A biweekly publication of the Northwood Elementary PTA   
Don't miss out....

Bring the family and join us on Wed, Sept 13 from 6-8pm to reconnect and celebrate back to school with your fellow Northwood families!

  • Ice cream bar with LOADS of fun toppings

  • Relay races and other outdoor games

  • Meet and mingle with your friends!

Lets kick the new school year off with a party!


Complete the Northwood Parent Pack by Sept 15th!

Don't forget to review the important Back to School Information on the Northwood PTA Website, including:


  • Pay your School Supplies Fee ($40 per child)

  • Pay your Field Trip Fee ($50 per child)

  • Purchase a “Little Hoot” Birthday Book for your child ($20 per student)

  • Join the Northwood PTA ($35 per family, tax deductible and eligible for corporate matching

  • Contribute to the Northwood PTA “Give a Hoot” Fundraising Campaign (tax deductible and eligible for corporate matching)


The  Northwood PTA website  also provides a wealth of information about student programs, volunteer opportunities, parent resources and more!
Little Hoot
Birthday Books!

Over the years, thousands of wonderful new books have been added to our MISD Elementary School libraries through the PTA Birthday Book donation program. At Northwood we call these Little Hoot Birthday Books in honor of our school mascot - the wise OWL!

The library will purchase a Little Hoot Birthday Book to donate on your behalf. During your child’s birthday month, they will be able to select one of these books and be the first to check it out. A special bookplate printed with your student's name will be added to the book. Your student's Little Hoot Birthday Book will become part of the NW Library to be enjoyed for years to come.  

To participate, simply go online to the NW PTA PARENT PACK WEBSITE . Sign up for a Little Hoot Birthday Book with the rest of the PTA Parent Packet forms by Sept. 15. Your $20 donation will be forwarded to the library. Click HERE to read more about this program.

Thank you for supporting our PTA and Northwood Library.


We need your help!

All of the wonderful programs and events at 
Northwood Elementary are made possible only 
with help from volunteers like YOU!

The Northwood PTA offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to match your time availability and talents. You can sign up for a 1-hour volunteer shift, plan a school-wide event or volunteer in the school on a regular basis. We need volunteers like YOU!

For information about volunteer roles and to sign-up online, click the button below or one of the program areas listed if one catches your eye!
  • International Night
  • Science Fun Night
  • Marketplace
  • Spelling Bee
  • and More!

  • Talent Show
  • Yearbook
  • 5th Grade Programs
  • and More!

  • Kindergarten and New Family Events
  • Walk/Bike to School Day
  • Spring Hootenanny
  • and More

  • assist with various advocacy efforts
  • Copy Corps
  • Picture Day
  • Hearing/Vision Screening Day
  • Staff Appreciation Events
  • and More!

  • Northwood Directory
  • Parliament Press
  • Marketing Team
  • Principal's Coffee
  • and More!

  • Books and Bites at Island Books
  • Owl Spirit Wear
  • MI School Foundation Liaison 
  • and More!

Get Spirited!!!

Show you school pride and order Northwood Owl Spirit Wear! Short sleeve and long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies are available. Click HERE for more information and to order.

Order deadline is Sept 18th and will be delivered early October. Contact Jenna Sytman with questions.
Say Cheese! Picture Day is Sept. 20

Get ready to flash those smiles! Picture Day will take place Wednesday, Sept 20th with retakes on Thursday, Oct 26th. We're looking for volunteers to help on both days to lead children from their classrooms to the picture taking area and back. Volunteers will receive a free photo package! Click HERE to sign up. Thank you!
Before & After School Enrichment Programs

Check out the Northwood PTA website for our school enrichment offerings:

  • Sponge language: French & Chinese
  • Young Writer Academy
  • Exploring Art & Animation (Digipen)
  • Art Club (run by Anne Hritzay)
  • Chess Club
  • Science on Wheels (Pacific Science Center)
  • and more!

Mark your Calendars....

for these 2017-18 Parent Edge Events!

