|
|
|
|
IMS PTSA Newsletter
Bi-Monthly Updates for IMS PTSA Families
|
|
|
|
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)
|
| Submit an Article | |
To Submit an Article for Review for Next Issue:
|
|
|
Attention 8th Grade Families:
Payment and Signed Permission Slips Needed
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Monday, June 20, 2016 - 6:30pm
MIHS
(Graduates arrive at 6:00pm) 8th Grade Celebration
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
The Garage in Seattle
10:45 -2:00pm
* All students must have a signed permission slip and payment. Payment assistance is available. Please click here for permission slip and contact information.
Back to Top |
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.
Back to Top |
Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant
Nominations Open Until May 27th
This grant was established to support Mercer Island children who are currently facing the terminal illness of a parent, the recent death of a parent or have a parent on active duty in the military.
Please use this information to nominate MISD students from your school community. Children may be nominated by a counselor, teacher, MISD staff member, parent, neighbor, etc. Applications and information are available on the Mercer Island PTA Council website under the Programs tab: http://www.miptacouncil.org/programs/nancy-schaps-memorial-grant/. Please submit applications by Friday, May 27, 2016. Click here to read more about the Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant. If you have any questions, please use the contact information below to reach me. Thank you so much for your help!
Sincerely,
Caroline Hughes
Administrator on behalf of the Mercer Island PTA Council
|
"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.
|
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?
|
Graduate Grams
A Spring Tradition on MI
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. To send your graduate a Grad Gram, click here.
|
Be a Part of Island History!
Commemorate Northwood Elementary with a Brick
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 http://www.northwoodowlspta.org/get-involved/brick/. This opportunity will only be open until June 30, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact jsytman@mac.com.
|
Superintendent's Message
April 27, 2016
Like us on Facebook! 
and find us on Twitter: 
|
May Message from IMS PTSA President
Charlene Steinhauer
Dear Parents,
The entire month of May we are celebrating and expressing our gratitude to the wonderful teachers, staff, and administrators at Islander Middle School. These are the dedicated individuals who work hard every day to create a positive learning environment for our children in the classroom and throughout the entire school community.
The IMS PTSA is proud to sponsor Staff Appreciation Month with the following activities for all of the staff to enjoy:
To read the rest of Charlene's message, click here! |
Golden Acorn PTSA Awards
Nominations Due by Friday, May 13th
Dear IMS Families,
It is once again that time of year to reflect upon all of the wonderful support our PTSA volunteers have offered at Islander Middle School!
The Golden Acorn is a national PTSA Award that recognizes an IMS PTSA volunteer for their exceptional dedication and service to our IMS students. We welcome all IMS families to contribute to our pool of names by submitting nominations for this award to presidentelect@imsptsa.org.
All nominations are due by Friday, May 13th.
Thank you!
Kim Comstock
IMS PTSA President Elect
|
|
Advocacy Update
From the MI PTA Advocacy Team
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.
Back to Top |
Staff Appreciation Brick Special Offer
At a Special Price
Staff may purchase bricks at a special price or purchase a brick for a staff member or department. Now until Memorial Day, bricks purchased By IMS Staff or for IMS Staff are offered at a special price of $150. What better way to show your favorite teacher or staff member how much you appreciate them!
Personal Bricks are Still Available in Limited Quantities
$250 each.
Order easily online at imsptsa.org
Get them while they last and make history!
Back to Top |
IMS All-School Carnival
Wednesday, June 22nd
The all school IMS end of school Carnival takes place on Wednesday, June 22nd. At the carnival, students have a variety of activities to take part in including inflatable slides, obstacle courses, rock wall or a movie.
Students should come to school with money for concessions and lunch:
- Concessions are provided by IMS ASB and include cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn and soda from the PTA. Each of these items sell for about $1.
- Lunch will be available from food trucks including Los Chilangos;Buns on Wheels, Street Treats, Condon Dogs MI and a Donut truck. Prices for these food items are about $10
Back to Top |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Mercer Island Community Events!
|
Middle and High School Students
Engage in Community Service this Summer!
The VOICE/SVP program partners with over SIXTY King County nonprofits, and provides group volunteer opportunities for Mercer Island youth. Transportation off-Island and supervision included! Registration has been extended to May 18th - check us out at www.mercergov.org/voice.
Partnering agencies include: Cascade Bicycle Club, Full Life Care, Northwest Harvest, Hopelink, Outdoors for All, Atlantic Street Center, Recovery Café, Operation Sack Lunch, King County Parks, Washington Trails Association, Westside Baby...and many, many more!
Back to Top |
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
Back to Top |
Seeking Youth Actors at Youth Theatre Northwest YTN
2016 Summerstock Season - "Cats", "Glinda of Oz" & Comedy Group Chaos Theory
It's hard to believe but summer is just around the corner. With the longer days come many opportunities at YTN for youth to express their innate creativity and explore the magic of live theatre.
YTN is seeking youth actors, grades 2 - 12, for its anticipated 2016 Summerstock Season. Every year, during the summer months, YTN produces three shows on Mercer Island with approximately 50 youth actors. This summer's productions are the musical Cats and the play Glinda of Oz. Additionally, YTN's improvisational comedy group Chaos Theory will also perform. Every child that wants to be considered for a role must audition. For more information, click here.
