Weekly Update – October 18 – Meridian High School

Trojan family,

At Meridian High School we officially run on a semester system, with the grades counting toward GPA and credits posting at the end of January and then again at the end of the school year. In order to keep you as up-to-date as possible, we also perform a “grade grab” every six weeks and post that to Skyward. This process completed this week, so you can access the “Portfolio” tab within your Skyward Family Access to view the progress report for your student. If you notice anything concerning, we’d encourage you to reach out to the appropriate teacher and/or your student’s counselor as soon as possible. Together we can ensure all students are successful at Meridian High School!

On another note – if you need to report an absence, please call our main office at 360-398-8111 or use our new mhsattendance@meridian.wednet.edu email address instead of emailing or calling Mrs. McMains directly. This will help ensure smooth processes on our end. Appreciate your adjustment from past practice!

As always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Go Trojans!

Mr. Doffing, Principal

Mr. Kratzig, Assistant Principal

What’s In This Edition?

Upcoming Events
Bell Schedule

General MHS Information

Volleyball Recognition
Student Pick Up Reminder
Teen Heart Screening Cancelled
Food Drive
November 5 Bond
Yearbook Grad Ads

Counseling Corner

Credit Retrieval
Financial Aid Update
College in the High School
High School & Beyond Plan
Otterbot
SAT & ACT Information

Community Resources & Events

Harvest Festival at MMS
Family Resource Center

Upcoming Events

Monday, October 21

Normal Monday Bell Schedule (Periods 1, 2, HR, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Lunch – Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Muffin
Chess Club, 2:45pm in Mr. Shick’s Room
JV & C-Team Volleyball vs. Kings HS, 5:15pm at KHS
JV Football vs. Sehome HS, 6:00pm at MHS
Varsity Volleyball vs. Kings HS, 7:00pm at KHS

Tuesday, October 22

Normal Tuesday Bell Schedule (Periods 1, 2, T3, 4, 5)
Lunch – Pulled Pork Hoagie
JV & C-Team Volleyball vs. Squalicum HS, 5:40pm at SQHS
Girls Soccer vs. Squalicum HS, 7:00pm at SQHS
Varsity Volleyball vs. Squalicum HS, 7:00pm at SQHS

Wednesday, October 23

Normal Wednesday Bell Schedule (Periods 1, 3, T3, 4, 6)
Lunch – Teriyaki Rice Bowl
D&D Club, 2:35pm in Mr. Armerding’s Room
Video Club, 2:35pm in Mr. McGrew’s Room
Cross Country NW Conference Championships, 3:20pm at Civic Stadium
FFA Meeting 5:30pm in Metal Shop

Thursday, October 24

Normal Thursday Bell Schedule (Periods 2, 3, T3, 5, 6)
Lunch – French Toast w/ Sausage
Global Connections Club, 2:45pm in Mrs. Shuvalova’s Room
Swim & Dive vs. Burlington-Edison HS, 3:30pm at Forge Pool (Lynden)
JV & C-Team Volleyball vs. Anacortes HS, 5:40pm at AHS
Girls Soccer vs. Anacortes HS, 7:00pm at AHS
Varsity Volleyball vs. Anacortes HS, 7:00pm at AHS

Friday, October 25

Late Start, School Begins at 8:55am
Lunch – Tater-Tot Casserole
Varsity Football vs. Lynden Christian HS, 7:00pm at MHS

Open T3 Sessions for Next Week

General MHS Information

Volleyball Recognition

This past week was Volleyball Recognition Week!

Meridian’s varsity team currently has a winning record with 6 wins under their belt! The team’s biggest win this season may have been against Lynden Christian High School on October 2, where the Trojans defeated the Lyncs with high energy in three straight sets. The JV and C teams both have an improving season as well, taking off sets from strong teams in the conference. We wish the Lady Trojans the best of luck as they continue to compete throughout the remainder of their season!

Come support our volleyball team! This week the Trojans play at Oak Harbor on October 14, and play a home game against Lakewood High School on October 16, JV and C both play at 5:40, and Varsity plays at 7:00! Come cheer on our volleyball teams! Go Trojans!

Student Pick Ups

If you plan to pick up your child from school, please call the office at least 30 minutes in advance. This will allow us time to notify your child and their teacher, ensuring a smooth and timely dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation!

