The first day of school is THIS Tuesday, September 3.
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UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS | |
THIS WEEK:
- Tuesday, 9/3 • First Day of School
- Thursday, 9/5 • Drama Auditions*
NEXT WEEK:
- Tuesday, 9/10 • ISPTSA Back to School Coffee*
- Wednesday, 9/11 • 6th Grade Retreat
- Thursday, 9/12–Friday, 9/13 • High School Retreat*
LOOKING AHEAD:
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Friday, 9/20, 6:30–7:30 PM • ISPTSA Ice Cream Social*
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Tuesday, 9/24, 6:30 PM • 12th Grade Parent Night (Date Change)
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Wednesday, 9/25, 1:40 PM • Club Fair
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Friday, 9/27, 7:00–8:30 PM • Middle School Social
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Wednesday, 10/9 • Super Wednesday (PSAT/SAT)
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Wednesday, 10/9 • Curriculum Night
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Thursday, 10/10, 3:15 PM • Hall Decorations
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Friday, 10/11 • No School
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Monday, 10/14–Friday, 10/18 • Spirit Week
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Saturday, 10/19 • Homecoming Dance
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Tuesday, 10/22 • 9th/10th Grade Parent Night
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Friday, 11/1 • End of First Quarter
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Tuesday, 11/12 • 11th Grade Parent Night
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Friday, 11/15 • Drama Performance "Radium Girls"
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Saturday, 11/16 • Drama Performance "Radium Girls"
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Tuesday, 11/19 • 6th Grade Parent Night
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Thursday, 11/21 • HS Band Concert
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Thursday, 11/28–Friday, 11/29 • No School: Thanksgiving Break
Click here to view the ISPTSA Calendar, which can be added to your personal Google or Outlook Calendar.
Click here to view the District 2024–2025 calendar for families.
*More information in the message below
Orange denotes new/updated calendar entries.
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The following are shout-outs and thank-yous from various members of our community. | |
Thank you Maggi Lo for organizing and ordering the food for the Staff Luncheon and thank you to Qiong Chen and Jennifer Green Li for serving it! | |
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTSA NEWS | |
BACK TO SCHOOL STAFF LUNCHEON
On Wednesday, August 28, the ISPTSA provided and served food to the International School staff as a welcome-back-to-school gesture. We love our staff and appreciate you all greatly. Thank you for being part of this amazing community. We look forward to working with you this year and continuing the International School tradition of maintaining a great relationship between families and staff.
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ISPTSA BACK TO SCHOOL COFFEE
Join us at our Back to School Coffee on Tuesday, September 10, 8:45-10:15 AM in the school Library. In past years this has been the tailgate held at the nearby park, but this year we are going to change things up and meet in the Library so that staff members can attend! Come enjoy some coffee and pastries while mingling and getting to know other parents and staff. We hope to see you there! Questions? Email Maggie Lo and Farangis Sepheri, ISPTSA Co-VP's of Community.
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ISPTSA ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Friday, September 20, 6:30–7:30 PM
International School Commons
Our IS community is invited to an ice cream social on Friday, September 20 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.
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APPLY FOR AN ISPTSA GRANT!
Don't forget to apply for an ISPTSA Grant! We have a new online application form this year to streamline the process. You can access the form using this link. Remember, grants are open to student groups as well as faculty. If it will improve our school then you can apply for a grant.
Semester 1:
- Deadline for Grant Applications: Friday, September 27
- ISPTSA Board Presentation of Proposed Grants: Tuesday, October 15
- ISPTSA General Membership Meeting (Budget Proposal): Wednesday, October 23
Applications and information can be accessed here. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at grants@isptsa.org.
Thank you for your continued support of ISPTSA.
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JOIN THE ISPTSA
Complete the first item on your Back-to-School Checklist: Join the International School PTSA (ISPTSA)
The ISPTSA is one of the few parent-teacher-student associations (PTSAs) in Washington State that has a tradition of reaching 100% membership! We need your help to keep our tradition this school year. To join the ISPTSA, click this JOIN link. The process is quick and easy, and we encourage you to join today.
Your PTSA membership helps support school activities and programs. In addition to voting, you also receive membership benefits available to all Washington State PTA members like discounts at the Fed-Ex Store and the Great Wolf Lodge. Learn more about the discounts available on the WA PTA website.
- Family Membership - 3 people: $35
- Dual Membership - 2 people: $25
- Single or Student Membership - 1 person: $15
- Teacher/Staff – 1 person: $10
These dues are paid to the WA State and National PTA, but additional donation amounts go directly to the ISPTSA to be used for the benefit of our students. We also have scholarships available for membership dues. If you have any questions about the ISPTSA or the membership process/scholarships, please feel free to reach out to us at membership@isptsa.org.
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BACK TO BUSINESS DAY
It was so fun to see everyone at Back to Business Day on Thursday, August 22. Thank you for stopping by and saying hello! It was wonderful to see old faces and speak with new families. We look forward to another wonderful year of being a part of this amazing community!
