November 9, 2020
MONDAY MESSENGER
UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS
THIS WEEK:
  • Monday, 11/9 • End of First Quarter
  • Monday, 11/9, 12:00–1:00 PM • 7th Grade Virtual Grade-Level Parent Meet-Up (more info below)
  • Monday, 11/9, 7:00–8:00 PM • 8th Grade Virtual Grade-Level Parent Meet-Up (more info below)
  • Tuesday, 11/10, 12:00–1:00 PM • 9th Grade Virtual Grade-Level Parent Meet-Up (more info below)
  • Tuesday, 11/10, 6:30–7:30 PM • 10th Grade Parent Night hosted by IS high school counseling team (more info below)
  • Tuesday, 11/10, 7:30–8:30 PM • 10th Grade Virtual Grade-Level Parent Meet-Up (more info below)
  • Wednesday, 11/11 • NO SCHOOL—Veterans Day
  • Thursday, 11/12, 12:00–1:00 PM • 11th Grade Virtual Grade-Level Parent Meet-Up (more info below)
  • Friday, 11/13 • PTSA Reflections Entries Due
  • Friday, 11/13, 7:00 PM • The Titan Players' Virtual Performance of The Crucible (more info below)
  • Saturday, 11/14, 2:00 PM • The Titan Players' Virtual Performance of The Crucible (more info below)

NEXT WEEK:
  • Thursday, 11/19, 6:00–7:00 PM • BSD Parent Accessibility Technology Training (more info below)
  • Thursday, 11/19, 7:00 PM • Virtual High School Band Concert
  • Saturday, 11/21, 9:00 AM • Online Practice ACT/SAT Tests from ISPTSA & Princeton Review (more info below)

LOOKING AHEAD:
  • Thursday–Friday, 11/26–27 • NO SCHOOL—Thanksgiving
  • Monday, 11/30 • Second Window to Purchase 2020–21 Yearbooks Opens (through 12/18/20)
  • Thursday, 12/3, 9:00 AM • Virtual Principal Coffee
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
THESE POSITIONS NEED YOU!

IS and the ISPTSA are currently seeking the following volunteers:

  • ISPTSA President, current school year
  • ISPTSA President Elect, current school year
  • ISPTSA VP Communications, current school year
  • Grade-Level Representatives, current school year
  • Monday Messenger Editor, current school year

Please email board@isptsa.org to learn more and sign up. Thank you!
PTSA NEWS
DIRECTORYSPOT NOW AVAILABLE!

Thank you to our school's amazing registrar, Katherine Parkin, and secretary, Ellen Stone, for supplying the ISPTSA with data. The 2020–21 ISPTSA Directory is now available online via DirectorySpot.

Download the app, available for iPhones and Android devices, and you will always have the directory with you. You can also access the directory from your computer at DirectorySpot.net. For those of you who cannot part with paper, there are options to self-print a copy of the directory (sortable by grade level) using "Download PDFs." You have edit-access to your own family's data. Please see this page for more details.
GREAT NEWS! THE ISPTSA, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRINCETON REVIEW, IS OFFERING ONLINE PRACTICE ACT & SAT TESTS

Saturday, November 21, 9:00 AM & Saturday, February 6, 9:00 AM
Fee: $25 per test

How it works:
  1. The fee is $25 per test, and all proceeds go to the ISPTSA, which benefits our students.
  2. Princeton Review creates online accounts and enrolls students in the virtual exams.
  3. On the test day, students log in from home (or whatever location they choose) and take the exams online.
  4. Exams are digitally timed and proctored.
  5. Results are available immediately.

Note: These practice tests are open to students from any school or school district.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, November 18
VIRTUAL GRADE-LEVEL PARENT MEET-UPS!

Get to know other parents and family members of students in your child's grade at International. These meet-ups are a great way to connect, especially during such an unusual school year.

Mark your calendar—Zoom meeting links below...

