For those with a teen entering Mercer Island High School for the first time, it pays to be prepared. For what is ahead is a somewhat complex, heady and oftentimes expensive way to navigate high school. Keep your computer, calendar and wallet at the ready at all times.
The first order of business is to log on to the school district website at www.mercerislandschools.org and sign up for everything that it tells you to.
Get informed
Make sure you are a member of the MIHS Announcement Listserv, a joint project of the school district and the PTSA that is used to augment other forms of communication. The Announcement Listserv is divided by class and is used to communicate timely announcements and event reminders. If you are already subscribed to the list, either as a MIHS parent or IMS parent, your subscription automatically continues.
Also, sign up for the Emergency Listserv. It reports school closures and late starts. It is operated separately from the Announcement Listserv. Go to www.schoolreport.org and follow the subscription instructions.
Stay connected
It may be hard to pry information out of your student, but there are additional ways to keep connected with high school. Here are some suggestions:
• Join the MIHS PTSA, and contribute to PTSA programs supporting student and teacher needs.
• Volunteer and get involved. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with other parents while supporting MIHS.
• Attend open houses, curriculum nights and other events.
• Subscribe to district and PTSA email lists (see above).
• Read the monthly PTSA email newsletters.
• Have the MIHS student newspaper delivered to your mailbox each month.
• Attend parent education events throughout the year.
• Read the MIHS daily bulletin online and stay current on MIHS activities and events.
Get ready to pay
• ASB cards: At the high school, all students who participate in athletics, music, debate or any other student activity funded by the ASB budget must purchase these cards. The $55 ASB gives card holders a reduced price to school dances and athletic events.
• Activity fees: Fees may be charged in those areas where student participation is not required and credit is not given.
• Clubs: There are also many clubs and organizations that students can become involved in. Examples include Chess Club, Computer Club, CSE, Green Team, Game Club, International Club, Key Club, Kids Corps, Math Club, Mock Trial, National Honor Society, Natural Helpers, S.A.V.E., Senior Service Club, Ultimate Frisbee, etc. Each may have its own set of fees to attend events, buy supplies, T-shirts, etc.
• Athletics: A $175 fee is required each sports season for participation in interscholastic athletics. Fees are capped at $350 per student each school year or $700 per family each school year.
This fee goes to the high school’s Associated Student Body fund to help cover athletic costs.
Don’t forget the extras for sports teams, bags, uniforms, embroidered jackets, pants, shoes and other assorted gear. Sweatshirts, T-shirts, athletic bags and assorted swag starts at $17 for T-shirts, $35 for sweatshirts, $60 for an Islander duffle bag, and $100 for a soccer stadium coat.
• Event tickets: Regular season tickets to attend athletic events will now be $7 for adults and high school students without ASB cards.
Reduced ticket prices are charged for visiting school students; no charge for those over 65 or younger children with adults.
• Music fees: Fees may not be charged for use of district-owned uniforms in classes for which credit is given. Yet, students are required to maintain and return uniforms in a clean and pressed condition at their own expense. A fee may be charged to defray transportation costs when ensembles travel to and from performances and competitions. For school-owned musical instruments, an annual nonrefundable fee shall be required of all students checking out and using school musical instruments.
• Materials fees: Fees for take-home projects may be charged in certain classes. These materials shall be sold to students at cost.
• Art fees: All art classes have a $35 lab fee, photography has a $45 lab fee plus material charges, and AP studio art is $45.
Yearbook: Each year, MIHS publishes an annual yearbook that may be purchased for $65.
Students wishing to purchase the yearbook should do so by the end of the fall. Yearbooks are not available for sale at the end of the school year.
• Parking fees and fines: Individual student parking passes will cost $75 per semester. Student groups of three or more that apply and receive a carpooling pass will have their parking fee waived.
Spots will be assigned in the fall through a lottery for each lot.
Vehicles parked illegally will be subjected to ticketing. A fine of $50 will be charged for the first violation, $75 for the second violation, and $100 for the third violation, and the car will be tagged for towing. All parking fines are due at the time of violation.
Miscellany
Here are a few items that might be easily missed, but are worth knowing.
• The MIHS campus is closed for freshmen. Freshmen must remain on campus during their school day. The campus is open for all other students, meaning they can leave during the day and return.
• Special delivery requests such as messages, lunches, supplies, homework, flowers, food, birthday gifts, or other items will not be allowed due to the overwhelming number of requests. Items may be brought to the Attendance Office for pick-up, but will not be delivered to classrooms.
• Lockers are available: No fee is charged for use of lockers at the high school.
MIHS important numbers to know
Here are some phone numbers for MIHS that might come in handy this school year:
• Attendance office – Barb Hallgren, secretary: (206) 236-3346
• Vicki Puckett, principal: (206) 236-3350
• Craig Olson, associate principal: (206) 236-3386
• Jeff D’Ambrosio,
associate principal: (206) 236-6629
• Jamie Prescott, athletic director: (206) 236-3387
• Suzy Albrecht,
administrative assistant: (206) 236-3350
• Jean Field, secretary: (206) 236-3349
