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 PTSA#2.9.50 October 20, 2014
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Events:**
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October
Oct 24 - Football game & All Island Band Night, 7:00pm
October 28 - Special PTSA General Meeting, 6:15pm, Library Presentation Room
November
Nov 3-4 - Mercer Island Schools Foundation Phon-a-thon
Nov 5 - Winter sports packets due
Nov 5 - Veterans Day Assembly, main gym, 9:35-10:30am
Nov 11 - Veterans Day - No School
Nov 14 - Senior Service Blood Drive, west gym, 8am - 2pm
Nov 15 - Mock SAT Test, MI Presbyterian Church, 8:30am - 1:30pm
Nov 22 - PLAN Test, 200/400 hallways, 8:00am - 1:00pm
Nov 24 - All Winter Sports Parent Meeting, PAC, 6-8:30pm
Nov 27-28 - Thanksgiving Vacation - No school
**- Calendar information current as of 10/13. Always check District Calendar for updates.
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Have a Question about Student Life at MIHS? Maybe the Answer is in the MIHS Student Handbook:
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MIHS Student Handbook
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PTSA 2013-2014 Executive Committee
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Parent Advisory Committee
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Freshman Class of 2018
Sophomore Class of 2017
Junior Class of 2016
School Board Rep
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MISD Board of Directors
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236-3300
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Submit an Article
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To submit an article for review for our next issue:
mihsnewsletter@hotmail.com
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From Our PTSA President
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Dear Mercer Island High School Families:
There's a new addition to our meeting roster this year, as we've just added a special general meeting to the calendar at it's coming up on Tuesday, October 28th from 6:15-8:00 p.m. in the MIHS Library Presentation Room.
All are welcome to attend and participate in an evening of Q&A focused on all levels of specialized learning services at MIHS. A new committee devoted to this topic has just launched and this meeting is the kick-off presentation. The format will be casual Q&A with a panel of MIHS teachers and staff ready to answer your burning questions related to MIHS learning services at all levels.
The goal of this new committee is to connect parents of students who need a variety of learning services, and to partner with our MIHS administration to enhance education and gather parent feedback about the programs and resources that exist at MIHS for all students. Sharing this information will help students and families better navigate and find the learning support they need.
The launch of this committee stems from our recent Welcome Back Coffee discussion, which revealed the need for more conversation related to issues surrounding learning services and the need for greater parent networking opportunities. Much thanks goes out to Mary Kay Woolston and Wendy Weiker, MIHS PTSA Co-VP's of Legislation and Advocacy for their efforts in structuring this new committee in partnership with MIHS parent, Leslie Moore.
This new committee is still in the infancy stage and will remain open to new members throughout the year. There will be ample opportunity to sign-up and get more involved on the night of this special meeting and moving forward.
Thank you again for your strong support of MIHS student learning and enrichment programs! We hope to see you on the 28th!
Warm Regards,
Debbie Hanson
MIHS PTSA President
To see Debbie's past President's letters, click here
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From Our Superintendent
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 | | Email Dr. Gary Plano |
Dear Mercer Island schools supporters,
We have nearly completed the first month of the 2014-15 school year, and we are well on our way to another successful year of classroom experiences for our students.
I am happy to announce that four of our young scholars from Mercer Island High School have been named National Merit Semifinalists and 19 more have been named National Merit Commended students. The high school also jumped to the 159th position in the Newsweek rankings of best high schools in America and the class of 2014 received the best composite ACT scores in at least five years.
It takes an entire community to create an educational system this special. Our mission begins when students enter our elementary schools and continues through middle and high school until students are prepared for college and their careers.
The generous donations from the Mercer Island community to the Schools Foundation are essential to funding classroom teachers, an elementary art specialist, instructional coaches for elementary, middle and high school teachers and the enrichment programs that make success at this level possible. My most heartfelt appreciation goes to supporters of the Schools Foundation, the PTAs and the many Boosters who help ensure our schools are the best regionally and nationally.
Through the Phone-a-Thon, Bridge-the-Gap campaign and many PTA and Booster events, the Mercer Island School District received more than $1.6 million to fund teachers and targeted programs, such as the new K-2 reading program, to help our schools meet the diverse needs, intellectual drive and curiosity of our students.
Last year our elementary schools had some classrooms with as many as 30 students. This year, there is only one elementary class with 28 students and that class is one classroom in the highly capable program. We average about 23 students per classroom at the elementary level. That does not happen without the support of our community and the Schools Foundation.
Thank you!
This year the Mercer Island Schools Foundation Phone-a-Thon will take place on Nov. 3 and 4. I know this community will continue to answer the call to make our public schools even stronger and to provide the support and programs our children deserve.
