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  THE WOLF
March 10, 2016
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
FOOD DRIVE
IslandWood Info Mtg.
Science Fair
Drop-off & Pick-up
PTA Volunteer Opening
Health Room
Advocacy
District News
Community Events
Newsletter Submissions
  

Dear West Mercer families,

 

Mid-winter break is behind us, and Spring Break is still a month away, so, March is packed with activity! At the end of the month is the WM Science Fair --a great event for the kids participating and those who come to watch! Also this month is the 1st of our "No Snow Day"s, March 14th, where we get a day off since we didn't have any missed days for inclement weather this winter. 

 

Another event this month gives us opportunity to remind our kids how important it is to help those in need: the Student Council is hosting a food drive for MIYFS March 11-25.

 

End of school and summer plan-making is already afoot. 5th Grade parents, take note that IslandWood Parent chaperone applications are due tomorrow. 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, 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

West Mercer Food Drive
 
ATTENTION WEST MERCER FAMILIES!
Student Council would like to announce the one, the only, the LEGENDARY West Mercer Food Drive! 

Running Fri, March 11th - Fri, March 25th! 

For the next 2 weeks, each classroom will be collecting food and toiletries for the MI Youth and Family Services Food Pantry. Last year, WM families donated over 7,000 items! Let's do it again Wolves!

The pantry regularly needs the following items:
Canned Fruit & Vegetables, Rice Products, Quinoa and Grains, Boxed Cereal, Peanut Butter and Jelly, 
Hearty Soups, Canned or boxed broth, Top Ramen and Toiletries

WM Student Council thanks you for your support!
 
 IslandWood Information For 5th Grade Parents
 
IslandWood registration packets are due Fri, 4/29.

Chaperone applications are available. If you were not at the meeting (2/29), you can request an application from your child's teacher. Chaperone applications are due to the office by Fri, 3/11 at 12pm. The trip is June 6-9. It is a tremendous experience!

Science Fair!
 
The WM Science Fair is March 30th! 

Questions about the Science Fair? You can go online for FAQ's, video and information

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 enters the Zone to unload.
5. The front door of the school should not be used for Drop-off or Pick-up.

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!

 

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

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

 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Excellence Through Equity
 
The Mercer Island School District, the City of Mercer Island and the Mercer Island PTA Council are co-hosting a community discussion with nationally renowned professor and author Dr. Pedro Noguera from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23 in the MIHS Performing Arts Center, 9100 S.E. 42nd St. This is a free event for all members of the community

"We are committed to building and sustaining a school community that values and embraces inclusiveness, equity and awareness in pursuit of the district's 2020 Mission and Vision," said Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. "We are honored to have Dr. Noguera come to Mercer Island and share with us his vision for educational excellence through equity."

See more information on the district website here.
 
MI Parent Edge Presents 
Ron Lieber

Tuesday, March 15 at 7pm at MIHS PAC

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. 

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 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 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. Northwood Elementary will be open for the 2016-17 school year, and a visit day is planned for June 2016.

Kindergarten Registration

Families may pick up a registration packet at one of the school's or the district's office or visit the district website. Families uncertain about their home school attendance area can visit the district website or call Mary Newcomer at 206-230-6336.

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.
 
Mercer Island Junior Football Open House

Sunday, March 20th from 3-5PM @PEAK
Registrations at the open house for Junior Football and Ogata Football Camp receive discounts!
Getting ready for Fall 2016!
  • Weigh-in to find out your fall team!
  • Register for Football, Summer Conditioning, and Ogata Football Camp!
  • FREE exclusive "early signee" T-shirt and $75 discount when you register for both Football & Ogata Football Camp at the Open House!
  • FREE Hot dogs!
See attached for more information or contact Cori Sonnabend at
miathletics@positiveplace.org, 206.436.1939

MIPA's 50th Annual Circus! 

Sat, April 23, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Mommy Matters
SPRING 2016 Workshop 
 
Mommy Matters blends Positive Discipline and Gottman principles with personal coaching.
 
Tuesdays, 4/29-6/14, 10-11:30am at the SJCC

Register here! To get more information or to receive updates, email Melissa@GrowParenting.com, or call 206.226.2707

Youth Theater NW Presents

For the month of March, our talented teen actors are taking over the mainstage and turning all the stage lights a rosy colored pink.  
Legally Blonde: The Musical opens Friday, March 4th and performs through Sunday, March 20th, 2016. 

MIFC Spring Soccer 

Mercer Island FC's Spring Soccer Academy and Get Ready for Select training clinics are now open for registration. Click this link for information on the training clinics and for how to register. Questions? Email miysc.registrar@live.com

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.

Stroum JCC Offers Many Summer Camps 

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

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. Professional coaching staff will guide students through warm-ups, basic skill games and scrimmages! There are limited spots available, so make sure to register today! 

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.
  
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.

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