topPTSA#2.9.50                                                                       January 18, 2016

Click any of the links below to jump to that spot in the newsletter.

MIHS News and Announcements



Senior Class Announcements
2nd Semester Parking - Senior Priority 1/19-20/16 only

MIHS Calendar Dates & Events


Volunteer Help Needed - Staff Appreciation Lunch 1/21 Click here to sign up

MIHS Counseling Center News

Goodby to 2015, Hello to 2016

Join Our List

Join Our Mailing List
CalendarEvents:*
January 2016

Jan 18 - MLK Holiday - No School

Jan 19 - 20 Senior Parking Priority Registration Period

Jan 19 - MIHS PTSA College Night #5, Highly Selective Colleges, 6pm Naviance Tutorial, 6:30pm Program 

Jan 20 - Mandatory Incoming 9th Grade Parent Orientation
Option #1  3:30pm - 5:30pm, 
Option #2  6:30pm - 8:30 pm

Jan 21 - Mandatory Incoming 9th Grade Parent Orientation
Option #3, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Jan 23 - Winter Tolo, 8pm MIHS Commons.

JAN 27 - 29 - FIRST SEMESTER FINALS

Jan 28-30 - MIHS Drama Production Playing For Time, 7:00 p.m.

Feb 1 - MIHS Noon Release, Report Card Prep

Feb 4-6 - 
MIHS Drama Production Playing For Time, 7:00 p.m.

Feb 6 - Mock SAT

**  Calendar information current as of 1/17/2016.  Always check the District calendar for updates.
 
Have a Question about Student Life at MIHS? Maybe the Answer is in the MIHS Student Handbook:

MIHS Student Handbook

Sports Calendar

Quick Links

 

 

 






Join the PTSA!
Care to Volunteer?

 

PTSA 2015-2016 Executive Committee


President   Jayme Witman
VP/Elect   Jackie Brown
Secretary  Amy Melick
Co-Treasurer  Lesley Kalmin
Co-Treasurer  Kristen Glant
Co-VP Com. Monica Moline
Co-VP Com. Suzanne Riley
VP Outreach Betsy O'Connell
Co-VP Ops.  Kathy Bauman
Co-VP Ops.  Lori Coe
Co-VP Leg Adv Wendy Weiker & Hilary Benson
  
Parent Advisory Committee
 
Freshman Class of 2019
CC Crenshaw       
206-230-8282
Amie Fahey           206-232-2639
Loulia Howard      206-334-9915
Maryellen Johnson 206-420-8866
Betsy Robertson   206-230-4151
Emily Thompson   206-232-9881
Cara Williams       206-232-8446

Sophomore Class of 2018
Lisa Kittilsby         206-999-8494
Enas Muzio           425-736-3878
Molly Lambright   425-443-0258
 
Junior Class of 2017
Jane Rosenstein   206-275-1977
Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks 206-236-3485

Senior Class of 2016
Tanya Conger        206-453-3366
Kathy Gersch        425-269-9089
Kathy Umlauf        206-230-6449
 
MISD Advisory Council Rep
Debbie Hanson    206-236-3091 

MISD Board of Directors

Click name to link to email

Adair Dingle            
Ralph Jorgenson, President
                       

Submit an Article

To submit an article for review for our next issue:

 

mihsnewsletter@hotmail.com 

legislation 
From Our PTSA President President
Hello Islanders,

Your students should be firing up for finals, as teachers are sending home study guides and posting finals information on their individual websites.  The finals schedule is here.

Not all classes have a FINAL.  Your students are aware of the classes that have finals.  Some teachers have the students attend class although they do not have a final.  Be sure to ask your student if they need to attend class during finals week.

TOLO is Saturday, January 23rd from 8pm to 11pm at the MIHS Commons.  This dance is put on by our Senior Service Club this year.  They need parent helpers to take tickets, watch doors, line control at the picture area, etc.  If you are unable to volunteer during the week, this is a great opportunity for your help!  Here is the sign up link.

The PTSA is hosting a Staff Appreciation lunch this week.  We still need volunteers to provide various food items.  This is another opportunity to help out if you can't come in during the day at school.  You may send donated items with your student and have them drop them off if the main office.  Please sign up here.

If you have questions, I'd love to hear from you!

Jayme 
witman3@msn.com
206-920-6199
PrincipalPTSAnewsBack to Top 
PTSA News and Announcements PTSAawards
TOMORROW TONIGHT - College Night Series 2015-2016

Highly Selective College Night - January 19, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Naviance Tutorial, 6:30 p.m. program begins, 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.

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?
  1. Check your student's backpack.
  2. Have your student ask for it from his/her BRIDGES Teacher.  All school directories were distributed to BRIDGES teachers early in November.
  3. 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!

