MIHS PTSA News – October 31, 2021

10/31/2021 1:00 pm

What's New This Week!

ASB All School Fundraiser

Over the last year and a half of covid our ASB budget took a major hit due to decreased ticket sales at sporting events. To ensure we continue to provide quality services for all sports and clubs here at MIHS we are launching a school wide ASB fundraiser.  Please consider supporting MIHS ASB by purchasing popcorn products for your friends and family. 

MIHS Drama Presents: The Odyssey

The Trojan War is over. Will Odysseus survive the epic journey home to his wife Penelope? He has a sorceress, monsters, gods, and storms to keep him from making it home alive. Once he arrives home, he has to fight the numerous suitors waiting for his wife. Come join the MIHS Drama Department for their fall production of the famous  adventure, The Odyssey, written and adapted by Mary Zimmerman.

Evening performances November 11-13 and 18-20 at 7pm. Matinee performances November 13 and 20 at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased by following this link. Thank you for supporting Drama!

PTSA News

2021-2022 PTSA Reflections Arts Contest

Celebrating student creativity, the PTSA Reflections program helps students explore the arts and express their creativity. The theme this year is I Will Change the World by…

To participate, MIHS students submit original works of art in response to the theme in any of six categories or the special artist division: Literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, film/video, and choreography/dance. View our PTA Reflections Art Contest page for complete details. DEADLINE for submissions is November 30, 2021.

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.

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

Parent Edge

Mercer Island Healthy Youth Forum:  Moving Forward
Monday November 8, 2021  |  6:30-8:30 PM  | Virtual

Mercer Island students, parents, community members and leaders are invited to join us for the Mercer Island Healthy Youth Forum. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jason Kilmer, Assoc. Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington, will share key findings from the WA State COVID-19 Student Survey. Anyone interested in the health and wellbeing of Mercer Island youth is invited to attend.  To register, visit www.mihealthyyouth.com.

“Healthier Approach to College Admissions” – November 9 at 7PM.
Program is appropriate for parents with students in grades 8-12.
Register at miparentedge.org
“Forefront Youth Suicide Prevention for Parents” – November 17 at 7PM
Register at miparentedge.org

Advocacy

Remember to VOTE November 2nd!
Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 2nd. Please remember to vote! Ballots must be postmarked by November 2nd or returned to a Ballot Drop Box by 8pm. Online Voter Registration Deadline is October 25th for King County elections. See King County Elections website to register or for more information

Did you miss the Candidate Voters Forum last Tuesday organized by the League of Women Voters and the MI PTA Council? Check out a recording of the Candidate Forum Here.

President’s Letter

Dear MIHS Families:

Happy Halloween, and welcome to November!

Last call for Election Day! Ballots must be postmarked by November 2nd or returned to a ballot drop box by 8pm on November 2nd. On October 12th the League of Women Voters and the MI PTA Council hosted a Mercer Island Candidates Forum. In case you missed it, you can check out the recording HERE.

The student Veteran’s Day assembly committee (ASB Leadership) needs your help!  They are collecting names and/or pictures of Mercer Island community members who have or are currently serving in the military. These will be included in the MIHS Veteran’s Day video honoring veterans.   Please fill out this form to honor a veteran or someone you know who has served in the military.

Over the last year and a half of covid the MIHS ASB budget took a major hit – partly due to not selling tickets to sporting fine arts events. To ensure that they continue to provide quality services for all sports and clubs at MIHS they are launching a school wide ASB fundraiser.  Please consider supporting MIHS ASB by purchasing popcorn products for your friends and family. 

Did you know that our MIHS PTSA Senior Activities Committee offers mock SAT/ACT tests?  These are a fantastic option for your student to try out and practice these assessments in an environment where the scores don’t matter for college entry. They are administered by The Princeton Review, and in a test-taking setting that exactly mimics the reality of an ACT or SAT test.  You can find more information, dates, and a link to register HERE.  To find it without the link:  go to “mihsptsa.org”, and click the “college prep” tab.

This weekend, our MIHS PTSA delegates attended via Zoom the Washington State PTA (WSPTA) Legislative Assembly. During this meeting the WSPTA worked to determine its advocacy priorities heading into the upcoming legislative session.  Our delegates represented all of us and voted for the issues most important to our community. If you are interested in learning more and joining us for future advocacy work for our kids, please email Tanya Aggar and Gail Morrisono, our Co-VPs of Advocacy at advocacy@mihsptsa.org. It’s a great way to get involved and learn more about education policies in WA state.

A few upcoming highlights & reminders:

• Modified class schedule this week for SBAC Testing:  Schedule found HERE.   
• Nov 5 – First quarter ends
• Nov 9 – Parent Edge: “Healthier Approach to College Admissions” – 7PM. 
  • Register at miparentedge.org
• Nov 11 – Veterans Day, NO SCHOOL
• Nov 17 – Parent Edge: “Forefront Youth Suicide Prevention for Parents” – 7PM
  • Register at miparentedge.org

Have a great week and Go MI!

Maria Alberto and Debbie Burke
MIHS PTSA Co-Presidents
president@mihsptsa.org 

Information for MIHS Seniors and Senior Families

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

• Yearbook Senior Portraits Due December 17, 2021
• Grad Ad Submissions are Due February 18, 2022

Remember you can also check the Seniors tab on the PTSA website for more information.

MIHS News

Schedule This Week

Modified class schedule this week for SBAC Testing:  Schedule found HERE

2021-2022 AP Exam Registration and Payment Info

Monday, Nov 1 – Last day to register/pay for exams without incurring a late-registration fee of $40 PER EXAM.

This year, exams will take place May 2 – May 13, 2022.  Click the link below for up-to-date information. 

• MIHS 2021-22 AP Exam Registration & Payment Information for AP Students

Principal’s Updates

Read Principal Walter Kelly’s October 22nd letter.

MIHS Counseling Center

Click here to read the October 2021 Newsletter.

Community Opportunities

University of Washington | After School Online Enrichment Opportunities
The University of Washington Youth and Teen Programs is excited to offer a variety of remote courses for middle and high school students who seek after school enrichment opportunities. Courses run over 10 weeks starting in January. Visit our website for registration information and course details. www.youth-teen.uw.edu

• 3D Design & CAD Modeling (7th-8th grade) 
• Architectural Studies (9th-12th grade) 
• Exploring STEM Through a Creative Lens (6th-8th grade) 
• Sharpen Your Writing Skills (9th-12th grade) 
• Young Writers’ Workshop (6th-8th grade)