March 25, 2024

MONDAY MESSENGER

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UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS

THIS WEEK:

  • Wednesday, 3/27, 1:45 PM • Le Grand Concours
  • Wednesday, 3/27, 6 PM • 11th Grade Parent Night Pt. 2 (Date Change)
  • Thursday, 3/28, 7 PM • MS Band Concert


NEXT WEEK:

  • Tuesday, 4/2, 6:40 PM • IS HS Choirs Sing National Anthem at Mariners Game*
  • Wednesday, 4/3 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 7th Grade Families
  • Friday, 4/5 • Quarter 3 Ends


LOOKING AHEAD:

  • Monday, 4/8–Friday, 4/12 • No School (Spring Break)
  • Tuesday, 4/16, 6:30 PM • 8th Grade Parent Night
  • Monday, 4/22–Friday, 4/26 • Spirit Week
  • Thursday, 4/25, 6:30 PM • ISPTSA General Membership Meeting
  • Saturday, 4/27, 8 PM • Prom
  • Monday, 5/6–Friday, 5/17 • AP Testing
  • Monday, 5/6–Friday, 5/10 • Staff Appreciation Week
  • Friday, 5/10, 7 PM • MS Social
  • Wednesday, 5/8 • Staff Appreciation Luncheon Hosted by the 8th Grade Families
  • Monday, 5/20–Friday, 5/24 • Focus Week
  • Monday, 5/27 • No School (Memorial Day)
  • Tuesday, 5/28–Friday, 5/31 • Testing Week
  • Wednesday, 5/29 • Senior Board Day
  • Tuesday, 6/4, 6 PM • MS Band Concert
  • Tuesday, 6/4, 7 PM • HS Band Concert
  • Wednesday, 6/5 • Seniors & Staff Luncheon Hosted by the 12th Grade Families
  • Wednesday, 6/5, 6 PM • MS Orchestra Concert
  • Wednesday, 6/5, 7 PM • HS Orchestra Concert
  • Thursday, 6/6, 11:15 AM–12:25 PM • 5th Grade BBQ
  • Friday, 6/7, 7 PM • Moving Up Dance
  • Monday, 6/10 • Déjeuner en Blanc
  • Monday, 6/10, 6 PM • MS Choir Concert
  • Monday, 6/10, 7 PM • HS Choir Concert
  • Tuesday, 6/11 • Commencement Rehearsal
  • Thursday, 6/13, 7:30 PM • Class of 2024 Commencement
  • Thursday, 6/13–Friday, 6/14 • Laptop Collection
  • Tuesday, 6/18 • Last Day of School


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.

SHOUT-OUTS

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

We would like to thank Farangis Sepehri and Shaimaa Ali for setting up amazing and informative tables at International to share their cultures with our students! It is wonderful to learn about different cultures and we are grateful to you both.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTSA NEWS

IS HS CHOIRS WILL SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE MARINERS GAME!


The International High School Choirs will be combining to sing the National Anthem at the Mariners game on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:40 PM! Come join your fellow International Families for a fun night at the ballpark while supporting our students! The ISPTSA has arranged for tickets to be $25 per person and to be in section 116 (1st base side). The deadline to buy is TODAY, Monday, March 25 to guarantee that you get to sit with other International Families. Any tickets bought after March 25 may be in a random section. The Mariners will be playing against the Cleveland Guardians. Come cheer on the Mariners and our amazing choir students! Buy tickets here!


Questions? Contact Emilie Castle, ISPTSA Co-President

7TH GRADE STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON


The 7th Grade Families will be hosting a Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, April 3 from 11:40 AM to 12:15 PM. All 7th Grade Families that are interested in volunteering to help show our wonderful staff how much we appreciate them, please sign up here. Questions? Contact Jin Xu and Yue Mai, 7th Parent Reps.

ISPTSA 2024-2025 BOARD NOMINATIONS


Join the International School PTSA Board! Be in the know, build strong teacher/staff/volunteer relationships, and lend your voice to carrying out our PTSA's mission. You can self-nominate or nominate someone you believe in! 


The following positions are open for nominations:

  • President
  • VP of Community
  • VP of Outreach
  • VP of Communications
  • VP of Fundraising
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer 1
  • Treasurer 2

Position descriptions can be accessed here or here. Position training will be provided. Nominations for the 2024-2025 International School PTSA Board can be sent to nominations@isptsa.org. You can volunteer for more than one position, but please rank them in order of preference.


Questions? Contact the Nominations Committee.

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK CHAIR NEEDED!


