Principal’s Message

IRE Families,

We hope everyone is well and that you and your family had a restful, enjoyable winter break. As we begin our new year, we extend our warmest wishes to each and every one of you.

As we all know, the winter season brings colder temperatures and unpredictable weather. To ensure the safety of everyone at IRE, we want to remind you to stay informed about any weather-related updates that may affect school operations. Additionally, let’s work together to remind our students about remembering their jackets, hats and gloves (to and from school) each day. Our lost and found is growing and this is a great opportunity to teach ownership and taking responsibility.

Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we appreciate everyone staying informed about weather-related changes. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the school office.

Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year and looking forward to more learning in 2024.

Best,

Tyler Dockins, Principal

Drill of the Month

This month IRE students and staff will be practicing a Secure Drill.  The following is an example of how we explain a Secure Drill to our IRE students:

A SECURE will be called if there is something scary or dangerous happening outside our building. Sometimes we might SECURE if there is someone nearby who’s not allowed to be at our school.  Sometimes law enforcement, like the police or fire department, might call and ask us to SECURE if they know something unsafe is going on outside. 

Schools in our county use the Standard Response Protocol from  iloveyouguys.org. You can learn more about the protocol here.

Please join us for our Fifth Grade and Music Club Program

Tuesday, January 16
6:00pm
Irene Reither Elementary School

 

Winter Weather Notifications

As the season changes and the weather turns colder, it is a good time to take a moment to review our winter weather procedures. Depending on conditions (which could include snow, flooding, power outages, etc.), schools could close for the day, open two hours late with regular bus routes or snow bus routes or open on time with snow bus routes. Please familiarize yourself with the information below to be prepared for changes in the school schedule.

How will I be notified of school closures or delays?

A message will automatically come to you if you are a parent/guardian or staff member. You can update your contact information in Skyward Family Access or by calling your school office. Alerts are sent through ParentSquare. ParentSquare uses your contact information from Skyward. You do not need to activate your account in ParentSquare to receive alerts.

Where can I find weather or emergency information?

Meridian School District uses a variety of methods to keep you informed:

The district will continue to use FlashAlert Newswire to notify local TV and radio media of school closures or delays.

What are snow routes?

A snow bus route (or snow route) is a modified route that is used when road conditions are impacted by weather and driving a school bus in some areas may not be advised. Transportation will make individual arrangements for students who receive specialized transportation which do not follow the snow routes.

If snow routes are in effect, students must catch their bus at the alternate stops below:

  • Route 1: Van Wyck Road, Guide Meridian side: Meet at Ryzex Way, on W. Horton Rd.

  • Route 4: E. Horton Road: Meet at Ryzex Way, on W. Horton Rd.

  • Route 9: Zander Road: Meet at E. Smith Rd.

Where can I find more information?

Visit our Weather Notifications webpage for more information about inclement weather and delays.

Strengthening Families Program
Strengthening Families is a program that teaches parents and youth how to talk to each other, how to handle conflict, how to deal with peer pressure, and how to build better relationships with each other.
This program is for families with children ages 10-14.
Meridian School District families have been invited to register for this 7-week parenting course at a location convenient for them.
Classes will be offered in Spanish and English in Ferndale, Bellingham, Nooksack, Mt Baker and Blaine.
For more information and to register go to https://extension.wsu.edu/whatcom/fch/sfp/
For questions please contact Victoria Mayers, Strengthening Families Program Coordinator at victoria.mayers@wsu.edu