Students attend national conference
Six students from Mercer Island High School attended the 2009 Boys & Girls Club National Keystone Convention, held in Atlanta, Ga., during spring break.
Seniors Peter Zajac and Gaby Barrios traveled with junior Eileen Cho and sophomores Andrew Smith, Levi Kloss and Tristan Coles to the event to represent Mercer Island.
MIHS offers summer courses
Students at Mercer Island High School can register for summer classes now through May 15. The summer courses are available for students who are enrolled in Crest during the regular school year, students who missed or failed a class, students who need to take Washington state history, anyone wishing to gain flexibility in their high school schedule — mainly for upperclassmen — and students who want to raise a grade of C or lower.
Course options for the 2009 summer program include English, algebra, introduction to art, animation, ceramics, history of American cinema, photography and WASL prep. Tuition is due at the time of registration. The cost is $300, but there may be some additional expenses due to lab or supply fees. Students will be notified in the middle of May about which specific courses will be offered this summer, as all course availability is based on registration.
Contact Jeff Lowell, MIHS summer school coordinator, with questions at jeff_lowell@misd.wednet.edu or 36-3417. Application forms can be found online at the school’s Web site or can be picked up in the school counselor’s office.
PTA accepting award nominations
The Mercer Island All-Island PTA Council is accepting nominations for the 2009 MI PTA awards. Every year, the Council recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in service to children and youth on the Island.
The PTA is accepting nominations for the Golden Acorn award, presented to a volunteer in recognition of dedication to service of children and youth. The honorary life membership award is given to a volunteer who has contributed to the local PTA unit significantly; the outstanding advocate award is given to an individual who champions for children; the outstanding educator award is given to a teacher or staff member who provides outstanding educational opportunities beyond the normal scope of the job, and the outstanding service award is given to a volunteer who has gone beyond the normal call of duty, showing concerning for children and helping them reach their potential.
Request a nomination form, or send completed forms to Kathy Bauman at 7490 80th Place S.E., Mercer Island, Wash., 98040, or e-mail KathrynBauman@aol.com.
Students win science fair awards
Three Mercer Island High School students entered the 2009 Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF) held in Bremerton at the beginning of April.
Senior Inar Zhang won first place and a scholarship for his neuroscience project on the role of a gene in developmental dyslexia. Freshman Dan Simons earned the SPIE Optics and Photonics first place award for a project on solar recycling for hydroelectric power. The WSSEF, started in 1957, is open to all students in first grade through high school seniors in the state. The fair gives away thousands of dollars annually in scholarships and prizes to help encourage student interest in the fields of science and engineering.
Zhang also earned the Ohio Wesleyan University Outstanding achievement in science scholarship. Simons’ project earned him an honorable mention in the energy and transportation category, as well as one of two cash prizes in the SPIE category. SPIE is an international organization which encourages research on light-related topics. Simons will present his work at the Imagine Tomorrow competition at Washington State University in May.
MIHS junior Ian Zhang also participated in the event.
Education reform bill moves forward
The state Senate approved the education reform bill known as ESSB 2261 last Thursday evening, passing it with a 26-23 vote. The bill extends the definition of basic education to include all-day kindergarten and high-achieving students, and changes the funding formulas for schools. Due to the lack of state funding for the bill, a contentious issue for many in the House and Senate, full implementation is currently set for 2018.
The bill was originally proposed in the House, and following the Senate’s changes to the bill, it will return to the House for re-approval and a vote. If it passes, it will be sent to Gov. Chris Gregoire to be signed, which many school-related groups expect will happen.
In other legislature news, SHB 1776 also passed the Senate with a 37-10 vote. This bill will change the way that districts calculate levy amounts, as the levy base will be restored to levels prior to the economic downturn. This would mean that MISD would not see a reduction in the amount of local levy dollars, something which would be guaranteed if 1776 does not pass. The bill will return to the House for another review before it goes to the governor’s desk.
