Titan Tidings

Wednesday Schedule - ODD

Nutrition Services operates a snack bar which is open during Break and at the end of Lunch. Students may purchase items (chips, cookies, drinks) that are charged to their lunch account. We encourage families to have conversations with their student about the use of this and to monitor student spending.

Washington state law and Bellevue School District policy require all schools to hold at least one drill per calendar month while school is in session. This month, we will be conducting a fire drill and practicing evacuating the building and accounting for everyone. During a fire evacuation, students are taught to quickly and quietly exit the building. They meet on the field at an assigned location and stay silent while attendance is taken to ensure all people have safely evacuated.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

If you are picking up your student after school, you know that there is a lot of sitting around because of the number of vehicles. We have had neighbors call the police in the past because they could not get out of their own driveway. Out of consideration, please make sure not to block any driveways or access to nearby cul-de-sacs.

After school Tutorial begins next week, and this should make things easier by spreading out pickup. Tutorial takes place after school on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 3:15 - 3:45. Teachers are available in their classrooms for students to get assistance, ask questions, make up work and tests, etc.

If your student is staying for Tutorial, please don't arrive until 3:45. As a reminder, the district does not provide an Activity Bus after Tutorial or sports. Parents will need to provide their own transportation or students may use Metro bus transportation.

International will be holding its Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 15from 6:30 – 8:30. We will begin with a short whole-group welcome in the Main Gym from 6:30 – 6:45 followed by a rotation of classes that will follow your student’s schedule. Each “class” will be 10 minutes. You will want to print out and bring your student's schedule to this night. This will not be a time for teachers to have conversations about individual students, but is an opportunity to meet your student’s teachers and to hear what your student will be learning this year. Please print your student's schedule and bring it with you. Note that this is NOT a "Periods 1 - 7" but rather follows an ODD/EVEN schedule.

• 6:30-6:45 Introduction in Gym
• Period 1: 6:50– 7:00
• Period 3: 7:05 – 7:15
• Period 5: 7:20 – 7:30
• Period 7: 7:35 – 7:45
• Period 2: 7:50 – 8:00
• Period 4: 8:05 – 8:15
• Period 6: 8:20 – 8:30

We do have limited parking on campus, so plan accordingly. We will open up the curb on the north side of the parking lot, but we need to keep the fire lane along the front of the school clear. There is off-site parking--especially in front of Kelsey Creek Park. When parking in the neighborhood, pay attention to streets that are restricted and please don't block driveways.

Yuen Lui Studio will photograph individual portraits at International School on Wednesday, September 16. Families can preorder portraits here: 2026-27 International School Picture Day 9/16. Print orders will be shipped directly to families' homes in 3-4 weeks after picture day; digital orders will be sent via email from no-reply@imagequix.com. Contact Yuen Lui Studio with any questions regarding photo purchases.

We would appreciate your help to move students through the lines efficiently and to support the photographers. Please sign up using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0444A8A823A5F49-65286800-international

If you have any questions with either event, please contact Betty Nhan (nhanb@bsd405.org ). Thank you for all of your help to make these events successful for our students!

On Wednesday of this week, students will receive their district-issues laptop and will set it up. Given that this is in the middle of the 6th Grade Retreat (on campus), they will turn them back in and then receive them on Thursday to keep for the year.

This is especially for our 6th grade families, but might be useful for everyone...

Student laptops are a great resource and tool for learning. There is much of our curriculum that depends on using this tool. At the same time, we know that access to these devices can be challenging for students and families. Here is a brief overview of some safety resources:

• Teachers have the ability to use Class Policy during the day to monitor student use on the computer and to lock them down when necessary.
• We encourage all families to read through the BSD Technology Safety page with important information regarding: Internet filtering, YouTube access, anti-virus information, and email protection and limitations.
• While parents are not able to monitor student laptop usage during the school day, they do have the ability to do so during non-school hours. Parents are encouraged to install apParent. Installation information are on the BSD Technology Safety page.

We encourage all families to have conversations with your student about what acceptable usage of these devices in the home. It is reasonable for families to have some restrictions--especially for younger students. Some things to consider are:

• Where will students do their school work on their device?
• Will this be allowed in the privacy of a bedroom or must it be in a common place? What time limits will be established?
• Where will the devices be stored/charged overnight? Will your student be allowed to keep it in their bedroom or must it be turned in somewhere else?

