Please email general inquiries to info@lakeridgepta.org. This email address will be managed by the PTA and will allow for routing of the question/comment to the correct person to respond.

Thank you to those who have donated to the Ask Campaign, the Lakeridge PTA’s once annual fundraising effort that provides critical support to student and staff programs. We have reached our $70,000 goal.  Thank you to everyone who participated.  For anyone who would still like to donate, it's not too late to still donate!

• The suggested donation amount is $250 per student.
• Your PTA donation fills a major gap in funding, keeping important programs running and helping to provide an exceptional educational experience.
• The Ask campaign helps to fund Learning Support (ParaPros), Enrichment Programs, Supports Staff, Student & Family Services, Community Building, and Parent Communication.
• Detailed information about what your donation funds can be found here.

THANK YOU FOR DONATING TODAY!  

Calling all Lakeridge students!

We need your help designing the cover for this year's Lakeridge yearbook! As in prior years, artwork from one student will be selected for the cover of the yearbook. This year's theme is "Belonging at Lakeridge." To submit a design from the 2023-24 yearbook cover, please download and print the entry form.

A completed form, with a parent's signature and email, is required for entry. Please create your design on a plain sheet of 8.5x11 paper, oriented vertically (portrait). Paper clip the form to your artwork before submitting to the main office.

Make it colorful and bold, make it fun, and make it all about Belonging at Lakeridge!

The Yearbook committee can't wait to see what you have in store for us! Deadline is Friday, December 1st. (Note: this deadline is earlier than in prior years to meet the printing company's requirements!)

Please click here to download and print the entry form.

Reflections Art Contest theme: I am Hopeful Because . . .

Deadline for Submission: December 1, 2023 by 4pm 

The National PTA Reflections Art Contest is America’s oldest and largest arts education program of its kind.  It was designed to encourage students to explore their talents by creating an original piece of art relating to that year’s specific theme.  Each year, students in Grades Pre-K to 12 are recognized for bringing a theme to life through six different art categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.  Entries are judged by grade level.

In addition, the National PTA has a Special Artist Division, a non-grade specific category limited to students whose physical, cognitive or mental health challenges meet the guidelines set forth in the American Disabilities Act. 

For more information, click here.

Please click here to read Superintendent Rundle's November message, with a focus on Humankind, Cultural Days of Significance, and Power of Positive Partnerships.

When: November 9th @ 12pm & November 15 @ 6:30pm

Location: MI Community and Event Center

Please join us in our Parent Circle discussion around the book and webinar Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace. View the webinar recording here until Nov 10th; Never Enough is available for purchase at Island Books. It is not required to read the book or have watched the webinar to attend.

Achievement Pressure is a real thing in our community and we want to create a safe space for MI parents to process what we learn from “Never Enough” and discuss strategies to create a balanced environment for our children. Jennifer’s research brought her to Mercer Island and the book features interviews with some Mercer Island families and Superintendent Rundle. 

Register here.

*Registration is requested but not required to attend

Recording presented by our program partner, The Parent Venture (https://www.parentventure.org/). 

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India and by Indians around the world. It is often called the "Festival of Lights" because it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali usually falls in October or November, depending on the Hindu calendar. This year, Diwali is on November 12th. 

During Diwali, people decorate their homes with oil lamps, candles, and colorful rangoli designs. It's a time for family gatherings, exchanging gifts, and feasting on delicious sweets and traditional Indian dishes. Fireworks are a common part of the celebrations, and they light up the night sky in India in vibrant displays. 

The festival holds different cultural and religious significance for various regions in India, but overall, it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, and for many, it's a time to worship the goddess Lakshmi, the symbol of wealth and prosperity. Diwali promotes the values of unity, kindness, and the triumph of good virtues, making it one of the most widely celebrated and beloved festivals in India. 

November is Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 24) is Native American Day. Mercer Island is the ancestral land of the Coast Salish people, and in particular the Duwamish and Snoqualmie tribes. November is a time to honor the contributions, achievements, sacrifices, and cultural and historical legacy of the American Indian and Alaska Native people. 

Join After-School Artists for a 3-week art enrichment series! Explore ink as a fluid and bold medium: drawing from life, learning ink wash techniques, and collaborating with classmates to spur creativity.

