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ISLAND PARK EAGLE NEWS
Island Park Elementary PTA
January 24, 2016
David Hoffman
A FEW ITEMS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Diversity Initiatives Diversity Initiatives - Please find a new link on the Island Park website entitled, IP Commitment to Diversity. If you follow the links, you will discover a plethora of information including our school commitment, current initiatives and helpful resources addressing issues of diversity, equity and social justice. 
 
New Safety Fence - We will be installing a small section of safety fencing near the entrance to the playground (near my office). There currently exists a very porous bar-like gate. The new section of fence will keep both stray recess balls and students inside the play area. No worries - a gate in the new fence will remain open and unlocked after 3:00 in the afternoon until 9:30 the following morning to allow for public ingress and egress. It will also remain open throughout the weekend, summer, etc. 
 
Kindergarten RegistrationWe are now accepting kindergarten registration packets for next fall. Thank you for returning packets as soon as possible as it helps us determine kindergarten staffing and other program needs.  
 
Thanks! - Thanks to everyone who left me holiday cards and treats before winter break. Your kindness, generosity and countless confectionary calories made my December very special. 
 
Mr. Hoffman

PTA UPDATE

Financial Update from The PTA Treasurers
Made possible through grants - popular 
children's author Paul Owen Lewis visited Island Park to inspire 3rd-5th grade students.
The PTA has raised almost $170,000 income through various  fundraising activities year-to-date, including the Ask Campaign, Steps for School, Movie Night, and Island Books Brunch & Browse. This includes over $20,000 corporate matching programs from local companies who have matched your contributions to the PTA. 

PTA fundraising helps pay for a variety of enrichment programs including:
  • Learning Support that funds our paraprofessionals. Our paraprofessionals are shared resources that work across all of the classrooms to help free up teacher time to focus more on students and their development. We had 2.5 paraprofessionals in the first half of the year, which is increasing to 3.5 paraprofessionals in the 2nd half of the year.
  • Projects & Grants. In partnership with MISF, we have approved over $7,000 of grants this year, including last week's visiting author Paul Owen Lewis. We have recently opened up a second grant request period for teachers.
  • Programs including Artists in Residence, Student Art Project, Assemblies, Staff Appreciation and Learning Garden.
  • Student Services including field trips and discretionary funds for teachers.
  • Family Socials including International Night, new student/family welcome events, and the upcoming Bingo Night, Talent Show and Hoe Down.
  • Parent Communications, including this wonderful newsletter and our website.
  • Administration including our PayPal fees, bank fees, signage, and other Executive Committee miscellaneous expenses.
Year to date, we have spent $12,500 across these programs, with the vast majority of our annual expenses landing in the coming months. Separately, we have paid almost $6,800 in membership expenses including state/local fees, legal and accounting fees, and insurance, which was fully-funded by our PTA membership fees. 

A huge thank you to all of our parents who make these enrichment programs possible through your generosity. If you have questions about this financial summary, feel free to reach out to PTA Treasurers Feliz Montpellier and Amy Richter - [email protected].
In This Issue
:: Heath Room Reminder
:: Vote "Yes" Twice
:: Scholastic Book Fair
:: District Calendars
:: Talent Show
:: Giving from the Heart
:: Wine Donations
:: Bingo Night Thank You
:: A Word From the Library
:: Counselor's Corner
:: Parent Edge Events
A Friendly Reminder From the Health Room
 
All medications at school require a signed Medication Authorization Form (MAR) from the Doctor. 

This includes antibiotics, inhalers, over-the-counter, or prescription medications. 

Students should not be self-carrying or self-administering any medications without signed Doctor's orders on file with the school nurse. 

The MAR can be downloaded from the MISD website under Health Services or picked up from the health room. 

Please call or email Nurse Gretchen with any questions. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Nurse Gretchen

Vote "Yes!" Twice 
For Capital Projects and Technology, Transportation Levy Renewals
vote
Two levy renewals are being proposed in February 2016 that provide funding for critical capital improvements to protect our community's investments in our schools, new technology and transportation for students. These are renewals of current levies - there is no change to the current levy assessment rate. The last levy renewals were overwhelming approved by Mercer Island voters.  