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 Principalprinltr
Vicki Puckett
Email Vicki Puckett

To see previous letters from Principal Vicki Puckett, click here 

PTSANews

MIHSNEWSBack to Top 

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
Parent Volunteers Needed!LibraryHelp
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH - This Thursday
The MIHS PTSA is sponsoring a Staff Appreciation lunch on Thursday, 1/21/16. Please help show your appreciation for our amazing teachers and staff by donating food items for the lunch. For more info, and to sign up, please click here.

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.
MIHS News (including Senior Info)SeniorMIHSNews
Check the MIHS website for the latest announcements, calendar information, and links to: 
SENIORPARKING
MIHS DRAMA DEPARTMENT PRESENTS:

Please join Mercer Island High School's Drama 2 as they present Arthur Miller's moving production, Playing for Time. Based on a true story, this play follows the harrowing journey of French opera singer Fania Fenelon, who survives Auschwitz by singing and playing in an orchestra alongside other female prisoners. This is a story of survival, hope, music, inspiration and sisterhood. 

Performances run January 28-30 and February 4-6 at 7 p.m. in the MIHS Performing Arts Center. $10 pre-sale tickets can be purchased online or directly through members of the cast. $15 tickets can be purchased at the door. Senior tickets (65+) are $5.
 
To view a promotional video click here
.  
 

For more information, please visit the Drama Department's website here or email 
ParkingSTUDENT PARKING INFORMATION - Senior Priority January 19-20 only!!

All senior students who would like to purchase a Second semester Parking Pass may do so online on January 19th and 20th.  Registration is completely done online and is a lottery system.  Student parking will be in the C Lot, Music Lot (which will re-open now that construction of the ten new classrooms is complete), and North Mercer.  Please realize there is construction of the new fourth elementary school going in right by North Mercer.  Please follow the directions below in order to go online and purchase a parking pass.  The cost is $75 for one semester.  Senior students with 504's or special needs have first priority.

Student parking on campus is a privilege, not a right, and may be disallowed if abused or for other reasons determined by parking enforcement.  A MIHS senior must be a student in "good standing" with no unpaid parking tickets, behavior issues, on or off site speeding, reckless driving, car surfing incidents.  Peeling out of the parking lot may also cause a student to lose their spot.  A student is "not in good standing" if they have 3 or more parking violations, have unpaid ASB fees or fines, have demonstrated conduct detrimental to the safety of the school, are discourteous in the neighborhood--littering, excessive noise, disobeying no parking signs. 

Safe driving is our top priority for student drivers.  Parking is purchased on a lottery system and first come first served basis starting with seniors.  Once it opens up to underclassmen on January 21-22, seniors no longer have priority.  Parking passes cannot be transferred or sold.  They must be visibly displayed at all times.  If a pass is lost they can be purchased at ASB for a cost of $15.  No students are allowed to park in the Faculty or Visitors Spots.  Parking permits must be displayed at all times.  First offense for a Parking Fine is $50, second offense is $75 and third offense is $100.  If there are ever any questions about parking please refer to the Parking section in the Student Handbook or please speak with Mark Jergens-Zmuda (MIHS ParkingAdministrator).

2nd SEMESTER PARKING
*Parking purchase will be available ONLINE only from  January 19-20, 2016
.
*Only open to Seniors, in good standing at this time.
*All Fines/Fees must be paid prior to parking purchase.

Instructions for online parking purchase:
  • Go to MIHS home page
  • Under Popular Links, click on "Online Fee Payments"
  • Enter your Skyward user ID and password
  • Click on Senior student name
  • Pay all Fines/Fees on student account, if applicable
  • Click on "Items at Student's School"
  • Click on "Parking"
  • Click on "Parking Fee"
  • Click on "Buy"
  • Click on "Checkout" basket
  • Review items in your cart
  • Click on "Checkout Step 1: Additional Information"
     
    Enter all required information:
    1) Driver's License Number
    2) Car License Plate Number
    3) Make of Car (Honda, Toyota, BMW, etc.)
    4) Model of Car (Accord, Camry, 320i, etc.)
    5) Color of Car
  • Click on "Checkout Step 2: Payment"
     
    Enter payment information
  • Click on "Pay Now"
  • Pick up parking placard during exams on January 27th-29th from the front office
This information is also available on the Parking Page of the MIHSPTSA website.

Mark R. Jergens-Zmuda
Mercer Island HS
Assoc. Principal/Athletic Director

 
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. 

We will start with a mandatory registration session for IMS students planning to attend MIHS. At this small-group session, parents and students will learn about program options, ask questions and begin to enter 9th grade course requests in Skyward.
Even if you are considering another high school, it is highly recommended that you attend this event to keep your options open. 

Please sign-up using the link below:

The DEADLINE to sign up is Wednesday, January 13th at 11:59pm.

