PLEASE VOTE FEBRUARY 9
Ballots in the mail for Meridian - read more in the Bellingham Herald

PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER - Please read.

MHS SENIOR PUSHES FOR BOND
Joel Wiebe is making "passing the upcoming bond" more than his Senior Project - it is a cause worth pursuing for the good of generations of Meridian School students and teachers. Read more in the Bellingham Herald.


HSPE (HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAM)
2010 TESTING DATES
Reading March 16), Writing (March 17-18),
Math (April 13) and Science (April 15).

(Go to HSPE info at OSPI.)

Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) is being replaced by two new tests: the grades 3-8 Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) and the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE).

The HSPE measures the proficiency of students in high school and serves as the state’s exit exam. Students must pass this assessment or a state-approved alternative in reading and writing in order to be eligible to graduate. The new tests are shorter to take, but will remain just as rigorous. The new tests are also available online over the next few years. In the future, reading, math and science will take just one day each instead of two with the WASL.

The HSPE name conveys the goal of the test: to measure a student’s proficiency of basic skills. Students in the classes of 2010-2012 must pass a reading and writing assessment to be eligible to graduate. If a student has already passed a specific assessment via the WASL (i.e., reading), they will not have to take the HSPE in that content area.
Students in the Class of 2013 are the first to be required to pass reading, writing, math and science assessments.



MERIDIAN BOND MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 14

POSTED: Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, KIRA M. COX - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD


LAUREL - Residents of the Meridian School District are invited to a public information meeting about the upcoming $17 million bond proposal on Thursday, Jan. 14.

The Meridian School District is asking voters to approve a bond to renovate Meridian High School and Irene Reither Primary School. Ballots will be going out to voters in the district later this month and are due Feb. 9.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the Meridian High School Performing Arts Center.

Click to view the article at the Bellingham Herald Online.



MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT-
2010 Meridian School District Bond Information

Between January 20 and February 9, 2010 the citizens of the Meridian School District will have the opportunity to vote and send in their ballots to the Whatcom County Auditor on a bond measure intended to rebuild and provide major renovations to Meridian High School and Irene Reither Primary School.

Factual information is, as always, vital for voters to make an informed decision on the long term future of the facilities that support instruction and student learning in the Meridian School District.

Please take a moment to become aware of the following information....continued


ON-THE-JOB
MATH CLASS
One of several new classes this year at MHS is Ted Goere's Construcitonal and Occupational Math course. Read more in the Bellingham Herald.


SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS

Skyward is an online grade access program that provides parents and students access to classroom progress, attendance information, classroom calendars and more. Teachers have been collecting parent emails so we can email you your password and login. Please let us know if you don't know how to access Skyward - we want to help! (MORE)

H1N1 UPDATES

Whatcom County Health Department asked that we take this opportunity to update you on the current situation with 2009 H1N1 influenza (earlier referred to as "swine flu") and how it might affect school operations.

Please read the NEWEST H1N1 Parent Letter for more information.

AYING FOR SCHOOL LUNCH ONLINE

UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan 27 Early Release
Feb 1 LAST DAY Fall Semester
Feb 6 TOLO
Feb 6 OPEN LIBRARY 9-12:00
Feb 9 PLEASE VOTE
Feb 12 - 15 Mid WInter Break
Mar 1 Spring Sports Begin