Join us as we hold our last PTA General Meeting for 2023-24 school year! We will review the school year, celebrate and acknowledge Volunteer Awards, and answer any questions.

Friday, June 7th @ 9:30am in Portable 4.  

Can't make it?  No problem! Join via Zoom:

Meeting ID: 897 6520 4851

Passcode: 350842

ELECTED OFFICES:

Co Presidents - Sarah Karim & Jessi Biagi

Co President Elect - Tricia Jaffe & Loan Anle

Co Treasurers – Candace & Kyle Richey

Secretary - Matt Hawrilenko

We are still actively seeking someone to run Communications and Programs! Please let us know at president@lakeridgepta.org.

2023-24 PTA Volunteer Awards

Do you know a Lakeridge volunteer who should be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the school and students? If so, now is the time to nominate them for a PTA Volunteer Award!

The PTA will present the following awards during the June 13th PTA General Membership meeting:

• Golden Acorn Award - Awarded to an individual who has contributed extraordinary or exemplary volunteer service at Lakeridge during the past year.
• Belonging Warrior Award - Do you know an educator who embodies the spirit of a belonging warrior? We're seeking nominations for those remarkable individuals who go above and beyond to foster an inclusive environment where every student feels valued, seen, and empowered.
• Special Recognition - Awarded to an individual for providing Lakeridge spirit and setting an example to the children at Lakeridge with at least one year on service. 
• Volunteer Service Award (Unsung Hero) - Awarded to an individual who contributed exceptional volunteer service with the PTA organization, the school community, or for the children at Lakeridge in the classroom, on field trips, or above and beyond as a "worker bee".
• Lion of the Year Award - Awarded to a teacher or school employee who goes above and beyond the scope of their job to exceed expectations and serve the Lakeridge community.

Please submit nominations via this link or reach out to Jessi Biagi.

Walkers/Runners club is back!  The spring session of Walker's Club will be held on Tuesdays from May 14 - June 11 during both lunch recesses.

Runners/walkers club is a great alternative activity at lunch recess especially for those looking for something structured to do or for those who just want to get some extra exercise. Students will earn charms and other fun incentives for completing laps throughout the session. 

Lauren Shrewsbury will be chairing the Runners/Walkers club this spring, but we are also in need of parent volunteers each session to track laps, monitor kids as they participate, and hand out incentives at the end of each session.  Click here for the volunteer sign-up.  This is a great opportunity to interact with your student during the school day! 

Please find Superintendent Rundle's May message on Mental Health Awareness Month, celebrations, and significant events here. 

The Mercer Island PTA Council is currently accepting applications for the Nancy Schaps Memorial Grant. Until her death from cancer in 1996, Nancy Schaps was an active supporter of Mercer Island’s children.

The Grant was established in memory of Nancy Schaps by her family and the community, and has been given annually since 1996 to more than 50 recipients. Consistent with Nancy’s wishes, the Grantrecognizes a Mercer Island child who has suffered the death of a parent, who are currently experiencing the terminal illness of a parent, or who has a parent serving on active duty with the military, including Ukrainian refugees whose parents are serving with the military overseas.

A Grant award of up to $500 will be given to an elementary, middle, or high school student to be used for an activity or other purpose that will aid a child or youth’s adjustment to this difficult life change.

If you have any questions, please contact Rouslana (Lana) Yaroslavsky, Nancy Schaps Grant Coordinator, at schapsgrant@miptacouncil.org

Application Deadline: Friday, May 31, 2024 

Go here for Grant Application Submission

Mercer Island School District is seeking substitute and route drivers for the 2024-25 school year.  

Paid training provided.  

Questions, see our FAQ or call 206-236-3337.  

To Apply:  Route Driver or Substitute Driver.  

Testimonials from our parent drivers:

"I am a parent of 4 Mercer Island school age children.  I love contributing to our community by being a school bus driver.  I find it rewarding and a privilege to drive our children to and from the school safely."  --Connie R. (parent and bus driver)

"As a parent of kids in the Mercer Island School district, I love bus driving!  I am serving my community, staying in touch with the schools, and interacting with kids on a daily basis.  It’s fun to establish personal connections with the kids and then run into them and their families on the island.  The work culture of MISD is great and driving the bus itself has been genuinely enjoyable!"  -- Dave M. (parent and bus driver)

Now is the time to order 2024 Congratulatory Grad Grams!

