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ISLAND PARK EAGLE NEWS
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Island Park Elementary PTA
September 13, 2015
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Pay Your Fees, Make Your Donations
e-Parent Pack is Live Now
The PTA e-Parent Pack went 'live' on September 4th. If you have not had the opportunity to go online and complete your Back-2-School registration and payments, please do so now - CLICK HERE - and complete the easy form. It takes about 3 minutes! You can pay via credit card through PayPal, or print your completed form confirmation and send it into Island Park with your check made out to Island Park PTA.
You should also have received a hard-copy "Back-to-School" form in your child's backpack. This form is just another communication avenue for the PTA to ensure we reach all families! If you have already completed the online form, simply fill in the first side of the hard-copy form, sign and return it to school. If you have not completed the online form, you may fill out both sides of the hard-copy form and send in your payment that way.
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Room Parent Information Meeting
Get Ready for a Fun Year
Thank you to those that have volunteered to be room parents. We will be holding room parent training September 18th at Island Park.
Please join us in Room 22 at 2:30pm to review room parent roles and responsibilities.
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The Perfect Team
Can you help us create one?
Each year, the Island Park PTA asks their parents to donate to the PTA fund to raise money for extra teaching assistants, field trips, the latest technology, and many other educational and creative programs we have been lucky to have had to date.
This year our target is to raise $475 per child for the year, this can be made up by donating at the Fall Ask Campaign on-going currently in the e-Parent Pack, supporting future fundraising events such as Steps! or Brunch & Browse at Island Books, and Corporate Matching. We rely heavily on these funds to ensure we can continue to offer the wonderful opportunities we do today.
Throughout the year we have scheduled events that bring both the parents and children together, whilst raising money concurrently to support any shortfall in the Fall Ask Campaign. Additionally, in order to make these events a success, we always need volunteers to help us before and on the day of the event.
We are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful school, as well as a community that shares a drive and strong motivation to give our kids the best we can, not only academically but also by helping to provide extra creative opportunities. Everyone of us has fantastic skill sets that could really benefit our school, and of course everyone's skills are different which makes us parents - The Perfect Team.
Please consider giving your time however large or small, and help us help your kids.
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Island Park Choir starts Tuesday, September 22nd
Calling All 4th and 5th Graders
 All fourth and fifth graders are invited to join the Island Park Choir for the fall session! Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, September 22nd at 8:00am in the music room. We will learn music to perform at a community Veterans Day celebration on November 10th. Look for more information coming home soon!
Sincerely, Mrs. and Mr. Hamp
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Curriculum Nights
We look forward to seeing you at the Curriculum nights:
Wed, Sept 16
Kindergarten - 5pm
1st - 6pm
2nd - 7pm
Thur, Sept 17
3rd - 5pm
4th - 6pm
5th - 7pm
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Upcoming Events
PTA New Family Coffee
Mon, Sept 14th 9:10-10:15am, IP Library
Curriculum Nights
K-2, Wed, Sept 16th 5-8pm
3-5, Sep 17th, 5-8pm
Island Park Choir Rehearsals
Tues, Sept 22nd 8:00 - 9:00am, Music Room
Picture Days
Mon & Tues, Sept 28th and 29th
Steps! a Jog-a-thon
Wed, Sept 30th 2-4pm
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Steps! a jog-a-thon, walk-a-thon, read-a-thon
Mark your Calendars! Steps for School is coming soon!
Our annual walk-a-thon/read-a-thon fundraiser will take place, rain or shine, on Wednesday, September 30th from 2 to 4 PM.
Join your friends and families as we walk around the school to raise money for the PTA. Walking may not be for you, so read (or be read to) in the IP library. Participants who reach their goal earn medals! Medal qualifying distances and reading times progress by grade level.
The suggested donation of $125 per child ($250 for two, and $375 for three) is your contribution to the PTA General Operating Fund. IP families do not have to make a donation in order to participate. PLEASE NOTE: If you have already completed the online back-2-school E-Parent Pack payment form, you may have already donated. A $125/student PTA Operating Fund donation request was part of the parent pack payment form.
