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Greetings!
Happy Spring!
April showers bring May flowers...
Change is in the air at Mercer Island Schools as well. The search for the next West Mercer Elementary Principal has begun, as Aimee Batliner-Gillette takes on the post of principal of the new elementary school. The same process has begun at Lakeridge Elementary as principal, Andy Labadie moves on from his post to take on parenthood.
We have just celebrated our young scientists at the annual Science Fair, and look ahead to a well-deserved Spring Break before we head into the home stretch of this year. Hope you have fun or relaxing plans for the time off!
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Mark Your Calendars
April 6th-10th - No School - SPRING BREAK
April 22, 7PM - MI Parent Edge - Rosalind Wiseman
April 24, 11AM - Popcorn Friday
April 28, 7AM - MISF Breakfast of Champions
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WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Thank You!!!
Thank you to all the Culture Fair volunteers for making such a spectacular event! Volunteers hosted booths, performed on stage, ran craft tables -- without all of you, the fair couldn't have happened. A HUGE shout out to MR. BAXTER who created such excitement for the fair, who mc'd the show, who set up, cleaned up, gosh who knows what else. Thanks to Mrs. Dye for her mad copying skills. And don't forget Kahn and Mr. Kiner! Kudos to all of you!!! Of course a HUGE thanks also goes to our Culture Fair organizers: Connie Manson and Christine Armstrong! A true team effort.
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K-4th grades - It's time to order your West Mercer 2014-2015 yearbooks! Payments will be accepted via check or securely online.
**5th graders** - your yearbooks have already been ordered! Your payment was submitted with your sweatshirt/activity form.
Hurry and reserve yours, these are definitely a treasured keepsake!  |
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The West Mercer Green Team and Gardening Crew have joined together for some interesting Earth activities Day on April 22nd. The Green Team, led by Sherry Isaacs, set a goal to complete activities that would award WME the title of a Tier 3 Green School.
The requirement is to identify and name the plants in our Courtyard Garden. Mrs. Isaacs arranged for a Master Gardener visit with the members of the Green Team and the Gardening Crew to identify the plants, which are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest and have a special role in the early days of our state.
They have been researching the plants and weeding and pruning in the Courtyard. These students are becoming experts on the location and special features of these plants. Mrs. Isaacs helped the students create signs for the plants and these groups have developed a thought-provoking way to introduce the plants to the school community. These signs will be installed to help our children learn the names and uses for the plants.
Tours of our Courtyard:
These students will be tour guides for the plants in the garden. These tours will be offered during the lunch recesses and, on special dates, for classes, who are interested. This will allow more of the students to become familiar with these indigenous plants, and allow them to discover how these plants were used.
Scavenger Hunt:
On Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, these groups will sponsor a Scavenger Hunt for any classes who are interested. Students who complete the questions can submit them to the teams. All students who succeed in the Scavenger Hunt, by showing they knew the plants, will be recognized.
Welcome to the Courtyard Garden:
After Earth Day, when the weather suits, we will open our Courtyard for any teachers who are interested in doing class work in the Courtyard Garden. With the bench seating, the indigenous plants, and the warm weather, this will provide an ideal location for Science, Reading, or just being in the garden.
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BoxTops Collection
Wolves please turn in your BoxTops and Labels for Education on Wednesday, April 15th & April 29th. We'll be collecting them under the covered area during lunch recess - help your school PTA, and receive a prize for every 50 BoxTops/Labels turned in!
Questions - please contact
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LOST AND FOUND!
Lost and Found is overflowing! Please have your child check to see if there is anything they are missing. We will be donating it to a charity the Friday before Spring Break (TOMORROW)..
There are a lot of very nice looking coats and sweatshirts so please make sure and have your child check the pile!!
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Incoming kindergarten playdates
Do you have an incoming Kindergartner next year? Contact Ilene Sloan for information on Kindergarten summer play dates, plus a summer potluck!
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Dear Mercer Island district staff, parents, and patrons,
Spring has officially arrived! With it comes a great deal of progress on several initiatives for our Mercer Island public schools.
