MIHS PTSA News - January 28, 2024

1/24/2024 8:21 pm

PTSA NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Local Levy for Schools Could Increase Under Proposed Legislation

Even though this is a short legislative session, there are several proposed bills that would have a significant impact on our district. As parents we know these issues matter a great deal to you so we are providing an avenue to have your voices heard.

A bill currently being considered by the Washington State Senate has the potential to increase funding for MISD, if passed. State Senator Lisa Wellman, who represents Mercer Island in the Washington State Senate, has co-sponsored Senate Bill 5956, "An Act Relating to Enrichment Levies," that would amend a law currently capping the amount of local taxes that can be used to support a school district, including teacher salaries. Continue reading ...

PTSA General Membership Meeting on February 12, 2024

Please join us for the MIHS PTSA General Membership Meeting, Monday, February 12, 2024 at 9:30 am in the Library Presentation Room. Our guest speaker will be Principal Nick Wold who will be presenting the school's Dance Culture! We will be gathering to vote on our nominees for the 2024 MIHS PTSA Nominating Committee, who will work together to assemble a slate of 2024-25 leaders for our board.

Supporting Our Student Community Through the Counseling Department

The counseling department has reached out for support in collecting some items to help our student community! We know how important it is for a student to be well fed, well rested and comfortable when they come to school in order to feel and do their best. Click here and consider purchasing a few items to be dropped off at the front office for the Counseling Department by next week. If you have any questions, please direct them to president@mihsptsa.org.

PTA Art Reflections Contest Winners and Awards Ceremony

Please join us on Monday March 4th, 5-7pm, in the IMS Commons to celebrate our MIHS artists! The evening will take the form of an art exhibition, and students will receive their respective awards. All friends and family are welcome. See the winners here.

Send Love and Gratitude to An Educator

Make this Valentine's Day extra special for our amazing educators! Send a Valentine's card or Sweet Treat through this LINK. Donations must be received by midnight on Wednesday, February 7th, to ensure delivery to the schools by Monday, February 14.

Help Stock the Staff Mini Kitchen

As we start a new year, please help the PTSA stock the mini kitchen in the high school staff lounge. The mini kitchen is a place where teachers can grab a quick snack for a little extra energy boost. It's one way we keep them encouraged and show our appreciation. Items purchased off of this wishlist will ship directly to the school. Your support is greatly appreciated! Purchase items here.

Mock SAT/ACT Tests

MIHS PTSA provides 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 to recorded or submitted to any high school or college organization. This is a perfect chance to 'try out' these tests. Learn more about the Mock SAT/ACT tests offered by the PTSA.

Information for MIHS Seniors and Senior Families

2024 Grad Yard Sign On Sale Now

Celebrate your MIHS class of 2024 senior in style with a grad yard sign for just $35. All orders due by March 15 with delivery to your yard in April. Click here for order info.

MIHS News

Save the Date! ECAAR Night Market

ECAAR is hosting a Night Market on February 11, 2024 from 3-9pm at MIHS to celebrate Chinese New year. Featuring: Just Poke, Bibi, Seattle Best Tea, etc.

Mercer Island High School Drama Production of Little Women

Please join the MIHS Drama department as they perform Little Women, the loved and famous story by American author Lousia May Alcott. The four March daughters—Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy—continue to live in the hearts of readers, causing smiles and tears, triumph and tragedy as they grow up, fall in love and face life. This classic American tale will touch the hearts of young and old alike. Please visit the ticketing website to purchase tickets in advance. Cast/Crew list can be found here.

Want to Lear More About College and Career Readiness at MIHS?

Take a look at what our Mercer Island High School College and Career Readiness (CCR) offers for your student. These courses are a chance for your child to explore, try out, learn, and collect marketable skills for careers they might be interested in pursuing (without paying a college tuition). The MISD CCR department stretches across all career clusters and gives both a taste of and, if your student wishes, a deep dive for your student into career experiences with developed course pathways.

Explore! Discover! Finding an interest, passion, aptitude NOW in high school sets up our students for success in college. . . . and beyond! Take a peek at a quick video sharing what some of our CCR courses offer at MIHS. For more detailed information, take a peek at our course catalog and sizzle reels.

MISD Hosting Budget and Human Resources Community Zoom Webinar

The Mercer Island School District is hosting a district Budget and Human Resources community Zoom webinar on Tuesday, February 6 from 6-7pm. The purpose of the webinar is to update our community on the current MISD budget, student enrollment, and staffing. Watch The Zoom Webinar

Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle will lead the webinar, which will include presentations from:

Erin Battersby, Executive Director – Compliance, Legal Affairs, & Human Resources
Matt Sullivan, Executive Director – Finance & Operations
Kay Adams, Director of Finance

Daily Schedules

Get the 2023/24 Daily Block Schedule here.

Principal's Updates

Read the Principal Newsletters here.

MIHS Counseling

Get the MIHS Counseling Newsletters here.

Community News

Mercer Island Healthy Youth Forum

Today’s youth experience challenges and stress that are unique to this generation. In an effort to elevate the voices of Mercer Island youth and to learn ways to best support them, the City of Mercer Island Healthy Youth Initiative is hosting the annual MI Healthy Youth Forum on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 7:00PM-9:00PM at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

Lunar New Year Celebration

Sunday, February 11 | 10-2:30p | MI Community Center | Free Entry

Celebrate Lunar New Year with spectacular performances featuring dragon dance and Shaolin Kungfu, cultural experiences including tea ceremony and calligraphy and much more! Click here for info.

Summer J Camp Now Hiring

J Camp counselors work in teams to create meaningful, fun, and safe experiences for kids. Together with dozens of your peers, you will develop leadership and problem-solving skills; learn how to empower, motivate, and coach others; and have a fabulous summer! Click here for more info.

UW Unique Afterschool Enrichment Opportunities Online

The University of Washington’s Youth & Teen Programs offers enrichment opportunities during the school year. Limited financial aid available. To learn more visit UW Youth & Teen Programs.

MI Heathy Youth Initiatives Fall 2023 community programs now being offered. We are excited to offer a series of no-fee programs for MI parents and caregivers, for more information click here.

Rotary Youth Exchange Program is a short term summer exchange between families, facilitated by Rotary Clubs at each end of the exchange. Click here for more info.

AI + X: Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Fall Program by Stanford/MIT Alumni
Inspirit AI Scholars equips middle and high school students with an AI toolkit to build a capstone project, AI + X, that draws on students' unique interests, from sustainability improvements to cancer diagnosis to criminal justice reform and more. No coding experience required, and advanced cohorts are available. For more information please read more here. Fall applications are now open and due September 15. Contact program coordinator Jared at jared.greene@post.harvard.edu with any questions.

BridgeWhiz is a FREE online course designed to teach students in grades 4 through 12 the mind-building challenge, great fun, and competitive excitement of contract bridge, which will nurture your child’s team and individual competitive spirit. Build social skills. And enhance deductive reasoning and math abilities.