PTSA#2.9.50 September 21, 2015

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Pass the Hat/Curriculum Night More of what you need to know!	PTSA News and Announcements Join the MIHS PTSA MOCK SAT/ACT Registration
President's Letter	Principal's Letter
MIHS Calendar Dates & Events	Volunteer Help Needed Data Entry/Computer Help
MIHS News and Announcements	College Prep Information ACT/SAT Mock Tests, College Rep Visits,
Parent Edge	Senior Class Announcements Yearbook Photos, Important Dates

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President Jayme Witman

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From Our PTSA President

Hello Islanders!

Pass the Hat is just around the corner - here's great information for all of you. Our PTSA Fundraiser, Pass the Hat, runs in conjunction with the Mercer Island High School Curriculum Night. PTSA Volunteers will be roaming the crowd with their red and white hats collecting donations. We will also have a table set up during MARKETPLACE - the fall Clubs/Sports & Activities fair which precedes curriculum night. In addition to Pass the Hat, many MIHS sports and clubs participate in 'MARKETPLACE'. Parents can purchase fan gear, join booster clubs, and become familiar with many of the extracurricular activities offered at MIHS. Note: Bring you checkbook! Some groups can accept credit cards, but many are still bound to paper.

MARKETPLACE runs from 5:15 - 6:00 PM. Then the "mock school day" begins, where parents run through an abbreviated version of their son/daughter(s) 7 period day, attending presentations by their student's teachers. This is a time to hear about classroom policies, grading systems and ask questions. Often staff will collect contact information for parents and ask everyone to fill out "tell us about your son/daughter" forms. It is not a time to have individual conferences with teachers. The majority of the teachers have over 150 students they see during the day and they will not be prepared to answer student specific questions that evening. They will, however, give parents information about the best way to contact them in the event you need to schedule a time to meet or talk on the phone at a later date.

The Pass the Hat/Curriculum Night Schedule runs as follows:

5:15 - 6:00 PM - Marketplace

6:00 - 8:00 PM - Per 1 - Per 7 + Bridges

Remember to log in to Skyward and record your student's schedule and classrooms to follow through the evening.

Next week we will post a more specific schedule for the evening. Don't miss it!

Finally, it's time to join the PTSA. Log in to www.mihsptsa.org and join now. You may also sign up for volunteer opportunities and more on the PTSA website. Also remember to check the Mercer Island High School website regularly for news and information.

As this years PTSA President, I welcome your comments, feedback, and questions.

Jayme Witman

witman3@msn.com.

206-920-6199

From Our Principal

Email Vicki Puckett

Hello Islander Parents:

Welcome back to the 2015-16 school year! School is here... In the last newsletter I mentioned we anticipate 1438 students. With new student registration, so far we have 1485 students enrolled to attend school this year. This is an increase in enrollment from last year. Thank goodness for the new classrooms.

In my newsletter to you I try to be brief knowing you have such busy lives and don't have a lot of time in your schedules. I hope the format I provide to you is helpful . I will be sharing from time to time upcoming events, news about what is happening around school and sometimes staff members ask me to share information with you as well.

Robotics Club Help Needed: MI-Robotics Club at MIHS is looking for volunteer adult mentor's and helpers from the MI community. The club is looking for 3 types of volunteers:

1 - Adults with technical knowledge to be a supervising coach for the club

2 - Help students develop our robots and/or helping manage projects with students.

3 - Forming of a booster club to support all levels of robotics on the island.

The club will be competing in 2 levels of competitions (FIRST Robotics and VEX Robotics) and will start meetings once a week in room 114. It's not necessary to have technical experience, however that help is greatly needed. Please pass along this information to interested people.

Any interested adults should contact Samuel Gadbury at sam.gadbury@mercerislandschools.org

Parking

Since the renovation changes, we now have our parking lots back. Mark Zmuda, Associate Principal in charge of administrative issues has shared information with seniors about purchasing parking spaces.

During the school year, buses will drop off/pick up students on 92nd Ave. During the time when buses are unloading, we ask that nobody park/pick up/drop off students in the bus zone for safety reasons. The good news is the drop off area on 42nd Street is available for car drop off. This area can be used to drop off/pick up students. We appreciate your support and patience the first few days of school when everyone is getting used to the school parking lots again.

Administration

At MIHS, we essentially have 4 principals, each with a different role. Each Associate Principal has unique duties and primary responsibilities.

