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Greetings!
Welcome to December! We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and got a break to spend time with family and friends. The winter break is almost upon us, which is a break from school activities, but often still a busy time for families. Please note that winter break is December 22 through January 2, with school resuming on Monday January 5th.
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Mark Your Calendars
December 5th - Popcorn Friday
December 11th - 2:35pm Winter Music Assembly and 7pm West Mercer Winter Music Concert
December 22nd - January 2nd - NO SCHOOL/ WINTER BREAK
January 9th - 9:30AM Principal's Coffee
January 16th - 9:30AM - 11:30AM Elementary School Visitation for new/transferring families
January 19th - NO SCHOOL/MLK DAY
January 21st - 7:00PM 5th Grade Band/Orchestra Curriculum Night
January 23rd - 7:00PM Hoe Down
January 26th - 7:00PM - 8:00PM Kindergarten Roundup at West Mercer for incoming families |
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WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Thank You...
An enormous THANK YOU to Sharon Perez and Cynthia Winiski for their amazing Seahawks-themed Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in November. Everyone at WM thought it was an absolute "winner!" Hearty and delicious food was gobbled up by all. Hopefully you had the opportunity to peek at the Teacher's Lounge. It was transformed into a football stadium with careful details, from goal posts to yellow flags! Most importantly, the teachers felt that the families at WM are truly their 12th
Man-- we are their biggest fans!
Thank you for partnering with
West Mercer teachers in your child's education by participating in parent-teacher conferences in November!
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Message from our Principal Aimee Batliner-Gillette
THANK YOU TO OUR PTA:
In early October the Special Education and Learning Support Team for West Mercer met to discuss our Writing Program. The Writers' Workshop program is now in place in all classrooms. The focus for this program is encouraging children to express their stories through writing...read more here
In order to implement this idea the Team wrote and submitted a grant application. We learned recently that West Mercer was awarded the funding to implement our Skill Building Program.
THANK YOU...
The costs will include funding for staffing and supplies. In order to implement the program our PTA is providing half of the funding by contributing $2,487.86 and Dean Mack from the MI School District will provide the other half. This partnership will allow us to pilot the program, find what will work with our students, and share the results with other schools.
We are currently working with Fred Rundle, Director of Learning Services, to select materials that will be effective for our program. We will also be working with staff to identify students who would benefit from the program. We will initiate the program beginning in January 2015 until May 2015, when we evaluate the students' progress.
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SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENTS
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It has been a busy and productive fall for the Mercer Island School District. The recently formed Boundary Committee is reviewing options for new elementary school boundaries for the four elementary schools to determine which neighborhoods attend each school beginning the fall of 2016. The Boundary Committee will host a public preview with their preliminary recommendation on Dec. 10, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., in the Islander Middle School library. I am hoping for a robust turnout at this public preview prior to the formal public hearing early next year. Read more...
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December 8, 6:30PM
Islander Middle School MPR
Registration is OPEN for the 2015 Spring Season at www.MIGirlsLacrosse.com . Plan on attending the annual Mandatory Parent Meeting and Pizza Feed. Bring your player! Bring a potential new player and get a prize! This meeting is important for both new and returning players. A $25 late fee will be charged for registrations after January 15, 2015.
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This December, our children aspire to teach you the true meaning of Christmas.
Youth Theatre Northwest ushers in the holiday season with a yuletide classic. Our production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will take families on a hysterical journey where the most unlikely children perform the lead roles in their community's annual Christmas Pageant. Will this revered holiday tradition be ruined? Will it be cancelled? Will the wise men run off with the baby Jesus? Or maybe, just maybe this will be the Best Christmas Pageant Ever!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever performs December 5 - 21 in the sanctuary of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Mercer Island. Based on the book by Barbara Robinson, the show is directed by Matt Giles and features the performing talents of children from across the region.
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Little Dribblers 2014
Mercer Island Boys Basketball Tradition
Winter Saturday Program Dec 6th to Feb 7th
Little Dribblers is a long standing basketball tradition on Mercer Island, originally conceived and run by legendary coach Ed Pepple and continued by current head coach Gavin Cree. This program gives young kids interested in basketball a wonderful opportunity to interact with and learn from high school players and coaches. It allows high school players to share their skills and mentor these kids and indoctrinate the love of the game. Young kids adore these players and have lots of fun on the court. They learn skills which serve them well with their current teams and prepare them for future Islander basketball.
Players of all abilities are encouraged to participate. Members of the sophomore, JV, and Varsity basketball teams will coach the younger players in grades 2nd through 9th. Proceeds from this camp are used to support boys' basketball activities.
Click here for more information, |
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Auditions for the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra
Register Now for December 8th Auditions for the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. Open to all symphonic instruments, musicians ages 6-19. Rehearsals are on Monday nights in Bellevue during the school year. For more information, please visit www.byso.org.
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Boys and Girls Club Winter Athletic Programs are Coming
Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club offers a number of active programs for kids throughout the fall and winter, including:
- Basketball
- Parkour
- Wrestling
- Yellow Yoga
- Futsal
- Baseball try-outs
Programs are ongoing. See the flyer,
Also, don't forget: Registration opens for Spring programs Nov. 15 for Little League, Softball, T-Ball, Sluggers, Soccer, Track and Field, and Volleyball.