For the past 30 years, family, friends, businesses, and community organizations have sent Grad Grams to Mercer Island students.

Beginning in 2024, this program will focus exclusively on 8th and 12th grade graduates. Each Grad Gram is printed on parchment paper, personalized with your congratulatory message, and mailed directly to the graduate's home. All proceeds from the sales of Grad Grams go to the Mercer Island Community Scholarship Program, which recognizes outstanding MIHS graduating seniors. You can support this program by purchasing Grad Grams or by donating directly to the MI Community Scholarship Program. Your contributions allow our community to provide 27 students with scholarship funds, up to $500 each, for future educational expenses. Your support makes a difference!

Deadline to purchase Grad Grams is Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

Click here to purchase Grad Grams.

Mercer Island High School is hosting our 4th annual, student led, Empty Bowls event! We will also have a small art market on the side. 

The Wheel classes in the high school researched local nonprofits in our area and voted to support Mary's Place this year! All proceeds will be donated to this organization which empowers families who are experiencing homelessness.

When: May 31, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Mercer Island High School Commons

$30 for a bowl and a meal

There will be soup, bread, and desserts provided by our ceramic classes!

Register here

Please join us for the 2024 Mercer Island Pride in the Park celebration at Mercerdale Park on Saturday, June 15 from 2-5 p.m.! '80s cover band The Scrunchies will perform live along with Mercer Island High School's KMIH 88.9 The Bridge. 

Enjoy food trucks, face painting, yard games, and our first annual RuPAWS puppy parade and costume contest! All ages, EVERONE welcome!

The 49th Annual All Island Track Meet for 4th and 5th graders from Mercer Island elementary schools will be held on Friday, June 14th from 1 to 3:30 pm at the Mercer Island High School Stadium.

Athletes from each school are chosen to compete in a variety of events including long jump, softball throw, shot put, 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and a co-ed relay. Schools can also win the “Spirit Award”, the award for “Loudest Fans,” or the award for “Best Sportsmanship.” The event is free, and everyone is invited to come out and cheer for your favorite school or athlete!

The crackling sound of the first fire you built by hand. The feeling of the waves against your kayak. How will your summer be unforgettable?

At Girl Scout Camp, you are the main character in your own adventure. From archery to boating, marine biology to backpacking, come challenge your limits in the great outdoors. You will be amazed at the confidence you bring home!

We offer two types of overnight camp experiences: 

• Staff-led overnight camps at Camp Robbinswold and Camp St. Albans
• Overnight community camps hosted across our council by local Girl Scout volunteers

At Girl Scouts of Western Washington Overnight Camps, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment for our campers and our employees, regardless of birth gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, cultural heritage, ability, economic status, or family dynamics. We strive to hire staff who reflect the diversity of our camper community, and we provide inclusivity training to all camp staff prior to the start of camp.

More information found here. 

This is a great program for 4^th – 8^th grade students looking for unique learning opportunities. A variety of STEM and Arts/Humanities classes, both online and in-person. Visit www.youth-teen.uw.edu for registration information and to see a complete list of summer courses. 

Beach Camp MMA is a one-of-a-kind marine science & outdoor education summer program located on a sandy protected bay in the Seattle suburb of Edmonds. 

Grades 2-9. Both day and overnight camp registration is open now! Register here. 

Learn more at: sunsetbaywharf.com or contact info@saveourshorelines.org  

Dive into a summer of FUN with Boys & Girls Club! Make friends, explore Mercer Island parks, local events, hit the beach, and embark on epic field trips to the zoo, ballpark, aquarium, and so much more!

Grouped by grade: K/1st, 2nd/3rd, 4th/5th

Each week is a new adventure!

Preview of available camps:

• Lego Building
• Bakeshop
• Athletic Camps (Basketball, cheer, volleyball, etc.)
• Wild About Animals
• Local Explorers
• Carnival Extravaganza
• ..and many more!

Go to http://www.positiveplace.org for more details.

Our camps and events are fun AND academic. Your campers will be reading, writing, and doing math every day of camp! We make learning fun! 

Camps: 

Week 1: July 15-19

Week 2: July 22-26

Special Events:

June 15: Pokemon-Themed STEM Night

Ages 4 years old through 8th grade.

Go to wisecamps.com for more details.