Since 1984, Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) has been one of the region's premier youth arts organizations, providing a wide range of dynamic programming for thousands of children and families. Our 32nd season of plays will lift your spirits and send you on one thrilling adventure after another. Theatre by kids, for kids and for ALL blends exuberant and youthful storytelling with high-quality productions to launch the imagination of our audience to new heights. For more information about Youth Theatre programs and our productions, visit YouthTheatre.org.
|
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.
|
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. |
|
Youth NW Theatre Presents!
Harriet the Spy - Opening Friday, May 13th
Youth Theatre closes its 2016 School Season by bringing a popular adolescent novel to life.
Harriet the Spy opens Friday, May 13 and performs through Sunday, May 29, 2016. Based on the novel by Louise Fitzhugh and adapted by
Leslie Brody, the show is directed by Kathryn Stewart. All performances will be held at the Parish Hall Theatre at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Description:
Harriet M. Welch is more than an eleven year old, only child--she is also a spy. Her keen observations of friends and neighbors fill the many pages of her notebook with secrets. But when Harriet's notebook is found and read by all of her classmates, Harriet's blunt and mean observations cause everyone at school to retaliate against her. Confused and alone, Harriet spirals out of control. Can she be a truthful writer and also save her closest friendships?
|
Thank You!
From 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 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 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.
|
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!
|
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. |
Youth Football Registration is OPEN
For Current 6th-7th Graders
Register online at mi.positiveplace.org or call 206.436.1939
- Practice starts August 8th
- Registration includes FREE Summer Speed and Conditioning Camp (July 11 - August 1
- Football Camp : Football Camp: 6-9pm MIHS Stadium July 25th - 28th
|
 |
| | Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng
Daughter of Stanley Ann Dunham & Sister of President Obama |
President Obama's Sister to Speak!
The Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Award Ceremony
Please join us at this free event to welcome Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, the daughter of Mercer Island 1960 graduate Stanley Ann Dunham and sister of President Obama, our guest speaker at the 7th Annual Scholarship Award Ceremony on May 21 from 2 - 4 pm at the Congregational Church on Mercer Island. This year, we will award $5,000 college
scholarships to two MIHS senior women whose strong academic records and volunteer service in the wider community demonstrate the values that Stanley Ann Dunham, a 1960 graduate of MIHS, practiced in her life and passed on to her children, Maya and Barack. There will also be a private fundraiser following the ceremony to raise money for our scholarships and to meet Dr. Soetoro-Ng ($150 minimum donation - please rsvp to dunhamscholarship@gmail.com). For more information, please visit our website at www.stanleyanndunhamfund.org. You can also email us at dunhamscholarship@gmail.com
|
 National Trails Day and Letterboxing
Mercer Island Parks & Recreation
Celebrate the trails of Pioneer Park while hunting for hints and clues! Pick up your letterbox clue book, make a stamp and start hunting! Click here for more information and location.
Back to Top
|
Digivations Camp Demigod Institute
New Faculty, Scholarships and More!
This NASA award winning DIGIVATIONS CAMP DEMIGOD INSTITUTE offers merit  scholarships for Islander Middle School participants to attend summer camp.
The World's First & Only Overnight Innovation & Literary Camp Demigod featuring Camp Half-Blood (Percy Jackson) and Camp Fandom (Harry Potter, Dr. Who) brings literary themes and characters to life in Leavenworth, WA, for campers ages 9-17. Camp Demigod calls together talented and inventive youth from throughout the globe to join expert faculty, unique like minded thinkers and role players. They immerse themselves in the world of STEM innovation (rocketry, engineering, programming, genetics), the arts, theatrical combat, sword fighting, Capture the Flag, and Quidditch. Campers enjoy challenging quests while on mountain hikes on Demigod Lodge's 23 acres, river rafting and exploring the town of Leavenworth. Complimentary/limited Family Camping at Demigod Lodge is available every Saturday to assist families with transportation. One to four week sessions, June 26-August 6. www.campdemigod.org or phone 360 543 5641.
DIGIVATIONS Camp Demigod Institute
|
May the Forest Be with You!
A Not to be Missed Day Camp Experience
Learn, sing, cook outdoors, get crafty, and have a blast at this teen-led summer camp.
What: South Bellevue Mercer Island Day Camp
Dates: July 18-22, 9:30-3:30 Monday - Thursday, 9:30-2:00 Friday
Where: Newport Heights Elementary School, Bellevue
Cost: Only $90 for the entire week! Additional $15 if camper is not a registered Girl Scout.
|
Stroum Jewish Community Center & IndieFlix Present:
Screenagers - Growing Up in the Digital Age
The Stroum Jewish Community Center and IndieFlix present:
Wednesday May 18th | 7pm
This 90 minute documentary sheds light on the impact screen time is having on families, and explores how learning, playing and socializing online affects teens' developing attention span, fragile self-esteem and moral instincts.
Post-film panel discussion featuring experts in teen technology, education, healthcare, and brain science. Moderated by Scilla Andreen, the film's producer/executive producer and CEO of IndieFlix.
PTA members special pricing of only $12
|
WISE Summer Camps
Chemistry and Math Courses for Entering 3rd-9th Graders
WISE camps offer exciting chemistry and math courses in the morning & afternoon in August for students entering grades 3-9 at Newport High School in Bellevue. The science camps are designed to give students hands-on experience with lab equipment and learn basic chemistry (students will learn the chemistry behind fire, tie-dye, color-changing reactions and so much more!!!). The math camps are designed to excite students about advanced topics with tons of hands-on activities! Cost of the camp includes a t-shirt for tie-dying and lunch on campus for those who choose to do full day.
|
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!
|
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!
|
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!
|
|
|
