September 11, 2023

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A huge shout-out and congratulations to Isaac Zhang for advancing to the final round of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge! If you want to know more, check out the article below and consider voting to help him win a college scholarship and our school a new science lab!

THIS WEEK:

• Tuesday, 9/12–Wednesday, 9/13 • High School Retreat*
• Thursday, 9/14, 8:15–9:30 AM • High School Tailgate*
• Friday, 9/15, 6:30–7:30 PM • Ice Cream Social*

NEXT WEEK:

• Thursday, 9/21, 6:30 PM • 12th Grade Parent Night
• Friday, 9/22, 7 PM–8:30 PM • Middle School Social

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Wednesday, 9/27 • Picture Retakes
• Wednesday, 9/27, 2PM • ASB Club Fair
• Thursday, 9/28, 6:30 PM • Curriculum Night
• Friday, 10/13 • No School (District Training)
• Monday, 10/16–Friday, 10/20 • Spirit Week
• Thursday, 10/19, 6:30 PM–8 PM • 9th/10th Grade Parent Night
• Saturday, 10/21, 8 PM–10 PM • Homecoming (HS Only)
• Thursday, 11/2, 6:30 PM (Time Change) • 11th Grade Parent Night
• Friday, 11/3, 7 PM • IS Drama's "Cyrano De Bergerac"
• Saturday, 11/4, 2 pm & 7 PM • IS Drama's "Cyrano De Bergerac"
• Tuesday, 11/7, 6:30 PM • 6th Grade Parent Night
• Thursday, 11/9 • End of 1st Quarter
• Friday, 11/10 • No School (Veteran's Day)
• 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 • Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, 11/30, 7 PM • MS Band Concert

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

While you are scanning, remember to start planning to renew your membership. We have just about reached 150 members. Membership = Community.

Visit isptsa.org to sign up.

Questions? Contact membership@isptsa.org.

THE MONDAY MESSENGER NEEDS YOUR HELP!

As a unique environment drawing from multiple high schools and middle schools in our district, we need your help to stay connected and informed!

Do you already receive another school's newsletter or love to keep up with what is happening at the district level? We're seeking liaisons who will be responsible for specific schools or community partners within our district. Your role will involve reading their newsletters and checking their websites regularly to identify any relevant events or opportunities for our students and families. You'll then submit that information to the editor to be added to the next Monday Messenger. By joining our team, you'll ensure that our students and families are well-informed about the incredible opportunities available to them.

If interested, or if you have any questions, contact Jennifer Li, VP of Communications.

TAILGATE TIME!!!

High School Tailgate:

THIS Thursday, September 14, 8:15–9:30 AM

Kelsey Creek Park parking lot, 410 130th Place SE, Bellevue

As we start a terrific year at International School, ISPTSA welcomes our parents and guardians to meet at the nearby Kelsey Creek Park parking lot right after drop-off. Enjoy coffee and treats between 8:15 and 9:30 AM and take this great opportunity to meet other families before heading off to your day. High School Tailgate will be THIS Thursday, September 14. Just show up for a quick bite or stay for longer!

The Middle School Tailgate took place on Thursday, September 7. A great group of folks showed up to meet and talk. It was a lot of fun to get to know new Middle School parents and touch base with returning ones.

For questions, email Co-VPs of Community, Maggie Lo and Anjum Anwar.

TAKE AN SAT PRACTICE TEST

• Saturday, September 23, 9:00 AM
• Register by Wednesday, September 20.

ISPTSA, in collaboration with Princeton Review, offers an online SAT practice test on Saturday, September 23, open to all students. It's a valuable preparation opportunity for Super Wednesday when the district provides free SAT tests to 11th and 12th graders.

How it works:

1. Register via ISPTSA.
2. Princeton Review sets up online accounts.
3. On test day (Saturday, September 23), students log in for timed and proctored exams, with results available immediately.
4. Access to the practice test starts on September 23 at 9 AM and remains available for 30 days to accommodate schedules.

Consider taking it in advance of the upcoming SAT on BSD's Super Wednesday, October 11. A $25 PTSA donation is appreciated. Questions? Email Melissa Richardson, VP of Outreach.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

THIS FRIDAY, September 15, 6:30–7:30 PM

International School Commons

Our IS community is invited to an ice cream social THIS Friday from 6:30–7:30 PM in the IS Commons. Ice cream with all the toppings, even a cherry will be available for FREE. Bring your student(s) and your family and connect with other families while letting your students have a great treat and social time.

Volunteers needed to help set up, scoop, and clean up. Help make this a great kick-off to the year! Contact VPCommunity@isptsa.org for volunteering or questions.

NATIONAL PTA NEWS

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TECH TIPS

As we go back to school, it's time to think about back-to-school devices and policies. Check out this article from ConnectSafely to get support creating school-related plans for your family around tech. Questions? Contact ConnectSafely through their online form.

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

As a reminder, our annual High School Retreat is THIS Tuesday and Wednesday, September 12 – 13 at Warm Beach Camp.

• If you have not yet paid the $125 fee, please do so online.
• Parent chaperones are still needed. Please contact Abi Horsfall if you are interested.
• If your student is unable to attend, please contact Abi Horsfall as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly.

Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

TITAN WEDNESDAYS ARE HERE!