  • Sept. 27, 6:30pm MI Library - Ivory Tower (Film); LIfe

  • Oct. 25, 7pm MIHS PAC - Jo Langford; Tweens, Teens and Tech

  • Feb. 6, 7pm MIHS PAC - ANGST (Film); Anxiety and Kids

  • Jan. 18, 7pm MIHS Library - Jason Frelot; Kids and Race

  • Mar. 20, 7pm MIHS PAC - Jessica Lahey; The Gift of Failure


More information on the speakers available HERE or at MI Parent Edge.

Joining your PTA provides free/discounted admittance to these events!

Hoot! Hoot!

The new school year is off and running and we'd like to thank our amazing volunteers who helped smooth this transition. A huge 'Thank You' to Joanna Henaghan, Sarah Giese and Samantha Rubenfield for helping to distribute school supplies to our classrooms.

A big high-five to Shelley Boyle, Cindy Goetzmann, Carol Gregory, Danielle Orr-Bement, Marylou Pasion, Michelle Ritter, Amanda Stoffer, and Jenna Sytman for helping to organize, decorate and donate food for our Staff Appreciation Lunch.

And our appreciation to Elizabeth Brown and Kim Wilenski, who assisted with Copy Corps needs so that our teachers were prepared for students on the very first day.

Thank you so much for taking the time from your summer schedules to help us get a jump start on the school year!

Mandarin School Orientation

What is the PTA? What's the Schools Foundation?
How do I put money in my kid's lunch account?
What else do I need to do? 

Welcome new and old families! Please come join us in our orientation session conducted in Mandarin on Sept. 18 at 9:30am at Islander Middle School Library. 

If you have any of the above questions and more, come join us! Contact Sophy Yang with questions.

Psst...
Books & Bites is coming...

Save the date Friday Nov. 17 at Island Books.

More info coming soon!
Back to School Shopping?

Remember to use this specific Amazon link when you shop at Amazon.com and a percentage of your purchase comes back to the Northwood PTA! The easiest way to give back.
Mercer Island School District News


Welcome Event for families new to MISD October 11

September 6, 2017 - Families new to the Mercer Island School District this year are invited to a special welcome event from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, October 11, in the commons of Island Middle School, 7447 84th Ave. S.E. A light dinner will be >> Read More...
Community Events & Programs*

Sports Programs


  • MIHS Little Cheer Clinic & Football Game - Sept. 11 & 13, Sept. 15 MIHS football game. Register HERE. (091517)


  • Mercer Island Girls Lacrosse - New and returning players: 1st - 4th and 5th - 8th grade girls, play is on Sundays. Learn more and register HERE. (093017)

  • Mercer Island Boys Lacrosse Club - Fall Ball Registration for K- 8 boys is now open! Learn more and register HERE. (093017)

  • Mercer Island Boys 5th Grade Basketball Tryouts - parent meeting Sept. 13, 7-8pm - to register and for questions contact Lisbeth Larkin. (093017)

Extracurricular Programs


  • Join Girl Scouts! - New K-5th grade troops are starting now - click HERE to be added to the list for our New Troop Formation Event on Sunday, Sept. 10, MI Library 3:30pm. (091017)

  • YMCA Adventure Guides - YMCA Adventure Guides is an action oriented program to nourish/grow the bond between dads and kids through various activities from campouts, sporting events, pineblock derbies and philanthropy. Contact Arvid Hokanson for more details. (093017)

Community Programs/Events



More information about Mercer Island programs, activities and resources is available in the "Your Mercer Island Community" guide .
*Mercer Island School District and Northwood PTA have neither reviewed nor approved the program, personnel, activities or organizations announced above. The participants agree to protect, indemnify, and hold harmless the district and PTA, including elected and appointed officials, employees, agents, staff and volunteers, from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, expenses, or rights of action, directly or indirectly attributed to the activities. Inclusion in this newsletter should not be considered a recommendation of the program by the school district or by the PTA. These are neither school district nor PTA sponsored activities.