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| | UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS | | |
THIS WEEK:
- Friday, 3/6, 7 PM • Drama Performance
- Saturday, 3/7, 2 PM & 7 PM • Drama Performances
- Sunday, 3/8 • Daylight Saving Time Begins
NEXT WEEK:
- Tuesday, 3/10, 12:00–1:00 PM • ParentEd Talks Webinar
- Wednesday, 3/11 • PTSA 6th Grade Staff Lunch
- Friday, 3/13, 7 PM • Drama Performance
- Saturday, 3/14, 2 PM & 7 PM • Drama Performances
LOOKING AHEAD:
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Wednesday, 3/18, 7 PM • HS Orchestra Concert
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Thursday, 3/19, 7 PM • MS Orchestra Concert
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Saturday, 3/21, 8:00–10:00 PM • TOLO
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Monday, 3/23, 7 PM • Band Concert
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Wednesday, 3/25 • SAT Testing
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Wednesday, 3/25 • NHS Blood Drive
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Wednesday, 3/25, 7 PM • Choir Concert
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Thursday, 3/26, 7 PM • Choir Concert
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Friday, 3/27 • No School
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Wednesday, 4/1 • ASB Elections (Exec)
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Friday, 4/3 • Third Quarter
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Monday, 4/6–Friday, 4/10 • Spring Break
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Wednesday, 4/15 • ASB Elections (Class Officer)
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Wednesday, 4/15 • PTSA 7th Grade Staff Lunch
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Thursday, 4/16, 6:30–7:30 PM • 11th Grade Parent Info
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Friday, 4/17 • 7–8 MS Social
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Monday, 4/20 • Drama Workshops
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Tuesday, 4/21, 6:30–7:30 PM • 8th Grade Parent Info
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Wednesday, 4/22, 12:00–1:00 PM • ParentEd Talks Webinar
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Wednesday, 4/22 • Jazz Night
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Monday, 4/27 – Friday, 5/1 • Spirit Week
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Monday, 4/27 • Drama Workshops
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Tuesday, 5/12, 12:00–1:00 PM • ParentEd Talks Webinar
Click here to view the ISPTSA Calendar, which can be added to your personal Google or Outlook Calendar.
Click here to view the IS Even/Odd Days Calendar for the Year--Subject to change if the schedule does.
Click here to view the District 2025–2026 calendar for families.
*More information in the message below
Orange denotes new/updated calendar entries.
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TITAN PLAYERS PRESENT: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Come one, come all! The Titan Players, International Schools Drama Club, are proud to present their latest musical production, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Featuring an incredible cast and crew, this is a performance you won’t want to miss. We invite all students, friends, and family to join us for an unforgettable evening (or afternoon) of theater.
SHOWTIMES
- Friday, March 6: 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 7: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
- Friday, March 13: 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 14: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
TICKETS
Tickets are available now through Hometown Ticketing or can be purchased at the door.
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Matinee Special: For both 2:00 PM Saturday shows, discount tickets are available for $10 (valid for Students, Teachers, and Seniors 60+).
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Evening Shows: All 7:00 PM shows are full price ($15) for all attendees.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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The following are shout-outs and thank-yous to and from various members of our community.
Have a shout-out or thank-you to share? Anyone in our community can submit one by emailing news@isptsa.org.
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Dear ISPTSA,
Thank you very much for the Kahoot grant awarded to the French department. Your support has made a meaningful impact in our classrooms.
My students use Kahoot during almost every class and truly look forward to this interactive moment of learning. It has become a highlight of our lessons and a wonderful way to reinforce language skills in an engaging way.
Best regards,
Gwen
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The International School Middle School Science Club competed in the National Science Bowl Regional competition at the University of Portland on February 7. A team of five students won all four of their round-robin matches against schools from across Washington and Oregon, demonstrating outstanding scientific knowledge, strategy, and team spirit!
