October 16, 2023

MONDAY MESSENGER

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This Week is Spirit Week!

Monday, October 16 through

Friday, October 20.

Look for fun opportunities around the school to participate in showing your School Spirit!

A huge thank you to everyone who has joined the Communications Team! Website: Honglian Gao. Bulletin Boards: Melissa Richardson. Social Media: Vera Ho. Monday Messenger Liaisons: Catherine Fan, Emilie Castle, Jenny Lin, Hui Zhao, Qiong Chen, and Thyda Tsai. Monday Messenger Proofreaders: David Cook, Amanda Johnson, Judy Cam, Nate Bloch, and Angelika Koch-Leibmann!

THIS WEEK:

• Monday, 10/16–Friday, 10/20 • Spirit Week
• Thursday, 10/19, 6:30 PM–8 PM • 9th/10th Grade Parent Night
• Friday, 10/20 • American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 10/12 A Registration Deadline*
• Saturday, 10/21, 8 PM–10 PM • Homecoming (HS Only)

NEXT WEEK:

• Friday, 10/27• American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 10/12 B Registration Deadline*

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Thursday, 11/2, 6:30 PM • 11th Grade Parent Night
• Friday, 11/3, 7 PM • IS Drama's "Cyrano de Bergerac"
• Friday, 11/3 • AP Testing Registration Deadline*
• Saturday, 11/4, 2 pm & 7 PM • IS Drama's "Cyrano de Bergerac"
• Tuesday, 11/7, 6:30 PM • 6th Grade Parent Night
• Wednesday, 11/8 • American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 10/12 A Competition*
• Thursday, 11/9 • End of 1st Quarter
• Friday, 11/10 • No School (Veteran's Day)
• Tuesday, 11/14 • American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 10/12 B Competition*
• Wednesday, 11/15, 7 PM • HS Band Concert
• Thursday, 11/23–Friday, 11/24 • No School (Thanksgiving)
• Monday, 11/27–Friday, 12/1 • Snowflake Drive
• Tuesday, 11/28, 6:30 PM • Middle School Parent Night
• Wednesday, 11/29, 7 PM • HS Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, 11/30, 7 PM • MS Band Concert
• Friday, 12/1, 7 PM • MS Snowflake Social
• Monday, 12/4, 7 PM • HS Choir Concert
• Tuesday, 12/5, 7 PM • MS Choir Concert
• Wednesday, 12/6, 7 PM • MS Orchestra Concert
• Saturday, 12/9, 8 PM–10 PM • HS TOLO
• Monday, 12/11, 4 PM–7 PM • Drama Auditions
• Wednesday, 12/20–Monday 1/1 • No School (Winter Break)

Click here to view the ISPTSA Calendar, which can be added to your personal Google or Outlook Calendar.

Click here to view the District 2023–2024 calendar for families.

*More information in the message below

Orange denotes new/updated calendar entries.

ISPTSA MEMBERSHIP 2023–2024

Unlock a Year of Excellence: Join or renew your ISPTSA Annual Membership today! Your membership powers unforgettable school programs, enriching students' journeys!

Questions? Contact membership@isptsa.org.

FUELING EXCELLENCE – BE A PART OF STUDENT SUCCESS!

PTSA funding, with support from parents like you, helps make excellence possible at International School. PTSA funds classroom enhancements, such as science experiments, Shakespeare actors, and French language magazines. Key experiences like Focus Week, 6th-grade retreat, and High School Retreat are made attainable by PTSA funding, which keeps direct costs to students down.

Be the parent who helps bring these programs to life. We need your support for the PTSA to turn these opportunities into reality. Our fall fundraiser will end soon.

Questions? Check out our website or email VPFundraising@isptsa.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We are looking for Volunteers to help us support our school! We need your help!

Outreach (Email vpoutreach@isptsa.org if interested in one of the following positions):

• Volunteer Coordinator
• WSPTA Game Development Competition Program Chair
• ISPTSA Student Scholarship Chair
• Membership Chair (contact membership@isptsa.org)

Communications (Email vpcommunications@isptsa.org if interested in one of the following positions):

• Monday Messenger Liaisons

Community (Email vpcommunity@isptsa.org if interested in one of the following positions):

• Grade Parent Liaisons for 8th, 9th, and 11th-grade

Learn more about these positions here. Please email the respective Board Member if you have questions or if you're interested in signing up.

