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IMS PTSA Newsletter
Bi-Monthly Updates for IMS PTSA Families
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April 11-15: Spring Break NO SCHOOL
April 19: IMS Eastshore Choir Festival
April 21: IMS Eastshore Band Festival
April 21: IMS Eastshore Orchestra Festival
April 21: IMS Play 6:30-9PM
April 22-23: Passover
April 28: IMS WEB Parent Night 6:30-7:30PM
May 6: IMS Bellevue Jazz Festival
May 19: IMS Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night
May 30: Memorial Day NO SCHOOL
June 5: Eid Al-Fitr
June 7: IMS Portfolio Night 5:30-7:30PM
June 14: IMS Spring Concert & Awards 6:30-9:30pm
June 20: 8th Grade Promotion Celebration
June 21: 8th Grade Party (offsite)
June 22: IMS Carnival 10:30AM
June 23: Last Day of School (early dismissal 10:20AM)
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Before You Break, Buy Your Brick!
Legacy Brick Opportunity for Current PTSA Families and Staff
Don't miss out on a ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME opportunity! YOU (current IMS PTSA families and staff) have the opportunity to purchase a Legacy Brick! These bricks will literally pave the way to the entrance of the new school! Due to the fact we only have 360 BRICKS available, we are limiting sales to one per family (or staff member). The cost is only $250 to leave your legacy during this exciting time for Islander Middle School. Click Here today before the bricks run out!
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Ultimate Frisbee is Here!
Join IMS Ultimate Frisbee Team - No Experience Necessary
IMS Ultimate Frisbee Team practices start Friday April 22nd. No experience is necessary. Learn how to play Ultimate Frisbee, a fast and fun game that is sort of like soccer only played with a Frisbee.
The IMS Ultimate Frisbee Team is free and is open to all IMS students, boys and girls, 6th grade through 8th grade. The practice is 1 hour right after school for 6 weeks. The team will meet every Friday at the south side of the IMS track at 3:00. After the meet-up the team will move to an open field area for practice and scrimmages.
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MI Fine Arts Showcase
Tuesday, April 5th & Wed., April 6th, 5:30-9:30PM
Sponsored by the Mercer Island Fine Arts Advisory Council and MISD, the Fine Arts Showcase is an annual fundraiser featuring performances by MISD performing arts students as well as artwork displayed by all elementary students and those participating in visual art classes at IMS and MIHS. For 2 nights, Mercer Island High School is transformed into a beautiful art gallery with demonstrations and performances.
Tuesday night is a spotlight on visual arts, with art demonstrations, activities and small ensemble performances, and Wednesday night features concerts by band, orchestra, choir and drama students as well as a special performance by the all 3rd grade choir.
Event is open to the public and tickets start at $10 in advance, good for both nights. Proceeds benefit fine arts education programs throughout MISD.
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Chess Club
Program 2 Registration Now Open!
Coach Chouchan (pronounced Shoushan) Airapetian is the IMS Chess Club Coach. She is an accomplished coach and her focus is to help students learn and master chess while players are having an exceptional experience: fun!
We have 2 programs all year around. Chess Club Program 1 starts from September and go till end of June, Program 2 began in February, but there is still room to register! We meet in Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm in the IMS Library (temporarily in the old Student Center). There are activity buses to take students home. Practicing chess for one hour weekly can make a significant impact on a student's grade, strategic thinking and brain development, and improve his social skills in long-term development.
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Looking for Volunteer Hosts
April 21th Staff Appreciation Lunches
Hello Generous IMS Staff Appreciation Volunteers!
Thank you so much for your continued support of the IMS Staff Appreciation lunches this year. We can't thank our staff enough for all they do for our students, but one small gesture we can do is to feed them! We are looking for hosts for the April 21th Staff Appreciation Lunches. Please contact us ASAP if you are interested in either of these opportunities. We promise it is very rewarding and much appreciated. We can supply you with menu plans or you can choose your own.
