MIHS PTSA News – April 3, 2022

4/3/2022 7:47 pm

Parent Edge Presents
Signs of Suicide: Youth Suicide Prevention for Parents

Tuesday, April 5 | 7pm
How would you respond if your child told you their friend might be thinking about suicide? Learn how to help your child save a life.  Learn strategies to help youth in crisis stay safe and get support.  For parents/adults only. Presented in partnership with MI Youth and Family Services and the IMS Counseling Team. Click here for more information and to register.

Parent Volunteers Needed for Prom

Hello parents! Prom is coming up on May 7 from 6:00pm-10:00pm at The 101 in Seattle. The theme is “Over the Garden Wall” which means lots of florals.
Our prom committee would really appreciate your help in fundraising, ticket sales, setting up and tearing down the venue for Prom. Please sign up here if you are interested in helping us out! We have 24-hour rental meaning the venue is our’s from 10 am on Saturday to 10 am on Sunday. Please make sure to provide your email so you will receive updates.

If you have any questions email Ainsley McCarthy at ainsleymccarthy861@gmail.com.

Graduate Grams – a Mercer Island Tradition!

It’s time to order your graduating Senior a Grad Gram, Mercer Island’s 30 year community tradition!  Each Grad Gram is printed on parchment paper, personalized with your congratulatory message and mailed on your behalf direct to the graduate’s home. Grad Grams sell for $6 each.

Proceeds from Grad Grams sales support Mercer Island Community Scholarships, a program administered by the MI PTA Council. This annual scholarship program honors graduating MIHS seniors who are identified by MIHS faculty for their perseverance, academic passion, and positive contributions to their classroom and community. 

Students love receiving these personalized acknowledgements from family and friends.

Place your Grad Gram order starting April 4th!  For more information on Grad Grams, click here.

MIHS Drama Department presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Please join the Drama department in their spring musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Six quirky, funny, smart middle schoolers come together to compete in the county’s annual spelling bee. Audience members will have the opportunity to compete in the spelling bee as well! April 28th to May 7th. For more information and to buy tickets click here.

MIHS Students Take Action

Friends of Youth

Friends of Youth is a non-profit organization that aims to help homeless and at-risk youth, but they need your help collecting items to continue supporting those in need! From the 15th of March to 29th, keep an eye out for a box in the MIHS main office to donate a variety of different household items- they are looking for eating utensils, bakeware, cookware, tableware, cleaning supplies, and storage and garbage containers. Donate to an important cause today!

Teens Helping

Donate to the purchase of necessities for family shelters and women experiencing poverty. We are currently collecting to support Jubilee Women’s Center in Seattle. Teens Helping is an organization created and run by three Mercer Island High School Juniors committed to helping other girls and women in the King County area. Click here to donate.

UNICEF Club

After viewing the recent issues in Ukraine the UNICEF Club at MIHS were deeply affected and could not sit and do nothing. We have recently started a fundraiser, run through the UNICEF Organization to raise money for children and families in Ukraine. All proceeds go directly to UNICEF to create emergency relief packages and send fresh sanitary supplies to those in need. Click here to donate.

History and Politics Club, Amnesty International Club & Philosophy Club

The History and Politics club is joining forces with Amnesty International Club and Philosophy Club to raise money for Ukrainian Refugees! The three clubs are organizing an all-island yard sale and need your help! They are accepting almost anything that you have laying around your house that you may not need anymore! Pick up will be Saturday and Sunday every weekend from now until the End of April or bins will be available to drop off items at Mercerdale Park or the South End QFC. Date of garage sale TBD. All proceeds are going to The International Rescue Committee and Yearning to Breathe Free! For more information contact Jason Zhao 206 886-8995 jason.zhao@ytbf.org ytbf.org/ukraine

The International Entrepreneurship class

We are selling custom sticker packs, designed for any college/university that is requested! All the proceeds are going to UNICEF to help Ukranian Refugees. Do you have a graduating senior? Or a love for your alma mater? These college sticker packs are handmade with tons of care, and made special for your favorite school/team for only $10 per pack! fill out this order form to indicate your customization!

PTSA News

Lunar New Year Staff Appreciation Lunch

The Lunar New Year Staff Appreciation luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 7th in the MIHS teacher lounge. The Lunar New Year lunch is a staff favorite!  There are many ways to participate from providing items such as shrimp or pork dumplings or teriyaki chicken, to mandarin oranges or fortune cookies. You can also sign up to bring refreshments or help to set up or clean up. Please sign up here!

Mock SAT/ACT Tests

MIHS PTSA provides 6 testing opportunities as a chance to practice a real test, become familiar with a testing environment, and help identify which testing platform is best for each individual student. All this in a ‘Mock’ situation where tests are not recorded or submitted to any high school or college organization. This is a perfect chance to ‘try out’ these tests.

The two dates left are:

• Mock SAT – Saturday, April 23 (Review Session – May 3)

Learn more about the Mock SAT/ACT tests offered by the PTSA.

Information for MIHS Seniors and Senior Families

Senior Party Chaperones needed.  Get to help the Senior Class celebrate graduation on June 9!  Directly following the graduation ceremony, we need volunteers to chaperone Senior Party.  You can stay the entire night until 6AM or volunteer for half of the night, the first or second shift.  Yes, you can be as physically distant from your child as they’d like!  Thank you for considering.  Please contact Jody Kris at jodymkris@aol.com if you’re interested.

Caps and Gowns Orders and Yearbook Submission Information is found on our “Fall Tasks for Seniors” page.

• Senior Community Service Hours Due April 30, 2022

MIHS PTSA President Letter

Click here to read the current and past President’s letters.

MIHS News

Schedule This Week

This week’s schedule will be the Regular daily schedule

Principal’s Updates

Read Principal Walter Kelly’s March 11, 2022 letter.

MIHS Counseling Center

Click here to read the March 2022 Newsletter.

MIHS Drill Team Tryouts April 19-22

Hello Islanders! The Mercer Island Drill Team is holding our annual tryout week directly after Spring Break (April 19th-22nd). The Drill Team is an incredible community of smart, kind, and hardworking individuals. The Drill Team has the opportunity to perform at all school spirit assemblies, Football and Basketball sports games, as well as compete against other Drill Teams in the King County area. If you are interested in joining our incredible Drill Team, make sure you are present at the mandatory Pre-Tryout Meeting on March 29th. Hope to see you there!! View for more information.

Community Opportunities

Becoming Aware: Reducing Anxiety and Cultivating Calm
April 4 | 1:00 – 2:00pm
In this illuminating ParentMap Live talk, renowned psychiatrist, Mindsight Institute cofounder and author Dan Siegel, M.D., will break down techniques to help parents become more mindful in their daily routines. Get more infomation HERE.

Mother + Son Game Night:  Field Day Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club  May 6, 2022, 7-9pm. It’s time to play!  Boys and their moms, join us for a fun Field-Day themed evening of sack races, dodge ball, board games, and more!  Dessert will be provided and the teen room will be open!  Laughs and memories are guaranteed so grab your mom friends and join in the fun!  Please consider bringing art supplies (tape and paper especially) to contribute to MIBGC and get a door prize ticket in return!  Click here to register for this FREE event.

Ergon Student Exchange – Host Family Needed!
Host an Italian student, enjoy a true cultural exchange. Your child will be invited to Italy! For more information click HERE