[{"id":23707,"date":"2026-09-28T08:17:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T15:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/?p=23707"},"modified":"2026-09-28T08:17:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T15:17:10","slug":"ire-weekly-update-sept-27th-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/28\/ire-weekly-update-sept-27th-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"IRE Weekly Update &#8211; Sept. 27th, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>IRE Families,<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This last week of September, brings us to a close with our emphasis on being Open-Minded by trying new things. Next month, we move into our Meridian Mindset of being Courageous, by solving problems. A key emphasis will be showing our courageousness when overcoming mistakes, changing our thoughts in how we approach challenges.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Continue the conversation at home with the question for your child\u2019s grade band:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>PK\u20131st: What can you do after a mistake?<\/li>\n<li>Grades 2nd\u20133rd: Which helpful thought or practice strategy can keep you going?<\/li>\n<li>Grades 4th\u20135th: Which habit will help you make progress toward your goal?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Lastly, our kids did an excellent job in practicing our evacuation drill. Feel free to ask:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>What happened during the evacuation drill, and where did your class go?<\/li>\n<li>What did you do to help your class stay safe?<\/li>\n<li>How did you feel during the drill, and is there anything you\u2019d like to ask your teacher about it?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Your friendly neighborhood school leadership team,<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tyler Dockins, Principal<\/div>\n<div>Rebecca Kratzig, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<div>Holly Li, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">When to Stay Home<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Families, we want students at school whenever they are well enough to participate. A child who feels a little under the weather can attend if they can take part in normal activities.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Please keep your child home if they have a fever of\u00a0<strong>100.4\u00b0F or higher<\/strong>, tested positive for flu or COVID-19, have vomited in the past 24 hours, have diarrhea with increased stool frequency, or cannot participate in normal activities. Keep them home for an unexplained rash until a healthcare provider says it is okay to return.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If your child has a fever for more than two days, vomiting or diarrhea for more than two days, or symptoms that are not improving, please contact a healthcare provider. Thank you for helping us keep students healthy and learning! Below is our statewide guidance from OSPI.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:774,height:1000\/1bfVZnsaRIa8OQ8CZxf0\" alt=\"ospi guidance\" width=\"387\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">IRE Individual Picture Days<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Wednesday, October 7<\/div>\n<div>Thursday, October 8<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Watch upcoming newsletters for the schedules.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:772,height:1000\/sfskqIZvRZuzQxhckEbq\" alt=\"Picture Day - October 7th &amp; 8th\" width=\"386\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Calling all Parents of Tweens!<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>The internet is part of everyday life for kids \u2014 and so are the risks that come with it. Online predators, exploitation, and harmful content are realities that families in our community aren\u2019t immune to. That\u2019s why we\u2019re bringing this conversation directly to parents.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Brigid Collins Family Support Center presents \u201cScreens &amp; Tweens\u201d \u2014 a free prevention training on October 1, featuring Agent Miller from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. You\u2019ll 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 our Garden St. Office from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is free and refreshments will be provided!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:800,height:1000\/ZJwpzyv5R3CGj9QhlnNR\" alt=\"Screens &amp; Teens, October 1, 10am-12pm\nBrigid Collins Family Support Center\" width=\"400\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">New K-2 School Counselor<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Hi IRE families! My name is Shanda Morales and I am the new K-2 School Counselor! As a School Counselor, one of my roles is to advocate for and support all students. Part of that is recognizing important awareness dates and creating opportunities for our students to learn and celebrate. Each month, our school will have a bulletin board highlighting a different awareness date or month.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our first board celebrates\u00a0<strong>Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15\u2013October 15!<\/strong>\u00a0This is a time to learn about and celebrate the people, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>On this board, students can explore different\u00a0<strong>people, books, foods, dances, and more<\/strong>\u00a0as we celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:766,height:1000\/D7tMNAWVSzeRnYaCWN0H\" alt=\"All about bats, WCLS - multiple dates and locations\" width=\"383\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column_container s_pl-12 s_pr-12\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:666,height:1000\/GlmGPY2XQlylXLNzp3Um\" alt=\"Winter Coat Distribution.  Multiple dates and locations\" width=\"333\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:666,height:1000\/mFGKKd0RRTegy7AKISy0\" alt=\"Spanish - Winter Coat Distribution.  Multiple dates and locations\" width=\"333\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:416\/L98HPWQLTzmkU16E1P5N\" alt=\"Showing up matters\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Showing Up Matters: Show Up for Success<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>As Attendance Awareness Month comes to a close, we want to thank families for partnering with us to support student success. Regular attendance helps students stay engaged in learning and reach their goals. We know that illnesses and unexpected events happen, and we appreciate your efforts to prioritize attendance whenever possible. Together, we can help every student build habits that lead to success in school and beyond. Thank you for helping us show that every day matters. If there is anything we can do to support your child\u2019s regular attendance,\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact us<\/a><\/u>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:242\/ZJEudU2TBG24JDmBvSFC\" alt=\"Stop Bullying\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">National Bullying Prevention Month &#8211; October<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>At Irene Reither Elementary School, we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students. Our Meridian Mindsets guide our expectations for students to be caring, courageous, trustworthy and open-minded.