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  THE WOLF
April 8, 2016
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
Thank you!
IslandWood Info Mtg.
Lost and Found
Superintendent's Update
Advocacy
District News
Community Events
Newsletter Submissions
  

Dear West Mercer families,

Two trimesters down, one to go! With Science Fair and Fine Arts Showcase behind us, Spring Break is looming just around the corner, April 11-15. Many camps and activities are available during the break. 

 

Thank you for your contributions to the West Mercer Food Drive last month. This month, we will have another opportunity to show how generous Mercer Island families can be in support of our community, with the Mercer Island Schools Foundation Breakfast of Champions near the end of the month--we hope to see many of you there! 

 

Sincerely, 

West Mercer PTA

 

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

Friday, April 22: General PTA Meeting

Friday, April 22: Principal's Coffee

Tues, April 26: Breakfast of Champions

Fri, April 29: Popcorn Friday

Tues, May 3: Staff Appreciation Lunch

 

WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU!
 
The WM Student Council thanks you for your support of the Food Drive benefiting Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Food Pantry!
 
Thank you to Nikki Piplani and Rachel Findlay for all of your work orchestrating a fun opportunity for the kids to explore science and have fun at this year's WM Science Fair!

 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!

Has Your Child Lost Anything?

We have a large amount of Lost and Found at West Mercer please come and check or have your child check to make sure the are not missing anything.  We will be sending off the clothes to a charity on the Friday before Spring Break.  Please make sure and check! The Office

Superintendent's Update
 
Spanish language program comes to MI elementary schools, changes in the start and end times for next year, and more from our Superintendent, Gary Plano can be found here: mercerislandschools.org.
 
 

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

PTA Advocacy Team - 
Learn More, Get Involved
Basic education is vital to creating successful students, employees, and contributors to our community and economy. A challenging question posed by the Seattle Times:
Then join the discussion with our PTA advocacy team (advocacy@miptacouncil.org), made up of interested parents, teachers, and other community stakeholder.

Why are our students underperforming? Could it be related to the fact that Massachusetts spends almost $15K per pupil, while Washington spends about $10K? Did you know that Mercer Island ranks 144th out of 295 Washington districts for per pupil spending, INCLUDING donations to PTA and the foundation, and that funding may be at risk. Want to learn more? Mercer Island School District Per Student Funding Data Sheet 

Another good source on education funding is The Greater Good Campaign - The Seattle Times.       (http://greatergood.seattletimes.com/)

 
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.

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. If you know parents of incoming kindergarteners, please encourage them to sign up their children as soon as possible--this helps WM plan for staffing levels!

 
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.
 
Leap for Green!
Leap for Green is an interactive, sustainable fair, educating kids & families on ways to be sustainable with entertainment, music, animals, educational vendors & food! Fun for everyone! More info here.

West Mercer Art Club
Registration open for Spring session of West Mercer After School Art Club!  Art Club is a tuition based art program that meets after school, at WM 4 days a week. Drawing classes, general art classes, or movie making classes. Open to all 1st-5th graders!

Try Out for Choir

For more information about NW Boychoir and audition appointments, see the attached flyer. 
For information about Vocalpoint, a choir for girls, and audition appointments, see the attached flyer.

Welcome Back 
Island Hoops Camp

The MI Boys Basketball Booster Club is thrilled to have Coach Cree and staff back for 6 amazing summer camps for grades 1-8. 3 Fundamentals camps and 3 Advanced Skills camps are available. Camper-to-coach ratio is usually 8:1 or less. Camps at MIHS.

Register at www.mibasketball.org. 

Spring Lego Club!

Tuesdays 3:30-5:30, West Mercer Library, Gr 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.
Youth Theatre Northwest

SUMMER STOCK SEASON

YTN is seeking youth actors, grades 2-12. During the summer, YTN produces three shows on Mercer Island with approximately 50 youth actors. This summer's productions are the musical Cats and the play Glinda of OZ. Every child that wants to be considered for a role must audition.

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. 
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 
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. 

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 9:30-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

Music Summer Camp
For more information and to register, you can visit
musicworksnw.org, email registration@musicworksnw.org, or call us at (425) 644-0988.

Lego Summer Camp

More info here!

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 information, dates & 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 - 3pm. Aftercare is available until 5pm. 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 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