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AP Testing

May begins with the start of AP testing for our high school students. The exams are spread out over the first two weeks of May with some being at International School and others off-site at WISC-Rainier. Detailed information will be emailed to students and is posted on our website. We wish our student all the best!

During this testing time, a variety of rooms will be used and some hallways will be closed. All IS students will be able to show their support by being flexible in how they move about the building AND being quiet in the hallways.

More information is here: https://bsd405.org/international/2022/04/ap-exams-may-2-13/

 

Spring Smarter Balanced Assessment Information

The third week of May (May 16 – 20) will be utilized for state Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA). We will utilize a 2-hour late start during this week with classes beginning at 10:15.

  • Students in grades 6 – 8 and in 10th Grade will complete the SBA assessments in English Language Arts and Math from 8:15 – 10:15 each day.
  • 11th graders will arrive at 8:15 to complete the WCAS Science assessment on Thursday and Friday only. They will have a late arrival on other days.
  • Students in 9th and 12th grade will arrive at 10:15 each day. We will have supervised spaces for students who need to arrive prior to 10:15.

Detailed information will follow and will be posted on our web site.

 

Focus Week

The fourth week of May is Focus Week and we are excited for all of the activities. Students will meet with their Focus Week groups during Community time during the first two weeks of May to learn the specifics of their learning activity and what they will need to prepare for.

The activities during Focus Week are partially dependent upon family donations. We have worked to keep this request significantly lower than prior years. In the email your student received about his/her Focus Week assignment included a suggested amount for a donation—if you are able to afford it. Thank you for everyone who has donated so far and for those who have donated more than the suggested amount to help the larger community out. Donations may be made HERE.

Nutrition Services will be providing regularly scheduled lunches for on-campus Focus Weeks and “grab-and-go” lunches for off-campus Focus Weeks. Students are also able to bring their own lunch. Students will be surveyed during Community to determine who is interested in taking advantage of the sack lunches.

 

Spring Traffic Reminders

There was a great post recently on the IS Facebook page. I am sharing it here as a reminder of everything we can do to keep students safe AND to actually help move things along:

  • Cars turning into the IS parking lot should alternate with cars coming North and South on 128th to keep the flow of cars moving.  Please use your turn signal, not all cars are turning into IS.
  • Keep to the left side of the driveway driving toward the field to allow for buses to get to the drop off/pickup as quickly as possible.
  • Keep our buses moving by giving them the right away in the driveway during drop-off and pick-up.
  • Students should NOT be dropped off on 128th.  It is against the law and a danger to cars and students.
  • When dropping off students, drive as far forward as the yellow markers so other cars can let students out. Stopping at the main entrance stops up the flow of drop offs and pick-ups.
  • Do NOT drop-off or pick-up students behind the school.
  • When leaving school during drop-off and pick-up times, turn RIGHT only. Waiting to make a left-hand turn backs up the line.
  • School doors open at 7:45 for students to enter the building.

 

College Boot Camp for Juniors

College Boot Camp is a summer workshop for International School students designed to kick start the college application process.  It is highly recommended for students in the rising senior class and includes the following:

  • The College Essay
    • The bulk of our time will be on brainstorming, writing, and editing each student’s main and supplemental essays
    • Guidance and edit suggestions provided for each student, including follow-up edits of essays
  • One-on-one session with student to discuss college essay(s)
  • Applications
    • Public School Applications
    • Private School Applications
    • Common Application
    • Coalition Application

This camp is presented by International School staff.  At this time, we are planning on hosting an in-person camp following COVID spacing guidelines.  Payment, made online through student’s account in TouchBase, is registration.  Cost is $100*

Two sessions:  August 15-19, 2022.  AM session is 9am-noon; PM session is 1-4pm.  Space is limited.

*If you know you qualify for financial aid, or if you would like to request financial aid, please contact high school counselor Colleen Courtney at [email protected].

 

Spirit Week

We are in the midst of Spirit Week and are looking forward to our first in-person assembly in a couple of years! Students have been given the opportunity to join the assembly virtually for those who have requested. Dress-up days for the remainder of the week include:

Tuesday:            Sports Day

Wednesday:      Color Day (each class has an assigned color)

Thursday:           Adam Sandler Day

Friday:                College Day

 

Information for Seniors

Our Commencement ceremony for graduating seniors will take place Friday, June 17 at Bellevue Memorial Stadium (Bellevue High School). Seniors should report at 4:30 and the doors will open for families at 6:30. The ceremony will begin at 7:00. Each student will be allowed to bring 8 guests.

