MIHS News – September 6, 2020

9/6/2020 5:00 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 Drive Has Launched!

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

Anti-Racist MIHS PTSA Resolution to be voted on at the 9/11 General Membership Meeting

 

Mercer Island High School PTSA is committed to advocate for institutional and systemic changes that ensure equity, justice, respect, and inclusion of all children. Therefore, the MIHS PTSA Board unanimously recommends the Mercer Island High School PTSA General Membership adopt this Resolution Committing Mercer Island High School PTSA to being an Anti-Racist Organization. The National PTA also recently adopted a position statement on addressing institutional racism.   Mercer Island High School PTSA strives to be anti-racist. We welcome all voices and seek to learn from our community. 

 

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.

Staff Appreciated!!

Dear MIHS families:

 

Staff Appreciation is going to look a little bit different with remote learning this year.  All of the MIHS staff members have worked so hard this summer to get ready for the start of this unique school year.  To thank them for everything they are doing for our students, they were each welcomed back with a “coffee and muffin” themed goody bag that included Starbucks gift cards, muffins, hand-written thank you notes, and other gift items.  

 

- Staff Goody Bags

 

We would like to thank the following people who helped us with their time and/or donations to pull together 150 welcome back bags:  Kirsten Aoyama, Sheri Blumenthal, Blair Destro, Janet Goldstein, Karen Grove, Claudia Harner-Jay, Jenny Harrington, Eunyoung Kim, Suzanne Lacross, Diana Lein, Elena Lill, Jennifer Marcou, Nadia Marcou, Ann McGovern, Lynda Mercier, Ana Simoes, Tali Wang, Melanie Werdel, Julie Wilson, and Diana Wiseman. Thank you so much to Irina Yurina at MIHS for coordinating all the on-site distribution.

 

If you have not yet had a chance to thank a teacher or staff member for their hard work this summer getting ready for remote learning, please consider dropping them a note to show your appreciation.

 

Sincerely,
Irene Geisner and Jennifer Selby
Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs

 

In addition to the above thank you’s, the PTSA Executive Committee would like to especially thank Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs, Jennifer Selby and Irene Geisner for their skill, care, and energy in organizing and preparing the staff’s welcome bags.  In particular, we want to highlight the care and attention taken to understand and follow sanitary protocols before distribution.

Students Appreciated!!

A huge shout out to Amy Fujishige, PTSA Student Appreciation Chair, for preparing over 1,600 gummy bear pouches with a sweet note to welcome our MIHS students to the new academic year! And a big thank you to all the volunteers who worked diligently to safely hand them to students during Fee and Photo days.

- Student Welcome Treats

 

Information for MIHS Seniors and Senior Families

Dear Seniors and Senior Families:

 

The Class 2021 “Virtually Indestructible” yard sign final deadline isMonday September, 7th. Place your order via MIHS PTSA Store.

 

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

 

THANK YOU from the Senior Activities Committee 2021!

We would like to thank the following awesome parents for their help celebrating the beginning of the school year for our Virtually Indestructible Class of 2021.  Karen Schmid for the senior yard signs purchase and distribution, Kim Fackrell for the creation and administration of our Senior Parent Facebook page, and for coming up with our class slogan.  Liz Evans for negotiating our new graduation party contract with West Coast Entertainment.  Robynne Thaxton for the generous use of her fence to send our message of love to our seniors.  Marnie Shepherd, Ivy Suzuki, Deb Voss, Faith Sandmaier, Kim Fackrell, and Liz Evans for making and installing the sign on the fence.  Patricia Pelter, Kim Fackrell, Karen Schmid, Margie Coluccio, Elaine Kierstead, Ivy Suzuki for waving signs and greeting our seniors at Fee and Photo during the designated senior time slot.  And a huge thank you to ALL SENIOR PARENTS that participated in the senior driveway decoration and/or the Then and Now photos on the first day of school.  We could not do this without our awesome senior parent volunteers!  Go Virtually Indestructible Class of 2021!

 

- Parent welcome Seniors at Fee & Photo Day

 

Parent Edge

Parents are invited to subscribe to the monthly MI Parent Edge 3-2-1 Newsletter.  The Mercer Island Parent Edge organization sponsors speakers and discussions across a variety of parenting and child development topics that are timely, thought-provoking and practical. For event dates, more details, and to subscribe to their newsletter, go to http://miparentedge.org/.

 

COVID 19 Resources

Never before have we, as parents, been challenged in this way.  The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us into unchartered parenting territory.  MI Parent Edge recognizes that we are all being challenged right now to utilize every tool we have in our parenting toolboxes.  We will continue to provide content and programs that support our students, parents, staff and community.  Click here for a variety of articles, videos and resources to help us through this unchartered territory!

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. 

 

VOLUNTEER NEEDED: MI PTA Council Board position – VP Communications
MI PTA Council is recruiting a volunteer for a Board of Directors position: Vice President of Communications. The role of the VP of Communications is to direct communications with unit PTAs, Mercer Island School District, Washington State PTA, and National PTA. This person will serve as a liaison between unit PTAs, council and MISD and community partners. The VP Communications will create and distribute council program-related content to targeted audiences; support community engagement work with surveys and questionnaires; and maintain an active social media presence. You must be a member of any MISD PTA.