On Wednesdays this school year, wear your Titan gear and Titan colors. This includes Senior Sweats, Orchestra and Robotics gear, or any clothes that are green, black, grey, or white! Please encourage your students to join in this fun and community-building tradition. The PTSA sells spirit wear in case you don't have any or your kids grew a lot over the summer. Questions? Contact Janet Towne, IS AP World History, Contemporary World Affairs, Human Geography.

COLLEGE BOOT CAMP

This annual IS program for rising seniors helps jumpstart their college applications. We had pre-pandemic participation, and it was a productive week! Thank you to Emilie Castle, on behalf of ISPTSA, who supplied updated college resource books for CBC and our College Corner. Titans, please keep this opportunity in mind when planning your summer before senior year. Questions? Contact Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary, AP Coordinator, and Yearbook Advisor

CLASS OF 2024

DUE September 25: Senior portrait, baby picture, and 100-word senior thank you! Learn more here. Questions? Contact Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary, AP Coordinator, and Yearbook Advisor

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVES

Juniors and Seniors: College Admissions Representatives will be on campus beginning Monday, September 18. Register for up to 5 visits through Naviance. Questions? Contact Jill Follett, IS Counseling Secretary, AP Coordinator, and Yearbook Advisor

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL UPDATE

Two International School Updates were sent through email on Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 6 to all current IS families with great updates. Questions? Email the IS Main Office.

FORMER INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FINALIST IN GLOBAL SCIENCE COMPETITION

Isaac Zhang graduated from us last year. He has entered into the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. This global challenge asks students to explain an important scientific theory, concept or principle in a short video that is less than 2 minutes. Thousands of students enter from around the world. Isaac’s submission has made it through the first round (peer reviews from others who submitted) and the second round of an Evaluation Panel that assesses the quality and accuracy of the science concepts. Now, he is at the final round of just 30 entries left—the Popular Vote. If Isaac wins, he receives a $250,000 college scholarship AND International would receive a $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab!

If you feel inclined, feel free to vote and to share the information through Facebook or YouTube. The voting window is NOW through September 20.

Facebook: https://fb.watch/mTvW0vbSce/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/vpKFrGDY9iY?si=a6vBS--Zcs3rp71v

Questions? Contact the IS Main Office.

JUBILEE FALL SPORTS

Any students interested in our upcoming Sports Season must fill out the form via their student BSD Email to indicate their interest.

Fall Sports:

• Boys Soccer
• Girls Basketball
• Coed X-Country
• Girls Golf

Here’s what you need to know about registration:  

• Registration Window: September 5–September 12 (The last day to register is THIS Tuesday!)
• Season Length: September 18–November 3
• (Girl’s golf and Coed X-country end October 27)
• Schedule:
• Practice: 3:45–4:45 PM Monday, Tuesday. Thursday, Friday
• Games: 2:45–5:00 PM on Wednesdays (X-Country Meets: Thursday 4:45–5:30)
• Registration forms can only be accessed via student BSD Email.    
• The default password for student BSD email is S#IDNumber example: S#1234567
• Students will be notified of placement on September 14 

Registration is lottery-based, and students should not worry if they need to wait and sign up near the end of the registration window for a fair chance to participate. Questions? Contact Trent Stauffer, IS Site Coach.

TITAN ROBOTICS CLUB

Are you a middle schooler interested in robotics? Titan Robotics Club has three FIRST Lego League teams that meet after Tutorial on Mondays and Wednesdays and compete in competitions. To apply for the FLL teams, make sure to attend the interest meeting THIS Thursday, September 14 from 6-7 PM! It will be held in the art room at school. Questions? Contact Sophia Zhang.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

High School sports have begun! As an International School student, you can play sports for whichever High School you are zoned for. Check out the different school links below to find out what each school is offering.

• Bellevue High School
• Interlake High School
• Newport High School
• Sammamish High School

Questions? Contact your local High School.

BSD HIGH SCHOOLS RECEIVE TOP RANKINGS

Recent U.S. News & World Report rankings place all Bellevue School District high schools as among the top 30 best high schools in Washington state. Rankings include data on nearly 25,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools ranked in the top 40% nationally (#7,072 or better) achieved status as U.S. News Best High Schools.

Congratulations to the students, staff, and educators at all Bellevue schools, and especially Bellevue, Bellevue Big Picture, Interlake, International, Newport, and Sammamish high schools for this outstanding achievement! Find out more info here. Questions? Contact BSD.

WASHINGTON STATE FAIR

TODAY through September 24 in Puyallup.

Come celebrate with us, grab some fair food, pet the pigs, enjoy hundreds of free entertainers and events, shop 'til you drop, and ride the tallest ride. We'll see you there!

The Fair has something to offer everyone - from animals and agriculture to live music and exciting exhibits.

Check out the insider's guide and the official website for all the info! Questions? Contact the Fair via their form on the website.

2023 SALMON SEESON

The Salmon SEEson program shares the best stream and river locations in King County where people can see salmon as they return from the ocean in late summer and fall. Some locations are self-guided, while others feature volunteer naturalists to guide visitors in seeing salmon and learning about their lifecycle, efforts to protect them, and restoring habitat.

Salmon are an important cultural, economic, and environmental resource for our region, especially to indigenous people. Local governments, Tribes, and community groups around King County and Puget Sound are working to recover salmon populations by protecting and restoring habitat, managing polluted and untreated stormwater runoff from streets and other hard surfaces, and educating people about what they can do to help protect salmon. Use the map on this website to find viewing locations and get more info. Questions? Contact the individual locations.