Join our team as the Staff Appreciation Week Chair! Coordinate events to honor our hardworking staff during the week of Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. Work closely with the various Grade Level Reps and our Co-VP's of Community to help show our staff how much we love and appreciate all they do for us. Have questions or want to volunteer? Email VPCommunity@isptsa.org.

BELLEVUE PTSA COUNCIL NEWS

TAKE ACTION AND PROTECT WA KIDS!


We can’t wait for Monday, April 1, the Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action 2024!


The Problem:

The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting kids with flavored products, like flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Flavors improve the taste and mask the harshness of tobacco products, making it easier for kids to try these products and ultimately become addicted. The evidence is overwhelming that flavors play a key role in youth starting and continuing to use tobacco products, leading to addiction. Find out more here.


Help eliminate flavored tobacco sales by speaking out! Everyone is invited to join in. Please help get the word out and take action! Tell the White House here! Tell Washington State Legislators here! Questions? Questions? Contact Bellevue PTSA Council via their website here.

SPECIAL EDUCATION FAMILY RESOURCE SESSION: INSIGHTS INTO POSITIVE COMMUNICATION AMONG IEP TEAMS: A PANEL PERSPECTIVE



BSD Special Ed. Department & the Bellevue Special Needs PTA presents: Insights into Positive Communication Among IEP Teams: A Panel Perspective. Read more and RSVP here. Questions? Email specialedfamilyres@bsd405.org.

WASHINGTON STATE PTA NEWS

2023-2024 WSPTA REFLECTIONS WINNERS


Congratulations to our WSPTA Reflections Winners. Those that have earned 1st place/Outstanding Interpretation awards advance to the National level for judging. See the list of 2023-2024 WSPTA Reflections finalists here.


Among the winners are some International Students:

  • Justis Truitt, Photography, Award of Merit, for "In Her Hands"
  • Kristine Zhao, Visual Arts, Award of Merit, for "A Musical Journey to Radiant Shores"
  • Justis Truitt, Visual Arts, Award of Excellence, for "Requiem for a Tree"

Congratulations to Justis and Kristine!


Questions? Contact WSPTA.

SCHOOL NEWS

SEEKING AP TEST PROCTORS!

 

Do you have free blocks of time during any school days between May 6 and May 17? Are you interested in making some extra money? Are you looking for a way to get involved and support International’s high school students? If so, then we have the perfect opportunity for you! We are seeking additional proctors for AP exams. You can apply for this position through the Bellevue School District here. You can find the AP test schedule, including locations, on International’s website here. If you have any questions about proctoring, or anything related to AP testing in May, please contact AP Coordinator Kyla Carlson at carlsonk@bsd405.org.

IS LEARNS ABOUT NOWRUZ AND HAFT-SEEN


Last week some community members set up a table at International School to introduce students to Nowruz and Haft-Seen, the Persian New Year. Want to know more? Ask your student what they learned or check out this website. Questions? Contact Farangis Sepehri.

IS LEARNS ABOUT RAMADAN


This month, the International School community had the opportunity to learn about Ramadan and its traditions. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it begins at the first sight of the new moon. Muslims all over the world observe Ramadan by engaging in various acts of devotion through fasting, prayers, charity, and self-reflection.


Our students and staff were able to explore a display created by one of our IS parents that had vibrant decorations and educational materials. They helped everyone gain a deeper understanding of this holiday while enjoying some traditional Ramadan dates and dried fruits at the display.


As the month unfolds, we would like to extend warm greetings to all our IS community members observing Ramadan and we wish them a happy month. Questions? Contact Shaimaa Ali.

IJAZZ WON!


iJazz won Second Place at the Commencement Bay Vocal Jazz Competition on Saturday, March 16!


Four students received Outstanding Soloist Awards: Jayna Laserna, Ella Garris, Jennifer Sun, and Isaac Cook


Four students received an Outstanding Rhythm Section Awards: Calla Dang, Isaac Cook, Illiath Selph, and Daniel Faith.


Congratulations to all of you! What an amazing job!


For questions about iJazz, email Joanne Whang, Choir Director

CONGRATULATIONS, IJAZZ MEMBERS!


Seven iJazz students received an Outstanding Musicianship Award at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 8Ella Garris, Calla Dang, Isaac Cook, Hansen Wang, Ian Choy, Lucas Ma, Rui Sun.


For questions about iJazz, email Joanne Whang, Choir Director

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL UPDATE


An International School Update was sent through email on Monday, March 18 to all current IS families with great updates. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

FREE LIFEGUARD TRAINING


Would you like to learn a skill that could save lives?


