Meridian High School

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

1. Principal's Message
2. T-3 This Week
3. PSAT
4. Google Classroom Guardian Summaries
5. Washington College Grant
6. Financial Aid Event Information
7. Healthy Youth Survey
8. Senior Pictures for Yearbook
   
9. Senior Grad Ads
10. Transcript Information
11. Hot Lunches for Next Week
    
12. National Holiday
    
13. Attendance Information
14. Bell Schedule
15. MHS Building Entrance
16. Meridian Class Booster Club Information
17. MHS Points of Contact

This Friday marks the end of our first grading period. So much has happened over the past six weeks of school. Coming back from the summer was different this year as we returned to six classes and full days of school. In early September we had goals conferences. We then ended the month with a live/video Homecoming assembly. Finally, this past week we had 3/4 of our students completing state tests in the fall.

Our students and staff have done a fantastic job rising to challenges this year and being flexible as we do some things for the first time. Activities and events continue through this month. Please use this newsletter as a way to stay up to do date on those activities.

Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Go Trojans.

Derek O. Forbes

Meridian High School will be giving the PSAT to all juniors and interested sophomores on Wednesday, October 13th.

The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT. Student scores will allow each student to see where they compare to nearly 2 million other students taking the test. If students give permission, their scores and interests will be shared with colleges and students will start receiving information from different post-secondary institutions.

Juniors will take the test for free. Interested sophomores need to sign up and pay the $20 fee in the main office by Tuesday at lunch.

Students are expected to be in the auditorium by 7:55am on that day with a number 2 pencil and a calculator. (Please bring your calculators as the school has a very limited supply)Running Start students need to let their instructors know that they need to be at Meridian High School for a test that morning. The test takes around three hours.

If you have questions about the PSAT, please contact Mr. McMains by email at dmcmains@meridian.wednet.edu or by phone at 360-318-2261.

Next week families with students in 3rd through 12th grade who are not already signed up to receive Google Classroom Guardian Summaries will be e mailed an invitation from Joseph O’Brien to sign up as a guardian in Google Classroom. You may choose to accept or not accept this invitation. If you accept the invitation you will begin to receive emailed summaries from your student’s Google Classrooms. These summaries will allow you to see what has been assigned to your student. Learn more about Google Guardian Summaries at this website. If you do not receive an invitation, check Skyward to make sure that your e mail information in Skyward is correct. If you need support with to update your Skyward information, contact the building secretary. If you are already receiving Google Classroom guardian Summaries you do not need to sign-up again.

Washington College Grant (WCG) is one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. Recent high school graduates and working-age adults from many low- and middle-income families can qualify to receive money for college or career training.

Who is eligible?

WCG is available to eligible Washington residents, including undocumented students. An eligible student from a family of four making around $56,000 or less per year would receive a full award. Partial grants are available for families making up to the state’s median family income, around $102,000 per year for a family of four.

What does it cover?

The maximum WCG award amount will cover full tuition at any approved/eligible in-state public college or university, including community or technical colleges. At an approved private college or career training program, WCG provides a comparable amount toward tuition and other education-related costs.

Apprentices in a participating program may be eligible to receive the Washington College Grant for Apprenticeship (WCG-A). WCG-A provides funding for apprenticeship expenses such as tuition, fees, and materials.

Amounts vary based on income, family size, and the school or program attended. Students and families can use the financial aid calculator to estimate their potential WCG award. Recipients must meet program requirements and attend an approved institution or program.

Learn more about WCG eligibility and awards.

How do people apply?

There is no separate application for WCG. Students should complete a state or federal financial aid application, which colleges will use to determine eligibility and make awards. Apprentices enrolled in a program at a community or technical college should also complete a financial aid application.

Apprentices in non-campus-based programs are encouraged to check with their program sponsor to ensure their participation in WCG for Apprenticeship. Sponsors must apply and be approved to participate in WCG-A. Interested sponsors can learn more on the WCG-A apprenticeship program providers page.

Financial aid applications for the 2022-23 academic year are now open.

Source-Washington Student Achievement Council website

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 at (360) 398-8111 or email kgookstetter@meridian.wednet.edu 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.

Meridian High School has partnered with parchment.com to fulfill transcript requests for current students and MHS alumni. Transcripts are securely sent electronically to colleges and universities across the nation, resulting in a reduction of lost documents at the financial aid offices. The service is free of charge to current students. Alumni pay a small fee. Please make sure that your intended college accepts electronic transcripts.

Please find the “Order transcripts through Parchment” link under Families & Students/Resources on the MHS website. Current students may call Mrs. Brinkman or Mrs. Waterman to receive their Parchment access code at the MHS office 360-398-8111.

Monday - Beef or Chicken Burger on WG Bun

Tuesday - Max Cheese Stick/ Caesar Salad

Wednesday - Spicy Chicken Burger

Thursday - Rice Bowl

Friday - Chicken Nuggets/ Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October, on October 11 this year, to honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. The day is centered around reflecting on their tribal roots and the tragic stories that hurt but strengthened their communities.

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