Our annual Club Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 16 from 2:00 - 2:45 in the Gym. Students are invited to stay after school and check out opportunities to be involved. This is not a requirement to join any club, and students are encouraged to listed to the announcements for interest meetings. There will be no BSD transportation afterwards.

Purchase your International School 2026-27 yearbook as part of your Back to School routine. Yearbooks are available to purchase online in mid-to-late August for $55. New to Touchbase? Here's how to buy a yearbook. You may also check your Purchase History in Touchbase to see if another family member purchased a yearbook.

Class of 2027 yearbook info: Senior portrait, baby picture, and senior thank you due 9/21. Purchase your full-page grad ad for $40 no later than Oct 12 and submit digital art for grad ad by Nov 11. Learn more about Class of 2027 Yearbook Deadlines.

The International Library is open after school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday until 4:30 PM. Students are welcome to use this space to study, check out the collection and read, or use some of our many board games to play with friends.

The PTSA will be hosting a "Welcome Back Coffee" in the IS Library on Tuesday, September 8 from 8:45 - 9:45 AM. This is a social time to connect with other IS families. There is not a schedule program for this event.

For families planning on attending, it will be important to NOT park at school when dropping off your student. There is not enough space. If you wait until after everyone has arrived and all the buses have come through (after 8:30), there will be parking available on the North side of the drop off lane across the parking lot from the schools. Signs will indicate the location. Do not park in any student parking sports or in the red fire lane in front of the school. This is also some street parking available in the neighborhood, but pay attention to signage. Some roads are restricted to street parking.

This fall, International Titan Players will present "Clue: On Stage." Auditions are open to all students and will take place Wednesday, September 9 beginning 2:00 in the IPAC. Students auditioning should come prepared with a 60 second monologue.

We are grateful for the partnership we have with Jubilee Reach as they assist the district with providing middle school sports options. At International School, we also have the benefit of having a number of high school students gain experience coaching younger students in the school.

Fall sports offered include: Boys Soccer, Girls Basketball, Girls Golf (through First Tee), and Coed Cross Country.

Registration Dates: September 1 - 13 (Note: 6th graders will receive their laptops on 9/9 and will have time to register.)

Season Dates: September 21 - November 6

Registration Link: Jubilee REACH Fall Registration Form (only available with a school computer)

Registration is NOT on a first-come, first-serve basis and families should NOT use Final Forms to sign up. If there is more than enough registrations, we will utilize a lottery to fill the team with other students placed on a wait list. If you have any questions, contact Jubilee Reach Site Coach Abigail Smith at smitha@bsd405.org.

The City of Bellevue is now accepting applications for the Youth Climate Action Fund, a new program aimed at empowering young people to turn their climate ideas into action.

Bellevue youth ages 15–24 can apply for microgrants up to $5,000 to lead projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build climate resilience, educate the community or advance sustainability in Bellevue. The program is funded through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, an international initiative that supports youth-led climate solutions in cities around the world.

Projects can focus on a wide range of topics, including:

• Clean energy and energy efficiency
• Sustainable transportation
• Waste reduction and recycling
• Urban forests and natural resources
• Climate education and community engagement

Applications will be accepted through Thursday, Oct. 1. Projects must be led by a team of at least two youths between the ages of 15 and 24 who live in or attend school in Bellevue. Funding will be made available in late fall of 2026 and must be completed by March 30, 2027.

This is an opportunity to impact your community in a meaningful way. Ready to apply? Visit the Youth Climate Action Fund webpage (BellevueWA.gov/youth-climate-fund) to learn more about eligibility, application requirements and available resources.

• All Washington state high school students are now using SchooLinks to facilitate college and career exploration. This platform is also used to submit the High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP), a graduation requirement. Students and guardians may view local events in the Events tab or under the Engage button, so while some events are listed in this newsletter, a more comprehensive list can be found in SchooLinks.

• You get to go to your first High School Retreat this week! Before you get on the bus, take a minute. How do you want to put yourself out there? What kind of experience do you want this to be?
• College – your job this year is to learn (and let your grades reflect it!). Semester grades from all classes will be on your high school transcript. Start strong!

• Are you open to exploring new clubs at HS Retreat? What ways can you practice leadership skills this year?
• College – your job this year is to continue learning, not only academic content but also personal traits. You might think differently this year compared to last September. You will continue to grow and change. What gets you excited about learning? What do you like to do?

• College Visits – as juniors, you’re eligible to attend these! All visits are during the school day. Our first visit is Tuesday, September 15. Teacher permission and 2-day advance registration in SchooLinks is required. Limit of 5 visits per student.

