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ISLAND PARK EAGLE NEWS
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Island Park Elementary PTA
October 7th, 2014
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 Principal's Message Hardy Boys and Hardy Readers In the summer of '71, I made it my goal to read every Hardy Boys detective book in existence (over 50 at the time). It was the summer after my mother lost her yearlong battle with cancer. With the school year over, I needed to keep my mind focused and thoroughly submerged in someone else's trials and tribulations. And so, during that extremely stormy and unstable season, while the radio consistently comforted me with James Taylor's You've Got a Friend, Carole King's So Far Away, and the Bee Gees' HowCan You Mend a Broken Heart, I lost myself in the exploits of Frank and Joe Hardy as they helped their detective dad, Fenton, rid their bucolic Bayport of connivers, crooks, and crackpots. In my imagination, I became the third Hardy Boy, a tag-along gumshoe who stealthy observed the adventures of his sibling sleuths as they matched wits with some nasty nemeses. I was there, hiding behind the concealed door-in-the-wall While the ClockTicked. I spied on my fictional brothers as they entered the house with The DisappearingFloor. I sweat inside a suit of armor in The Twisted Claw, silently cautioning my brothersof some impeding danger. In each case, I celebrated with the Hardys as, thanks to our brawn and brains, we cracked some vital code, captured some culprit, or clued the cops inas to a criminal's whereabouts. |
Superintendent's Message
Dear Mercer Island schools supporters, We have nearly completed the first month of the 2014-15 school year, and we are well on our way to another successful year of classroom experiences for our students. I am happy to announce that four of our young scholars from Mercer Island High School have been named National Merit Semifinalists and 19 more have been named National Merit Commended students. The high school also jumped to the 159th position in the Newsweek rankings of best high schools in America and the class of 2014 received the best composite ACT scores in at least five years. Continue Reading
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Thank you for a Successful Steps for  School
T hank you to all of the Island Park students. Your positive energy, enthusiasm and your effort really make this the premier event for our school! You all did a fantastic job fundraising and walking/reading. Thank you to our wonderful parents too! Your response and participation in Steps for School really gives our kids an amazing educational experience at Island Park!
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 to our kids.
Please help us thank all of our volunteers. Thank you for your time and effort making Steps for School a fun, festive, and friendship-building event! We appreciate ALL of you!!
Finally, please thank the following chair people. We are so lucky to have a stellar team for this event. Thank you to Sarah Vaux, Melissa Prock, Julene Levin, Ricca Poll and Mindy Smith.
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Thanks for The Water Clean-up
Thank you to our fearless janitorial team of Cornelius Williams and Thach Nguyen, who spent all day Monday sanitizing our school after the E. Coli adventure over the weekend. Thanks also to Ann, the kitchen lead, for heading up the team in the kitchen to ensure it was ready for business on Tuesday!
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IP International Night -
Save the Date: - October 17
Island Park is proud to invite everyone to attend International Night-October 17, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. Join us as 18 countries (Canada, Brazil, Chile, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Philippines, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, and Venezuela)share their history and culture. There will be samples of food at each table as well as food available for purchase. If you would like to volunteer please contact Jessica Crump jessicacrump@hotmail.com
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Music Room Volunteers Needed
Sept. 22nd - December 5th 
Starting the week of September 22nd and continuing through December, students in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade will be focusing on reading music by learning how to play the piano or recorder during music. This unit will culminate in a class recital in which every student will play a song of their choice. To provide students sufficient feedback and one-on-one time, Mrs. Hamp desperately needs volunteers.
Volunteers main focus will be to listen to students individually play their instruments and provide feedback and encouragement. Mrs. Hamp need parents who are willing to help correct papers and assist the students with their instruments.
If you, or someone you know, could volunteer in the music class, please contact Mrs. Hamp at susan.hamp@mercerislandschools.org
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30th Annual IMS Ski & Sports Swap
Saturday, November 8 from 8am- 2pm
Please join us! Swap or donate your gear for the upcoming ski and snowboard season. Swap for all your family sports, including skiing, snowboarding, football, lacrosse, golf, biking, tennis, soccer, baseball, football and on and on. Our families grow up and out of their gear and there are always new athletes and sports enthusiasts looking for a great deal.
