PTSA#2.9.50 February 23, 2015

PTSA News and Announcements	MIHS Calendar/Dates & Events
Mock SAT/ACT Test Information	MIHS News and Announcements Biology Class Open House, National Honor Society Applications, Osprey Nest Relocation
Volunteers Needed	Legislation and Advocacy News
In the Community Fine Arts Showcase	MIHS Sports News & Announcements
MI Parent Edge Presents The Mask You Live In film and discussion	Question of the Week

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February

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President Debbie Hanson

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Co-VP Ops. Kathy Bauman

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Parent Advisory Committee

Freshman Class of 2018

Lisa Kittilsby 999-8494

Enas Muzio 425-736-3878

Molly Lambright 425-443-0258

Sophomore Class of 2017

Diane Johnson 232-1696

Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks 236-3485

Annie Koning 232-1346

Junior Class of 2016

Tanya Conger 206-453-3366

Kathy Gersch 425-269-9089

Kathy Umlauf 230-6449

Senior Class of 2015

Toby Suhm 236-7074

Jane Rosenstein 275-1977

Donita Lacrampe 275-4655

PTSA Pres. Rep.
Debbie Hanson 236-3091

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Janet Frohnmayer 230-0780

MISD Advisory Council Rep
Toby Suhm 236-7074

Debbie Hanson 236-3091

MISD Board of Directors

Pat Braman 232-1551

Dave Myerson 236-1058

Brian Emanuels 232-0556

Adair Dingle 230-8790

Janet Frohnmayer 230-0780

Sup. Dr. Gary Plano

236-3300

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From Our PTSA President

Email Debbie Hanson

Dear MIHS families-

I hope this letter finds you all rested and maybe even returning from some fun mid-winter break adventures! In my house it's always a struggle to settle back into normal routines of homework, earlier bedtimes and less screen time, but now with a senior in the house, we're also battling the beginnings of senioritis. Thanks goodness the days are getting longer! Spring and summer will be here before we know it, but reality check...it's still only February!

There's lots of activity going on at MIHS as usual: National Honor Society is accepting applications from current Sophomores and Juniors, Winter sports are wrapping up with great results (Swimming, Basketball, Gymnastics, & Wrestling), MIHS will soon send many students to upcoming state competitions in both DECA and Band/Orchestra, and the list goes on and on... There's always much to be proud of at MIHS. Our students are always doing spectacular th

ings! Want to keep up with MIHS student achievements? Don't forget to regularly check these sources to stay in the know:

MIHS Website MIHS Homepage

MIHS Daily Bulletin. MIHS Daily Bulletin

MIHS PTSA Website MIHS PTSA Homepage

We're also entering the time of year when MIHS begins to think about registration for next year's freshman class. In fact, this Wednesday evening (2/25) from 6:30-8:30pm, MIHS PTSA will host The MIHS High School Journey in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at MIHS. Parents of incoming 9^th graders are encouraged to attend this informative Q & A session! Experienced MIHS parents and administrators will be on hand to address any and all of your burning questions! Please pass this information along to any MI family you know who will have an incoming MIHS 9^th grader next year!

Thanks for supporting MIHS and again, Warm Wishes as you return from break!

Debbie Hanson

MIHS PTSA President

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

From Our Superintendent

Email Dr. Gary Plano

To see previous letters from Superintendent Gary Plano, click here

From Our Principal

Email Vicki Puckett

Hello Islanders:

February is well underway and springtime is just around the corner! In addition to the regular activities taking place at the high school, this month we have been celebrating Black History Month. Spring sports will be starting soon; we are looking forward to a new season of sporting activities. To celebrate Valentine's Day, the choir students surprised many students and staff with special songs. We are also very proud that 57 students qualified to complete in the State DECA competition in March. Thank you for all that you do to make our school such a vibrant personal and academic environment for our students.

Smarter Balanced Tests: This year, schools across Washington will be taking the newly developed Smarter Balanced Assessments. These new tests were developed to assess the Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts, which State Superintendent Randy Dorn adopted in 2011. Students in grade 11 will take these new assessments as a replacement to the former HSPE. Testing for ninth and tenth grade students will still include a math EOC,

biology EOC, and a new 10th grade ELA exit exam. The purpose of these tests is to measure whether students are on track to be college or career ready after high school.

Students will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment online this year. The ELA Smarter Balanced tests will be administered on May 18th, 19th, and 20th. The math Smarter Balanced tests will be administered on May 20th and 21st.

For more information about the Smarter Balanced tests and to try out a practice test yourself, please visit http://www.mercerislandschools.org/domain/1608. More information about the Common Core may be found at www.k12.wa.us/corestandards.

EES Survey: Mercer Island Schools are committed to continuous improvement and as part of our school improvement process, every school in our district develops and implements a School Improvement Plan that is tailored to its specific needs each year. Our schools analyze a variety of information sources - including student performance trends, state comparisons and staff/parent perception surveys - to identify improvement goals that are specific, data-driven and measurable. To help each of our schools understand its strengths and challenges in areas known to impact educational effectiveness, we would appreciate your child's input on how our school is doing.

On March 18^th during BRIDGES, students will be given the opportunity to complete the survey. The survey questions are based on the Characteristics of High Performing Schools. They were developed by the Center for Educational Effectiveness, a Bellevue, Washington-based educational research firm, in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State.

Your child's feedback is very important to our ongoing school improvement efforts as we endeavor to make our schools the very best for the students who attend them. If you would prefer that your student not complete the survey, please let us know.

More information about the parent survey will be available after Midwinter break. You will receive notification via the listservs with a link to the survey.

Online Fee Payments / ASB Office: Due to a resignation, we are currently without an ASB Secretary. While the ASB window will be open for 1 hour each day (2:30-3:30 M, T, TH, F; 1:30-2:30 W), we encourage parents and students to make any sport fee or fine payments using our online system. The link is located on the MIHS website under Popular Links > Online Fee Payments.

March 16^th is a school day! March 16^th is no longer a weather makeup day due to the school day that was missed because of the E-coli issue on the Island.

Wishing you a fabulous month,

Vicki Puckett

To see previous letters from Principal Vicki Puckett, click here

PTSA News and Announcements

More information about Mock SAT/ACT tests for 2015.

(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 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.

UPCOMING TEST & REVIEW SESSIONS!

March 28th, 9:00 a.m. Mock Hybrid ACT/SAT (registration form at PTSA website - click here. Registration deadline March 24th)

April 15th, 7:00 p.m. Review Session

2014-2015 Mock SAT/ACT Information
Questions? Annie Kusaka at akusaka@comcast.net

Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Events
MIHS Needs PTSA Volunteers! Interested in Volunteering at MIHS? 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

Legislation and Advocacy

MISD Legislative Information Night:

Legislative Funding Impacts to MI Schools

For a summary of issues impacting our district this legislative season, please see Islander Middle School's Advocacy page

http://imsptsa.org/get-connected/legislative/

To read about WSPTA priorities for the 2014-2015 school year and to get the latest MIHS Legislation & Advocacy news, click here

MIHS News & Announcements

Check the MIHS website for the latest announcements, calendar information, and links to activities.

National Honor Society Applications

Attention classes of 2016 and 2017! If you have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher as of the end of first semester, you are eligible to apply for membership in the National Honor Society. The application will be available on Ms. Seidman's website this week, or in the main office, and is due to Ms. Seidman (Room 204C) by March 13.

Osprey nest being permanently relocated to nearby tree at MIHS

MISD is collaborating with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and an arborist experienced in these projects to carefully relocate the nest of our resident osprey pair. Don't worry, they will be close by! Click here for a link to the full letter.

MIHS Biology Classes Open House February 25th

Come to Rooms 102 & 104 at MIHS on Wednesday evening, February 25th, from 6-8 PM. Stop by before attending the PTSA meeting.

Mr. Bencivengo's 10th grade and AP Biology students will be presenting the results of investigations they have completed in class this year. Find out what we have learned about the minds of humans and the behavior of single-celled organisms! All interested parents, students and community members are welcome to attend.

Questions? Contact Mr. Bencivengo at larry.bencivengo@mercerislandschools.org

Class of 2015 - SENIOR News

Please see all the latest details here: PTSA Seniors Information page

Congratulations to all the MIHS winners for Mercer Island PTA Council Reflections Program!

Visual Arts:

1st Place Kimberly Caparas - Unity Tree
2nd Place Sungmin Na - The World Without War, Discrimination, and Apathy
3rd Place Elan Ma - More Than Seeing

Literature:

1st Place Kari Marriott Anderson - Maybe
2nd Place Hannah Lewis - In Spring
3rd Place Sophie Hankes - We Are Beautiful

Photography

1st Place Katherine Dickhaus - Can You Feel My Growth?
2nd Place Maeve O'Briant - Outside of the Box
3rd Place Arjun Misra - Bicycles in Amsterdam

Music Composition:

1st Place William Waller - Brass and Keys
2nd Place Jessica Waller - Grand Canyon
3rd Place Verli Chen - Time

We are proud to have our talented students represent our school and school district at the Washington State PTA Reflections. Good luck to all our State Finalists!

