 Events:** | March 30 - MI Parent Edge Presents Katie Davis - Growing Up in the App Generation, MIHS PAC, 7:00pm
Mar 31 - MIHS Band departs for Australia
April
April 6-10 - Spring Break
April 15 - Class meetings/class elections, PAC, Lower Commons, both gyms, 9:35-10:20am
April 17 - Spring Sports Assembly, Main Gym, 1:55-2:50pm
April 29 - DUI Drill (Sophs & Seniors), Main Gym & Back Parking Lot, 9:30-11:00am
April 29 - PTSA General Membership Meeting & Presentation - "Surviving Senior Year", Library Presentation Room, 6:30-8:00pm
** - Calendar information current as of 3/30/15. 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 | | |
Dear MIHS families,
In the coming weeks you'll be hearing much about this year's upcoming Bridge
2015 fundraising campaign (formally known as Bridge the Gap). Like Bridge
the Gap, the newly named Bridge campaign is a PTSA and Mercer Island Schools Foundation fundraising partnership. Reaching this year's goal of $1.2 million is crucial as Bridge funding will directly impact all schools in our district. At MIHS alone, Bridge dollars will:
- Support prioritization of personalized learning
- Fund enough MIHS teachers to maintain class sizes lower than State funding allows
- Elevate our high school to compete among the very best
Bridge 2015 kicks off at MIHS on Tuesday, April 28th at the Breakfast of Champions event from 7-8:30am in the gym. This is a great opportunity for MIHS families to come together and support our teachers and students. Seats are still available at MIHS tables. I'll be there and if you'd like me to reserve a seat for you, please e-mail me at thehansonfive@hotmail.com. I promise you won't regret attending, as this event is always an inspiration!
Can't attend the breakfast but would like to make a donation to Bridge? Online donations are being accepted by the Mercer Island Schools Foundation at www.misf.com/donate
There are so many different ways to give back to our local schools and each is incredibly appreciated. Thanks for your kind support of student learning at MIHS! For more information about Bridge l 2015, please read Principal Vicki Puckett's message below.
Warm Regards,
Debbie Hanson
MIHS PTSA President
To see Debbie's past President's letters, click here
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| From Our Superintendent | | |
Dear Mercer Island district staff, parents, and patrons,
Spring has officially arrived! With it comes a great deal of progress on several initiatives for our Mercer Island public schools.
The High School Start-Time Committee recently met again to discuss later start times for high school students. The discussion has reached the second of three phases. Committee members are beginning to solicit and record input from various school and community stakeholder groups. If you have input, follow this link and reach out to Mercer Island School District Director of Transportation and Emergency Management, Todd Kelsay.
At the end of April, district teachers and administrators will join me in examining and exploring the elementary world language program at the Annie Wright Academy in Tacoma. They have added a targeted world language in their elementary program in a manner similar to what we are exploring. I look forward to seeing what they have implemented and to hearing their insights. We continue to discuss the feasibility of introducing a targeted world language program in our elementary schools in the 2016-17 school year. You can read more about our progress through this link.
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation "Breakfast of Champions" is scheduled for the morning of April 28. I look forward to this event each year and the chance to spend time with community members who care so deeply about Mercer Island public schools. It is a great opportunity to share some of the incredible work happening in every one of our classrooms, and to address the very real funding challenges our schools face.
The 2015 legislative session is more than halfway though, barring a special session, and we still have not seen clear agreement on a path to fully fund our public schools. The lack of a budget and clear agreement on what will be funded next year makes Mercer Island community support through the Mercer Island Schools Foundation even more critical as we build a bridge to the future for every one of our students.
The Mercer Island School District sits in the middle of Washington state's 295 school districts when it comes to public revenue per student. For example, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Seattle Public Schools receives revenues of $11,085 per student and the Bellevue School District receives revenues of $9,428 per student in public funding. The Mercer Island School District, in comparison, receives only $9,218 per student in public funding.
Thanks to contributions from the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, PTAs, and boosters, Mercer Island students receive an additional $1,233 per student. Seattle Public Schools receives an additional $586 per student from similar contributions, and the Bellevue School District receives an additional $1,165 per student.
Those contributions to the Mercer Island School District are the fulcrum that allows our school district to afford the many teachers and programs that make such a meaningful impact on every one of our students. That is why your support remains critical to the success of every one of our students. Please help us build a bridge to the future.
Thank you and best regards,
Gary Plano, Ed. D.
Superintendent
To see previous letters from Superintendent Gary Plano, click here
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From Our Principal
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To see previous letters from Principal Vicki Puckett, click here
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| 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
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PTSA News and Announcements
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MOCK ACT/SAT THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH
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 REVIEW SESSION:
April 15th, 7:00 p.m.
2015 Mock SAT/ACT Information questions? Contact Annie Kusaka at akusaka@comcast.net
MIHS PTSA Nominating Committee
The MIHS PTSA Nominating Committee is underway and we are tasked with recruiting parents to fill the various officer roles on the MIHS PTSA Executive Committee. The slate of officers we nominate will be presented to the PTSA General Membership for approval at the April 29th General Membership meeting. Nominations can also occur from the floor during that meeting. Ultimately, the PTSA membership elects the officers for the upcoming year. For a complete listing of the PTSA officers and chairperson positions that make up our MIHS PTSA, check out the PTSA website at http://mihsptsa.org/ptsa-contacts/.