CANCELLED – Teen Heart Screen

We regret to inform you that the Heart Health Screening event scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your interest in the event, and please stay tuned for updates on future opportunities.

Meridian Food Drive, Nov. 4-8 “Stuff the Bus!”

From Nov. 4-8, 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!

Addressing Overcrowding; Watch Video

On Nov. 5, Meridian School District voters will consider a bond proposal to rebuild Meridian Middle School for grades 5-8. This recommendation from the Facilities Task Force aims to ease overcrowding at Irene Reither Elementary, which is projected to exceed 1,000 students by 2028. With student enrollment at Meridian Middle School expected to reach 500 by 2030, the rebuild will help accommodate growth, better serve our students’ needs and honor our community’s investment in our schools. For more details, watch the video.

Yearbook Senior Grad Ads

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!

Counseling Corner – Careers, Scholarships, Registration, & More

Credit Retrieval Begins

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!

Financial Aid Update for Seniors

The FAFSA/WASFA application for financial aid has been delayed. It was hoped that the application would be available in October as it was before the new application. The release has been delayed until December 1, 2024. MHS will offer three support sessions for seniors. A lesson will be taught in Homeroom explaining types of financial aid and what documents are needed to develop a FSA ID.

An assembly will be held for seniors on November 4th during Homeroom with our partner Futures NW to help students make their FSA ID. January 14th we will hold our annual Financial Aid Night. We will have professionals here to help with any questions you or your parents may have on completing the applications. Dinner will be provided and time to complete the applications. Finally, February 27th during both lunches Futures NW will join us to check the application status and help with any error messages.

Last year this was a new offering and was found very beneficial as they found errors that were associated with the new application and were able to report their findings so the errors could be corrected in the application itself. Pizza will be provided. This is just a quick application check so that any financial aid you may be receiving will not be delayed. Mark your calendars. We look forward to working with you.

College in the High School Program

Meridian High School students can earn free college credit through Everett Community College (EvCC) by taking select courses like Honors Chemistry, AP Biology, Pre-Calculus, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus. The process is simple: apply to become an EvCC student and register for courses—all while completing your coursework at MHS!

Key Deadlines:

Apply to EvCC by December 16, 2024
Register for your EvCC courses by January 17, 2025

MHS is offering application support during T3 on November 21, and registration support on December 12. Make sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to earn college credits at no cost!

For more details, check out the EvCC CHS Application and Registration Page. For additional help, visit the EvCC CHS Support Page or email collegeinhs@everettcc.edu.

Pro Tip: These are real college courses, and grades will affect your academic record, so stay on top of your work!

Class of 2025 – High School & Beyond Plan

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!

Introducing OtterBot

OtterBot is a free text messaging service from WSAC (Washington Student Achievement Council) that helps Washington State students and parents navigate the college search, admissions process, and financial aid options. This year, OtterBot has expanded to support all 9th–12th grade College Bound students and their parents/guardians! Whether you’re just beginning your college journey or finalizing financial aid, OtterBot is here to assist. Students can text “Hi OtterBot” to 360-928-7281, and parents/guardians can text “Hi OtterBot” to 360-634-0354 for real-time help with college and financial aid information.

SAT & ACT Information

Students interested in taking the SAT or ACT should begin reviewing the registration process for these assessments. Testing is available at various locations and times, so be sure to plan ahead. Additionally, we encourage you to check the admissions requirements of colleges you’re considering, as some may require SAT or ACT scores for acceptance.

It’s also important to note that some scholarships require a score from one of these tests, so consider this when making your decision about whether to take the exam.

For more information, visit the following links:

ACT Testing Information

SAT Testing Information

If you have any further questions, please reach out to your counselor!

Community Resources

Harvest Festival

Bring the whole family to have fun on Saturday, October 26 from 1pm to 6pm at Meridian Middle School for a Harvest Festival, hosted by the Meridian Middle School Boosters. The event will feature a haunted maze, ring toss, face painting, and many more fun adventures. Cost for families is $20, individuals $5, and children 5 and under free.

Family Resource Center

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.

Weekly Update – October 18

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General MHS Information

Counseling Corner – Careers, Scholarships, Registration, & More

Community Resources

Staff Quick Links