A Summer Like '69

The last day of school at Omaha’s Hillside Elementary was somewhat bittersweet. The excitement we students felt about our forthcoming freedom was mixed with a tiny bit of trepidation as to what lie ahead during the blistering hot, muggy days of a Midwest summer.

In 1969, I was especially excited—and nervous—for the summer ahead. It would be my first taste of independence away from family; I was enrolled to attend overnight summer camp at Esther K. Newman near the Platte River. We were also moving to a new house that would allow each of the Hoffman kids to have his or her own room. Finally, after spending almost a decade watching the Saturn, Gemini and Apollo programs launch rocket ships around our planet and orbit the lunar landscape, the United States would finally be sending astronauts to walk on the moon. The entire nation was holding its collective breath in anticipation for the end-of-July landing. [The country was unaware that the summer of ’69 would also add notable names to our nation’s class roster like Woodstock, Chappaquiddick, Manson, Stonewall, and Hurricane Camille.]

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Island Park is one of four elementary schools in the Mercer Island School District. It is located in the middle of the island, at 5437 Island Crest Way.

Principal David Hoffman and Associate Principal Lisa Deen lead a staff of 65 who serve approximately 425 students. We are host of the district's English Language Learners (ELL) program and Personalized Learning Program (PLP) for students with special learning needs. Other special programs include a Special Education Resource Room; Counseling, LAP (remedial reading); technology integrated classrooms; music, art, Spanish, library, and PE specialists; technology TOSAs; a tuition-based foreign language program; student council; before school choir, band and orchestra programs; and after school clubs including chess and art clubs.

Island Park Elementary was awarded the Washington Overall Achievement Award in 2009-2014 and was recognized with achievement awards in science and math for the 2011-2012 school year. Island Park was also a designated King County "Level III Green School" in the spring of 2012.

Island Park uses district adopted curriculum as the foundation for its instructional program. Individual teachers and/or grade level teams assess students' needs and adapt instruction as necessary for learning to occur. Teachers frequently integrate material from several disciplines to make learning more meaningful for students.