MIHS PTSA News - Nov 3, 2024

11/3/2024 2:58 pm

ASB is seeking community military service veterans

MIHS ASB are hosting a Veterans Day assembly on November 6th and are looking to get Mercer Island community veterans to fill out our google form to be honored in our assembly. Please share the linked form out to community members! Google Form

WA State PTA recommends parents to vote NO on Initiatives 2109 & 2117 in November

Washington State PTA (WSPTA) opposes both Initiative 2109 (to repeal capital gains tax) and Initiative 2117 (to repeal the climate commitment act) in the upcoming election. If passed, these initiatives together may equate to an estimated loss of $1 billion annually towards public school funding, based on what they brought in last year. To learn more details about why WSPTA opposes these initiatives click here!

 

  

 

Gaps in Funding for MISD

Like districts across Washington, Mercer Island is facing significant gaps in state funding this year. You can learn more by watching this 2-minute video. 

Last week, MIHS PTSA Co Advocacy Chair Gwen Loosmore and representatives from other Mercer Island PTAs met with Representative Tana Senn to ask the state legislature to increase school funding for special education, transportation, and operations AND to make changes to our levies and bonds so we can raise more funding locally. We're also working with the MISD Board and Superintendent to provide a "Budget Roadshow" for PTA members to attend in January so you can learn more about how to advocate for our children and children across the state.

 

 

Legislative Assembly Recap

Last weekend, MIHS Co Advocacy Chairs Tasha Brown & Gwen Loosmore and representatives from other Mercer Island PTAs had a strong showing at the WA State PTA Legislative Assembly (a forum for PTA members to debate on and vote to choose legislative priorities that will positively impact education). Attendees voted in 5 priorities for WA State PTA advocates to take to our legislators:

 

1. Closing the Funding Gaps

2. Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis

3. Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education

4. Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide

5. Expanding School Construction Options

 

 

REFLECTIONS:

 

Welcome to the WSPTA Reflections program!

 

This program is hosted by the National, Washington State and Mercer Island PTAs. Your contributions to our schools and PTSA volunteers help support this program for our students.

 

Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school but in life.

 

Students in grades K-12 create original works of art in response to a theme. The theme for the 2024-2025 program year is “Accepting Imperfection” Students submit their completed works of art in one, or more, of the six arts categories:

• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Literature
• Music Composition
• Photography
• Visual Arts

The theme for 2024-2025  is “Accepting Imperfection.” 

 

While the primary focus of Reflections is a celebration of creativity through positive recognition, finalists from MISD will move on to the state round. Washington State PTA finalists who receive an “Outstanding Interpretation” award will advance to the National PTA round.

 

Please read the Reflections rules carefully - students may submit only one entry per category. However, students can and are encouraged to participate in multiple categories.

 

Deadline for 2024 submission: December 4, 2024 by 3:45 pm - please submit all entries electronically with this link. For visual arts and photography categories, please also submit the physical copy to your school’s front office in the Reflections box. 

 

 

Reflections Art Award Ceremony: March 5, 2025 5-8 PM at IMS Commons

 

All participants and winners will be recognized at the ceremony with certificates and awards. Click here to see the 2023-2024 list of district winners and honorable mentions from MISD. MISD had an amazing year with 5 students winning at State and 2 (Adrit & Pranit Pradeepkumar) of these students won at the National level for music composition (primary and intermediate grade divisions)! 

 

For more information on this year’s 2024-2025 Reflections competition, please contact Kaitlyn Lee or Kate Chung, MISD PTA Council Reflections Co-Chairs at reflections@miptacouncil.org

Mark your calendars:

PTSA General Membership Meeting – Wednesday, December 11, 2024. 7:45pm, PAC

Future Islander Night – Thursday, January 16, 2025, MIHS Commons & Gym

MIHS Graduation – Monday, June 16, 2025, 6:30pm, McCaw Hall

 

 

Blood Drive!

 

Little Shop of Horrors!

Hungry for some delicious musical theater? 

Come join the MIHS Drama department and devour this hilarious sci-fi dark comedy. 

Little Shop of Horrors has delighted audiences around the world for

 over 30 years with its iconic music and humor. 

Can Seymour balance the lure of success with his moral compass? 

Find out November 14th -16th and November 21st - 23rd. 

Shows are at 7pm with 2pm matinees on Saturdays in the MIHS PAC. 

And, whatever they offer you don’t feed the plant!

 

Content warning: References to abuse, violence, and death. Not for sensitive viewers. 

 

Please visit our ticketing website to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets may also be purchased using the QR code on our publicity materials. 

 

Want a chance to join us onstage?!?!? The Mercer Island Schools Drama Boosters are auctioning off a walk-on role in our show! That’s right, should you win: you, or a loved one of your choosing, will be on stage (devoured by Audrey 2).

Choose a date that suits you, and let the bidding begin. Should you decide to bid on behalf of someone else, please be sure to get their permission before you volunteer them. Click on this link!

 

Cast performance schedule: 

 

Thursday, November 14th, 7pm- Cast Nitrous

Friday, November 15th, 7pm- Cast Oxide

Saturday, November 16th, 2pm- Cast Oxide

Saturday, November 16th, 7pm- Cast Nitrous

Thursday, November 21st, 7pm- Cast Oxide

Friday, November 22nd, 7pm- Cast Nitrous

Saturday, November 23rd, 2pm- Cast Nitrous

Saturday, November 23rd, 7pm- Cast Oxide

 

Cast/crew list found here.