June 17, 2024

MONDAY MESSENGER

Visit Our Website

Donate to PTSA

Translate Newsletter

CONGRATULATIONS AND HAVE A TERRIFIC SUMMER!

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 all of your exciting new adventures.

The last day of school will be THIS TUESDAY, June 18. 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!

THIS WEEK:

• Monday, 6/17 • Community BBQ (Cancelled)
• Tuesday, 6/18, 8:15–10:15 AM • Last Day of School

IN THE FALL:

• Monday, 8/19–Friday, 8/23 • Class of 2025 College Boot Camp
• Thursday, 8/22 • Back to Business Day*
• Tuesday, 9/3 • First Day of School
• Thursday, 9/12–Friday, 9/13 • High School Retreat*
• Thursday, 9/26 • Curriculum Night

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.

On Thursday, June 6, our very own ISPTSA Finance Club presented their school survey to Bellevue School Board at the District Board Meeting. What an amazing, awesome, and brave thing to do! We are super proud of you!

Thank you to all of our volunteers! You have stepped up throughout the year to help wherever needed. Our school is truly a community and that is because of each and every one of you participating in so many various ways. You are the heart of IS!

We would like to thank the outgoing ISPTSA Board!

• Co-Presidents: Emilie Castle & Qiong Chen
• Treasurer 1: Amanda Johnson
• Treasurer 2: Fenghua Shen
• Co-Secretaries: Judy Cam & Li Zhang
• VP of Communications: Jennifer Green Li
• Co-VP's of Community: Maggie Lo & Anjum Anwar
• Co-VP's of Fundraising: Phil Bloch & Gang Chen
• VP of Outreach: Melissa Richardson
• Membership: Meribeth Nordloef-Pedersen
• Grants: Edward Chung
• Monday Messenger: Jennifer Green Li

You have done so much for us this year! Thank you!

ISPTSA WON AWARDS AT THE WA STATE PTA CONVENTION

The International School PTSA won two Awards from the Washington State PTA at this year's convention. We won the Silver Family and Community Engagement Award of Excellence and the Silver Outstanding Newsletter. Thank you for all of your support and contributions. We could not have done it without you! Our community is amazing and it is wonderful to be recognized for it! Questions? Email board@isptsa.org.

ISPTSA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!

Congratulations to this year's International School PTSA Scholarship Winners: Jackson Blunt, Isabella Chu, and Mihir Motukuri!

Each year, ISPTSA awards 3 - $1000 scholarships to graduating seniors for academic excellence.

This year, we were incredibly impressed with all of the student applicants who have all worked hard this year, participated in 100s of hours of activities, and contributed meaningful service to the IS community and beyond. Reviewing applications makes us so proud of our students, but also makes evaluating extremely difficult for our volunteer judges. 

We truly appreciate all of our applicants and were consistently impressed by their incredible accomplishments. We wish we could award more scholarships to so many well-deserving students. Questions? Email isptsa-scholarship@isptsa.org.

Sincerely,

ISPTSA Scholarship Committee Chairs

Qiong Chen

Yue Mao

Melissa Richardson.

5TH-GRADE BBQ

On Thursday, June 6, we welcomed next year's 6th-graders to the 5th-Grade BBQ. Thank you to all of our amazing students that helped introduce our future families to our incredible community. In addition, we would like to thank the PTSA for helping with the BBQ and Principal Russel White for flipping the burgers!

LIBRARY NEWS: SUMMER READING BOOK LISTS

Get ready for an exciting summer of reading!

I’ve curated a selection of books to keep you entertained, inspired, and engaged throughout our summer break.

Here’s the link to our Summer Reading Book Lists.

Grab a book from the list, find a comfy spot and let your summer adventure begin. Please feel free to contact me at dangt@bsd405.org if you need any further assistance.

Have a great summer and happy reading!

Michele Dang

Library Specialist

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT IS COMING!

Thursday to Friday, September 12–13 at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, WA

The High School Retreat will be here before we know it and we need help! We need chaperones, session ideas, and instructors. This overnight trip is only possible with your support. We need your participation for a successful retreat. Read all about how you can help here. Questions? Email Abigail Horsfall or Charise Hallberg.

