Meridian High School

“To inspire and challenge active learners to positively impact a changing world.”

1. Assistant Principal Message
2. State Testing Information
3. SAT/ACT Information
4. Passport to Careers
5. Financial Aid Event Information
6. Healthy Youth Survey
7. Email Address in Skyward
8. Senior Pictures for Yearbook
9. Picture Retakes
10. Hot Lunches for Next Week
11. National Holiday
    
12. Attendance Information
13. Bell Schedule
14. MHS Building Entrance
15. Meridian Class Booster Club Information
16. MHS Points of Contact

We all want to belong and to know that we are seen and heard. We work hard here at MHS to foster that sense of belonging, regardless of a person’s academic ability, physical attributes, sexual preferences, social emotional skills, political beliefs, ethnicity, socio-economic status, etc. We want everyone to feel that they belong here. Because they do. Why do students walk a little taller when they wear their sports jersey on game day? Because they belong to something. Why are so many students excited about getting clubs started? The same reason: it is a place where they feel a sense of belonging. I strongly encourage every student to get involved with a club and/or a sport. We have many offerings (see the student handbook on our website) and believe that it will help students feel an even stronger sense of belonging in our MHS community.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Go Trojans!

Andy Donahue

This week MHS will have a special bell schedule in order to complete a state testing requirement for our 9th, 11th and 12th graders. All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students (including running start and NCTA) are expected to be at school when it begins at 7:55. Most 12th graders (including running start and NCTA) are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday at that time as well. (Those that are not expected have been contacted on campus or have an email in their student account). All 12th graders are expected on Thursday.

Students will be testing in ELA on Tuesday, math on Wednesday, and science on Thursday. While other grades are testing, 10th graders will be completing a building assessment, work on their high school and beyond plan and have a class meeting. For our 11th and 12th graders, this test may serve as meeting their graduation pathway requirement needed for graduation. For our 9th graders, it provides information that will help support them as they attend our school.

Each day's schedule is listed below.

Traditionally when applying to a 4 year university, students have been required to take either the SAT or the ACT as an entrance requirement. However, in our current COVID-19 state of affairs, many colleges in the state have gone to what they call a “Test Optional” registration process. This simply means score for one of the tests is not a prerequisite for acceptance. It is vital to check the website of any college to which you may be interested in applying to discover their specific requirements. Each college has different deadline, and expectations. To give yourself the best chance of being accepted, be certain to meet every deadline and turn in each required piece of the registration process.

The Passport to Careers program helps foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth prepare for and succeed in college, apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships. The link provided offers further information regarding this program https://wsac.wa.gov/passport/guide

We are going to be administering the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) again this year to our students. Due to COVID we have not been able to participate in this survey since 2018. The HYS asks questions regarding numerous different aspects of the students life such as eating and sleeping habits, substance use and their school experiences. We will be giving this survey to students on Wednesday October 20. If you are not wanting your student to participate in this survey please call the office and let them know and we will make sure that they have a different activity to do during that time. Below is a link that will bring you to an example of the survey that will be given. If you have any questions you can reach out to Katie Miller, our intervention specialist. Her email is kmiller@meridian.wednet.edu.

If you are accessing this newsletter as a result of accessing our website or Facebook and are not getting it in your email that means we don't have your email in our Skyward records. Please go to your Skyward account and update your profile so you can get this newsletter and other school communications. If you don't know how to access your Skyward account, please contact Robin Brinkman by phone at 360-398-8111 or by email at rbinkman@meridian.wednet.edu

Picture Retake Day will be October 8th, 2021. Pictures will start at 9:00am. Students will be dismissed from class as needed. If students have not received their ASB card, they should plan on having their picture taken. Click or scan the QR Code below to order picture packets.

Congratulations to the MHS Marching Band and Color Guard for taking 1st place, in the AA category, in the Leavenworth Autumn Leaf Parade.

Monday - Beef or Chicken Burger on WG Bun

Tuesday - Buffalo Bites

Wednesday - Bean and Cheese Burrito

Thursday - Rice Bowl

Friday - Nachos

A warm buttery bun with sugar, honey, and cinnamon — sweet treats are made of these and who are we to disagree! Now on National Cinnamon Roll Day, held annually on October 4, you can indulge yourself. Everyone loves cinnamon rolls and everyone has their special favorite.

This day was first celebrated 19 years ago in Sweden and the love for this day is just as sweet. All over the country, people bake and enjoy various types of cinnamon rolls on this day. Whether you buy ’em or bake ’em, on National Cinnamon Roll Day, let the sweet times roll!

Being present in class is vital to be successful in school. We want to encourage all of our students to be at school every day! If you are missing school, you are missing out on learning!

If your kids miss a day or even part of a day of school for whatever reason, please contact our attendance secretary, Mrs. McMains by either phone (360-318-2260) or email (tgmcmains@meridian.wednet.edu)with the reason for the absence. If they are going to miss because of an illness, please call or email in the morning and let us know! If there is a planned absence, please contact her and she will take care of notifying teachers. If she is unable to answer the phone right at that moment, please feel free to leave the information on her voicemail.

The MHS office is open 7:30am - 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. To enter the building, you will need to go to the door by the auditorium. The doors to the main building will be open form 7:30am-8:00am every morning. The doors will be locked at 8:00am and unlocked again at 2:30pm. There will be someone stationed at the door to help students and families upon their arrival at school during school hours.

Hey senior parents, get connected to other parents in this grade by joining the Facebook Group "Meridian High School Class of 2022." Also, for upcoming announcements pertaining to the class of 2022, please email meridianhs2022@gmail.com and include the following information:

Your Name:

Seniors Name:

Email:

Phone Number

Please help support this year’s graduating class fundraise for graduation & a senior trip. They are selling amazing NubaySoft D-Luxe blankets. Use your Meridian Blanket at home, at the park or at the game and show your great Meridian spirit. They are $75 and you can reserve yours here: https://sites.google.com/spectatorblankets.com/meridiantrojans/home

Derek Forbes, Principal: dforbes@meridian.wednet.edu

Andy Donahue, Assistant Principal: adonahue@meridian.wednet.edu

Cheryl McBride, Counselor A-J: cmcbride@meridian.wednet.edu

Don McMains, Counselor K-Z: dmcmains@meridian.wednet.edu

Tami McMains, Attendance: tgmcmains@meridian.wednet.edu

Robin Brinkman, Registration: rbrinkman@meridian.wednet.edu

Chromebook Tech Support: chromebook@meridian.wednet.edu

Website-www.meridian.wednet.edu/mhs

The homepage has access to recent news.

Meridian School District on Social Media

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/meridianschooldistrict505/

Instagram: @meridianschooldistrict505

Twitter: @meridian505

The Meridian School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX, ADA, and Compliance Coordinator (RCW 28A.640/28A.642) Kurt Harvill, Director of Personnel, 214 W. Laurel Rd., Bellingham WA 98226. 360-398-7111. Section 504 questions