ISLAND PARK EAGLE NEWS

Island Park Elementary PTA

May 26th, 2015

Spring Fair

The Hillside Spring Fair attracted kids like freshly poured sidewalk cement. Students couldn't wait to attend my elementary school's end-of-the-year festival where they celebrated the culmination of another academic year, rejoiced in Omaha's warm weather, and paraded around with pastry trophies from the cake walk.

During one fine Saturday afternoon each May, students shed their coats and parents. They wandered excitedly through the massive school exploring classrooms that over night had magically been transformed from the mundane into the magical. Each room became a carnival booth operated by a mom or dad who spent the day distributing plastic prizes and marveling at the number of new inches their child's friends had sprouted over the winter months.

School rules that mandated that students march in military formation were suspended for the day. Groups of kids moved around like amorphous amoebas, pulled and pushed in this and that direction by the llure of carnival smells and games of chance and skill, all the while avoiding teachers who, despite their weekend weariness, still wore masks of authority.

The school's gym became a giant garage sale. For a few five cent tickets, one could purchase some cast-off piece of junk, lug it home and donate it back the next year-the circle of life for second hand goods. In the cafeteria, Friday's fish stick odor was smothered by the scents of hot dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn.

Respectfully,
David

In This Issue

:: Article Headline5th Grade Musical

:: Box Top Winners

:: Meaningful Experience

:: Bravos

:: Join the Newsletter Team

:: Help Name the New School

:: Graduate Grams

:: Save the Date

:: Parent Edge

5th Grade Musical

The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf!

May 28th & 29th 7pm

It is a comedy set in the style of the 50s wherein the Three Little Pigs, with the help of their prosecuting attorney, Hogney Dangerfield, take the Big Bad Wolf to trial. The Wolf's lawyers, a set of weasels, try hard to convince the judge of the wolf's innocence! A jury, an unruly wolf pack, and visiting fairytale characters round out the cast.

Come enjoy the music, singing, sets, dances and costumes. Performances will be held on Thursday, May 28^th and Friday May 29^th in the Island Park multi-purpose room at 7pm. Tickets may be pre-ordered using this form: BUY TICKETS. Join us for an unforgettable evening for the whole family!

Box Top Contest!

BOXTOP Classroom challenge has been extended to May 31^st! Bring in your BOXTOPS to your classroom and keep collecting until May 31^st. The Classroom with the most BOXTOPS (expired boxtops won't count) will win a breakfast in the classroom!

Any questions - contact Mindy Rowe mindyrowe@msn.com

Library News

BOOK SWAP

Island Park Library annual end-of-year Book Swap is accepting donations from Monday, May 9th to Friday, May 29th. "Swapping" will take place during library class Monday, June 1st to Friday, June12th. Please see the Book Swap flyer that was emailed home by classroom teachers for details. If you have questions, please contact Cathy Grant, IP Librarian

END OF SCHOOL LIBRARY DATES

The end of the school year is coming soon! The last day for student book checkout is Thursday, May 22nd. All student books need to be returned by Friday, June 5th. Library classes will continue to the last day of school. Please help your student(s) return all those great library books that they have enjoyed this year.

SUMMER READING

Summer is a great time for reading! The children's librarian from the Mercer Island Public Library will be visiting Island Park on Tuesday, June 9th to share information about the King County Library System's Every Hero Has a Story summer program.

Island Park will be posting a summer reading bulletin board outside the library with book recommendations, ideas for summer reading activities and more. Stop by and check it out, or visit the Island Park Library

Reading Recommendationswebpage

Do you know a Mercer Island child who could use a meaningful experience during a difficult time?

Deadline May 29th, 2015

The Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant (formerly Scholarship) was established in the memory of Nancy Schaps to provide a meaningful experience (such as attending a camp, taking lessons, visiting a friend or relative, participating in a sport or arts activity) for a child or youth who is experiencing or has experienced a parent's terminal illness or death or a parent's active duty with the military. The request for funds can be submitted by a counselor, teacher, parent or community member.

