Meridian High School

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

1. Principal's Message
2. Bell Schedule
3. Lunch Schedule
4. First Day of School Information
5. Official Student Schedules
6. Class Changes
7. Students Driving to School
8. Picture Retake Day
9. Ordering School Pictures
10. Football Game Time Change
11. National Holiday
    
12. MHS Building Entrance
13. Bus Routes
14. Meridian Class Booster Club Information
15. MHS Points of Contact

It was great to see students return to campus this week. Whether showing up for practice, getting a yearbook photo, or participating in freshmen orientation it is always nice to have students on campus. We are all looking forward to the first day of school.

There is new information in this week's newsletter to help you get ready for the first day of school. Please read through it and contact the school if you have any questions before Thursday. In addition to this newsletter, the website will also have any updated information.

Stay healthy. Stay safe. Go Trojans!

Derek O. Forbes

Below is the bell schedule for the 2021-2022 school year. Returning students will notice it is a little different as we go from two lunches to three lunches. This change is to provide enough space in the building for students to eat indoors and still remain six feet apart.

Students will be able to eat lunch in the Commons, Old Cafeteria, and in the MHS Auditorium. Students will have 30 minutes for lunch each day. We realize this will be a new experience for everyone and expect some adjustments as we begin the year.

When students arrive at school each day it is important they get here with enough time to be in class prepared to learn at 7:55.

With the damage to the school, the entrance for students arriving from the main parking lot will be the auditorium doors. This means students will have to plan for the extra time it takes to walk to the auditorium and to class. Students who take the bus will be able to enter through the courtyard gates but will not be able to use the building B main courtyard doors. Instead, students will need to use the doors into our Commons or the set of doors in the center of building B.

Students also need to wear their mask properly while in the building.

Students should also come to school with their Chromebook charged and ready to go each morning. (Students who are new to the Meridian School District and have not received a Chromebook should be receiving a message from our Tech department with information on how to get your device to use at school).

Students should also bring a backpack, paper, and a pen/pencil for the first day. Teachers will begin providing more information about any additional supplies needed specifically for their class as part of their introduction to the class. We know not all students/families may not be able to pay for all of the needed supplies. MHS does have resources to help in those situations. Students need to either let their teacher or counselor know.

While all students have access to their schedule on Skyward, it is important that all students and families know that a student's official schedule will be given to them in their first period class on Thursday, September 2nd. While we don't anticipate a number of changes from what has already been shared, we are still adding students and making adjustments to balance our classes.

When students arrive on campus they will need to look for a list of students with their first period class. At the beginning of first period, students will get their official schedule. Students who don't have a first period or arrive late need to first go to the main office to get their official schedule.

Final student schedules will be distributed to students in their first period class on September 2. While we certainly make every effort to grant the requests that were made, it simply is not always possible. If you were placed into classes that you would like to change, please read the following conditions.

Students have the opportunity to change their schedules only under the following circumstances:

1. They have been mistakenly placed in a class at the incorrect level.

2. They have already taken the class and it is not available to be taken again for credit.

3. The class is an elective and the change is to a different elective offered at the same time (provided there is space available).

Class change forms will be available for the first three days of the semester. They are in the office, on Mrs. Brinkman’s counter. Please complete the form and submit it to the basket. Please make sure to check the schedule to see what other classes are offered during that period. The counselors will them evaluate the request and respond within the next day.

Please check back in the file on Mrs. Brinkman’s counter for the response.

This year we are asking students that plan on driving to school to register their cars. This will help us when a situation arises and we need a car moved, if lights are left on in a car, etc. Students can pick up a registration form in the office. The student will need the following information to complete the registration form - Name, License Number, Make/Model of Vehicle, Vehicle Color and Vehicle License Number. (This information will need to be provided for every vehicle that the student plans on driving.)

Vehicle Registration forms can be picked up and returned to Mrs. Gookstetter in the office.

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

There is a time change for the Varsity Football game scheduled for Friday, Sept. 3rd vs. Burlington at MHS. The game will now be played at 8:00pm

Across the United States students, parents, family, faculty, fans, and alumni celebrate College Colors Day every year on the Friday before Labor Day. By wearing your college colors and apparel, you show spirit and school pride.

When you go to a college game and you look out all over the stands and on the field with cheerleaders, athletes, faculty, and friends all sporting the school colors, it’s hard to be nonchalant because it all just looks so cool!

School colors are more than just accessories when it comes to universities. They are an extension of a school’s identity and for many people to their own identity or symbol of pride. Many schools choose their colors with a significant amount of care. Whether you were in the creative arts, sports, or financing, it’s likely you have a special connection to your school’s colors.

Founded by the College Licensing Company in 2004, College Colors Day, fans get to rep the apparel of their favorite college or university throughout the day. Who is the CLC you might ask? They are the licensing division for over 200 colleges in the United States. Famous for developing brand licensing and building the massive fan-base behind the University of Alabama with Bear Bryant in 1981, the CLC is largely responsible for providing the college branded merchandise we value so much today. From Boston College to Stanford University you can thank them for your koozies, your jerseys, and your branded hats because it’s likely they licensed them!

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 $65 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

Did you know that school bus route information and times are located on Skyward? School bus route information for the 2021-2022 school year will be available on Skyward beginning August 23rd, 2021. The information is located under the Busing tab. Under this tab you will find your student's route number and the time of their pick up and drop off. If you notice that your student's stop is incorrect or if your student doesn't need bus transportation to and from school, please contact the Transportation Department at 360-318-2172 with the changes that need to be made.