Instructor: Anna Wetzel Artz (aka "Mrs. Artz")
Day: Mondays
Dates: 11/13, 11/27, 12/4 (no class 11/20)
Time: 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
For students in: Grades K-5
Location: Lakeridge Art Classroom (Room 18)
Cost: $105 per student (includes all art supplies)
Class size: Limited to 12
Class minimum: 6 students

Since the first day of school, the MIYFS mental health counselors in each of our Mercer Island schools have been reaching out and working with each and every student. YFS counselors work with students, families, and school staff to support mental and behavioral health and readiness to learn.  Counseling offered directly in the schools helps students and parents build a strong foundation for the future. We encourage students and parents to reach out to get to know your child’s YFS school counselor.

Maintaining this invaluable resource in all of our schools depends on the support of the Mercer Island community. Over 30% of school counselor funding is dependent on donations by Islanders.

Donate today or learn more about the school-based mental health counseling program and find the contact information for your child’s school.

Election day is November 7! Lakeridge PTA co-hosted a candidate forum on October 18.  To hear from candidates for MI City Council and MI School Board, you can watch the forum video here.

Mark your calendar! The 37^th Annual Newport High School Ski Swap will be on November 10-11. It's the largest ski swap in the Seattle area. 

Clear out your garage and bring your snow sport gear to sell at the swap (pre-register items online). There will also be several retail ski vendors selling new gear.  You can find thousands of new & used items available at unbelievable deals!  Skis, snowboards, boots, poles, jackets, pants and more!  

Check out the flyer or visit www.newportskiswap.comfor more information. Get ready for the snow season!  

Registration for Dinky Dunkers 2024 is now open! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the program, Dinky Dunkers is the J’s introductory basketball league for kids ages 4-5. We are also adding a new division, Rad Rookies, for kids ages 6-8. The leagues are co-ed and non-competitive and consist of weekly practices and games. Kids will learn basketball fundamentals, game strategies, and sportsmanship while building community and being active in a safe and fun environment.

Registration is open now through December 15th at 7pm. We are especially looking for more 2nd and 3rd graders to be able to run our older division. We are offering a pre-season basketball clinic on Sunday, January 7th from 2-3pm at the SJCC Gym for $18 for members and $22 for guests for those wanting a sneak peek into the season. For those wanting to learn more or on the fence about registering, please join us for a Parent Info Session on December 11th from 4-4:30pm in the J’s Activities Room. There will be light appetizers and it is a great opportunity to learn more about the league, ask questions, and mingle with other parents. 

As most of you know, leagues like this rely on our wonderful volunteer coaches. Please consider being a volunteer coach! You do not need a background in coaching or basketball; every season we run a volunteer orientation that will give you the tools you need to be a successful coach. Coaching is a minimal time commitment (one hour a week) and it makes a huge difference! If you are interested in coaching, please fill out this volunteer interest form. Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you believe mat be interested in registering their child, volunteering, or working as a part-time official.

STEAM at Hogwarts - November 10, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Harry Potter-themed mini-camp for ages 4 years old-5th Grade.  

Cost: $150, which includes lunch

Location: Mercer Island

There is a sibling discount of $5 for each additional sibling.  *Scholarships available.

Register at Wisecamps.org.

Lovingly ripped from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters.  Come look on the bright side of life November 9th-11th and 16th-18th at 7pm in the PAC at Mercer Island High School.  Plague not included. 

Please visit our ticketing website to purchase tickets in advance. Cast list here.

On days when there’s no school, J Camp offers special camp experiences. From holidays to conference days, we provide a Summer J Camp experience all year long. We have activities, games, crafts, and swimming too!

Ages: K – 5th grade
Camp Hours: 9 am – 3:30 pm (unless otherwise noted)
The late pick-up charge is $1 per minute per camper after 3:30 pm.
Daily Rates:

• Core Camp: $75 members | $85 guests (unless otherwise noted)
• Sports Camp: $85 members | $95 guests
• Grandparent Camp: $130 members | $145 guests (per pair)

Upcoming Camp Dates:

• Nov. 10 – Veterans Day (with Sports Camp offering)
• Nov. 20-22 – Thanksgiving Break

Register here.

Online registration closes one week before each camp begins. To inquire about available space after online registration closes, email us at camp@sjcc.org.

Open for Registration – Join us – Register Today! 

Programs include:

• Rainy Day Wednesday Open Gym (ages 2-5)
• Tiny Mini Soccer Fun Clinics (ages 2-5)
• MI Adventure Guides
• Parents Night Out
• Winter Rec Basketball
• Basketball Academy
• Yoga
• Wrestling
• Riobol
• Futsbol
• Softball Sundays
• Rapid Baseball

Click here to see the flyer.

Go to www.positiveplace.org for more details.