Dear MMS Families,

We had a great start to our second semester this week, with students enjoying the chance to connect with new classmates as the schedules stirred up for the new term.  We saw teachers working on building new classroom relationships to help support learning and get our students set up for success for the remainder of the year.

Just a reminder that next week is early dismissal on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:20 due to conferences.  On early dismissal days we do not have a student lunch period (though students can pick up a to-go lunch from the cafeteria).  If you haven’t done so yet, it’s not too late to schedule your conference.  Instructions are available in the “Mid Year Conferences” section below.

Additionally, we’d like to invite you to our family workshop on Skyward, Parent Square, and attendance being held concurrently with our evening conference night next Thursday.  If you need help with these things or would like to learn more about them, stop on by as we’ll feature recurring presentations on these topics in the small gym from 5:45 to 6:45.

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

GO TROJANS!

-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Monday, February 5

  • Black Day

Tuesday, February 6

  • Gold Day
  • Early Dismissal at 12:20pm; To-Go Lunch Pickup Available
  • Family Conferences

Wednesday, February 7

  • Black Day
  • Early Dismissal at 12:20pm, To-Go Lunch Pickup Available
  • Family Conferences
  • School Board Meeting – Math Department Presentation, 6:00pm in MMS Board Room

Thursday, February 8

  • Gold Day
  • Early Dismissal at 12:20pm, To-Go Lunch Pickup Available
  • Family Conferences
  • Skyward, Communication, and Attendance Family Workshop, 5:45-6:45 in MMS Small Gym

Friday, February 9

  • Gold Day
  • 1-hour Late Arrival, School Begins at 9:05am
COUNSELING CORNER
Hello MMS Families,

We hope you’re all doing well! We’ve got something exciting coming up and we want to make sure you’re in the loop. Our Career Fair is happening on February 23rd. It’s a chance for our students to peek into different careers and get inspired.

We’d love for you to be part of it! If you or someone you know wants to share their profession, please let Ashley Hoelzle (ahoelzle@meridian.wednet.edu) know by next Wednesday (2/7). Your involvement will make this event extra special for our students as they start thinking about what’s next after middle school and beyond.

Thanks for being awesome supporters of our students!

Best wishes,

MMS Counselors

 

GENERAL MMS INFORMATION
Join Dr. Everett for Thriving Futures Feb. 8 at MHS

We are excited to invite you to Thriving Futures! Connecting our Commitments, our monthly engagement series with Superintendent Dr. James Everett at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 in the library at Meridian High School.

These monthly open meetings are an opportunity for you to meet with Dr. Everett and school administrators, and share your thoughts and questions.

This month, Dr. Everett will be joined by Meridian High School Principal Derek Forbes. They will share exciting school and district updates, and also provide an opportunity for questions and discussion. These monthly meetings are open to the public and light refreshments are provided.
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Skyward, Parent Square, and Attendance Workshop for Families

In conjunction with our evening conference night we will be hosting several workshop sessions for families on a variety of topics to support student learning.  In our small gym on Thursday, February 8 from 5:45 to 6:45 we’ll feature recurring, brief, 15-minute presentations on Skyward, Parent Square, and Attendance tips.  Whether your conference is scheduled for this evening or not, we hope you’ll stop by to hear from our experts on how you can best support your student’s engagement in school.
Mid-Year Conferences

Our mid-year conferences are fast approaching and are now available for you to schedule in Skyward.  We’ve also developed these instructions to help you navigate scheduling if you’re unfamiliar with the process.  We can also help you via phone by calling the MMS office.  We hope to see 100% of our families engage with our staff in this way.  We are ready to have meaningful two-way conversations about how things are going, and will have report cards, i-Ready data, and attendance reports ready to share! These conferences will be held February 6, February 7, and February 8, with evening conferences available on the 8th.  Our school will be on an early release schedule those days with student dismissal at 12:20pm.  Lunch will be available for pick up but will not be served at school.
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Yearbook Photos and 8th Grade Baby Pictures

Families and Students, if you have pictures from sporting events or other school related activities that you would like considered for the yearbook, please follow the instructions below to be considered for the yearbook. Make sure pictures consist of ONLY MMS students (no siblings, family members, or students from other schools).

Calling all 8th graders! Keeping up with tradition, we need baby pictures of 8th graders for the yearbook. Please submit them digitally through yearbookforever.com or bring a physical copy with your students name on the back to the office.

To submit digitally, go to yearbookforever.com and enter Meridian Middle School, Lynden WA (make sure you select the correct one, not Idaho). Select Yearbook Snap and enter the code mms to upload your students baby picture!

All pictures are due no later than March 29th
Seeking Career Fair Presenters
Exciting news! Meridian Middle School will be hosting a Career Fair on February 23rd, where students will gain valuable insights into different professions.  To put this on, we need your help! Parents and guardians, your expertise can shape students’ understanding of careers.
Interested? Please email Ashley Hoelzle (ahoelzle@meridian.wednet.edu) and let her know your interest and profession as soon as possible.

To ensure a smooth and successful Career Fair, participants are kindly requested to arrive at 8 am for setup on the day of the event.  The Career Fair itself will take place from 9 am to 12:30 pm.  Participants will be stationed at individual tables, where they will have the opportunity to engage with students and answer questions about their professions.

Thank you for supporting our students’ career exploration. Your involvement will inspire and guide them as they plan their future paths.

Questions? Contact us by emailing Ashley Hoelzle (ahoelzle@meridian.wednet.edu).
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Attendance Tips 

Did you know that frequent headaches, stomachaches, or nausea can be signs of illness, but they can also signal feelings of anxiety. If you are frequently feeling sick before school, it may be helpful to reach out to a counselor or trusted adult.

 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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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.
Weekly Cordata Food Pantry

There is a weekly food pantry for students and families who live in the Cordata area from 2:30-4pm every Friday at Cordata Presbyterian Church (400 Meadowbrook Ct).  Just stop by if your family is in need!
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