For more information, go to YesMIschools.org and/or attend the public information meeting located at the Mercer Island Public Library (4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island) on Wed Jan 20th at 6.30pm.
 
Sign waiving and school activity flyer handout volunteers needed. Please sign up here

Scholastic Book Fair
Feb 1st-5th. Family shopping night Thu 4th, 5-7pm
Book Swap

Do you love tie-dye, bell bottoms and books? If you answered yes, we need you! Our "Groovy" Scholastic Book Fair will be February 1st-5th. 

We need volunteers to help with our scholastic book fair - help with set-up, cashiering, kid wish lists and family night. 


District Calendar
calendar

The Mercer Island Education Association (MIEA) and the District reached an agreement on the 2016-17 through 2018-19 calendars (three school calendars). 

The School Board ratified the calendars at their January 14th meeting, following the MIEA's ratification. 

The calendars are now posted on the District website on the Student Calendar page.

Upcoming Events

Elementary Visitation Day at Island Park
Jan 28th 9.30am-11.30am

Scholastic Book Fair
1st - 5th Feb

Talent Show
Wed 10th Feb

Valentine's Day Parties
Fri 12th Feb 

Mid Winter Break
15th - 19th Feb

Island Park Talent Show
Wed 10th Feb 6.30-8.30pm

Join us for a fun filled night to remember at Island Park's first ever talent show. What a great opportunity to celebrate the talented students we have in the school.  

See you there. 

Join Us at Giving from the Heart Breakfast
A benefit for MI Youth & Family Services
MIYFS Giving
Wednesday, February 10th
7:30 - 8:30 AM
At MI Community & Event Center
I hope you will join us at our Island Park table ~ Jen Sadlier and Abigail Little

Together we Eagles can make a difference in keeping Mercer Island strong by providing hope and empowering lives.

The Breakfast supports a great, local cause and we know you will find it inspirational, informative and engaging!

No fee to attend. There will be a $250 suggested donation to MIYFS.
Register at www.miyfs.org
Contact Sari Weiss or (206) 275-7756.

Wine Donations

Are you looking for an easy way to help for the Island Park Elementary Spring Party & Auction? 

We are looking for bottles of wine to be donated. There will be two dozen bottles auctioned plus we will have a game running though the night. Pay $20, pull a cork from a bowl, and match the number on the cork to a bottle of wine. All bottles are valued at $20+ but one lucky winner will receive a bottle valued at $100.
 
If you can donate one or more bottles of wine valued at $20, please email [email protected].

BINGO Night
bingo

A special thanks to the fabulous Bingo co-chairs Rachel Drake and Shelley Whelan for putting on a fantastic event. 

Thank you to all our volunteers - we couldn't have done it without you: Billy Poll, Ricca Poll, Beth Goodman, Dina Dietz, Lauren Gray, Lesley Poole, Beth Garr, Erin Underwood, Frances Ames, Lisa Patacsil, Keelin Weekly, Deborah Lurie, Abigail Little & Melissa Prock. 

A WORD FROM THE LIBRARY
The Island Park Library has been a busy place since coming back from break! 

Lemoncello Event
Our Lemoncello Library Olympics Event was a lot of fun for our 4th and 5th grade students. Students played "You Can't Say That!" and competed in a library relay race. An enormous thank you goes to Michelle Ritter, Suzanne Plambeck and Dina Dietz for helping make the games possible!
 
Author Visit
Author Paul Owen Lewis shared his experiences with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students this week. Both staff and students have said they were entertained and inspired by Mr. Lewis. Students learned how a writer finds ideas and makes their way through the writing process. We must thank our incredible PTA and the Mercer Island Schools Foundation for making this author visit possible. Thank you!
 
We still have 2 more events coming to the library! 
Reading Challenge
The KCLS Global Reading Challenge between our 2 teams will take place on Friday, January 29th at 2:30. The One and Only Space Kitties will face The Island Park Puzzlers to determine who will go to the district challenge. Good luck to both of our 2 teams! 
 
Scholastic Book Fair
And finally, do you love tie-dye, bell bottoms and books? If you answered yes, we need you! Our "Groovy" Scholastic Book Fair will be February 1st-5th. We need volunteers to help with set-up, cashiering, kid wish lists and family night. Sign up here to volunteer. Family Shopping Night will be Thursday, February 4th from 5-7.
 