For specific student needs, each Associate Principal works with part of the alphabet (by last name):

Henterson Carlisle -last names A - I
Mark Zmuda - last names J-R; students with athletic needs/concerns
Jamie Prescott - last names S-Z

View Calendar Updates of Events: To help with your planning in August and for the school year, please go to our MIHS website, and on the right hand side of the front page is a link to click on our calendar of events. Calendar.

Thank You Volunteers: Many parents helped out with our recent Islander Fees & Photo Days. The purpose of doing all the "school business" up front before school is to help start school in the classroom without all of these kinds of interruptions. I want to especially thank our volunteers who were amazing. This event is "parent lead" with some help from school staff. THANK YOU!!!!!

Cheers to a strong beginning of the year.

Go Islanders!

Vicki Puckett

Principal

To see previous letters from Principal Vicki Puckett, click here

PTSA News and Announcements

MIHS PTSA Volunteers Rock!

Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who took time out of their last days of summer to help at Islander Days/Fees & Photos. These event could not run without our support!

There are so many names, we hope don't miss any! Many thanks to Ashliegh Winnie, Jackie Brown, Lisa Richardson, Karyn Barer, Sue Reichert, Tammy Federman, Suzanne Riley, Amy Melick, Nanette Bassett, Frances Osman, Kathy Bauman, Hilary Benson, Sarah Shannon, Jennifer Smith, Kelly Casey, Tom Callahan, Lesley Kalmin, Holly Williams, Tracy Dubofsky, Linda Williams-Rorem, Cindy Paborsky, Jennifer Mechem, Molly Lambright, Tracy Drinkwater, Rik Norman, Lori Coe, Paige Behrbaum, Carrie Hall, Lucretia Hughes, Mary Ellen Johnson, Nasrin Rousta, Joan Delay, Denise Molina, Katie Leung, Betsy Robertson, Caroline Poling, Monica Moline, Annmarie Guedel, Eva Banbury, Emer Hensey, Gillian Peckham, Karen Zimmer, Jane Clayton, Margo Mansfield, Traci Brandon, Lori Hughes, Latia Daquila, Geri Schaffer, Mitchell Woolston, Garrett Dubofsky, Debbie Newell, Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks, Leslie Dammeier, Betsy O'Connell, Melissa Ralph, Jill Gormley, Sara Peshkin, Susan Empy, Un Jeoung Back, Hanson Char, Elizabeth Moattar, Jayme Witman, Mary Kay Woolston the many Senior Service Club members, class officers and their fellow volunteers, Polly Prince and the Safe Rides team, and any others who we may have forgotten. It takes more than a village! Thank you ALL!

It's time to join the Mercer Island High School PTSA!

Our online form is a convenient way to make payments for MIHS PTSA Membership and contributions to Pass the Hat. You have the option to pay with Personal Check, PayPal or Credit Card via PayPal using this online system. There is NO service fee charged to parents.

PAY ONLINE for:

Individual or Family Discount PTSA Membership which includes MIHS PTSA Directory.
Pass The Hat contributions
Friends of the Library donation
Personalized Bricks

All donations are tax deductible! Don't forget our Corporate Match Program to help make your taxable donation stretch even farther!

The One & Only MIHS PTSA Fundraiser of the Year!

Proceeds from Pass the Hat establish the MIHS PTSA 2015-2016 operating budget, which provides funds for:

Partnership Grants and Classroom Support
Student Leadership Training
Staff Training
Field Trips
Class Supplies
Bridges
Emergency Supplies

To help meet our fundraising goals, we suggest a minimum contribution of $100.00 per student, which is 100% tax deductible.

For more information: https://mihsptsa.org/fundraising/pass-the-hat-contributions/

College Night Series 2015-2016

Co-Sponsored by the MIHS PTSA and MIHS Counseling Department

Please mark your calendars for the College Night Series, designed to provide MIHS families with important college choice, application and admission information. The series topics and dates are listed below. Please check the PTSA newsletter, the Islander Update and the PTSA and Counseling Center links at http://www.mercerislandschools.org/Page/5505 throughout the year for updated information. Some of these evenings are for specific populations of students. Please take a moment to read all the descriptions before selecting which seminars to attend.

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.

Remaining Presentations:

College Preparation and Selection Process - October 12, 2015 - MIHS Auditorium

This seminar will provide basic information and is particularly geared to freshmen, sophomores and juniors and their parents. It will cover the overall college preparation and selection process. Get a roadmap for what your student needs to be doing now!

Financing the College Education - November 17, 2015 - 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.

College for Students with Learning Differences - January 11, 2016 - 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.

Highly Selective College Night - January 19, 2016 - 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.