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>In coordination with National Bullying Prevention Month in October, our school counselors will lead classroom lessons focused on helping make our school a safe and respectful place where everyone can learn.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>These age-appropriate lessons are part of the Second Step Bullying Prevention Unit. Through this unit, your child will learn specific skills to recognize, prevent and respond to bullying.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Students will learn how to:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Recognize when bullying is happening, report it to a trusted adult, and refuse to participate in or support bullying behavior<\/li>\n<li>Be an upstander who helps stop bullying<\/li>\n<li>Support someone who is being bullied by standing up for them and practicing kindness and inclusion<\/li>\n<li>Recognize, report, and refuse cyberbullying when they see it happening or become aware of it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our staff receive annual training on how to recognize and respond to bullying, support students who have been bullied, address bullying behavior, and use strategies that promote a positive school climate.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If you have any questions about the Bullying Prevention Unit or the Second Step program, please contact your school counselor, Laura Lupo (3-5) or Shanda Morales (K-2).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For more information on our\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/families-and-students\/school-day-information\/school-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">school\u2019s anti-bullying policy and specific procedures<\/a><\/u>, visit our website or contact the school office.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for helping us make our school a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IRE Families, This last week of September, brings us to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/28\/ire-weekly-update-sept-27th-2026\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":18708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-principal","category-school-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23707"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23708,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23707\/revisions\/23708"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23694,"date":"2026-09-24T09:00:35","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T16:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/23\/reminder-submit-your-free-and-reduced-price-meal-application\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T11:35:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T18:35:26","slug":"reminder-submit-your-free-and-reduced-price-meal-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/24\/reminder-submit-your-free-and-reduced-price-meal-application\/","title":{"rendered":"Reminder: Submit Your Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Reminder: Submit Your Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application<\/h3>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>We encourage all families to complete an application for free and reduced-price meals for the 2026\u201327 school year. Healthy, nutritious meals play a vital role in supporting your child\u2019s success at school. Submitting your application ensures your child continues to receive free or reduced-price meals and may also qualify your family for additional benefits.<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/21\/important-food-service-and-transportation-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">You can now submit your application through Skyward.<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Irene Reither Elementary<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>At Irene Reither Elementary, all students will continue to receive free meals. However, this depends on continued district eligibility so it is important for families to submit a new application each year. Free\/reduced meal status also provides access to other valuable benefits.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>MP3, Meridian Middle School (MMS) and Meridian High School (MHS)<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>If your student was eligible last year, that eligibility will carry over until\u00a0<strong>Oct. 13<\/strong>. After that date, students will be charged for meals unless a new application is received.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Reminders:<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Families only need to fill out one application for all children in a household.<\/li>\n<li>New applications for free and reduced meals are accepted all year long.<\/li>\n<li>Printed applications in English and Spanish are available in your school office<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><strong>Links to online application:<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net\/meridis\/web\/seplog01.w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apply Online through Skyward<\/a><\/u><\/li>\n<li><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/21\/important-food-service-and-transportation-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instructions for Online Application<\/a><\/u><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>Download and print, or pick up in a school office:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSD-Letter-to-Households-2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026-27 Letter To Households<\/a><\/u><\/li>\n<li><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/MSD-Free-and-Reduced-Price-Meal-Form-2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026-27 Free &amp; Reduced Application<\/a><\/u><\/li>\n<li><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Letter-to-Households-Spanish-2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026-27 Carta a los Grupos Familiares<\/a><\/u><\/li>\n<li><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/MSD-Free-and-Reduced-Meal-Application-Spanish-2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026-27 Solicitud de Group Familiar Para Recibir Comidas Gratuitas Y De Precio Reducido<\/a><\/u><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>If you have already submitted an application for the 2026\u201327 school year, you do not need to reapply unless your household income has changed.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Paid School Lunch Price Increased to $3.70<\/h3>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>This year, the cost of a school lunch increased by 10 cents, from $3.60 to $3.70. This required increase was necessary for us to meet OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) guidelines and ensure our meal program continues to meet the required standards. We appreciate your understanding and support as we make this adjustment.