 Events:* |
**June 8 - FINAL UPDATED General Membership Meeting, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Library Presentation Room
** Calendar information current as of 5/29/16. Always check the 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 2015-2016 Executive Committee
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Parent Advisory Committee
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Freshman Class of 2019
Sophomore Class of 2018
Junior Class of 2017
Senior Class of 2016
MISD Advisory Council Rep
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MISD Board of Directors
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Click name to link to email
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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 | |
Islander families,
With the final few weeks of school in front of us, teachers are posting end of the year information on class websites and on classroom white boards. Encourage your student to look for year end due dates and finals schedules.
As our school year comes to a close, we are looking to recognize and reward all of our amazing volunteers and staff members. Let's show our volunteers and educators how much we appreciate them. Visit our on-line form now to make a nomination! Nominations are due by Sunday June 5th. Thank you to our awards committee Kris McBurney, Frances Osman, Cindy Baker and Anna Rudey. Click here for the form. We still have a few more volunteer opportunities in our library to assist students in returning their books to the library. Shifts have been added and we could use your help. Sign up hereOur FINAL General Membership meeting is NEXT Wednesday June 8th, 9:30-11:00am in the Library Presentation room. We will elect our new slate of officers, approve the 2016-17 budget, and present our volunteer and staff awards. Don't miss this fun year-end celebration. We will have lots of coffee and treats! Our PTSA Nominating Committee has been hard at work nominating the Executive Committee slate for the 2016-17 school year. They are as follows: President: Jackie Brown President Elect: Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks Co-Treasurers: Kristen Glant and Karla Olson Secretary: Anita McSwiney Co-VPs, Operations: Lori Coe Steager and Gillian Peckham Co-VPs, Communications: Dana Pruchno and Connie Shepherd VP, Outreach: Deborah Apodaca VP, Legislation and Advocacy: Christina Hendelman A HUGE Thank You to our Nominating Committee Kathy Gersch, Jennifer McLellan and Wendy Weiker. With so many positions to fill, we also had the help of Jane Clayton and Erin Underwood. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!! I hope to see you at our final PTSA General Membership meeting on Wednesday June 6th 9:30am in the Library Presentation Room! Go Islanders, Jayme Witman PTSA President 2015/16
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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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| From Our Superintendent | |  Click here to see Superintendent Gary Plano's monthly message.
Visit the District Facebook page here.
Twitter: @mercerislandsd
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Parent Volunteers Needed!
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Class of 2016 Senior Party
Parent Chaperones Needed
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PTSA News and Announcements | |
ATTENTION MIHS PTSA MEMBERS:
We are looking to reward outstanding volunteers, educators, or committees for his/her/their creativity, innovation, dedication and amazing work for our school. Let's show our volunteers and educators how much we appreciate them. Visit our online nomination form here.
Deadline is June 5th!
40th Annual Mercer Island PTA Council Scholarship Awards
Ceremony: Wednesday, June 1, 2016 from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the MIHS Commons
The Mercer Island Community Scholarship Program was begun in 1976 by the Mercer Island PTA Council to allow the Mercer Island community to honor MIHS graduates. The program demonstrates the community's appreciation of and support for its youth. Each scholarship recognizes outstanding students in a particular curriculum area. The scholarship award is intended to be used by each student to further his/her education. This program is funded through community contributions and the sale of Graduate Grams and is sponsored by the Mercer Island PTA Council.
A Spring Tradition on MI: Graduate Grams
Every spring, the Mercer Island PTA Council produces and mails thousands of Graduate Gram greetings to the homes of Mercer Island students. Whether graduating from Preschool, Kindergarten, 5th grade, 8th grade, High School or College, all students love receiving these personalized certificates in the mail. Each hand prepared "Grad Gram" congratulates the recipient and acknowledges the sender.
Order Graduate Grams for your graduating seniors, neighbors, babysitters, children and their friends! All funds raised through the purchase of Graduate Grams go directly into the MI PTA Council Community Scholarship Fund which honors graduating seniors for their achievement, hard work, and attitude.
