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  THE WOLF
May 5, 2016
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
SPRING FLING
Bike to School Day
Graduate Grams
Managing Change
Superintendent's Update
Advocacy
District News
Community Events
Newsletter Submissions
  

Dear West Mercer families,

Happy Cinco de Mayo! We have been lucky with some beautiful sunny days this spring, but Seattle springs are unpredictable, so, don't forget to pack a jacket.  

 

Thank you for all who are participating in celebrating our amazing teachers and classified staff during this Staff Appreciation Week! We are lucky to have such a wonderful staff teaching and caring for our children every day.

 

Coming next week is the super fun community event, the WM Spring Fling (Wednesday, May 11th), and we hope to see you there! Then get out your bikes for Bike to School Day on Fri, May 20th. Before you know it, summer will be here, and there are plenty of Summer Camps below to keep your kids busy.

 

Sincerely, 

West Mercer PTA

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Mon, May 2-Fri, May 6: Staff Appreciation Week

Thurs, May 5: Spring Music Performance 

Wed, May 11: Incoming New Student Open House

Wed, May 11: SPRING FLING! Details below

Fri, May 13: Elementary Visitation Day

Thu, May 19: IMS Music Tours at WM

Thu, May 19: Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night

Fri, May 20: Bike to School Day, details below

Fri, May 27: NO SCHOOL (weather make-up day) - enjoy the 4 day weekend!

Mon, May 30: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

Tues, May 31: 4th Grade Music Tryouts

 

WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

WM Spring Fling 
NEXT WEEK!
 
Free Bounce Houses, Face Painting, Dunk Tank, 
Ice Cream, Music and Food Trucks!  
Please join us in welcoming all new families to 
West Mercer and celebrating our community in the beautiful spring weather!
Spring Fling is on Wed, May 11th 
from 6:00 - 8:00 PM 

New this time - 2 Food trucks so you can buy dinner!

You can also volunteer to help at this fun event.

May is Bike to School Month!
 
Save Gas! Reduce Traffic! Exercise! Socialize!

On Friday May 20th bike to school with your child or, if biking is not an option, walk or use Green Energy and ride the school bus.

As always hit the road early and join us for some social time, music and breakfast bites!  Look forward to seeing everyone from 8:15 -9:10 AM 

A Spring Tradition on MI: Graduate Grams

Every spring, the MI PTA Council sends 1,000s of Graduate Gram greetings to MI students. Whether graduating from Preschool, Kindergarten, 5th grade, 8th grade, High School or College, students love receiving these personalized certificates in the mail. Each hand-prepared "Grad Gram" congratulates the recipient and acknowledges the sender.

Order Graduate Grams for graduating seniors, neighbors, babysitters, your child and their friends! All funds raised go directly into the MI PTA Council Community Scholarship Fund which honors graduating seniors for their achievement, hard work, and attitude.

Please visit here to order. Thank you for supporting this wonderful MI tradition!

Managing Change
 
Next year brings the opening of a fourth elementary school. With the excitement of a new school also comes the challenges of change: new friends, different school and different teachers. 

The counselors at MI Youth and Family Services have provided the attached power point presentation to help guide students and parents through the transition.

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.

Also, check out the district's Facebook page:

 

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Safe Routes to Schools Come First! 

Please email all City Council members today urging them to immediately fund improvements recommended by the city engineer to the intersection at 40th and 86th (the corner of Northwood Elementary where parents will be turning from 40th to access the car drop-off). There is a real risk that these improvements will not be funded. MI PTA Council has sent a letter to City Council urging them to fund, design and implement these improvements and we hope that you will too.

Why sending an email matters:
City Council is taking public comments for its annual review of the Mercer Island Transportation Improvement Plan. There is a high possibility that this project could be delayed or removed from the plan. The Mercer Island School Board and MI PTA Council have sent letters in support of this project, now it is time for our parent community to let our City Council know that we think this project is essential. Every email to City Council is significant.
 
 
Click here for a sample email and email addresses.

 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant Nominations 
 
The Mercer Island PTA Council is accepting applications for the Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant. The Grant recognizes a Mercer Island child who has suffered the death of a parent, is currently experiencing the terminal illness of a parent, or has a parent serving on active duty with the military. 