40% of consignments and 100% of donations benefit IMS students. To learn how to get your gear to us for sale or donation, go to our website: www.mi-skiswap.com
Volunteer and Save! Give us 2.5 hours of your time on November 6th 7th and/or 8th to help setup and work the event. As a volunteer you can SHOP EARLY! Get the best buys on winter, ski and snowboard clothes and gear as well as other sporting goods. Go to MI Ski & Sports Swap Volunteer Sign Up
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Welcome New PAC Representatives
Please welcome our new Parent Advisory Committee for the 2014-15 school year. Our PAC reps are a team of parent volunteers that meet with Principal Hoffman to coordinate & discuss issues at each grade-level:
Kindergarten rep: Abigail Little
1st grade rep: Melissa Prock
2nd grade rep: Erin Sirianni
3rd grade rep: Heather Fowler
4th grade rep: Mindy Smith
5th grade rep: Jen Sadlier
ELL: Yasuko Elison
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Upcoming Events
No School
Fri. October 10th
International Night
Fri. Oct. 17th
Hearing and Vision Screening
Mon. Oct. 20th
All Island Band Night
Fri. October 24th
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Give a Hoot & Don't Pollute! 
There is A LOT of garbage on our play grounds. Please remind your children to clean up after themselves when out at recess. Snack wrappers, baggies & juice boxes are not good bark chip substitutes.
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New Volunteer/Visitor Check-in System
The MISD has provided all three elementary schools with a new  electronic check-in system for visitors and volunteers. When coming to visit or volunteer, bring your driver's license and proceed to the 'check-in' desk. There is a small kiosk on the desk where you will be prompted to scan your license and respond to a few questions. Your picture will be taken and a sticker-badge will print out for you to wear while at the school. When you leave, you will scan your sticker-badge at the kiosk to 'check out'. This process is in the implementation stage, so please be patient! In the long run, it allows for a safer and better tracking system for who is in the building. Thank you!
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Island Park Student Directory 
The student directory is being put together this month. All families that completed the online or paper Back2School parent pack form will be included in the Directory. If you have not completed the parent pack form, your student/family information will NOT be included in the 2014-15 Directory. You still have time! If you haven't already, go online to
and click the E-Parent Pack link in the upper left corner and complete the form. The data deadline for the Directory is October 9th.
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Attention 5th Graders!
Be a part of the 2014-15 Student Directory! The Cover Art contest is going on right now and is open to all current 5th graders! At Get a Cover Art form from your teacher and submit your artwork by October 9th.
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Hearing and Vision Screening
Monday, October 20th in the library! 
We will need about 40 total parent volunteers for the two shifts that day. 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 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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Mercer Island Schools Foundation
Great Board Members Wanted!
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is looking for a few talented, conscientious and dedicated volunteer board members to help lead and strengthen our successful fundraising programs.
Ideally, our Board representation includes individuals from all neighborhoods on the island with or without children in Mercer Island Public Schools.
Additionally, all Mercer Island Public Schools are represented by Board membership.
Would you like to contribute a few hours of your time every month sharing your thoughtful leadership to help make our Mercer Island Schools the best they can be?
Your investment of time will help ensure all 4,200 students grades K-12 attain the full promise of their academic success!
To find out whether this volunteer opportunity is right for you, and to get more information, please call Penny Yantis, Executive Director, at 206-275-2550
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Amazon Perks
During the 2013-14 school year, YOU earned the Island Park PTA over $5,000 by shopping on Amazon.com through the special dedicated Island Park Amazon link. When you shop Amazon, please remember to bookmark our special link. You will continue to shop as usual and can use your Prime membership and all your saved billing info. Just follow the simple instructions below... the earnings are endless! Think ahead to holiday shopping too!
1. Go to www.islandparkpta.org
2. Click Amazon.com logo on left side of screen
3. Bookmark this page and use it each time you shop!
Contact Julene Levin (JuleneLevin@gmail.com) or Sarah Vaux (SJVaux@comcast.net) if you have any questions about this program.
