Dear Families, Students, and Staff,

We are now a couple of weeks into the academic year, and it’s heartening to see our students and staff settling into their routines after successful conferences. These conferences allowed us to foster strong connections between home and school, which we believe are crucial for the success of our students.

This week marks the beginning of an essential phase in our academic calendar, T3. During this period, we encourage our students to take ownership of their learning journey and actively seek opportunities to support and enhance their educational experiences. It’s an invaluable time for students to reflect on their progress, set goals, and engage in the kind of learning that empowers them to reach their full potential.

To ensure that every student makes the most of this opportunity, our dedicated teachers will be reviewing the T3 process with students during their Homeroom sessions this week. They will provide guidance, resources, and support to help students navigate this phase effectively. We believe that when students are actively involved in shaping their educational paths, they become more motivated and self-reliant learners.

I’m excited about what this week holds for us all. The potential for growth and achievement in our students is limitless, and together, we will continue to foster an environment where they can thrive academically and personally.

As always, please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. We value your partnership in creating the best possible educational experience for our students.

Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to another great week at Meridian High School!

Sincerely,

MHS Office Team

 
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FAFSA News

The 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will not be available until as late as January 2024. The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) will also be delayed until the FAFSA opens. Applications usually open October 1 of a student’s senior year, so this is a major shift in the college planning process. The U.S. Department of Education has not yet announced the exact date applications will open.
The good news is that this delay is due to positive changes in the financial aid application process:
* The FAFSA form will be shorter and less complex
* More students will be eligible for federal Pell Grants, and the average Pell award will be larger.
The FAFSA and WASFA are the applications for the Washington College Grant as well.
In preparation for the new form Meridian High School will be offering a FAFSA/WASFA account creation support event on November 7th from 6:00-7:00 pm in the library.
Families will create their new accounts and learn about the new application. We will provide a Financial Aid Completion Night after the application goes live.


 


PSAT/NMSQT  – TESTING FOR GRADE 11

Meridian High School will again be providing an opportunity for all juniors to take the PSAT/NMSQT test this October. There will be no cost involved for all juniors at Meridian.  We plan to order tests for every grade 11 student.  If you would like to opt out your student, please send Don McMains a short email stating that your son/daughter would prefer not to test.  This will allow us to place a correct order number and will save us important funds that can then be used otherwise.  Please send this Opt Out email to  dmcmains@meridian.wednet.edu by Monday Sept. 18.
If you have a Sophomore who is interested in taking the test, there will be a $20.00 fee that can be paid to Mrs. Gookstetter in the office.  Sophomores will have an opportunity to take this test free of charge at the beginning of  next school year.
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Housing Choice Voucher

Section 8 wait list opening for applications The wait list will open to accept applications on September 18th at 10AM and stay open until September 22nd at 10 AM. 400 households will be randomly selected by lottery for placement onto the HCV waiting list. Pre-applications must be submitted online at  https://bellinghamhousing.org/ In-person application assistance is available upon request, please call 360-676-6887 ext:2


 


The Trojan Learning Center (TLC) will open on Monday, September 18.

Trojan Learning Center

Location: MHS, Room 102

Days: Monday through Thursday

Time: After school, 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm

Come directly after school or bring a note from your supervising staff member.

Get a ride home or stay until the end and take the activity bus home.

If you are struggling or just need time to work, if you are catching up or staying caught up, if you are looking to improve your grade or keep it up, TLC offers:

homework help, quiet work time and resources you may need.

TLC is here for you, Meridian!

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Connect Ed Program

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 at the bottom of the newsletter 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  Shannon Waterman (swaterman@meridian.wednet.edu or 360-318-2279).
 
Academic Support – My Student Is Struggling In Their Classes, Where Can I Go For Support?

There are several options available to you

  • You can contact your teacher directly via phone or email.
  • You can talk to them during class.
  • You can visit their T3
    • Teachers are available during T3, often to answer questions for a specific class. Be sure to review the T3 Week at a Glance document found on the MHS website https://www.meridian.wednet.edu/mhs/
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Class of 2024 Senior Picture Information

THE SENIOR PICTURE:

DEADLINE: Senior pictures are due Monday December 11, 2023 for inclusion in the senior section of the Yearbook.  However; we will accept them anytime before that date.  Please be aware that if you do not submit a picture, and do not get a school picture taken when/if offered at the school (ASB picture), your student will not appear in the senior section of the yearbook.

WHAT DO WE WANT?

*A picture saved at 300dpi, hi res, in a JPEG/JPG format emailed to yearbook staff at yearbook@meridian.wednet.edu . Please include the seniors first and last name in the subject line. EXAMPLE: “Smith, Tim senior pic for yearbook” If you do not receive a reply from Mr. McGrew via Yearbook email, that means your photo has not been received OR it has not been accepted. It is your responsibility to contact your photographer and have the picture sent if that is what you choose.

*Pictures should be PORTRAIT ONLY (head and shoulders/ torso) and not a Landscape oriented photo

* We will crop if needed so we can see your smiling face.

*Please no props near head or face; full-body shots may need to be cropped and/or a different photo may need to be submitted.  No cars, no animals, no weapons.. Keep the school dress code in mind.

We RESERVE the right to not use a picture deemed inappropriate.

SENIOR PHOTO DEADLINE: January 11, 2024

Questions?  Contact Mr. McGrew, MHS Yearbook at yearbook@meridian.wednet.edu

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School Hot Lunches This Week
Monday – Homemade Chicken Fajitas
Tuesday – Pulled Pork Hoagie
Wednesday – Hot Dog and Fries
Thursday – Nugget & Mashed Potato Bowl
Friday – Beef & Cheese Nachos

Other Daily Offerings May Include:
Pizza
Variety of Fresh Made Salads
Variety of Fresh Made Wraps
Deli Sandwiches
Yogurt Parfait

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Fall Equinox, September 22nd

Summer has slipped away. Hope you enjoyed the season. The 2023 fall equinox arrives in the Northern Hemisphere on September 22nd.

Astronomically it’s the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. Thus, the fall (and spring) equinoxes provide Earth with roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Oh, and after another blazing hot summer, the first day of fall signals cooler weather.

From the time of the Druids, the fall equinox signaled the end of the harvest. Then, winter preparations began. Families celebrated with parties and other social gatherings. Autumn lasts until the winter solstice.

Class Booster Information
Class of 2024

Parents – To stay up to date on all the happenings of the Class of 2024 Boosters, please join the class Facebook page “Meridian Class of 2024”

Also join the class email list!  Email Anna Johnson –  hellothisisanna@gmail.com and she will get you added to the list.

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