Gary Plano, Ed. D.
Superintendent
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From Our Principal
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Go Islanders!
To see previous letters from Principal Vicki Puckett, click here
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PTSA News and Announcements
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PTSA Grant Applications
To date, we have collected over $46,700, allowing MIHS PTSA to once again help support student enrichment programs at high levels. Your donations benefit every student and allow for greater hands-on and personalized learning experiences throughout the school year, across all grades and all disciplines. Because of your generosity, PTSA partners yearly with the MI Schools Foundation and the MI School District to fund an impressive number of grant requests (from teachers, administrators, counselors, staff, students, etc...).
Your donations are precious and we take the grant applications process seriously, by carefully reviewing each application in an effort to spread dollars evenly throughout the school, maximizing the reach of your generosity. Donations allow for enrichment experiences which set MIHS apart and contribute to our school's known reputation for academic excellence and achievement. Curious to know more? Access our PTSA Website http://mihsptsa.org/resources/grants/ for a list of grants funded in past. Fulfilling wish lists is incredibly rewarding and our recipients are quick to share their thanks. Again, I thank you for your generosity. You are the ones fulfilling wishes, whether it's through your donations of time, talents or dollars!
More information about Mock SAT/ACT tests for 2014/15.
(This information is also located under "COLLEGE PREP" on the MIHS PTSA website at www.mihsptsa.org. Please note these MOCK Tests are facilitated by the PTSA. Information about actual tests administered by College Board - SAT, ACT, PSAT and PLAN can be found in the MIHS Counseling Center)
These mock tests are offered by the MIHS PTSA Senior Activities Committee as an option to our student body to try out and practice these assessments in an environment where the scores don't matter for college entry. They are administered by the company, Princeton Review, in a test-taking setting that exactly mimics the reality of an ACT or SAT test. A follow-up review session is offered after each test to go over your student's results.
Each Mock SAT/ACT test is $30 for pre-registration and $40 for the day-of registration. All proceeds go to MIHS PTSA Post Graduation Senior Party.
While our school is under construction, tests and review session all take place at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island, EXCEPT for the December 3rd review session to be held in the MIHS Library.
November 15th, 9:00 a.m -. Mock SAT
December 3rd, 7 p.m. Review Session (note location change to MIHS Library)
January 24th, 9:00 a.m. Mock ACT
February 4th, 7:00 p.m. Review Session
March 28th, 9:00 a.m. Mock Hybrid ACT/SAT
April 15th, 7:00 p.m. Review Session
2014-2015 Mock SAT/ACT Information
Questions? Annie Kusaka at akusaka@comcast.net
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| Online Volunteer Sign-ups | | Attention all parents who want to Volunteer this year at MIHS!
Contrary to our children's viewpoint, the high school years are very much the right time to be involved in their school. Research strongly supports a positive correlation between parental involvement and student success in all aspects of our children's high school experience. Mercer Island has a wealth of talented and energetic parents who care about their children's educational experience.
Please consider how you can volunteer during the 2014-2015 school year and complete the online form at MIHS PTSA website or Click here to fill out your 2014-2015 Volunteer Interest Form.
Questions? Contact Laurie Raisys at volunteer@mihsptsa.org
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Legislation and Advocacy
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With our November election just around the corner, we are ramping up for an active legislative year. Below we have included a few items and activities that may help you get up to speed. There are initiatives on the ballot that could heavily impact our state's education system and are worthy of your attention. Also, because the 2015 legislative session which begins in January will likely be heavily focused on education issues, we will be sending the occasional action alert to you email this winter to keep you up to speed. Never fear, they will be BRIEF. Happy reading!
1. Attached is a 2012 version (earliest we could find) of the Washington State Education Finance Primer. Produced by our Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, it is a great picture into the current reality of school finance. Although most of this will change in the coming years - it is still worth becoming familiar with how our schools have been funded in the past.
Click here for the link to a pdf file.
2. Initiative 1351 - The Washington Class Size Reduction Measure initiative is on the ballot which arrived in your mailbox last week. Here is a link to information about the initiative: Click here.
3. Our Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly is taking place this weekend in Vancouver Washington. During the conference, our PTSA Legislative Representatives will debate and vote on what will become the WSPTA's Legislative Priorities for the next two years. We will be attending the conference and will represent Mercer Island High School. The State PTA has created an excellent, interactive website about the 2014 Legislative Priorities to be discussed this weekend.
2014 Proposed Legislative Priorities
Click here for the Engage website. Proposed legislative platform priorities may be viewed here by scrolling through the pages for each issue which are scrolling at the top of the page.
