College Night Series & Naviance Tutorial, Reflections Art Contest, PTSA Directories

Band Together Auction, Directories distributed during Bridges

Fall Play, Community Service Program, November Career Talk

 

VP/Elect  Jayme Witman

Secretary  Amy Melick

Co-Treasurer  Sally Peterson

Co-Treasurer  Lesley Kalmin

Co-VP Com. Monica Moline

Co-VP Com. Erin Underwood

VP Outreach Betsy O'Connell

Co-VP Ops.  Kathy Bauman

Co-VP Ops.  Claudia Allard

Co-VP Leg Adv Wendy Weiker & Mary Kay Woolston

  

Lisa Kittilsby                999-8494

Diane Johnson            232-1696

Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks       236-3485

Annie Koning              232-1346

Tanya Conger     206-453-3366

Jane Rosenstein          275-1977

Donita Lacrampe         275-4655

  

Janet Frohnmayer       230-0780 

Pat Braman           232-1551

Dave Myerson       236-1058

Brian Emanuels     232-0556

Adair Dingle          230-8790

Janet Frohnmayer  230-0780

                            236-3300

Dear MIHS families-

 

Though it may feel like school just began, first quarter at MIHS ended on October 31st.  Wow...time flies and I sure hope you and your student(s) are enjoying the MIHS experience!  Your feedback is always valuable and I've heard from many of you this year - both praises and concerns!  It's important for you to know that beyond PTSA, there are many other ways to share your feedback.  

 

Teachers always enjoy hearing from you directly and they are often the best, first place to start if you have classroom concerns.  Of course they never tire of hearing positive feedback too... a good reminder to us all to drop a note or e-mail expressing our thanks from time to time!  Beyond teachers, MIHS has counselors and principals available to both you and your kids and they are great resources. Click these links to find your specific counselor - http://www.mercerislandschools.org/Page/5466  or principal -

http://www.mercerislandschools.org/domain/1330.  And maybe you've met your grade specific Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Representatives (listed in our newsletter, below on the left).  MIHS PAC reps are waiting to hear your feedback anytime and then share observations, praise and concerns directly with Principal Puckett on a monthly basis. 

 

I know that sometimes it can be tough to know where to go with questions or concerns at MIHS. All of the groups mentioned are waiting to help, but the MIHS administrative team has also created a special Concerns Flow Chart to help you navigate channels of communication, depending on the nature of concern.  Last week, I inadvertently passed along a link that led to an out-of-date chart.  Here's the new link to our most current version of the MIHS Concerns Flow Chart.  Hopefully you won't need to access this, but feel free to bookmark it just in case!   

http://www.mercerislandschools.org/cms/lib3/WA01001855/Centricity/Domain/1591/2014-15%20Concerns%20Flow%20Chart.pdf

 

In closing, just a quick word of thanks.  As Thanksgiving nears, I find myself thinking about the many teachers, staff and volunteers who make a difference within our Mercer Island Schools.  I have a Freshman in college thriving in part because of your influences over many years, and my younger boys love going to IMS and MIHS every day!  Collectively we are all a great team, accomplishing incredible feats within our MISD and we make lasting differences in the lives of our students!  When giving thanks this season, I will most certainly count all of you among my family's blessings.   

 

Warmest Regards,
 
Debbie Hanson

MIHS PTSA President

 

 

To see Debbie's past President's letters, click here 

 

When there is a new update from Dr. Plano, it will be printed here...

 

To see previous letters from Principal Vicki Puckett, click here

PTSA College Night Series
 

Financing the College Education - December 2, 2014 - MIHS Auditorium

Learn about several helpful methods to finance the college education in addition to financial aid.  Also, learn about the financial aid application process and about methodologies used in determining financial need.  Information about how to maximize your opportunity for college financial aid as well as tips for financial planning will be presented.  Guest speakers will be in attendance.

 

Highly Selective College Night - January 14, 2015 - MIHS Auditorium

Interested students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parents.  Highly selective colleges accept less than 25% of the students who apply.  If you believe that one of these colleges/universities is the best place for your student, come to this lecture and learn the FACTS!  Rumors abound, especially when dealing with admission to these colleges!  Get a realistic view of how to put the student in the best light and consider which college is best for your student.

 

College for Students with Learning Differences - January 28, 2015 - MIHS Library

This presentation will target families of freshmen, sophomores and juniors who have been diagnosed with a learning difference.  College at a four-year college IS possible!  Learn what needs to be done at the high school level and what to expect once the student has matriculated to the college.

Each College Night is divided into two parts.  At 6:00 p.m., Mrs. Hillstrom, MIHS College and Career Counselor will present a 30-minute optional Naviance Tutorial.  Naviance is MIHS' web-based service for curriculum planning, career exploration and the college choice/application/admission process.  Students and parents can use valuable research and organizational tools provided by this program.  Mrs. Hillstrom will also use Naviance for her bulk email deliveries.  Learn how to register on Naviance and about what the service has to offer at the Naviance Tutorials.  The evening's topic then begins at 6:30 p.m.

  

There is no need to pre-register for these lectures. A $5.00 per family per session donation is appreciated. Net proceeds will be donated to the MIHS PTSA Scholarship Fund. All donations are purely optional and are not a requirement of admission. 
  
Questions - contact Betsy Robertson, or see information on the PTSA website. 

 

 

National PTA Reflections Art Contest 2014 -2015 Theme

"The world would be a better place if....."

 

No experience is required to participate in Reflections! 

 

Choose the arts category you're interested in, create an original piece of artwork based on the theme: "The world would be a better place if..." and be recognized as an artist in your community.

 

Rules can be found for submission of Dance Choreography, 

Film Production, Literature, Musical Composition, 

Photography and Visual Arts. MIHS first place winners in each category will receive a $50 cash prize.

 Click here for a link to the entry form or Mercer Island High School's main office has a copy of the rules and entry forms. 

 

The deadline for submission is December 1st, 2014.

 

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 at

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, we 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.

 

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