Letter to the Editor: MISF's Bridge the Gap Reaches $1.2M Fundraising Goal

Here at Mercer Island Patch, I never consider anything printed on these pages to be the last word. And I hope that you don't either.

That's why we offer the community a variety of ways to connect with one another via comments at the end of each story, or via our Facebook page or Twitter feed. 

There's also a lot to be said for the traditional method to get your point across: send me a "Letter to the Editor." This is a great tradition on Mercer Island and I hope to replicate that here on Mercer Island Patch. Take your time to compose your thoughts on any issue and email me at kendall.watson@patch.com. 

And as always, if there is something you disagree with, or something we got wrong, please let us know.

For our inaugural "Letter," here's a letter announcing the success of a joint fundraising effort between the local PTA and the .

Bridge the Gap Letter to the Editor

Dear Mercer Island,

We are, once again, reminded why we chose to raise our children on this island.  This community continues to demonstrate how it values and cherishes our youth.  As school leaders, as fundraisers, but most importantly, as parents, we say ‘Thank You!’ to all of you who have helped make this year’s Bridge the Gap Campaign an amazing success!

At the beginning of our campaign, we knew we faced a seemingly insurmountable hurdle of raising enough money to counter the projected state budget cuts. The amount of money needed seemed like an impossible request.  However, once again our community was breathtakingly and positively responsive to the needs of school district.

We are thrilled to announce that on Friday, June 10^th at midnight, the Bridge the Gap goal of $1.2 million was met.  This will mean that the school district will keep all 20 teachers who were slated for reduction.  Mercer Island class sizes will remain the lowest in the state, our class offerings will continue to be extensive and diverse, student support will continue, and, most importantly, our teachers will remain the effective face of our district in each of our classrooms.

How can we possibly say a simple ‘thank you’ for all that?  This gift is profound.  Whether you have a kindergartener excited to start their educational journey or an incoming high school senior working to finish their schooling on the island or a child in-between, this guarantee of a school system that will fully support their learning is a gift beyond any and all measure.

Thank you!

The Bridge the Gap Task Force

Jennifer McLellan & Claudia Robbs  - PTA Council, Penny Yantis, Betsy Robertson, Kathy Bauman, Kathy Reitinger, Cliff Sharples, Denise Hopkins & Lori Langston -  MISF, Toby Suhm - MIHS PTSA, Jayme Witman – IMS PTA, Debbie Hanson- IP PTA, Peggy Sullivan – LR PTA, Vicki Goldfarb – WM PTA, Jennifer Carmichael – MIPA, Charlene Steinhauer, Mary Kay Woolston, Aleta Finnilla – At Large, Marion Mohler, Dean Mack, & Dr. Gary Plano – MISD and Janet Frohnmayer – MISD School Board