Greetings!
No School on May 19 due to teacher walkout on school funding
On Tuesday, May 19, the Mercer Island Education Association will hold a one-day walkout to protest the underfunding of basic education by the Washington State Legislature. Schools will not be in session for students on May 19. The missed school day will be made up on June 19, which was a previously scheduled make-up day for school closures. All after-school district activities will go on as scheduled and schools will be open for after-school programs provided by community-based organizations.
The Mercer Island School Board recently reauthorized continued financial support of the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS), an organization of Washington school districts and parent teacher associations who are working to enforce the Washington Supreme Court's McCleary decision to fully fund education by 2018. According to the McCleary decision, the Court asked the Legislature to submit a complete plan for fully implementing its program of basic education for each school year between now and the 2017-18 school year no later than April 30, 2014. Legislators have not met that goal and are currently called back for a special session by Governor Jay Inslee. They are still working on an agreement to a biennial state budget that would accomplish this.
CHILD CARE: The Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club plans to offer some classes on May 19. Space is limited and interested parents should call (206) 232-4548. Kids Co. has limited availability for May 19 and can be reached at (206) 849-7686. Kids Co. will also operate their normal before- and after-school programs on June 19. Parents are encouraged to inquire about May 19 programs with other Mercer Island child care providers.
 Sincerely, David Hoffman Principal Island Park Elementary School | 
