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ISLAND PARK EAGLE NEWS
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Island Park Elementary PTA
October 15, 2013
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President's Letter
WOW! What a successful September! I want to personally thank everyone for all your help to kick off the school year. From the first day of school welcome coffee to curriculum night, to STEPS for School and wrapping it up with a bang at International Night last Friday! All the hard work many of you put in shows and is so appreciated by all. It always makes me so proud to be part of the Island Park Community. So a Big Bravo!
An extra clap for our Steps for School chair, Sarah Vaux; International Night Chair, Liz Kenny; and Learning Garden Chair, Peo Gudmundsson (I heard the salsa was yummy). Nice work team!
Ashleigh
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 Superintendents Message
I'm happy to report that last month the five elected members of the Mercer Island School Board unanimously approved a $98.8 million bond resolution to help address overcrowding in our schools. Mercer Island voters will cast ballots on the bond in February 2014. The bond will provide three solutions to help manage overcrowding, including:
- building a new elementary school at the North Mercer campus,
- expanding IMS with 14 new classrooms and lab spaces, commons and cafeteria, gymnasium, music rooms, and administrative space, and
- building 10 additional classrooms at MIHS, including 4 science labs and 6 general education classrooms.
The focus and scale of these projects addresses current student needs, enrollment projections and concerns from people we spoke with at our numerous community input events and discussions.
There are currently more than 4,120 full-time equivalent students in the district's three elementary schools, middle school, high school and alternative program. According to figures from Triangle Associates two years ago and adjusting for enrollment increases, the district is now over design capacity by 746 students. The district currently uses 34 portable classrooms to help accommodate the current number of students.
Visit www.mercerislandschools.org for more information and district news
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MI Parent Edge Presents:
Brilliant - The New Science of Smart
Tuesday, October 15, 7pm
Free for PTA Members. For parents of kids of all ages; students in grades 8-12 welcome.
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PTA General Membership Meetings
Don't miss the chance to join the PTA community this fall and stay on top of the latest happenings in our school and the district.
Principal and PTA Updates
Wednesday, October 16th, 7:00-8:00pm
IP Library
Mr. Hoffman and the PTA will be providing important updates on new school initiatives and an overview of the Hand in Hand program.
Childcare will be provided during the meeting by Kids Co for any child age 5-12.
- Cost is $5.00 per child, payable in cash or check made out to Island Park PTA
School Bond
Wednesday, November 13th 7:00 - 8:00pm
IP Library
Come hear about the school bond measure that will be on the February 11, 2014 ballot. This is an important measure for the future of our schools - make sure you are informed!
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 International Night BRAVOS
Thank you to everyone who joined us for International Night. It was a very special evening for kids and adults as we enjoyed beautiful displays, delicious foods, performances and crafts from 21 countries. We can not thank the families enough who dedicated their time and talents to make this a possibility.
A special thanks to Karate West, Sponge, Sandra Levin, Anne Cameron, Julene Levin, Kanako Kashima, Kristin Kim, Tammy Heydon and Linda Gottesman for volunteering at the event.
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Steps for School BRAVOS
Thank you for a Successful Steps for School
A big round of applause for the Island Park Community!! Thank you for making Steps for School such a successful capital campaign.
First, thank you to all of the Island Park students. You are awesome! Your positive energy, enthusiasm and effort really make this the premier event for our school! You did a fantastic job fundraising and walking/reading. Thank you to our wonderful parents! Your response and participation in Steps for School gives our kids an amazing educational experience! We also have to applaud our teachers and tell them "thank you" as they are a huge help in supporting this event. We are so thankful and appreciative of your suggestions, extra help and the encouragement you give our kids. Please help us thank all of our volunteers. Steps for School is a huge community event and our volunteers do a fantastic job in helping us make the event successful! Thank you for your time and effort making Steps for School a fun, festive, and friendship-building event! Thanks to our chair people for their time and hard work. We are lucky to have a stellar team for this event in Sarah Vaux, Jeanne Schreuder, Julene Levin, Marie Nguyen, Ricca Poll, Missy Johnson, Amy Babson Richter, and Blair Destro.