Kudos to the team:
- Luca Luxing
- Atharv Garg
- Jeevika Chandrasekar
- Avyan Agarwal
- Jiyu Kim
This marked the second time The International School has competed in the regional event, and the first time advancing to the elimination round—an exciting milestone for our Science Club. We look forward to welcoming more Titans to the Science Club and cheering them on in future National Science Bowl competitions!
| | A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible families who generously contributed to the Lunar New Year Staff Appreciation Luncheon! Your wonderful support made this Year of the Horse celebration truly special and showed our teachers so much appreciation. We are deeply grateful for everyone on the contributing family list who helped make this event a massive success! | | |
A huge shout-out to Bella Akalin (9th grade)! Bella has been accepted into the Salish Sea Science Residency for Summer 2026, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most selective youth marine science programs, with each cohort capped at twenty students. The residency places her in a field‑based research setting at UW’s Friday Harbor Labs, working alongside scientists, including teams from UW and UC Davis, conducting active research in the basin. We thank the IS community for championing her, especially Arty Christianto and Mrs. Janet Towne. Congrats Bella!
| | Wishing a peaceful and reflective period to everyone observing the Nineteen Day Fast this month. May this time of spiritual preparation bring you renewed strength and clarity as you approach the start of the new year. | | Wishing a very happy Purim to everyone in our community celebrating March 2nd-3rd! It is a wonderful time to enjoy the traditions of sharing gift baskets with neighbors and gathering for festive meals with family and friends. | | Wishing a bright and joyful Lantern Festival to all who are celebrating on March 3rd! May the glowing lights and traditional gatherings with family bring a sense of harmony and a brilliant start to the season ahead. | |
Wishing a vibrant and joyful Holi to everyone celebrating on March 4th! May your day be filled with laughter and the traditional sharing of colors as you welcome the arrival of spring and the triumph of good. | |
Wishing a wonderful International Women’s Day to all the incredible women in our community! This March 8th, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women everywhere | | INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTSA NEWS | | |
6TH GRADE STAFF LUNCHEON
Attention Parents!
Upcoming IS Staff Luncheon – Hosted by the 6th Grade Families
We’re excited to announce that our 6th-grade families will be hosting the next IS Staff Luncheon on Wednesday, March 11! This is a wonderful tradition to show our appreciation for the amazing staff who support our students every day.
Please support in any way you can—whether by contributing food or helping with setup/cleanup. Your participation helps make these luncheons extra special for our staff.
6th Grade Staff Luncheon Sign-Ups
Thank you for your generosity and support!
Questions? Email jiandan@gmail.com.
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CLASS OF 2026 - ALL-NIGHT GRAD PARTY
Don’t miss out on the party of the year! After years of hard work, it is finally time for our Seniors to celebrate together following the graduation ceremony on June 16.
Secure your tickets now for this unforgettable event! Early Bird pricing is available through March 15, after which prices will increase.
Event Details:
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REFLECTIONS
First, a huge thank you to every student who participated in this year’s Reflections Competition. We were blown away by your creativity and the unique ways you interpreted our theme. Every submission brought something special to our school community.
School-Level Results
After careful judging, we are excited to announce our school winners! These talented students have officially advanced to the District level for further competition.
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District Results & Advancement to State
We have also received the official results from the District level! Please see the full list of District Winners here. We are incredibly proud to share that several of our students have been selected to advance to the State level.
Important Reminders for Winners:
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Keep your original artwork safe: If you win at the State level, your physical piece may be requested for further exhibition.
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Verification: Please double-check the spelling of your name in the table above and on the District Winners List. If any corrections are needed, email vpoutreach@isptsa.org immediately.
Whether or not your piece advanced this time, please know that your courage to share your work is a major achievement. Stay tuned for details regarding our upcoming school recognition awards!
Congratulations once again to all our artists!
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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL @ THE KRAKEN!
The Seattle Kraken are excited to collaborate with the International School PTSA to offer an exclusive opportunity to purchase specialty-priced tickets for select games at Climate Pledge Arena this season!
Next game: Sunday, March 15!
Join us in Defending the Deep!