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We accept meal payments through\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mymealtime.com\/signin.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">My MealTime Online<\/a><\/u>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>Questions?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Please<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>contact Erin Groen, Food and Nutrition Coordinator at\u00a0<u><a href=\"mailto:egroen@meridian.wednet.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">egroen@meridian.wednet.edu<\/a><\/u>\u00a0or (360) 318-2267.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reminder: Submit Your Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application We encourage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/24\/reminder-submit-your-free-and-reduced-price-meal-application\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":22282,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-district-update"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23694"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23695,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23694\/revisions\/23695"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23680,"date":"2026-09-21T08:14:28","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T15:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/?p=23680"},"modified":"2026-09-21T08:14:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T15:14:28","slug":"weekly-update-september-20th-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/21\/weekly-update-september-20th-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Update &#8211; September 20th, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>RE Families,<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This past week, we had most of our grade level assemblies (3rd grade is this week). Where we honor a select group of students for demonstrating a strong ability to be open-minded by trying new things, even when it is hard.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Next month, we will focus on the Meridian Mindset of being Courageous, particularly addressing the importance of mistakes and how they give us information for the next step of growth.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Lastly, with Hispanic Heritage month starting this week.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/video\/reaching-for-the-stars-jose-hernandez-story-zlldnt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">We highly recommend watching this documentary<\/a>\u00a0about Jos\u00e9 M. Hern\u00e1ndez, who became a NASA astronaut. His story is one of perseverence where he was denied entrance into the program 11 times before finally making it in on the 12th attempt. The story is also featured in a movie titled\u00a0<em>A Million Miles Away.<\/em><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>In the meantime, we have some questions for conversations around the house, at the dinner table, in the car on the way to events or wherever you spend time as a family.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Questons for Families:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>PK-1st: What are you getting better at by practicing?<\/li>\n<li>2nd-3rd: What can you do now that was harder than before?<\/li>\n<li>4th-5th: What evidence shows that your practice is helping you grow?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Your friendly neighborhood school leadership team,<\/div>\n<div>Tyler Dockins, Principal<\/div>\n<div>Rebecca Kratzig, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<div>Holly Li, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:538\/eJXbyKypRQCoGlmgDlje\" alt=\"standard response protocol\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Evacuation Drill Practice<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>In the coming weeks, students and staff will practice our evacuation drill. We use the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol, which provides clear, consistent actions for responding to emergencies. During an evacuation, students calmly follow staff directions and move to a designated location.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Take some time to ask your child:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>What do you do when you hear the evacuation announcement or fire alarm?<\/li>\n<li>How does your class move safely together?<\/li>\n<li>What helps you feel calm and prepared?<\/li>\n<li>Why is it important to practice safety drills?<\/li>\n<li>What would we do at home in the case of an emergency evacuation?<\/li>\n<li>What is similar and what is different at home when it comes to emergencies?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:766,height:1000\/D7tMNAWVSzeRnYaCWN0H\" alt=\"All about bats, WCLS - multiple dates and locations\" width=\"383\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:278\/FNECZjuyQZivJeCVAAUj\" alt=\"Car\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Morning Arrival Reminder<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>A quick reminder that\u00a0<strong>student supervision begins at 8:40am (9:40am on Fridays)<\/strong>, when breakfast begins. Please plan to drop off your student no earlier than 8:40am, as we do not have supervision available before then.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>You may see students on campus before 8:40am, these students are attending the YMCA program and are supervised through that program.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for helping us keep mornings safe and organized for everyone!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">New K-2 School Counselor<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Hi IRE families! My name is Shanda Morales and I am the new K-2 School Counselor! As a School Counselor, one of my roles is to advocate for and support all students. Part of that is recognizing important awareness dates and creating opportunities for our students to learn and celebrate. Each month, our school will have a bulletin board highlighting a different awareness date or month.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our first board celebrates\u00a0<strong>Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15\u2013October 15!<\/strong>\u00a0This is a time to learn about and celebrate the people, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>On this board, students can explore different\u00a0<strong>people, books, foods, dances, and more<\/strong>\u00a0as we celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column_container s_pl-12 s_pr-12\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:666,height:1000\/GlmGPY2XQlylXLNzp3Um\" alt=\"Winter Coat Distribution.  Multiple dates and locations\" width=\"333\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:666,height:1000\/mFGKKd0RRTegy7AKISy0\" alt=\"Spanish - Winter Coat Distribution.  