Thanks again for your help and consideration,
Andrea Dickstein and Stephanie Kornblum
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Attention 8th Grade Families:
Save the Date(s)! Mon., June 20th & Tues., June 21st
Before you know it, the end of the school year will be here and it will be time to give your 8th grader an IMS send-off! Please mark your calendars for the following events: Monday, June 20th 6:30pm: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony (held at MIHS) Tuesday, June 21st 9:30am-2:50pm: 8th Grade Party (held offsite) More information regarding these events, along with permission slip and fees, will follow in April after Spring Break. Back to Top |
Islander Track and Field Starts 4/4!
Athletic Fees and Forms due by 3/25
Islander Track and Field 
Track and Field starts Monday, April 4th!
Turn in athletic fee and forms before or by March 25th
To read all the details, Islander Track & Field schedule, forms and more, click here.
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The Circus is Coming to Town
We Need IMS Volunteers!
The 50th annual MIPA Circus is coming to town on Saturday, April 23rd, and we count on IMS students to help run the show! Circus committee members will be recruiting at IMS the week of March 28th and students who would like to volunteer will be asked to bring home volunteer slips to their parents with all details of their sign up. MIPA Circus Volunteer Chairs will follow up with students who have volunteered before Spring break to confirm they are available. Please contact Circus co-chair Pam Hinnen at plakari@hotmail.com with any questions and thank you in advance for allowing your child to help make this the best Circus ever!
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Mercer Island High School Boys Soccer Booster Club
 Mercer Island Boy's Soccer season is under way. Coach Colin Rigby's talented squad is pursuing a league title and another state playoff berth. Come out, watch some outstanding soccer and support the team. You can find the team's game schedule at https://mihsboyssoccerboosterclub.com/schedule/calendar. Want to know more about MIHS Boys Soccer? Click this link for information on the pathway to MIHS Boys Soccer.
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"Books and Bites" @ Island Books
Northwood PTA Benefit, May 12th 9:30-Noon
"Books and Bites" at Island Books to benefit Northwood PTA
May 12, 9:30 am-Noon
Want to purchase an early Father's Day gift? Or purchase a gift certificate that you can use for purchases throughout the year? Come have a bite while you shop, mix, and mingle at Island Books, all while supporting the brand new elementary school. Not since 1963, when JFK was still President, has there been a new school on the Island. This is a great way to show your support for the new school and to ensure its success. 20% of all purchases at Island Books on May 12 will benefit Northwood PTA.
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Advocacy Update
From Our PTA Advocacy Team
Basic education is vital to creating successful students, employees, and contributors to our community and economy.
Why are our students underperforming? Could it be related to the fact that Massachusetts spends almost $15K per pupil, while Washington spends about $10K? Did you know that Mercer Island ranks 144th out of 295 Washington districts for per pupil spending, INCLUDING donations to PTA and the foundation, and that funding may be at risk.
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Welcome Back to Island Hoop Camp!
Summer 2016
Welcome back to Island Hoop Camp! 
The MI Boys Basketball Booster Club is thrilled to have Coach Cree and his staff back for six amazing summer camps for players entering grades 1-8 in Fall 2016.
To get all the details, click here.
Questions?
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Superintendent's Message
March 17, 2016
Dear families, staff and friends of Mercer Island Schools,
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| | Gary Plano, Ph.E.
Superintendent |
As spring begins later this week, I'd like to share a few important updates with you. Elementary Spanish-language program: The district is pleased to announce that we are moving forward with a new Spanish language program to begin in the fall of 2016. This will be a great enhancement to the K-5 curriculum. To read Dr. Plano's complete message, click here. |
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Mercer Island Community Events!
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Mercer Island FC Spirit Day - Wear Your Jersey
Friday, April 8th
Friday, April 8th is Mercer Island FC Spirit Day!! Registration is now open for the Recreational soccer season and Select tryouts. Check the club website for the exact date and time for your tryout ( http://www.mercerislandfc.org/registration). As we gear up for another great season, let's all wear our MIFC jerseys to school on Friday 4/8 and show our club pride!
