Fundraising.

Dear IS families, thank you for helping us reach our mini-goal of 400 members—we did it! Please check your emails (including your spam/junk folder) for important PTSA member ID and benefits information. If you didn't receive this email, please email Honglian Gao, Membership Chair.

Sign in to renew OR click here to join today!

Reflections is a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition that provides an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships.

Students may also enter theme ideas by entering a Theme Search Entry Form to the WSPTA office by November 1. We will send out submission information close to the end of October. If you have questions or if you can volunteer, please email Jiayuan Huang, ISPTSA Reflections Chair. 

Click here for the order form. 

The International School Class of 2023 is holding its traditional fundraiser selling festive holiday poinsettias and wreaths from Squak Mountain Nursery in Issaquah. Proceeds fund the graduation activities this June.

Thank you for your support! Questions? Email pegarsenault@msn.com.

With Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 29 beginning only a few hours after the end of the school day, many teachers remained at the school until the event. Emilie Castle and Irene Endow prepared a pasta dinner for teachers and staff, which they appreciated. Thank you! For questions, email Qiong Chen, VP of Community.

Learn more about these positions here. Please email board@isptsa.org if you have questions or if you're interested in signing up. Thank you!

THIS Wednesday, October 12

International School will be administering the PSAT to 11th graders and the SAT to 12th graders on Super Wednesday, October 12. We are looking for parents who can proctor the test and parents who are able to provide school support. Parents of 11th graders CANNOT proctor the PSAT. Parents of 12th graders CANNOT proctor the SAT. Click here to read about the roles and responsibilities of test proctors and school support staff. If you can help with supporting our students on Super Wednesday, please contact Traci Sullivan, Assistant Principal. 

Next week, we need volunteers to help on school picture retake day, Wednesday, October 19 from 7:30 AM to noon. If you can help the whole time or just a portion, please email Mary Pyrah, IS Office Manager.

Hello, IS Parents! International’s 2022 Homecoming is just around the corner!! We need volunteers who can help chaperone this dance. This year, homecoming will be on October 22, 8–10 PM at International School. Chaperones need to come by 7:45 so ASB officers can explain what to do. Our special events and dances cannot happen without chaperones and volunteers! Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested! For questions, email IS High School ASB.

THIS Week, October 10–13

We are one of the 21 schools participating in Bellevue School Pool's Fall 2022 SchoolPool Campaign! We will celebrate Walk & Roll to School Day THIS Wednesday, October 12. We encourage families and students to walk and roll during Walk & Roll to School Week, THIS week, October 10–13. If you live too far to walk to school, you may consider parking in the school vicinity and walking the rest of the route. Carpooling is also a great option. Click here for a flyer. Questions? Email Bellevue School Pool.

Homecoming is going to be on Saturday, October 22 at International School. This will be a formal event for high school students only.  The theme for this year’s dance is “Once upon a time.” For questions, email Matt Lyon, ASB Advisor.

AP exam fees are now on student accounts! Please log in to TouchBase to pay for your exams no later than Friday, October 28. Contact Jill Follett, Counseling Secretary, if you want to make changes (add/cancel a test) to your registration. Contact Colleen Courtney, High School Counselor, for scholarship information.

Seniors, last call for GRAD ADS! Purchase a full page (most popular) or half page by October 14. The digital image is due November 14. For questions, email Jill Follett, Yearbook Advisor.

Bellevue School District has updated its attendance procedures to align with state requirements. There are some significant changes, such as the use of “Pre-Arranged Absences.” A summary of Attendance Procedures is provided to proactively share this critical information. Questions? Email IS Attendance.

Each year, we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of all American people with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Our fabulous library intern, Serena, invites you to check out our Hispanic Heritage Month book collection. Please email Michele Dang, IS Library Specialist, with questions.

Would you like to host a French student from Nantes from December 3–14? We need host families for 3 boys and 2 girls. Host families would ideally have one high school student (most are sophomores) who would participate in some group activities while the student is visiting. While we also have space to bring 3 boys and 2 girls to France with us in May, it is not required. What we really need are families to host in December. If you are interested, please email Joe Kheriaty, IS French Teacher.

Register by Thursday, October 22

The MAA American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) are a series of 25-question multiple-choice examinations and curriculum materials that build problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge in middle and high school students. International School will be hosting these AMC exams:

The price is $5 for AMC8 and $10 for AMC10/12. Register or express interest here by Thursday, October 22. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

BSD is performing a review of social studies graduation requirements and seeking two family members of current high school students to join the committee. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

The International High School Retreat took place on September 14–15 at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, WA. The retreat is a way for students to build community and focus on the school’s mission of developing global competency. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

Visit the Superintendent Search webpage to learn more and view the search process details in multiple languages by using the "Select Language” menu at the top left-hand corner of the webpage. You can also email BSD Superintendent Search and receive answers to any questions.

Dr. Jarvis, Interim Superintendent, talks with Dr. Kelly Aramaki, Assistant Superintendent, and Drew O’Connell, Director of Student Life, about supporting our students and families in the Bellevue School District and empowering them to be creators of their future world. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

Tuesday, October 11th, 5:30–6:30 PM

DVR (Department of Vocational Rehab) will host a Benefits Planning Information Session on Zoom for BSD parents/guardians. Read more here. Questions? Email BSD.

The nights, and mornings, are getting brisk, and what better way to get ready for fall than stocking some new pajama pants? Your ISPTSA is adding some new items this year. Get comfy while studying, grading, or hanging out in these snuggly pants. Currently only available in black. Order yours here! Questions? Email Melissa Richardson, VP of Outreach.

Support IS PTSA with your Amazon purchases! Amazon donates a percentage of your Amazon Smile purchases to our school when you select Bellevue International School as your charity of choice. Click here to begin! Set it and forget it. 0.5% of your purchases will be donated to International PTSA. Email Paul Bloch, VP of Fundraising, 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.