Click here for Tickets: ISPTSA x Seattle Kraken
$2 of each ticket purchased will go to ISPTSA.
Tickets cannot be resold, refunded, or exchanged.
| | WASHINGTON STATE PTA NEWS | | |
WASHINGTON STATE PTA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 12
High school seniors planning to attend a two- or four-year college are encouraged to apply for the Washington State PTA Scholarship by March 12.
The application process is straightforward, requiring a minimum 3.4 GPA, a list of your community service, and a short essay on what giving back means to you. This is a fantastic opportunity to earn support for your future academic career. Don’t miss the deadline—submit your application online today.
Apply here: https://wspta.smapply.io/prog/student_awards_programs/
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WASHINGTON STATE PTA ESSAY CONTEST: SUBMIT BY MARCH 12
The Washington State PTA Essay Contest is now open, and we encourage all students to participate! This straightforward application asks students to write an essay about a significant person who has made their life better. Winners will have the unique opportunity to record a reading of their work alongside their chosen adult.
Help us celebrate the influential people in our community by sharing your story. Be sure to submit your entry by the March 12 deadline.
Apply here: https://wspta.smapply.io/prog/student_awards_programs/
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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR GRADUATING WOMEN
The Overlake-Bellevue Panhellenic Association is pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for graduating Eastside women. Awards ranging from $500 to $1,000 are available for students planning to attend colleges or universities affiliated with the Greek system.
It is important to note that scholarship recipients are not required to participate in sorority recruitment or join a Greek organization to remain eligible.
Key Details:
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Eligibility: Graduating women from the Eastside area.
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Application: Students can obtain application materials directly from their school counselors.
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Deadline: All applications must be submitted by Monday, March 30th.
For additional information or specific questions regarding the process, please contact Scholarship Chair Linda Dahl at ldollrph@hotmail.com.
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EVENTS CALENDAR:
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Wednesday, 3/4, 1:00–3:00 PM • WANIC Skill Center Open House – Automotive Program
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Thursday, 3/5, 4:30 PM • Regular School Board Meeting (WISC - Rainier Room)
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Tuesday, 3/10, 8:00–11:00 AM • Board Visit to Tyee Middle School
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Thursday, 3/19, 4:30 PM • Regular School Board Meeting (WISC - Rainier Room)
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Saturday, 3/21, 2:30–7:30 PM • World Hindi Day & Film Festival: Celebrating India's Unity in Diversity (Interlake High School)
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Thursday, 4/2, 4:30 PM • Regular School Board Meeting (WISC - Rainier Room)
CULTURAL CALENDAR:
All Month:
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March • Women's History Month
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March • Youth Art Month
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March • National Nutrition Month
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March • National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
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March • Social Work Month
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March • Music in Our Schools Month
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April • Arab American Heritage Month
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April • National Occupational Therapy Month
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April • Autism Acceptance Month
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April • Poetry Month
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April • School Library Month
Specific Days:
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Sunday, 3/1–Friday, 3/20 • Nineteen Day Fast
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Sunday, 3/1–Saturday, 3/7 • National World Language Week
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Sunday, 3/1–Saturday, 3/7 • National School Social Worker Week
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Monday, 3/2–Friday, 3/6 • National School Breakfast Week
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Monday, 3/2–Friday, 3/6 • Read Across America Week
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Monday, 3/2–Tuesday, 3/3 • Purim
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Monday, 3/2 • Read Across America Day
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Tuesday, 3/3 • Lantern Festival
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Wednesday, 3/4 • Holi
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Sunday, 3/8 • International Women's Day
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Monday, 3/16 • Laylat al-Qadr
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Tuesday, 3/17 • St. Patrick's Day
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Friday, 3/20 • First Day of Spring
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Friday, 3/20 • Nowruz
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Friday, 3/20 • Eid al-Fitr
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Saturday, 3/21 • World Down Syndrome Day
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Thursday, 3/26 • Ram Navami
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Sunday, 3/29 • Palm Sunday
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Wednesday, 4/1 • Passover
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Wednesday, 4/1 • Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
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Thursday, 4/2 • World Autism Awareness Day
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Friday, 4/3 • Good Friday
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Saturday, 4/4 • National School Librarian Day
Click here to view all District calendars.
