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  THE WOLF
March 5, 2015
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
Article Headline
Article Headline
IslandWood Parent Info Night
Culture Fair
Fine Arts Showcase
Parent Edge
Article Headline
Article Headline
Summer camp!
Summer camp!
Water Polo
MI Youth Football
Boys Spring Lacrosse
TechSmartKids
Sponge Language Classes
Newsletter Submissions
  
We hope you enjoyed some time away during mid-winter break, and that your re-entry has been smooth!

If you have kids in 3rd-5th grade, Smarter Balanced standardized testing is coming soon.  Then another break is upon us, with Spring Break coming to the Island April 6th-10th. 
 
Even though it's only March, the balmy weather is hinting at the great island summer to come - and camp registrations are opening up as well!  See details below for some great camps  and classes for kids of all ages.  
Mark Your Calendars

March 5th - 7:00pm MI Parent Edge Event - The Mask You Live In, MIHS Performing Arts Center

March 10th - 5:30PM Fine Arts Showcase at MIHS

March 11th - 5:30PM Fine Arts Showcase at MIHS

March 13th - NOON DISMISSAL

March 16th - SCHOOL IN SESSION - 
E.coli closure make-up day

March 18th - 7PM Incoming 6th Grade Gator for a Night 
 
March 19th - 6:30PM Culture Fair at West Mercer
 
March 20th - 9:30AM General PTA Meeting

March 27th - Popcorn Friday

Friday March 30th - 7:00PM MI Parent Edge Event - Katie Davis at MIHS PAC

Looking Ahead...
April 1st - 4:30PM - 7:30PM Science Fair.
April 6th-10th - No School - SPRING BREAK 

 

WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU!

 

A huge thank you to Suzan Szafir and her fearless volunteers who hosted a purrfectly wonderful Four-Legged Friend Food Drive & Humane Society MaxMobile Visit on February 4, 2015. Suzan and her team, together with the Humane Society educated and entertained our children with several fun crafts, activities and of course, adorable pets. Thank you Suzan for your all of your efforts this year to inspire our children to become active in community service!  

News from the IMS Nurse for 5th grade parents

 

Dear Parents and Guardians of 5th grade students,

All students at age 11 are required to obtain one dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis i.e., Whooping Cough) vaccination to attend 6th Grade in the State of WA. This is a booster dose to combat the continued escalated cases of Whooping Cough in Washington State.

Please make an appointment now, for your child to obtain the required vaccine at age 11.  

Report the date your student obtained the Tdap vaccination to Bonnie Barthelme RN at Islander Middle School anytime between now and September 8, 2015.

Bonnie.barthelme@mercerislandschools.org

Attention Soccer Fans!  

 

There is a new soccer program coming to West Mercer right after school lets out on early release Wednesdays, starting next week!  
 
The Nowland Premier Soccer Academy* will provide a FREE 4 week after-school clinic for West Mercer students. (1st through 5th grade.) This introductory clinic is a great opportunity for the students of West Mercer to try out the program on school premises and it is free of charge!
 
Below are the full details for the first session, make sure to sign up quickly.
 
Dates - Wednesdays from March 11th - April 1st
Time - 2:15-3:15pm
Duration - 4 Weeks
Grades - 1-5
Location - West Mercer Elementary Play field
 
(A spring clinic is planned after spring break from April 15th until June 3rd. Cost:$99.)
 
There are limited spots available, so reserve yours by e-mailing your child's name, date of birth and grade to contactnpsa@gmail.com . 
 
*NPSA is the fastest growing youth soccer organization on the Eastside and is based on Mercer Island. NPSA has been providing professional soccer coaching on the Island for just over a year now and currently has 17 teams from U8-U15 and over 300 members in their club.

For more information on the Nowland Premier Soccer Academy visit www.nowlandpremier.com. 

Celebrate West Mercer's Diversity at 
Culture Fair 2015! 
 
Enjoy music, performances, decorated booths, and lots of delicious ethnic food! Culture Fair will be on Thursday, March 19 from 6:30PM to 8:00PM in our multi-purpose room.
 
Interested in featuring YOUR heritage? Host a booth! Do a craft! Create a performance! Think: SIMPLE, but elaborations are always welcome. 
 
 
 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fine Arts Showcase 
Volunteers Needed!

 

 Showcase is March 10th and 11th this year.  The theme is...AROUND THE WORLD

 

Volunteers needed to fill 44 timeslots! Every student is represented with a piece of their artwork, and this event requires a great deal of time and energy to set up.  Please join parents from all 3 elementary schools at the following times/locations to mount student artwork on butcher paper:

 
When: TODAY March 5th

from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm


Where: We will be gathering on the STAGE at West Mercer... there will be two shifts per day!

 

Hanging at MIHS will be TOMORROW: Friday, March 6th and Monday, March 9th.  
Your help would be appreciated!

For more information and to sign up, click HERE.

Please email Tracy Richardson with any questions!

   

Parent Edge  - TONIGHT  

 

MI Parent Edge Presents the Film,  

"The Mask You Live In"

 

7 p.m., Thursday, March 5 at MIHS PAC

 

How can we raise a healthier generation of boys and young men?

From the Directors of "Miss Representation," comes a film exploring masculinity in America. The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to be true to themselves. Pressured by their peers, adults, and the media, boys learn to disconnect from emotions, devalue friendships, objectify women, and resolve conflict through violence. Gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance to create a maze of identity issues boys must face in order to become "real" men. See film trailer HERE.

 

Please join Parent Edge as we present this anticipated film, followed by a discussion.