Every Island Park Student, whether participating or not, must have a permission slip signed by one of their parents. Slips will be sent home via back pack around September 17th.
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Mandatory Volunteer Training
Training Curriculum is Online this Year
Please visit Volunteer Training to complete your volunteer training. You will not be able to volunteer until you complete all the necessary steps.
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Double Your Generous Donations to the IP PTA!!
Corporate Matching, an easy way to increase your contributions
Did you know that many local companies have programs through which they will "match" the charitable contributions made by their employees? Your donations for Eagle Books, PTA Membership and PTA General Fund/Learning Support are tax deductible charitable contributions and eligible for corporate matching. More information can be found here or contact treasurer@islandparkpta.org
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Bravo!!!
Our Volunteers are the BEST!
Thank you to Lesley Poole and Beth Goodman for coordinating a mighty team of helpers to make our Open House and Opening Day Coffee such a huge success!
- Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped out at the Open House and Tours, it was nice to see so many new faces and families, and was a great chance to meet teachers before the first day of school.
- Also, a shout out to Cara Perla and Jessica Rudolf for helping make the Opening Day coffee a success! This is an important event each year as it gets everyone together and highlights all the volunteer opportunities available at the school.
- Huge thanks to Patrick Dougherty and Andrea Simpson for putting together a fabulous Ice Cream Social - what a fantastic turn out! We also appreciate all the volunteers and students who helped scoop and pass out toppings. What a great kick off to school we have had this year!
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Counselor's Corner
Please meet Liana Montague, LMFT- Island Park's Full-time Counselor, with an introduction to her services
During a child's elementary school years, important development is taking place intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. At Island Park, we recognize that when a child is discouraged in any one of these areas, it can affect the development of other areas. To help navigate these issues, a full-time school counselor from Mercer Island Youth and Family Services is available at Island Park to provide support to students. The goal of our counseling service is to work with the students, parents, and school staff to encourage healthy development in each child.Our program is largely preventative; we try to provide services to children early so that they will have a successful school experience now, and in the years to come.
The school counselor provides age-appropriate classroom activities and discussions about friendships, decision-making and problem-solving, and other issues related to physical, social, and emotional health. This includes teaching students conflict resolution skills through use of Second Step curriculum.We encourage you to use Second Step handouts at home to reinforce the problem-solving strategies your child is learning here at school. Please continue reading about Liana's services here.
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Classroom Volunteers Needed in the Music Room!
If you can spare an hour or more a week during the months of late September through early December, you can be a great help in the music room. You need not have any prior experience, just a willingness to listen to the students play and learn along with them.
During the months of September, October, November and early December all students in second, third, and fifth grades focus on the concept of melody by learning piano skills while fourth graders learn to play the recorder. The units end with a performance in which every child plays a song of their choice for a class parent recital. With all the different levels and individual rates of learning, extra teachers are extremely important. I need parents who are willing to assist students with their instruments and with small group instruction. Except in the fifth grades, we start with the very basics, so you can learn along with the students. Past parent volunteer quotes: "I looked forward to working with the students every week and thoroughly enjoyed the experience." "I was amazed at how much I learned and it was easy!" |
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MERCER ISLAND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
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 MI Parent Edge - 2015-2016 Calendar of Parent Education Events
Join Parent Edge for a great year of stimulating speakers and events! From our kick-off event with the much-heralded Julie Lythcott-Haims speaking on the risks of helicopter parenting while sharing practical alternative strategies, to an evening with New York Times columnist and author Ron Lieber sharing wisdom for turning conversations about money into lessons about living - it's quite a line up! Please visit www.miparentedge.org for more information.
MI Parent Edge Presents: Throw Out the Checklisted Childhood!
Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of "How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success"
Join Parent Edge as we welcome Julie Lythcott-Haims, author and former Stanford University Dean of Freshmen, for an engaging and informative evening taking a hard look at the overparenting trend in today's society. While the stories and statistics can be tough to hear, especially since we will likely catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mix, the solutions and end-result of raising self-sufficient, resourceful kids is well worth the pain! Go to www.howtoraiseanadult.com for recent press, articles and interviews with Julie!
