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  THE WOLF
June 4, 2015
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
Thank You!
Box Tops for Education
Spring Fling
Field Day
Kindergarten Playdates
PE Website
Summer Art Club
5th grade information
E4 naming
Graduate Grams
Parent Edge
Gymnastics Camp
Chemistry Camp
SJCC Father's Day
Island Hoops Camp
Architecture Workshops
Girl Scout Camp
Girls LAX Camps
Youth Theatre Camps
NPSA Soccer
TechSmartKids
Pacific Coast Sports
MIPR Summer camp
SJCC Summer camp
Water Polo
Manners Camps
Sponge Summer
Newsletter Submissions
  
The school year is rapidly coming to a close. Just a reminder that school will be in session on June 19th (11AM dismissal) to make-up for the missed day due to the MIEA Teacher Walkout in May.
  
Thank you for all who contributed to the Walk the Plank campaign raising funds to bridge the funding gap for our schools. Though our pirate-themed competition is over, the MISF campaign continues for just another week working towards the $1.2 million goal.

Keep your eyes peeled for announcements about end of the year events and celebrations, including the annual Spring Fling on June 12th.  Summer fun also awaits with meet ups for incoming kindergarteners, events for our graduating 5th graders, and lots of camps to keep the kids engaged.

Mark Your Calendars 

 

Thurs June 4th TODAY - 6:30pm Band Blast

 

Fri June 12 - NOON DISMISSAL/All Island Track Meet at 1PM

 

Fri June 12 - 6:00PM Spring Fling Celebration

 

Tues June 16 - Field Day

 

Tue 16th - 7:00PM 4th Grade Parent Meeting for Band/Orchestra

 

Thurs June 18 - Full Day (3:30 dismissal)

 

Fri June 19 - SCHOOL IN SESSION - Last day of School - 11AM dismissal

 

WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank You!

 

A Big "THANK YOU!" to all who contributed to the Birthday Book Program this year.  Nearly 400 families participated and donated $6,000 which went towards enriching and replenishing West Mercer's library.   We truly hope all the students who received a Birthday Book enjoyed the specially selected book gifted in their name.  If you would like your child(ren) to be included in the Birthday Book Program next year, you will be able to sign up via the electronic Parent Pack issued in the fall.  We are extremely fortunate to welcome Dana Pasquali as next year's Birthday Book Chair.

 

Thanks again! from the WM Birthday Book Team

Turn in your Box Tops Friday

 

Thank you West Mercer Wolves for raising cash for your PTA, and supplies for your school!  Turn in your BoxTops and Labels for Education this Friday, June 5th.  We'll be collecting them during lunch recess under the covered area - help your school PTA, and receive a prize!  You can also drop off your boxtops/labels into the collection bin by the multi-purpose room, please have your bags labelled with your name and teacher to receive credit.

 

Spring Fling 2015
  
Mark your calendars for Spring Fling!  It is a free, end of year celebration put on by the PTA for all families of West Mercer. 
 
 Friday,  June 12th 6-8 PM
** Ice cream ** live music ** three bounce houses **
** face painting ** fifth grade dunk tank **
 
We'd love to see you there having fun! We also need your help to make this event successful. We are looking for only one hour of your time on the day of the event to help with the following:
 
-chaperones for bouncy houses
-ice cream servers
-face painters
-Set up and clean up
 
Please consider volunteering and enjoying the fun!

 
Field Day is almost here!

 

Tuesday, June 16th

 

grades K-2: 10:30-11:30am

grades 3-5:   1:30-2:30pm

 

We need volunteers! Moms and Dads, Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents, All - come run games and play with your kids and their friends at Field Day 2015! Kids will remember this day for a long time to come so if you can come be part of it, we'd love to have your help. Please arrive 15 minutes early if you can.

 

Volunteers can contact Karen Schmid at kkuhn4@msn.com.  Please indicate which time you are available for.

 

Thank you!

 
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!

 

P.E. Department Website

 

Be sure to check out West Mercer's P.E. Department website. This site features information about whats been happening in P.E. Class and includes some fun and informative interactive links. Soon to come is a weekly section on the site with healthy snack selections.

Register Now for 
Summer Art Club at West Mercer

Summer Art Club at West Mercer provides an
opportunity for kids to explore, in small groups, a
variety of art forms.  This summer we are offering
both visual art and drama classes.  Students can
register for a morning session, an afternoon
session or an all day session.