Our region is in short supply of lifeguards and swim instructors. We’d like to do our part to increase the number of lifeguards and provide high school students the opportunity to not only learn lifesaving skills, but also seek employment as a lifeguard or swim instructor at our local pools and beaches.


SPLASHForward is sponsoring lifeguard training for high school students. We cover the cost of your certification and provide you with resources to find a job. If you are unsure of your swim skills, we are happy to work with you so you can practice or acquire the skills. You can specify this when you sign up. You must be 15yrs old by the last day of the lifeguard training course. Sign up is on a first come first serve basis. Find out more information here and sign up here.

BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

BOOM (BREAKING OUT OF THE MARGINS) IS BACK IN 2024!


"BOOM is a BIPOC focused opportunity for secondary students to engage in meaningful, facilitated conversations that center on issues that are of most importance to them. BOOM events are intended to inspire, build community, and provide opportunity to connect with leaders of color so that each and every BSD student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.” – Shomari Jones, Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement


The 2023- 2024 BOOM Experience will take place on March 28, 2024, at Bellevue College. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.

NEW WEBSITE PROJECT UPDATE: CONTENT AND WEBPAGE OPTIMIZATION, STAFF TRAINING


The new website project continues in the development portion of the Design and Development phase. Content and webpage optimization is currently taking place, along with broad staff training and ongoing advisement from our learning community. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE - ESTABLISHING A PROBLEM STATEMENT


Over the past several months, the Strategic Plan Guiding Coalition has been engaging in an inclusive design process to co-create the next five-year strategic plan. After thoughtful deliberation and collaboration, the Coalition formed consensus on a problem statement. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.

BSD NEWSLETTER


An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, March 14. Learn about the 2024 College Conference Series, nominate someone or apply to join the school board, sign up to attend informational events, and more. Read it here. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign up here! You can see all newsletters here. Questions? Contact BSD.

COMMUNITY NEWS

IT'S ALMOST HERE! SPRING FOR SCHOOLS 2024

  • When: Saturday, March 30, 5 PM - 8 PM
  • Where: Meydenbauer Center, 11100 Northeast 6th Street, Bellevue, Washington 98004
  • Cost: FREE


Join us as we cultivate the next generation with a garden party! Funding raised through Spring for Schools yields critical programming in Bellevue School District. Our annual fundraiser joins community leaders, corporate stakeholders, and philanthropic individuals who are committed to making sure that all 18,000+ students at 28 schools in the District can blossom through programs and enrichment opportunities critical to their growth as students and future leaders of our community. Join or host a table, get a drink and meal with friends, and stroll through the showcase of student work that our donors support.

 

THIS EVENT IS FOR ADULTS ONLY!


Last day to register is TODAY, Monday, March 25.

Register Here

Questions? Email info@bsfdn.org.

VOLUNTEER WITH BACKPACK MEALS FOR KIDS


Every day, children are going hungry… even in Bellevue. Close to 250 students are known to be homeless. Approximately 3400 (17%) students qualify for free or reduced meals, including 57% of children at one elementary school, 44% at one middle school, and 38% in one high school. For many students, the only meal they get is at school. On the weekend, they go hungry. Backpack Meals is there to fill in the gap.


Volunteers entirely run Backpack Meals for Kids. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the volunteer notification form. We will call you when there is a food packing or distribution opportunity.


Other ways you can help:

Please invite your friends to support us through a donation. Backpack Meals is 100% volunteer-run with no overhead. All funding goes toward food and the expansion of the program. Share the story of Backpack Meals for Kids with your friends and invite them to contribute.


Questions? Email backpackmeals@backpackmeals.org.

SUPPORT OUR ISPTSA

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.

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
President
Secretary
Treasurer 1
Treasurer 2
VP of Communications
VP's of Community
VP's of Fundraising
VP's of Outreach
Membership Chair
Grants
Monday Messenger
Website
IS Staff Liaison
Local PTA #2.3.121
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 

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.
PTSA Website: www.isptsa.org

Newsletter Submissions: news@isptsa.org

SUPPORT YOUR PTSA
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Or write your check to the International School PTSA and send it to:

ISPTSA
PO Box 221
Bellevue, WA 98009

MONDAY MESSENGER
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • Please submit articles by THURSDAY at 5:00 PM to news@isptsa.org.
  • Please limit articles to 600 characters including spaces.
  • Please include contact information for questions from readers.
  • 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.
International School PTSA
P.O. Box 221
Bellevue, WA 98009-0221
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