It’s hard to believe there are just 3 weeks left of Quarter 1! Students are really digging into the learning by this point of the school year. In classrooms, students are completing science labs, drawing models to explain forces, putting final touches on projects, writing claims, and having rich discussions about what they’re learning. This would also be a good time to check Skyward to make sure your student is completing their assignments in order to keep up with the learning.
We had a blast this week here at MMS during Spirit Week! Students and staff alike dressed up and joined in on the fun. Lots of pictures from the week are posted on our MMS Instagram page – if you don’t follow us yet (@meridian_ms_505), it’s a great way to see what is going on around school!
-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Jill Hammack, Assistant Principal
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Upcoming…
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District Multilingual Night
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.
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A Peek Into the Classroom
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Krisula Reardon provides math support for students at MMS. In watching Mrs. Reardon’s interactions with students, she intentionally uses key messages as a way of encouragement and support for students. These key messages sound like, “This seems like a lot of steps, but we’ve got this!” or “I remember this skill being challenging for me, too – let’s do this together!” By constantly sharing the message that the work students are doing is important and they are capable of mastering the skills, she is creating an environment where students begin to see themselves as mathematicians. Students also begin to adopt a similar language of positive self-talk.
Thank you for the many ways you support students and staff alike, Mrs. Reardon!
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Info & Reminders
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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!
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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.
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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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