Dear MMS Families,

Coming up next week is our first Spirit Week of the school year.  While school spirit weeks are a whole lot of fun, there are other benefits beyond just enjoyment.  Collective participation fosters a sense of unity, bringing students together in a fun and inclusive way. By dressing up for themed days and engaging in spirited activities, it promotes creativity and self-expression while also encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, boosting self-confidence. Spirit Week instills a strong sense of school pride, reinforcing the importance of community and belonging. It cultivates teamwork as students collaborate on group projects or competitions. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to relieve academic stress, offering a much-needed break from routine. We hope your child chooses to participate – see the “Upcoming Events” section below for each day’s theme.  Remember – all outfits for spirit week need to meet school dress code and cannot include anything that could be considered a weapon, or any masks or face paint.

In other news, vision and hearing screenings are happening Tuesday and Thursday next week.   If your child typically wears glasses, please be sure they have them on those days.  If you have questions about the screening or the referral letter, please let us know.

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

GO TROJANS!

-Todd Torgeson, Principal
Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Monday, October 30

  • Black Day
  • Spirit Day – Pajama Day

Tuesday, October 31

  • Gold Day
  • Spirit Day – Character Day
  • Vision & Hearing Screening for 7th Graders
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 7:30-7:45 in Small Gym
  • 8th Grade Football vs. Nooksack, 4:00pm at NVHS

Wednesday, November 1

  • Black Day
  • Picture Retake Day
  • Spirit Day – Anything But a Backpack Day (18″x18″ limit)
  • Board Game Club, 2:45-4:30 in Room 12

Thursday, November 2

  • Gold Day
  • Spirit Day – Trojan Thursday
  • Acceptance Club, 2:45-4:30 in Room 32
  • 7th Grade Football vs. Nooksack, 4:00pm at MMS
  • Thriving Futures! Connecting Out Commitments w/ Dr. Everett, 5:00pm in MMS Library
  • Online Safety Presentation by Homeland Security, 6:30pm in MMS Big Gym

Friday, November 3

  • Gold Day
  • Spirit Day – 50s Day
  • Late Start Friday, Doors Open at 8:55am and School Begins at 9:05am
  • Fall Dance, 6:00pm-8:00pm MMS Foyer and Gyms
COUNSELING CORNER
MMS Families,

As October is Disability History month, we wanted to take the opportunity to recognize and celebrate those with varying abilities in our school. On Monday, students watched a video in their Homeroom classes (click here to view) and reflected on ways that we could make our school a more inclusive environment where everyone can feel like they belong. Here are some ways that students can create a welcoming space for students at school:

Playing with All: Encourage everyone to participate in games and activities, regardless of their abilities. Modify games as needed to make them inclusive or choose games/activities that can be adapted to accommodate everyone’s abilities.
Say Hi in the Halls: Simple gestures like greeting people in the hallway can go a long way in making individuals feel welcomed.
Lunch (with Different People): Encourage students to vary their lunchtime companions and sit with different people
Connect with People Who Are Alone: Be on the lookout for individuals who may feel isolated and make an effort to connect with them.
Be Kind and Invite to Community: Extend invitations to events, gatherings, and group activities, ensuring that no one is left out. Create a sense of belonging.

These are great suggestions that you could talk to your child about in helping create a more welcoming and inclusive environment at Meridian Middle School.

MMS Counselors

 

GENERAL MMS INFORMATION
Applications for Wellness Policy Advisory Group by Oct. 30

Families, staff, students and community members are encouraged to apply for consideration to serve on the Wellness Policy Advisory Group. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by noon on Monday, Oct. 30.

The purpose of the Wellness Policy Advisory Group is to review best practices, federal guidelines, and current district activities to propose changes or updates to the current district wellness policy. The wellness policy is intended to guide the efforts of our school district to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.

To apply for consideration to serve on this advisory group, please complete and submit an online form by noon on Monday, Oct. 30 or download to print this form and submit it to the District Office at 214 W. Laurel Road, Bellingham, WA 98226 or email it to rdunn@meridian.wednet.edu.

alt_text
alt_text
Online Safety Presentation by Homeland Security

We invite you to join us on Thursday, November 2 and 6:30pm at Meridian Middle School for an online safety presentation presented by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

The presentation provides parents, teens, and staff information on potential dangers for children in online environments and how to keep them safe.  Teens 13+ are welcome to attend with their families.  The presentation is not intended for children under 13, but will provide families with tools for talking to all children about online safety.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Fall Dance – November 3

Our first fall dance is right around the corner! MMS will be hosting a 50’s themed dance on November 3rd from 6-8pm. Tickets will be available to pre purchase the week of the dance for $3 otherwise admission is $5 at the door. We look forward to seeing MMS students there!  (50’s attire is optional)

If you are interested in chaperoning, please email Mrs. Yeager and make sure you fill out the WATCH background check form ASAP.

alt_text
alt_text
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Lessons

Students in seventh grade will be taking part in comprehensive sexual health lessons beginning Nov. 15 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. Opt-out forms will be available from the health classroom.  Students who opt-out of the lessons will complete an alternate activity on body systems.

Veterans Day Celebration

Meridian Middle School will celebrate Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 7 with an assembly.  If your family member has any relatives who have served in our Armed Forces, we’d love to collect a picture of them, along with their branch and dates of service so we can feature it during our assembly.  Please email the pictures to Mrs. Yeager!

alt_text

 

alt_text
Clothing Needed

Have your children outgrown their clothes?  Are you looking for a place to help?  Our nurses are collecting gently used leggings, shirts and sweatshirts.  We need all sizes!  Questions?  Email our Health Services Assistant, Mrs. Aamot.

 

MMS Booster Club Update

Want to volunteer with the boosters club? Volunteer opportunities range from helping with projects for the school, staff and students to running concessions during dances and athletic games. You can find out more about the middle school boosters by following our Facebook page and/or emailing us at meridianmiddlebooster@gmail.com.

alt_text

 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
alt_text
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.

Introducing PSE’s Bill Discount Program

Income-eligible customers can now reduce their PSE energy bills by up to 45% a month through the Bill Discount program. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the online application, and no income documentation or social security number is required to apply.

Program participants will get an automatic discount on their energy bills every month in addition to any other assistance they may be receiving. If a household has received energy assistance in the past, it is likely that they qualify for the Bill Discount program.
To determine eligibility before applying, go to pse.com/discount and provide household size, county of residency, and household income. If eligible, the page will direct users to complete a brief application.

alt_text
alt_text
Holiday Help Needed?

If you need help with gifts for your kids this holiday season, the Salvation Army is taking applications now through October 31st. Don’t wait. Spots will fill up fast.

Click here to view the flyer in English.

Click here to view the flyer in Spanish.

alt_text
alt_text
alt_text