Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors and their families! To those who will not be returning to International next year, best of luck on your adventures.

The last day of school will be THIS THURSDAY, June 22. Please remember that school will be 2 hours with a release time at 10:15 AM.

The Monday Messenger will return in August, as we prepare for another amazing school year. Enjoy your summer break!

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

*More information in the message below

The following are shout-outs and thank-yous from various members of our community.

Traci Sullivan, Thank you for all of your years of hard work and dedication to our children and our community. You will be greatly missed. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

The International School staff would like to express their gratitude to the school community for everything you have done for them this year:

If you're ready to be the voice of our school community and help us keep our kids and families informed, join the Monday Messenger team today! Together, let's create a vibrant and connected environment where every student has the chance to thrive. If interested, or if you have any questions, contact us at news@isptsa.org.

Congratulations to our ISPTSA scholarship awardees: Neo Hou, Calvin Tsai, and Kelsey Wang! These students have demonstrated outstanding service to our community, and the ISPTSA is honored to present each of them with a $1000 scholarship.

We extend our gratitude to all the PTSA members who contributed to support this scholarship and our school. Questions? Contact the ISPTSA Scholarship Committee.

About 100 parents and students joined the 5th Grade Parent Welcome BBQ, hosted by the school and sponsored by the PTSA. Thank you to all of our amazing IS students that answered parent questions and ran student tours! We look forward to getting to know all of the new families next year! Questions? Contact the ISPTSA VP of Community

Keep checking the member discounts page for updates. You received the login for the codes when you joined and were sent your membership card via email. Questions? Contact support@wastatepta.org.

The recording of our Money Talks webinar from June 12 is now available online to view, and includes ASL interpretation.

This webinar will help you gain an understanding of how our schools are funded, what drives the budget decisions our buildings are facing, and how decisions made at different levels of government impact our classrooms. Questions? Email support@wastatepta.org.

Volunteering to chair or serve on a committee is a great way to participate in your own professional development while you give back to the children of Washington state. Click here to learn more about the various committees. 

Consider joining us as we continue to tackle important issues to move our association forward. We need your energy, experience and expertise to support, assist and empower our local PTA leaders. Complete the online Volunteer Interest Form and let us know how you can help. Questions? Email support@wastatepta.org.

June is Gun Violence Prevention Month! Contact your members of Congress today to urge them to support legislation prohibiting older youth from purchasing military-style weapons and restoring the federal Assault Weapons Ban. Read the National PTA's Position Statement on Gun Safety and Violence Prevention here. Questions? Email the National PTA.

Our 2022-2023 school year is coming to an end soon. Are you looking for some great books to read over the summer break? Look no further than exploring our reading recommendation lists for middle school and high school. Please contact your library specialist, Michele Dang, at dangt@bsd405.org if you want to check out any books from these lists to read during your summer break. Some of the titles in these lists were recommended by our IS students and parent volunteers. Thank you so much for your contributions!

Have a great summer and happy reading! Questions? Contact Michelle Dang, IS Library Specialist.

Mr. Miller's two classes of seniors in US Government/Senior Project traveled to Bellevue HS last week to participate in a mock UN Climate Conference with BHS students. Three groups of IS students competed in two competitions, and IS students completed a clean sweep of all the awards. As shown in the picture, the group of Arvin Pouresfandiary Cham, Ryan Lee, Teoman Toprak, and Ariel Chang came in 1st place for their proposed solution to combating climate change. The group of McKenzie Toomey, Aelie Howell, Margie McKnight, Zaira Ganga, and Hayl Cowan came in a very close 2nd place. Finally, the group of Rachel He, Tiffany Choi, Sofia Rudic, and Erica Lee won the poster competition for their representation of climate change issues in Thailand.

Overall, the panel of judges was impressed with IS students' presentation skills and understanding of issues and solutions related to climate change. Let's hope some members of the IS Class of 2023 will eventually dedicate their professional work to solving climate change. Questions? Email Stephen Miller.

On Wednesday, May 24, 20 BSD students and student groups were honored by the City of Bellevue and Bellevue Youth Link through their 33rd annual Community Leadership Awards. This annual, citywide event celebrates diverse forms of youth leadership, community service, advocacy, diversity, and social justice support work. Community awards are selected by and for youth.

Congratulations to this year’s student award honorees! Find out more here. Questions? Contact servicefirst@bellevuewa.gov.

Congratulations to the 2023 Doodle for Google National Winner, Rebecca Wu, who is a 6th grader right here at International School! Rebecca's Doodle represents her gratitude for her sisters and their happiest memories. As the U.S. 2023 Doodle for Google contest national winner, Rebecca wins a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for her school.

