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  THE WOLF
October 22th, 2015
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
Thank you!
WM Spring Musical
Reflections Art Contest
WM PTA Membership
MI Parent Edge
MI Band Boosters
Northwood PTA
Legislative Update
Community Events
Newsletter Submissions
  

Dear West Mercer families,

 

The rains have finally arrived, and Halloween is just around the corner!  You've likely already received your ballot for the November 3rd general election. The PTA is hosting a candidates forum on Monday, October 26, including all of the Mercer Island candidates.  You can find more information in this week's newsletter -- and please, don't forget to vote!

 

Also in this week's Wolf are signups for fall/winter sports, before and after school programs, as well as some fun (not spooky) Halloween activities for younger kids. 

 

Sincerely, 

West Mercer PTA

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Fri, Oct 23rd: Principal's Coffee

Mon, Oct 26th: Election Forum at WM

Oct 26-27: MISF Phone-a-thon

Wed, Oct 28th: Picture Re-Take/Class Picture

Tues, Nov 3rd: PTA Membership Meeting

Wed, Nov 11th: NO SCHOOL/VETERANS DAY

Fri, Nov 20th: PTA Island Books Brunch and Browse
 

 

WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU!

A HUGE thanks to all the parents who helped with Vision & Hearing screening this year. We so appreciate your taking a 1/2 day out of your schedules. Screening went extremely well on all accounts and we even finished early! 

We're looking for a new chair for next year, so if you're interested, please contact the school nurse or Susan Anderson. 
 
Announcing Auditions for the West Mercer Spring Musical!
  
Hey 4th and 5th graders--it's time to come and have some creative fun! Be a risk taker and audition for the West Mercer production of Beauty and the Beast. This great show started first as a French fairy tale-then it was made into an animated movie-and finally became a Broadway musical. This show is filled with great songs and tons of laughs! Rehearsals for the musical will be 3:30-5:30 Tuesdays and Thursdays from Nov. 12th up to Feb. 3rd. There will be morning music rehearsal on Wednesday mornings from 8-9 for anyone who can make it, and group rehearsals Wednesday afternoons. 

Blank audition forms are available outside the music room, and must be completed (with parent signature) and returned to the music room.

Performance dates are Feb. 4th and 5th
 
To learn more about the musical, to listen to and download the audition songs, and to find a printable audition form visit Ms. Kurtenbach's web page. 

What Would Happen If You Let Your Imagination Fly?
 
West Mercer Wolves - it's time to get your art on!  You're invited to submit a work of art for the National PTA Reflections art contest. National PTA Reflections welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Annually, thousands of students will reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. West Mercer has a great tradition of high participation in this contest. All art will be shown in a local show. This year's theme is Let Your Imagination Fly.
 
Step One:  Choose your arts
 
Step Two:  Create an original work of art based on this year's theme, Let Your Imagination Fly
 
Step Three:  Enter the contest using the Student Entry Form - also available at school - by December 1, 2015
 
Judging is heavily weighted on the use of the theme in the art and the artist statement about the art.  
 
The arts-and the National PTA Reflections program-support student success and serve as a valuable tool for building strong partnerships in your school community. Celebrate arts learning in your school community with Reflections. For more information see www.youtube.com.
 
If you have questions about the program, please contact Joci Besecker or Sharon Perez, PTA Student Programs VPs.

WM PTA Membership Meeting
 
Tuesday, November 3rd
7:00 pm
West Mercer Library 

 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MI Parent Edge Presents

Julie Lythcott-Haims
Author of "How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success"

Thurs, Oct 29 at 7 PM at the MIHS PAC

Throw out the checklisted childhood! Julie Lythcott-Haims, former Stanford University Dean of Freshmen, takes 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.

Come and see what the buzz is all about!

Free for Mercer Island PTA members
$10 at the door for non-MI PTA Members - Bring a Friend!
For parents of kids of all ages.

Visit MI Parent Edge for more information on this and other local events. 

MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of  Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, and MIHS schools and MIPA

MI Band Boosters Present

Island Carnival!
A Band Together Fundraiser for Grades 5 - 12
Saturday, November 7th: 6 - 10:00pm
Mercer Island Community Center
Adults Only

Don't miss this unique evening to support MI School district band programs. The evening's theme, "Island Carnival!" will feature an eclectic mix of music by Seattle-based band En Canto, wine, beer, hors d'oeuvres and desserts with a Brazilian flair. There will also be a Live and Silent auction, featuring one-of-a-kind auction items. 

For tickets, please visit www.misbb.org or for more details, see this flyer.

Join Us!
Northwood Elementary PTA Charter Meeting

Monday, November 2, 2015, 7pm
West Mercer Elementary School Library

As the Northwood Elementary PTA gets up and running, there will be many opportunities for families to get involved in the planning and preparation.  At this November 2nd meeting, the Northwood PTA will officially be created!  We need a minimum of 25 members to attend this meeting and pay PTA dues to be recognized as an official PTA.  Please join us and become one of the first members of the Northwood PTA (don't forget your checkbook to pay your PTA membership dues)!
 
If you are unable to attend the meeting, but are interested in getting involved, please contact Michelle Ritter.

 

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Candidates Forum - Focus On Schools 
(HOSTED BY MI PTA COUNCIL) 

October 26, 7-9 pm
West Mercer Elementary - Gym
Ballots have arrived.  Do you know how the candidates stand on school related issues? Come get informed and hear from all of the Mercer Island candidates running in the November 3 General Election. This forum is an opportunity for the candidates to share their positions on school-related issues. This forum will include a brief talk from each of the candidates and an ample audience Q&A period.
 
