Weekly Update – November 22

To ensure a safe and well-monitored environment for our students, some bathrooms on campus will be closed at points throughout the day. These adjustments allow us to better focus our supervision and respond to student needs effectively. Rest assured, there will always be bathrooms available for student use.

Signs will be posted at each bathroom outlining the schedule of availability.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone at Meridian High School. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the school office.

Jostens is our official partner for cap and gown orders for graduation, and they’ve officially begun the process for this year’s orders. Please check out the flyer for more information on what’s available. Our order deadline is November 28 and can take place online at jostens.com. If you’re just looking for the basic cap and gown, click here!

Questions? Email jostenspnw@jostens.com

Don’t forget that parents have the ability to monitor and set boundaries for student tech use outside of school hours. With Thanksgiving Break coming up, now would be a great time to dive into our resources to help you get this set up!

We need your input! We appreciate your ongoing support for our students and schools. Recently, our school construction bond fell short of the 60% approval needed to pass. To better understand the community’s needs and concerns, we invite you to complete a brief, anonymous survey. Your feedback is vital as we work to address the essential needs of our schools. Please complete this brief survey by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2.

Comprehensive sexual health education (CSHE) lessons for 10th grade MHS students in Fall semester Health classes begin Monday, December 16, 2024.

Parents and guardians may review the Positive Prevention Plus curriculum and may remove their children from these lessons with a written request. (RCW 28A.300.475). Families who wish to opt their children out of these lessons must turn in an opt-out form to the school office before the first day of lessons. Positive Prevention Plus curriculum materials are available for families to review at the District Office, 214 W. Laurel Road, Bellingham, WA , during business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If families are unable to review materials during business hours, please call 360-318-2170 to schedule an appointment.

Students who opt-out of the lessons will complete alternative assignments from Success for Teens. The Success for Teens book is available to view in its entirety online.

We appreciate your continued partnership in your student’s learning. If you have any questions please contact your teacher.

Our Unified Basketball team ‘Laurel Valley’ is about to start its next season! Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. This makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Everyone is invited to join our team regardless of abilities and experience! Our first practice will be Monday, December 16th at 3:30 pm in the gym. You can sign up on Final Forms under “Co-Ed Basketball”. To join, you will need a completed physical form from your doctor. The form can be found on the MHS website under athletics. For more information reach out to Mr. Holz, Ms. Meadows, or the athletic office.

We are accepting referrals for the highly capable program. Highly capable students are those who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. Teachers and parents may refer any student in grades K-11 for assessment.

To refer a student for assessment, please complete the Highly Capable referral form by Dec.13, 2024 for eligibility in the 2025-26 school year.

If you have questions about the Highly Capable Program visit our website or contact Rebecca Montgomery, highly capable program coordinator, at 360-318-2456 or rmontgomery@meridian.wednet.edu.

Grad ads are due on December 16, 2024 (the same deadline as senior photos). A half-page ad costs $110 and can include up to 7 photos, while a quarter-page ad costs $60 with a maximum of 5 photos.

To submit, please send your receipt, photos, and dedication wording to Mr. McGrew by the deadline. If you’re submitting hard copies of photos, we will scan them and return them by the end of the school year.

Remember, the more content in the dedication, the smaller the font will be, so keep it simple for easier reading!

As the seasons change 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.), the school day could be impacted. Meridian School District uses a variety of ways to communicate about school closures or delays:

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

The High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) is a required component for graduation. All students must complete their HSBP by December 16, 2024 to meet this important graduation requirement.

To help you understand what is necessary to satisfy this requirement, we have provided a detailed document outlining all the components of the HSBP. You can access it here: HSBP Requirements.

If your student needs assistance or has any questions about completing their HSBP, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their school counselor. Our counselors are here to guide students through the process and provide any support needed.

Don’t wait until the deadline – start early to ensure your student is on track for graduation!

If you’ve failed a course and are no longer on track to graduate, now is the time to sign up for credit retrieval. Sessions will be held on Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. in Room 209. Attendance is required, and students can catch the activity bus home afterward. Once the course is completed, the credit will be added to your transcript.

Contact your school counselor to sign up!

Looking for support with holiday meals this season? The Whatcom Asset Building Coalition offers a helpful Holiday Food & Meal Guide with resources for families in Whatcom County. This guide lists locations, dates, and times for community holiday meals, food banks offering special holiday items, and tips for accessing additional support. Meal events are available throughout November and December across the county, including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and other areas. You can view and download the guide here to make your holiday planning a little easier.

The Meridian School District Family Resource Center will reopen on August 19. The center is open daily from 8:30 to 3:30 in portable 400A on the Irene Reither campus.

Students who qualify for free or reduced meals can stop by to get school supplies or sign up for Operation School Bell which provides new school clothes for students enrolled in Meridian School District. We also have the clothing closet available for any Meridian family looking for gently used adult and kid clothing.

Questions? Contact Alicia Roberts (English) at 360-988-1949 or Elvira Trautman (Spanish) at 360-306-2886.