For more information, click here or contact Ellen Hochberg at ellenhochberg1@comcast.net or 206.595.4662

 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Information for Incoming
6th Graders
  
Save the date for Back 2 School at IMS

 

Date:

Thursday, August 27, 2015

10:30-12:00 - 6th grade only

1:00-2:30 - 7th and 8th grade

 

See the flyer for more information.

 

Additional information will be available on the school website starting 8/5/15

If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help with the event, please contact Carolyn Pirak, cpirak@yahoo.com.   

 
Mercer Island's New School
Needs a Name!

The survey period is over, but Superintendent Gary Plano and the naming committee will present recommendations to the school board in June!

Graduate Grams!

It's that time of year again to honor the graduates in your life!  Have a personalized "Graduate Gram" mailed to the home of your favorite graduate.  From Preschool to High School, everyone loves to be honored during this special time in their life.  All proceeds help provide scholarships to deserving Mercer Island High School graduates.  Fill out the mail-in order form here.

 

Thank you for your support!

 
MI Parent Edge

 

Thank You from MI Parent Edge and Volunteer Opportunities!

 

We've navigated our kids' anxieties with Chris McCurry; considered the social and emotional well-being of boys in "The Mask You Live In;" learned the difference between "app-dependent" and "app-enabled" with Katie Davis; and we discovered what's really going on between adolescent boys and girls with Rosalind Wiseman.

 

Thank you for supporting these events!

We look forward to bringing more thought-provoking speakers & topics in 2015-2016.

 

Seeking Parent Edge Committee Members: If you have enjoyed attending Parent Edge events and would like to work with a dynamic team in planning and implementing these events, then Parent Edge wants to talk to you! We are looking for new members to join our committee. Responsibilities include: attending monthly committee meetings, representing your school, promoting events at your school and in the community, researching and recommending topics and speakers, and assisting at events. We would love for you to join us!

 

Please contact Suzanne McIntosh at  suzannemcint@gmail.com or Kathy Middleton at  sunnyinseattle@comcast.net to volunteer or ask questions.

 

Visit www.miparentedge.org for more information about previous speakers and events, or to leave suggestions for future speakers or topics.

 

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

 

 
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gymnastics Summer Camp
  
The Newport High School Head Gymnastics Coach and her high school gymnasts are offering a camp for

-Boys and girls entering grades K-6
-June 29-July 2nd
-Morning and afternoon sessions available
This is a great camp for beginners with no experience as well as kids already taking gymnastics classes (athletes will be grouped based on experience level). 

The camp is $150 & there is a sibling discount. 

Questions?  More information in this flyer.
Email: bakerm@bsd405.org or go to www.newportgymnastics.wordpress.com to learn how to register!
  
Chemistry Camp
                      
A week-long summer science class:
Chemistry is a BLAST!

-Aug. 10-14 8AM-12PM
 -Newport High School in Bellevue
-Incoming 6-8th graders (with a GPA of 3.0+)
-Cost of $249 includes a t-shirt for tie-dying

The camp is designed to give students interested in science a chance to get hands-on experience with lab equipment and learn basic chemistry. Students will learn the chemistry behind fire, tie-dye, color-changing reactions and much more!!!

Questions?  More information in this flyer.
Email Melissa Baker at: chemisablast@gmail.com. 
  
SJCC Father's Day
Family Film and Nosh:

Havana Curveball

Sunday, June 21 | 10:30am - Noon

1 | 55 minutes |documentary | PG

Must see show for families who love sports and the lessons they can teach us.
 

Includes Bagels, schmear (cream cheese), juice and coffee

 

For more information, click here.


 

Island Hoops Camp 2015
 
The MI Boys Basketball Booster Club is thrilled to have Coach Gavin Cree and his staff for six amazing camps for players entering grades 1-8 in Fall 2015. Camps run June 22nd through July 9th.
 
Read more details here.

 For more information about Mercer Island Boys Basketball visit www.mibasketball.org.

Architecture 101 Summer Workshops for Kids & Teens

 

The Workshops for kids grade 3 through 8 are an introduction to the field of architecture and design.

