MIHS News – September 13, 2020

9/13/2020 1:00 pm

PTSA News and Announcements

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: Get Access to Online Directory

Renew your PTSA Membership and get 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. 

Support Virtual Classroom Enrichment

One of the goals this year for MIHS PTSA is to support student learning and classroom enrichment with virtual innovations. Through the PTSA Grant program, we will help teachers bring enrichment ideas to their classroom such as guest speakers and innovative online supplemental learning programs. In addition, MIHS PTSA pays for all after school tutoring which will be virtual until students can return to school. Another benefit of your contribution to MIHS PTSA is parent education through Parent Edge which brings nationally known speakers to our community. We hope you will support MIHS PTSA and contribute to our Annual Giving campaign. Your contributions will make a difference to the students and teachers at MIHS.  All contributions to the Annual Giving Campaign, Friends of the Library and PTSA Membership are tax deductible.  Make your gift today!

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school system! Donations can be made here (don’t forget your company match if that’s applicable) AND another form of donation can be made through the purchase of a legacy brick. If you’d like to make a permanent mark at the high school, please consider buying a brick which can be engraved with your names, kids’ names, or an inspirational quote.

 

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

• For 2019-20: $15,600 in classroom enrichment grants – Field trips, science equipment, music artist in residence, drama workshops, cooking program, additional literature curriculum for English 9-10, art equipment, dance lessons, after school help, staff culture club, outdoor experiences.
• Here is more of what your dollars support.

Advocacy Update

Seeking Applications for Chairperson of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

 

Chairperson of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) will be a member of the MIHS PTSA Board of Directors and work with the MI PTA Council VP for DEI to help ensure that our diversity and inclusion policies and practices evolve and advance the PTSA’s commitment to DEI and anti-racism. The DEI Chairperson position may be held by multiple persons. Please click here for a detail job description.  If you are interested in volunteering for this position, please email advocacy@mihsptsa.org. 

 

Become a MIHS PTSA delegate at the virtual WA State PTA Legislative Assembly

 

The MIHS PTSA is looking for members to represent our PTA at the WA State Legislative Assembly October 24 & 25 and vote on the WA State PTA’s Top 5 Priorities for the 2020-22 Legislative Session.  For more information on Legislative Assembly, please see WA State PTA’s Legislative Assembly webpage. If you are interested in becoming a delegate for the MIHS PTSA, please email advocacy@mihsptsa.org.

Information for MIHS Seniors and Senior Families

Dear Seniors and Senior Families:
Remember to check the Seniors tab on the PTSA website for updated information.

Parent Edge

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.

MIPTA Council

PTA Council Board Candidates: There were two vacancies over the summer in elected PTA Council positions. The PTA Council Executive Committee identified and appointed candidates to the positions of President and Secretary for the 2020-2021 school year. 

The executive committee appointed:

• For the office of President: Kristy Sieckhaus
• For the office of Secretary: Jennifer Selby

The period for accepting nominations is now closed. Election of these officers will be held during the first Council Meeting scheduled on September 16^th from 2-4pm. Because this will be a virtual meeting, according to WA State PTA guidance for Virtual Meetings we are not able to accept nominations from the floor during the election. 

President’s Letter

Dear MIHS Parents:

 

Thank you to those who attended our annual PTSA Welcome Back Coffee & General Membership Meeting! Our new principal Walter Kelly provided some great information on the school’s goals for the year and introduced the MIHS administrative and counseling teams.  We are very fortunate to have so many dedicated leaders working together to help make MIHS a great learning community.

During the General Membership meeting we voted on and approved to adopt an anti-racism resolution and added a Chairperson of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) to our PTSA board. If you are interested in applying for this chairperson position please reach out to: Tanya Aggar and Alison Stovall at advocacy@mihsptsa.org.

 

Our PTSA membership drive continues and we would love your participation. It’s not too late to join the PTSA and support our school. With a PTSA Membership you will receive access to our online MIHS Directory and voting privileges at our General Membership meetings. Our annual Campaign, which funds programs directly benefiting our high school students and activities, such as field trips and assemblies, is also still accepting donations. Any amount is appreciated!

For those of you who have already contributed, we sincerely appreciate your support! And remember, we can double your donation through employer match donations!

