Principal’s Message
IRE Families,
Week 36 out of 39 this week, IRE families! As we get closer to the last day of school, we are entering one of the most exciting times of the year. We have many upcoming activities and opportunities for families to get involved, all of which help contribute to the incredible culture and sense of belonging at Irene Reither Elementary.
We love when families are connected and engaged in our school community. Please continue finding ways to connect with our PTA and participate in the many end-of-year events ahead. Your partnership helps make IRE such a special place for students, staff, and families.
Additionally, on May 22nd, our school will wear purple in support of Lupus Awareness Day. This is an important opportunity for our school community to show care and support for individuals and families impacted by lupus. Please read more below about how this cause connects to members of our IRE community.
Best,
Tyler Dockins, Principal
Nate Beede, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Kratzig, Dean of Instruction

Calling all Parents of Tweens!

The internet is part of everyday life for kids — and so are the risks that come with it. Online predators, exploitation, and harmful content are realities that families in our community aren’t immune to. That’s why we’re bringing this conversation directly to parents.
Brigid Collins Family Support Center presents “Screens & Tweens” — a free prevention training on June 3rd, featuring Agent Miller with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. You’ll gain real insight into the digital world your child is growing up in and leave with tools to help keep them safer. Join us at Bellingham Golf & Country Club from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is free and refreshments will be provided!
Register for Screens & Tweens

Lupus Awareness
May is Lupus awareness month. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues and organs. Lupus causes widespread inflammation and damages many parts of the body. The disease is unpredictable, characterized by times when symptoms worsen (flares) and times when they improve (remission). It is estimated that ~1.5 million people in the US are living with some form of Lupus. While it can affect anyone, it is most common in women of color, between the ages 15 and 44. The exact cause of lupus is not known and there is currently no cure, but treatments help manage symptoms, prevent flares, and reduce organ damage. We have a young, Lupus warrior at our school. Please join us in showing your support by sharing about the disease and wearing purple May 22nd. Our hope is to improve funding toward Lupus research and reduce the stigma around this often invisible autoimmune disease.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day – no school
Tuesday, May 26 – last day for preschool
Thursday, May 28 – 6:30-7:30pm – 5th grade school dance
Thursday, June 4 – last day for TK and TK field day
Friday, June 5 – K-5th grade field day
Tuesday, June 9 – kindergarten graduation
Wednesday, June 10 – last day of school – 1:15pm dismissal

Spring Testing is here!
Our annual spring assessments are just around the corner! Students in grades 3–5 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA), 5th graders will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS), and all students in grades K–5 will complete i-Ready testing.
Testing Dates:
  • ELA (Grades 3–5): April 27–30 (✅Done)
  • Math (Grades 3–5): May 11–13 (✅Done)
  • i-Ready (Grades K–5): May 18–21
  • WCAS (Grade 5 only): May 27–28
You can help your child feel confident and prepared by:
  • Encouraging them to try their best
  • Making sure they bring a fully charged Chromebook each day
  • Providing a healthy breakfast
  • Helping them get plenty of rest
We are proud of the hard work our students have shown all year and look forward to seeing them shine during testing!

Lockdown Drill This Week
Next week (5/25 – 5/29), our school will conduct a lockdown drill as part of our regular safety practices. Last week’s newsletter messaging was intended for this week.
These drills help students and staff know what to do in case we ever need to secure the building. We approach these drills calmly and in an age-appropriate way—much like we do with fire drills—to help students feel prepared and safe, not scared.
You can support your child by talking together about the drill. Here are a few age-appropriate discussion questions you might use:
  • What did you do during the drill?
  • How did you feel before, during, and after?
  • What helps you feel safe at school?
  • Who are adults at school you can go to if you ever feel worried?
Thank you for helping us keep our school a safe and supportive place for everyone.

Volunteer with Field Day

It is time for our end of the year celebration – Field Day! This is an opportunity for students to celebrate their learning and connect with their friends before the summer break.
To put on this big event, we need lots of volunteers!
For TK Field Day, volunteers are needed June 4th, from 1PM-3PM. You can sign up here.
For Kindergarten through 5th Grade, volunteers are needed on June 5th throughout the day. You can sign up for a shift (or three!) here.
All volunteers need to have their WATCH forms for this school year filled out and turned in to the IRE office no later than June 1st.
The form can be found here:  https://www.meridian.wednet.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/W… or you may get one from the main office.
Got questions – feel free to email iremeridianpta@gmail.com!

Last PTA Meeting – New Officers Needed!

It is time for our last PTA meeting of the year – and we are going out in style! Join us at District Brewing for a round of nachos, last minute details about Field Day, big plans about our new playground and next year, and electing new officers for the 2026-2027 school year!
We have four elected positions with our PTA – President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and they are all vital to doing the amazing things we do. We are looking for fresh hands and brains to help our work next year so join us and maybe throw your hat in the ring. Please? Pretty please?
If you have questions about the PTA meeting or getting involved as part of the PTA Board, feel free to shoot us an email at iremeridianpta@gmail.com

Meridian IRE Skate Nights (Mon. May 18th and Weds. May 27th) from 6PM-8:30PM

We have reserved Lynden Skateway just for Meridian families this May. Come have fun with your fellow Trojans!
We encourage K-2nd Graders to come on the 18th and 3rd-5th Graders to come on the 27th, however families are welcome to attend when you can.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Snacks and food are available at your own purchase.
ALL IRE Students get to skate for free (skate rental included) courtesy of the Meridian PTA.
Pricing for non-students: $4.50 with own skates, $7.50 with skate rentals. If a parent doesn’t skate there is no charge.