Inquiries and nominations welcome. Please reach out to MI PTA Council President Kristy Sieckhaus.

President’s Letter

Dear MIHS Parents: 

 

Welcome Back!

 

We hope your family had a great first week of school this past week, and that you are transitioning well with our new virtual schedule! Take a deep breath – we are all in this together and we can do this!  This transition is always tough and made even more so because we’re 100% online right now.

 

We want to give a BIG thank you to everyone who volunteered during the MIHS Back to School Day sessions!  We really appreciated all who helped out by pulling schedules, sorting textbooks, organizing pickup materials, waving signs and handing out gummy bears!  You helped make Back to School run smoothly, and it was such a success!  Most students started school this week ready to learn with their textbooks & iPads. Thanks also to our Appreciation Chairs and their helpers for the “Welcome Back!” bags for the HS teachers/staff and gummy bears for all the students!  And to the Class of 2021 parents who came to cheer on the Seniors and welcome them back to school!

 

Missed Back to School days?  Not sure what the schedule is for the week?  The High School now has a link on its website titled Fall 2020 Weekly Updates.  It includes weekly updates of upcoming events, links to important documents, and informational videos.

 

Welcome Coffee/General Membership Meeting This Week

 

We hope you can attend our upcoming MIHS PTSA Virtual Welcome Coffee and General Membership Meeting this Friday, September 11th from 9:30am-11:30am via Zoom webinar. You can join us via this Zoom link: https://mercerislandschools.zoom.us/j/97563416449#success.

You will hear from our new Principal, Walter Kelly and meet his staff, as well as meet this year’s MIHS PTSA board members. We will be voting to approve the updated PTSA Standing Rules and Budget for the 2020-2021 school year. In addition, we will be voting on a proposed anti-racism resolution and the creation of a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair position.

 

Annual Giving Campaign in Full Swing

 

We encourage you to join MIHS PTSA and consider donating to our Annual Giving Campaign. Membership fees and donations support so many great programs at MIHS including before and after school tutoring, classroom enrichment grants, parent education (Parent Edge) lecture series, counseling department initiatives, staff appreciation lunches, and more.  None of this would be possible without your support and generosity.  Thank you!

 

Even though we’re in a virtual learning model right now there are still many events happening. Here are a few current news highlights:

 

2019-2020 Yearbooks have arrived!

 

Pick-up details:

 

Monday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

• Class of 2020 (graduates)
• Class of 2021 (current seniors)

Monday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Class of 2022 (current juniors)
• Class of 2023 (current sophomores)

*Please note that siblings of graduates can pick up yearbooks for them.

 

View the traffic flow map HERE.

 

If you didn’t buy a book last year, you may do so at this link. Please prepare to show your receipt on your phone or on paper.

 

For additional questions, please contact Greg Smiley, Yearbook Adviser
greg.smiley@mercerislandschools.org

 

New Families – MIHS will be hosting a virtual New Families orientation on Wednesday, September 9th from 4:30-5:30pm. More information will be coming from the school administration.

 

Parent Edge has provided some very helpful resources regarding remote learning resources, strengthening your child’s executive function skill, & parenting in this time of uncertainty.  Please visit www.MIParentEdge.org for more information.

 

Best wishes as you wind down your summertime fun over this long weekend and we hope to see you at the Coffee/General Membership meeting on Friday.

 

Go Islanders!

Stacy Nakata & Debbie Burke
MIHS PTSA Co-Presidents

MIHS News

Schedule This Week

Click here for the Red Learning Schedule Week Two.

Grab and Go Meals

Grab & Go Meals!, provided by the MISD Food Services department, offers a free lunch for all children 0-18. Two locations (MIHS and IMS) are available for lunch pick-up between 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Read more here.

Counseling Department

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.)

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.

MIHS DECA Media Campaign

Dear Mercer Island Community –

When tasked with abruptly switching to an online learning model last spring, our hardworking teachers and administrators persevered and helped our students finish their school year strong. However, with the summer break coming to a close soon, and the announcement of a fully remote learning environment being implemented this fall, our DECA team wanted to rebrand virtual learning. No longer will we view online learning as something that we will simply have to “get through”, rather we want to embrace this unique opportunity as a time for growth and development. To help promote learning this fall, we are excited to announce DoMInate Virtually, a marketing campaign designed to help change the attitude about online learning this year. Over the next couple of months we will be rolling out posters, merchandise, and advertisements with our logo and slogan to help spread our message, create unity, and demonstrate the strength our community has during this time.

Sincerely, the MIHS DECA Officers

Community Opportunities

Seattle Advocates for Education
Seattle Advocates for Education’s mission is to expand the scope of K-12 education. We organize classes, tutoring, competitions, and speaker events. As we’re expanding our organization, we want to expand beyond our local community, as well as the diversity of our leadership team. We’re currently looking to bring in four high school underclassmen students to our leadership team as program development and marketing interns. Check out their website or contact Aaron Xie for more information.