After today we have only 29 more school days remaining of the 2023-2024 school year. It is easy to get excited about the end being in sight, but those days represent 15% of the total length of our contact days with students. There is still lots of learning and activity happening at MMS between now and June 17.
This week we were able to wrap up our first round of testing – the English Language Arts Smarter Balanced Assessment. This gave our students the opportunity to demonstrate their learning around reading and writing this year. We are excited to see how they performed! Next week we’ll move on to math testing, and then the week after that our 8th graders will take their Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science.
The next big excitement will be our 6th graders heading off to the annual Outdoor Education camp on Monday, May 13. This is an exciting opportunity for them to learn more about our local environment, as well as about each other, building bonds that will last the rest of their academic careers! This has been a Meridian tradition for generations, and we are so excited for them to be a part of it!
As always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
GO TROJANS!
-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, May 6
Black Day
7th / 8th Grade Baseball vs. Lynden MS, 4:00pm at MMS
Girls Soccer vs. Vista MS, 4:00pm at MMS
District Art Show, 6:00pm at MHS Commons
Tuesday, May 7
Gold Day
SBA Testing – Math
Track Meet, 4:00pm at Blaine MS
Wednesday, May 8
Black Day
SBA Testing – Math
Video Game Club, 2:45pm in Room 12
Girls Soccer vs. Horizon MS, 4:00pm at MMS
School Board Meeting, 6:00pm at District Board Room
Thursday, May 9
Gold Day
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 7:30am in Small Gym
SBA Testing – Math
Social Justice League, 2:45pm in Room 2
Friday, May 10
No School Day – Learning Improvement Day for Staff
COUNSELING CORNER
Dear MMS Families,
Last week, our 8th grade class was able to travel to Bellingham Technical College! This outing was an excellent opportunity for our students to explore various career paths and possibilities after high school.
During the visit, students had the chance to check out a wide range of programs offered at the college. They learned about welding, automotive technology, veterinary tech, nursing, HVAC, electrician work, and more! Through interactive sessions and presentations, our students gained valuable insights into these fields, sparking their interest and enthusiasm for future career exploration.
We believe it’s essential to expose our students to diverse career options early on. This exposure helps them make informed decisions about their educational and professional paths. By providing these experiences, we aim to empower our students to pursue their passions and goals with confidence.
A big thank you to Bellingham Technical College for hosting us and inspiring our students with their dedication to education and training.
MMS Counselors
GENERAL MMS INFORMATION
Yearbook Preorder
Pre-order your yearbook for $35. Please bring cash or check to the MMS office between May 6th and May 17th. There are limited quantities available so secure yours soon! Yearbooks should be delivered in early June.
District Art Show
The district student art show will be from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, May 6 at Meridian High School. Student art from every school will be on display in the commons. There will also be performances by our school choirs and bands, and color guard. The event is free and open to all ages. We hope to see you there!
Chromebook Call
You will now receive an alert from ParentSquare if your child forgot to bring their Chromebook to school. It is important that students come to school each day with their Chromebook charged and ready, as we have a limited number of loaner devices to provide. Without a device, students may not be able to access their learning materials. Thank you for partnering with us to provide the best educational experience for your child.
8th Grade Promotion
This year’s 8th grade promotion ceremony and celebration will be held here at Meridian Middle School on Monday, June 17 at 9:30am. Families are invited to come and celebrate the achievement of their students as they promote on to high school. After the celebration we’ll have a social time for families, including refreshments.
Each year a parent committee forms to plan a celebratory dance for our 8th graders that evening, as well as to help with decorating for the promotion ceremony. If you are interested in being part of that parent planning committee, please send an email to Mr. Kratzig by Friday, April 26.
Attendance Tips
There are so many fun things happening at school in the spring, and you have to be there to take part! Make the most of your school year by making an effort to get there as often as possible. Let’s end the year strong!
TDaP Vaccine for Incoming 7th Graders
The TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and polio) vaccine or a medical exemption signed by a Washington state healthcare provider are required by state law for all 7th graders. Proof will need to be provided to the health office before the beginning of 7th grade. If the school does not have proof of the vaccination or exemption your student will be excluded from school until one or the other is provided.
Spring state assessments will begin soon for students in grades 3 – 8 and 10. English language arts (ELA) and math are measured with Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA). Science is measured with the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) in grades 5, 8 and 11. At MMS, we’ll be testing for SBA on April 30, May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and WCAS for 8th graders on May 14 and 15.
The results from the state assessments will help us improve instructional practices and give families information about how their student is doing and where additional help might be needed. The assessments also give us a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to be ready for college or career by graduation. For students in grade 10, the Smarter Balanced tests can also be used as a graduation pathway. Results are reported by September of each year. Final reports will be provided to families if their student participated in state testing.
You can help support your child in doing their best during state assessments by having them come to school on time each day, encouraging a good night of sleep and eating breakfast. Most students will take the assessments online using their Chromebook. Please remind your child to have their Chromebook device fully charged for school.
Our Spring Craft Fair is coming up next weekend! Saturday, May 4th. We are looking for volunteers from our middle school family. We have 1-2 hour shifts running from 6am to 5pm that includes set up and break down and concessions at the high school. Proceeds from this event go to help our students and middle school. Please email meridianmiddlebooster@gmail.com if you are interested.
Teacher appreciation week is quickly approaching! We’d love to spoil our teachers with treats! We currently have an explanation of plans and where to donate set up for the week posted on each grade’s FB graduation group or you can email meridianmiddlebooster@gmail.com for more information and to make a donation.
Looking for a fun volunteer opportunity to help our middle school students and school? We are looking for our 2024-25 booster representative! Come join an amazing and supportive community of parents whose main goal is to help our students, staff and school! Please email meridianmiddlebooster@gmail.com for information and be apart of this very rewarding opportunity.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Family Services Center
The Meridian School District Family Resource 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
Summer Grocery Benefits to Eligible Families
Beginning this summer, Washington will provide grocery benefits through a program called Sun Bucks to help families with eligible school-age children buy groceries during the summer. Families will receive $120 per eligible child. Families that qualify for free or reduced-price meal benefits for the 2023-24 school year will be eligible to receive Sun Bucks. For more information visit: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt
Cooke Young Scholars Program
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.
The application closes May 9, 2024. For more information visit their website.
