FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 EDITION
Dear MMS Families,

It has been a fantastic first week getting to know your students.  We are so impressed by the positive interactions and strong relationships that are already being built between our staff and students and between the students themselves.  It has been a great week to be a Trojan!

Our next opportunity to get to know more about your student is our Family Conferences – coming up September 12, 13, and 14.  The conferences are scheduled through Skyward, and will be open for scheduling starting on Tuesday.  You can find instructions on how to schedule a conference by clicking here.

We’d also like to extend a huge “thank you” to our Booster Club for their work in providing so much help in getting our year off to a great start.  From updating our staff room décor to papering bulletin boards – we can’t express how much we appreciate their help and commitment to making MMS amazing!  If you would like more information about the MMS Booster Club, see their blurb below.

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

GO TROJANS!

-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, September 4

  • No School – Labor Day

Tuesday, September 5

  • Gold Day

Wednesday, September 6

  • Black Day

Thursday, September 7

  • Gold Day

Friday, September 8

  • Black Day
  • Late Start – School begins at 9:05am, doors open at 8:55am
COUNSELING CORNER
Dear Parents, Families, and Guardians!

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Meridian Middle School! We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are ready for all the opportunities and challenges that the new academic year will bring.

The school counseling department is thrilled to be a part of your journey once again. Our team is here to provide support, guidance, and resources to help ensure that this year is both successful and fulfilling for each and every one of your students. Whether you’re a returning family or new to our school community, we are here to assist you in navigating the academic, personal, and social aspects of your educational experience.

As we embark on this new adventure together, remember that our doors are always open. Whether you’re seeking advice on academics, facing personal challenges, or simply want someone to talk to, our counselors are here to listen and help. We believe in fostering a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Throughout the year, we’ll be offering various classroom lessons, family events, and student groups aimed at promoting personal growth, emotional well-being, and family support. Be sure to keep an eye on our newsletter for updates on these upcoming opportunities.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us whenever you need assistance. You can schedule an appointment by emailing Mrs. Greshock or Mr. Muskavage. If your child would like to sign up to see us, they can fill out this form and we will call them in as soon as we can. We’re here to collaborate with you, your child, and your child’s teachers to ensure their success.

Here’s to a fantastic school year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. We’re excited to be part of your journey and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll achieve.

Wishing you all the best for an incredible year ahead!

Warm regards,

Kathy Greshock and Brett Muskavage, MMS Counselors

GENERAL MMS INFORMATION
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Drop-Off & Pick-Up

We thank you all for your patience as everyone gets familiarized with the flow of things in our morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up systems.  A few reminders for all:

  • Please do not drop your student off along the roadside.
  • Please use only the two drop-off lanes, not the bus loop.
  • Parent pick-up students are dismissed after the busses depart.  During the time when IRE has conferences (through the coming week) this will likely be significantly delayed from normal.  Typically busses depart around 2:50 and parent pick-up students are dismissed directly after.
Washington D.C. Trip for 8th Graders

We are excited to provide the opportunity for our 8th grade students to join their US History teacher Ms. Garlatz on an optional but amazing trip to Washington DC during the week of March 16 through March 21, 2024.

There will be lots of learning and fun as we sightsee our way through our nation’s capital including visits to the National Mall, our nation’s most important government buildings and Mt. Vernon. We’ll also have a chance to go to Philadelphia to check out Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written.

Cost for the trip will be $2,208 and will include airfare, hotel, food, as well as a whole program including local guides, If this trip would be a financial stretch, please still plan to attend the meeting and then email Mrs. Garlatz and we will do what we can to provide fundraising opportunities and possibly scholarships.

The first parent information night was held on August 29th, but there will be another one in September.

Questions?  Email Mrs. Garlatz.

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School Supplies

If you’re having any trouble getting supplies, please have your student stop by and check in with our school counselors. They have resources to help!

Click HERE for the list of supplies.

Medications at School

If your student has an inhaler or other medication that they may need to bring to school, our nurses are ready and waiting to receive those!  If you have any questions about medications at school, give our health room attendant a call or check in via email.

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MMS Booster Club Reactivates!

Meridian Middle School Boosters is back this year! We will be at Back to School Night to greet students and parents and introduce ourselves. Come see us in the foyer where students can grab a MMS bracelet and parents can find out about the many different volunteering opportunities!

We are also on Facebook! Click here to go to Meridian Middle School Booster Club where you can find out all that is happening this year and contact information. We are looking forward to a great year supporting our middle school students and schoo

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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Family Services Center
The Meridian School District Family Resource Center will reopen on August 21.  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.

Students who can’t make it in to the family center to get school supplies can pop into the middle school office to get the supplies they need.

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