Last year we introduced our new strategic plan called Our Commitments. The plan was created in partnership with staff, families, students and our community. Our Commitments has five core values: belonging, communication, support, wellness and learning. We wanted to hear from different people about what these values mean to them.
Malachi, 8th grader at Meridian Middle School
Why is belonging important?
“I feel like if you want to be a team, it’s not going to be efficient, and it’s not going to work, unless everyone has a place. If there’s people who are left out, then it kind of breaks down the whole thing. If you’re trying to build a community, it doesn’t work if there’s people that are left out. Last year when I was in the 7th grade, there were some leaders in the 8th grade that brought me in and it feels so much better than people realize to feel like you belong somewhere.”
Cynthia Richardson, technology integration coach
What does learning mean to you?
“Learning means diving into something that you are unsure of, taking chances, making mistakes, getting messy in the words of Ms. Frizzle. You’re finding out something so that you can grow, so that you can support yourself and others in a topic.”
Charlie Grace, 6th grader at Meridian Middle School
Why is learning important?
“I think learning is important because it sets you up for your future, so you can get a good career and a good job. It helps you and gives you more opportunities.”
Kennedy and Morgan, student school board representatives at Meridian High School
Why is communication important?
“Communication at the school means sharing information between parents, staff and students that will overall create a clear understanding of what’s happening at Meridian. It’s vital for everyone to be able to have the necessary information in order to keep up with the ongoing events, grades, issues, and many other activities at Meridian. As School Board representatives, we value open communication because it helps everyone stay connected and have a better understanding of each other’s goals.”
What does wellness mean to you?
“Wellness can come in many different forms such as mental, physical, academic, social and others. The strategic plan seeks out a way in which everyone in the district can have overall good wellness and feel supported in the many different categories of school. We value wellness because we want every student at Meridian to have the opportunity and access to become their best self.”