Read full Spring Superintendent's Message HERE |
Be Part of the Leadership Committee at the new Elementary School #4 TODAY
In a partnership between MISD and the MI PTAs, we are looking for individuals to be involved with two different committees. The first is the naming of the 4th elementary school (approximately 3 meetings before the end of this school year - June 2015.) The second is to be active in the new school's PTA leadership & planning committee(throughout next year 2015-2016.) This is the chance to help decide the future of our new school.
If you are interested in participating in one or both of these committee, please fill out the online application by TOMORROW April 3rd. Committee member selection will be made by PTA Presidents and Superintendent Gary Plano. For application and more information, please visit www.miptacouncil.org.
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Rosalind Wiseman
Queen Bees and Masterminds
When: Wednesday, April 22nd, 7pm
Where: Herzl-Ner Tamid Synagogue
For parents of kids of all ages
Rosalind Wiseman pulls back the curtain on what's really going on between adolescent boys and girls today, and how social group dynamics influence their interactions. She offers step-by-step advice on how to teach young people to treat each other with dignity.
Thought leader, social researcher and author, Wiseman promotes social justice and bullying prevention. Her New York Times best-selling book, "Queen Bees and Wannabes" was the basis for the hit comedy movie "Mean Girls."
Parent Edge is thrilled to offer a limited number of tickets to our Mercer Island PTA members at a significant discount to the publically-offered price.
Go to:
and enter the Promotional Code "MIPE15". Ticket price for Mercer Island PTA members is $15 plus a minimal transaction fee.
MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, MIHS and St. Monica schools. Please visit www.miparentedge.org to view the entire parent education calendar of events. |
Mercer Island HS Bands Head to Australia
On Tuesday, March 31st the MIHS Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Band headed to Australia for a 10 day tour. Our very own world-class band program has been selected and invited to be the featured international guest at the Australian National Band Competition 2015. Last year the featured international band was from Hong Kong. Our bands will also perform at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, at the Sydney Opera House, and at the 'Julliard of the southern hemisphere', the Sydney Conservatorium. And as a charming 'full-circle' story, the MIHS bands will also have a joint appearance and be hosted by the Marching Koalas. This is a marching band group created after the visit of another world class United States high school band a couple of decades ago from Arcadia High School (California). Participating in that band trip was one of our MIHS Band Directors - Parker Bixby, who has maintained contact with the Marching Koalas in the intervening years. The band's performances will be steamed live at http://brassbanned.com/ausnationals/. Or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/2015CentenaryofAnzacNationals Or read what our own MIHS students are blogging at: http://www.mercerislandschools.org/Page/11622 |
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The IMS Island Books' event is coming up, May 15. Shop anytime throughout the day, and when you identify yourself with IMS, we receive 20% of the sales! Proceeds benefit IMS PTSA programs & services that enrich our students' middle school experience.
Please join us for coffee and pastries from 9:30am-11:30am, or meet friends for a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres from 6pm-8pm. Catch up with friends, share book recommendations, & browse the shelves.
Start making your list now! Pick up books for the family's summer reading, or get great gifts for Graduation, Father's Day, Teachers and Birthdays! At the same time, you will be helping the students at IMS. We hope to see you there on May 15!
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After a hugely successful 4 week soccer clinic at West Mercer, the Nowland Premier Soccer Academy (NPSA) will be returning for an 8 week session starting Wed April 15th.
NPSA is the premier youth soccer club on the Island providing professional coaching to over 300 players from the ages of 4-19.
NPSA's after-school clinics are an introduction to organized, structured soccer training with each session focusing on a topic, i.e. passing, receiving, 1v1 moves, etc, to ensure that the players are learning as well as having fun.
For full details about this program and to register your child click on the following link;
There are limited spots available so reserve yours today!
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NPSA is coming to Bellevue!
With Nowland Premier Soccer Academy now expanding to provide a Premier Youth Soccer Program to the whole of Bellevue, we are offering a series of FREE professional training clinics that will be open to any new players (U7-U15) that want to try us out! We want to give everyone the opportunity to work with our professional coaching staff prior to our Fall Tryouts so we will be holding these free clinics through April at different locations across the Eastside.
