Dear International Families,
As of now, you have received the communication from the Bellevue School District that masks will be optional beginning March 12. This means that mask wearing will be a personal choice for students and staff in all indoor and outdoor settings. One of the mental shifts to embrace is the idea that as we are in a phase of low transmission in our area, masks serve as a tool for personal protection for those who need it.
As we move into this phase, it is important to realize that everyone will be making decisions for themselves for a variety of different reasons. Students need to realize that they will have some teachers continuing to wear a mask and others who will not. Likewise, many students will choose to remain masked while others do not. Some may choose to wear a mask in some settings and not in others. We cannot make assumptions about the decisions different people make, because some may do so for family reasons, some for social comfort, and others for health concerns.
Our teachers will be taking time in class during 2nd period on Friday to have a discussion with students about how school will be a little different on Monday. We encourage all families to have a conversation with their student about their choice and about how to respond to others. It will be important to respect the decisions others make and to refrain from making judgmental comments.
This change will actually take affect on Saturday, March 12. As a result, our first experience with “masks optional” will be at the Mamma Mia! performances. Masking will be optional for these shows, as well as for the spring music concerts in the upcoming weeks. At this time, we are maintaining the distancing between family pods as we step into this new season.
Other measures will still be in place:
- Students and staff are asked to stay home when sick.
- We will continue to offer testing as needed.
- Students who are positive will continue to be asked to isolate for 5 days. After that, they will be asked to wear a mask for days 6 – 10 or have a negative COVID test.
Respectfully,
Russell White
Registration for Next Year’s Courses
This week, we have begun the process of providing information to students about course selection for next year. This is being conducted in Science classes and will continue through next week. Information and resources are available on our school website HERE. Resources include:
- A guide on how to make course selections through the online tool.
- Course selection sheets which list the courses available for each grade.
- A guide on which Science courses are available each year for high school students after Chemistry and Biology.
- Information on Computer Science for juniors and seniors.
Students need to complete the online course request process by March 31. We strongly encourage all families to be aware of course selections being made for next year. While there is not a form to sign and return, all parents and guardians are able to view the course requests in ParentVUE by clicking on the “Course Request” tab on the left.
Goodbye to Jess
It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to Jess Albrecht, our Technology Assistant. Jess has the opportunity to advance his career within the district Technology Department and we are thrilled that he has this well-deserved opportunity. At the same time, he has provided such great service for our students and staff. While he is in the transition process, students will be able to access support until the position if filled in the next few weeks.
International School National Merit Finalists
We are excited to announce that all four of our National Merit Semifinalists that were announced earlier this year have moved on to be National Merit Finalists. Congratulations to: Rachel Feng, Jessica Massey, Henry Rodgers, and Elle Soderquist.
International School Computer Science Recognition
For the second year in a row, International School has received the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award by College Board in recognition for the broad access to this program for all of our students. We are the only BSD school to receive this recognition and we celebrate the fact that enrollment in this program represents the full diversity of our school community.
Community Mental Health Forum Series
The Community Mental Health Forum series continues this March. In partnership with area health care partners, the BSD counseling team will offer a session titled, Is It Time to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs? This virtual session invites students and parents to watch together and discuss topics related to substance use. Pre-registration is not required.
The sessions will each provide an opportunity to ask detailed questions about substance use with counselors who are knowledgeable in this subject area. Questions may be submitted in advance through this link.
The Community Mental Health Forum series continues with sessions about Talking to Your Student About Substance Abuse. Sessions will be virtual and conducted in English (3/16), Mandarin (3/22), and Spanish (3/23).
International School PTSA Spring Membership Drive
Dear International school parents,
Thank you for your support of International School and the PTSA. We could not have achieved our PTSA goals without you! Over the years, your ISPTSA membership and donations have supported to the school:
- Curriculum Enrichment:
Art supplies, Band/Orchestra instrumental repairs, Choir music, Library Books, Science Experiments, PE/Health, Textbooks, French Intern, Mental/behavior Health Counselors, afterschool tutoring, Scholarships, Teacher Training & Conferences, etc
- Student Activities Support:
Computer Club, Maker Space Supplies, Reflections, 6th Grade & HS Retreats, GeoBee, Math Competitions, Senior projects, etc
- Community Building & Facilities Support:
PTSA Hospitality Events, Senior Celebration, Staff appreciation, Speaker Series, Campus Improvement, etc
- Communication:
Digital Newsletter (Monday Messenger), DirectorySpot, PTSA website, etc
Your membership will create a stronger community and help International School PTSA achieve the goal of 100% ISPTSA membership this school year. This means every student is represented by a PTSA member! We only need 39 more families to reach this goal!
Please help us by joining or renewing your membership to the ISPTSA to continue to support critical academic needs, be an active voice on decisions that impact your child’s health, safety, and quality of education, and build a stronger, more inclusive school community.
We invite you to join our PTSA because we can do more together than apart. It will take you less than 5 minutes. You can join by clicking to the ISPTSA Membership.
Thank you again for your loyalty and support.
Sincerely,
Honglian Gao, membership chair
International School PTSA
Upcoming Events
March 11 & 12 Mamma Mia! performances. (All shows are sold out)
March 15 High school band concert (7 pm)
March 16 Orchestra concert (7 pm)
March 17 Orchestra concert (7 pm)
March 18 No school – staff professional development day
March 21 Choir concert (7 pm)
March 22 Choir concert (7 pm)
March 24 Middle school band concert (7 pm)
March 26 Spring Fling high school social (8:00 – 10:00 pm)
April 1 IS Talent Show (4 pm)
April 11 – 15 Spring Break