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Greetings!
Dear West Mercer families,
Welcome back to school and welcome to new families! It was great to have so many parents at the first day Welcome Coffee, after settling your kids into their new classrooms. We look forward to a great year, led by new principal, Carole Best. Along with Principal Best, we welcome several new teachers, though several are familiar faces in our Mercer Island community. There are still many volunteer opportunities for parents to get involved in our wonderful school. There are also many sport and activities for children with all interests. We hope you had a great summer and are ready for a fabulous school year ahead!
Sincerely,
West Mercer PTA
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Tues, Sept 15th: 4:30/8:45 5th Grade Beginning Music Lesson I
Wed, Sept 16th: 6 - 7 PM Curriculum Night, K-2
Thurs, Sept 17th: 6 - 7 PM Curriculum Night, 3rd-5th
Fri, Sept 18th: First Popcorn Friday
Mon, Sept 21st: 7PM Kindergarten Parent Social
Mon, Sept 21st: 4:30/8:45PM 5th Grade Beginning Music Lesson II Sept 22nd-23rd: SMILE: Picture Days
Fri, Sept 25th: 9:30AM Principal's Coffee Fri, Sept 25th: Parent Packs Due
Wed, Sept 30th: 6 - 8PM Ice Cream Social
Tues, Oct 6th: 7PM New Families Parent Social |
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WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Thanks to everyone who attended the Welcome Coffee! What a great event to discover volunteer opportunities, to learn about upcoming events, and to visit with old and new friends. Didn't get the chance to sign up to volunteer? Don't fret. There will be opportunities to do so via the newsletter, online communications and the old school way...through your teacher! Thanks to our fearless Welcome Coffee co-chairs Christina Hendelman & Andrea Dickstein. Excellent job ladies.
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Dear Parents and Guardians:
During a child's elementary school years, important development is taking place intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. At West Mercer, we recognize that a child might get discouraged in any one of these areas. To help navigate these issues, a school counselor from Mercer Island Youth and Family Services is available to provide services again this year.
Our program is largely preventative; we try to provide services to children early so that they will have a successful school experience. We provide age-appropriate classroom activities and discussions about relationships, decision-making and problem-solving, and other issues related to physical and emotional health including teaching students our conflict management program called Kelso's Choice. (Please refer to the Kelso's Choice attachment) We encourage you to use Kelso's Choice at home to reinforce problem-solving strategies your child is learning here at school. Here is a helpful website: kelsoschoice.com/community/parent-page
Please read the attached letter from Jennifer Johnson for more detailed information.
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WEST MERCER WOLF WEAR COMING SOON!
AVAILABLE FOR ONLY 2 WEEKS,
SEPTEMBER 14-25THOrder forms will be distributed by your child's teacher September 14th!GO WOLVES! if you have any questions email Karin Shelton karin_shelton@hotmail.com
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Wed, Sept 30th, 6:00-8:00pm
At the West Mercer Playground
Enjoy ice cream sundaes with tasty toppings.
Connect with West Mercer parents & students.
We need parent volunteers!!
This is a fun and easy event - a great way to get involved with the WM community!
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Welcome Kindergarten Parents
Who: Incoming Kindergarten Parents
What: Adults Only Social
When: Monday, 9/21/15 7pm to 8:30
Where: Home of Barb & Chris Di Re, 4103 Boulevard Pl
Why: Come mingle with other parents who have a little one in Kindergarten at West Mercer Elementary. The PTA Presidents and our Principal, Carol Best, will make a few remarks and can answer any questions you may have on what to expect on your first few weeks of Kindergarten. Sponsored by the WM PTA.
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If you are new to West Mercer, come socialize with other new families, Principal Best, and members of the PTA.
This event is for families with students in 1st - 5th grade.
When: Tuesday, October 6th, 7:00-8:00 PM
Where: Laurel Baker's house (address coming soon)
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Are you interested in learning more about how what is happening in the local government and state legislature may be affecting your family and our schools? See the attached updates from WW PTA VP of Advocacy, Gwen Loosmore. |
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Throw Out the Checklisted Childhood!
Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of "How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success"
Join Parent Edge as we welcome Julie Lythcott-Haims, author and former Stanford University Dean of Freshmen, for an engaging and informative evening taking a hard look at the overparenting trend in today's society. While the stories and statistics can be tough to hear, especially since we will likely catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mix, the solutions and end-result of raising self-sufficient, resourceful kids is well worth the pain! Go to www.howtoraiseanadult.com for recent press, articles and interviews with Julie!
Thurs, Oct 29 7 PM, MIHS PAC
Free for PTA Members
For parents of kids of all ages
MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTAs of Island Park, Lakeridge, West Mercer, Islander Middle, MIHS and St. Monica schools.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The Stroum Jewish Community Center is very excited to invite you to our next Cultural Arts event (one that is especially for the kids in your life) - a holiday show for families, all in Hebrew.
"A VERY FESTIVE MONTH"
Sunday |September 20th | Noon | $10-15
This festive, original family play follows a mother and daughter as they celebrate the month of Tishrei, which includes theHigh Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Geared toward ages 3-10, "A Very Festive Month" features songs, storytelling, and interactive fun, all in Hebrew. Doors open 11:30am.
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The Eastside Youth Soccer Association is proud to sponsor a series of talks by John O'Sullivan, founder of the Changing the Game Project.
The mission of the Changing the Game Project is to ensure that we return youth sports to our children, and put the 'play' back in 'play ball.' We want to provide the most influential adults in our children's lives - their parents and coaches - with the information and resources they need to make sports a healthy, positive, and rewarding experience for their children, and their whole family. Parenting and coaching young athletes is an art, not a science, and the information you find here can help you navigate the maze of youth sports, and put a smile on your young athlete's face, whether he or she is 6 or 16 years old. For more information, see the flyer.
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Parents Night Out!
Leave the kids with us- go get dinner, grab a movie, go shopping, or enjoy some alone time...you deserve it! Your little minions will have a blast with our staff; eating pizza, watching a movie, arts & crafts and of course playing a TON of games.
Saturday, September 26, 5-10pm, Ages 4-12
$15 first child; $10 siblings (less than a babysitter!)
Mercer Island Community and Event Center
Register course #15838
Parks & Rec. Monster Mash Dash Save the date!
Family One Mile Fun Run
Get outside and go for a run, walk or stroll through gorgeous Luther Burbank park before you gulf down all that candy on Halloween Day! Treats for you and tricks for your dog! Come dressed up for a costume contest for you and your four legged friend.
Saturday, October 31, 10:00am
Luther Burbank Park South end near swimming beach. Only $10 per person and kids in strollers are free! Register course #1570 by October 23.
206-275-7609
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The annual League of Women voters Candidates Forum will take place on the evening of Wednesday, October 14th. More info will follow closer to the date.
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Community Programs
for Kids
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Girl Scouts on Mercer Island is big! Our service unit is made up of over 30 troops of girls from Kindergarten to 12th grade. We will be having our Troop Formation Parent Meeting on Sunday Sept 13, 3:30 - 4:30 at the Mercer Island Community and Events Center located at 8236 SE 24th St on Mercer Island. This event is for parents to understand how Girl Scouts can benefit their daughters and to form new troops! Girls are not expected to attend. For those who need to bring children along, child care will be provided.
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All 5th-8th grade boys interested in playing select basketball are encouraged to try out for the Mercer Island Select Program.
Parent Information Night:
When: Thurs, 9/10 from 7:30 to 8:30
Where: the MI Community and Events Center,
Tune Up Clinic for 5th/6th Graders, Sun, 9/13 ($35),
Open Gym for 7th/8th Graders, Sun, 9/13,
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Does it suddenly feel like EVERYONE's playing lacrosse? They are--it's the fastest growing sport in the nation! Don't watch from afar, get in on the action!