7th Grade—TODAY, Monday, November 9, 12:00–1:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 925 9983 1053
Passcode: 3ek6R8

8th Grade—TODAY, Monday, November 9, 7:00–8:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 952 3032 2154
Passcode: 6CtpcH

9th Grade—Tuesday, November 10, 12:00–1:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 925 0715 2797
Passcode: 5kggCJ

10th Grade—Tuesday, November 10, 7:30–8:30 PM
(Will take place after 10th Grade Parent Night)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 954 1515 2363
Passcode: 7uXHe7

11th Grade—Thursday, November 12, 12:00–1:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 919 8782 4234
Passcode: 4c6PBW
MISSED THE 10/28 ISPTSA GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING? YOU CAN WATCH IT NOW!
SCHOOL NEWS
VIRTUAL TITAN PLAYERS PERFORMANCES OF THE CRUCIBLE THIS WEEKEND

Friday, November 13, at 7:00 PM & Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM

The show must go on, and International's Titan Players will put the show on virtually! Please support them as they present Arthur Miller's The Crucible this weekend.

Tickets are available here, with donations to the drama program greatly appreciated but not required. Thank you!

For information, please contact gathk@bsd405.org.
YEABOOK NEEDS PHOTOS OF YOUR TITAN IN ACTION!

The IS Yearbook team has been hard at work creating our 2020–21 book, but we need your help as parents to feature as many members of our community as possible!

This year has been unprecedented in so many ways. In the past, your students may have seen Yearbook staff members weaving through the halls to capture every photo possible of our IS community. This year, however, we are relying on your submissions to showcase our wonderful student body. In just a couple of seconds, you can preserve a memory for a lifetime.
 
Unsure what to photograph? We would love images of the following:
  • Your student hard at work on their laptop
  • Your student working on an art project
  • Your student performing a lab for science
  • Your student relaxing during asynchronous time
  • Any other photos of your student having fun! 
 
If you have a camera to take a photo, that’s fantastic! If you don’t, no worries either! High quality photos taken on your phone will work just as well.

To submit a photo, please upload it directly via our IS eShare link. The code is gotitans.
 
We can’t wait to see all of your fantastic submissions! Yearbook is counting on you!
THE TITAN TIMES IS BACK!

International's Titan Times is up and running again. Check in to find out what's going on "at school" each week.
CLASS OF 2023: SAVE THE DATE!

10th Grade Parent Night is Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 PM. 

Meet IS's new high school counselor, Colleen Courtney, and learn ways to support your student during this live virtual event. Links for the event and to submit questions in advance will be sent via email.
The 10th Grade Virtual Grade-Level Parent Meet-Up will follow at 7:30 PM. Info and link above.
BSD PARENT ACCESSIBILITY TECHNOLOGY TRAINING

Thursday, November 19, 6:00–7:00 PM

Join Research Technology Specialists Tara Jones and Maria Pickering to learn about accessibility tools for your students (such as immersive reader, dictation tools, translator features) and some other technology tips.
 
Join Live Teams Link: http://bit.ly/BSDParentTech2

The presentation and video link will be posted here after the presentation.

Check out the following video to learn how to navigate a Live Event:
 
MESSAGE FROM IS LIBRARY SPECIALIST:

Dear Students and Parents,
In order to support our students’ classroom reading projects, our library will start to checkout physical books through curbside pickup every Wednesday from 12:30–2:30 PM or by appointment. Please use the “Hold” function in our library page to reserve your book(s). Besides our physical books, our students can also explore more than 500 eBooks (with many hot new releases) in our Destiny Discover and Sora digital collections. 
Please feel free to contact me for any requests or assistance.
Library Specialist
DISTRICT NEWS
BSD COMMUNITY FORUMS ON MENTAL HEALTH

The Bellevue School District strives to support our parent community. Mental health continues to top family concerns as we face unprecedented times and unexpected hardships. In partnership with the district counseling program, social-emotional curriculum developers, family engagement team, and community mental health partners, the district is developing another series of forums to inform, support, and empower families on issues of mental health.