Multiple dates and locations\" width=\"333\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Celebrating Our Students<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>The summer is a time where students have many activities, such as sports, recitals, competitions, etc. If you have something you would like to share with the IRE community to place in our &#8220;trophy case&#8221; at the front of the school, reach out to Tyler Dockins, at tdockins@meridian.wednet.edu to share what is important for our students outside of school.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:768,height:1000\/56iBVHgYSlK5gAWjQ9H3\" alt=\"Child Behavior classes, every Tuesday, Sept. 22 - Nov 17, 6-7pm, via Zoom\" width=\"384\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:416\/L98HPWQLTzmkU16E1P5N\" alt=\"Showing up matters\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Showing Up Matters: Show Up for Connection<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>School is about more than academics. When students attend regularly, they have opportunities to build friendships, strengthen relationships with teachers, and engage in activities. These connections help students feel a sense of belonging, one of\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/strategic-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Our Commitments<\/a><\/u>. Showing up helps students stay connected to the people and experiences that make school meaningful. If you have questions about regular attendance or need support, we are here to help. Leave a comment or\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact us<\/a><\/u>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:242\/ZJEudU2TBG24JDmBvSFC\" alt=\"Stop Bullying\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">National Bullying Prevention Month &#8211; October<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>At Irene Reither Elementary School, we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students. Our Meridian Mindsets guide our expectations for students to be caring, courageous, trustworthy and open-minded.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>In coordination with National Bullying Prevention Month in October, our school counselors will lead classroom lessons focused on helping make our school a safe and respectful place where everyone can learn.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>These age-appropriate lessons are part of the Second Step Bullying Prevention Unit. Through this unit, your child will learn specific skills to recognize, prevent and respond to bullying.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Students will learn how to:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Recognize when bullying is happening, report it to a trusted adult, and refuse to participate in or support bullying behavior<\/li>\n<li>Be an upstander who helps stop bullying<\/li>\n<li>Support someone who is being bullied by standing up for them and practicing kindness and inclusion<\/li>\n<li>Recognize, report, and refuse cyberbullying when they see it happening or become aware of it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our staff receive annual training on how to recognize and respond to bullying, support students who have been bullied, address bullying behavior, and use strategies that promote a positive school climate.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If you have any questions about the Bullying Prevention Unit or the Second Step program, please contact your school counselor, Laura Lupo (3-5) or Shanda Morales (K-2).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For more information on our\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/families-and-students\/school-day-information\/school-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">school\u2019s anti-bullying policy and specific procedures<\/a><\/u>, visit our website or contact the school office.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for helping us make our school a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header1 nl-builder_hero-text-title\">PTA News &amp; Updates<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">PTA Meeting<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Monday, September 21<\/div>\n<div>4:00-5:30pm<\/div>\n<div>IRE Library<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:222\/d7hQY3cRji9SZAHbFvbk\" alt=\"BAAY\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Improv by BAAY &#8211; Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth Program: Improv classes for Grades 3-5<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Explore the imaginative world of improv! Students will learn improvisation basics, play games with friends, and create their own unique worlds and situations. The sky\u2019s the limit! Improv is a great way for kids to build confidence and trust in others in a safe and supportive environment.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Session info:<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>September\u00a0\u00a017 \u2013 November 19, 2026 (10 weeks)<\/div>\n<div>Thursdays (10 days total)<\/div>\n<div>3:30pm &#8211; 4:45pm<\/div>\n<div>Irene Reither Elementary:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/954+East+Hemmi+Road+Everson+WA?entry=gmail&amp;source=g\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">954 East Hemmi Road Everson WA<\/a><\/div>\n<div>$132 Register by September 16, 2026 8am PDT<\/div>\n<div>Tuition assistance available for families in need of financial aid. To learn more, visit\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/baay.org\/financial-aid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">baay.org\/financial-aid<\/a><\/div>\n<div><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.6crickets.com\/providerDirectory\/US\/WA\/Bellingham\/BAAY---Bellingham-Arts-Academy-for-Youth-729c68884bd359ad\/sessions\/72365005d57b0fad\/eh3m-uvrg-chkj?refer&amp;school=10304\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign Up Here<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RE Families, This past week, we had most of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/21\/weekly-update-september-20th-2026\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":18708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletter","category-principal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23680"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23681,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23680\/revisions\/23681"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23663,"date":"2026-09-14T08:26:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T15:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/?p=23663"},"modified":"2026-09-14T08:26:03","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T15:26:03","slug":"weekly-update-sept-13-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/14\/weekly-update-sept-13-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Update &#8211; Sept. 13, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>IRE Families,<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This week marks the start of our grade-level assemblies, where we will celebrate students being exemplar models for our month-long focus area: open-minded. Specifically, we coach our students to demonstrating a willingness to try new things even when it is hard.