In this issue:
- One Team: Transportation
- National School Bus Safety Week
- MMS Schools on the Rise Award
- Disability History and Awareness Month
- National Principals Month
- Calendar Committee and Survey
- Shine and Thrive Awards
- Welcome New Staff
- Community Partner Feature: CTK Food Share and Farm
- Standard Response Protocol: Shelter
- Meridian in the Media
- Key Dates
One Team: Transportation
Transportation Team Keeps Meridian Moving
When students step onto a school bus each morning, they see the driver behind the wheel. What they may not see is the team of transportation professionals working together behind the scenes to make every ride possible.
Transportation Specialists
From routing students and answering parent questions to scheduling field trips, training drivers, and ensuring buses meet rigorous safety standards, Meridian’s Transportation Department plays a critical role in supporting student success. Our transportation specialists, Belinda Maas and Tyler Eldred, serve as the communication hub between schools, families, and drivers, helping coordinate routes and keeping operations running smoothly each day. They shared that one of the most rewarding parts of their work is building relationships with students and supporting the drivers who safely transport them.
Mechanic
Our transportation mechanic, Craig Allen, services and repairs not only school buses but also the district’s motor pool vehicles. From routine maintenance and state inspections to complex diagnostics and repairs, this work helps ensure students arrive at school and home safely. For him, there is a deep sense of pride in knowing that the vehicles students, staff and families rely on each day are safe and running well.
Bus Drivers
And of course, there are our bus drivers, who are often the first and last school district employees students see each day. One bus driver shared that he loves working with kids because it gives him a chance to be young and goofy alongside them while building positive relationships. Those daily interactions help create a welcoming start and end to the school day for many students.
“We have an incredible team in transportation, and everyone here takes pride in their work and is committed to supporting our students,” said Director of Transportation Michele Apeles. “Whenever there is a need, our team steps up and gets it done.”
Whether they are behind the wheel, under the hood, on the radio, or coordinating routes from the office, every member of the Transportation Department is working toward the same goal: getting students where they need to be safely and supporting their success along the way. Their work is a perfect example of One Team, One Purpose.
National School Bus Safety Week: Oct. 19-23
When to Stop for a School Bus
Washington state law (RCW 46.61.370) outlines when drivers must stop for school buses. On a two-lane road, drivers traveling in both directions must stop when the bus’s flashing red lights or retractable stop sign are activated.
On roads with three or more marked lanes, drivers traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop. The same exception applies to highways divided into separate roadways. However, drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus must always stop. (Information from OSPI, School Buses Are Back: Know When to Stop.)
Practicing Emergency Drills
Twice per year our students and staff practice emergency exit drills on our school buses. During the drill, students practice how to safely use the emergency exits on our buses. They line up, remove their backpacks, and exit out of the side or back of the bus. Student and staff helpers are there to assist young students so they can safely get off the bus.
MMS is a School on the Rise!
Meridian Middle School was one of just 15 schools statewide to earn the Washington Schools on the Rise Award! The award, presented by the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), recognizes schools where students and adults work together to build an exceptional school culture, elevate student voice, and create meaningful opportunities for shared leadership.
MMS was specifically recognized for the intentional systems it has created to make student voice an essential part of the school experience. Through meaningful student-adult partnerships, students are true collaborators in shaping the school’s culture, learning experiences, and future. Student feedback directly influences professional learning, strengthening relationships between students and staff and reinforcing that authentic belonging begins with meaningful connections. This focus is driving real improvements in student outcomes.
Please join us in celebrating MMS!
Disability History and Awareness Month
October is Disability History and Awareness Month. During this month, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disabilities while promoting awareness, respect, acceptance, and inclusion. It is also an opportunity to foster a greater sense of pride and belonging for individuals with disabilities. Here are just a few stories from our schools that highlight these values in action:
Building Confidence for the Workforce (June 2026): Meridian High School students gained valuable, real-world skills thanks to a partnership with Cascade Connections and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
April Meridian Monthly (April 2026): Our schools are proud to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month during the month of April. While awareness helps us recognize names and labels, acceptance is about action. It is about embracing the talents and strengths our students who are neurodiverse. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels seen, heard and valued. To celebrate the month, we took a moment to meet with some of our students and hear from them!
Support with Melissa Whitten (April 2025): In Meridian, we believe in the power of support. Our developmental preschool program exemplifies this through their dedication to nurturing success in every student by working in partnership with staff and families.
Meridian High School Students Champion Teamwork (April 2025): Students at Meridian High School (MHS) are breaking down stereotypes and creating a more accepting community through Unified Sports. Unified Sports, a program under the Special Olympics, unites students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. This fosters social inclusion through shared sports experiences, promoting friendship, understanding and respect among participants across all grade levels and backgrounds.
National Principals Month
Thank you, school leaders!
During National Principals Month, we celebrate the dedicated leaders who help make our schools places where every student can learn, grow and thrive.
