Principal’s Message
IRE Families,
As we approach the final week before Spring Break, please note that the break is scheduled from April 7th through April 11th. School will resume on Monday, April 14th. To help you plan engaging activities during the break, here are some local resources:
  • Whatcom Kid Insider offers a comprehensive directory of family-friendly events and activities in Whatcom County. (whatcomkidinsider.com)
  • Visit Bellingham provides a variety of spring activity ideas, including museum tours, birdwatching, scenic drives, and more. (bellingham.org)
  • WhatcomTalk features guides on local hikes and outdoor adventures suitable for all ages. (whatcomtalk.com)
To keep young minds active over the break, consider incorporating some fun and educational activities at home:
  • Math Games: Play board games like Monopoly or Yahtzee, practice budgeting with a pretend grocery shopping trip, or use cooking to explore measurements and fractions.
  • Reading Adventures: Set up a cozy reading nook and encourage daily reading time. Visit the local library or listen to audiobooks during car rides. You can also have kids create their own storybooks.
  • STEM Exploration: Try simple science experiments, build structures with LEGO, or explore coding games online.
We encourage you to explore these resources to make the most of your Spring Break. Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and enriching break! We will miss y’all dearly.
Best,
Tyler Dockins, Principal
GoGuaridan

Monitor Your Child’s Online Activity with the GoGuardian Parent App
Did you know you can help manage your child’s screen time and internet access at home? The GoGuardian Parent App gives families insight into their child’s online activity on school-managed devices.
With this app, you can:
  • ✅View your child’s browsing history
  • ✅Set internet filtering and restrictions during out-of-school hours
  • ✅Monitor screen time to support healthy digital habits
We encourage all families to download and explore the GoGuardian Parent App to help create a safe and balanced online experience for students. For more information or to get started, visit the GoGuardian page on our website!

Where to find bond information?
We want to ensure you have all the information needed to make an informed decision about the upcoming special election on April 22, which focuses solely on funding the construction of a new Meridian Middle School.
Helpful links:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us. You can leave a comment on this post or reach out to any of these individuals: 
  • Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal, 360-318-2281
  • Lisa Gilchrist, Director of Public Relations, 360-318-2159
  • Jay Yeager, Director of Maintenance and Project Management, 360-318-2156
  • Dr. James Everett, Superintendent, 360-318-2166
2025 Bond: Your FAQs Answered
mms hallway

Paper Airplane Derby
Looking for something fun to do during Spring Break? Join your IRE PTA for our first Paper Airplane Derby on Weds. April 9th from 10am-Noon in the IRE Cafeteria.
There will be materials and instructions to make several different designs of paper airplanes (everything from the jumbo glider to a paper airplane TIE fighter) and then participants can compete for distance and accuracy or test their creation against the Turbulence Simulators!
Completely free, all ages and abilities welcome, however every child must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
paper airplane

Spring State Assessments Begin Soon
Spring state assessments for students in grades 3–8 and 10 will begin soon. These assessments help us measure student progress.
  • Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) will be used for English Language Arts (ELA) and math.
  • Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) will be used for science in grades 5, 8, and 11.
The results from these assessments will provide valuable information for both the school and families. They help us improve instructional practices, gauge student progress and identify areas where additional support may be needed. For grade 10 students, the Smarter Balanced assessments can also serve as a graduation pathway. Results are typically available in Skyward by September each year.
How you can help:
  • Ensure your child arrives at school on time each day during testing.
  • Encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before testing.
  • Most students will take the assessments online using their Chromebooks. Please remind your child to come to school with their Chromebook fully charged.
Your school will provide specific details about the testing schedule and any other relevant information.
For additional information about state testing:
If you have any questions about the state assessments, please contact your school.

Strengthening Social Health and Building Connections
A Message from Mental Health Coordinator Laura Lupo
Social health is about relationships and the well-being that comes from connection with family, friends, co-workers and community. The focus on social health has increased in recent years to the point that the US Surgeon General has raised loneliness as a public health priority, and the World Health Organization has established a global commission focused on human connection. Social health is linked to a 50% boost in longevity, making it as important to our lifespan as avoiding smoking, tackling obesity and regular exercise. How do you strengthen your social health?
Here are some ideas:
  • Start small: Call a friend to chat instead of messaging them. Short phone calls can decrease feelings of loneliness. If you’re more shy or introverted, stretch your social muscles by attending low-key social events or hobby based groups, start with texting and build up to face-to-face. Shyness isn’t a flaw – you don’t have to be loud…just connected!
  • More face-to-face interactions: Friendships grow from regular contact and shared experiences. Friendships tend to fizzle out unless you have regular communication and do activities together. Focus on quality relationships, not quantity.
  • 5-3-1: Try to interact with 5 different people, maintain 3 close relationships, and spend 1 hour a day connecting face-to-face.