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Continue the conversation at home, aligned with our SEL curriculum, with the question for your child\u2019s grade band:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>PK\u20131: What helps you watch, think, and pay attention?<\/li>\n<li>Grades 2\u20133: What would you like to get better at, and how can your brain grow?<\/li>\n<li>Grades 4\u20135: What makes a goal meaningful and worth pursuing?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Lastly, on the topic of trying new things, our PTA tried a new event last year with Trojan Fest, and it was a BIG HIT. We highly recommend taking time to stop by and connect with others in our IRE Community.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>With excitement,<\/div>\n<div>Tyler Dockins, Principal<\/div>\n<div>Rebecca Kratzig, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<div>Holly Li, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Celebrating Our Students<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>The summer is a time where students have many activities, such as sports, recitals, competitions, etc. If you have something you would like to share with the IRE community to place in our &#8220;trophy case&#8221; at the front of the school, reach out to Tyler Dockins, at tdockins@meridian.wednet.edu to share what is important for our students outside of school.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Pre-K Arrival &amp; Dismissal<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>We are thrilled to welcome our Pre-K classes to IRE on Monday 9\/14! To support a strong arrival and dismissal for all students, please note the following details for your PK student and older siblings of PK students.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>PK Arrival:<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>Parents are welcome to walk students to class on Monday, 9\/14. After that, we ask that parents say goodbye from the foyer. We will have staff available to walk students from the foyer to the classroom.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Beginning Tuesday, we ask that parents and siblings walk PK students to the foyer and say goodbye there. For students riding the bus, older siblings may walk their PK sibling to the small playground after getting off the bus and then head to class. To help our PK students have a smooth transition into their day and to build independence, we ask that PK siblings do not walk students to their classroom door.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>PK Dismissal:<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>Older siblings can plan to meet their PK sibling on the bus or in the green zone for parent pick-up. PK students will wait in the fenced area behind the green zone. Older siblings should wait in the grassy area to the left of the main entrance to IRE Building A.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:416\/L98HPWQLTzmkU16E1P5N\" alt=\"Showing up matters\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Showing Up Matters: Show Up Prepared<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>A successful school day often starts the night before. Consistent routines help students arrive at school on time and ready to learn. Simple habits such as getting enough sleep, packing backpacks, charging devices, and planning for the morning can make a big difference. When students feel prepared, they are more confident and ready to make the most of their day. If you have questions about regular attendance or need support, we are here to help. Leave a comment or\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact us<\/a><\/u>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:242\/ZJEudU2TBG24JDmBvSFC\" alt=\"Stop Bullying\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">National Bullying Prevention Month &#8211; October<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>At Irene Reither Elementary School, we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students. Our Meridian Mindsets guide our expectations for students to be caring, courageous, trustworthy and open-minded.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>In coordination with National Bullying Prevention Month in October, our school counselors will lead classroom lessons focused on helping make our school a safe and respectful place where everyone can learn.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>These age-appropriate lessons are part of the Second Step Bullying Prevention Unit. Through this unit, your child will learn specific skills to recognize, prevent and respond to bullying.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Students will learn how to:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Recognize when bullying is happening, report it to a trusted adult, and refuse to participate in or support bullying behavior<\/li>\n<li>Be an upstander who helps stop bullying<\/li>\n<li>Support someone who is being bullied by standing up for them and practicing kindness and inclusion<\/li>\n<li>Recognize, report, and refuse cyberbullying when they see it happening or become aware of it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our staff receive annual training on how to recognize and respond to bullying, support students who have been bullied, address bullying behavior, and use strategies that promote a positive school climate.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If you have any questions about the Bullying Prevention Unit or the Second Step program, please contact your school counselor, Laura Lupo (3-5) or Shanda Morales (K-2).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For more information on our\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/families-and-students\/school-day-information\/school-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">school\u2019s anti-bullying policy and specific procedures<\/a><\/u>, visit our website or contact the school office.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for helping us make our school a safe, respectful place where everyone can learn.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">The Meridian School District participates in the ConnectEd partnership with the Whatcom County Library System<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Students can access books, audiobooks, e-books, digital resource materials, research aids and much more. Better yet, no fines accrue for overdue items! Certain student information is shared with WCLS.\u00a0\u00a0For more information, or if you do not wish to have your student participate in this program, please return the opt-out form (link below) to the library.