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  THE WOLF
May 19, 2016
 
In This Issue
Mark Your Calendars
Thank You!
Bike to School Day
Bike Safety
Council Awards
Graduate Grams
Managing Change
Superintendent's Update
Advocacy
District News
Community Events
Newsletter Submissions
  

Dear West Mercer families,

 

The sun is shining, the days are longer, and it feels like summer has come early this year! All this warm weather means more kids playing outside, so please be extra careful as you drive through our neighborhoods to keep an eye out for kids at play.  

 

It's also great biking weather, and we hope everyone will celebrate Bike to School Day tomorrow by coming to school by bike, foot or bus -- music and treats will be available if you can make it to school a little early. On a related note, see below for important safety tips for how to teach kids to bike safely traveling to and from school. 

 

As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, May 27 or Monday, May 30. We hope you enjoy the four-day weekend!

 

Sincerely, 

West Mercer PTA

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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

Thurs, June 2: 4th Grade Music Tryouts

Mon, June 6: 5th Grade at Islandwood

Thurs, June 9: Spring String Fling/Band Blast

Thurs, June 16: West Mercer Hoedown!

Friday, June 17: NOON DISMISSAL

Friday, June 17: All Island Track Meet

 

WEST MERCER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank You!

Thanks to our Spring Fling chairs, Vaishali Kukrej & Sella Ramaiyah for such a spectacular event!! All those 5th graders wouldn't have been dunked without Ms. Golden's help! Big thanks to Debbie Burke and Stacy Nakata for organizing the food trucks.

Bike to School Day!
This Friday!
 
Save Gas! Reduce Traffic! Exercise! Socialize!

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!  

Rain or Shine, we look forward to seeing everyone 
TOMORROW from 8:15 -9:10 AM.

Help Kids to Bike Safely!

With Bike Month underway, and so much sunny weather to encourage participation, more kids are out around the Island, biking to or from school.

Recently, we've had two car-bike collisions involving kids, and in one case the driver was at fault. Fortunately, injuries were only minor, but the MI Police Department asks all drivers to use extra caution, especially around schools and crosswalks.

It's a good time for parents to make sure children understand how to ride safely and predictably and how to stay visible. Learn more from this handy two-page factsheet.

2016 Council Awards

The Mercer Island PTA Council is requesting nominations for its 2016 Council Awards. We are looking to recognize outstanding volunteers, educators or committees for his/her/their creativity, innovation, dedication and amazing work for our school communities. Please see the PTA Council website for further information or to submit a nomination.  The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 27. 
 
Jackie Brown and Debbie Hanson
Co-Presidents, MI PTA Council

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

Advocacy Update!

Thank you to everyone who emailed City Council in support of the improvements to the intersection at Northwood Elementary. Every email was important and City Council clearly heard our parent body's view on this issue. Public comment regarding this project is invited at the June 6 City Council meeting. Please contact the
MI PTA Advocacy Team if you would like to be part of the final push to get this project moving. 
 
The MI PTA Advocacy Website has the latest information on our efforts to advocate for the well-being and education of all children. If you are interested in joining the MI PTA Advocacy Team, please email us.

 
DISTRICT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Northwood Elementary 
Family Potluck! 
 
Are YOUR kids going to the new school next year?  Please join us for a casual picnic dinner and meet your new Northwood community! Featuring ice breaker & field games for the kids. Bring a blanket and a favorite dish to share.  

Dessert is on us!
  • A - G: appetizer/side dish  
  • H - P:  entrée 
  • Q - Z:  salad/fruit)
Northwood Family Potluck
Sunday, June 5th
4:00 - 6:00 PM
The Lid's covered picnic shelter

Aubrey Davis Park -"Park on the Lid" -next to East play structure & baseball fields

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 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 four 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.
 
Parent Edge

As this school year winds down, Parent Edge would like to thank everyone who has attended and supported our events. Parent Edge is collaborating with a lot of local groups to bring you information about other important community events and, on occasion, make discounted tickets available to MIPTA members. Go to the "In The Community" section of this newsletter for information about such events. Also check "Local Events and Lectures" on miparentedge.org or on Facebook, Mercer Island Parent Education for more information.
We hope to see you at some of these other outstanding events and look forward to seeing you all back for another inspiring series of speakers on Mercer Island next year.
 
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.
 
Calling Artists! Open to All!
Kindergarten - 12th Grades

Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL), together with Wells Fargo Bank, is sponsoring the 42nd 
annual Junior Art Show during the Mercer Island S
ummer Celebration, July 9th and 10th. 

Awards and cash prizes will be presented to young artists winning Two-dimensional wall art: Painting; Drawing; Photography; Digital art; Collage and Three-dimensional art: Crafts; Jewelry; Sculpture. Register Today Online here!

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS DUE JULY 1ST!

YTN Presents 
Harriet the Spy

Youth Theatre closes its 2016 School Season by bringing a popular adolescent novel to life, Harriet the Spy. 

May 13 - 29, 2016
Friday & Saturday evenings at 7 pm
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2 pm
Advance tickets are available at YouthTheatre.org or call 206-232-4145, ext. 109

Harriet the Spy is best for ages 6+.

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).  

Date/Time: June 4, 10am-12pm. Go to playonmercer or 206-275-7861

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. 

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
Register: mercerislandcrossfit

Junior Hoopsters

Sumer Camp Registration is OPEN for girls entering K-8th. Monday 6/27 - Thursday 6/30, 9am - Noon

To register go to MIGB.org

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.

Jump Start Your 
Girl Scout Adventure!

Register now for fall Girl Scouts on Mercer Island and for priority troop placement in the fall. All you need is 5 girls and 2 adults to start your own troop. Troops that form by June 30th will receive a free Girls Guide to Girl Scouting, a start-up kit, swag from GSWW and extra commission on every box of cookies sold next spring. See what your daughter can do while she's waiting for her troop here. Register for the 2016-17 year here. Join our local GS summer day camp here.
Questions?  Contact Lori Kovarik.

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. Cost of the camp includes a t-shirt for tie-dying and lunch on campus for full day campers. 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
Summer Camp Registration

Registration is now open for MIPR Summer activities, read more here. For the full brochure of 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

Adios! Zaijian! Au Revior! Join us for a Spanish or Mandarin summer camp, starting June 20 in Bellevue and Seattle. For more information and schedule details, visit our website.

Pre-Registration for Sponge classes in the 2016-2017 academic year is now open! Visit our website or go directly to our registration page to sign up.
 
Contact us by email or give us a call at (425) 274-5188 with any questions. We hope to see you again soon!
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