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Boys Spring Lacrosse 2015
REGISTRATION at mercerislandlacrosse.com
Kindergarten
Sundays 3/15/15 - 5/17/15, 2:30-3:30
IMS South Playfields
Equipment: stick, cleats, dress for inclement weather
1st/2nd Grade
Practice Thursdays 3/12/15, weekly, 3:45-5PM
At your MI elementary school
First scrimmage 3/15/14, last scrimmage 5/17/15
Scrimmages: Sundays 1-2:30 at IMS South Playfields
Equipment: stick, cleats, dress for inclement weather
3rd/4th Grade
Practice Tuesdays, 3/10/15, weekly, 3:45-5PM
At your MI elementary school
Games weekly on MI/greater eastside, mainly Sat
First games 3/14/15, last games 5/16/15
Equipment: stick, full pads (helmet, chest/shoulder, elbow, gloves, mouth guard), athletic cup
5th - 8th (Excluding Silver/Black Teams)
First practice Monday 2/23/15
Practices weekly Mon/Wed/Fri at IMS 4:30-6:30pm
Games weekly on Saturdays on MI/greater eastside
First games 3/7/15, last games 5/16/15
Equipment: stick, full pads (helmet, chest/shoulder, elbow, gloves, mouth guard), athletic cup
Questions K-2nd grade contact Jola Jensen: jolajensen4@gmail.com
Questions 3rd/4th grade contact Missy Johnson: tonyandmissyjohnson@comcast.net
Questions 5th/6th grade contact Sarah Rowe: sarah.rowe@comcast.net
Questions 7th/8th grade contact Susie Plummer: susie@uvillage.com
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Mercer Island CrossFit offers programs for kids at the SJCC
Make physical activity fun with CrossFit Kids! Mercer Island CrossFit offers weekly fitness classes for kids ages 5-10 years old. CrossFit Kids focuses on finding fun and active ways to teach kids healthy movements, nutrition, team building, emotion regulation, and social skills. Classes are taught by a Licensed Mental Health Therapist with certifications in NASM-CPT and CF Level 1.
Mercer Island CrossFit is located in the Stroum Jewish Community Center. Classes are Tuesday's & Thursdays at 4pm.
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Futsal Registration Open through Boys and Girls Club
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What is Futsal? It's fast paced, action packed and FUN!
- Taught by IAS Professionals
- Small rosters = more touches
- Small fields/goals and out of bounds lines improve ball control, foot coordination and agility
- NO booting the ball and NO standing around
- Played indoors at the PEAK
- Team jersey supplied
- Friend requests accomodated
Registration for players U6 through U14. Register through the Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club
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Mercer Island FC (MIFC) is proud to announce a NEW program! Fall Technical Director "TD" Friday Academy
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K, 1st & 2nd grade
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IMS Turf
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4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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3rd & 4th grade
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IMS Turf
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5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
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5th grade and older
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Island Crest Park
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6:15 - 7:15 p.m.
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Learn more here!
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hosted by MI Parks & Recreation and MI Fire
Gather with your family, friends & neighbors for an evening of holiday merriment at the community tree lighting ceremony and caroling at Mercerdale Park. Radio Disney will be at Mercerdale Park with music and activities starting at 5:30pm thanks to sponsorship by Republic Services. Arts & crafts, Santa photos, treats and musical entertainment will follow at the Firehouse. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots drive to help a child in need have a better holiday season.
Age: All Ages
Date: Friday, December 5
Time: 6:30pm - 7pm (Tree Lighting & Caroling*)
7pm - 8:30pm (Firehouse Munch & Activities**)
Fee: FREE
Location: *Mercerdale Park & **North Fire Station
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Mercer Island Parks and Recreation is offering an opportunity for a Parents Night Out!
Enjoy a night out with your spouse, friends, or just chilling at home without your kids.
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Bellevue Magic Season
Ice Arena
Dates: Nov. 28, 2014 - Jan. 11, 2015
Skate and celebrate at the Magic Season Ice Arena, the region's largest open-air holiday ice skating experience! This beloved Magic Season tradition is the perfect memory-making activity for family and friends. The festive venue offers shelter for all-weather skating, seasonal food and beverage concessions, music from STAR 101.5. This is also an easy fundraising opportunity for our school.
Simply tell the attendant at the entrance which school you are from and each student attending will raise $3 for their school's PTA.
Click here for more information.
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Hola, Ni Hao, and Bonjour! Sponge language classes are just getting started for the year at the Mercer Island Elementary schools, and you can still sign up for class! We offer a research-based, exciting and engaging curriculum taught primarily in the target language. Our goal is to help build comprehension and communication skills through active learning -- which means lots of games, stories and songs! It's not too late to join the fun!
Classes for Spanish, French and Mandarin are held before and after school at all three Mercer Island Elementary schools. Busing is available between schools, so your children can learn their favorite language regardless of the school they attend. Visit www.spongeschool.com/sign-up/ and select the big pink "Mercer Island Elementary Registration" button to register. Contact us by email at info@spongeschool.com or call us at 425.274.5188 with any questions.
Register now and secure your spot in class!
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TechSmartKids - After School
Computer Programming Course
TechSmartKids, a leading provider of computer science and physical computing education for elementary and middle school students is offering after school computer programming classes for West Mercer students and the community.
Enrollment
Enroll Online: http://www.TechSmartKids.com
Enroll by phone: 425-786-7824
TechSmartKids Fall 2014 Courses available here.
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The Wolf newsletter will go out on the first and third Thursday of each month. If you have any announcements that you would like to appear in an upcoming newsletter, please send in your submissions by the end of business day on Monday prior to publication. Submissions can be made to: editor@westmercerpta.com.
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