*More information in the message below
Orange denotes new/updated calendar entries
| | BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS | | |
FEBRUARY FINANCIAL UPDATE
BSD shared updated 2025–26 projections at the February 5 Board Finance Study Session, showing steady progress. While revenue is $5.3M under budget due to enrollment timing, expenditures are $5.8M under budget. This leads to a projected ending fund balance of $1.9M, which is $500,000 higher than earlier estimates.
The district has moved from a deficit last year to a positive position where annual spending stays within annual revenue. While a $13M interfund loan supports payroll for now, the trajectory shows strengthening stability.
Read the entire article here. Questions? Contact BSD.
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FEBRUARY 26 BSD NEWS AND EVENTS E NEWSLETTER (NEW)
Superintendent Aramaki recently highlighted BSD’s focus on belonging, honoring Lunar New Year and Black History Month while thanking voters for supporting recent levies.
Key updates include a community session on Hebrew language offerings and celebrating "I Belong!" Reflections Program winners. Families are encouraged to complete the upcoming family survey to guide future district work.
Enrollment for the 2026-2027 year is now open. Additionally, the district continues its "Attendance Matters" series and urges families to stay current on vaccinations.
Read the entire newsletter here. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign up here! You can see all newsletters here. Questions? Contact BSD.
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SPRING FOR SCHOOLS AUCTION & GALA: SECURE YOUR TICKETS BY MARCH 6
Join the Bellevue Schools Foundation on March 14 for an unforgettable evening of connection and impact. This lively gala features silent and live auctions, with proceeds fueling early learning, student mental health, and K–12 computer science programs.
One premier auction item is a Tunnel Club Suite for 18 at Climate Pledge Arena for Stars on Ice, featuring US Olympic stars! Don’t miss your chance to celebrate and invest in our students—ticket sales close THIS FRIDAY, March 6. Secure your spot today to be part of this special community event.
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YMCA ENVIRONMENTAL SYMPOSIUM: EMPOWERING TEEN LEADERS
Attention students in grades 8-12! Join the YMCA Earth Service Corps at the University of Washington on Friday, March 27 (8:30 AM–1:30 PM). This symposium features hands-on workshops designed to build environmental leadership skills and connect you with peers. Lunch and raffle prizes are included!
Teachers bringing 7+ students can apply for substitute reimbursement, and support letters for excused absences are available.
Register online by March 13 or by emailing yesc@seattleymca.org. Visit the homepage at seattleymca.org.
Read the original letter here. See the flyer here.
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WHY JOIN PTSA?
Joining International School PTSA means having a voice in how fundraising dollars are spent and supporting programs like staff appreciation, student clubs, Reflections arts, and community events.
We advocate for families at the school, state, and national levels.
Members also get Washington State and National PTA benefits, including discounts and resources.
Both students and adults can join as full voting members. Join us to stay connected and make a difference in the IS community!
Questions? Contact membership@isptsa.org.
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SMITH BROTHERS FARMS MILK FUND PROGRAMS
Sign up 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.
| | MASTHEAD / DIRECTORY / LINKS | | Serving International School in the Bellevue School District | |
SUPPORT YOUR PTSA
Donate Anytime!
| | | | Please note that PayPal has transaction fees. | |
Or write your check to the International School PTSA and send it to:
ISPTSA
PO Box 221
Bellevue, WA 98009
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MONDAY MESSENGER
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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Please submit articles by THURSDAY at 5:00 PM to news@isptsa.org.
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Please limit articles to 600 characters including spaces. If your article is longer than 600 characters, we will edit for length and then attach a document that contains the entire article.
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Please include contact information for questions from readers. If no contact is included, the email used to send the submission will be used.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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International School PTSA
P.O. Box 221
Bellevue, WA 98009-0221
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