Family Newsletter 2/21/25

Dear Families,

Thank you for making our Winter Conferences such a success! We truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with us and discuss your student’s progress and goals as we continue through the school year.

If you were unable to attend, we will be mailing home your student’s report card and iReady data. Please know that our doors are always open—you’re welcome to reach out anytime to discuss your student’s progress. These important conversations aren’t limited to conference weeks, and we greatly value our partnership with you!

-Todd Torgeson, Principal

-Jill Hammack, Assistant Principal

On Friday, February 28, all MMS students will participate in a career fair. During Homeroom, students completed an interest survey to help match them with career fields that align with their interests. As they explore the fair, they will visit tables related to those fields to learn more about various careers and the pathways to entering those professions.

When students go home on Friday, ask them which tables they visited and what they learned!

Becca Routhe supports multilingual students at MMS in a variety of ways. She provides assistance in general education classes, support classes, and one-on-one sessions with students. Ms. Becca is often seen helping students navigate accessibility tools, reinforcing classroom concepts, and offering encouragement.

In a recent conversation, a student who has worked with Ms. Becca shared that she has been a key factor in his success. He noted that she has supported him for the past four years—even during elementary school—and has continually encouraged him to challenge himself. He also expressed that Ms. Becca “believed in him,” which made a meaningful impact.

Ms. Becca’s actions are a prime example of the power of love & power of attention. She is seeing the best in students and giving attention to their best traits which serves to continue growing and developing those areas of strength. This

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Becca fosters a sense of belonging by advising the Multicultural Club after school. Thank you, Ms. Becca, for your dedication and the many ways you support students!

We are committed to continuously improving our school district and providing the best education for all our students. To do that, we need your feedback!

Please take a few minutes to complete our annual survey. Your insights will help us identify key areas to focus on, ensuring we deliver the highest quality education. This survey is also crucial for tracking our progress towards the goals outlined in Our Commitments, our strategic plan.

We want to hear your thoughts on various topics, including school communication, learning expectations, and your interactions with teachers and administrators. The survey is available in multiple languages.

Please complete the survey by March 7.

As your student prepares for high school, you may be wondering about opportunities to get a head start on college and career pathways. At Meridian High School, dual credit programs allow students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time—often at little or no cost. These courses can help students explore interests, build confidence, and prepare for the future. Check out this letter to learn more about dual credit options at MHS and how your student can take advantage of these opportunities!

We are excited to share a great opportunity for our students. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is offering free tutoring resources through Math Nation Washington for grades 6-12. These resources are available in multiple languages, available 24/7 and includes virtual tutoring and personalized instruction. This program provides valuable support to help our students excel in math. This free tool is a great way to support your child with math at home.

To access Math Nation, have your child sign on with their district Chromebook:

Getting Started:

If you have additional questions about Math Nation please contact your teacher or Instructional Coach Cynthia Richardson, crichardson@meridian.wednet.edu.

​Assistance League of Bellingham (ALB) is offering summer scholarships for students in grades 6-11 (student’s grade level at time of application) who attend public schools in Whatcom County, including home-schooled students with a Whatcom public school affiliation.   The Enrichment Scholarship Program is accepting applications through March 15, 2025. For more information visit the ALB website at:

Check out the attached list of some of the summer camps/programs that students have attended in past years.

Applications are available now to apply for the 2025-2026 American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) awards.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will accept signed and completed applications that are postmarked by March 3, 2025. Applications must be accompanied with all required attachments.

To download the application and instruction materials, go to  https://wsac.wa.gov/american-indian-endowed-scholarship, and click “How do I apply?” (download requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, Version 11.0 or newer)

To be eligible, an applicant must:

·         Have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian tribe or community in Washington state

·         Intend to use his or her education to benefit the American Indian community in this state

·         Be enrolled full-time for 2025-26, beginning fall term, at a participating college or university in-state

·         Have demonstrated financial need (as determined by the college financial aid office, per FAFSA)

·         Be a Washington state resident

·         Have not received a total of five years of this scholarship

There is a priority for upper-division and graduate-level students, however, all qualified applicants are considered. IMPORTANT: Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

A selection committee composed of representatives from the American Indian community in-state will review and score the applications. The number of scholarships and amounts awarded are based on an evaluation of the interest earnings available in the endowment. Scholarships generally range between $500 to $2,000 each for the academic year. Finalists are announced in the spring.

Mail the signed application, with required attachments, postmarked by March 3, 2025, to:

American Indian Endowed Scholarship Program

Washington Student Achievement Council

PO Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430

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