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Bravo Music Room Volunteers!
Thank you to the 29 parents, and one grandparent, who are assisting to teach piano and recorder skills in the music room; your help is invaluable! We could still use help during the following times through early December:
Monday 1:10-2:10 (3rd grade piano)
Thursday 1:10-2:10 (4th grade recorders)
Friday 1:10-2:10 (5th grade piano)
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Class Size Counts! We Need Your Input!
Did you know Washington ranks 47th out of
50 states for class size? Help spread the word about Washington's class sizes by participating in the statewide class size count. Like the Audubon Society's bird count, during the week of October 1st-4th, people across the state will count the class size of a student they know. Participate by logging onto www.classsizecountswa.com. Parents, students, grandparents, educators and concerned community members are all invited to contribute to the count.
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Upcoming Events
Parent Edge
Brilliant: The New Science Of Smart
Oct. 15th 7PM
MIHS
PTA General membership Meeting
Wed. Oct. 16th 7-8pm IP Library
Hearing & Vision Screening
Tues., Oct 22nd. IP Library
Halloween Costume Parade
Thursday, Oct. 31 2:15 PM
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Halloween Parade
Island Park Loves Halloween!
Ghosts, ghouls, goblin s and more! The annual Island Park Halloween parade will take place Thursday, Oct. 31st at 2:15 PM. Kids are welcome to bring their costumes to school and will have time to put them on before the parade. Remember leave the pretend knives and swords at home. Look for parade and party information from your room parents!
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Garden Harvest 
On Sept 26, 2013 the 2nd graders at lunch recess enjoyed their mashed potatoes, mint tea and roasted kale that they harvested from the school garden on the Tuesday before. The garden committee whipped up the fabulous food and brought it in prepared, hot and ready to eat. All grades had a chance to try the food at their lunch recess. They enjoyed seeing and tasting the food that they harvested. This is a great way to teach children that whole foods are important and they taste yummy!
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Island Park Book Fair
November 4th - 8th
The much loved IP Book Fair is coming the week of November 4th. Come and join in this celebration of books and reading. Island Park School is partnering with University Book Store this year and will receive a percentage of all sales. Watch for emails and notices from teachers with details about online and classroom shopping times. Family shopping will be available daily before school from 8:30-9:00 and afterschool 3:30-4:00. Family night will be Thursday, November 7th from 5:00-8:00. Please mark your calendar!
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Island Park Library Resources
Island Park Library has online database subscriptions for students to use at school and at home for the 2013-2014 school year. The databases are accessible from home through the Student Online Databases and Research Resources webpage http://www.mercerislandschools.org/Page/7469 . World Book Online, Culture Grams, BrainPop and BrainPop, Jr. have the Login-misd Password-islander. Pebble Go and netTrekker have the Login-ipeagles Password-ipeagles. The Island Park Library Catalog can be accessed without logging in.
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Winter Weather is Coming -
Changes to Emergency Update Email and Text Alerts!
NEW FOR THIS YEAR! In order to get immediate updates via email and/or text you must register with the Flash Alert Network at
The old School Report system has migrated to Flash Alert so even if you were previously receiving alerts, you must re-register with Flash Alert.
We tend to close schools if it is unsafe to operate buses or if school environmental systems are not working. When staff members are unable to travel to work from on or off island, or if weather forecasts are serious enough, we may elect to close schools or open on a delayed schedule. For more detailed information go to http://www.mercerislandschools.org/domain/761 |
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Hearing and Vision Screening
Tuesday, October 22nd, IP library 
Hearing and Vision screening will be held Tuesday, October 22nd, in the library! We will need about 40 total volunteers for the two shifts. No experience is necessary as the school nurse will provide training on the spot. It's a great way to get to know the kids, and by screening every year we are able to help a few kids to get the hearing or vision help they need to be successful!
Please contact Lori Friedman at loriRfriedman@hotmail.com to sign up!
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ISLAND PARK FUNDRAISERS
Earn Money For Island Park Without Writing A Check
The Island Park PTA is pleased to continue our partnership with Amazon and Box Tops to provide simple ways to earn money for our school while making your every day purchases.