Here is the link to the complete list of all of our winners.

http://www.miptacouncil.org/programs/reflections/2015-reflections-awards/

Reflections Award Reception and Ceremony

Date: February 11th, 2015 (Wed)

Reception: 5:30-6:00PM

Time: 6:00-8:30 pm

Location: MIHS Upper Commons and PAC

All are welcome to join us at the reception and award ceremony. All entries will be on display (with the exception of first place entries currently competing at the state level).

MIHS Sports News & Announcements

Spring Sports Eligibility Packets Due

Track & Field, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Girls Water Polo, Girls Tennis, Softball, Baseball, Boys Soccer, Girls Golf, & Badminton. The deadline for Registration was Friday, February 13th with Spring sports beginning Monday, March 2^nd. Students will not be able to tryout or turnout until paperwork is turned in.

Remember, if you have participated in two sports, the fee for the third sport is waived.

Call or email Debbie McKenzie if you have any questions. 206-230-6345.
debbie.mckenzie@mercerislandschools.org

Athletes should get their sport specific information from their coaches or can get the necessary forms by clicking here.

KingCo Letter to Fans

Every sports season, we would like to remind our MIHS fans to Be Loud, Be Proud, Be Positive! See the link below for a letter from the KingCo Conference to our fans.

KingCo Letter to Fans

Mercer Island 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.

MI Parent Edge Presents the Film, The Mask You Live In

7 p.m., Thursday, March 5 at MIHS PAC

How can we raise a healthier generation of boys and young men?

From the Directors of "Miss Representation," comes a film exploring masculinity in America. The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to be true to themselves. Pressured by their peers, adults, and the media, boys learn to disconnect from emotions, devalue friendships, objectify women, and resolve conflict through violence. Gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance to create a maze of identity issues boys must face in order to become "real" men. See film trailer here.

Please join Parent Edge as we present this anticipated film, followed by a discussion.

This event is for parents of kids of all ages; students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to attend.

FREE for MI students and staff. $5 per family for MI PTA members.

Please visit www.miparentedge.org to view the entire parent education calendar of events

In the Community

Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 - 5:30-8:30pm - MIHS

Fine Arts Showcase "Around the World" celebrates fine arts education in Mercer Island schools. This annual event raises funds for Fine Arts programs throughout the school district and highlights the wide variety of creative talent from our art students in Performing and Visual Arts.

Tuesday night features a Spotlight on Visual Art with many art activities for all ages. Wednesday shines a Spotlight on Performing Arts with spectacular performances in the gym including the All 3
^rdGrade Choir. Visual art will be displayed throughout the high school on both nights with works by each MISD elementary student, and middle and high school art students.

Ticket donation is $10 in advance/$15 at the door. Tickets are good for both nights! Consider becoming a Patron for preferred parking & early seating for the Performing Arts Night. For online registration go to mifineartsed.org. Funds raised at the Showcase go directly into the schools to support all the arts at all grade levels.
Gourmet hot dogs (including veggie dogs) will be available for purchase each night.
Volunteer! Showcase needs your help! This event wouldn't be possible without volunteers supporting our children's fine arts activities. Show your support for your kids and the arts and volunteer here.
For questions or more information, please contact Julie Montgomery, Fine Arts Advisory Council President.

Expanding Your Horizons Conference - March 27th

The Expanding Your Horizons conference will be held at Bellevue College this year on Friday, March 27, 2015. This is a fantastic opportunity for young woman who may be interested in STEM related fields of study. The program is for young women and the presenters are all women in the various fields. It is a chance to meet and interact with positive role models who are active in STEM-related careers.

Example workshops include:

Code Now! Want to go from being a user of technology to being its creator? Get a running start toward coding and find out how you can use software development skills to make the world a better place. Presenters from the Boeing Company and Sahana Software Foundation.

Designing Better Experience for People User experience is the discipline that designs useful and delightful everyday products like mobile phones or Instagram Learn how product designers and researchers create good experiences for real people. Critique an existing product and brainstorm ways to improve it. Presenter: Carolyn Wei, User Experience Researcher, FACEBOOK

Earth Experiments in a Virtual World Run your very own global climate simulation in Python, and learn how Earth Scientists use physics, mathematics, and computational science to understand climates of the past and predict climates of the future. Judy Twedt, Hansi Singh, Stephanie Rushley, Ashly Spevacek, Scientists. UW, Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

Other workshops including various medical careers, computer/technology careers, security, Stock market, Games Creation, Climate and Environmental careers just to name a few!

Spots fill up rapidly for this VERY popular conference.

You can pick up an application outside Susie Brown's office or online at: http://lakewashington-wa.aauw.net

After registering, please email Susie.brown@mercerislandschools.org to let me know you have registered. Students must also complete a WAMMO form in advance of the conference.

Registration forms must be postmarked by March 13, 2015.

