PTSA#2.9.50 January 4, 2016

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MIHS News and Announcements First Semester Finals Schedule Senior Class Announcements	PTSA News and Announcements January College Nights - see sidebar calendar President's Letter
MIHS Clubs and Athletics	Principal's Letter
MIHS Calendar Dates & Events	Volunteer Help Needed
Legislation and Advocacy	MIHS Counseling Center News *Goodbye to 2015, Hello to 2016*

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President Jayme Witman

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Freshman Class of 2019

CC Crenshaw
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Amie Fahey 206-232-2639

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Jane Rosenstein 206-275-1977

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From Our PTSA President

MIHS families,

I hope you enjoyed a nice break and had some memorable times with family and friends. It is always tough to jump back in to the normal routine after a nice long vacation, so I thought I would provide a few important dates for you to get on your radar!

Finals week is at the end of the month. Students will begin to be reminded of dates, and teachers will begin to refer to study guides. The schedule may change between now and the end of the month so please continue to check the schedule regularly. Click here for the schedule.

January is busy with lots of other activities:

If you haven't had a chance to attend any of the college series presentations, it's not too late! They are filled with lots of great information. The classes are FREE and are open to all students and parents for ALL grade levels.

January 11th, Monday, PTSA/Counseling Center College Night - Navigating colleges if you have learning differences, 6-8:30pm, library presentation room. This program is very important if your student intends to access learning services at the college level.

January 19, Tuesday, PTSA college night- Navigating Highly Selective Colleges, 6-8:30pm, PAC (Performing Arts Center).

January also brings lots of other opportunities to experience the talent, creativity and community of MIHS students:

January 21, Drama Improv Show, 7-9:00pm

January 22, Senior Service Club Blood Drive, 7:30-2:30, MIHS

January 23, Eastshore Vocal/instrumental Solo and Ensemble

January 23rd, Winter TOLO, 8-11:00pm, PAC.

January 28-30, Winter Play, Playing for Time, PAC

I would like to encourage you to check the MIHS calendar regularly. Click on the "calendar" tab in the upper right hand corner of the MIHS website. High School events are color coded in maroon. Dates, locations and times can change.

If you haven't bookmarked the MIHS daily bulletin, you need to! This is a repeat of the announcements that are made daily through the school for all students to hear. There is loads of great information shared on these announcements; everything from clubs to join, meetings, volunteer opportunities, all school competitions and games, school spirit events, colleges visiting, and many other events happening at MIHS. Take a look. There is ALWAYS something happening, and lots of opportunities for all students.

I'd love to hear from you, so give me a call or email. Got a new idea? Have a way to improve our school? Need some direction on an issue or question? witman3@msn.com

Here's to a great start of the new year!

Fondly,

Jayme Witman

To see previous letters from PTSA President Jayme Witman, click here

PTSA News and Announcements

College Night Series 2015-2016

Next in the series is 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.

Co-Sponsored by the MIHS PTSA and MIHS Counseling Department. Click here for dates and information.

PTSA Members - Still Have Not Received your MIHS PTSA School Directory?

Check your student's backpack.
Have your student ask for it from his/her BRIDGES Teacher. All school directories were distributed to BRIDGES teachers early in November.
Check that your name made the distribution list in October. Contact Nanette Bassett. Note: If you joined after late October, there will be a different distribution method after the holidays.

Join the Mercer Island High School PTSA!

It's not too late! Use our online form.

Donations can also be made via the registration page. MIHS PTSA Donations pay for:

Partnership Grants and Classroom Support
Student Leadership Training
Counseling Center Support and College Series Presentations
Parent Education Events
Staff Training
Field Trips
Class Supplies
Bridges
Emergency Supplies

From Our Principal

Email Vicki Puckett

To see previous letters from Principal Vicki Puckett, click here

From Our Superintendent

Email Dr. Gary Plano

To see previous letters from Dr. Gary Plano, click here.

Mock SAT (Revised version) Practice Test Registration

Registration is open for the February 6th Mock SAT (revised version) test. The registration deadline is Tuesday, February 2nd. For the registration document click here, download a form, fill it out, and send 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

MIHS News (including Senior Info)

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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INCOMING 8TH GRADE FAMILIES

SAVE THE DATE! Current 8th Grade Islander Middle School Parents and students are required to attend one of three available information/registration sessions at Mercer Island High School: Wednesday, January 20th, 3:30pm to 5:30pm or Wednesday, January 20th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm or Thursday, January 21st, 6:00pm - 8:00pm. More detailed information to follow the first week of January 2016.

First Semester Finals Schedule -

January 27 - 29, 2016

Wednesday - Per 2, 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Per 4, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

Dismissal - 12:15 pm

Thursday - Per 1, 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Per 5, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

Lunch 12:15 pm - 12:55 pm

Per 7, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Friday - Per 3, 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Per 6, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

Dismissal 12:15 pm

Note for new families: Teachers will communicate to students about the expectation for classes where no sit down final takes place (i.e.: term paper).

Class of 2016 Senior Announcements:

College Series Presentation: 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.

Senior Information regarding Yearbook; Picture, Ads, Quotes

Important dates:

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)

Legislation and Advocacy
The Mercer Island PTA Council has a fantastic new website. Click here to learn about legislation affecting Mercer Island families and how the PTA advocates for our students.

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.

College Athletics

Is your student playing a sport at a Division 1, 2, or 3 school next year? Did you know that only 1% of high school athletes play at the collegiate level? Please let Mark Jergens-Zmuda know if your student has committed to play a sport in college and at which school he or she plans to play.

MIHS Counselors Are In Touch!

Our MIHS Academic Counselors will be providing parents with a monthly Counseling Center Update Letter. It will be posted on the Counseling Center webpage, and we will link to the letter in our weekly newsletter. See below for this month's information.

PSAT and practice ACT results, preparing for final exams, exams for college admission and financial aid are all discussed in this month's update: Click Here to download and read the full letter.

More information from the Counseling Center can be found here.

Questions can be directed to MJ Hillstrom, College Counselor

Volunteers Needed!
Is one of your resolutions for 2016 to become more involved at MIHS? 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. Questions? Contact Laurie Raisys at volunteer@mihsptsa.org.

In the Community

Mercer Island High School PTSA (MIHS PTSA) and the Mercer Island School District have neither reviewed nor approved the programs, personnel, activities or organizations announced in these flyers or websites. The participants agree to protect, indemnify, and hold harmless the district and MIHS PTSA, including elected and appointed officials, employees, agents, staff and volunteers, from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, expenses, or rights of action, directly or indirectly attributed to the activities. Permission to distribute this information and or flyers should not be considered a recommendation of the programs by the school district or by the MIHS PTSA. These are neither school district nor MIHS PTSA sponsored activities.

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

Programs Happening in our Community -

The MIHS PTSA has not reviewed or endorsed these programs. See above.

Check back soon for more program information.

Question of the Week

Q: With Finals week looming in January, I'm wondering... where is the best place to learn about special schedules at MIHS?

A: Special schedules are posted in two main places:

1. You can find information about block week schedules, non-block schedules, assembly schedules, finals schedules and more here: http://www.mercerislandschools.org/Page/5700

2. The best place to learn about last minute schedule updates is usually the MIHS Website Homepage: http://www.mercerislandschools.org/Domain/8

P.S.

We are leaving the schedule links here in the event you have not bookmarked them:

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.