Members of this year's Nominating committee are -
If you are interested in being considered for a PTSA Executive Committee position or would like to learn more about what is involved with serving on the Executive Committee, contact any one of us on the Committee.
Be Part of the Leadership Committee at the new Elementary School #4 In a partnership between MISD and the MI PTAs, we are looking for individuals to be involved with two different committees. The first is the naming of the 4th elementary school (approximately 3 meetings before the end of this school year - June 2015.)
The second is to be active in the new school's PTA leadership & planning committee (throughout next year 2015-2016.) This is the chance to help decide the future of our new school. If you are interested in participating in one or both of these committee, please fill out the online application by April 3rd. Committee member selection will be made by PTA Presidents and Superintendent Gary Plano. For application and more information, please visit www.miptacouncil.org. Link to the application: http://www.miptacouncil.org/mi-school-district/application-el4/ |
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Legislation and Advocacy
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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
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MIHS News & Announcements
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Check the MIHS website for the latest announcements, calendar information, and links to activities.
Mercer Island High School Bands head to Australia
On Tuesday, March 31st the MIHS Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Band are heading to Australia for a 10 day tour. Our very own world-class band program has been selected and invited to be the featured international guest at the Australian National Band Competition 2015. Last year the featured international band was from Hong Kong.
Our bands will also perform at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, at the Sydney Opera House, and at the 'Julliard of the southern hemisphere', the Sydney Conservatorium.
And as a charming 'full-circle' story, the MIHS bands will also have a joint appearance and be hosted by the Marching Koalas. This is a marching band group created after the visit of another world class United States high school band a couple of decades ago from Arcadia High School (California). Participating in that band trip was one of our MIHS Band Directors - Parker Bixby, who has maintained contact with the Marching Koalas in the intervening years.
The band's performances will be steamed live at http://brassbanned.com/ausnationals/.
Or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/2015CentenaryofAnzacNationals
Or read what our own MIHS students are blogging at:
http://www.mercerislandschools.org/Page/11622
Support MIHS Band Boosters and Improve Your Texas Hold-em!!
Join the fun and grab a seat at the MI Band Boosters Poker Party!
Location: Mercer Island Beach Club
Date: Saturday, May 2
Doors open: 6:00pm
Optional 30 minute introductory training class at 6:30pm
Poker starts: 7:00pm
Snacks, initial buy in, and first drink is included. Additional buy ins alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
There are still seats available for this event, so spread the word and let your friends know they can still purchase tickets: http://misbb.wordpress.com/donate/band-together-sign-up-items/
Thank you to Tracy and Clay Dubofsky, Erinann and Jamie Childress, Kevin Larkin and Tom Pedreira for hosting!
Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES)
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.
Student Survey: On March 25th, students were given the opportunity to complete the survey. The survey questions were 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.
Parent Survey: The link to the EES parent survey is available at the MISD website. Please click HERE for more information, and for the link to complete the survey. When filling out the Parent survey, please take notice that:
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When the question says "Principal", it means all four at Mercer Island HS (Vicki Puckett, Henterson Carlisle, Jamie Prescott, and Mark Zmuda)
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When "Clear & Shared Vision/Mission" is noted please note this includes our school motto (Integrity, Innovation, and Inspiration)
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MIHS Sports News & Announcements
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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
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| Mercer Island Parent Edge | | |
MI Parent Edge Presents: KATIE DAVIS - Growing Up in the App Generation
Monday, March 30th, 7pm, MIHS PAC
Katie Davis, co-author of The App Generation: How Today's Youth Navigate Identity, Intimacy, and Imagination in a Digital World conducted extensive research on how the digital youth of the "app generation" learn, communicate and express themselves.
As parents and teachers, we might fear that apps blur a sense of identity, encourage superficial relations with others, and stunt creative imagination; however, they can also promote a strong sense of identity, allow deep relationships, and stimulate creativity.
Join us to learn what it means to be "app-dependent" versus "app-enabled" and how life for this generation differs from life before the digital era. This event is geared towards parents of kids of all ages; students in grades 7-12 are also welcome and encouraged to attend.
MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, MIHS and St. Monica schools.
Please visit www.miparentedge.org to view the entire parent education calendar of events.
ROSALIND WISEMAN - Queen Bees and Masterminds
Wednesday, April 22nd, 7pm, Herzl-Ner Tamid Synagogue
(For parents of kids of all ages)
Rosalind Wiseman pulls back the curtain on what's really going on between adolescent boys and girls today, and how social group dynamics influence their interactions. She offers step-by-step advice on how to teach young people to treat each other with dignity.
Thought leader, social researcher and author, Wiseman promotes social justice and bullying prevention. Her New York Times best-selling book, "Queen Bees and Wannabes" was the basis for the hit comedy movie "Mean Girls."