Thurs., October 29 at 7 PM at the MIHS PAC
Free for PTA Members
For parents of kids of all age
MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, and MIHS schools.
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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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MERCER ISLAND GIRLS LACROSSE
Does it suddenly feel like EVERYONE's playing lacrosse?
They are! It's the fastest growing sport in North America!
Don't watch from afar! Get in on the action!
1st-4th Grade FALL BALL!
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Returning players, learn the latest skills and strategy!
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New players, master the basics before spring!
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Sundays, September 20th - November 8nd, 12:00-1:00pm
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Players grouped by level of play
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Cost - $100 for 8 weeks
5th GRADE FALL BALL!
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5th grade girls play with the middle school girls.
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Sundays, September 20th - November 14th, 10:30am-12:00pm
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Cost - $150 for 9 weeks Including 11/14 Turkey Shoot Tournament
Stay fit, have fun and get a head start on the season!
Mercer Island Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts on Mercer Island is big! Our service unit is made up of over 30 troops of girls from Kindergarten to 12th grade.
Mercer Island Boy Scouts
Attention all parents of 5th grade boys. Is your son interested in adventure, leadership and serving your community? Has he ever thought about becoming an Eagle Scout? Does he like to have fun? Is he active? Mercer island Boy Scouts Troop 457 has provided these opportunities to boys since it began in 1953. Boy Scouts is open to all boys ages 11 & up with no prior scouting experience required. If you are thinking about joining or want more information, please view our website www.Troop457.com or contact outreach coordinator, Karen LeMaster at klemaster@comcast.net or scoutmaster, Dan Hanson at danhanson@troop457.com
Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Fall/Winter Classes
Parks and Recreation Fall/winter registration begins online Monday, August 24 and by phone and in person Wednesday, August 26. Find more information and register here. You can register by clicking the course code in the online digital guide. Or call the Community & Event Center on 8/26 to register 206-275-7609.
MI Parks and Rec Parent's Night Out!
Leave the kids with us- go get dinner, grab a movie, go shopping, or enjoy some alone time...you deserve it! Your little minions will have a blast with our staff; eating pizza, watching a movie, arts & crafts and of course playing a TON of games.
Saturday, September 26, 5-10pm, Ages 4-12
$15 first child; $10 siblings (that's less than a babysitter!)
Mercer Island Community and Event Center
Call 275-7609 to register course #15838
MI Parks and Rec Monster Mash Dash - Save the date!
Family One Mile Fun Run
Get outside and go for a run, walk or stroll through gorgeous Luther Burbank park before you gulp down all that candy on Halloween Day! Treats for you and tricks for your dog! Come dressed up for a costume contest for you and your four legged friend.
Saturday, October 31, 10:00am
Luther Burbank Park South end near swimming beach. Only $10 per person and kids in strollers are free! Register course #1570 by October 23. Thank you sponsor Kitchen Plus
206-275-7609
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.
Sponge Language Classes
Hola! Ni Hao! Bonjour! At Sponge, we see language as a passport to global citizenship. Students learn to see the world through a different lens while acquiring language skills and the confidence to use them. Young learners are especially primed for language learning - research shows that students are 70% more likely to gain fluency if they begin in elementary school. We are excited to offer Spanish, Mandarin, and French at Mercer Island schools this fall, with our engaging, research-driven curriculum, taught completely in language. Students learn important, everyday language through exciting thematic units and a wide variety of interactive games, activities, songs and art projects. Our goal is to build a strong foundation of comprehension and communication skills, all while having fun! More information can be found here.
Classes are held before and after school at Island Park, Lakeridge and West Mercer. Busing is available between schools for all morning classes. Students can learn their favorite language regardless of the school they attend. Visit www.spongeschool.com/sign-up/ to register. Contact us by email at info@spongeschool.com or give us a call at (425) 274-5188 with any questions. Register now and secure your spot in class!
TechSmartKids, a leading provider of computer science education for K-12 is offering afterschool computer coding classes this fall. Coding classes are available as fall session only or full year. Coding classes begin the week of October 5th. More information can be found here.
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Mercer Island School District
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Island Park PTA
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THANK YOU 2014 -2015 Learning Support SPRING AUCTION SPONSORS!
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