Click here for our online Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant Application Form: http://www.miptacouncil.org/programs/nancy-schaps-memorial-grant/

Upcoming Events

5th Grade Music Performances
Thurs May 28th - Fri May 29th

5th Grade Musical Concert
Thurs June 4th - Fri June 5th

PTA Volunteer Appreciation & Awards
June 10th

View Island Park PTA Calendar

Our Learning Garden is back!

Thank you to Shelley Johnson and Karolina Zalewska for clearing, organizing and planting the Learning Garden - and for engaging all the wonderful

students in the process!

Staff Appreciation:
Big thanks to Kim Chou for organizing Staff Appreciation week! Our Island Park Staff members were treated to flowers, notes and a wonderful snack/drink "bar"! Thank you also to the wonderful parent volunteers that helped and brought items in.

Elementary Visitations:
Thank you to our PAC (Parent Advisory Council) for hosting elementary visitations!

Enjoy Reading the Newsletter?

The Island Park Eagle is looking for individuals to take over the bi-monthly newsletter for next year. It requires only a couple of hours each week and can be done from any computer. It is a great opportunity to get involved! For more information contact islandparkeagle@yahoo.com.

Mercer Islands New School Needs a Name!

Deadline May 31st

We need your help in finding a name for our new elementary school An ALL-ISLAND effort is underway to ask for ideas from EVERY STUDENT, EACH PARENT, and ALL RESIDENTS of our community. WHAT'S YOUR IDEA?

Please enter your favorite name at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NewElem Or email us: el4@mercerislandschools.org

Multiple suggestions are welcome. The survey is open until May 31st. We will compile, discuss, and sift-through all entries. Our dutiful Mercer Island School Board will ultimately decide the name...so stay tuned!

Brought to you by the EL4 Naming Committee

Graduate Grams!

June 5th, 2015 for guaranteed delivery by graduation

It's that time of year again to honor the graduates in your life! Have a personalized"Graduate Gram" mailed to the home of your favorite graduate. From Preschool to High School, everyone loves to be honored during this special time in their life. All proceeds help provide scholarships to deserving Mercer Island High School graduates. Thank you for your support!

http://www.miptacouncil.org/programs/scholarships/

Volunteer Appreciation & Awards

SAVE THE DATE - Wednesday June 10th

Please join your fellow PTA members for the 2015 Volunteer Appreciation Event. Our final PTA General Meeting of the school year will be held, and volunteer service awards will be given.

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MERCER ISLAND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES

Parent Edge

Seeking Parent Edge Committee Members:
If you have enjoyed attending Parent Edge events and would like to work with a dynamic team in the rewarding work of planning and implementing these events, then Parent Edge wants to talk to you! We are currently looking for new members to join our committee. Responsibilities include: attending monthly committee meetings, representing your school, promoting events at your school and in the community, researching and recommending topics and speakers, and assisting at events. We would love for you to join us!

Please contact SSuzanne McIntosh at suzannemcint@gmail.com or Kathy Middleton at sunnyinseattle@comcast.net to volunteer or to ask any questions. Visit www.miparentedge.org for more information about previous speakers and events, or to leave suggestions for future speakers or topics.

MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, MIHS and St. Monica schools.

MERCER ISLAND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES

Looking for sports or activities for your child? Check out Mercer Island Activities for Kids for a listing of the most recent activities!

Documentary (PG)- Havana Curveball, June 21st 10:30-noon

Mary Wayte Pool Summer Programs

Fall Micro-soccer and Recreational soccer registration is now open

Island Hoop Camp 2015

Mercer Island's Girls Lacrosse Summer Camps - June & July Session

Newport Knights Gymnastics Summer Camp!Monday

TechSmartKids- Summer Camps

South Bellevue - Mercer Island Girl Scout Day Camp 2015

Boy Scouts

Modern Manners for Children