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Sammamish Symphony Orchestra Presents
The Driving Force of All Nature, Friday, April 29th and Sunday, May 1st
Adam Stern, Conductor and Musical Director, presents works by Handel and Respighi among others. Special guest, Brent Hages on oboe will be featured in Venti di Mare (Sea Winds) by Welcher.
For additional information, including ticket prices, read the flyer.
Questions? Call 206-517-7777
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All Roads Lead to Summer Camp!
Stroum Jewish Community Center
It's never too early to start thinking about Summer Camp. The Stroum Jewish Community Center offers an assortment of various camps for your child. Pick one week and three week camps. Click here to learn more about their 2016 Summer Camp program.
Follow SJCC Summer Camp on Facebook  or twitter 
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Spring at Youth Theatre Northwest
Upcoming Spring Break Camps and Classes
April is just around the corner. If you're behind on planning your child's Spring Break or other afterschool activities, YTN is here to save the day. Check out our exciting program schedule and register online at your convenience. Don't forget, new students receive a 25% discount!
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The Next Taylor Swift? Love to Compose? or Just Rock Out?
Summer Camps at Music Works Northwest
Students from ages 4 to 16 are invited to join us this summer at Music Works Northwest to learn, collaborate, make music, and have fun! We have camps for all ages and abilities, weekly from June 27th through August 19. Younger students will love our I Love Music camps, where they'll explore music from around the country through singing, instrument playing, games, and songwriting, as well as the Gotta Sing! Voice Camp, where young singers are introduced to vocal technique and work on their performance skills. Teens and pre-teens can live out their dreams of being the next Taylor Swift in our Pop Voice Camp, learn how to compose their own music in Computer Composition Camp, or get a chance to work with other young musicians in the Orchestra Jam Camp, Jazz Camp, Piano Ensemble Camp, or Rock Shop! We also offer music therapy camps for special needs students. Extended care is available for most sessions, as is financial aid.
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LEAP for GREEN Sustainable Fair
Saturday, April 16 from 10-2PM
Leap for Green is an interactive, sustainable fair, educating kids and families on ways to be sustainable with entertainment, music, animals, educational vendors and food! Fun for everyone!
Activities Music w/ Nancy Stewart (11am) Storytime w/ MI Library (10:30, 12pm) Bird Tour, Luther Burbank (1pm) The Bug Chef (12:30pm) Pacific Science Center Harvesting Planting Project Bunnies! Food Trucks BUNS Gourmet Burgers The Peach & the Pig Tacos LaFlaca Vendors Sustainable, educational organizations showing you how being green can be fun! Thank you to our sponsors!
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Seattle Girls' Choir
For Kids Who Love to Sing and Want to Explore Music!
Seattle Girls' Choir is offering two Summer Music Day Camps in July:
Full Day Camp for girls 2nd - 5th grade, 10am - 3pm, July 18-22 or July 25-29
OR
Musical Mornings for girls and boys 4-6 year old, 9:30-Noon , July 18-22 or July 25-29
For more information, read the entire flyer. |
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Thinking About Summer Camp?
Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Camp Brochure Now On-Line!
Parks & Recreation registration for pre-school through youth age Spring Classes and all Summer Camps has begun!
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MI Parent Edge Presents:
Liliana Lengua, Ph.D, April 27th, 9:30AM,
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| | Liliana Lengua, Ph.D |
Wednesday, April 27th 9:30 AM at Lakeridge Elementary Liliana Lengua, Ph.D. "Supporting Elementary-Aged Children Through Change: Promoting Resilient Responses to Life's Stresses" Join us for a morning with Dr. Lengua as she discusses how effective parenting, supported by mindfulness, can promote our children's resilient responses to stress.
To read the full Parent Edge press release on Dr. Lengua, click here.
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Calling All Eighth Graders!