Please contact us for all of the information: contactnpsa@gmail.com and visit our website: www.nowlandpremier.com
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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!)...
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
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April 4, Mercerdale Park
Sponsored by Windermere Real Estate and JayMarc Homes
Lil'Ones Egg Hunt
Bring a basket and your sweet tooth and get ready to hunt for goodies. Find a golden egg for the "eggstra" special surprise. A separate section will be reserved for the 1 to 3 year old hunters.
Ages: 1 - 6
Time: 5pm Sharp!
Fee: $5 Donation/Family
No registration required.
Flashlight Egg Hunt
Bring your flashlight and a basket to haul off your loot. Lots of eggs, candy and prizes for everyone. Find the golden egg during our Eggstravaganza for an "eggstra" special surprise.
Ages: 7 - 10
Time: 8:30pm Sharp!
Fee: $5 Donation/Family
No registration required.
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Pony Rides, Dizzy's Tumble Bus, bouncy houses, face painting, carnival games, food trucks and more, you won't want to miss it.
The event is on Saturday, April 25th from 10am-2pm at the Mercer Island High School.
For more information, click here
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Calling all girls, ladies and women! Dress up for fun, and run or walk through beautiful Luther Burbank Park. Guys come cheer them on!
Register course #15551 at www.myparksandrecreation.com or call 206.275.7609
Registration deadline May 3.
T-shirts for all participants. No bibs or chips.
Download waiver
or email to miparks@mercergov.org or drop off at the M.I. Community & Event Center. More details available here.
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Join us for a 4 week camp incorporating CrossFit, social skills, team building and nutrition. Sessions are led by a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer and CrossFit Kids coach. During the 4 week camp your child will be introduced to healthy movements, team building activities, social skills, emotion regulation and healthy eating habits. They will learn about nutrition and make healthy snacks to bring home all while moving and engaging in individual and team activities.
Cost: Register early and save!
$145 until 4/19/15$165 until 4/25/15
When: Sunday's from 12-2pm for 4 weeks. **April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17.
Where: Mercer Island CrossFit, 3801 E. Mercer Way (inside the SJCC) *You do not have to be a member of CrossFit or the SJCC to attend the camp.
Who: Any and all kids in grades 2-5
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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 or Scoutmaster Dan Hansen
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Get support and learn about what matters most as your child moves through the toddler/preschool years! Mommy Matters blends Positive Discipline and Gottman principles with personal coaching.
Mommy Matters Is For Moms Only
Join other moms in creating space in your life for intentional parenting. Walk away feeling confident in your mothering, empowered in your decisions, and fulfilled in your relationships and endeavors.
In the Mommy Matters Workshops, You Will:
- Learn new ways to nurture & strengthen relationships with self, child(ren), and partner
- Gain insight into how your child learns
- Learn behavior management strategies
- Feel confident about YOUR parenting choices
APRIL 21- JUNE 9, 2015
Eight Tuesdays 10-11:30 AM
Hosted at Mercer Island JCC3801 E Mercer Way Mercer Island, WA
*Childcare Available, Click Here for Details To get more information or receive updates, contact:
Melissa Benaroya, MSW, LICSW at (206) 226-6707
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Fun soccer and multi-sport camps for kids, 5-11 years old. For more information, click here.
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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 |
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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 |
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Essential Manners for Modern Children
Summer Camp
Dates: July 20 to 24, 2015 or August 24 to 28, 2015
Times: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Seattle World Trade Center, 2200 Alaskan Way, Seattle
Open to children ages 7 to 12
Manners are more important than ever, and when practiced will help your children be successful socially and later professionally. This fun and interactive week-long camp will teach your children essential manners and important social skills to help them be confident and comfortable in any situation.
The classes include role plays, discussion, hands-on activities and more. The camp will also include manners related crafts and games.
Camp will culminate in a three-course meal where the children will practice the table manners and conversation skills they've learned during the week.
Topics covered include:
· Making a Great First and Lasting Impression
· Manners Outside the Home
· Digital Diplomacy
· Parties and Playdates
· Table Manners
To register, click here.
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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!
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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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