Next week is the final week prior to Spring Break. It was great to see some sunshine earlier this week and students embraced it by getting outside and enjoying each other’s company during lunches. We look forward to more good weather as spring begins. Our 8th graders even capitalized on meeting behavioral expectations to earn some extra time at lunch on Monday. If you have an 8th grader congratulate them! Our 6th graders also met behavioral expectations last week and earned a staff vs. student game – their second of the year – which we held earlier today. It’s a great opportunity to build school culture and collectively celebrate the success of our students.
Don’t forget about our Meridian Thrive Awards, which are still accepting nominations until next Friday. We have such an amazing staff here at Meridian Middle School who put their all into working with our students. If you’ve had a particularly excellent experience with anyone in Meridian in particular, take a few moments to submit a nomination. It’s pretty easy! There are award categories for staff members who excel in each area of our strategic plan – Belonging, Communication, Support, Wellness, and Learning.
As always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
GO TROJANS!
-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, March 25
Black Day
Tuesday, March 26
Gold Day
Art Club, 2:45pm in Room 51
Wednesday, March 27
Black Day
Video Game Club, 2:45pm in Room 12
ASB Election Packets Due by 8:05am
Thursday, March 28
Gold Day
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 7:30am in Small Gym
Social Justice League, 4:00pm in Room 32
Friday, March 29
Black Day
Late Arrival, School Begins at 9:05am
COUNSELING CORNER
Dear Meridian Middle School Families,
We are thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Jessica Normal-Wells to our counseling team! Dr. Normal-Wells will be joining us as our new mental health counselor, bringing valuable expertise and support to our students.
Dr. Normal-Wells will be with us part-time for the remainder of the current school year, and will transition to a full-time role starting in the fall, ensuring even greater access to counseling services for our students.
With her extensive background in mental health services, Dr. Normal-Wells will play a vital role in supporting the social, emotional, and academic well-being of our students. We are grateful to have her as part of our school community and look forward to the positive impact she will make on the lives of our students.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the counseling services available, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Best regards,
MMS Counselors
GENERAL MMS INFORMATION
Lost & Found to Be Donated
If your child is missing some gear or other items, have them check the lost and found next week. All items that are still here as of next Friday will be donated to the Meridian Family Resource Center. If they’ve lost smaller or more valuable items like phones, jewelry, or earbuds, have them check in with the secretaries in the office.
Meridian Annual Awards
Each year Meridian School District provides the opportunity for parents, staff, students, and community members to nominate a Meridian staff member for recognition for outstanding service. This year, these awards have been rebranded as the “Thrive Awards” and align with our new strategic plan and our five commitments – Belonging, Communication, Support, Wellness, and Learning.
If you know a Meridian staff member who has exceeded your expectations in those areas – please take a moment to submit a nomination. For more information on the awards, please visit our website.
Attendance Tips
Spring break is coming! How will you keep routines going when school is out? Keeping consistent wake-ups and bedtimes is a great way to manage tiredness when you’re back at school.
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
Spring State Assessments Begin Soon
Spring state assessments will begin soon for students in grades 3 – 8 and 10. English language arts (ELA) and math are measured with Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA). Science is measured with the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) in grades 5, 8 and 11. At MMS, we’ll be testing for SBA on April 30, May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and WCAS for 8th graders on May 14 and 15.
The results from the state assessments will help us improve instructional practices and give families information about how their student is doing and where additional help might be needed. The assessments also give us a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to be ready for college or career by graduation. For students in grade 10, the Smarter Balanced tests can also be used as a graduation pathway. Results are reported by September of each year. Final reports will be provided to families if their student participated in state testing.
You can help support your child in doing their best during state assessments by having them come to school on time each day, encouraging a good night of sleep and eating breakfast. Most students will take the assessments online using their Chromebook. Please remind your child to have their Chromebook device fully charged for school.
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Begins April 18th
Students in eighth grade will be taking part in comprehensive sexual health lessons beginning April 18th 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 body systems project in an alternative location.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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
Summer Grocery Benefits to Eligible Families
Beginning this summer, Washington will provide grocery benefits through a program called Sun Bucks to help families with eligible school-age children buy groceries during the summer. Families will receive $120 per eligible child. Families that qualify for free or reduced-price meal benefits for the 2023-24 school year will be eligible to receive Sun Bucks. For more information visit:https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt
