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  THE WOLF
February 25, 2016
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
IslandWood Info Mtg.
Spelling Bees
Science Fair
Drop-off & Pick-up
PTA Volunteer Opening
Health Room
From the Library
Advocacy
District News
Community Events
Newsletter Submissions
  

Dear West Mercer families,

 

Welcome back from mid-winter break! Thank you to everyone who voted in support of the levy renewals. They both passed by large margins -- thank you!

 

Spelling Bees and Science Fair are just around the corner. These events are not only great for the kids participating, they are fun and inspiring for kids to watch -- be sure to check them out!

 

End of school and summer plan-making is already afoot. 5th Grade parents, take note that an IslandWood Parent Information Meeting is taking place next week. For all parents, read below for many spring classes and summer camp offerings, on-Island and beyond...

 

Sincerely, 

West Mercer PTA

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Fri, Feb 26: Popcorn Friday!

Mon, Feb 29: IslandWood Parent Information Meeting

Wed, March 2: Competitive Spelling Bee

Thur, March 3: School Musical Assembly

Fri, March 11: Principal's Coffee

Mon, March 14: NO SCHOOL - Scheduled Weather Make-up Day

Tues, March 15: 7pm MI Parent Edge presents Ron Lieber

Wed, March 16: Incoming 6th Grade Gator for a night

Fri, March 18: Noon Release - Report Card Prep

Fri, March 25: Popcorn Friday! 

Wed, March 30: West Mercer Science Fair

Looking ahead...April 5th and 6th: Fine Arts Showcase

 

WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

 IslandWood Parent Information Meeting
 
Monday, February 29, 6-7 PM
West Mercer Library

A liaison from IslandWood will give a presentation and Kirsten Bourke, teacher and trip coordinator, will be available to answer questions. Student registration packets can be picked up at the meeting. Any packets not retrieved that night will be sent home the following day. Registration packets are due Friday, April 29.

Chaperone applications will also be available. If you cannot make the meeting, request an application from your child's teacher. Chaperone applications are due to the office by Friday, March 11th at 12pm. Our trip is June 6-9, 2016. It is a tremendous experience. Come learn about it!

 Competitive Spelling Bee Coming Soon!
 
All WM students of any grade level are invited to participate in the Spelling Bee, held in the WM library after school.

Competitive Spelling Bee: Wed, Mar, 2-3:15pm.

For more information, see the registration form or parent letter. Also attached are two lists of spelling words: Grade 1-8 List and Spelling Bee List of Words
 
Science Fair!
 
The WM Science Fair is March 30th! 

Questions about the Science Fair?
1. Go online for FAQ's, video and information
2. Come ask us, we'll be in the WM library to talk it through with you at an Open House:

Wednesday, March 2nd, 7-8:30pm

Further questions? Contact the Science Fair co-chairs: Nikki Piplanni (nikki.piplani@gmail.com) or Rachel Findlay (rachelfindlay@windermere.com)

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedure!
Drop-Off
 A reminder about Drop-off/ Pick-up:

1. A group of cars enters the Drop-off/Pick-up Zone. The 1st car pulls all the way forward.
2. All cars in the "Zone" unload at the same time. For safety, have kids exit on the sidewalk side of your car.
3. All cars in the "Zone" will then exit the parking lot, following the black arrows.
4. The next group of cars then enters the "Zone" to unload.
5. The front door of the school should not be used for Drop-off or Pick-up.

Working in unison, the process goes much quicker. 
Thank you for your support.
 
West Mercer PTA Needs A Website Administrator
                                       
Are you interested in making a difference for West Mercer? Consider becoming the PTA Website Administrator. We are looking for someone to run our PTA website (http://www.westmercerpta.org). To learn more, please contact Julie Keeler at communications@westmercerpta.org. 

WM Health Room Needs 
Extra Clothes

We are in need of some extra clothing in the health room. What we need the most is pants or leggings for girls, small and medium sizes. Thanks!