MERCER ISLAND GIRLS LACROSSE
ELEMENTARY (1st-4th Grade)FALL BALL!
- Returning players, learn the latest skills & strategy!
- New players, master the basics before spring!
- Sundays, Sept 20th - Nov 8nd, 12:00-1:00pm
- Players grouped by level of play
- Cost - $100 for 8 weeks
5th GRADE FALL BALL!
- 5th grade girls play with the middle school girls.
- Sundays, Sept 20th - Nov 14th, 10:30am-12:00pm
- Cost - $150 for 9 weeks, including 11/14 Turkey Shoot Tournament
Stay fit, have fun & get a head start on the season!
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Registration for Mercer Island FC's Fall Microsoccer for Kindergarten and 1st graders is filling up fast. MIFC has been our Community's soccer club for over 50 years, providing outstanding soccer coaching and development to thousands of Mercer Island players over the years. MIFC is a non-profit club run by community members passionate about our youth and the game of soccer.
The goal of Microsoccer is to introduce kids, and their parents, to soccer in a fun, safe environment. Microsoccer has weekly sessions that include skills clinics led by a soccer professional, followed by scrimmages. Players are placed on teams of 6 players. After the skills clinic, they scrimmage against other teams in a 3 vs 3 format without goalies. Major League Soccer replica uniforms are included for the players as part of the registration fee. Microsoccer clinic and scrimmage are held on Saturday mornings at Homestead Park. The season begins September 12th and runs through October 31st (8 weeks).
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Attention 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 and be active? Mercer Island Boy Scouts Troop 457 has provided these opportunities to boys since 1953. Boy Scouts is open to all boys ages 11 & up, no prior scouting experience required. For more information, please view our website www.Troop457.com or contact outreach coordinator, Karen LeMaster: klemaster@comcast.net or Scoutmaster, Dan Hanson: danhanson@troop457.com
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 Parks and Recreation Fall/winter registration is available online, by phone, or in person. View your Recreation Guide online here. You can register by clicking the course code in the online digital guide. Or call the Community & Event Center to register 206-275-7609.
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LOGOS is a weekly camp style program for 1st - 5th graders with recreation, Bible study, worship skills, and a family dinner time. LOGOS meets 10 Monday's in the fall starting September 24th from 3:45-6:30 at the MI Presbyterian Church. The MISD transportation department can bus kids from West Mercer to the church.
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NPSA After-School Soccer Returns for Fall
After a highly successful Spring program, Nowland Premier Soccer Academy is returning to West Mercer for an 8 week training clinic in Fall! NPSA is the only premier youth soccer club on the Island offering professional coaching and a unified curriculum that educates and develops young players in a fun and safe environment.
If you have any questions regarding the after-school program or NPSA in general you can e-mail the club administration team at contactnpsa@gmail.com.
Together Each Achieves More
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Hola! Ni Hao! Bonjour!
At Sponge, we see language as a passport to global citizenship. Students learn to see the world through a different lens while acquiring language skills and the confidence to use them. Young learners are especially primed for language learning - research shows that students are 70% more likely to gain fluency if they begin in elementary school. We are excited to offer Spanish, Mandarin, and French at Mercer Island schools this fall, with our engaging, research-driven curriculum, taught completely in language. Students learn important, everyday language through exciting thematic units and a wide variety of interactive games, activities, songs and art projects. Our goal is to build a strong foundation of comprehension and communication skills, all while having fun!
Classes are held before and after school at Island Park, Lakeridge, and West Mercer. Busing is available between schools for all morning classes, and to Island Park from all schools on Wednesday afternoons. Students can learn their favorite language regardless of the school they attend.
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Modern Manners for Modern Children Part I
Treat your children to a fun and educational manners class. Taught by Camille Callner of Clise Etiquette, this interactive class teaches children the social skills and table manners that will help them to become olive, confident and self-assured young ladies and you men.
Please follow this link to learn more or to register.
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The Wolf newsletter will go out on the second and fourth 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.
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