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Mercer Island Schools Foundation Phone-a-thon is next week!
Below is a statement from our Superintendent Plano about the value of our community support for the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, our PTSA and our Booster Clubs:
"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. Please answer the call!
 Mercer Island Band Boosters Presents "Band Together"
A Band Fundraiser for Grades 5 - 12
Saturday, November 22, 2014, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Mercer Island Community Center
Come together. Don't miss this unique evening to support Mercer Island School District band programs. The evening's theme, "Rockin' the Casbah," will feature an eclectic mix of music, wine, beer, hors d'oeuvres and desserts with a Moroccan flair along with one-of-a-kind Live and Silent auction items. Tickets for this adults only event are available in limited quantity for $75 per person. Play together. Come experience the music of Nearly Dan, a Seattle band performing the music of 70's legendary classic rock band, Steely Dan. Some of the heritage band's well-known songs include: Deacon Blues, Rikki Don't Lose That Number and Kid Charlemagne.
"Nearly Dan" is made up of 12 national musicians with talent spanning many genres-from rock, R&B and country to fusion, swing and jazz-and who have trained at institutions from Berklee College of Music in Boston, to University of Washington and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Anyone who knows the music of Steely Dan, also knows that only fabulous musicians can pull it off!
Band together. Show your support for incredible music programming in our community as the Mercer Island School District band program serves over 700 students in grades 5 - 12 each year. Proudly non-competitive and all-inclusive, these band programs celebrate musical talent at all levels with excellent results, including the opportunity to perform and compete nationally and internationally. The Pride of the Island, our Mercer Island High School Band is 300 strong and includes one-in-four high school students!
Monies raised at this 2nd annual event will support Mercer Island Schools band programming for grades 5-12, including clinics, one-on-one support, scholarships, instrument rentals, leadership opportunities, trip support, training, community outreach and unique musical opportunities.
For More Info and Ticket Sales access: www.misbb.org
"This event is going to be fantastic! Great people, great music and a great cause. The boosters have been working hard to put together an event that is fun and helps the MISD Band program continue to thrive. I'll be there. Thanks boosters!" - Parker Bixby, MIHS Band Director Islander Middle School Ski & Sports Swap The Islander Middle School's MI Ski & Sports Swap fundraiser is right around the corner. We are still in need of volunteers on November 6, 7 and 8. It is only 2.5 hours of your time! As a volunteer you will be invited to "pre-shop" on Friday night.
Please follow this link to sign up - MI Ski & Sports Swap Volunteer
For more info go to our website at www.mi-skiswap.com
 SkiBus 2015 Information Meeting
Date: Thursday, November 6
Where: IMS Library
Time: 7 pm
Who should attend: Parents or guardians with middle school or high school aged children NEW to the Mercer Island SkiBus Program to Crystal Mountain, and anyone else who wants the most up-to-date information regarding the 2015 Program.
Learn about the 2015 Mercer Island SkiBus Program to Crystal Mountain. Sean Bold, Director of Snow Sports at Crystal, will be here to answer questions.
If you can't make to the meeting, visit www.CrystalSkiBus.com for more information and to register.
Please spread the word to anyone else who might be interested in the 2015 SkiBus Program.
Think snow!
Charles Greer
CrystalSkiBus@gmail.com
Tel. 206.275.3126
Cel. 206.920.8817
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 | 
