Last year, the Strategic Plan Development Committee created a plan that represents our community, and our hopes and expectations for all of our students. The new strategic plan called Our Commitments includes five core values: belonging, communication, support, wellness and learning. This year we are asking staff and students what these values mean to them!
Indy, 8th grader at MP3
Why did you pick belonging and support?
“It is really hard to keep your head around learning when you don’t feel safe in an environment. Like if you don’t feel like you have people that support you through your challenges, it’s really hard to ask for help and if you don’t ask for help then you can’t really grow. With support, thinking about teachers and students, it kind of goes hand in hand with belonging in a way that you need people who are there to help you through your challenges and get you to your learning goals. The teachers here really do genuinely care about the students, which is really nice.”
Merlin, 7th grader at Meridian Middle School
Why did you pick belonging?
“It is important for the teachers to know you more. The staff and teachers help me. They ask me questions, to see if I’m doing good and they check in with my mom, so she knows I am doing good in school. They make my family feel welcome.”
Todd Torgeson, Principal at Meridian Middle School
Why is learning important?
“Learning is growing. If you continue to learn, you continue to grow. Your opportunities are limitless.”
Larisa Shuvalova, multilingual learner specialist at Meridian High School
What does belonging mean to you?
“I work with students who came here from many different places in the world. They fled war, poverty, violence, and find refuge here. The Meridian community helps all students to feel welcome and gives everyone a voice. I am proud to be part of Meridian! I belong here!”