Click here for a link to the registration form

Next Mock SAT/ACT Practice Test Registration

Registration is open! For the registration document click here, download a form, fill it out, and sent it to Kathy Umlauf, 6470 East Mercer Way,Mercer Island, WA 98040. The test is $30 if the registration form is delivered by the first registration deadline. $40 after that deadline.

Click here for more information about Mock SAT/ACT tests for 2015/16

Questions? Contact Kathy Umlauf at rkumlauf@comcast.net

Mercer Island Parent Edge

2015-2016 Speakers Announced.

For a link to the MI Parent Edge website and information about upcoming speakers in October 2015 and March 2016 Click here!

MI Parent Edge - 2015-2016 Parent Education Events

Join Parent Edge for a great year of stimulating speakers and events! From our kick-off event with the much-heralded Julie Lythcott-Haims speaking on the risks of helicopter parenting while sharing practical alternative strategies, to an evening with New York Times columnist and author Ron Lieber sharing wisdom for turning conversations about money into lessons about living - it's quite a line up! Please visit www.miparentedge.org for more information. MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, and MIHS schools.

MI Parent Edge Presents:

Throw Out the Checklisted Childhood!

Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of "How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting

Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success"

Thurs., October 29 at 7 PM at the MIHS PAC

Join Parent Edge as we welcome Julie Lythcott-Haims, author and former Stanford University Dean of Freshmen, for an engaging and informative evening taking a hard look at the overparenting trend in today's society. While the stories and statistics can be tough to hear, especially since we will likely catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mix, the solutions and end-result of raising self-sufficient, resourceful kids is well worth the pain! Go to www.howtoraiseanadult.com for recent press, articles and interviews with Julie!

Free for PTA Members

For parents of kids of all ages

MIHS News (including Senior Info)

Attention Parents of Metro Bus Riders:

All buses that arrive in the morning and depart after school from MIHS. This includes the Yellow Buses and Metro Routes 891, 892, and 894. They are all using the bus loading zone along the east side of the building on 92nd. Car drop off/pick up is not allowed in the load zone along 92nd before or after school.

MIHS Drop Off/Pick up and Parking Lot Procedures 2015-16 (a copy of these procedures is available in the front office)
Mercer Island High school has a Drop Off area for your convenience. If you are dropping off your student please drive down 42nd Street and turn into the school's new and improved drop off lanes right before the front entrance to the school and flag pole. When dropping off a student(s) PLEASE KEEP MOVING FORWARD as far as you can to allow for others to drop off students.

There are four spots once you turn into the school's driveway on the left side reserved for 10 minute loading and unloading. If you use one of these spots, make sure to give you license plate info to a Secretary in the Main Office

Please do not park next to any curbs painted in RED. These designated areas are reserved fire lanes. NO PARKING ALLOWED!

For those parents and visitors who will be here longer than 10 minutes, please pull into the MAIN PARKING LOT. There are labeled visitors spots (#1-17) for your convenience. Remember to stop in to the Main Office and record your spot # and make of vehicle. PLEASE ONLY USE VISITOR SPOTS, If you park in a Staff Spot (any spot other than #1-17), your car may be booted or blocked in.

All visitors must check in at the Main Office and get a VISITOR badge.

We recognize parking spots are limited in our mega-block. Spots are not always available when visitors need them. Please plan accordingly when you need to visit the High School. Overflow parking is available at the Administration Building on the corner of 86th and 42nd. This is about an 5 minute walk from the High School.

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

CLASS OF 2016 SENIOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Senior Information regarding Yearbook; Picture, Ads, Quotes

Senior Yearbook Photos - Due October 2, 2015

The Yearbook Staff will use school ID images if they do not receive a personal photograph from you. Click here for details on our MIHS PTSA Website - Senior Page.

Senior Ads are due December 4th, 2015

Click here for details.

Click here for an order form.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS

October 2: Senior Portraits and Quotes for yearbook due.
October: Look for more info to come about ordering Graduation gowns and other items
December 4: Deadline to order Senior Ads in yearbook. See article above for more info.
Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 pm: Baccalaureate (location TBD)
Thursday, June 16, 7:00 am: Senior Breakfast, MIHS Gym
Thursday, June 16, 7:00 pm: Graduation, Key Arena
Thursday, June 16, 10:00 pm - 6:00 am: Senior Party (location TOP SECRET)

College/Post Secondary Education Information & Announcements

MIHS PTSA/Counseling Center College Series #2 - College Preparation and Selection Process - October 12th.