1. Log into SchooLinks through Clever using your District Account
2. View college visits by clicking the Events tab on top or Engage button on left.
3. Click on a visit then click the blue “Register for this event ->” button

• Wednesday, October 7: SUPER WEDNESDAY PSAT/NMSQT. BSD will offer the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test to juniors. Avoid scheduling appointments or travel at that time.

• DUE 9/15 – if you need a counselor LOR, submit the form in All Things College. If your Junior Information Survey or Parent Brag Letter are overdue, see the Junior Appointment info and get started on the Juniors page.
• College Visits at IS begin Tuesday, September 15. Teacher permission and registration in SchooLinks required 2 days in advance. Limit of 5 visits per student. Also, check out this list of fly-in programs with upcoming deadlines
• DUE 9/21 – Senior portrait, baby picture, and senior thank you for your senior yearbook! Remember to prepurchase your senior yearbook and grad ad in Touchbase. So sorry, there was a glitch with Grad ads. Sales close October 12 and digital ad is due November 11.

Service hours logged in x2VOL were migrated to SchooLinks over the summer. Check your numbers!

• WED, Sept 16-6-8pm, Youth Link Open House at City Chambers, Bellevue City Hall
• tBUG is looking for helpers in the garden
• Hopelink has a variety of volunteer needs for individuals aged 16+. Background check and orientation required.
• Support our community through City of Bellevue’s volunteer opportunities.
• Learn more about BSD’s service hour graduation requirement and access links to organizations on International’s Community Service webpage. Log your hours in SchooLinks.

• Snowflake Lane auditions begin September 12! Earn $40/night
• Free AWS icloud training at the AWS Skills Center and online.
• Learn about UW Youth & Teen Programs for 4th-12th graders here.
• Explore career options: Check out BSD’s webpage devoted to careers: Career Exploration - Bellevue School District.

College visits at International are for 11th and 12th grade students during the school day

1. Get teacher permission in advance
2. Register in SchooLinks; registration closes 2 days prior to visit
3. Maximum 5 visits per student

Week of Sept 14 (check SchooLinks for updated list):

• Washington State University
• Seattle Pacific University
• Western University
• University of Chicago
• University of Southern California
• Washington University in St Louis

We receive promotional information about career and college events and encourage you to research

your schools of interest for more opportunities. Registration for online events will often give you

access to a recording.

Sept 13

Discover USC

2-4pm/Seattle Marriott Bellevue

Register

Sept 14

Washington University (WashU) Information Session

6:30-7:30pm/The Overlake School

Register

Oct 16-17

NACAC College Fair

9-12 (Fri), 12-4 (Sat)/Seattle Convention Center

Student Registration

Oct 18

NACAC Virtual College Fair

10am-3pm/Online

• Virtual college tour info: NACAC, appily, campustours.com and university sites.
• Financing Higher Education, FREE (5) 15-minute digital lessons in English or Spanish

Get tips on writing a scholarship essay from the College Essay Guy.

• Fast Web’s list of full-tuition scholarships
• The National Colleges Resource Foundation brochure is loaded with scholarship opportunities!
• the WashBoard.org connects Washington students with scholarships without selling student information.
• Sign up for College Aid Pro Weekly Private Scholarship List

• 6th Grade Retreat - at IS (September 9)
• High School Retreat (September 10 – 11, all school day and overnight)
• First Day of Tutorial (September 14)
• Curriculum Night (September 15, 6:30 - 8:30)
• School Photos (September 16)
• Club Fair (September 16, after school in Gym)
• 12th Grade Parent Night (September 24, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Library)
• Middle School Social (September 25, 7:00 – 8:30 PM)
• Super Wednesday (11th Grade PSAT / 12th Grade SAT)
• No School (October 9)
• Hall Decorations (October 16 after school)
• Spirit Week (October 19 - 23)
• 11th Grade Parent Night (October 22, 6:30 - 7:30, Library
• Homecoming Dance for high school (October 24, 8:00 - 10:00)
• Parent Night for Grades 9/10 (November 5, 6:30 - 7:30, Library)
• End of 1st Quarter (November 6)
• No School: Veteran's Day (November 11)
• Fall Play Performances (November 13 - 14)
• 6th Grade Parent Night (November 17, 6:30 - 7:30, Library)
• High School Band Concert (November 19, 7:00, IPAC)
• No School: Thanksgiving (November 26 - 27)