High School nominated for Blue Ribbon

Mercer Island High School was one of seven Washington schools that were nominated recently for federal Blue Ribbon Schools awards. It was selected by the state Office of the Superintendent, which nominates a handful of schools each year based on dramatic improvement or high achievement.

Mercer Island was one of two high schools nominated in the state. Principal John Harrison said the honor is representative of hard-working students and faculty and supportive parents. ``It's validation of the excellent work teachers do with kids,'' he said.

Last year, all seven Washington schools that were nominated received the national award, which is a part of the No Child Left Behind act. This year's nominees will be reviewed by the U.S. Dept. of Education and winners will be announced next fall. They are honored at a ceremony in Washington D.C.

Additional Washington state nominees include Maple Elementary School in Seattle, Horizon Middle School in Ferndale, Moran Prarie Elementary in Spokane, Wellington Elementary in North Shore, Pine Lake Middle School in Issaquah and Rosalia High School and Elementary School, in Rosalia.

Lakeridge Book Fair

Lakeridge Elementary School's Scholastic Book Fair is Thursday, Oct. 27 to Wednesday, Nov. 2. It features a wide selection of books and educational products for all ages. It will open at 8:45 each day and close a half an hour after school is dismissed. On Oct. 28, it will stay open until 5:30 to accommodate the school chess club.

New this year is a Family Shopping Night on Oct. 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.. It will feature refreshments and family activities like face painting and art projects. Free gift wrapping will be provided.

How to talk to middle school teens about sex

Dr. Laura Kastner will return to Island Middle School Nov. 1 for a parent education seminar called ``Sex, Lies and Videotapes: Parent Communication with Middle School Teens about Sex.''

The event is from 7 to 9 p.m. Kastner is also author of ``The Launching Years: Strategies for Parenting from Senior Year to College Life.''

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