MIHS News – September 12, 2021

9/12/2021 3:29 pm

What’s New This Week!

LEADERS NEEDED: Staff Appreciation Volunteers

We really want to keep the amazing staff at MIHS encouraged throughout the year.  They definitely deserve our wholehearted thanks for serving our students amidst a myriad of challenges. The PTSA is in need of a couple of leaders to oversee our Staff Appreciation efforts as well as additional volunteers to support and work alongside these leaders.  If willing, please contact Bob Do and Christine Nakano at outreach@mihsptsa.org.

Parent Advisory Committee nominations

MIHS Principal Kelly is looking for parent representatives to join the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). PAC meetings will be held once a month. Find out more information about the PAC HERE. Nominate yourself or another parent HERE. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 22nd.

PTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI):

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15, 2021 with these local events and recommended reading list for all ages via King County Library. For more information on our PTA DEI committee view here.

MIHS PTSA Advocacy Candidate Forum October 12th

Who will represent you the best? Be Ready for November 2nd! Do you have any questions you would like to ask the candidates? Send us your questions before October 12th. We are looking for volunteers comfortable using zoom features to help during the Forum. Please submit questions or interest in volunteering to advocacy@miptacouncil.org

MIHS Wrestling Team is looking for your support!

The MIHS Wrestling team is running a fundraiser to raise money for their new uniforms.  This fundraiser is 100% online, you order the sheets and they are shipped directly to you.  MIHS Wrestling Uniform Fundraiser. Spread the word and share the link with friends, families and community members.  Thank you, MIHS Wrestling appreciates your support!

PTSA News and Announcements

Parent Edge

Supporting Re-Entry – Middle and High School | Monday, Sept. 27th | 7:00pm
This program is part of the MI Parent Edge & MIYFS “Parent Support Series” and is intended for parents of students in middle and high school.  MIYFS Counselors will share information and answer questions. Topics include:  

• Expected behaviors during the transition back to a (somewhat) normal school year.
• How to support your child in rekindling friendships and socializing.
• Helping your child build stamina to prepare for their return to school and activities.
• Bring your questions for our MIYFS counselors for the Q&A session!

Register and get more information on other Parent Edge events.

PTSA Store & Directory

Visit the MIHS PTSA Store & Directory to see everything our PTSA has to offer this year. Returning parents and parents of IMS students: Your login and password from last year will carry over to this year. New to Mercer Island School District: Click here and follow the instructions to set up an account.

PTSA Membership Drive Has Launched!

Renew your PTSA Membership and get immediate access to our online MIHS PTSA School Directory.  Your PTSA Membership supports our advocacy work for students and teachers at the local, state and federal level.  Purchase your membership in your Membership Toolkit account – here. 

Contribute to MIHS PTSA Annual Giving campaign to help enrich the lives of students, staff and families every day.
Your contributions make a difference to the students and teachers at MIHS.  Your contributions to the Annual Giving Campaign, Friends of the Library and PTSA Membership are tax deductible.  Make your gift today!

This is what your MIHS PTSA Contribution supported during the School Year 2019-20:

• For 2020-21: $15,300 in classroom enrichment grants – ASB Leadership training, interview attire, drama workshops and a YTN playwriting project, equipment for Crest students, music artist in residence, Jazz symposium
• Here is more of what your dollars support.

Information for MIHS Seniors and Senior Families

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

• Caps and Gown Order Deadline is October 2, 2021
• 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.

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.

President’s Letter

Dear MIHS Parents:

Thank you to those who attended our annual PTSA Welcome Back Coffee & General Membership Meeting! It was so nice to see many of you again and to welcome new faces to our school! For many freshman and sophomore parents, it was their first chance to come into the building and meet the principal and staff, which is amazing.  Again, a giant thank you to all of our administration for making this back to school event happen safely.

MIHS principal Walter Kelly welcomed our parent community and introduced the MIHS administrative and counseling teams.  We voted to add a VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to the PTSA Executive Committee, replacing the DEI Chair position which was added to our Board of Directors last year.  Our Standing Rules and 2021-2022 budget were also approved. We are incredibly fortunate to have so many dedicated, approachable leaders working together to help make MIHS a great learning community.

The coffee was also a great place to sign up to volunteer for various events throughout the year.  We need and appreciate your help!  If you missed the volunteer signups, not to worry!  You can sign-up during your online PTSA membership registration. Please consider joining the MIHS PTSA.  You also have the option of donating to the PTSA.  Your donations help fund grants for student enrichment, tutoring for our students, amazing ParentEdge events, and much more.

We would like to make an extra plea for a Staff Appreciation Chair. This is an important role that is still open and oversees (with help!) our Staff Appreciation lunches and events throughout the year. Please email Christine Nakano and Bob Do at vpoutreach@mihsptsa.org if you are interested! 

MIHS Principal Kelly is looking for parent representatives to join the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). PAC meetings will be held once a month. Find out more information about the PAC HERE.  Nominate yourself or another parent HERE. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 22nd.  

A few upcoming events for your calendars!

• September 27th – Parent Edge Presents Supporting Re-Entry (HS), 7:00pm.           
• September 29th – MIHS Curriculum Night, 5:00-7:00pm.                                             
• October 7th – New Families District Event – 6:00-7:30pm @IMS.                                 
• October 15/16th – Homecoming

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

MIHS News

Schedule This Week

Click here for the MIHS Daily Schedule.

Click here for the 1st Semester Lunch Schedule.

Principal’s Updates

Read Principal Walter Kelly’s August 20th letter which includes information about the upcoming school year, including bell schedules.

Click here for MIHS Back to School FAQs.

Community Opportunities

Parks & Recreation Community Survey
Folks have been out enjoying parks all summer long, and as we head into back-to-school season, this is a great time to share your experiences and feedback for the future. See this article for more information on the background to the survey, an important piece to engaging our community.

The online, community-wide survey is now live- right here! The community survey closes at 11:59 pm on September 17.