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_button_component s_pt-12 s_pb-12 s_pl-24 s_pr-24\" align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" width=\"600\"><a class=\"s_typography-button nl-builder_button-link-text\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1HicSYbAyrhDpu56vbglg5G5oty-dsRQp\/view\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WCLS Opt Out Form 2026 &#8211; English<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_button_component s_pt-12 s_pb-12 s_pl-24 s_pr-24\" align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" width=\"600\"><a class=\"s_typography-button nl-builder_button-link-text\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1LTdGofzykyyH1DR9LUt_a3do3TGzc9JW\/view\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WCLS Opt Out Form 2026 &#8211; Spanish<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:644\/NE613985RkW2toazcP4V\" alt=\"Pumpkin Patch @ CTK Foodshare and Farm\nSeptember 18 - 3:00-7:00pm\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Free Fall Fun at CTK Foodshare and Farm (across from IRE)<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>CTK Foodshare and Farm invites Irene Reither students and families to a free fall event from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>IRE second graders planted pumpkins at the farm last spring, and now those pumpkins are ready to be picked! Students can choose a pumpkin to take home while enjoying games, crafts and other fun fall activities. Bring the whole family to this special community event!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header1 nl-builder_hero-text-title\">PTA News &amp; Updates<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:620\/DVUgohrQ9GuKuBXapvIH\" alt=\"Pre K Tears and Cheers\nSeptember 14 - drop off until 9:30am\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Pre K &#8211; Tears and Cheers<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>The Meridian PTA Presents &#8230;<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tears and Cheers!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>PK Parents and Guardians are invited to join us for snacks, coffee and getting to know your fellow PK families.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>After drop off<\/strong>\u00a0on September 14th, head to the fenced in area outside of Building A to celebrate and share some tears and\/or cheers!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:222\/d7hQY3cRji9SZAHbFvbk\" alt=\"BAAY\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Improv by BAAY &#8211; Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth Program: Improv classes for Grades 3-5<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Explore the imaginative world of improv! Students will learn improvisation basics, play games with friends, and create their own unique worlds and situations. The sky\u2019s the limit! Improv is a great way for kids to build confidence and trust in others in a safe and supportive environment.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Session info:<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>September\u00a0\u00a017 \u2013 November 19, 2026 (10 weeks)<\/div>\n<div>Thursdays (10 days total)<\/div>\n<div>3:30pm &#8211; 4:45pm<\/div>\n<div>Irene Reither Elementary:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/954+East+Hemmi+Road+Everson+WA?entry=gmail&amp;source=g\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">954 East Hemmi Road Everson WA<\/a><\/div>\n<div>$132 Register by September 16, 2026 8am PDT<\/div>\n<div>Tuition assistance available for families in need of financial aid. To learn more, visit\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/baay.org\/financial-aid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">baay.org\/financial-aid<\/a><\/div>\n<div><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.6crickets.com\/providerDirectory\/US\/WA\/Bellingham\/BAAY---Bellingham-Arts-Academy-for-Youth-729c68884bd359ad\/sessions\/72365005d57b0fad\/eh3m-uvrg-chkj?refer&amp;school=10304\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign Up Here<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:1552,height:948\/YQGthitQl6kf4DtvIYgB\" alt=\"Trojan Fest, Friday, September 18, 5-7:30pm\" width=\"776\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div class=\"\">Come join us for a<em>\u00a0free<\/em>\u00a0back-to-school block party and celebrate the start of a great year at IRE!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"\">We will have balloon animals, temporary tattoos, face painting, a bouncy house and more!\u00a0<em>All games and activities are free for the whole family.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"\">There will be food trucks, an ice cream truck, snacks, drinks and vendors with spirit wear and more available for purchase.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"\">This is a great way to meet other IRE students and families and a fun kick-off for a great school year.<\/div>\n<div class=\"\">All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"\">Hosted by the Meridian PTA<\/div>\n<div class=\"\"><a href=\"mailto:iremeridianpta@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iremeridianpta@gmail.com<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MeridianIRESPTA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.Facebook.com\/MeridianIRESPTA<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IRE Families, This week marks the start of our grade-level <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/14\/weekly-update-sept-13-2026\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":18708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-principal","category-school-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23663"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23664,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23663\/revisions\/23664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23649,"date":"2026-09-08T09:01:35","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T16:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/?p=23649"},"modified":"2026-09-08T09:01:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T16:01:35","slug":"weekly-update-september-7th-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/08\/weekly-update-september-7th-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Update &#8211; September 7th, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>IRE Families,<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This week, students are starting our quarter-long unit on Growth Mindset and Goal-Setting in our social-emotionaal (SEL) lessons. We believe it is important for our students &#8220;try new things&#8221; as we start the school year, such as meeting new friends and trying new, challenging work helps us grow and build a better tomorrow.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We&#8217;d love for families to continue the conversation at home with the question for your child\u2019s grade band:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>PK\u20131: What helps you get ready to learn something new? How do you feel after?<\/li>\n<li>Grades 2\u20133: What is something you would like to get better at? What steps do you take?<\/li>\n<li>Grades 4\u20135: What meaningful goal would you like to work toward this year? How will you accomplish it?