September PTSA Newsletter - Monthly Update

I am excited to welcome you back to another terrific year of learning and teaching in the Mercer Island School District. Summer has been a busy time for us, and I want to share a few staffupdates with you. Aimee Batliner-Gillette was named Interim Principal at West Mercer Elementary following the departure of Rich Mellish who took a principal position in Issaquah. To fill Aimee's position for one year, Kathy Morrison, longtime MISD administrator, came out of retirement to act as Interim Associate Principal for the elementary schools. Associate principal Jeff D'Ambrosio left MIHS in July to take a position as a middle school principal with the Snoqualmie Valley School District. I am pleased to welcome Henterson Carlisle to the Mercer Island School District as associate principal at Mercer Island High School. Henterson is a highly qualified school administrator and comes to us having served as principal and assistant principal with Seattle Public Schools. Mark Zmuda was appointed associate principal at MIHS last spring following the retirement of Craig Olson. Mark is an experienced and highly qualified high school assistant principal who served as an administrator at Eastside Catholic. I am honored and continue to feel fortunate to work with a hugely talented team of school and district leaders.

We have been busy with our capital projects! We've made changes to entry at MIHS and are getting ready for the new 10-classroom addition. The reconfiguration of the main parking area off SE 42nd at the front entry is undergoing significant changes. The new dedicated parent drop off lane should ease congestion along 40th and provide a safe place for students to arrive in the morning and wait to be picked up after school. All work for this project is on schedule and the lot will be available for the start of school.

The other portion of work at the High School is the addition of 10 classrooms. Each of the east/west wings, the 100, 200, and 300 halls is being extended east to provide approximately 15,000 square feet of additional teaching space. All permits have been issued, our contractor is on board, and work will begin in mid to late August. A portion of the parking lot adjacent to the music wing will be used by the contractor for trailers, material storage and parking but the lot will remain open for fire access, special needs transportation and after hours parking.

Portable classrooms have been moved at Islander Middle School, as we get ready for the redevelopment of that site, slated for early next year. Our long-term, north campus tenants will be vacating the campus by October 1st as the district gets ready to demolish the old buildings and prepare the site for the construction of the new elementary school # 4.

Please enjoy these warm summer days and evenings, and I wish you and our students the best school year yet!

IMS Staggered Start on First Day of School

September 2nd, 2014

First Day of School Start Times:

6th Grade:

8:25am - School Begins

7th and 8th Grade:

11:25am - School Begins

7th and 8th grade students, please note: Buses will run exactly 3 hours later than the usual pick-up time. Lunch will only be available for 6th grade students only. Lunch is not scheduled this first day of school for 7th and 8th grade students.

Welcome Coffee and PTA Meeting

September 3rd, 2014

Please come to the welcome coffee to hear from Principals and PTA President and sign up for volunteering opportunities at IMS this year.

Please come to the first PTA meeting of the year immediately following the Welcome Coffee on September 3rd in the IMS library. One of only three General Membership meetings of the year, it will be a great time to get updated on fun fall events at IMS and ask questions of our PTA Board.

PTA General Meeting September 3rd

IMS Library 10-11 immediately following Welcome Coffee from 9-10.

Joining the PTSA & Online Payment System

PTSA Membership

The overall purpose of the National PTSA is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children at the Federal and State level.

Did you know that our PTSA membership and various other fees are available online? Our online form is a convenient way to make payments for IMS PTSA fees and contributions. You have the option to pay with Personal Check or Credit Card via PayPal using our online form. You do not need to be a registered PayPal user in order to use your credit card.

You can:

pay for your PTSA Membership,
order your directory,
donate to our Student enrichment fund,
fill out the corporate match information,
order emergency packs for new students,
and support our library by donating money for Gator books.

All this is available online at http://imsptsa.org/back-2-school/ptsa-registration/.

Please join today!

6th Grade Family Pizza Feed:

September 11th @ 5-7PM

All 6th graders and their families are invited to attend a pizza party on 9/11 in the IMS Multi-Purpose Room (cafeteria) for pizza, salad, dessert and a beverage. Please join us to meet and mingle with friends, teachers, IMS Staff and WEB Leaders.

Cost is $5 per person. Tickets will be sold at Back2School day, the Welcome Coffee and at the door.

Bring your family for a fun way to kick off the new school year at Islander!

Questions - contact: Stacy Nakata or Greta Stednick.

IMS Spiritwear

Online order deadline is Friday, September 12th.

Show your Gator Spirit! The display case by the office showcases our exciting products and designs. Ordering is easy! Go to http://imsptsa.org/back-2-school/ims-spiritwear-order-form/ anytime between Sept1-12th.

This is the last and final opportunity to order for the year so don't miss out!

Questions? Contact Jeanne Weaver or Lynda Hamilton.

Curriculum Nights

7th/8th Grade September 10 @ 6:30pm -8:30 pm, 6th Grade September 18th @ 6:30pm -8:30 pm

Meet your child's teachers and learn more about the year's coursework and projects by attending Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 10 for parents of 7th/8th graders and Thursday, September 18 for parents of 6th graders. Both evenings begin at 6:30 pm. Look for more details to come.

Schoology Info Night

September 23rd 6:30-8:30

Schoology, what is it? Learn all about it, how to use it and how to help your child use it.

MI Parent Edge - 2014-2015 Calendar of Parent Education Events:

Join Parent Edge for a great year of stimulating speakers and events! From navigating our kids' anxieties to exploring the many ways today's "digital youth" are different from pre-digital youth; from an evening with Rosalind Wiseman, author of "Queen Bees Wannabees" and "Masterminds Wingmen" to examining society's failure to recognize and care for the social and emotional well-being of our boys in the compelling film "The Mask You Live In" - it's quite a line up! Please visitwww.miparentedge.org to view the entire calendar.