A Grant award of up to $500 will be given to an elementary, middle, or high school student to be used for an activity or other purpose that will aid the child or youth's adjustment to this difficult life change. For example, the Grant may be used for lessons, a camp experience, a trip, sports equipment or a musical instrument. 

Application/information available here.  Questions: Caroline Hughes carolinedhughes@icloud.com.

Grant Application Deadline: May 27, 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!

Northwood Elementary 
Brick Campaign
 
Be a Part of Island History!

In less than five months, the beautiful Northwood Elementary will open its doors to a parliament of owls.  A new school hasn't opened on MI since 1963.

To commemorate this milestone moment, the Northwood PTA is offering families, friends, staff, & supporters of Northwood Elementary the opportunity to leave a permanent, personalized mark on a brick in Northwood's outdoor play area. See more here: northwoodowlspta.  This opportunity will only be open until June 30, 2016.  If you have any questions, please contact jsytman@mac.com.
 
 
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.
 
"Screenagers" Film & Discussion
 
Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 7PM
Stroum Jewish Community Center - on MI
  
The SJCC and IndieFlix present a public film screening of SCREENAGERS, a documentary that sheds light on the impact of screen time on families. Appropriate for middle school and up. MI PTA members ticket price is $12.00. Purchase tickets at  www.SJCC.org.
 
There is a need for 3 volunteers to help at the show. Volunteers do get a free ticket. Contact Dana Pruchno if you're interested: danap@sjcc.org

National Trails Day and Letterboxing
Celebrate the trails of Pioneer Park while hunting for hints and clues! Pick up your letterbox clue book, make a stamp and start hunting. Meet us in the NW quadrant along 68th (across from Starbucks). This all-ages free event is sponsored by Bark Avenue. 
Date/Time: June 4, 10am-12pm. Go to playonmercer or 206-275-7861

CrossFit Summer Camp

When: Mon-Fri, June 27-July 1, 1-4pm. 
Possible second session August 1-5th
Where: Mercer Island CrossFit
Who: Kids ages 6-10yrs
What: Camp incorporates CrossFit, social skills, team building and nutrition. Kids will be introduced to healthy movements, team building activities, social skills, emotion regulation and healthy eating habits. 
Cost: $210,  includes a healthy snack
Junior Football 
Registration is Open
Junior Football Registration is OPEN for current 2nd - 5th Graders. Register online at mi.positiveplace.org or call 206-436-1939.

Tackle Football:
  • Practice starts August 8th
  • Registration includes FREE Summer Speed & Conditioning Camp (July 11 - August 11)
Football Camp: 
  •  6 - 9pm MIHS Stadium July 25th - 28th
Yellow Yoga Summer Camp
 
Yellow Yoga Summer Camp will be at the MI Boys & Girls Club (7/11-1/15) and Yogabliss (7/5-7/8).

Please see our yellowyogakids or our Facebook page for more details! 

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.

May the Forest be With You!
Girl Scout Summer Camp

Sing, cook outdoors, get crafty and have a blast at this teen-led summer camp.

What: South Bellevue Mercer Island Day Camp
Dates: July 18-22, 9:30-3:30 Monday-Thursday and 9:30-2:00 Friday 
Where: Newport Heights Elementary School
Cost: Only $90 for the entire week! Additional $15 if camper is not a registered Girl Scout.

Registration forms and more info can be found at sbmidaycamp.

Lego Summer Camp

More info here!

WISE Summer Camps

WISE camps offer exciting chemistry and math courses in the morning & afternoon in August for students entering grades 3-9 at Newport HS (Bellevue). Cost of the camp includes a t-shirt for tie-dying and lunch on campus for those who choose to do full day. Questions? Contact Mrs. Baker or Mr. Nonis at wisecamps@gmail.com. Please see attached for more information.

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. 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.

Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) SummerStock

YTN is seeking youth actors, grades 2-13, for its anticipated 2016 Summerstock Season. Every summer YTN produces three shows on MI with approximately 50 youth actors. For more information about Youth Theatre programs and our productions, visit YouthTheatre.org.


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.

Seward Park Audubon Center Summer Camps 

We offer four uniquely-themed camps meeting each day from 9-3pm (extended care is available), Separate camps are offered to youth aged 6-8 and 9-11. Visit the summer camp web page for more information. 

When West Mercer families register for our summer camps, they will receive a $25 discount. Simply enter the code "WEST" at checkout.

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

Sponge is 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!!
 
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. 


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