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>With excitement,<\/div>\n<div>Tyler Dockins, Principal<\/div>\n<div>Rebecca Kratzig, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<div>Holly Li, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Showing Up Matters: Show Up for Learning<\/h3>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>We are so excited to welcome you back to school! September is Attendance Awareness Month and we want to take a moment to recognize the importance of showing up. Each day at school gives students opportunities to learn new skills, make connections and build confidence. The routines and habits established at the beginning of the school year help set the foundation for success throughout the year. If you have questions about regular attendance or need support, we are here to help you. Contact your\u00a0<u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">school office<\/a><\/u>\u00a0and we can work together as one team to support student success!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<h3>The Meridian School District participates in the ConnectEd partnership with the Whatcom County Library System<\/h3>\n<div>Students can access books, audiobooks, e-books, digital resource materials, research aids and much more. Better yet, no fines accrue for overdue items! Certain student information is shared with WCLS. For more information, or if you do not wish to have your student participate in this program, please return the opt-out form (link below) to the library.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_button_component s_pt-12 s_pb-12 s_pl-24 s_pr-24\" align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" width=\"600\"><a class=\"s_typography-button nl-builder_button-link-text\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1HicSYbAyrhDpu56vbglg5G5oty-dsRQp\/view\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WCLS Opt Out Form 2026 &#8211; English<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_button_component s_pt-12 s_pb-12 s_pl-24 s_pr-24\" align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" width=\"600\"><a class=\"s_typography-button nl-builder_button-link-text\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1LTdGofzykyyH1DR9LUt_a3do3TGzc9JW\/view\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WCLS Opt Out Form 2026 &#8211; Spanish<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><strong>There will be no school on Monday, September 7, 2026 in honor of Labor Day.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>School will resume on Tuesday, September 8.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Free Fall Fun at CTK Foodshare and Farm (across from IRE)<\/h3>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>CTK Foodshare and Farm invites Irene Reither students and families to a free fall event from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>IRE second graders planted pumpkins at the farm last spring, and now those pumpkins are ready to be picked! Students can choose a pumpkin to take home while enjoying games, crafts and other fun fall activities. Bring the whole family to this special community event!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Upcoming Events<\/h3>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Monday, September 7<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Labor Day; no school<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, September 14<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 First day of Pre-K classes, includes Developmental Pre-K and PK3\/PK4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">School Dismissal Manager (SDM): Please Verify Your Student\u2019s Go-Home Plan<\/h3>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Families will be receiving an email from\u00a0<strong>School Dismissal Manager (SDM)<\/strong>\u00a0shortly with information about accessing the app and verifying your student\u2019s go-home plan.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Returning families:<\/strong>\u00a0Please log in and\u00a0<strong>verify your student\u2019s current go-home plan<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>New families:<\/strong>\u00a0Please\u00a0<strong>set up the SDM app<\/strong>\u00a0and enter your student\u2019s\u00a0<strong>default go-home plan<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Pre-K and Kindergarten families:<\/strong>\u00a0You will confirm your student\u2019s go-home plan through SDM\u00a0<strong>during conferences<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>This is the information staff will use on the first day of school to know how your student is going home<\/strong>, so please make sure it is accurate and up to date.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for helping us start the year with a safe and smooth dismissal!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div><\/div>\n<h3>Visitors and Volunteers<\/h3>\n<div>We take the safety of your child at school very seriously. Irene Reither Elementary is a locked campus, which means all exterior doors remain locked, and all entry and exit must be through the main entrance.<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Whether you are visiting or volunteering, you are<strong>\u00a0required to check in at the front office<\/strong>\u00a0to receive a badge and to check out with the office when you leave.\u00a0<strong>While in the building, badges must be worn visibly at all times (not carried in hand). Volunteers must do a background check.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For the safety of our students and staff, any adult on campus without a visible badge will be asked to immediately check in at the office.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our school community safe.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IRE Families, This week, students are starting our quarter-long unit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/09\/08\/weekly-update-september-7th-2026\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":18708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-principal","category-school-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23649"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23649\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23650,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23649\/revisions\/23650"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23596,"date":"2026-08-31T10:34:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T17:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/?p=23596"},"modified":"2026-08-31T10:34:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T17:34:08","slug":"tomorrow-is-the-day-august-30th-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/31\/tomorrow-is-the-day-august-30th-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Tomorrow is the Day! &#8211; August 30th, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>IRE Families,<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tomorrow is Day 1, and we could not be more excited to welcome our students back to school!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>As we begin the year, we want to help every student build confidence and independence.\u00a0<strong>Tomorrow, all students are expected to walk independently to their classrooms. Only Pre-K and kindergarten families may walk their children to class.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We know goodbyes can bring big feelings\u2014especially on the first day. Children often do best with a loving hug or kiss, a confident goodbye at the front doors, and the reassurance that they are ready for a wonderful day.