Grandparents &

Special Friends at

The

International

School

Welcome!  All of us at The International School value the importance of the rich and diverse relationships that our students have with their grandparents and special friends and we are excited to have you as a member of our school community.  You play a vital role in our community as loving supporters of our students and their education and we are honored to have the privilege of paving the way for your grandchild or special friend at TIS to become global citizen.

There are many ways for grandparents and special friends to be engaged in their TIS students’ education here at TIS! Click on the buttons below to learn more about our events, volunteer opportunities, strengthening our programs through philanthropic contributions, and more.

Grandparents and Special Friends Event

A Virtual Celebration of Storytelling

May 16, 2020

Join us for our annual Grandparent and Special Friends Event  on Sunday, May 16, 2021.  This virtual gathering open to grandparents, friends and TIS students will be a celebration of storytelling and the relationships we treasure.  

Our event will include two components: a Zoom gathering featuring a guest storyteller and brief presentations by TIS’ Head of School and Librarian followed by personal interviews between you and your TIS grandchild/friend via StoryCorps Connect!

Registration for this event is free, however guests will have the option to purchase a tea and cookie package to round out the fun!  Cookie and Tea Packs will include two (2) cookies and two (2) tea bags and will be shipped to you and your guests in time for our event.  When registering, indicate the total number of packs you would like.  Once registered, we will contact you directly to confirm delivery to you and your guests.  

Donate a book!  When you register for our event, you will have the option to donate a book to the TIS Library.  Select Book Donation with Personalized Book Plate and our TIS librarians will select a book to add to our library.  The book will come with a personalized bookplate that will include a dedication to your student or special friend.  

How to Register

• Register by selecting the orange button below with your desired event  session, 10:30am OR 1:30pm.
• Select the number of Cookie and Tea Packs you would like to purchase (optional).  You can include yourself and/or your TIS grandchild(ren) or special friend(s).
• Select Book Donation if you would like to donate a book or books to the library (optional).
• To register for the event only (without a cookie package), select  Participation Link Only.  This option is available at no charge to our guests.

 We look forward to seeing you there!

Grandparent Highlight

Mary Bakken

Prior to the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, TIS Grandparent Mary Bakken spent every weekday morning on campus serving as a volunteer in her grandson’s English Class. As a retired Kindergarten Teacher and Reading Specialist, Mary’s assistance in the English Class was a perfect fit. “I love being a part of my grandsons’ lives and education,” shared Mary.  Her grandsons are enrolled in our Spanish Track, a language Mary doesn’t speak, so this felt like a great way for her to get involved. “Even in small classes, teaching writing can be hard. I’m happy to be able to help out.”

When asked about her experience so far, Mary explained, “It’s awesome! I’m active in education again, and I get to see the different stages of the kids’ English writing development. And, it’s incredible to think these kids are learning first in another language!” Mary spent most of her career in a low-income district in the Minnesota Public School system. Many of her students were learning English as their second-language. “It’s interesting to now be assisting in a language immersion program of a different sort – I’m kind-of flipping the script!”

Mary has some advice for other grandparents looking to get involved: “Just don’t be afraid to dive in! We’re all life-long learners, and it really takes a whole support staff to help everyone reach their potential. When families get involved, it makes everyone better.”

We couldn’t agree more! Thank you, Mary, for helping our students thrive!

Interested in volunteering at TIS? Additional information on how you can participate as a TIS volunteer will be available soon by clicking the orange  Volunteer at TIS button above.   Please note that we are looking forward to welcoming guests back to campus to help in our library, garden, in classrooms and at school events once Covid safety protocols allow.  

Do you have questions?  We’re here to help you!

Lauren Riegelnegg

Director of Development

Lisa Olivares

Alumni and Engagement Manager

Rebecca Roberts

Event and Campaign Coordinator

laurenr@intlschool.org

503-226-2496 ext. 117

lisao@intlschool.org

503-226-2496 ext. 116

rebeccar@intlschool.org

503-226-2496 ext. 125