Please click here to order. Thank you for supporting this wonderful MI tradition!
Need Graduation Gifts?
We are in the final quarter of the 2015-16 school year and graduation is right around the corner. Your PTSA and various booster clubs have great gift ideas for your favorite Class of 2016 grad! Senior yard signs,
personalized bricks, graduation leis and more are all available. Click here for order forms.
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MIHS News
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Check the MIHS website for the latest announcements and calendar information
Class of 2017 Senior Party Parent Chairs Needed:
Parent volunteers are needed to be in charge of organizing the Class of 2017 post-graduation party. This party is a long-standing MIHS tradition, and is a very special opportunity for Seniors to celebrate together after graduation in a safe and supervised situation. Planning for 2017 should begin now, in order to participate and learn from the current Senior class, and book the best party venues. This position can be shared by 2-3 Co-Chairs. Any parents of current Juniors who would like to be considered for this leadership position, or would like more info, should contact Betsy O'Connell at tboconnell@msn.com.
More help needed from Class of 2017 Parents
The Baccalaureate planning committee is recruiting 2 volunteers to help coordinate the reception following the 2016 Baccalaureate Service. This event is an inter-denominational celebration that honors our graduating senior class.
This year the event will be hosted by the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, on Wednesday, June 15th at 7 p.m. The service lasts about an hour and will feature speeches and musical performances by students who have been selected by their fellow seniors.
This is followed by a very low key reception. The evening is meant to be a time for family, friends, and community leaders to gather together to celebrate and honor the senior class prior to graduation ceremonies the following night.
Generally as the coordinator for this job you will work with our senior parent Shelley Taylor to execute the reception piece. This would include:
~prepare/decorate the reception area (table cloths, flowers etc.) very low key
~organize the set up/clean up (you will have 3 junior volunteers for each shift: 6-7 and 7:45-8:45)
There may also be some time spent prior purchasing paper products, and working with the church to confirm what they have available for use.
We have senior parents available to help prior to the event as well but in an effort to allow them to enjoy the evening we reach out to the Junior Class to oversee the reception.
Thank you in advance for your help. Please contact Petra Varney at petra.varney@comcast.net if you are able to help in this way.
Writing For College Workshop
Curtis Johnston and David Willecke are offering the 7th annual Writing for College workshop at Mercer Island High School, beginning June 27th! Lower your stress and get a jump start on senior year college admissions insanity. Craft your admissions essay in a relaxed workshop atmosphere with on demand one-on-one guidance from people who have spent years mastering the personal essay. We will help you write to your audience, maintain authentic voice, avoid the many common pitfalls that can lead to automatic denial, and more. For more information, including how to register, click here.
Parents of the Class of 2019
We are looking for parents to volunteer as "Class of 2019 - Parents." This role supports students and staff as we plan annual events, such as Homecoming and Prom. If you might be interested in learning more, contact Alexandra Baker or Susan Rindlaub by May 20th. Thank you.
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| Class of 2016 Senior Announcements | |
ALL SENIORS MUST SETTLE FEES AND FINES BY JUNE 15TH AT 1:00 PM. SENIORS WILL NOT RECEIVE THEIR YEARBOOK OR DIPLOMA OR BE ALOWED TO WALK AT GRADUATION UNTIL FINES AND FEES ARE PAID.
PAY ONLINE OR AT THE ASB OFFICE!
Graduation Links are live: Click here for up to date information and FAQs from our Counseling Department about dates, tickets, venue details, check out procedures, etc.
- Senior Party - It's not to late to sign up! Registration Deadline has been extended until May 30th!
All members of the Class of 2016 are encouraged to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event, and celebrate together after Graduation in a fun and safe environment. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
For complete information and to sign up, Click here.
