Meridian High School

1. Principal's Message
2. Bell Schedule Beginning March 28th
3. T-3 This Week
4. Thought Exchange
5. Spring State Assessments
6. Bell Schedule Changes for Spring Assessments and Senior Presentations
7. Evergreen Girls State
8. Senior Presentation Panelists Needed
9. Operation School Bell
10. Teacher Feature
11. Hot Lunch Menu
    
12. Teacher Feature
13. National Holiday
14. Requesting Transcripts through Parchment
15. Attendance Information
    
16. Bell Schedule
17. MHS Points of Contact

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

This week marks the end of March and we can look forward to Spring Break April 4th-8th. Whether staying home or traveling, I wish everyone a safe and restful time until we return on April 11th. In the weeks following Spring Break we will enter the final quarter of the school year, welcome our incoming freshman class, celebrate with our seniors during senior presentations, and begin our required state testing.

More information on state testing is included in this newsletter along with the bell schedule changes for the week of April 18th. More information will be shared about testing and activities for students in future newsletters and on the website.

If you have any questions with the information provided in the newsletter, please email me at dforbes@meridian.wednet.edu or call the office.

Thank you for reading and Go Trojans!

- Derek Forbes

We are in the process of developing our new strategic plan for the district. Our Strategic Plan Development Committee has met twice already and you can follow their progress on our website.

This process requires the involvement and input from everyone in the Meridian community including parents, students and staff. On Friday, March 11 during the teacher workday, staff had the opportunity to answer the question, "What is important to you in Meridian School District?" And now we want to hear from you!

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts in ThoughtExchange. Once you share your thoughts, you will be able to rate the thoughts of others. This helps us to identify common themes that resonate among our community. Please share your thoughts by Monday, March 28.

In the next few weeks, we will be asking middle and high school students, "When thinking about your school, what do you need to feel supported, welcome and successful?"

At the next Strategic Plan Development Committee meeting on April 14, the group will review and process all of the information gathered and will begin to establish what our values are.

Thank you for being part of our strategic planning process!

Spring state assessments will begin soon for students in grades 3 – 8 and 10. English language arts (ELA) and math are measured with Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA). Science is measured with the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) in grades 5, 8 and 11. There will also be additional 11th and 12th grade students who have not met their graduation pathway that will be testing for the ELA and/or math assessment.

The results from the state assessments will help us improve instructional practices and give families information about how their student is doing and where additional help might be needed. The assessments also give us a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to be ready for college or career by graduation. For students in high school, the Smarter Balanced tests can also be used as a graduation pathway.

Results are reported by September of each year. Final reports will be provided to families if their student participated in state testing.

Most students will take the assessments online using their district-issued device. On each of our testing days, our classes will begin at 9:25. Our testing schedule is as follows:

• April 19th and 20th - math for 10th graders (and some 11th and 12 graders)
• April 26th, 27th and May 3rd - ELA for 10th graders (and some 11th and 12 graders)
• April 27th and May 3rd - WCAS for 11th graders
  

The bell schedule for the 19th and 20th is shared in this week's newsletter. More information about future bell schedules and who is expected to be on campus will be shared after spring break on the website and in the newsletter.

For additional information about state testing:

• Smarter Balanced and WCAS Test Overview
• Try an online Smarter Balanced practice test or WCAS training test
• State Testing Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about the state assessments, please contact your student's counselor.

On the week of April 18th, our bell schedule will be adjusted on three days to accommodate state testing and the senior presentations.

Evergreen Girls State is proud to offer the 2022 ALA Evergreen Girls State Virtual Experience. Due to the on-going situation with COVID-19, we have opted for a virtual program this year to celebrate our 75th session of Evergreen Girls State. This event will consist of some of our most popular speakers, including Former Secretary of State Kim Wyman, as well interactive activities to learn about government, citizenship and bill writing. Similar to last year, this virtual platform allows us to welcome girls of all ages (freshman through senior) at no cost. Students can sign up through our website. There are also scholarship opportunities available (current juniors only). If you have any additional questions please visit evergreengirlsstate.com or email info@evergreengirlsstate.com.

SOS! Support our seniors by serving as a senior presentation day panelist. Senior presentations are April 21st and panelists will join small groups of students via Zoom. Presentations will start around 12:45pm and will be done by 2:30pm at the latest. Please contact Shannon Waterman at swaterman@meridian.wednet.edu or via phone at 360-318-2279. Parents/guardians are not allowed to serve as panelists but are able to get on the list for next year!

If you have a child in grades K-12 who qualifies for FREE lunch your child may be eligible to receive new school clothes from Operation School Bell.

The Meridian School District has a limited number of spots available. Students who have not already received clothes this school year will have first priority. Other students will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available.

To apply call or text Alicia Roberts at 360-988-1949

Leave your name and phone number

Your students name (first and last) & their grade

Si tiene un hijo en los grados K-12 que califica para el almuerzo GRATIS, su hijo puede ser elegible para recibir ropa escolar nueva de Operation School Bell.

El distrito escolar de Meridian tiene un número limitado de lugares disponibles. Los estudiantes que aún no hayan recibido ropa este año tendrán prioridad. Otros estudiantes serán colocados en una lista de espera y notificados si hay un lugar disponible.

Para aplicar, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto a Elvira Rozen al 360-306-2886

Deja tu nombre y número de teléfono

El nombre de sus estudiantes (nombre y apellido)

y su grado

Monday - Teriyaki Bowl

Tuesday - Nachos

Wednesday - Cheese Burger w/Fries

Thursday - French Toast w/ Sausage Patty

Friday - Mariner Hot Dogs and Fries

Other Daily Offerings May Include:

Pizza

Variety of Fresh Made Salads

Variety of Fresh Made Wraps

Deli Sandwiches

Yogurt Parfait

Mr. Craig has worked in the Meridian District for 18 years. He says his favorite thing about teaching at Meridian is the fact that it's a small school so he gets to know everyone. Mr. Craig says he chose this career because his dad was a teacher so he also followed that path. He also said it had to do with the fact that that was what he was exposed to for a majority of his life. He also gives the advice to thoroughly research when trying to choose a career. Mr. Craig says that he loves teaching because of the kids, because it keeps him youthful. Mr. Craig says his absolute favorite free time activity is mountain biking. He mountain bikes at Whistler, and he enjoys mountain biking at chuckanut. Outside of Meridian Mr. Craig used to teach a youth basketball team. Mr Craig also has a cat named Ernie! He grew up with lots of dogs but now has a cat. Mr. Craig also wanted to share this piece of advice, success leaves clues. Mr. Craig's highlight from working at Meridian is seeing kids come in as 14 year old and then seeing them as adults out in the community. He sees them go out and actually do life.

Students say their favorite thing about Mr. Craig is that "he's always really helpful," "he's really funny," and "he always has a lot of energy."

Teacher Feature is provided by Bhavnoor Dhatt. Bhavnoor is a leadership student that will be providing the Teacher Feature as part of her personal project for Leadership class.

National Crayon Day on March 31 sparks fond memories of childhood creations in full color as we celebrate one of America’s most beloved toys, the crayon! Crayons delight our senses not just with their brilliant colors but also with their distinct smell, the feel of them in our hands, and for some kids, the waxy taste. With over 12 million crayons made daily, one is never far from reach.

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.

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.

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

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

Shaun Doffing, Assistant Principal:

sdoffing@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