Hello Families,
Did you know September is Attendance Awareness Month? We want to remind families how crucial regular attendance is to student success. Every day in school helps build the knowledge and skills your child needs to succeed, both now and in the future. The recommendation is that students miss no more than 10% of the school year in order to ensure their success. 10% of the school year equates to about 18 days, which add up quickly! Let’s work together to ensure your student is in school and learning every day!
Looking ahead, please note that Wednesday, October 4th, is a Waiver Day. This means no school for students, but our staff will be engaged in important professional development. Staff from across the district will come together to engage in shared learning to improve instructional practices as we strive to provide the best education possible for all students. Thank you for your support!
-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Jill Hammack, Assistant Principal
  • No School 10/4 (Staff Learning Day)
  • If you’d still like to order school pictures, please visit the O’Connor Photography website and click on “Meridian Middle School.”
  • See image below for information about a BINGO night fundraiser held on Thursday, 10/3 for the 8th grade Washington DC trip.

In the Counselor’s Office with Mrs. Greshock
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Kathy Greshock is one of our MMS counselors. She has been a vital part of MMS operations for 15 years. In watching Mrs. Greshock work with students, she exemplifies the effective practice of being a warm demander. Mrs. Greshock has a high bar for all students and holds them to that bar while simultaneously demonstrating her genuine care and love for each student. For example, when she notices a student in the hall out of class, she approaches them with curiosity and care while reinforcing the expectation that all students are in class learning. Students respond positively to Mrs. Greshock’s approach and often seek her out when challenging circumstances arise due to her warm demanding care for all students. If you happen to see Mrs. Greshock in the halls between classes, you will notice students flock to her for a “hello,” a hug, or to check in on a previous conversation.

Thank you for your relentless care for students, Mrs. Greshock!

Facilities Bond Vote on Nov. 5
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Our community will vote on a facilities bond that includes several safety-related projects at our schools. This bond proposal follows an extensive study and survey of district needs, with recommendations from a task force of parents, staff and community members.
Projects include:
  • Building a new Meridian Middle School for grades 5-8 to alleviate overcrowding at Irene Reither Elementary. Originally constructed in 1938, MMS faces significant safety and accessibility challenges, and high earthquake risk due to non-reinforced concrete walls.
  • Safety improvements and repairs at Meridian High School, including a new music room in the old cafeteria to create a closed campus, roof and masonry repairs for the auditorium, stadium beam and roof repairs, new stadium lighting and an emergency power generator.
Join us for a community presentation at Meridian Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. to learn more about the bond projects and their financial impact. The event will include a Q&A session and a school tour led by students. If you can’t attend, the presentation will be available on YouTube.
Comprehensive sexual health education lessons begin Oct. 14
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Students in seventh grade will be taking part in comprehensive sexual health lessons beginning the week of Oct. 14 in health class.
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. Students who opt-out of the lessons will be working on a self guided project learning about the body systems in a separate location.
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.
We appreciate your continued partnership in your student’s learning. If you have any questions please contact your teacher.
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Before School Drop Off
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Students may be dropped off in the mornings at 7:45 Monday-Thursday and 8:45 on Fridays. Thank you for helping ensure student safety and supervision.

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