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2024 NATIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION WEEK
Celebrate the power of the arts in education September 8-14. Visit our Arts Education Resource page for tools to become an arts advocate in your community.
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VOLUNTEER IN THE OFFICE
International School is asking for volunteers to help out in the office.
Shifts available: Wednesday 10:15-11:15 – rotate every two weeks
If you have questions or would like to volunteer for a shift, please contact Mary Pyrah, IS Office Manager
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PICTURE DAY
Anyone that took a picture at Back to Business Day on Thursday, August 22 can order them from Lifetouch using the picture day ID Code: EVT4MBQ84. Check out the flier here.
Questions? Contact Lifetouch Technical Support at 1-800-598-2466 or lnssfieldops@lifetouch.com.
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THE GARDEN CLUB NEEDS DONATIONS!
The garden club is accepting donations of snowdrop bulbs for early fall planting. The club is also accepting donations of winter/spring blooming perennial plants, in particular hellebores, perennial candytuft, Totally Tangerine geum and Biokovo Karmina cranesbill. Thank you for your support. If you have questions, please contact garden club advisor Gwen Geslin, geslinm@bsd405.org.
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2024 HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
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.
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STUDENT NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES | |
EMP HACKFEST
Join us at our upcoming in-person hackathon - EmP Hackfest, that’s happening at the Microsoft Reactor Building (3709 157th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052) THIS Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8.
This event is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of young innovators. At this hackathon, kids from grade 9 – 12 will join together to collaborate, learn, and create unique solutions to real-world problems. This is a chance for these young minds to gain exposure to new technologies, develop their teamwork skills, and make a positive impact in the community.
Register here as either a team of 2-5 people or as an individual that will be added to a team. Questions? Email emp.hackathon@gmail.com
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BELLEVUE GIRLS SELECT BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Registration is now open for the 2024/25 Season!
The Bellevue Girls Select Basketball Program is the only skills & development program that feeds directly into Bellevue High School. We service 4th through 8th grade. Kids interested in playing for the BHS girls basketball team should participate in this program. Remember, as an International Student, you can play sports at whichever High School you are zoned for. If you live outside of Bellevue, you can play for BHS.
Tryout Schedule:
Saturday, September 14 & Sunday, September 15
- 6th Grade: 10:00-11:30 AM
- 7th and 8th Grade: 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Location will be announced once finalized.
Questions? Email bellevuegirlsselect@gmail.com.
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FREE TUTORING
King County Library System (KCLS) offers FREE tutoring and homework help both in-person and online to all students in grades K-12. You can find out information about all of their free academic offerings here or search for KCLS Study Zone. Questions? Check out the FAQ or find out how to contact them here.
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DRAMA AUDITIONS FOR "RADIUM GIRLS"
Are you interested in acting or doing tech for this year's fall show? Join us for auditions! Auditions for this year’s fall show, Radium Girls, are THIS Thursday, September 5 after school in the 300 hallway. Auditions and tech signups are open to all IS Students. Performances of Radium Girls will be on November 15-16 with rehearsals starting September 16.
This program is a wonderful opportunity for students to build friendships with others across grade levels during rehearsals, set builds, and performance days. As a no cut program, all students who audition or sign up will be given a role. Actors are asked to prepare a 1-minute monologue and all students are asked to come knowing their potential conflicts. If you have questions, please reach out to our Stage Manager, Nate Bloch.
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BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS | |
BSD NEWSLETTER
An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, August 22. Prepare for the first day of school with district resources, learn how to use the new district website, save the date for community events, and more! Read it here. Don't receive the district newsletter? Sign up here! You can see all newsletters here. Questions? Contact BSD.
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IT'S SALMON SEESON AGAIN!
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 below to find viewing locations, and when you go, please remember to recreate responsibly! Questions? Check out the website.
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ISSAQUAH CULTURE FEST
Come together for a free, family-friendly event to celebrate the cultural diversity of our community in Issaquah. Festivities include music, world dances, interactive art, Henna art, resource booths, food trucks, and more! The event will be held at the Issaquah Community Center on the outside lawn. Invite your neighbors, family, and friends to join us in celebration at the Issaquah Culture Fest!
Check out the website for more info and schedules.
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HERO HOUSE 5K
Take a step for mental health and sign up for the HERO House 5K Run and Walk to benefit HERO House NW and its Clubhouse programs. Run or walk with us on Sunday, September 7 at Redmond Municipal Park on the scenic Sammamish River Trail. Event starts with a free kids dash! Hero costumes encouraged.
Questions? Check out the website.
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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.
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MASTHEAD / DIRECTORY / LINKS | |
Serving International School in the Bellevue School District | |
SUPPORT YOUR PTSA
Donate Anytime!
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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.
- Please limit articles to 600 characters including spaces.
- Please include contact information for questions from readers.
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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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