Principal’s Message
IRE Families,
Welcome back this week Trojan families! We hope your winter break included time to reconnect and make special memories together. As we return to school, this is a great moment to gently reset weekly routines that help children feel confident and ready to learn.
You might consider reflecting together on a few simple questions at home:
  • When will we read together each evening?
  • Who will choose the book, and who will do the reading?
  • What time of day works best for i-Ready lessons or daily math practice?
  • How can we make that time calm, focused, and encouraging?
  • What routines help mornings and bedtimes feel smoother for our family?
Small, consistent habits such as reading nightly, talking about math thinking, and celebrating effort make a big difference over time.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We’re excited to start this next chapter together and look forward to a strong winter ahead.
Best,
Tyler Dockins, Principal
Nate Beede, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Kratzig, Dean of Instruction

Vision and Hearing Screening

Our routine vision and hearing screenings will be held January 5–9, 2026 for all students in grades K-3rd, and 5th as well as 4th grade special educational students, to help make sure every student is set up for success in the classroom.
Please have your students bring/wear their glasses or corrective lenses during this time so we can get an accurate reading of their visual health.
If you prefer that your child not take part in the screenings, just send a quick email to sking@meridian.wednet.edu before January 5, 2026 to let us know.

Lost and Found

If your student is missing a jacket, sweatshirt, lunch box, etc., please stop by and take a look at our lost and found. It’s probably there.
All lost and found items will be donated mid January, 2026.
When is your child too sick for school?

Reminders: Cold and Flu Season; When to Keep Your Child Home
A Message from Health Services
Fall is quickly approaching and so is cold and flu season! Please help us keep our school community healthy by keeping your child at home when they are not feeling well. Keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the symptoms: fever or chills, shortness of breath, wet or productive cough, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea.
We encourage regular attendance and students may return to school as soon as they are feeling better, and are fever-free for more than 24 hours without fever reducing medication. While in school, your student can help slow the spread of germs by covering their nose or mouth when coughing and sneezing, and washing hands frequently with soap and water.
Please contact your child’s school if they are going to be absent due to illness. If you have additional questions, please visit our Health Services webpage or contact our school nurses.

From our PTA

Improv Club is coming to Irene Reither in January!

The IRE PTA is teaming up with Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) to try a new after-school program where kids will learn communication, problem-solving and emotional intelligence. Space is limited so register before it’s too late!
Jan. 8-March 19, Thursday 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
$100 per student