POINSETTIA & WREATH SENIOR FUNDRAISER

Order Deadline: Wednesday, November 1

Click Here for Order Form

The International School Class of 2024 is hosting its traditional fundraiser, offering festive holiday poinsettias and wreaths from Squak Mountain Nursery in Issaquah. The proceeds will support graduation activities taking place this June.

• Poinsettias (Red, Pink, White): $20
• 24" Mixed Noble Wreaths: $30 (Bow not included)
• Pick-up on Tuesday, November 28, at International School. Further details to follow.
• Payments accepted via Credit card, Zelle, or Check. (More information available in the order form.)

Thank you for your support! Questions? Email kayokoprice@comcast.net.

SOCIAL MEDIA

There are many ways to stay in touch with what is happening in our school! The ISPTSA runs a Facebook page for the whole community and many individual grades have their own WhatsApp Group and Facebook page as well.

Facebook:

• International School Community - Bellevue, WA (Run by ISPTSA) 
• ISB Class of 2026 Parents (10th grade)
• International School - Class of 2027 (9th grade)
• International School - Class of 2028 & 2029 (7th & 8th grades)

WhatsApp Groups:

These are great places to keep up with events, share ideas, and ask questions. Each group is subject to the rules laid out by the individual administrators and/or moderators. The ISPTSA does not monitor and is not responsible for them. If you have a group you would like to add to the list or any questions email Vera Ho, Social Media.

BELLEVUE PTSA COUNCIL NEWS

BELLEVUE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM

The Bellevue PTSA Council hosted a School Board Candidate Forum over the summer for all candidates running for a Bellevue School Board position in the elections this November. Watch the YouTube video below if you would like to know more about them and keep an eye out for more Forums, one of which should take place sometime this month.

Questions? Contact them via their online form here.

BELLEVUE PTSA COUNCIL YOUTH CLUB COOKING CLUB

Middle and High School students are invited to join the Bellevue PTSA Council Youth Cooking Club. Find out more at the Information Night THIS Monday, October 16 at 7 PM on Zoom. Contact them via their online form here.

NATIONAL PTA

IT'S FAMILY AND SCHOOL SAFETY MONTH!

National PTA has teamed up with Kidde and LenelS2 for Family and School Safety Month to share info and resources about how to keep your families safe in school and at home. Check out our webinar to learn about your role in keeping communities safe and follow us on social (Facebook, X) so you don't miss anything going on this month! Questions? Email info@pta.org.

DONATE YOUR OLD REFRIGERATOR!

Are you thinking about replacing your refrigerator this year? If your old refrigerator is still functional, you can donate it to International School for use during Focus Week! Please contact Janet Towne, at townej@bsd405.org, if you are interested in contributing your refrigerator. 

ATTENTION FAMILIES!

Please be sure to familiarize yourself with International's attendance and early release procedures. When your student needs to leave for an appointment, parents MUST notify the Attendance Office, preferably by emailing isattendance@bsd405.org with the date and time the student is to be released from class. Please email the school NO LATER than 9:00 AM on the day the student needs to be released (earlier notification is fine too!). We will write a dismissal slip for your student to pick up during NON-CLASS TIMES (before/after school, break, lunch, passing periods). Students will not be released from class unless they have a slip from attendance. Additionally, we will not release students for immediate pick-up during the last 15 minutes of the school day. If you have questions, please reach out to the Attendance Office at the email provided.

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES!

There are some important dates on the horizon for AP Testing, and some action items you need to complete. Please see below, and reach out to Kyla Carlson (who is taking over the AP Coordinator responsibilities from Jill Follett) with any questions.

• All tests are available online in the student’s Touchbase account. Please select and pay for the tests your student intends to take. Students may take tests not offered by International School – just pay for any desired tests, send a receipt to Kyla Carlson (email is fine), and she will provide your student the Join Codes required to access materials online.
• To avoid late fees, please pay for all AP tests by November 3.
• Families who are experiencing financial hardship may apply for a scholarship through the district for reduced test fees. The Scholarship Form for those who do not qualify for Fee Waiver Program is due THIS Friday, October 20.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Kyla Carlson (carlsonk@bsd405.org).