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Donate to Island Park without writing a personal check!
Earning money for Island Park is easy and you don't have to write a check! If you shop on Amazon.com, you can give to Island Park through your normal shopping habits! To earn money for IP, all you need to do is shop Amazon through a special link set up specifically for Island Park. It's is as easy as one, two, three...
1. CLICK the Amazon.Com logo above
2. MARK the URL as a bookmark or favorite on your browser
3. Then SHOP as you always do on www.amazon.com
And right now, if you start your FREE 30-day AmazonPrime membership, Island Park earns $2. Sign up at AmazonPrime Trial. (Must go through this link for Island Park to earn the $.)
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WIN an "Extra Recess & Popsicles" for your entire class!
Between October 1st and November 27th, the classroom that collects the MOST Box Tops WINS!!
Look for the
PINK BOX TOP on hundreds of participating products.
BUY your favorite Box Top products
CUT Box Top from each package
SEND Box Tops to school
EARN CASH for Island Park PTA!
Winning Classroom will be
announced December 6... Good Luck!
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MERCER ISLAND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
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Parks and Recreation Monster Mash Dash One Mile Family Fun Run/walk
Saturday, October 26th, 10am, Luther Burbank Park
Dress up in your costume, and join us for this one mile family fun run through Luther
Burbank Park. Fido, is welcome too. Costume contests for both you and
your dog! Treats and prizes for all runners/walkers.
Watch out for special guests from Youth Theatre Northwest....they might
get-cha! The run/walk starts at the South-end of the park near the beach area. No cost to children in a stroller.
Register now! #14367 $12+tax (children in strollers free) www.myparksandrecreation.com 206.275.7609
Afterwards, head to the Community & Event Center for the Pre-school Association's annual Halloween party! http://www.mipreschoolassociation.org/events
And don't miss Youth Theatre Northwest's "Night of the Living Dead" performance at
7:00pm. http://youththeatre.org/on-stage/productions/night-of-the-living-dead/
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Get Ready for Mercer Island Middle School Ski and Sport Swap!
Sale: Sat., Nov. 2nd, 8:30 AM to 2:00 pm
Half-Price Sale: Sat., Nov.2nd - 3:00 to 4:00 pm
Consignment Drop off:
Wed, Oct 30th - 3:00 to 6:30 pm
Fri., Nov. 1st - 3:00 to 7:00 pm
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MIPA Needs your old toys!
The Mercer Island Preschool Association is holding its annual Toy Swap event on
 November 16th. This is a great opportunity to sell or donate your gently used toys, clothes, bikes, baby gear, books, etc. that your children have outgrown. For more information on the event, how to consign or donate your goods, and drop off times, please see www.mipreschoolassociation.org for more details or visit http://www.islandparkpta.org |
Medicine Take Back Day
Saturday, October 26th
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Mercer Island are coordinating a nationwide drug "take-back" day on October 26, 2013 from 10 am to 2 pm at Mercer Island City Hall (9611 SE 36th Street). This one-day event will provide residents with no cost anonymous collection of unwanted and expired over the counter or prescription medicines.
Questions? Call 206-275-7743 prior to October 26th.
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MERCER ISLAND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Looking for sports or activities for your child?
Check out Mercer Island Activities for Kids for a listing of the most recent activities!
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Boys and Girls Basketball for grade 3 and up is open for registration. Click on REGISTER to see sign up.
Come join the premier girl-serving leadership organization in the nation!
Cub Scouts
Join Mercer Island Cub Scouts any time. For more info contact jselby@outlook.com
Parks and Recreation Summer Day Camp Naming Contest
Mercer Island Parks & Recreation is already thinking about summer 2014...but, we need your help! Our Summer Day Camp (ages 6 - 10 years) may be an awesome way to spend your summers, but it needs a COOL NAME! For the months of October, November and December we will be collecting your suggestions on what to name the Day Camp.
To cast your vote, email: namedaycamp@mercergov.org
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Mercer Island School District
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Island Park PTA
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THANK YOU 2013 HAND IN HAND AUCTION SPONSORS!
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