From the WM Library
                                      
December and January Birthday Books have been delivered to students. 65 birthdays were honored and the WM Library has 65 new picture books, science and "how to" books.  Thank you West Mercer parents for honoring your child and enriching our library.

On Jan 14, the celebrated author/illustrator Paul Owen Lewis came to WM and delivered a spirited and insightful presentation to grades 3, 4, and 5.  Paul lives in the San Juan islands, bringing Orcas, sailing, Native American legends and an author's personal journey to life. Thank you to the MI Schools Foundation for funding Paul's visit.  Real Authors Live In The Library!

 

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

THANK YOU!!!!

A big thank you to all who voted for the levy renewals. Both passed by a huge majority: Capital Projects Technology Levy (74%) and Transportation (77%). We are grateful to our community for keeping Mercer Island schools strong. Thank you everyone! 

 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MI Healthy Youth Initiative 

Thursday, March 3rd
6:30 - 8:30pm
MI Community & Event Center

Mercer Island Youth & Family Services extends an invitation to all PTA members to attend the next Healthy Youth Initiative (HYI) key stakeholder discussion to help determine the best ways to help Island youth thrive.

This is the second HYI Forum that brings together MI stakeholders involved with youth health, safety and development. The first meeting prioritized issues within five areas of focus. Now, stakeholders will develop a Community Action Plan to address issues in each of these domains:
1. Safe Schools & Violence Prevention
2. Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs
3. Student Behavioral, Social & Emotional Supports
4. Mental Health
5. Early Childhood Social & Emotional Learning

A light dinner will be provided. Please help us to move forward with the Healthy Youth Initiative.

Please contact Derek Franklin at derek.franklin@mercergov.org.

MI Parent Edge Presents 
Ron Lieber

Ron Lieber, author of The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money, will share practical advice for parents for having conversations about money that imprint good values with a proper dose of perspective and gratitude. 

Tuesday, March 15 at 7pm at MIHS PAC

Free for Mercer Island PTA Members 
$10 at the door for non-Members - Bring a friend!

For parents of kids of all ages. More information available here.

MI Fine Arts Showcase
 
April 5th and 6th
5:30-9:30pm
MIHS

Sponsored by the Mercer Island Fine Arts Advisory Council and MISD, the Fine Arts Showcase is an annual fundraiser featuring performances by MISD performing arts students as well as artwork displayed by all elementary students and those participating in visual art classes at IMS and MIHS.  

For 2 nights, Mercer Island High School is transformed into a beautiful art gallery with demonstrations and performances. Tuesday night is a spotlight on visual arts, with art demonstrations, activities and small ensemble performances. Wednesday night features concerts by band, orchestra, choir and drama students as well as a special performance by the all 3rd grade choir.  

Event is open to the public and tickets start at $10 in advance, good for both nights. Proceeds benefit fine arts education programs throughout MISD.

For more information, visit Mercer Island Fine Arts Advisory Council.

MISD Elementary
Visitation Day in May
 
Mercer Island School District's 3 elementary schools will host a 2nd elementary visitation day on May 13. 
Visitation hours are 9:30-11:30 am. The district's 4th elementary school, Northwood, will open for the 2016-17 school year, and a visit day is planned for June 2016.

Kindergarten Registration

Families who were not able to attend the kindergarten round-up may pick up a registration packet at one of the school's or district office or visit the district website. Families uncertain about their home school attendance area can find more information by visiting the district website or by calling Mary Newcomer at 206-230-6336.

MI Parent Edge 
Special Announcement:

Our friends at Parent Map are offering a special discount on their upcoming lecture series for Mercer Island Parents! Go to Parent Map Lecture Series to see their great line-up and use the code "MIPE16 at check out. Thank you Parent Map!

MI Parent Edge 
Save the Date!

Wednesday, April 27
9:30-11:00am
Lakeridge Elementary School

Liliana Lengua from the UW Center for Child and Family Well-Being, will speak on "Supporting Elementary-Aged Children Through Change: Promoting Resilient Responses to Life's Stresses." 

Visit www.miparentedge.org for 
more information on this event.

