Weekly Update – November 15

The World Language Proficiency Exam assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, offering students the opportunity to earn up to 4 high school credits. The STAMP test covers languages like Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, and more (includes all four skills), while the STAMP WS test is available for languages like Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Punjabi (focuses on writing and speaking). Both exams are computer-based and take 1–4 hours.

Steps to Register (by 3:00 pm on Friday, November 15):

Don’t miss this great chance to showcase your language skills!

We’re excited to celebrate all the amazing staff at Meridian School District! Join us in expressing our gratitude for everything they do. Submit as many thank you notes as you’d like—these will be delivered via email during American Education Week, Nov. 18-22. Let’s make this a memorable week of appreciation!

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.

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:

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!

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!