Mercer Island School Board Candidate Presentations: David D'Souza, Tracy Drinkwater, Bill Hochberg, School Board Member Ralph Jorgenson
Mercer Island City Council Candidate Presentations: Dave Wisenteiner,  Council Member Jane Meyer Brahm, Salim Nice, Wendy Weiker, Jeff Sanderson, Tom Acker, Council Member Bruce Bassett, Traci Granbois and Council Member Debbie Bertlin
 
To learn more about the November 3 General Election please visit the King County Election Website.

MI PTA Advocacy Website

The Mercer Island PTA Council has a new advocacy website.  Click here to learn about legislation affecting Mercer Island families and how the PTA advocates for our students.

 
COMMUNITY EVENTS and PROGRAMS
The Mercer Island School District and WM PTA Council have neither reviewed nor approved the program, personnel, activities or organizations announced in this section. The participants agree to protect, indemnify and hold harmless the district and PTA, including elected and appointed officials, employees, agents, staff and volunteers, from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, expenses or rights of action, directly or indirectly attributed to the activities. Permission to distribute information regarding these programs should not be considered a recommendation of the program by the school district or by the PTA. This is neither a school district nor a PTA sponsored activity.
 
MIPA Halloween Party

When: Saturday, October 31st, 10am-noon
Where:  Mercer Island Community Center
Who:  Families with children ages 1 to 6
Cost: $3 per child for MIPA members, $5 per child for non-members


The Witch in Which Wood?

Youth Theatre Northwest celebrates the Halloween season by bringing theatre magic to the enchanted trails of Mercer Island's Rotary Park. The Witch in Which Wood? performs October 17 - 25, 2015. This is a non-scary, 30 minute guided adventure and is best for children ages 3 - 8. Click here for more information and showtimes. 
MIPA Toy Swap

When: Saturday, November 7th 
Where: MIHS
  
8:45am: Pre-sale for MIPA members who have volunteered at least 3 hours
9:00 - 11am: Toy swap open to the public
12:00-1pm: Half-price sale

Items may be donated or dropped off for consignment. For people wishing to consign, there will be a consignment sheet to fill out. All drop offs will be at the Old Boys and Girls Club on 2825 W. Mercer Way. See attached for more information.

Day Of Stories & Songs At MI Library

Join us for a day-long celebration of Stories & Songs at the Mercer Island Library on Saturday, November 7th. From 10am - 5:00pm, the library will be filled with programs, crafts and fun-filled experiences for everyone! To find out more, see the attached flyer.

Mercer Island Football Booster Club Fundraiser
We are hosting our 1st Ever Mattress Fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 8th!  This event has been tremendously successful across the nation and we have the opportunity to raise thousands of dollars in a single day.  For more information, visit our Facebook events page.

Get Your Little Dribblers Signed Up!
The Little Dribblers program is run by the MI Boys Basketball Booster Club. Get your boys on the court each Saturday learning from the Island's best coaches and players.

Dates: December 5th, 12th, 19th, January 9th, 23rd & 30th and February 6th 
Location: Mercer Island High School Main Gym
Fee: $85

For more information and registration, click here. Registration opens October 23rd. 

Seattle Children's Theater

Attached you will find the SCT School Year Catalogue. SCT offers programming throughout the school year and during school breaks.
Subscriptions Now on Sale


Luther Burbank Playground Mosaics

An on-line application is now available for 3rd - 5th graders who enjoy working on creative, detail-oriented art projects and are available on Tuesday afternoons beginning in mid December. Click here for more information.

MI Parks & Rec Events: Parents Night Out & Fun Run
 
Parents Night Out 
Saturday, 5-10pm, Ages 4-12
$15 first child; $10 siblings  
Register course #15838
 
Monster Mash Dash-One Mile Fun Run
Saturday, October 31, 10:00am
Only $10 per person and kids in strollers are free! Register course #1570 by October 23
206-275-7609

MI Cub Scout Pack 624

Interested in Cub Scouts? This organization for Grades 1-5 focuses on teaching kids skills and creating a community. Please join us for our pack 624 meeting on November 19th at 7pm at the MI Presbyterian Church. To learn more, go to Mercer Island Cub Scout Pack 624. 

Join MI Girl Scouts!
 
Girl Scouts on Mercer Island is big! Our service unit is made up of over 30 troops of girls from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Learn more at
 
MI Select Boys Basketball
All 5th-8th grade boys interested in playing select basketball are encouraged to try out for the Mercer Island Select Program. For more information please go to www.mibasketball.org.

Mercer Island Boy Scouts
  
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 or Scoutmaster, Dan Hanson. 
 
LOGOS

LOGOS is a weekly camp style program for 1st - 5th graders with recreation, Bible study, worship skills, and a family dinner time. See the attached flyer.

Sponge Language Classes
       
There's still room in many of our classes at all three Mercer Island Elementary schools. Spanish, Mandarin and French are offered at all three Elementary schools. Busing is available between schools for all morning classes, and to Island Park from all schools on Wednesday afternoons. 

Register at:  www.spongeschool.com Contact us by email at info@spongeschool.com or give us a call at (425) 274-5188 with any questions, or see this flyer for details. 
 
Modern Manners for Modern Children Part I
 
Treat your children to a fun and educational manners class taught by Camille Callner of Clise Etiquette.
Please follow this link to learn more or to register.
 
TechSmartKids
 
TechSmartKids is offering after school computer coding classes this fall. Coding classes begin the week of October 5th. Enroll Online at http://www.techsmartkids.com or by phone by calling (425) 786-7824.


NEWSLETTER
SUBMISSIONS
The Wolf newsletter will go out on the 2nd and 4th 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