This presentation is geared for parents of 9th - 11th graders and provides a road map for what college bound students need to be doing now!

For more information about the College Series sponsored by the MIHS PTSA and presented by our College Counselor, MJ Hillstrom, Click here for a link to the Counseling Center website.

College Representative Visits at Mercer Island High School

Did you know, Colleges and post-secondary programs from around the world send representatives to the High School throughout the school year? These visits are coordinated by our College Counselor, MJ Hillstrom and are designed to provide information to our students. Visits are announced each day in the Daily Bulletin, on the reader board in the Commons, and outside the Athletic Office. These visits are for students ONLY. The Representatives set up displays in the front hallways. MJ also posts daily updates in:

~ The Naviance/Family Connection student account (all classes except

freshmen have an account at this time)

~Naviance emails sent to seniors and parents weekly

~Poster list at the MIHS Counseling Center door

More information can be found here.

Questions can be directed to MJ Hillstrom, College Counselor

MIHS Clubs and Athletics Announcements

MIHS All Season Sports Passes are on sale

This year the school has moved to a punch card system. Punch cards are good for any regular season varsity event and come in 10 game cards. They are available from the ASB office, or purchase Online (login with Skyward information, choose "Items at students school", "Sports", "Season Pass". Cards purchased online may be picked up in the ASB office beginning September 8th.

In the Community

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 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

Legislation and Advocacy

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY MEETING WITH SOUND TRANSIT

Thursday, September 24th, 5:00pm to 7pm

Mercer Island Community Center

With the construction of the East Link Light Rail project, significant transportation infrastructure changes are coming to Mercer Island. These changes will affect both Mercer Island residents, as well as, Mercer Island School District (MISD) employees as approximately two-thirds reside off island. These changes include:

- Closure of the dedicated center-tunnel reversible HOV lanes for light rail and the creation of new "striped" HOV lanes on the outer roadways. There will be changes to the current Mercer Island HOV on and off ramps that offer direct access to the HOV lanes.

- Narrowing of lane widths on the I-90 bridge to make room for the new "striped" HOV lanes. New lanes will be below the Federal Highway Administration's advised width of 12 feet.

(http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/geometric/pubs/mitigationstrategies/chapter3/3_lanewidth.cfm)

- Development of a Bus Intercept Station - King County Metro has had plans to use Mercer Island as a hub to circle buses and transfer commuters. On May 11, 2015, Mercer IslandCity Council sent a letter to Sound Transit rejecting the latest Bus Intercept proposal.

- Closure of Bellevue Park & Ride eliminating 519 commuter parking spaces while

Mercer Island's Park & Ride is already over capacity.

- Approximately 30 weekend-long closures of I-90 during the construction period.

- Narrowing of the emergency shoulder in the I-90 tunnels and on I-90 Lake Washington bridges.

Sound Transit is hosting a community input meeting regarding the East Link Light Rail project and related Mercer Island transportation issues on Thursday, September 24th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Mercer Island Community Center. This is a public input opportunity regarding transit, commuter parking, and traffic impacts. The input of Mercer Island residents is critical to ensuring Mercer Island Residents' concerns are addressed. To learn more about these projects and have your concerns heard please join the discussion on September 24th!

For more information:

Light Rail Across Lake Washington (http://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=3036)

Integration of Bus and Rail Transit (http://www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=3039)

Legislative Assembly 2015-16

Legislative Assembly is October 24, 2015 at the Red Lion Inn in Olympia. If you are interested in attending, contact our Co-VP of Advocacy, Wendy Weiker.

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

Volunteers Needed!

MIHS needs PTSA Volunteers:

Our PTSA Board is still filling jobs for this year. Click here to indicate your interests; from Staff Appreciation to Islander Days - we need your help! Please consider how you can volunteer during the 2015-2016 school year and complete the online form at MIHS PTSA website.

Data Entry: Are you computer savvy and interested in helping with monthly updates and data entry? Click here.

Questions? Contact Laurie Raisys at volunteer@mihsptsa.org

Question of the Week

Q:Where can I find information about daily schedules? What is a block week vs. a seven period, no block week?

A: The Mercer Island High School webpage has a 'DAILY SCHEDULES' link on the left side. This page contains links to the following:

Daily "regular" block schedule

Seven period (no block) schedule

AM assembly schedule

No block PM assembly schedule

and the

Seven period (no block) week for 2015-16

If you bookmark this page you will be able to check schedules on your computer or smartphone. Seven period weeks take place during "short weeks", testing weeks, and Showcase weeks. Schedules are also adjusted during finals.