Here are some upcoming MIHS events/updates:

 

Yearbook Update Yearbooks have been temporarily delayed due to a printing error.|

 

9^th Grade & New Families Self-guided orientation tours offered at MIHS. Tour days/times scheduled according to Islander Hour Advisor. Emails sent to families with details.   September 14, 21, 28, & October 5 from 1:00-3:00PM, MIHS.

 

MIHS Curriculum Night September 30^th, 5:00-7:00pm.

 

New Families District Event October 1^st, 5:00pm. Virtual webinar style event introducing different community organizations

 

Thank you again to those who are stepping forward to volunteer for PTSA and those families donating to our PTSA.  We cannot imagine our school without your support.  You are truly appreciated!

 

Debbie Burke & Stacy Nakata
MIHS PTSA Co-Presidents

MIHS News

Schedule This Week

Click here for the Red Learning Day Schedule.

Yearbook Distribution Postponed

Due to printing errors, yearbook distribution must be postponed. We will not hand out yearbooks on Sept. 14 or Sept. 21. Thank you for your patience as we formulate a response. We will update you as soon as we can. Email greg.smiley@mercerislandschools.org with questions.

Upcoming Events

Freshman families – please check your email regarding small group tours September 14, 21, 28, & October 5 from 1:00-3:00PM, MIHS. Please fill out this Health Attestation before you arrive.

Art Materials Pick-up Sept 22nd-23rd.  Students in Ms. Torrey and Ms. Shideler’s classes will be able to pick up their art supplies during the student’s scheduled class time.  The drive-thru pick-up will be in the music lot.

Curriculum Night – Wednesday, September 30th 5:00-7:00pm.  Details upcoming

Grab and Go Meals

Grab & Go Meals! provided by the MISD Food Services department, now offers a free lunch and breakfast for the next day.for ALL children 0-18. Meals are provided at no cost thanks to the extension of a USDA nationwide waiver. This waiver is in effect through as late as Dec. 30, 2020, depending on available funding. Please complete this form to pre-order meals for your student(s). Walk-ups will be accepted. 

Meals can be picked up at the Mercer Island High School Commons and the Islander Middle School Commons between 11:30am and 1:00pm. Masks are required to enter the building. All social distancing and safety protocols will be followed.

Counseling Department

Click here to read the September Counseling Newsletter.

The tradition of College Representative Visits is taking place virtually this school year. All students are welcome to remotely meet with the Representatives. To see the postings and register for the virtual visits, students need to log into their Naviance account at https://student.naviance.com/mihs. (Freshmen students will be guided by the Counseling Department to set up their Naviance account in the next few months.)

 

Virtual College Fair
Sept. 16, from 3-7 pm and Sept. 17, from 4-7 pm
130+ Coalition members will gather to share information about their schools and to answer your questions, live. Coalition schools meet our eligibility requirements in the areas of access, affordability, and student success, making them smart college choices. Click here for more information and to register.

Fall Sports

Fall Sports have been pushed back to a March 1 start date, but online registration forms can be completed now. Fees can be paid at a later date. Click here for more information.

Community Opportunities

Online: Volunteer! WA Youth for Climate Action
Are you concerned about climate change? Need some service hours? Want to meet like-minded youth who are dedicated to creating change? Join Citizen’s Climate Lobby’s WA Youth Team! We are building connections with community leaders, meeting with lawmakers, and educating through social media, outreach and presentations. ​This introductory presentation will explain what we do and ​​talk about our work on legislation aimed at driving down America’s carbon pollution. Presented by local Citizens’ Climate Lobby Youth Team members. Please register by 5pm on September 23 to get a Zoom link. 

 

Seattle Advocates for College Education Experience Panel
Sunday, September 27th, 1:00pm via Zoom
Wondering what a top college experience is like? The Seattle Advocates for Education is hosting a free, online College Experience Panel, bringing in speakers from Stanford, Harvard, Brown, Penn, Cornell, and Berkeley to talk to you! Gain insight on the college experience to learn about specific colleges, social life, internships, research, studying, and more. Ask your questions during the Q&A! Learn more & sign up here. Limited spots available! Seattle Advocates for Education’s mission is to expand the scope of K-12 education.