It was great to see everyone again this week after Spring Break! It is hard to believe we are this far along in the school year, with just one quarter left to go. Teachers are working on finalizing grades for third quarter and we will let you know soon when you can see those progress reports posted to Skyward.
One of our intentional focuses this year has been on creating connections for students between the work they’re doing in middle school to their potential career fields when they leave after graduation. This week our 7th and 8th graders got to spend the day participating in some hands-on activities brought to us by the Educational Service District program called “STEM Like Me.” You can check out some pictures on the district’s social media accounts. Also – you’ll be able to read about another upcoming post-secondary connection in our counselor blurb below!
As always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
GO TROJANS!
-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, April 15
Black Day
Tuesday, April 16
Gold Day
Wednesday, April 17
Black Day
Board Game Club, 2:45pm in Room 12
Track Meet, 4pm at Lummi Nation School
Comprehensive Sexual Education Curriculum Review Meeting, 5:30pm in MMS Library
Thursday, April 18
Gold Day
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 7:30am in Small Gym
Acceptance Club, 4:00pm in Room 32
Talent Show, 7:00pm at MHS Auditorium
Friday, April 19
Gold Day
Late Arrival, School Begins at 9:05am
Talent Show, 7:00pm at MHS Auditorium
COUNSELING CORNER
Dear MMS Families,
We are excited to announce an upcoming field trip for our 8th-grade class to Bellingham Technical College! This trip promises to be an enriching and educational experience for our students. Here are some reasons why we believe this field trip is important:
Exploration of Career Pathways: Visiting Bellingham Technical College will expose our students to various career pathways and technical programs available for their future. This firsthand experience will help them make informed decisions about their academic and career goals.
College Readiness: By touring the campus and interacting with faculty and students, our 8th graders will gain valuable insight into the college environment. This exposure will help them feel more confident and prepared as they begin thinking about their post-secondary education.
Hands-On Learning: Bellingham Technical College offers state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on learning opportunities in fields such as engineering, healthcare, culinary arts, and more. Our students may have the chance to engage in interactive demonstrations and activities that complement their classroom learning.
The field trip details are as follows:
Date: April 25
Destination: Bellingham Technical College
Departure: Meridian Middle School at 8:30 AM
Return: Expected around 11:30 AM
Permission Forms: Permission forms will be distributed to students on Monday. Please ensure they are returned promptly.
We are also seeking parent volunteers to chaperone this exciting trip. If you are interested in joining us as a chaperone, please reach out to Ashley Hoelzle at ahoelzle@meridian.wednet.edu. Your involvement is greatly appreciated and will contribute to the success of this educational outing.
*Please note the Band Festival occurring on April 25th will take priority and all 8th students who are in band will still be going to the festival.*
Thank you for your continued support in providing valuable learning experiences for our students. If you have any questions or concerns about the field trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
MMS Counselors
GENERAL MMS INFORMATION
Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting
We will be hosting our parent meeting for all 6th graders headed to Outdoor Education camp next month on Monday April 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the big gym at MMS. Students and parents are invited to attend the meeting to learn more about camp, meet camp counselors, and get information to take home for what to pack.
8th Grade Promotion
This year’s 8th grade promotion ceremony and celebration will be held here at Meridian Middle School on Monday, June 17 at 9:30am. Families are invited to come and celebrate the achievement of their students as they promote on to high school. After the celebration we’ll have a social time for families, including refreshments.
Each year a parent committee forms to plan a celebratory dance for our 8th graders that evening, as well as to help with decorating for the promotion ceremony. If you are interested in being part of that parent planning committee, please send an email to Mr. Kratzig by Friday, April 26.
Attendance Tips
Welcome back, you’re in the last stretch of the year! As we near the end of the year, you may be feeling overwhelmed with missing assignments. It can be hard to get to school when you’re worried about the workload. By picking one missing assignment per week, you can start to chip away at the number of assignments and leave time to handle anything new. This will also help your grades for a strong finish!
TDaP Vaccine for Incoming 7th Graders
The TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and polio) vaccine or a medical exemption signed by a Washington state healthcare provider are required by state law for all 7th graders. Proof will need to be provided to the health office before the beginning of 7th grade. If the school does not have proof of the vaccination or exemption your student will be excluded from school until one or the other is provided.
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.
Families can have an opportunity to review the curriculum this coming Wednesday, April 17 at 5:30pm in the MMS Library.
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
Cooke Young Scholars Program
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.
The application closes May 9, 2024. For more information visit their website.