The last day of school for seniors is Wednesday, June 15. This will include laptop turn in, graduation rehearsal, and lunch.

Senior Celebration is sponsored by our parents and will be held on Thursday, June 16 from 7:00 – 9:30 PM at International School.

 

May Principal Coffee

The next Principal Coffee will be Tuesday, May 3 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM. This virtual conversation will discuss upcoming events and activities such as: testing schedules, Focus Week, and end-of-year activities.

Click here to join the meeting

 

Superintendent Search – Board Listening Sessions

The Directors of the Bellevue School Board welcome the community to join in a series of engagement opportunities that seek to center community voice, help shape district direction, and inform the leadership profile for the next district superintendent.

What are Listening Sessions?
Listening sessions are conversations for students, staff and community members to engage directly with BSD’s School Board Directors.

Who Should Participate?
Everyone is invited ― students, staff, families and community members. Some of the session will be held in-person and some are virtual. The session on May 5 will be a large community session with all five board members in attendance. The remaining sessions will be smaller group sessions with two Board Directors in attendance.

Why should I participate?
Participants can expect to talk with Board members on important topics that help shape district direction and inform the profile for the next district superintendent.

Registration is required for all sessions, and attendance links will be sent to participants prior to each session date. Session dates and times are listed on the Spring BSD Board Listening Sessions webpage. Registration is also available through the district website or by clicking here.

 

Bellevue School’s Foundation “Spring for Schools”

I’d like to invite you to join me at this year’s Spring for Schools luncheon, hosted by the Bellevue Schools Foundation at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on May 13th. Options for both in person and virtual registration can be found here, and I am looking forward to celebrating the collective community of all 29 Bellevue schools. This year, the Foundation distributed over $800,000 in funding for mental health resources, computer science initiatives, early learning enrollment, music, certification for district educators, classroom innovation, arts enrichment, and more.

While registration for the luncheon is free, it is my hope (and the Foundation’s) that all attendees donate to the Foundation to ensure students and educators will continue to receive funding for critical initiatives. All attendees have the chance to attend the event as a Spring for Schools Leadership Donor, which defines philanthropic leadership in a brand-new way. Donate for the first time (any amount!), or any gift larger than your last (by $1.00 or more), and you are in! If you aren’t familiar with the way in which the Foundation touches our school community, I encourage you to check out their impact here!

If you have any questions about the event and/or Bellevue Schools Foundation, please email Development Director, Michael Smith, at [email protected].

 

Important Dates

  • Monday, 5/9–Friday, 5/13 • AP Exams*
  • Monday, 5/16 – Friday, 5/20 • State SBA Testing
  • Thursday, 5/19, 7–8:30 PM • High School Band Concert
  • Monday, 5/23–Friday, 5/27 • Focus Week
  • Monday, 5/30 • No School: Memorial Day
  • Wednesday 6/1 • Senior Project Board Day
  • Wednesday, 6/1, 2:30–3:30 PM • IS Science Fair in the Gym
  • Thursday, 6/2, 7–8:30 PM • Middle School Orchestra Concert
  • Saturday, 6/4 • Prom
  • Monday, 6/6, 7–8:30 PM • High School Choir Concert
  • Tuesday, 6/7, 7–8:30 PM • Middle School Choir Concert
  • Wednesday, 6/8 • Awards Assembly
  • Thursday, 6/9 • 5th Grade BBQ (incoming students)
  • Thursday, 6/9, 7–8:30 PM • High School Orchestra Concert
  • Friday, 6/10 • Dejeuner en Blanc
  • Friday, 6/10 • ASB Moving Up Social (8th Grade)
  • Tuesday, 6/14, 7–8:30 PM • Middle School Band Concert
  • Wednesday, 6/15 • Last day of school for seniors
  • Thursday, 6/16, 7–9:30 PM • IS Senior Celebration
  • Friday, 6/17, 7–8:30 PM • IS Class of 2022 Graduation at Bellevue HS
  • Monday, 6/20 • Laptop turn in
  • Tuesday, 6/21 • Last Day of School
The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.