Parent Edge is thrilled to offer a limited number of tickets to our Mercer Island PTA members at a significant discount to the publically-offered price. Go to: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/rosalind-wiseman-queen-bees-and-masterminds-mercer-island-tickets-13565218935 and enter the Promotional Code "MIPE15". Ticket price for Mercer Island PTA members is $15 plus a minimal transaction fee.
Please visit www.miparentedge.org for more information and to download and print the Rosalind Wiseman flyer.
MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, MIHS and St. Monica schools.
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In the Community
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Get updated on what's going on around Mercer Island
Want to know more about City of Mercer Island events, hot topics and seasonal programming? Curious about Parks and Recreation Summer activities or Youth & Family Services volunteer opportunities? Click here for the City's website and explore the various tabs to learn the most up-to-date information about these topics and more: http://www.mercergov.org/Index.asp
Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Youth Volunteer Programs (VOICE/SVP):
VOICE (Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere): Current 8th -11th graders
This summer, MIYFS is offering two summer volunteer opportunities for youth. The middle school SVP program is open to current 6th and 7th grade students, and VOICE is open to current 8th - 11th grade students who would like to participate in volunteer projects throughout the summer. These programs give Mercer Island students the opportunity to raise their social awareness by working directly with populations in need around the greater Seattle area while volunteering alongside their peers. SVP and VOICE projects are plentiful and diverse-by participating with the program one might cook a meal at a homeless shelter, tutor a child in need, participate in recreational activities with people with disabilities, build a hiking trail in Snoqualmie, and much more.
Current 10th and 11th graders with two or more years of VOICE/SVP participation are encouraged to apply to be a Project Leader in Training (P-Lit), where they will assist Project Leaders on SVP volunteer projects.
Registration will open at 10:00am on Wednesday, March 25th and close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, April 22nd. All P-Lit applications are also due by 5:00pm on April 22nd. Registration and applications can be found online at www.mercergov.org/voice.
The 2015 VOICE/SVP programs will run from June 22 - August 14.
For more information contact Tambi Cork, Youth Development Program Coordinator at Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, at 206.275.7755 or tambi.cork@mercergov.org.
Essential Skills for Today's Teens for Social and Business Success
The teen years can be an exciting time as your teen transitions to more independence, but it can also be a stressful period in today's competitive environment. Make sure your teen is ready for the challenges that lie ahead whether dating, college interviews, their first job, or formal dining. In this class, teens will learn the essentials skills they need to confidently and comfortably navigate social and professional situations.
Want to learn more about this fun, interactive 4.5 hour class? Click here for our flyer or go to http://www.cliseetiquette.com/.
2015 Morocco Language & Leadership Summer Institute
The 2015 Morocco Language & Leadership Summer Institute with OneWorld Now! will take high school students on a life changing journey to develop intercultural leadership skills, explore Moroccan and Arab culture through home stays and historical sites, and learn Arabic language.
OneWorld Now! has 12 years' experience sending students in our Global Leadership Program abroad. This is the first year we are opening our summer study abroad programs to students who are not enrolled in our academic year program.
Read more about the program here. If you have additional questions about the 2015 Morocco Language & Leadership Summer Institute with OneWorld Now!, contact Jennifer Tanaka, Executive Director, at 206-223-7703, http://www.oneworldnow.org/, or info@oneworldnow.org
Host a German Exchange Student during 2015-16 School Year
We are searching for a host family for Wiona Glanzer, an English speaking 15 year old German girl who will be a sophomore next school year. She will travel as an AFS Intercultural Exchange (www.afs.org) student and can arrive in mid-August or early September.
She is a great kid, and in fact a cousin, but we are unable to host according to AFS rules because we are family. Wiona's personal letter is attached. We would like to be involved with Wiona while she is here and will help with transition, planning, vacations, etc. Please email or call for any questions. Anne Marie Krivens 206.351.5986 akrivens@me.com
To see Wiona's personal letter, click here
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Question of the Week
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Q: I've learned that three Mercer Island School Board seats will be up for election soon. I'd like more information about the responsibilities of board members and about the election process. What should I know?
A: This fall, three of the five Mercer Island School Board seats will be up for election. This includes board position 1, 3, and 5. In anticipation of these elections and to educate prospective candidates, the Washington State School Directors Association is hosting several free, two-hour workshops in the months of March and April.
The nearest workshop will be held on March 26 in Seattle.
Thursday, March 26
Seattle Public Schools, auditorium
2445 3rd Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98124
The full list of free workshops can be found here. The Mercer Island School Board recently hosted two information sessions for prospective candidates and reviewed the Board's policy governance.
Board members are elected to four-year terms by Mercer Island voters. Specific responsibilities of board members include, but are not limited to: systematically measuring the district's attainment of Board Policy 2020; monitoring superintendent performance; setting district policy; adopting an annual operating budget; placing levies and bonds before voters; and ratifying contracts negotiated with the local bargaining unit.
To run for election, an individual must be a registered voter living in Mercer Island. Individuals who wish to run for one of the three seats up for election must file with King County Elections between May 11 and May 15. The general election will take place on Nov. 3, and if more than two people file for a single position a primary election will take place on Aug. 4. More information can be found at www.KingCounty.gov/Elections.
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