If you have questions or comments, please contact us at any time!
Wendy Weiker
Mary Kay Woolston
2014-15 Co-VPs of Advocacy and Legislation
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MIHS News and Announcements
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Check the MIHS website for announcements, calendar, and links to activities.
CLASS OF 2015 SENIOR NEWS
As all Seniors know by now, Jostens visited MIHS to distribute order forms for caps and gowns as well as announcement and class ring orders. They returned last week to collect orders. If a senior did not turn in orders last week - they may still order via mail or online.
All orders should be submitted to Jostens before students leave for winter break.Beginning in January orders will be considered "late" and may have different pricing structures.
Who is Jostens? They provide everything our students need for graduation. Those items that are critical and essential, like the cap and gown, but also the extra 'swag' that each family might be interested in purchasing such as announcements, invitations, note cards, etc. The Jostens' website is www.jostens.com if you would like to order online.
THE MIHS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM:
ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE, GET AN AWARD!
For many years, MIHS has given awards to students who do significant amounts of community service (CS). If you have a student who has earned an award, please have them complete this online CS Form, and turn it in to Sheryl Ehrlichman in the Counseling Center, or email it to costa124@msn.com. Awards will be presented as they are accrued.
Seniors who earn awards can report them on their college applications! Other students who earn awards can list them on their resumes and job applications! Seniors will receive a pin at graduation. Please read the Instructions for more information or contact Susan Costa at 206-427-4780 if you have questions. Thanks to our students who help our community!
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Parent Edge
| | MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle School, MIHS and St. Monica schools.
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In the Community
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National League of Young Men - Mercer Island Chapter
We are excited to introduce the Mercer Island Chapter of the National League of Young Men (NLYM). The NLYM is an organization for mothers and their sons (grades 9th - 12th) whose mission is to promote the development of young men into community leaders through leadership involvement; charitable and community service; cultural experiences and protocol education. Examples of upcoming community events include food packing at Northwest Harvest and grounds keeping at the Seattle Humane Society.
The class of 2017 (10th grade students) has room for a few additional young men and their mothers. If you are a current 10th grade student looking for an opportunity to serve your community while gaining valuable leadership skills, along with protocol knowledge and cultural experiences, please contact Donna Platou (platou1@comcast.net) for NLYM membership information as soon as possible. The deadline to have your application accepted and paid for is October 31st.
Mercer Island Schools Foundation - Great Board Members Wanted!
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is looking for a few talented, conscientious and dedicated volunteer board members to help lead and strengthen our successful fundraising programs. Ideally, our Board representation includes individuals from all neighborhoods on the island with or without children in Mercer Island Public Schools. Additionally, all Mercer Island Public Schools are represented by Board membership.
Would you like to contribute a few hours of your time every month sharing your thoughtful leadership to help make our Mercer Island Schools the best they can be? Your investment of time will help ensure all 4,200 students grades K-12 attain the full promise of their academic success!
To find out whether this volunteer opportunity is right for you, and to get more information, please call Penny Yantis, Executive Director, at 206-275-2550.
Mercer Island Communities That Care - Great Board Members Wanted!
Would you like to contribute a few hours of your time each month sharing your leadership and insights to help make our community a healthy place for youth to thrive? Our coalition is composed of Mercer Island community groups and individuals who share a common concern about local youth alcohol and drug consumption and what our community can do to prevent risk and harm to our kids. We have staff to support us and substantial federal funding for resources.
We are seeking a few talented and dedicated volunteer members with ties to local businesses, our schools, youth serving organizations, the health community, media or civic groups. We also welcome parents to join us with children in any grade - elementary through high school.
Our prevention efforts are science-based and supported by the latest research in youth alcohol and drug prevention. We provide training opportunities to members and feature monthly meeting presentations related to youth substance-use topics. If you join us you will have an opportunity to both advise coalition staff and to get involved in prevention efforts that suit your interests and talents.
Your investment of time will help ensure that kids on Mercer Island have the chance they deserve to remain or become drug and alcohol free. To find out whether this volunteer opportunity is right for you, and to get more information, please call Lisa Stewart, Project Coordinator, at 206-275-7743 or lisa.stewart@mercergov.org
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Question of the Week
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Q: I have a question about my student's MIHS issued iPad. Where can I find helpful information?
A: There's quite a bit of information about the MIHS iPad program on the MIHS Website including resources for both parents and students: http://www.mercerislandschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=7920. If you still have questions after reviewing this information, click on the active links to reach MIHS tech specialists and/or administrators for further assistance.
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