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL UPDATE

An International School Update was sent through email on Monday, October 9 to all current IS families with great updates. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION

Participate in the American Mathematics Competition, the biggest math competition in the nation! The AMC 10/12 tests are here, and registration is open.

• AMC 10 covers the high school curriculum up to the 10th grade level. Students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the test can participate in AMC 10.
• AMC 12 Covers the entire high school curriculum, excluding calculus. Students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the test can participate in AMC 12.

Registration Deadlines:

• AMC 10/12 A: THIS Friday, October 20
• AMC 10/12 B: Friday, October 27

Competition Dates:

• AMC 10/12 A: Wednesday, November 8
• AMC 10/12 B: Tuesday, November 14

Registration Fee:

The registration fee is just $10, and you can easily pay online. Participants must pay for the test PRIOR to arriving at the testing center. Students who show up without prepaying will NOT be allowed to take the test. NO REFUNDS will be provided for no-shows. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, email chum@bsd405.org.

UW YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAMS: WINTER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Enrich your child's school year from the comfort of home. Join us online for a University of Washington Youth & Teen Program. 

Starting in January, our exciting afterschool enrichment courses run twice weekly over ten weeks. Check out our offerings below: 

Elementary School

STEAM Innovation Lab: Circuits & Coding

Middle School 

3D Design & CAD Modelling

High School 

Introduction to Data Visualization

Sharpen Your Writing Skills

Coding in Java I

Winter Concert Season: Expanding Your Musical Palate

Don't delay! Applications close December 12. Watch our video and visit our website to learn more about how our programs. Questions? Email ytp@uw.edu.

YALE YOUNG GLOBAL SCHOLARS

YYGS is a two-week summer program that facilitates discussions on cutting-edge topics in academia. Participants choose a session based on their academic interest, and they meet like-minded peers from around the world while navigating classroom discussions.

Here's what you need to know:

• Students meet peers from over 150 countries around the world, and join classroom discussions where students offer global perspectives.
• We provide over $3 Million USD in need-based financial aid and scholarships, offered as discounts covering up to 100% of tuition costs.
• YYGS plans to host residential sessions for June, July & August 2024, and we are working closely with our colleagues across Yale to plan for the summer. We will provide timely updates regarding session offerings and more on our COVID Updates webpage, as well as during our live webinar series.
• Applicants receive an application fee discount by applying before the Early Action deadline. If the fee poses a financial burden, students can submit a fee waiver to reduce their application fee to $0 USD.

Early Action Deadline: November 1 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Regular Decision Deadline: January 10 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Application Link:.https://globalscholars.yale.edu/how-to-apply

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

YOUTH-LED IMPACT PROJECT TRAINING

THIS Monday, October 16, 7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom Students Register Here

Do you want to or are you passionate about taking climate action, making an ACTUAL difference in your community? In this online, peer-to-peer training you will analyze successful Impact Projects and Campaigns led by other students and identify which actions best align with your City’s Climate Action Plan. You will learn how to design your own Impact Project, track impact, create impact data stories, and engage with stakeholders who need to know. Student leaders from Sustainability Ambassadors will help you join an existing Impact Project or create one of your own to implement at home, at school, or in the community.  Students can also earn up to 3 Community Service Hours. Questions? Email info@sustainabilityambassadors.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION

Community engagement for the Middle School Consolidation Study will begin the week of October 23. Community forums will be held at each of the five comprehensive middle schools, where participants will review the demographers' findings, discuss the implications, and share their thoughts with district leaders.

A separate time has been set aside for International Families to discuss our unique needs, wants, and fears with the District Leadership on Thursday, November 16 at 6 PM at International School.

The Middle School Consolidation Timeline can be found here. More info can be found here. The Message from the Superintendent can be found here. Questions? Contact BSD.

SPECIAL EDUCATION FAMILY RESOURCE SESSION

Please join us for a family-focused session about disability outreach and advocacy. Hear from Arc of King County, Fathers Network, and Open Doors for Multicultural Families. All three agencies support individuals with disabilities (as well as their family members) and provide advocacy and informational resources and services to serve and support individuals with disabilities as well as their families/caregivers. The session will include a PowerPoint presentation and time for questions and answers. This event will be a hybrid format with both in-person and online options.

