Weekly Updates, October 27th, 2024

My name is Laura Lupo and I currently am working as a school counselor and Mental Health Coordinator for Meridian School District. This is my 3rd year at Meridian and prior to coming here, I was a school counselor for over 20 years. I have a passion for working with students and helping them navigate the challenges of learning and growing, along with a passion for animals. I was fortunate to be able to combine the two by having the first therapy dog in my previous district. Luna is now retired but came to work with me every day and worked alongside me with students.

I have 2 sons who are young adults and have moved out of the home so I am an empty nester! This has brought new hobbies and rediscovering who I am. My husband is a teacher at Kulshan Middle school and together, we love exploring the trails and outdoors in Whatcom County with our 3 dogs. We also enjoy traveling and visiting areas that are new to us, gardening, going to concerts, and doing small DIY projects in our home. Meridian has been a wonderful community to be a part of and I truly love being here.

My name is Brett Muskavage, and I’m excited to be one of your school counselors this year. This is my 5th year as a school counselor, and I’m currently completing my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. My passion lies in helping students thrive both academically and emotionally by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

This year, I’ll be at IRE on Thursdays and Fridays, and I’ll be working with Mrs. Lupo to provide counseling support for 3rd through 5th grade students. We’re here to help your child succeed, whether through individual support, social-emotional learning, or group activities. If your child ever needs someone to talk to, they are welcome to reach out to us!

I look forward to a great year working together to support our students.

My name is Olivia Klein, and I’m so excited to be the school counselor for grades Tk through 2! I graduated with my M.Ed. from Western Washington University last June and spent the 23-24 school year as a counseling intern at Blaine Primary School.

I am really looking forward to all the classroom lessons, small groups, conflict resolutions and individual check-ins this year as we support your children to grow socially, academically and individually this year.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, concerns or feedback!

Like everything in our school system, we take a tiered approach. We teach both school and classroom expectations (e.g. bathroom/hallway expectations, Meridian Mindsets in assemblies for some grade levels, etc.).

Our SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) team looks at trends in discipline data across the school and creates a problem statement (e.g. X grade level seems to have a concern with physical conflict during recess on Tuesdays/Thursdays). Then, takes action toward that problem statement (e.g. the team works with that grade level via instruction rooted in Meridian Mindsets.

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From November 4th-8th, Meridian School District is hosting a food drive to support families in our community. Donations will go to the Meridian Family Support Center and Ferndale Food Bank. We’re collecting nonperishable and unexpired items like canned soup, vegetables, fruit, pastas, beans, cereals, rice, flour, cooking oils, peanut butter, and canned chicken and tuna. You can bring donations on the bus or drop them off at the school office. Let’s come together to help our community!

Eighth graders Jaydelyn, Cruz and Tucker recently starred in a video tour of Meridian Middle School, highlighting its current condition. Rebuilding Meridian Middle School will be on the Nov. 5 ballot for voters in Meridian School District to consider. Despite being well-maintained, the school was originally constructed in 1938 and is showing its age, with growing upkeep costs.

Key concerns include non-reinforced concrete walls that don’t meet current seismic codes, unconnected buildings with outdoor entries and walkways posing security challenges, lack of accessible entries and restrooms, and an inadequate layout with specialists working in converted spaces.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to watch the video and remember to vote on Nov. 5.

Meridian Spirit Wear 2024 is now available online!

Your orders are due by Monday November 25th at 1:00pm

To order:

1) Visitwww.ShopAdvantageSports.com

2) Click on Meridian Fan Gear to shop!

3) When you’re ready, click on VIEW CART to review your order and check out.

4) Choose Pick Up at Advantage Sports – Lynden, WA (you will still be asked to enter your shipping address). Your school’s representative has arranged to pick up all orders together to be distributed at your school.

5) You must pay with a credit card at check out. *No credit card? Call or email us to order (see contact info below).

All orders will be processed TOGETHER after the due date. Please note that all Meridian apparel is made-to-order, and is therefore not returnable or exchangeable. Please call Advantage Sports prior to ordering if you have any questions!

Advantage Sports |advantage.sports@frontier.com360.318.8669 | 210 Nooksack Ave. | Lynden | M-F 10-5

Now through November 15th Toys for Tots is accepting gift requests from Meridian families who are looking for help this holiday season.

Toys for Tots will pick out gifts for your kids based on their gender and age. This program is ideal for children ages birth through age 13.

Please call or text the Meridian Family Support Center if you are interested:

Alicia (English) – 360-988-1949

Elvira (Spanish) – 360-306-2886

Gifts need to be picked up at the Family Center the week before Winter Break.