BACK TO BUSINESS DAY

Plans are already well underway for the upcoming school year 2024-25. Our Back to School (Taking Care of Business) Day is on August 22 and we would welcome volunteers to help at the event please. 

Volunteer slots are as follows:

7.30-9.30 AM

9.30-11.30 AM

11:30 AM-1:30 PM

Please email Mary Pyrah (Office Manager) at pyrahm@bsd405.org confirming your name, student’s name, as well as your preferred volunteer time slot and she will reach out to you. Mary can also be reached at (425)456-6500. Thank you!

STUDENT NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES

SUMMER ART CAMP

Are you a middle or high school student with a passion for art? Or maybe you're just looking for a fun and creative way to spend your summer? Join us at Bellevue Art Summer Camp, led by a talented IS alumnus who is a senior at Rhode Island School of Design and eager to share her expertise and passion. Find out more information and ask questions here.

BELLEVUE JUNIOR FOOTBALL

Join our free clinic on June 8 and/or 9 from 10 AM till noon. During our fall football season, have fun playing football with games every Saturday! Details and registration at BellevueJrFootball.com for our fall season! No experience required. Questions? Email Irene Budlong, Director

BELLEVUE JUNIOR CHEER

Make friends, have lots of fun, and perform at football games! Register today at BellevueJrFootball.com/cheer/home to join the team for our fall football season! For grades 4-8. No experience required. Uniforms provided. Questions? Email Irene Budlong, Director

BELLEVUE YOUTH CHOIRS

Bellevue Youth Choirs is now enrolling 4-22 year olds for Fall 2024!

Check out the website here. Questions? Email Kayla Johnson, Managing Artistic Director.

SUMMER SEATTLE U TEAM VOLLEYBALL CAMP

Seattle University will be joining us at Newport High School to lead a team volleyball camp.

• Open to any incoming 9th graders
• July 16-19 from 9 AM-2 PM
• The cost is $300/player.
• A registration form will be emailed to everyone as soon as I receive it. Please RSVP as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity to learn as we will have a very low ratio of players to coaches. Fill out form here.

See the flyer here. Questions? Email Kayla Huhs, Newport Head Volleyball Coach

BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS, STAFF, AND SCHOOLS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITIONS

As another academic year comes to a close, we celebrate our graduates, students, staff and families. We recognize their many and varied accomplishments and extend our gratitude to our learning community for your continued support of our district, schools and educators. Here are some of the many highlights including International's ranking in U.S. News and World Report. Questions? Contact BSD.

REIMAGINING MIDDLE SCHOOLS UPDATE

We are excited to support our middle schools and to continue to work with our educators, staff, students and community to create vibrant and supportive environments where everyone can belong, learn and lead. Find out more here. Questions? Email rms@bsd405.org.

NEW WEBSITE PROJECT UPDATE: VIDEO TOURS AND COUNTDOWN TO NEW LAUNCH

The BSD community is less than 30 days away from new websites that showcase the excellence of our students, staff and families. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.

SUMMER RESOURCES

The 2023-2024 school year is almost finished and it’s time for some sun, fun and play! Find out more about some of our summer resources, including FREE summer meals, here to support our learning community. Questions? Contact BSD.

CELEBRATING PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY

The Bellevue School District seeks to create a safe, caring and respectful environment for the diverse students, families and staff in our community. During the month of June, the district celebrates Pride Month by affirming the identity of members of the LGBTQIA+ community and recognizing the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual individuals have had on our collective history. Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.

LAPTOP COLLECTION

At the end of this school year students will be turning in their school issued laptop to be reimaged to Windows 11.

Please note: All student data will be deleted from these computers so please save your files to OneDrive. If students need help to backup their data please have them contact their school Tech Specialist.

Read more here. Questions? Contact BSD.

BSD NEWSLETTER

An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, June 13. 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.

BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Bellevue Schools Foundation is honored to be voted the 425 Magazine's Best Non-Profit in the 425! Thank you to our donors, committees, ambassadors, trustees, and BSD partners who ALL work tirelessly to get critical resources into the hands of students in all 28 public schools in Bellevue! We couldn't do it without you!

To learn more or to donate please visit www.bsfdn.org. Questions? Email info@bsfdn.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.