No school for Memorial Day holiday May 29

This is a reminder that there is no school on Monday, May 29 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. All schools and the District Office will be closed. 

Looking ahead, the last day of school is Thursday, June 15. Meridian High School graduation is at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. The first day of school for the 2023-24 school year is Thursday, Aug. 31. Our school year calendars are available on our calendars webpage.

Reminder: Dessert and Drinks with the Doc at IRE on May 23

Join Superintendent Dr. James Everett from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23 in the library at Irene Reither Elementary School for Dessert and Drinks with the Doc. This will be an open meeting where he will share exciting updates about the work to bring a skills center and early learning center to Whatcom County, the district budget and the new strategic plan, called Our Commitments. You are welcome and invited to ask questions. Dessert and coffee will be provided.

Seeking feedback for history curriculum adoption by May 30

Seeking input for history curriculum adoption by May 30
The World History curriculum identification committee proposes World History Project 1200-Present for ninth grade students and Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook World History for sixth grade students.

The team has outlined the strengths of each curriculum and has shared some informational links below. Families are invited to review information below about the proposed materials. Interested families may provide input to the committee by completing a short survey. The committee would appreciate input by Tuesday, May 30.

World History Project 1200-Present for ninth grade students
The World History curriculum identification committee proposes the World History Project 1200-Present published by OER Project for ninth grade World History courses beginning in the 2023-24 school year.

The team identified the following strengths of the World History Project 1200-Present curricular materials:

  • The course materials are aligned with the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
  • The course materials have a variety of learning activities that will be interesting and engaging for students.
  • The course materials have lessons that specifically teach students how to read and write about social studies texts.
  • The materials use primary sources (original historical documents) throughout and help students to read and understand them.
  • The materials provide opportunities for critical thinking and analysis.
  • The materials have many supports for students that may struggle with grade level reading or writing or who are learning English. For example:
    • Readings are available at different levels.
    • Read-aloud is available for articles.
    • There are many videos and pictures that help with understanding.
    • Many tools to help students with planning and organizing writing are included.
    • Vocabulary activities are part of every lesson.
    • Materials are available in Spanish and the digital resources can be translated into other languages.

Explore information about the proposed course materials with the following links: 

Interested families may provide input to the committee by completing a short survey. The committee would appreciate input by Tuesday, May 30.

Discovery Education Techbook for sixth grade students
The World History curriculum identification committee proposes Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook World History published by Discovery Education for sixth grade World History courses beginning in the 2023-24 school year.

The team identified the following strengths of the Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook World History curricular materials:

  • The course materials are aligned with the Washington State Social Studies Standards.
  • The course materials have a variety of learning activities that will be interesting and engaging for students including readings, videos and interactive maps.
  • The structure of the materials teach students to explore, explain and evaluate historical information.
  • Vocabulary activities, videos and images support student understanding of content.
  • The course materials have many activities that build critical thinking skills.
  • Tools that support students in organizing and planning their writing are included in lessons.
  • The materials use primary sources (original historical documents) throughout and help students to read and understand them.
  • The materials have many supports for students that may struggle with grade level reading or writing or who are learning English. For example:
    • Readings are available at different levels.
    • Read-aloud is available for articles.
    • There are many videos and pictures that help with understanding.
    • Many tools to help students with planning and organizing writing are included.
  • The Discovery platform includes many resources that could be used to support students who learn more quickly and benefit from extension activities.

Explore information about the proposed course materials with the following links: 

Interested families may provide input to the committee by completing a short survey. The committee would appreciate input by Tuesday, May 30.