- Congratulate your favorite Seniors with a Graduation Lei
The Hawaiian symbol of love, honor, friendship and celebration, leis are traditionally presented by MIHS friends and family to graduating Seniors to wear during their graduation ceremony. All orders must be received by May 30th
- Senior Breakfast Details:
June 16th, 7:00 - 9:00 am
Mercer Island High School Gym
Doors open at 7:00 am, program begins at 7:30.
Parents, please RSVP your attendance for head counts. Students are automatically counted, we just need counts of parents planning to attend. This event is intended for students and parents only, due to seating limitations, There is not room for siblings/extended family.
ASB funds cannot be used to provide food and services for parents, so we ask for a $10 donation to cover the parent expenses. This donation can be paid at the door on the day of the event. (FLYER)
- Friday, June 10, Senior Breakfast Parent RSVPs due.
- Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 pm: Baccalaureate - Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
- 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)
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| Parent Edge | |
As this school year winds down, Parent Edge would like to thank everyone who has attended and supported our events. Parent Edge is collaborating with lots of local groups to bring you information about other important community events and, on occasion, make discounted tickets available to MIPTA members. Go to the "In The Community" section of this newsletter for information about such events. Also check "Local Events and Lectures" on http://www.miparentedge.org and like our Facebook page, Mercer Island Parent Education, for lots more information on events happening in our area. We hope to see you at some of these other outstanding events and look forward to seeing you all back for another inspiring series of speakers on Mercer Island next year.
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Legislation and Advocacy
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Thank you to everyone who emailed City Council in support of the improvements to the intersection at Northwood Elementary (http://www.miptacouncil.org/advocacy/tip-letter/). Every email was important and City Council clearly heard our parent body's view on this issue. Public comment regarding this project is invited at the June 6 City Council meeting. Please contact the MI PTA Advocacy Team (advocacy@miptacouncil.org) if you would like to be part of the final push to get this project moving.
The MI PTA Council Advocacy Website (http://www.miptacouncil.org/advocacy/) has the latest information on our efforts to advocate for the well-being and education of all children. If you are interested in joining the MI PTA Advocacy Team please email us at (advocacy@miptacouncil.org).
To become even more informed, see our webpage link above.
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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.
UPDATED MAY/JUNE LETTER: End of a fabulous year! Looking forward to another.
More information from the Counseling Center can be found here.
Questions can be directed to MJ Hillstrom, College Counselor
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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.
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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 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.
Mercer Island Girls Lacrosse Summer Camp
ELITE CAMP, 11am - 2pm, June 27-June 30: For girls entering 7th through 12th grade in fall 2017. The camp is designed for intermediate to advanced players from Mercer Island only. Reversible camp jersey included. Cost is $150.
Coaching: Camps are run by Liz Shields, MIHS Varsity Girls Coach. Involved in the Mercer Island's program since 2009, and the MIHS Varsity Coach since 2011, Liz has played, coached and umpired for more than 25 years, both in her native Australia and in the U.S. She represented Western Australia in the national championships as a player, and umpired the 2007 U19 World Championships in Canada and the 2009 Women's World Cup in Prague.
OneWorld Now! still has spots open in its fun, intensive and free Chinese and Arabic Language Summer Camps for high school students, including incoming freshmen. Please note that it is for beginning language learners only.
Dates: July 11 through July 29, 2016 (weekdays only)
Times: 9 am to 3 pm (includes 4 hours of language classes plus afternoon culture and leadership lessons)
Cost: FREE
Location: Impact HUB Seattle (near Pioneer Square)
Meals: Hot lunch and snacks provided
Deadline to apply: May 31, 2016
Call for Artists!!! Open to ALL, K to 12th Grades
Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL), together with Wells Fargo Bank, is sponsoring the 42nd annual Junior Art Show during the Mercer Island Summer Celebration event July 9th and 10th. Awards and cash prizes will be presented to winning young artists.
Two-dimensional wall art: Painting; Drawing; Photography; Digital art; Collage and
Three-dimensional art: Crafts; Jewelry; Sculpture.