Love, Peace and Books,
Brigit WhiteLibrary paul owen author visit
library paul owen visit 1 

COUNSELOR'S CORNER
40 Developmental Assets 

Many of you are probably already familiar with the 40 Developmental Assets� Developmental Assets are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible, successful adults. There are 20 internal assets and 20 external assets. 

External assets are the positive experiences young people receive from the world around them. These 20 assets are about supporting and empowering young people, about setting boundaries and expectations, and about positive and constructive use of young people's time. External assets identify important roles that families, schools, congregations, neighborhoods, and youth organizations can play in promoting healthy development.
 
The 20 internal assets identify those characteristics and behaviors that reflect positive internal growth and development of young people. These assets are about positive values and identities, social competencies, and commitment to learning. The internal Developmental Assets will help these young people make thoughtful and positive choices and, in turn, be better prepared for situations in life that challenge their inner strength and confidence. 
 
Developmental relationships between parents and their children are the heart of family strengths. Other strengths include shared family meals, rituals and routines, and how families adapt to changes. How the family is supported by and contributes to its community is also a strength. Search Institute research has shown that families across many demographic differences have similar levels of family strengths. These strengths contribute to child and youth well-being and resilience, health behaviors, and civic engagement. 
 
For more information about the 40 Developmental Assets, check out the link to the Search Institute at http://www.search-institute.org/what-we-study/developmental-assets.


MI Parent Edge Presents
Ron Lieber
Author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestseller "The Opposite of Spoiled - Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money"

Tuesday, March 15 at 7 PM at the MIHS PAC

Ron Lieber, the "Your Money" columnist for the New York Times, will share practical advice for parents for having conversations about money that imprint good values, with a proper dose of perspective and gratitude. Learn how to foster an honest dialogue with our children on a typically difficult subject, turning such conversations into lessons about living. Book signing to follow the talk. Island Books will sell books in store and at the event; the paperback is due out on February 23. Go to www.ronlieber.com for more information.

Free for Mercer Island PTA Members
$10 at the door for non-MI PTA Members - Bring a friend!
For parents of kids of all ages

Save the date for a newly-added event:  
Liliana Lengua from the UW Center for Child and Family Well-Being, will speak on "Supporting Elementary-Aged Children Through Change: Promoting Resilient Responses to Life's Stresses." Wednesday, April 27, 9:30-11:00am, Lakeridge Elementary School. More information to follow.

Visit www.miparentedge.org for more information on this and other local events. 

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

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!

SJCC Summer Camps
Whether you're a seasoned camp vet or this is your first time at the J, the 2016 campers are in for an amazing summer. The first step is finding the right camp for your kids. Camps are suitable for kids entering pre-K to 10th grade. Early registration discount (10%) applies to those registering by April 8.

Click here for more details. 
Questions? Contact Josh [email protected] or 206 388 0830. 


St Thomas School, Parent Map Camp Fair 2016
Featuring camps for tots through teens.
Sat Feb 6th 10am-2pm
St Thomas School. 8300 NE 12th St, Medina.
RSVP: parentmap.com/campfair

 
Family Dessert Theater: "Mercer Girls"  

The 5th Ave. Adventure Musical Theatre for Kids presents an original show about the first eleven "Mercer Girls," recruited by the University of Washington's President in 1864 to work as teachers in the Washington Territory. This original musical tells the story of the women who became the teachers, wives, mothers and grandmothers of the founding families of the Puget Sound region. Desserts included!
 
At the SJCC 3801 East Mercer Way
Saturday February 27th at 6:30pm
$10 adults/$5 members, seniors, students, youth


Mercer Island Boys Lacrosse Club 
Spring Lacrosse registration now open at mercerislandlacrosse.com
Kindergarten 3/13/2016 - 5/15/2016
1st/2nd Grade Thursday 3/10/2016 - 5/15/2016
3rd/4th Grade Tuesday 3/8/2016 - 5/14/2016 
5th-8th Grade (Excluding Silver/Black Teams) 2/22/2016 - 5/14/2016

More details about practices, games and equipment for each year level here.


