DEI Updates November 6

11/6/2022 10:47 am

 
 

SSALD Parent Social

Thursday, November 10, 6pm-8pm

 

We only have a few spots left for SSALD's (Special Services and Learning Differences) parent social on Thursday, November 10, 4pm-6pm.

 

This event is open to parents of children in the district with IEPs and 504s - or any parent with a special needs child who is interested in learning more about SSALD.  Every month, SSALD hosts monthly gatherings, including coffee chats and happy hours. 

 

The last event gave us an opportunity to mix, mingle and to have a fantastic discussion on some core issues that affect our children. 

 

RSVP to ssald@miptacouncil.org.  Space is limited and the event’s address will be given to those who RSVP.

 

For more information about SSALD, contact West Mercer SSALD representative Ashley Sternberg.

 

Recognizing Native American Heritage Month

 

In November, we are celebrating Native American Heritage Month.  As Superintendent Fred Rundle states here, “Mercer Island School District joins Washington, the Pacific Northwest, and the country in celebrating the cultures, traditions, and histories of Native people. Their critical contributions, past and present, should be acknowledged and admired.”

 

To learn more, discover some of the resources created by West Mercer third grade teacher Ms. Scheurich here and read these children’s books written by Indigenous authors.  

 

Quinault Storyteller Harvest Moon Shares Stories with Students

West Mercer students Isabella Lin (5th grade), Greyson Lau (1st grade), and Adrian Hajdarpashikj (5th grade) joined West Mercer and Northwood families with a visit from Harvest Moon, Quinault Master Storyteller and Basketweaver on Saturday, October 29.  She shared stories of the Northwest Coast Tribes and students had an opportunity to create dolls after her presentation. 

 

“It was a wonderful event that our whole family enjoyed,” West Mercer parent Viktorija Hajdarpashikj said.  “Harvest Moon is such a charismatic person.”

 

Fifth grader Adrian Hajdarpashikj said, " She is an authentic and dynamic narrator that kept me all ears the whole time. It was also so fun to learn to make dolls and bracelets from cedar bark." 

 

I loved her authentic, genuine, truthful stories that have a great, powerful message at the end,” brother Dino Hajdarpashikj (IMS student) added. 

 

First grader Greyson Lau said he “liked the silly story explaining why dogs smell each other’s tails.”


Greyson’s mom Sheena Burwell brought her three children to the event and said, “Harvest Moon reminded me of the beauty of oral storytelling, the unity of sitting close to others, feeling the energy of the storyteller, and passing down tradition.”

 

Thank you to Northwood PTA for sponsoring the event!

 

Washington State PTA Update on Addressing Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education

 

 

Washington State PTA members voted that “Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education” as one of the top five legislative priorities!  Thank you everyone who helped support this issue and special thank you to Mercer Island parent Tanya Aggar for your time and dedication! 

 

Read more here out more about Washington State PTA Priorities here.

Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education

Washington State PTA shall advocate for legislation or policies that support students with disabilities and their families by:

  • Fully funding special education services with no caps on funding enrollment.
  • Developing solutions to address a statewide special education staffing shortage.
  • Promoting full inclusion in general education classrooms.
  • Promoting high leverage teaching practices.
  • Assessing needs for and providing assistive technology and multi-tiered systems of support.
  • Simplifying the safety net reimbursement process to school districts.
  • Banning student isolation in schools.

Join Disability as a Strength Community Conversation on Monday, November 7th I 6:30-7:30 pm

 

Join the Community Conversation Series “Disability as a Strength” event on Monday, November 7, 6:30-7:30pm at City Hall, hosted by the City of MI and ONE MI. The event is a conversation with Microsoft's Chief Accessibility Officer and fellow Islander Jenny Lay-Flurrie.  

 

The event is free and you can attend in person at City Hall or join online.  Register here. 

 

Mercer Island AAPI Families Connect with School District at Community Event

On October 22, 2002, 240 Mercer Island community leaders, school district officials and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) families (including West Mercer parents) attended the Voices Heard AAPI community event.

 

At the event, Superintendent Fred Rundle said, “The theme tonight is Voices Heard.  I want you to know that I both hear you, the Asian American and Pacific Islander members of our school district, and see you.” 

 

Here is more information about the event:

  • The Mercer Island Reporter article about the event is here. 
  • Keynote speaker Judy Kusakabe’s speech transcript is here. 
  • Mercer Island High School junior Grace Go created a video shown at the event, which highlighted the wide variety of educational pursuits and talents of students in our district.  The video is here. 

For questions, contact diversity@westmercerpta.org.

 

 

 

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