MIHS PTSA News – May 1, 2022
5/1/2022 4:20 pm
What's New!
Staff Appreciation Week
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. Please join in showing appreciation to all our teachers and staff for the incredible work they do. Take a look at what’s planned, and participate by volunteering, donating and signing the kudoboard e-card!
- Monday, May 2nd – Teachers will enjoy custom coffee drinks 7-9 am from Espresso Elegance. Sign up to volunteer here.
- Tuesday, May 3rd – A beverage station, including a new hot water dispenser, will be set up in the Staff Lounge.
- Wednesday, May 4th – A Vietnamese buffet lunch will be served! Food is being catered but your help in providing beverages and assisting with set up and clean up would be appreciated. Sign up to volunteer or provide beverages here.
- Thursday, May 5th – Electronic appreciation messages will be sent to the staff via kudoboard, an online tool where students and parents can send thanks to teachers and staff members. You and your students are encouraged to sign the kudoboard here.
- Friday, May 6th – A dessert bar will be set up in the staff lounge. Volunteer to provide a dessert here.
We also have a continual ask for snacks to fill the Staff Lounge Mini Kitchen, a place for staff to grab a bite throughout the year. Popular items include individually wrapped chips, granola bars, fruit leather, mints, gum, and candy. Drop off items anytime in the gray bin in the office lobby. Thanks for your help, donations, and participation!
MIHS PTSA Staff Appreciation Team
Writing for College Summer Workshops
MIHS teachers, Curtis Johnston and David Willecke, are offering the 14th annual Writing for College workshops beginning June 21. Craft your admissions essay in a positive workshop atmosphere with on-demand one-on-one guidance from people who have spent years mastering the personal essay. We will help you write to your audience, maintain authentic voice, avoid the common pitfalls that can lead to automatic denial, and more.
Back by popular demand: Two separate series of workshops, June 21 to June 30, or August 8 to August 18, with online editing and application support available for 5 weeks after the end of actual sessions. Click herefor more information, including how to register.
All workshops will be held in person at Mercer Island High School this summer. Students will need a device on which to write their essays and to create their Common App and Coalition App accounts. Email questions to misummerwriters@gmail.com
MIHS Students Take Action
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
Island Book Night Fundraiser – May 4th
Come join your fellow MIHS families for our annual Island Book Night, a fundraiser to support the MIHS PTSA, and buy gifts for for Mother’s Day, Graduation Gifts, End-of-Year Teacher Gifts and even get a jump start on Father’s Day!
Date/Time: May 4th, All Day. Location: Island Books – 3014 78th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
We will be providing mimosas in the morning and nibbles and wine in the evening from 5-7 PM. Come make a social gathering out of it while fundraising for the school! A portion of all proceeds of IN-PERSON sales throughout the day will go to benefit MIHS PTSA. Please inform sales person at the register that the purchase is part of the MIHS PTSA fundraiser.
We need volunteers to help provide all the yummy goodies. Please sign up HERE.
MIPTA Council Awards
MIPTA Council Awards nominations are now open for the 2021-2022 year! The PTA Council rewards outstanding volunteers, educators, or committees for their creativity, innovation, dedication, and amazing work for our school communities. Let’s show our volunteers and educators how much we appreciate them!
To nominate an individual or group for a MI PTA Council Award, visit the Mercer Island PTA Council Awards Page.
Graduation Gift Ideas
Graduate Grams
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.
MIHS Legacy Bricks
Buy a personalized brick that will become a permanent part of Mercer Island High School at the amphitheater entrance to the commons. The cost is $50 for a message of up to 18 characters per line (including spaces & punctuation) with two lines maximum.
Limited Edition Mercer Island Glassy Baby
Celebrate graduates with custom, limited GlassyBaby that features Mercer Island. Brought to you by Mercer Trade Inc.- the company run by MIHS’ International Entrepreneurship class.
Click here for more ideas and ordering information.
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.
Junior Parent Volunteers Needed for Prom
Hello Junior parents! Prom is coming up on May 7 from 6:00pm-10:00pm at The 101 in Seattle. Traditionally it is the parents of the Junior class who volunteer to help put on the Senior Class prom. 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.
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 April 2022 Newsletter.
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.
Community Opportunities
Free ParentEd Talk by author Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
When facing challenges, unpleasant tasks and contentious issues such as homework, screen time, food choices and bedtime, children often act out or shut down, responding with reactivity instead of receptivity. This is a “No Brain” response. But what if our kids could be taught to approach life with openness and curiosity? Read more and register here.
MIYFS Parent Survey
Mercer Island Youth and Family Services is committed to providing a healthy environment for all youth. While the majority of our youth are making healthy decisions, we continue to be concerned about those students who are using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. We are also concerned about our community’s mental health. As parents and guardians, we know that many of you share these concerns. Read more…
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!
Luca, Giada, Vittorio are looking forward to their dream coming true of attending Mercer Island High School and living with an American family next fall semester. Read their bio’s here.
For more information click HERE