Camp BioMed - Presented by Northwest Association for Biomedical Research
Are you entering 9th grade in September? Ever wonder what it would be like to solve a murder mystery like CSI? Work in a cancer lab to find a cure? Our goal is to inspire students entering 9-12 grades to consider a career in biomedicine, biotechnology or bioengineering through immersion in the biomedical research community.
To read the NWABR flyer on all camp descriptions, prices, location and more, click here. |
Free Tabletop/Board Game Thursday, Ballerina and More!
Spring Classes for Your Student @ MICEC in 2016
Tabletop/Board Game Thursdays (FREE CLASSES)
Is your child or teenager interested in the huge world of board gaming and roleplaying? Join us for free at the Mercer Island Community Center as we play some of the best board and miniatures games! From classics like Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne, to new favorites like Codenames and Mission: Red Planet! No experience required!
Ages: 7 - 14
Day: Thurs
Time: 4pm - 7pm
Instructor: Mercer Island Parks & Recreation
Location: Mercer Island Community and Event Center
Course# Dates Res./Non-res. Fee
16099 Apr 21 - Jun 23 Free!
Parks and Recreation Camp Counselor in Training (CIT)
Learn all aspects of working with children in a Day Camp setting, leadership, communication, planning, safety and fun! Experienced Day Camp Directors, guest speakers and workshops will show you the ropes on how you can become a camp counselor! Each CIT will become first aid and CPR certified. After your training is complete get hands on experience by shadowing a camp counselor and working with the kids during a week of camp this summer.
Course #16280
Ages 13-16
April 13-15, 9am-2pm
Fee $134
For a list of Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Spring Pre-Youth and Youth classes, click here.
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Our Kids Need Us...Our Kids Need You!
Orientation for Foster Care in Our Community
Every school year in our community, hundreds of school children enter the foster care system. The critical shortage of foster homes in your school district means that abused and neglected children are rarely able to stay in their original school when they enter foster care.
For more information, please read the flyer.
Call 1-888-KIDS-414 (1-888-543-7414)
Mercer Island School District has neither reviewed nor approved the program, personnel, activities or organizations announced in this flyer. The participants agree to protect, indemnify and hold harmless the district, its elected and appointed officials, employees, agents, staff and volunteers, from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, expenses, or right of action, directly or indirectly attributed to the activites. Permission to distribute this flyer should not be considered a recommendation of the program by the school district. This is not a school district sponsored activity.
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Girls & Boys Volleyballogy and Boys Volleyball
Mercer Island Community and Event Center
A. Beginners volleyball clinics (ages 8-12, both boys and girls) *Training focused on beginner fundamentals and mechanics. Location: Mercer Island Community & Event Center Time: 4:30-6:00 Dates: Wednesdays starting on 4.6 until 4.25 Cost: $280 B. Absolute Zero Boys Volleyball *We are currently running a boys volleyball training program that includes tournaments. Practices are at the Mercer Island Community Center. If you're interested, please email Billie for additional information.
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Kids are Already Naturally Gifted Creators
Engineering With Lego Summer Camps @ MICEC
Then they get added inspiration from our specially trained instructors. They dive into our massive collections of Legos. And while they build elaborate objects, structures and vehicles, they explore fundamental principals of engineering and physics. They also learn to collaborate and create without fear of mistakes. The experience is joyful, the impact long lasting.
For more information, read the flyer!
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Auditions for Girls Prep and VocalPoint! Seattle
Contact Us to Make Your Audition Appointment for September Enrollment
VocalPoint! Seattle is pleased to announce auditions for its training program for female vocalists entering seventh and eighth grades in the Fall. Girls Prep auditions are for girls currently for sixth and seventh grade. Click here for audition information guidelines, complete description of Girls Prep, complete description of VocalPoint! Seattle, location, and more!
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The Northwest BoyChoir is Serious Fun!
Contact Us to Make Your Audition Appointment for September Enrollment
Boys entering First-Fourth Grades in the Fall are invited to audition on June 11, or at a time that is convenient for you. We are celebrating more than 40 years of helping young people discover the joy of singing!
Interested? Click here for more details!
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