Family Newsletter 10/4/24

Families and students in our multilingual program are invited to join us from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Irene Reither Elementary School. The multilingual teachers from our schools will share some important information with you including:

You will also have an opportunity to share with us ways we can better support you and your child at school. We will have Spanish, Russian and Punjabi interpreters at the event. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

Bailey Drake teaches 6th and 8th grade ELA at MMS. When in her classes, you will often hear Ms. Drake say things such as, “I’ll know you’re ready when your thumb is up,” or “We will move on when everyone’s Chromebook is closed.” By clearly indicating what she expects students to do, including a physical action, she is making expectations visible. This creates crystal clarity for students about what is expected of them while also providing Ms. Drake a visual confirmation that all students are with her and have completed the task or direction at hand. She also holds out for 100%, ensuring all students have indicated completion of the expectation before moving forward. After asking students to put pencils down when they are ready to move on, she may say something like, “I see 18 pencils down, waiting for 5 more” to reinforce her expectation that 100% of students follow through.

The impact of Ms. Drake’s actions are that her classroom is calm, students know what is expected of them, and there is an underlying understanding that the teacher is paying attention to and cares about what happens within the learning environment.

Keep up the excellent work, Ms. Drake!

Meridian Middle School offers a variety of student clubs that provide great opportunities for connection and fun! Students are welcome to sign up for the following clubs:

Encourage your student to get involved and pick up a club permission form today!

On Nov. 5, our community will vote on a facilities bond that includes much-needed facilities projects related to safety and accessibility.

This short video featuring Meridian Middle School Principal Todd Torgeson, explains in greater detail the bond projects.

The bond includes constructing a new Meridian Middle School to address rising maintenance costs, safety concerns and lack of accessibility of the current school, originally built in 1938. Meridian Middle School has non-reinforced concrete walls that don’t meet seismic codes, unconnected buildings with outdoor entries making security difficult. The school also lacks accessible restrooms and entries.

For Meridian High School, relocating the music room to the old cafeteria will improve student safety. Auditorium repairs, including a new roof, will prevent leaks and maintain it as a community resource. A new generator will ensure emergency power and heat during outages. Replacing lighting and repairing the stadium will enhance the safety and usability of athletic facilities.

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.