TechSmartKids After School Coding Courses
TechSmartKids after school computer coding classes on Mercer Island this winter begins Monday, January 11th.
Many different classes and levels available as part of their multi-year Computer Science curriculum
 
New class added for Wednesday early release:
C101- Intro to Coding I
Wed 3-4:30pm  (MICC)
 
MISD bus transportation is available from West Mercer.
 
Enroll online at http://www.techsmartkids.com or by calling (425) 786-7824


Chess Club
The Chess4Life After School Chess Club is designed for students of any ability. Our Chess Clubs are taught by certified coaches who tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of the students of all ages. Learning and playing chess at school provides a host of benefits including improved memory, problem-solving skills, an enhanced ability to think ahead, and potential performance improvement in math and science.  We strive to ensure that all of our students learn life, improve at chess, and have fun. Our programs promote fun, positive learning, valuable life skills that support academic learning and much more!  

Call today for a FREE chess assessment (a $45 value) for our Premium Center Classes located in Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, Renton and Issaquah. 

Questions? Like to register? 
Phone: 425-283-0549. Website: www.chess4life.com. Email: [email protected]


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. Learn more here: www.joinmigirlscouts.weebly.com
Any questions? Contact  [email protected]


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 [email protected] or scoutmaster, Dan Hanson at [email protected]
 
Troop 457 Special Event
Come and be welcome at the 10th annual Troop 457 Pancake Breakfast!
Sunday, February 7, 2016
8:30 am-Noon
Emmanuel Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall
4400 86th AVE SE, Mercer Island, WA  98040
 
You can't beat all you can eat for $5 for a single, $15 for a family, and $3 for a senior.
All cooking, cleaning, and serving will be done by the scouts in Troop 457, so come out and support the boys in this annual fundraiser for the troop.
 

Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Classes
All programs at Mercer Island Community & Event Center. Register online or by calling 275-7609.

Super Sitters Babysitting Training
This program is designed to train young people in basic babysitting and home-alone skills.  Students completing this course will be better prepared to provide a safer and more positive infant/child care experience.   Taught by a hospital-qualified instructor, this class includes parent expectations, basic first aid, home and fire safety, Heimlich maneuver, telephone tips, toys and activities and infant care.  Participants receive a Babysitting 101 handbook and a certification card upon completion of the class.  Bring a morning snack, sack lunch, and a drink.
Course: 15789 :: Date: February 13, 9am-2pm :: Day: Sat :: Fee: $49 :: Age: 11-15
 
Cook, Learn, Grow
If your child LOVES to cook, then our after-school cooking program is just for them! This four-week food literacy program teaches age appropriate cooking techniques, food origins, seasonal recipes and kitchen safety while having yummy hands-on fun! Students gain self-confidence while reinforcing math, reading, science and social skills. When sports and other hobbies end, cooking skills will serve best. For more information, visit www.cooklearngrown.com.
Course: 15941 :: Date: February 22-March 14, 4-5pm :: Day: Mon :: Fee: $179 :: Age: 5-11
 
Nancy Stewart's Sing with Our Kids Babysitting Class
Learn how to engage babies and young children with simple singing activities, and how these benefit their development. You'll build a kit of activities and resources to keep kids happy, busy, and growing under your care! Certificate of completion included.
Date: February 27, 10am-11:30am :: Age: 11-15 :: Fee: FREE Registration required, call 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
Happy Holidays from Sponge! Fall activities are wrapping up, and it's time to start thinking about winter enrichment.  Join Spanish or French at Island Park. Early language learning is such a wonderful gift, and with our immersion-based, spiral curriculum, students can successfully join at any time. Plus, we prorate for winter starts!
 
French is held before school from 8:00-9:00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Spanish has been very popular this year, and there's a few spaces left in our after school class on Mondays. All classes are held at Island Park. 

Sign up now on our website! Registration and information about tuition and flexible payment plans is available at www.spongeschool.com/sign-up. Questions? Email us at [email protected] or call (425) 274 5188.


Seattle Children's Theatre 
2015-2016 Season and Drama School
With an emphasis on imagination, humor, creativity and empathy, Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT) once again demonstrates its commitment to excellence in theatre for young audiences with the announcement of its 41st season. Subscriptions now on sale for the 2015-2016 Season.
 
View our School Year Catalogue here for more information on our school year classes and break camps. 



 
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