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

 
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.
 
MI Parks and Rec
Spring Classes and Summer Camp Registration

Registration is now open for MIPR Spring classes, read more here.  For the full brochure of Spring and Summer class and camp offerings, click here.

Thinking about 
Summer Camps already?!

Camp Fair this weekend
Looking for camps for your kids? Find out about options at St Thomas School in Medina this Saturday, Feb 6th 10am-2pm.

See the attached flyer for more information.

Stroum JCC Offers Summer Camps
The SJCC on Mercer Island offers many summer camps for kids of all ages and interests! See their website for more information.

Disney & Dessert

Sunday, February 28, 2016
2 pm, MIHS Commons

Team O & MI Orchestras grades 7-12 invite you to join us for Disney & Desert! This event supports the Orchestra Program GRADES 5-12. It's a Disney Concert followed by a dessert buffet fit for the Magic Kingdom. Wear your Costume!
 
$15 Donation in Advance *  $20 at the Door
Students $5 with ASB card; 5th grade & under free with paying adult
Purchase tickets from Orchestra Students or online at TeamO-MI.org.

NPSA Soccer at WM

Nowland Premier Soccer Academy is now offering the After School Soccer Program to West Mercer! NPSA offers this program to all students grades 1-5 as an introduction to our favorite sport in the world! Professional coaching staff will guide these students through warm-ups, basic skill games and scrimmages! There are limited spots available, so make sure to register today! 

Family Dessert Theater

The 5th Ave Adventure Musical Theatre for Kids presents an original show about the first 11 "Mercer Girls," recruited by the UW President in 1864 to work as teachers in the Washington Territory. Desserts are included!

Sat, Feb 27th at 6:30PM at the SJCC (3801 EMW) 
$10 adults, $5 members/seniors/students/youth

Mercer Island Boys Lacrosse

MI Boys Lacrosse Spring season registration is open now. Grades K through 8. See the attached flyer for details about dates, times, and more.

Mercer Island Girls Lacrosse

Register for the 2016 Spring Season at www.MIGirlsLacrosse.com.  
 
Grades 1-4 register for "Elementary Program" at migirlslaxes@gmail.com.
Grades 5-8 register for the "Middle School Program" at migirlslaxms@gmail.com.
  
Sing With Our Kids
Babysitting Class

Learn how to engage babies and young children with simple singing activities, and how these benefit their development. Certificate of completion included.
Date: February 27, 10am-11:30am
Age: 11-15
Fee: FREE Registration required, call 275-7609
Location: MI Community & Event Center

Destination Science:
The Fun Science Day Camp
for Curious Kids 5-11

From roller coasters to robots, Destination Science provides a fun, safe and hands-on environment for exploration with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Scholarships Available. For more information, visit destinationscience.org. 

Mother Goose Guitar with Nancy Stewart

Thursdays, March 3-24, 7-8pm, at the MICEC.
 

Cheerleading Class at MICEC

This beginning-to-intermediate cheerleading class is offered through the MI Park & Rec Department in conjunction with Eastside Dream Elite cheerleading. Participants will learn basic cheer skills, motions, jumps, dance, and some basic tumbling as well. No experience necessary! Classes will be Tuesdays 5:30-7pm. More information and registration links at www.EastsideDreamElite.com or register at www.MyParksAndRecreation.com.

Cook, Learn, Grow
If your child LOVES to cook, then this 4 week after-school cooking program is just for them! For more information, visit here. 
Course: 15941
Date: Mondays, February 22-March 14, 4-5pm
Fee: $179
Age: 5-11
Location: MI Community & Event Center. Register by calling 275-7609 or online.

Sponge Language Classes
       
Learn Spanish or French at West Mercer. With our immersion-based, spiral curriculum, students can successfully join at any time. All classes are held before school from 8:00 to 9:00am at WM. Registration and information is available online or email at info@spongeschool.com or call (425) 274-5188.


NEWSLETTER
SUBMISSIONS
The Wolf newsletter will go out on the 1st and 3rd 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