Our principals play a vital role in shaping positive school cultures, supporting students and staff, and fostering meaningful connections with families and the community. Their leadership creates welcoming environments where everyone feels valued and supported. Please join us in thanking and recognizing our school principals:
- Irene Reither Elementary School: Principal Tyler Dockins, Assistant Principal Holly Li and Assistant Principal Rebecca Kratzig
- Meridian Parent Partnership Program (MP3): Principal Michelle Siadal
- Meridian Middle School: Principal Robert Kratzig and Assistant Principal Jill Hammack
- Meridian High School: Principal Shaun Doffing and Assistant Principal Rob Zabel
Calendar Committee and Survey
We are beginning the process of developing our school year calendars for the next three years, and we know how important these calendars are to our families, staff and community.
We invite you to share your feedback by completing our online survey and/or applying to serve on the Calendar Committee. Both the survey and Calendar Committee application will close at noon on Monday, Oct. 12.
Details about the Calendar Committee, including its purpose, scope of work, and meeting dates, are available on our website.
Shine and Thrive Awards
Last week we celebrated our September Shine and Thrive Award recipients! These monthly awards recognize student achievements connected to our commitments: belonging, communication, support, wellness and learning.
Please join us in congratulating these students!
Carlos, senior at Meridian High School
Carlos earned the Trojan Heart Award because he listens to instructions and sets a positive example for other students. He helps new students feel welcome and included. He uses his bilingual skills to support students, including helping them understand academic subjects. He can always be trusted to do the right thing.
Jacob, sophomore at Meridian High School
Jacob earned the Trojan Heart Award because of his exceptional kindness and leadership. In class, he patiently guides students through hands-on learning with genuine care. He brings positive energy to class every day and to his role as an FFA officer. Jacob truly elevates our entire school community through his kindness.
Welcome New Staff
Please join us in welcoming these new staff to Meridian School District. (These staff members were hired during the Sept. 9 and 23 board meetings).
- Erika Beaudin, ALE science teacher at MP3
- Ashley Bruland, teacher at Irene Reither Elementary
- Lilibeth Campos, paraeducator at Irene Reither Elementary
- Macy Den Adel, paraeducator at Irene Reither Elementary
- Regan DeMent, secretary at Meridian High School
- Melissa Gardner, paraeducator at Meridian High School
- Killie Knoll, student monitor at Irene Reither Elementary School
- Peyton Laws Ninnemann, paraeducator at Meridian Middle School
- Ana Martinez, bilingual school secretary at Irene Reither Elementary
- Kylie Parks, student monitor at Irene Reither Elementary
- Brian VanWinkle, bus driver for transportation
Community Partner Feature
CTK Food Share and Farm
The Meridian Family Support Center is fortunate to work alongside many community partners who help support our students and families, and CTK Food Share & Farm is one of those valued partners.
Throughout the year, CTK Food Share & Farm provides fresh produce, pantry items, and student snacks that help stock the Meridian Family Support Center and support food distributions for local families. They also step in to help meet specific needs when requested.
Beyond meeting basic needs, CTK Food Share & Farm creates meaningful learning experiences for students. First-grade students explore plant growth through hands-on sprouting studies, while second graders participate in community studies, plant pumpkins and visit the farm for a field trip that brings classroom learning to life.
This fall, CTK Food Share & Farm also welcomed families to a free community event on Sept. 18, where students had the opportunity to visit the farm and pick out their own pumpkins. We are grateful for their continued partnership and commitment to supporting Meridian students, families and our greater community!
Standard Response Protocol: Shelter
For school safety, Meridian School District follows Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love You Guys Foundation. SRP is not based on one individual scenario but on the response to any given scenario. The protocol allows for a predictable series of actions as an unpredictable event unfolds. SRP includes five actions: Hold, Secure, Evacuate, Lockdown and Shelter.
Shelter is called when specific protective actions are needed based on a threat or hazard. Sheltering requires that all students and staff follow response directives based on the threat or hazard. In October, as part of the Great Washington Shake Out, we practice earthquake drills which are part of shelter.
Safety strategies for shelter could include evacuate to shelter area, seal the room, drop, cover and hold, or get to high ground. Students and staff are trained in the appropriate hazards and safety strategies. Each classroom is equipped with emergency supplies in the event that students and staff would need to shelter in place for an extended time.
Learn more about Standard Response Protocol on our website..
Meridian in the Media
Meridian Middle School wins award for school culture (Lynden Tribune)
Meridian School District implements demo lessons into hiring process (Lynden Tribune)
Meridian Family Support Center tears down barriers to help students thrive (Lynden Tribune)
Golf and friends are priority for Meridian senior Logan Jacoby (Lynden Tribune)
Meridian girls shine at Nike Portland Invitational (Lynden Tribune)
Meridian wins Saturday shootout versus Colville (Lynden Tribune)
Meridian sweeps Mount Baker in first conference volleyball match (Lynden Tribune)
Key Dates
October is Disability History and Awareness Month
October is National Principal Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Oct: 2: Staff Learning Day (no school)
Oct. 7: Regular school board meeting, 5 p.m., MMS library
Oct. 21: Regular school board meeting, 5 p.m., MMS library
Oct. 28: MP3 Literacy Day Celebration
Oct. 30: Staff Learning Day (no school)
Looking Ahead
Nov. 11: Veterans Day (No School)
Nov. 25: All Schools Early Dismissal and No Campus Classes at MP3
Nov. 26-27: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)