Questions? Contact Cheryl McClure, IS Science Teacher.

In addition to our smaller lost items that we have in the office, there are two more areas to find and claim your missing goods! We have jackets-a-plenty hanging in the commons area. We also have a table chock full of water bottles, food containers, bags, and more. Please have your students check these areas, or come in and peruse for yourself. At the end of the school year, we will donate all unclaimed lost and found items. Questions? Contact Kyla Carlson.

Hello Titans! Are you interested in telling stories through acting and/or providing behind-the-scenes support (from lighting and sound to artistic design)? Well, if the answer is yes, join Titan Players for our fall play next school year. Auditions for our fall play, "Cyrano De Bergerac," a hilarious and well-known story of love and miscommunications, will take place on the first Monday of school, September 11. You can also sign up for tech at auditions or by emailing Nate Bloch. Be a part of something magical next year and join the theatre!

If you have any questions or would like a reminder, don't hesitate to email Nate Bloch.

Hey Bellevue Swimmers, Water Polo Players, and Parents: Your young athletes can play Water Polo for Bellevue High School regardless of whether they attend the school. Water Polo is a no-cut sport, and we need passionate athletes!

Sign up for BHS Boys' Water Polo here. You'll receive information on practice resources and summer bonding experiences.

Start preparing for the season this summer by enhancing your conditioning and skills. Join Midlakes Swimming League to develop your swimming skills.

Recruit friends interested in Water Polo. It combines swimming, wrestling, ball skills, and mental toughness. Learn more here. Questions? Email bellevuewaterpolo@gmail.com.

425 Kids Tennis is a nonprofit tennis organization that aims to provide free learning opportunities for children who are interested in tennis. Founded by experienced local high school students (some of which attend IS), our goal is to offer every child the chance to experience the joy of tennis and have fun! Sign ups will be available THIS WEDNESDAY, June 21. Come join us and have a blast!

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Find out more info here. Questions? Contact 425kidstennis@gmail.com.

Date: THIS THURSDAY, June 22

See you there! Questions? Email Debbie Chiu.

Incoming Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Aramaki, shares his latest blog with the BSD learning community. In this edition, Dr. Aramaki highlights the class of 2023, retiring staff, a season of transition and change, and honors outgoing Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis. Read it here. Questions? Email pubinfo@bsd405.org.

The district is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Portal, which community members may use to submit applications to reserve rental spaces.  

Learn how to reserve event spaces using the Community Portal. Questions? Email pubinfo@bsd405.org.

Access summer resources. Questions? Email pubinfo@bsd405.org.

It is not too early to think about fall! Visit BSD’s Back-to-School webpage to get prepared for the 2023-2024 School Year. This quick 10-step guide will steer new and current families through the information necessary to get the next school year started. Information on the page includes details about Annual Online Student Verification & Attendance Policy Agreement, Athletics & Activities, Transportation, Health and Safety and more. Please note, this page will be updated throughout the summer in preparation for fall. If the information you need is not currently available, please check back in mid-August.  

Visit the Back to School page to learn more. Questions? Email pubinfo@bsd405.org.

There are so many amazing activities in and around Bellevue to help celebrate the 4th of July. Due to the sheer number, I decided the best way to get the word out is to simply link one webpage that shows multiple activities. I wish all of you and your families a happy and safe 4th of July! Questions? Contact the individual cities that are hosting the events.

School's out for summer! My go-to resource for events happening around the Puget Sound area is the Family Fun Calendar put out by Parent Map. Instead of listing all of the interesting activities that might appeal to our teens and their families, I decided to post the calendar. Find fun things to do all summer long by using the filters along the left side to help you target those activities that appeal to your family the most. I hope you all have an amazing summer! See you in the fall! Questions? Contact the individuals hosting the event you are interested in.

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.

Start 2023 off with some stress relief for yourself! Signup for Smith Brothers Farms Home Grocery Delivery and when you do, you'll receive $15 off your 1st delivery & ISPTSA receives a $50 gift donation from SBF! It's a win-win! You get the iconic Porch Box with your 1st order & it can be filled each week with milk that is 2-days-fresh from the farm, eggs that are 3-days-fresh, fresh produce, almond & oat milk, and hundreds of grocery items that are primarily from local PNW companies!

Delivery is free with just a $10 order & there are no monthly fees, no contract. Give it a try - we get the donation if you get one delivery or remain a customer for years. Questions? Contact Smith Brothers Farms.