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!

MISF Seeking New Board Members

Great Board Members Wanted!

The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is looking for a few talented, conscientious and dedicated volunteer board members to help lead and strengthen our successful fundraising programs.

If you are interested please email or call Penny Yantis 206-275-2550. More information can be found at misf.com

Construction Update

Eight of the nine portable classrooms were moved from the west side of the site around to the north this summer. New electrical service was installed and district staff has been busy getting intercoms, phones and data up and ready for the first day of school. This move was necessary so that when construction of the new building begins in the spring, the area is clear, ready for work and no disruption of classes would be necessary. As with Elementary School #4, the design phases are finishing up and the process of creating the construction documents is underway. Our change in site design and building layout this spring stalled the design for about a month, but the changes have been made, neighbors are happy, the district is happy and so is the architect. The project is within the established budget and on schedule.

Click here to view the most recent Design Development Graphics.

Smoothie Tuesday Update

Dear IMS Students & Parents,

The Mercer Island School District, which participates in the National Lunch Program, is subject to newly instituted federal guidelines governing the sale of a la carte food and beverage items on campus. The Smoothie Tuesday program that we have run at IMS falls under these new guidelines. Unfortunately, the smoothies do not meet the nutritional guidelines set out and we are no longer able to sell them at school.

If you or your student has a balance remaining on his/her Smoothie Card from the 2013-2014 school year your balance has been transferred to an account at the Mercer Island Emerald City Smoothie store located at 7803 SE 27th Street. You or your student may redeem the remaining balance for any product, not just the three flavors of smoothie we have offered at IMS. Please bring student ID.

New Elementary School Boundary Committee

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.

Thank you to all the parents who volunteered for the back-to-school event on August 21. Your help made the event a big success!"

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

Join Parent Edge for a great year of stimulating speakersand 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 visit

www.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.

Upcoming IMS Activities!

8th Grade Activities Co-Chairs Needed!

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.

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 30th annual Ski and Sport Swap Saturday, November 8th, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Consign or donate your sports gear. All sports including skiing, snowboarding,football, lacrosse, soccer, baseball and on and on. Our families grow up and out of their gear and there are always new athletes and sports enthusiasts looking for a great deal. 40% of consignments and 100% of donations benefit IMS students. To learn how to get your gear to us for sale or donation, go to our website www.mi-skiswap.com.

Sturtevant's will be offering a wide variety of new ski, snowboard gear and clothing in addition to your consignments.

Volunteer and Save! Come join the tradition and volunteer. Give us 2.5 hours of your time on November 6th, 7th and/or 8th to help set up and work the event. As a volunteer you get to Shop Early. Get the best buys on winter, ski and snowboard clothes and gear as well as other sporting goods. Go to MI Ski & Sports Swap Volunteer Sign Up

Find everything you need on the Ski and Sport Swap Website: www.mi-skiswap.com. You can also find us on Facebook: mi ski swap.

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

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!

Yellow Yoga offers Yoga for Athletes

Yellow Yoga

Yoga for Athletes

Does your son or daughter play baseball, tennis, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball? Do they swim, do gymnastics or cross-country? If your child is involved in athletics, this 6-week program is for him or her!

Tech Smart Kids
After School Computer Programming Course

Tech Smart Kids, a leading provider of computer science and physical computing education for elementary and middle school students is offering after school, evening and weekend coding and making classes.

Tech Smart kids will offer their C301-Coding in Python 1 Class and M201- Intro to Making 1 for students in grades 6-9.

Classes begin the week of October 6th enroll online here
or enroll by phone: (425) 786-7824