MI Shorts and Sunglasses: 6th and 8th Grade ETL Fundraiser

The 6th and 8th Grade ETL basketball teams are selling Nike "MI" shorts and "Go Islanders" sunglasses to raise money for their March trip to Palm Springs. Shorts cost $35, and come in the following sizes: Youth XL, Adult S, Adult M, Adult L, and Adult XL. Sunglasses are $5. These items are being sold at MIHS Basketball games.

If you would like to place an order via phone or email, please contact Frances Osman, 206-734-5520 or francesosman1@hotmail.com. These items make great gifts!

College Sorority Information Forum

The Sorority Life Information Event

Save the date! The Sorority Life, a recruitment information event, will take place Tuesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in Meeting Room #1 at the Bellevue Regional Library, 1111-110th Avenue NE. This is an opportunity to learn about the benefits of sorority life and how to navigate the recruitment process.

Sponsored by Overlake Alumnae Pan-Hellenic, the event is free and open to high school girls of all grade levels and their parents. Registration is not required. Information about the OAPH scholarship program will be available.

For further information, visit www.overlakealumnaepanhellenic.org

Students - Apply to be a Legislative Page for the 2015 Legislative Session in Olympia!

MERCER ISLAND...Students between the ages of 14 and 16 are invited to participate in the Senate page program where each year hundreds of students from throughout Washington state get a firsthand look at how the legislative process works. "The page program is an incredible educational opportunity and a great chance to learn from other students from different parts of the state," said Sen. Steve Litzow, who represents Mercer Island, Bellevue, Beaux Arts, Issaquah, Newcastle, Renton and Sammamish. "Being able to participate directly in the legislative process can inspire our state's future leaders."

Students spend one week in Olympia where they attend page school, hear directly from state lawmakers and other officials, and assist with proceedings on the Senate floor during debate and voting. Interested students living in the 41st District are encouraged to apply by submitting an application to Senator Litzow's office for the 2015 session that runs from January through April.

For more information and to get an application please call the Legislative Information Center at 800-562-6000, visit SenatorLitzow.com and select Page Program, email SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov or Joe Adamack at Joe.Adamack@leg.wa.gov

or 360-786-7519.

Host an Italian student. Your child will be invited to Italy!

Ergon Student Exchange is looking for families to host a 16-17 year-old Italian student for a semester or school year. Ergon program ensures a true cross cultural opportunity that will provide a transformative experience for both the host family and the student. The Italian families offer to your son or daughter a direct exposure to Italian culture through an all-expenses paid summer vacation in Italy, and Ergon sponsors the flight!

We specialize in a rigorous selection process ensuring that students are academically strong, responsible, and proficient in English. We devote great care to matching students with host families.

Like our many past students, Stefano, Riccardo and Tommaso are greatly enjoying MIHS academics and their host family life. We look forward to hearing from you! Please email Jane Gallup at jragallup@comcast.net and visit our website at www.ergon-se.org.

Local Service Opportunities and Applications

Tenacious Roots: Youth Leadership for Conservation Action

Saturdays: 10am-3pm

March 21-May 16 (No session April 18)

Outdoors at Seward Park

Ages 14-19

Program Fee $60, Scholarships Available

This is your park. This is your community. In this 8-week course, you will learn the communication, decision making, and problem solving skills needed to lead a team. Practice these skills as you plan and execute two habitat restoration events. Meet environmental advocates and professionals to explore environmental careers, and strengthen your resume for job and college applications. Program fee includes lunch, two field trips to Camp Long in West Seattle and Renton Water Treatment Facility. Participants are required to attend all sessions. Earn 40 service hours. Priority Deadline March 6. Final Deadline March 13. To register, click here.

To apply for scholarship or recommend a student for scholarship, please contact mgonzales@audubon.org or call 206-652-2444 x107

SHARE YOUR PASSION EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS YMCA Earth Service Corps' Weekend Retreat - Click here for application

Who: Students age 14-18

When: Friday, March 27th, 9:00am-2:00pm

Where: University of Washington, Mary Gates Hall

Register: Participants can reserve a space online, by emailing us at yesc@seattleymca.org, or calling 206.587.6116.
2015 Environmental Symposium Join high school students from around the Puget Sound at the YMCA Earth Service Corps Environmental Symposium. The Symposium gathers passionate, motivated youth and professionals together at the University of Washington to learn about the environmental issues facing our world and how to create a sustainable future for our schools, communities and beyond!

Question of the Week

Q: I've heard that National Honor Society is accepting applications. What's the scoop?

A: Members of the Classes of 2016 and 2017 who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply for membership in the National Honor Society. Applications are now available on the NHS Website, from Ms. Seidman's teacher page, in the main office, or outside Room 204C. Applications are due in hard copy to Ms. Seidman by March 13.