Meridian High School

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

1. Principal's Message
2. Pajama Day
3. T-3 This Week
4. What happens after you file your FAFSA
5. HSBP Information for Seniors
6. Financial Aid Event Information
7. Skyward Family Access Email Notifications
8. Meridian Food Service Update
9. Connect Ed Program
10. "Devious Licks" TikTok Challenge
11. Senior Pictures for Yearbook
12. State Testing
13. MHS Sportsmanship Representatives
14. Picture Retakes
15. Meet Our New Staff
16. Hot Lunches for Next Week
17. National Holiday
    
18. Attendance Information
19. Bell Schedule
20. MHS Building Entrance
21. Meridian Class Booster Club Information
22. MHS Points of Contact

This week is Homecoming week at MHS. Our leadership class has been working to make this a great time while adjusting to new changes and requirements unique to this year. Our kick-off assembly takes place in our Homeroom classes. There will be dress up days and lunch competitions and maybe even a few surprises. I am looking forward to seeing what they create and the energy that comes with each Homecoming Week.

This attitude is not unique to our leadership class. I am so impressed with how staff and students are looking at the situations in front of them and figuring out what they can do instead of focusing on what they cannot do. These new ideas and strategies will continue to benefit our students as they finish high school and beyond.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Go Trojans!

- Derek Forbes

Tomorrow is PJ/Comfy Clothes Day! Remember to show your school spirit by dressing up! The dress up days for the rest of the week, will be announced during Homeroom tomorrow! Go Trojans!

I hope you either joined us for the Financial Aid Event or have completed your FAFSA application on your own. After completing and submitting your FAFSA you may be chosen for verification. In fact 30% of students are selected for verification and if you do not follow the process you will not be eligible for financial aid and will not receive an award letter. Please watch the video provided to help you with the verification process.

What is Verification? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CUehWidB6I&feature=youtu.be

Understanding Your Award Letter

An award letter is the documentation sent from a college or university to a student that shows how much financial aid support you are eligible for from that institution. This will help you to determine which college or university may be the best fit for you economically. Here are some resources to help you with your decision making.

Understanding Your Award Letter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoTV0eVM6bM&feature=youtu.be

Resources:

Award Letter Key Components https://readysetgrad.wa.gov/sites/default/files/award_letter_worksheet_-_key_components.pdf

Living Off Campus

https://readysetgrad.wa.gov/sites/default/files/award_letter_worksheet_-_off_campushome-fillable_pdf.pdf

Living On Campus

https://readysetgrad.wa.gov/sites/default/files/award_letter_worksheet_-_on_campus-fillable_pdf.pdf

The due date for your High School and Beyond Plan has been set for December 15. This is a graduation requirement for the state of Washington. Seniors are continuing in the existing plan that they have been working on during their time in high school. Your complete plan must have a resume’ uploaded. There is no specific resume’ template that you must follow, but it must include a minimum of one reference.

If you have questions regarding the plan, please make an appointment with your counselor.

This Skyward option is a great feature if you don’t always check your student’s progress in class. It allows you to get a weekly email with attendance, grades, and missing assignments. Students can also select notifications through Student Access.

We are all aware that recently there have been supply issues with many things we use in our everyday lives. The Food Service Department at Meridian is experiencing some of those supply problems. We are finding it a challenge to get some of the items we use on a daily or weekly basis. Because of these challenges, we are having to make some last-minute changes to menu offerings.

Please know that we are doing everything we can to ensure we are stocked and able to provide the items we have on the menu. Unfortunately, there may be a change to the menu from time to time. We are hopeful that this situation is temporary.

Thank you for your understanding,

Rob Dunn

rdunn@meridian.wednet.edu

Child Nutrition Director

Meridian School District

The Meridian School District partners with the Whatcom County Library System to bring public library access to every student. The program, called ConnectEd, allows students to obtain a library account automatically. Students will be able to check out physical books, eBooks, and audio books with no overdue fines! WCLS also offers online learning tools, virtual book clubs and so much more! Please go to the link above/below to read more about the program, see what information MSD shares with WCLS, and to opt-out if desired. If you have any questions, please call or email your school librarian. For MHS, that is Shannon Waterman (swaterman@meridian.wednet.edu or 360-318-2279).

Throughout the country, there is a current TikTok challenge where individuals are encouraged to steal or damage school property and then post what they have done. It is called the "devious licks challenge."

We believe there are a few students at MHS who have been participating in this challenge based on some vandalism in our bathrooms. We would appreciate it if you would talk to your student to see what they know of this challenge. Please let them know that any theft or vandalism to school property does have consequences and encourage them to report any activity so we can take care of this beautiful campus.

Students can report information to a teacher or use or anonymous online reporting system at https://meridian-wa.safeschoolsalert.com/

Heads up! - MHS students will be participating in state testing on the mornings of October 5th, 6th, and 7th. We will have a special schedule for those three days. More information will be shared next week.

Daniel Short and Skyleigh James have been selected as Meridian's representatives for NWC Sportsmanship Athletes of the Year. Congratulations to Daniel and Skyleigh!

Picture Retake Day will be October 8th, 2021. More information will be available as the day gets closer.

• He taught English here from 2016-2019.

• He lived in Morocco for the last two years
• Some of his hobbies include snowboarding, biking, reading, and hiking.

• He loves backpacking and hiking (Pic is at Park Butte Hut with Mt. Baker in the background).
• He got married this summer.
• He is a die hard Seattle Mariners fan.

Monday - Mariner Hot Dogs and Tots

Tuesday - Rice Bowl

Wednesday - Nachos

Thursday - Beef or Chicken Burger on WG Bun

Friday - TBD

Coffee makes us feel good first thing in the morning and it makes use of all our senses. We love that deep brown or black color because the richer the color, the more flavorful the brew. Grinding the beans and inhaling the earthy smell of the grounds as we brew is all part of our daily ritual. At the end, you're rewarded with the sensuous taste of a good, strong cup of joe to get you going for the rest of the day!

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