Register Today Online here and print out an entry form.
2016 SUMMER PROGRAM: BIOINFORMATICS-CODING FOR MEDICINE
ORGANIZED with the Washington Student Science Association (WSSA)
SESSION CHOICE: July 5-18 OR July 20- Aug 2 (10 working days)
10am-2pm
Bellevue College location
Course Fee $750 (10% discount with a friend)
BIOINFORMATICS is the hottest emerging area of STEM with all major universities and colleges including Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, U Washington and others developing cutting-edge programs. This is a major focus of investment for technology companies such as GOOGLE etc and many job opportunities are being created in this field. Skills are much in demand in this high STEM job growth area. Our STEM summer program 2016 will open the doors of this exciting field to students thinking of future careers in biology, computer science and medicine. The course is led by Dr M Samanta who has extensive experience in BIOINFORMATICS and is an International Maths Olympian and ex-NASA scientist.
Get a Jump Start on Summer! Grab your friends, lace up your shoes and come run or walk the YoungLife 5K at Luther Burbank. It's one of the only events around where the finish line is in Lake Washington! All finishers earn a MI Young Life beach towel. Prizes for best team costumes, fastest 5K for >15 years and fastest <14 years. June 11 at 9:30AM. For more information and to register visit: mercerisland.younglife.org.
Digivations Camp Demigod Institute
NASA award winning summer innovation and literary overnight camp in Leavenworth, WA.
Stem+Arts+Movement and Design Thinking. Inspiring the next generation of innovators. For more information about Camp Half Blood, Camp Fandom and Demigod Lodge click here.
Be a Part of Island History!
In less than five months, the beautiful Northwood Elementary will open its doors to a parliament of owls. A new school hasn't opened on Mercer Island since 1963, when JFK was President, Martin Luther King had a dream, and Beatlemania began!
To commemorate this milestone moment, the Northwood PTA is offering all families, friends, staff, and supporters of Northwood Elementary the opportunity to leave a permanent, personalized mark on a brick in Northwood's unique outdoor play area. For further information and to view all the possible options, please check our website at here. This opportunity will only be open until June 30, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact jsytman@mac.com.
Music Works Northwest Summer Camps
Private lessons June 21-August 28 plus music therapy, group lessons and more. To register visit registration@musicworksnw.org or call 425-644-0988.
Camp Biomed Presented by the Northwest Association of Biomedical Research
Our goal is to inspire students entering grades 9-12 to consider a career in biomedicine, biotechnology or bioengineering through immersion in the biomedical research community. Camp subjects include Cancer Laboratory and Do-It-Yourself Biology, Next Gen Science-Origami of Life with Bioinformatics, and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)-Solving a Murder Mystery. For more information click here.
2016 International Summer Spanish Programs & Youth Sport Camps
with Homestay in Barcelona, Spain
SpainBcn- Summer Camps are designed for boys and girls, junior and teens, who want to practice their favorite sport and/or improve their Spanish, enjoy a complete cultural program in a fun, safe and nurturing environment with youth participants from all over the world.
To learn more about SpainBcn-Summer Camps please visit:
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Question of the Week
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Q: What happens at the end of the year? My kid still has lunch money in their ASB card, how does he return his school books, how do we get our yearbook? How do I know if my student owes any fines?
A: Great questions! Class's text books and library books should be returned AFTER your student completed their final exam in each class. Any outstanding monies on their lunch account will be carried over to next year. Yearbooks will be available to pick up during lunch several weeks before school is out. Your student should listen to the daily bulletin to learn about pick up opportunities. Fines owed are listed on your students SKYWARD account. These fines must be paid before the end of the year in order to check out text books next fall OR reserve a student parking spot.
Calendar information for future reference:
This event calendar is different than the student calendar which is bargained in advance with school start and end dates, vacations and service days. Those calendars have been set for 16-17, 17-18, and 18-19 and are located on the District Website under News and Events on the Student Calendar page.
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.
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