Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

DEI PTA LEADERSHIP 2023-24

The names of the Vice Presidents of DEI and contact information for each local PTA unit are provided below. Please reach out to us and your local VPs to share any questions, concerns, and recommendations you may have.

PTA Council: Cristina Martinez, Vivian Zhou, Robin Li
diversity@miptacouncil.org
 
Mercer Island High School: Jaymee Lundin, Angela Bahng
diversity@mihsptsa.org
 
Islander Middle School: Cathy Chen, Yen-Ling Lee
 diversity@imsptsa.org
 
Island Park: Tamar Heyman
diversity@islandparkpta.org
 
Northwood: Shilpa Allimatti, Caroline Muroki Caraballo
dei@northwoodowlspta.org
 
West Mercer: Mellissa Hill
diversity@westmercerpta.org
 
Lakeridge: Melissa Danielli
dei@lakeridgepta.org
 
Mercer Island Preschool Association: ?? 
MIPA@mercerislandpreschoolassociation.org

DEI PRIORITIES 

The strategic priority for the PTA Council DEI committee is as follows:

Foster and embrace diversity, inclusiveness, and equity with a focus on respect and acceptance of every student and their family so they can be unencumbered in reaching their fullest potential, in an effort to dismantle institutional racism and other structural inequities.

As a PTA Council DEI committee, we have also identified the following as key DEI issues:

• Community Outreach
• DEI FAQs
• Student Engagement
• Demographic Data Collection
• Information Management

Each of the individual PTA local units (i.e., each MI school) is also moving forward on creating mission and vision statements to guide their school's unique efforts in increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS

To inform this work, we are working to schedule a series of “town hall meetings” that will invite open discussion on issues of race and diversity. 

INCREASING CULTURAL COMPETENCY

We are working with a variety of experts and community members to increase cultural competency on critical issues facing our community.  At a regional level, our committee members have also had the privilege to participate in DEI meetings with other PTAs in Washington. Most recently, these regional DEI roundtables have shed light on the need to partner with and advocate for inclusivity for all students, particularly those with special needs.

RECRUITING PTA COUNCIL LEADERSHIP

Each year, the PTA Council seeks parent volunteers to serve in leadership positions on the PTA Council. We are currently recruiting interested candidates, with our goal being to recommend individuals with a commitment to DEI and/or who represent underrepresented groups in our community. Please let us know if you may be interested.

VALUED PARTNERSHIPS

Finally, we close by highlighting the importance of partnerships with the many dedicated organizations and groups on the island, particularly with the Mercer Island School District, in moving closer to meeting our shared DEI goals.

The following graphic created by MISD demonstrates the many DEI efforts taking place on Mercer Island by these partners; and our hope is to continue to collaborate closely and expand our effectiveness by not working in isolation. We recognize that this kind of work cannot be successfully done alone.

Thank you for taking the time to read this brief update on the important and challenging work of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community. We welcome your input and questions on any of our current initiatives and questions you may have on getting involved.