 

This event is for parents of kids of all ages; students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to attend.  

 

FREE for MI students/staff, $5/MI PTA members.

 

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

 

Please visit  www.miparentedge.org to view the parent education 2014-2015 events calendar.


 
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Join Cub Scouts for the
Pine Wood Derby 

 

Does your Son love to Hike? Camp? Build? Explore?
Then Cub Scouts want you!
Experience the excitement of Scouting first hand
Come build & race a Pine Wood Derby car

Build an Adventure with your son!
Help them learn & grow in a safe, structured environment
Unplug & get outdoors
Create memories & friends that will last a lifetime

Join Pack 624 in celebrating the Pine Wood Derby

GUESTS WELCOME (Bring a Friend!)...

(1) Pine Wood Derby Build Party
FREE Car Kits to Boys K-­4th
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church
Thursday March 19th @ 7PM

(2) Pine Wood Derby Race Day
Thursday April 16th @ 6:30PM
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church

Please RSVP, so we can order enough kits
Dr. Randy Ogata, reikoyumi@yahoo.com

For More Information, Visit our Web Site

 

Eat Well to Play Well

 

Fueling the body for performance
March 29, 3:00 pm
 
A FREE Let's Move! Mercer Island event presented by
The M.I. Food Revolution and Parks & Recreation Department 
 
Meet Author, Cynthia Lair

When & What you eat can have a positive effect on your performance. Come hear how! Join Cynthia for a lively presentation on how you can fuel your brain and body for optimal performance. Author of the popular cookbook Feeding the Whole Family, and second edition of her book, Feeding the Young Athlete: Sports Nutrition Made Easy for Players, Parents and Coaches. Cynthia has been on faculty for Bastyr University's School of Nutrition & Exercise Science since 1994 and is a founder of their BS in Nutrition & Culinary Arts program.

Special guest: 
Daniel Shapiro, U.W. Basketball Strength & Conditioning Coach.

A FREE family event suitable for ages 10 yrs and up. 
Located at the Stroum Jewish Community Center,  
3801 E Mercer Way


 
Registration for MI Parks & Recreation Summer Camps began Feb 7th!

 

MI P&R offers a wide variety of summer camps, including art, cooking, Legos, kayaking, music, sailing, sports, & day camps for ages 3 & up. 

View the camp brochure online at www.playonmercer.com

 

 

SJCC Summer Camp has been a defining time for thousands of campers over the past five decades. Campers learn songs, play gaga, act onstage, create science experiments, and make lifelong friendships.

Whether this will be your first summer or you're a seasoned veteran, we are excited for you to build friendships, create memories, connect with the outdoors, and, most importantly, have fun in the sun! SJCC Summer Camp has weekly options from June 22 through August 28.  Camp runs Mondays to Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

View the SJCC Summer Camp brochure online here

 

 

Does your child love the water and team sports? Then water polo is perfect. We specialize in introducing kids to the sport and have programs to suit all ages. Boys and girls age five and older are welcome to join us. We have programs in north Seattle, west Seattle and on Mercer Island. A Free Trial is always available - or come visit a Free Open House!

 

Check out our offerings at 

 or get in touch by emailing  thor@raincitypolo.com or by calling 206-999-5686


Mercer Island Youth Football Fall 2015 Open House
 
THIS Sunday, March 8th from 3-5PM @PEAK
  • Preview NEW jerseys and helmets for the 2015 season!
  • Weigh-in to find out your fall team!
  • Sign up for summer conditioning and football camps!
  • FREE Hot dogs!
New to Football?  Come talk with our coaches, including our Player Safety Coach!  Have your questions answered and get more information!

Click HERE for the Flyer
 
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

Scrimmages: Sun, 3/15-5/14, 1-2:30, IMS Playfields

Equipment: stick, cleats, dress for inclement weather

 

3rd/4th Grade

Practice T/Th, starting 3/10/15, 3:45-5PM

At your MI elementary school
Games mainly Saturdays: 3/14/15 through 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 Saturdays:  3/7/15 through 5/16/15

Equipment: stick, full pads (helmet, chest/shoulder, elbow, gloves, mouth guard), athletic cup

 

K-2nd 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

 

 
Winter 2015 
After School Coding Courses

TechSmart Kids teaches after school Coding (Computer Science) & Making (Physical Computing) courses for elementary & middle school students. This fall over 200 students on Mercer Island enrolled in TechSmartKids Coding Courses.
 
Enrollment is now available for TechSmartKids Winter 2015 Coding Courses:
 
Enroll Online:          http://www.TechSmartKids.com
 
Enroll by phone:      (425) 786-7824
 
For more information, click here.
 
Summer Language Classes

Hola! Ni Hao! Konnichiwa! Summer is coming up quick and we're excited to offer immersion camps in Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese! This year, we'll be exploring exotic destinations, stories, and celebrations from around the world. Our dynamic teachers will lead campers in crafts, games, cooking, science, drama and outdoor play. Camp is a great opportunity to continue language over the summer, or to try something new! Week-long camps are offered in Bellevue and Seattle from June 22 through July 24. For more information and to register for camp, visit us online at www.spongeschool.com/sign-up/summer-camp/.

Interested in joining classes mid-session on Mercer Island? 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. Contact us by email at info@spongeschool.com or give us a call at (425) 274-5188 with any questions. We love to see new faces! 


NEWSLETTER
SUBMISSIONS
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.  
West Mercer Elementary PTA | 4141 81st Avenue | Mercer Island, Washington 98040 | 206-236-3430