Dear Meridian High School Community,
Today, I want to emphasize the power of our words and actions. We often underestimate the influence they have on those around us, and in doing so, we might overlook the opportunity to make a positive impact. As we continue to navigate through the academic year, I’d like to remind everyone about the importance of appreciating diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school.
Above all else, I want to stress the importance of kindness. In every interaction, we have the opportunity to choose kindness. We understand that everyone in our school community is working hard. Whether it’s students striving for academic success, teachers providing guidance and support, or families dedicating their time and effort to our school – everyone is striving to do their best!
As we move forward in this school year, I encourage all of you to be mindful of the words you use and the actions you take. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a helping hand can go a long way in brightening someone’s day and promoting a culture of respect and understanding. Together, we can make Meridian High School an even more special place for everyone.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our school community and for choosing kindness in all that you do. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 360.398.8111. If you need translation support, please contact our cultural liaison, Elvira Trautman at 360-306-2886.
Sincerely,
MHS Office Team
Please join us at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 in the library at Meridian High School for a financial aid account creation event in partnership with Futures NW.
Creating accounts to apply for financial aid using FAFSA or WASFA can be challenging, but we are here to support you! Spanish, Russian and Punjabi interpreters will also be available to help.
If you plan to attend, please bring the following with you:
For FAFSA:
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FSA ID:
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Social Security Number
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Your own email address
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Personal Information including your name as listed on your Social Security Card (if applicable), birthdate, and address.
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If you are an eligible noncitizen you can also apply for the FAFSA. “You are considered an “eligible noncitizen” if you fall into certain categories, such as: 1. You are a U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swains Island) or 2. You have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing* “Refugee,” 3. You hold a T nonimmigrant status (“T-visa”) (for victims of human trafficking) or your parent holds a T-1 nonimmigrant status.” Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens | Federal Student Aid
For WASFA:
Changes to federal financial aid mean families will not be able to apply for financial aid until January, but we can assist you in getting your account created so you will be ready to go when it opens. Meridian High School is also hosting a financial aid support night for families on Jan. 22, so save the date!
Students are encouraged to bring their Chromebooks with them. Learn more about the financial aid account creation event on Futures NW website . If you have any questions, please contact school counselor Cheryl McBride, cmcbride@meridian.wednet.edu , or Futures NW program coordinator Atiana Garza, agarza@futuresnw.org .
We look forward to seeing you!
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| Submit a Thank You Note for American Education Week!
American Education Week is Nov. 13-17. We are celebrating all staff who work in Meridian School District! Please join us in expressing gratitude for all that they do! You can submit as many ‘thank you’ notes as you’d like to. Thank you notes will be delivered to staff members via email during American Education Week. Thank you for helping us make this a great week!
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| Bellingham Community Toy Store
If you need help providing gifts for your kids (birth to 18) this holiday season, The Bellingham Community Toy Store has a limited number of appointments available for Meridian families who have filled out a free and reduced meal application this school year and qualified. At the Community Toy Store parents/guardians pay cash for gifts, but at a 75-80% discounted rate. If you are interested in signing up (and you have NOT signed up for help with any other organization this season) please call or text the Meridian Family Support Center at 360-988-1949. |
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| District Champions!
Congratulations to the Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams, the Volleyball Team and the Girls Soccer Team for winning the District Championships for their sports! This has been a great fall sports season for MHS! Congratulations and Good Luck at State! |
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| School Hot Lunches This Week
Monday – Mandarin Orange Chicken Bowl
Tuesday – Pulled Pork Hoagie
Wednesday – Homemade Chili w/ Cheese Toast
Thursday – Pasta and Cheese Toast
Friday – No School
Other Daily Offerings May Include:
Pizza
Variety of Fresh Made Salads
Variety of Fresh Made Wraps
Deli Sandwiches
Yogurt Parfait |
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| Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in service, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still with us.
Veterans Day, originally celebrated as Armistice Day, was first issued on November 11, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson a year after the end of World War I. The purpose of Armistice day was to honor the fallen soldiers of The Great War for their sacrifice and bravery. 7 years later in 1926, Congress adopted a resolution requesting President Coolidge issue annual proclamations on November 11, making Armistice Day a legal holiday.
In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans rather than just the ones who died in World War I. He led a delegation to General Dwight Eisenhower, who was all for the idea. Weeks then conducted the first Veterans Day celebration in 1945 in Alabama and every year until his death in 1985. In 1982, he was honored by President Reagan with the Presidential Citizenship Medal. Weeks was also named the “Father of Veterans Day” by Elizabeth Dole.
Ed Rees, the U.S. Representative from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the holiday through to congress. Eisenhower, who was now President and also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954, 8 and a half years after Raymond Weeks held the first Veteran’s Day. A few weeks later, June 1, Congress amended the bill replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans.” The National Veterans Award was also created in 1954, first received by Congressman Rees for his support in making Veterans Day a federal holiday. Though the holiday is currently and was originally celebrated on November 11, the day was moved to the fourth Monday of October in 1971 due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. However, only 7 years later in 1978, it was moved back to November 11.
We thank all Veterans everywhere for their service! Especially the ones that are MHS Alumni and Laurel Community Members! Happy Veteran’s Day! |
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| MHS History Moment – World War II and MHS
The most visible effect of the war on our school was the addition of a little tower on top of the school building. This tower was called the observation post, but most people referred to it as the watch tower. Every hour of the day or night you would find a student, teacher, or community member, taking the post to observe and report to the filter center in Bellingham, all planes seen or heard. These volunteer workers were under the direct supervision of the United States Army. Student volunteers, would be assigned hour long shifts during the school day. Staff and community member would fill the other shifts. This constant observation may have seemed of little importance, but if any one observer failed to report a plane, and it happened to be an enemy plane, destruction of property and loss of life might occur before this plane was spotted and reported by another observer. This aircraft warning observation post was one of the many thousands that were all over the United States. They felt, at the time, that having responsible observers across the nation could help prevent enemy bombings.
Meridian Students were like many students across America during this time. They were proud to be able to do whatever they could do to promote the war effort. They took part in observation post duty, fuel oil rationing, food rationing and took first aid courses.
Keeping the school buses running proved to be quite a problem. There was fuel rationing during the war, which caused the school to be aware of the gas usage and the wear and tear on the tires(since it was hard to get tires with the rationing). It was decided that the buses would only leave the garage for the usual bus runs. There would be no other transportation. This caused some events to be cancelled or changed.
Many Meridian students and alumni were in the military during World War II. Some students left high school to participate in the war. We thank them for their service.
*The picture next to the article, was drawn by a student for the 1942 yearbook. |
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