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:
See Parking Information above

Senior Information regarding Yearbook; Picture, Ads, Quotes

Important dates:
  • Tuesday, January 19th, Wednesday January 20th: 2nd Semester Senior Parking Registration Priority window.
  • 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)parentedge
MERCER ISLAND PARENT EDGE PRESENTS
RON LIEBER
Author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestseller "The Opposite of Spoiled - Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money"

Tuesday, March 15 at 7 PM at the MIHS PAC

Ron Lieber, the "Your Money" columnist for the New York Times, will share practical advice for parents for having conversations about money that imprint good values, with a proper dose of perspective and gratitude. Learn how to foster an honest dialogue with our children on a typically difficult subject, turning such conversations into lessons about living. Book signing to follow the talk. Island Books will sell books in store and at the event; the paperback is due out on February 23. Go to www.ronlieber.com for more information.

Free for Mercer Island PTA Members
$10 at the door for non-MI PTA Members - Bring a friend!
For parents of kids of all ages

Save the date for a newly-added event: Liliana Lengua from the UW Center for Child and Family Well-Being, will speak on "Supporting Elementary-Aged Children Through Change: Promoting Resilient Responses to Life's Stresses." Wednesday, April 27, 9:30-11:00am, Lakeridge Elementary School. More information to follow. 

Visit www.miparentedge.org for more information on this and other local events. 

MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, and MIHS schools and MIPA.
 COUNSELORS   LegandAdv                                                                                                                                         Back to Top 
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.

HELP KEEP MERCER ISLAND SCHOOLS STRONG--VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LEVY RENEWALS

Two school levy renewals are on the ballot in early February that will provide funding for critical capital improvements to protect our community's investments in our schools, new technology and transportation for students. 

These are renewals of current levies - there is no change to the current levy assessment rate. 

The Capital Projects Levy will ensure our schools continue to have high quality educational and recreational facilities. Renovations and improvements will be made to school roofs, building systems, classrooms, athletic fields and other needs. Because Washington State does not fund technology, local levy support is also needed to offer students computer equipment, classroom training and access to online resources. 

The Transportation Vehicle Levy allows the district to provide safe transportation for students by replacing school buses at the end of their serviceable life and buying additional buses to transport students to and from school. 

Get Involved! 

The election is February 9, 2016. 

Volunteers are needed to wave signs and hand out flyers. You can sign up to wave signs here.

Contact Janelle Honeycutt for other ways to get involved: honeycutts@mac.com.
Please help spread the word about the importance of the levy renewals to keeping Mercer Island schools strong. 
Vote Yes! Twice for Levy Renewals! 
More Information: http://yesmischools.org/

 CLUBSANDATHLETICS
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!Counseling
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
 Community
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 in our Community - 
The MIHS PTSA has not reviewed or endorsed these programs.  See above.

WASHINGTON STUDENT CYCLING LEAGUE
Ready for something new and exciting? Be a member of the Washington Student Cycling League's Mercer Island Mountain Bike Team serving grades 6 - 12.
This coed composite team is expanding to include grades 9 - 12 and joins our already successful middle school team.  The Team is open to riders of all ability levels from beginner to expert. The season will run from mid-January until the end of May.  Practices will be held twice a week.  Riders get to choose between two weekday practices either Wednesday at 3:00pm or Friday at 3:45pm on Mercer Island and meet in the Mercer Island Country Club parking lot. Weekend team rides will be off island at locations such as Duthie Hill Bike Park on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am. All team members have the option to race in four Washington Student League races against over 18 other Washington state teams.  For more information email
mercerisland@washingtonleague.org.  Reserve your space by registering on the Washington Student League website at http://washingtonleague.org.

Host an Italian student and your child will be invited to Italy!
Ergon, an Italian-based organization and partner with NorthWest Student Exchange, is looking for families to host a 16-17-year-old Italian exchange student for a semester or year.  The Italian families are in turn happy to host your child during summer vacations, and we sponsor the flight!

Ergon specializes in a rigorous selection process insuring that students are  responsible, motivated, proficient in English and carefully matches students with host families. They are fully insured and come with pocket money for all expenses, including  recreation activities and vacations.
 
Several of our Italian students have attended Mercer Island, Roosevelt, Garfield, Ballard, Nathan Hale, Skyline and Bothell high schools with excellent experiences for students and families alike. Past and present host families are our best references and will be happy to share their experience with you.

Exchanges offer the opportunity to experience a different culture and build international bridges through friendships and knowledge. We look forward to hearing from you! Please email Jane Gallup at jragallup@comcast.netand visit our website at www.ergon-se.org.
Enjoy the benefits of Hosting an Exchange Student from Italy!

Question

Question of the Week
Q:  With Finals week looming in a couple weeks, 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:

and the 

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.  

Back to Top