Wednesday, November 18, 4:00–5:00 PM (General Session) 
How to support my worried/anxious student

Thursday, November 19, 3:30–4:30 PM (Mandarin Speakers Session) 5:00–6:00 PM (Spanish Speakers Session) 
How to support my worried/anxious student

Wednesday, December 16, 4:00–5:00 PM (General Session) 
How to recognize and support my student experiencing depression

Thursday, December 17, 3:30–4:30 PM (Mandarin Speakers Session) 5:00–6:00 PM (Spanish Speakers Session) 
How to recognize and support my student experiencing depression

Wednesday, January 13, 4:00–5:00 PM (General Session)
Relaxation strategies to support students and adults during stressful times 

All live sessions will be recorded and conducted over TEAMS. Teams Links for each session will be posted on the BSD website and sent out one week prior to session date.
COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATION
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON USE OF POLICE FORCE

Following the tragic death of George Floyd, citizens across the nation and here locally have been moved to address the continued reality of systemic racism. Mayor Lynne Robinson, with the support of the City Council, has pledged to review police use of force in Bellevue to identify whether any reforms are needed.
 
As part of the review and engagement phase of the pledge, we invite you to leave a comment and take a short survey (EngagingBellevue). This survey provides an opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences regarding Bellevue's police use of force policies so we can understand how it can better serve the community.
 
We will be taking feedback through Sunday, November 15, 2020.

To read this message translated into Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Russian, Korean, or Vietnamese, please click here.
BSF'S MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE: HELPING STUDENTS COPE WITH COVID

Thursday, November 19, 12:00–1:00 PM
Online Event

Join us to hear Kerince Bowen and Jared Taylor present how Bellevue School District's Mental Health Assistance Team has helped students suffering from depression, anxiety, and social isolation during COVID. Their presentation will include data from the first semester followed by powerful student stories that touch the heart.

Kerince and Jared will speak about the importance of mental health screenings, discuss the tools and resources available to students with mental health needs, and provide guidance on how parents can support their children during this challenging time.
DONATE USED GOODS & SUPPORT PARENT EDUCATION PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS AT BELLEVUE COLLEGE

Saturday, November 14, 2:00–5:00 PM
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
411 156th Avenue NE, Bellevue, 98007
(enter and exit on NE 6th Street)

Seattle Goodwill and Parents Advisory Committee (PAC) will be accepting items to support the PAC Scholarship Fund. All items donated will mean direct financial support to needy families in Bellevue College's Parent Education and preschool classes!
Also, we are looking for high school volunteers to help sort the PAC Goodwill donations to facilitate with the contactless drop off. Please contact Emilie Castle for more information about high school student volunteering or to sign up.
FREE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Tuesday, November 10, 6:30–7:30 PM

"How to Advocate During Remote Learning"
Presented by Student Advocacy Solutions

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 854 9654 2120
Passcode: 867281
SAMMAMISH HIGH SCHOOL PARENT EDUCATION EVENT

How To Raise Successful Kids Without Overparenting by Guest Speaker Julie Lythcott-Haims

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 7:00–8:15 PM, ONLINE

Presented by Sammamish High School PTSA

Drawing on research; on conversations with educators, admissions officers, and employers; and on her own insights as a mother and former student dean at Stanford University, Julie highlights the ways in which overparenting harms children, their stressed-out parents, and society at large.

While empathizing with the parental hopes and, especially, fears that lead to overhelping, Julie offers practical strategies that underline the importance of allowing children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and inner determination necessary for success.

Please REGISTER early. First 30 registrants are free. Thereafter, registrants will be asked to pay a suggested $10 donation. You will receive a conference link 24 hours prior to the event.
MASTHEAD / DIRECTORY / LINKS
President
Azfar Moazzam/OPEN 
Secretary
Ann Ross-Clarke
Treasurer 1
Tony Wang
Treasurer 2
Zena Heywood
VP of Communications
OPEN
VP of Community
Melissa Richardson
VP of Fundraising
Emilie Castle
VPs of Outreach
Beverly Ni & Hao Sun
Membership
Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen
Advocacy
OPEN
Monday Messenger
Julie Molinari/OPEN
Website
Li Zhang
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
445 128th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98005
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 FRIDAY at 12:00 PM (noon) to news@isptsa.org.
  • 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.