MI Parent Edge is jointly sponsored by the PTA's of Lakeridge, Island Park, West Mercer, Islander Middle, MIHS and St. Monica schools.

MI Parent Edge Presents:

Navigating Our Kids' Anxieties

Everyday strategies for neutralizing worries and anxieties

Join Parent Edge as we welcome Dr. Chris McCurry, author of , and learn about the natural origins of anxiety and stress, as well as parenting strategies that help kids navigate anxious situations and strategies kids can employ to be successful when strong emotions show up. Learn more about Dr. McCurry by going to http://www.abcdseattle.com/McCurry.asp.

Wed., October 15 at 7 PM at the MIHS PAC

Free for PTA Members

For parents of kids of all ages, and students in grades 9-12.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE BACK2SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS!!!

An especially big thank you to Carolyn Pirak & Debbie Burke and their FABULOUS team for their outstanding work organizing Back2School Day.

Thank you to all the volunteers who took the time to help the parents with any questions or concerns that they might have.

Help decide who will attend the new 4th elementary school.

September 19th, 2014 - entry deadline

The MISD Boundaries Committee is now being formed and will consist of approximately 18-20 members. There are 9 meetings planned: October 1, October 22, November 5, November 19, December 10, January 14, January 28, February 11, February 25. The first (October 1st) meeting will be from 6-8:30 pm. The meetings will last 2 1/2 hours and the committee members will decide the rest of the times.

Please fill out this application and turn into your school's secretary by Friday, September 19th.

8th Grade Activities Co-Chairs Needed!

Spring

Co-chairs are needed to plan the following two fun 8th grade events this spring: the Promotion Ceremony (moving out of 8th grade) and the 8th grade party/cruise. If interested in co-chairing, please email Emily Thompson.

Volunteer Newsletter Editor Needed!!!

One or more volunteers are needed to help put together the online PTSA monthly newsletter. Please contact Stephanie Mason if you are interested. Thank you!

MI Ski Swap

November 8th, 2014 @ 8:30AM-2:00PM

IMS PTSA Community Event/Fundraiser

www.mi-skiswap.com

Save the date! Islander Middle School (IMS) and Sturtevant's will be hosting the annual Ski and Snowboard Swap and More Saturday, November 8th, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

Sturtevant's will be offering a wide variety of new ski, snowboard gear and clothing in addition to your consignments. We have opened the sale up to include a wider variety of sporting goods. Clean out your closets, consign your gear and make room for new gear.

For more information about consigning, donating, volunteering, etc. go to www.mi-skiswap.com. We will be updating the website with new information throughout the fall so check in frequently.

Also, remember to like us on Facebook - MI Ski Swap. It helps to get the word out!

All proceeds will be donated to IMS educational and after school programing.

Urgent - We have an open position on the planning committee. We are looking for someone to help with publicity. Please contact Nancy Hafermann if you are interested.

Fundraising is off and Running!

Thanks to everyone who has already contributing to the PTSA Ask at the Back2School day. Our suggested donation level is $230/student. In order to make it easier for parents, we've combined the formerly separate PTSA Ask and ASB donations into one request. Just like last year, instead of devoting time and effort into a magazine drive, we're asking parents to support ASB through their Ask donation. Spirit Wear sales, the IMS Ski Swap and an Island Books Night all help us raise the funds necessary to offer programs and activities for our students and parents. If you haven't donated, please join all of us who have by going to http://imsptsa.org/back-2-school/ptsa-registration/.

MERCER ISLAND COMMUNITY & CLUB SPORTS

Mercer Island Girls Lacrosse Middle School Fall Ball

For Returning and New Players in Grades 5th - 8th

Does it suddenly feel like EVERYONE's playing lacrosse?
They are! It's the fastest growing sport in North America!
Don't watch from afar! Get in on the action!

Returning players, learn the latest skills and strategy
New players, master the basics before spring
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Sundays, September 14 - November 2
Coaching by MIHS Varsity Coach Liz Shields
Players grouped by level of play
Cost - $100 for 8 weeks

Registration opens Sunday, August 31 at www.migirlslacrosse.com. Contact migirlslaxms@gmail.com for more information.

Off-season instruction for new and serious players! Stay fit, have fun and get ahead!

BOYS LACROSSE FALL BALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Sunday, September 7th

Register NOW for Fall Ball! Fall Ball is a great way to keep your stick skills sharp and play games vs. other league teams. Fall lacrosse is held on Sundays only and is meant to complement other sports and activities.

7th/8th Grade:
BLACK TEAM try outs will be held on Sunday, September 7th from 10am-12noon and 2pm-4pm at the LID. Go to:www.mercerislandlacrosse.com and register for Fall Ball. Then, email coach Ian and let him know you will be trying out. For more information on Black Team, please see the website or contact Susie Plummer.

There will be two 7th/8th Grade Fall Ball teams (Maroon/White and Black): Practices and games are all held on Sundays from September 14th through November 23rd. Games are played in the Greater Eastside Lacrosse League (GELL):www.eastsidelacrosse.org.

5th/6th Grade:

SILVER TEAM try outs will be held on Sunday, September 7th from 8am-10am and 12noon-2pm at the LID. Go to: www.mercerislandlacrosse.com and register for Fall Ball. Then, email coach Ian and let him know you will be trying out. For more information on the 5th/6th Silver Team, please see the website or contact Sarah Rowe.

Practices and games are all held on Sundays from September 14th through November 23rd. Games are played in the Greater Eastside Lacrosse League (GELL): www.eastsidelacrosse.org