 

Workshops are Mon-Fri, 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM:

 

Week of July 6th: Bridges
Week of July 13th: Egyptian Design & Architecture 
Week of July 27th: Modern-contemporary architecture/design
Week of August 3rd: An Airport 
Week of Aug 10th: Town Planning (Fully enrolled)
Week of Aug 17th: Amusement Parks
Week of Aug 24th: Atlantis (Fully enrolled)

 

Notes:
* For a description of each workshop, see Workshop Descriptions here.
* Each workshop is $135 per student.

 

Questions: Dora Taylor at 206-290-3400 or email  dora.taylor@icloud.com.

South Bellevue-Mercer Island
Girl Scout Day Camp

Join us as we explore life's treasures -  
Pirate style 

Our amazing and unique camp is run by teen girls who plan, practice and execute the program.  We will discover, sing, cook outdoors, play games, create and have a blast! Our Program Aides and Program Aides in Training thrive as teen leaders, and our girls of all ages have a blast growing in courage, confidence, and character together. 
 
Dates: July 13 - 17, 2015

Times: Mon-Thur, 9:30am-3:30pm, Fri, 9:30am-2pm

Location: Newport Heights Elem. School

Cost: $90 - Registered Girl Scout
           $105 - Not a Registered Scout

Click Here to register now! 

 


Mercer Island's Girls Lacrosse Summer Camps

 

June & July Sessions
 
Mercer Island's 12th Annual Developmental Summer Camps (Grades 2-8), coached by MIHS Varsity Coach Liz Shields:
 
June 22-26, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
July 13 - 17, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mercer Island High School. 
 
Players from all skill levels, schools and clubs are welcome (campers will be grouped based on ability) 
 
Visit migirlslacrosse.com for details and to register! 
 
Questions: Contact Liz at shieldslax_9@hotmail.com 


Youth Theatre Northwest Summer Camps

 

Summer at Youth Theatre Northwest is your child's opportunity to shine! In the classroom or on our lush front lawn, your child will explore the thrill of live performance and expand the boundaries of their imagination, from ages 3-18. Like every summer in our 31 year history, our Summer Camps promise a fun mix of learning and creativity with plenty of opportunities to make new friends and develop valuable skills.  

 

Now we have new convenient locations to complement our enthusiastic teachers and dynamic curriculum. We offer both 1/2 day and full day programs as well as after care. New students receive a 25% discount and our online registration system is easy, secure and available 24 hours a day to fit your busy schedule. We have over 40 camps to choose from.

Visit our website to review our full Summer Camp Schedule and let the summer fun begin!  

 


NPSA Soccer

 

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 

 

 
Summer Camps 

This summer TechSmartKids is offering the following half-day and full day technology camps in Mercer Island and Bellevue for student's ages 7-16 years:

Introduction to Coding Camp

Learn computer science concepts and coding techniques as they code interactive programs and games.

 

Beginner Mobile Game Development Camp

Students learn computer science concepts as they design and code mobile game Apps using Stencyl, a complete game development platform.
 

Mobile Game Development Camp

Students learn to design and code mobile game Apps using Unity, a professional game development engine and the C# programming language

 

Making Camp

Students learn to build circuits and work with computer hardware, write code, CAD design and print with 3D printer.

 

Learn more about TechSmartKids Summer Camps:

 
Pacific Coast Sports

 

Fun soccer and multi-sport camps for kids, 5-11 years old.  For more information, click here.

Registration for MI Parks & Recreation Summer Camps!

 

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



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 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.

 

Summer Language Classes

Adios! Zaijian! Au Revior! We're wrapping up language classes for the year, and looking ahead. Registration is now open for Sponge classes in the 2015-2016 academic year on Mercer Island. Classes can fill up quickly, so reserve your spot today! We are planning classes in Spanish, Mandarin, and French.

If you'd like to jumpstart a new language, or keep up the learning over the summer, we have lots of engaging, culturally themed camps running from June 22 - July 24 in Bellevue and Seattle. For more information and to register for camp, visit us online at http://spongeschool.com/sign-up/summer-camp-2015/ Contact us by email a info@spongeschool.com or give us a call at 425-274-5188 with any questions.

We're hiring too! If you are a native Spanish, Mandarin or French speaker, and would like to teach with us next year - get in touch! Let us know why you're interested by emailing us at jobs@spongeschool.com.  

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