• Date: THIS Tuesday, October 17
• Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
• Online Option: Click here to join meeting
• In-Person Option: ESC District Office Building, Room 200 (12111 NE 1st. St., Bellevue 98005; this is the “East” building)
• RSVP here

Questions? Contact BSD.

BSD COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUPS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

2023-2024 Community Advisory Groups

• BSD’s Community Advisory Groups currently seeking members include:
• Superintendent Community Advisory Council (S-CAC)
• Strategic Plan Steering Committee
• Sustainability Community Advisory Group
• Wellness Committee
• Student Well-Being Advisory
• Reimagining Middle School (RMS) Consultancy Board
• Equity Advisory and Advocacy Collaborative (EAAC)

Learn more about each group and apply on the Community Advisory Groups 2023-2024 webpage.

Apply Now: Students, family members, community members, and staff are encouraged to express their interest in serving on one or more of our Community Advisory Groups for the 2023-2024 school year by completing the Community Advisory Group application form. Questions? Contact BSD.

BSD NEWSLETTER

An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, October 12, with information on the Middle School Consolidation Study and community engagement dates, celebrations in the BSD learning community, and more. Read it here. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign-up here! You can see all newsletters here. Questions? Contact BSD.

CROSS-CULTURAL CENTER WITHOUT WALLS: COMMUNITY WORSKSHOP #2

We would like to invite you to the second Community Workshop on THIS Tuesday, October 17 at 6:00 PM in the Odle Middle School Commons. Check out the flyer here and register here. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

At this workshop, you will work together in small groups to pull out some of the “big ideas” from the dozens of ideas for cross-cultural activities created at the first workshop. This will help us start creating the shape and structure of the Cross-Cultural Center without Walls program. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet new people and start thinking about what future collaboration may look like.

We hope you can join us! Anyone who works, lives, studies, or plays in Bellevue is welcome to participate. Attendance of the first Community Workshop is not required! Questions? Email diversity@bellevuewa.gov.

FRIGHT TOWN EASTSIDE

A family-friendly haunted house held at the historic Red Barn Farm. Entirely volunteer driven, all proceeds are donated to local non-profits. Buy tickets here.

• When:
• THIS Friday, October 20, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
• Saturday, October 21, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
• Friday, October 27, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
• Saturday, October 28, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
• Sunday, October 29, 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
• Where: The Red Barn Farm
• Cost: $2-$20

Red Barn Farm

Pick pumpkins, buy some fresh pressed cider, and visit our haunt at the historic Red Barn Farm in Redmond.

Rated "G" 6-8 PM

Family-friendly fun for all ages (yes, even your 4-yr-old!); kooky & spooky but NOT scary (no blood, gore, or jump scares)​

PG13 After 8 PM

A more traditional haunted house experience recommended for high schoolers and older - expect to be scared!

Super Scare on October 31

Celebrate Halloween Night with us - only 200 tickets will be sold (must join waitlist for details)

Questions? Check out the FAQ.

BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Find out more here. Questions? Email info@bsfdn.org.

FALL FESTIVALS

Fall festivals are popping up all over the place! Here are some of them:

• Spooner Farms Harvest Festival
• Carpinito Brothers Fall Festival
• Thomasson Family Farm Fall Festival
• Stocker Farms Fall Festival
• Swans Trail Farms Fall Festival
• Schilter Family Farm Fall Harvest Festival
• Picha Farms Fall Festival
• Craven Farm Fall Festival
• Thomas Family Farm Fall Festival
• Fox Hollow Farm Fall Festival
• Maris Farms Fall Festival
• Carleton Farm Fall Festival
• Lattin’s Fall Festival
• Fall Festival at First Light Farm

Fall is a fun time in the Pacific Northwest! Questions? Contact the individual farms.

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT!

Check out our wide variety of International School spiritwear! Hoodies, T-shirts, bags, and more, order now! You can pick up your order from Winner's Sportswear in Bellevue or have it delivered. Questions? Email Melissa Richardson, VP of Outreach.