Thumbs up for Mercer Island School District’s Wellness Committee’s one-month pilot project to introduce more nutritious and appealing lunch choices for elementary school students. The fact that both kids and their parents at the three elementary schools were enthusiastic about the changes speaks volumes.

Thumbs up to Lauren Asimakoupoulos, Kelley Gossler and Danny Naylor, three MIHS students who will perform next week in the National Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in New York. Playing flute, clarinet and tuba, respectively, the three students will join just 73 other high school musicians selected from throughout the nation.

Thumbs up to city staff and City Council members for approving a resolution last week to increase efficiency and decrease the city’s environmental footprint. Staff members are already finding ways to cut back that not only help the environment, but save taxpayer dollars, too!

Thumbs up to the idea of a potential second sister city in Wujiang City, China. While the idea is in the very early stages, it could be a way to further broaden education for students and adults in our community alike, not to mention another avenue for forming lasting ties with people in another culture. The city’s first such relationship, with Thonon les Bains, France, has been a great success; we’re interested to see whether there is support for another “sibling” in the Mercer Island family.

Thumbs down to whomever trashed the new plants and garden that the children at Mercer Island Learning Lab and the Boys & Girls Club had just installed in honor of Earth Day. We hope someone steps forward to help kids and parents replant, even if it’s not the suspect.