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MERCER ISLAND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
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Be a Parent Edge Representative for Island Park
Join a group of engaged parents representing all five Mercer Island schools and St. Monica's. Parent Edge committee members research topics and speakers to bring to our community. The team meet five to six times during the year to discuss marketing and planning for upcoming speaker events. Parent Edge is a program under the Mercer Island School District PTA council. If you are interested, please contact Liz Kenny at lizkenny@comcast.net for more information. MI Parent Edge Presents: Navigating Our Kids' Anxieties; Wednesday, October 15th at 7pm at the MHIS Pac Join Parent Edge as we welcome Dr. Chris McCurry, author of Parenting Your Anxious Child With Mindfulness and Acceptance, and learn about the natural origins of anxiety and stress, as well as parenting strategies that help kids navigate anxious situations and strategies kids can employ to be successful when strong emotions show up. Learn more about Dr. McCurry by going to http://www.abcdseattle.com/McCurry.asp. Free for PTA Members. For parents of kids of all ages, and students in grades 9-12 MI Parent Edge - 2014-2015 Calendar of Parent Education Events Join Parent Edge for a great year of stimulating speakers and events! Please visit www.miparentedge.org to view the entire calendar. MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, MIHS and St. Monica schools.
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Sign your student up for free Kids Corps tutoring!
Kids Corps is a 10+ year old club that will pair your elementary school student with a responsible Mercer Island High School student who will tutor your child for an hour every week at a place and time that works for you! Sign up here ASAP, space is limited! http://goo.gl/7ozdoa Please direct all inquires to MIHSKidsCorps@gmail.com
Parks and Recreation fun fall events
Monster Mash Dash: Family FUN RUN Sat., October 25 at 10am
Dress up and join us for a run or walk through Luther Burbank Park. Runners will run from the south end of the park to Calkins Point and back. Don't forget to dress up for the costume contest with prizes awarded! Dogs on a leash are welcome and also encouraged to wear a costume!
Age: All Ages
Fee: $12 + tax (children in strollers are FREE) register at www.myparksandrecreation.com or call 275-7609 course #15062
Location: Luther Burbank Park (South End Near Beach) For More info CLICK HERE
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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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Gymnastics Camp October 10th (No School)
Who: Girls and boys grades K-6 who are interested in gymnastics! Groups will be divided by age and skill level.
What: Instruction on gymnastics events (vault, bars, beam, floor) plus conditioning and fun activities.
Where: Newport High School (4333 Factoria Blvd SE Bellevue, WA) in the Main Gym
When: Friday, October 10th (9:00 a.m.-Noon, drop off starting at 8:45 a.m.)
Cost: $50, $10 discount for siblings
Questions: Contact Melissa Baker at bakerm@bsd405.org
Register: Julie Freeman, freemanhouse2010@comcast.net
Eastside Dream Elite Cheer Program Fall 2014
Mercer Island Community Center
Tuesdays 5.30-7pm
Do you have a child that is interested in Cheerleading? Eastside Dream Elite Cheer is the program for you! It is a six-week session. We perform out in the community; such as UW basketball games, Storm games, Issaquah Salmon Days Parade, Parade's on Mercer Island, and so much more.
Sponge
We're excited to offer Spanish and French at Island Park with an engaging, exciting curriculum taught primarily in the target language. Classes for K-2nd and 3rd-5th are held before and after school throughout the week at Island Park, and busing between schools is available. Visit www.spongeschool.com/sign-up/ for more information and to register. Register now - classes begin soon! Boys Fall Lacrosse Registration NOW OPEN K-8!
Sundays at Mercer Island Lid Park Playfields. A great opportunity for kids to have fun, learn lacrosse in a casual environment and keep their skills sharp. Go to http://mercerislandlacrosse.com/ for more information or to register.
Kids Co - Before and After School Care
Kids Co.'s before and after-school programming is designed to meet the particular needs kids have during the non-school hours. Please feel free to contact Amanda Sherry, Program Manager at 206-437-8396 or visit http://www.kidscompany.org/locations/mercer-island.
After School Computer Programming
For students new to coding this fall TechSmartKids will be offering their C101- Intro to Coding I class for Grades 2-5. Classes begin the week of October 6th.
The C101-Intro to Coding I class meets once a week for 90 minutes at one of the following times:
Wednesday 2:40-4:10pm
Thursday 4:15-5:45pm
Friday 4:15-5:45pm
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Mercer Island School District
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Island Park PTA
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THANK YOU 2014 -2015 HAND IN HAND AUCTION SPONSORS!
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