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  THE WOLF
March 24, 2016
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
FOOD DRIVE
Fine Arts Showcase
IslandWood Info Mtg.
Science Fair
Health Room
Advocacy
District News
Community Events
Newsletter Submissions
  

Dear West Mercer families,

 

Spring has officially sprung! With the mix of sunshine and showers, everything seems to be bursting with energy, especially our kids! Luckily, Spring Break is quickly approaching, April 11-15.  Read below for camps and activities during the break. 

 

March and April are busy months, with Science Fair and Fine Arts Showcase.  It's so fun to see kids fired up about science and the arts, please come and join in their excitement!

 

Please remember, tomorrow is the last day for the West Mercer Food Drive. Please consider donating healthy non-perishable foods and help make this spring a strong growing season for all Mercer Island families!

 

Sincerely, 

West Mercer PTA

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Fri, March 25: Popcorn Friday! 

Wed, March 30: West Mercer Science Fair

Tues, April 5: Fine Arts Showcase @ MIHS

Wed, April 6: Fine Arts Showcase @ MIHS

Mon, April 11-Fri, April 15: NO SCHOOL
, Spring Break

Friday, April 22: General PTA Meeting

Friday, April 22: Principal's Coffee

 

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! 

Food Drive Ends TOMORROW!!
  
For the past 2 weeks, each classroom has been collecting food and toiletries for the MI Youth and Family Services Food Pantry. Tomorrow is the last day to donate, please don't forget to send in a bag of food with your child. 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!
 
Fine Arts Showcase - Volunteers Needed!
 
Fine Arts Showcase is just around the corner, and volunteers are needed to help prep and hang the kids' artwork! We are seeking volunteers for two-hour time slots the week of March 28th to help Tracy Richardson prep art at West Mercer, and then volunteers to help hang the artwork at the high school on Friday, April 1st. 

Please sign up here!
 
 IslandWood Information For 5th Grade Parents
 
Reminder: IslandWood registration packets are due Fri, 4/29.

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)

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

Your Help is Needed Now - Please Email Sen. Litzow Today!
The state legislature is in the final rounds of budget negotiations for this session. If no action is taken, MISD stands to lose significant funding on 1/1/2018 (the so-called levy cliff). MISD supports the extension of the levy lid lift through 2018 to allow it to properly budget through the 2017-2018 school year. A bill (HB 2698) passed the House but did not make it out of the Senate. The Senate does not have the opportunity to include the Levy Lid Lift funding in the 2016 budget. More information is available here. 

Please take a few minutes to let Senator Litzow know that this issue is important. Below is a draft e-mail you can copy and send to him. 

Re: Extend the Levy Lid Lift through 2018

Dear Senator Litzow, 

Don't let local district's planning for education in 2018 be left up to the uncertainty of state budget negotiations. Encourage your colleagues in the Senate to extend the Levy Lid Lift through 2018 to allow for smooth operations of our schools.

Thanks,
Your Name
Your Address
 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 
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." 

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

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.

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.

 
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.
 
The Bell Bottom Bash!
The Boys & Girls Club Spring Party is Saturday, April 2 at the Old Boys & Girls Club.

There will be a Lava Lounge, International Boxes of Mystery, a super groovy Live Auction, and a Dance Off!

To register please visit the event website. 

Spring Lego Club!

Tuesdays 3:30-5:30
West Mercer Library
Grades 1-5

This after school program is open to girls and boys who like to build and who want to build better. STEM topics like simple machines will be combined with building techniques like plate built lettering and building in the round. 

For more information, click here.
 Life Is Better When 
We STICK Together!!!

Sunday, April 3rd, anytime between 11am - 1pm
LID C
MI Residents Only

Calling all MI Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade Boys and Girls. It's the Great Stick Give-Away!!! Youth will be given a stick and participate in a free lacrosse clinic.
Questions: jolajensen4@gmail.com or suzannemcint@gmail.com

Sponsored by MI Boys and Girls Lacrosse Clubs


Youth Theatre Northwest

SPRING BREAK CAMPS: MAGIC TO DO!

For grades K-2 and 3-5
25% new student discount

YTN has created an active week of fun during spring break. Students (grades K-2 & 3-5) will explore our enchanting theme, Magic to Do! Students will undertake projects using art, music, acting and movement. Join us at the end of the week and see what kind of performance we can pull out of our hats.
For information and online registration, visit youththeatre.org or call our Registrar Stephanie at (206) 232-4145, ext. 100 or registrar@youththeatre.org.

SPRING CLASSES 
For ages 3-5 & grades K-12
25% new student discount
Creative drama and acting classes develop imagination, build independent and critical thinking, nurture social growth and the ability to work with others. Visit youththeatre.org to review our full class offerings. Online registration is easy, secure and convenient.

MIPA's 50th Annual Circus! 

Sat, April 23, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 
MIHS Boys Soccer

Mercer Island Boy's Soccer season is under way. Coach Colin Rigby's talented squad is pursing a league title and another state playoff berth. Come out, watch some outstanding soccer and support the team. You can find the team's game schedule here.  Want to know more about MIHS Boys Soccer? Click this link for information on the pathway to MIHS Boys Soccer.

"Books and Bites" at 
Island Books to Benefit Northwood PTA

Thursday, May 12th 9:30am to Noon
Island Books

Are you looking for a Birthday present or Father's Day gift? Or even a gift certificate to use throughout the year! Come have a bite while you shop, mix, and mingle at Island Books with other future Northwood families. 20% of all purchases at Island Books on 
May 12 will benefit Northwood PTA.

Please join us, even if you are not going to Northwood Elementary next year. Not since 1963, when JFK was still President, has there been a new school on the Island. This is a great way to show your support for the new school and to ensure its success.

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.

Lego Summer Camps for the Serious Builder

In a Galaxy far, far away...
Learn to build some of the most important features of the galaxy such as a light saber or astromech. Participants will also learn the basics for stop motion animation and how to use their models in creating their own brick film.

Tree House Adventure
Learn how to design and build your own tree house. Participants will also learn the basics for stop motion animation and how to use their models in creating their own brick film.

For more information, dates and registration, click here.

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.

Newport High School
Gymnastics Summer Camp

The Newport High School Gymnastics Team will be offering a summer camp June 27-June 30 (morning session: 9:00 - noon or afternoon session: 1:00 - 4:00). We invite boys and girls of any skill level entering grades K-6 who want to do gymnastics!  For full details and to register online here. Questions? Email Head Coach  Melissa Baker. 

Summer Music Day Camp

Each summer we offer Summer Music Day Camp sessions designed for kids who love singing. Options include Full Day Camp for girls 2nd-5th grade and Musical Mornings for boys and girls 4-6 years old.  
We will be hosting two sessions in summer 2016:
Session 1 - July 18th - 22nd
Session 2 - July 25th - 29th
For more information and registration, visit the Seattle Girls Choir website. 
Sponge Language 
Summer Camps

Hola! Ni Hao! Summer will be here before you know it. We're excited to offer language immersion camps in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. 

Week long camps will be offered at Bellevue and Seattle from June 20-July 22.  Camps are open to K-2nd grade students, and run 9am to 3pm. Aftercare is available until 5pm.  For more information and to register for camp, visit us online, contact us by email or give us a call at (425) 274-5188. Register by April 15 and save up to $100 per student with early bird prices!!
 
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 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. 

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