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our staff will be throughout the building to greet students and help them find their classrooms.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If you are dropping off your child, please park in the gravel lot and join us at the front of the school for our opening door countdown. We would love to have you help us celebrate the official beginning of an incredible school year!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Below, you will also find a video introducing our Meridian Mindsets:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Open-Minded<\/li>\n<li>Trustworthy<\/li>\n<li>Courageous<\/li>\n<li>Caring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>These values will guide our work as we help students build character, uphold high expectations, and celebrate their learning, growth, and contributions to our community. We have also included the video script below for families who would like to read it instead or need it translated.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We cannot wait to see our students tomorrow. Let\u2019s make it a fantastic Day 1!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>With excitement,<\/div>\n<div>Tyler Dockins, Principal<\/div>\n<div>Rebecca Kratzig, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<div>Holly Li, Assistant Principal<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"video-table-cell\" align=\"center\" valign=\"middle\" width=\"800\">\n<div class=\"se-video\"><iframe title=\"Meridian Mindsets Intro\" src=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/19t2j31zk-Jb_hNX3frR4_11u2UJ5vhlL\/preview?t=0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Script from Video<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>This year, we\u2019re excited to introduce the Meridian Mindsets:\u00a0<strong>Caring, Courageous, Trustworthy, and Open-Minded<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>These Mindsets grew from work that began with a team of leaders and was shaped by input from students and families across the Meridian School District. They build on our former Trojan Traits while taking our expectations one important step further.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Trojan Traits helped students understand the basic behaviors expected at school. The Meridian Mindsets are designed to help students go above and beyond\u2014to become people who care for others, make good decisions, solve problems, listen to different perspectives, and keep trying when things are difficult.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>You can think of the Mindsets like a staircase. At Irene Reither, we begin by teaching clear, age-appropriate behaviors and then build toward greater independence, responsibility, and aspiration as students grow. Our goal is for students to continue climbing that staircase so they are ready to thrive when they transition to middle school and beyond.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Over the coming weeks, our staff will explicitly model, practice, notice, and reteach these Mindsets throughout the school, in classrooms and in shared spaces such as hallways, the cafeteria, the playground, and buses.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We\u2019re excited to partner with you as we help every student grow into someone who is caring, courageous, trustworthy, and open-minded\u2014every day and in every space.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:1302,height:1000\/ywbl1pzRQjeQzXICmKfS\" alt=\"Meridian Mindsets\" width=\"651\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:308\/J1XIJT0Qyyku9xdvSf6F\" alt=\"reminder\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Upcoming Events<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Monday, August 31<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 First day of school for students in grades 1\u20135<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, August 31, 3:15-4:00pm<\/strong>\u00a0&#8211; PK Open House<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, August 31\u2013Thursday, September 3<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Early dismissal at 1:15 p.m. for family-teacher conferences<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thursday, September 3<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 First day of school for kindergarten; dismissal at 1:15 p.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, September 7<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Labor Day; no school<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monday, September 14<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 First day of Pre-K classes, includes Developmental Pre-K and PK3\/PK4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:358\/ss1jxp9uTOxk2KUvtwLV\" alt=\"SDM\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">School Dismissal Manager (SDM): Please Verify Your Student\u2019s Go-Home Plan<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Families will be receiving an email from\u00a0<strong>School Dismissal Manager (SDM)<\/strong>\u00a0shortly with information about accessing the app and verifying your student\u2019s go-home plan.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Returning families:<\/strong>\u00a0Please log in and\u00a0<strong>verify your student\u2019s current go-home plan<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>New families:<\/strong>\u00a0Please\u00a0<strong>set up the SDM app<\/strong>\u00a0and enter your student\u2019s\u00a0<strong>default go-home plan<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>Pre-K and Kindergarten families:<\/strong>\u00a0You will confirm your student\u2019s go-home plan through SDM\u00a0<strong>during conferences<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>This is the information staff will use on the first day of school to know how your student is going home<\/strong>, so please make sure it is accurate and up to date.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for helping us start the year with a safe and smooth dismissal!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pr-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:278\/PqKSPRx4Sqq6uGU0I5Np\" alt=\"family center\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Family Support Center<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Family Center Hours:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Monday\u2013Friday: 8:30 AM\u20134:00 PM<\/li>\n<li>Wednesdays: Open until 5:00 PM<\/li>\n<li>Location: Portable 400A on the Irene Reither Elementary campus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Families can:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Pick up school supplies for students who qualify for free or reduced meals<\/li>\n<li>Sign up for Operation School Bell (new school clothes for Meridian students)<\/li>\n<li>Access the clothing closet (gently used adult and kid clothing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If your student can\u2019t make it to the Family Support Center for supplies, they can stop by the MMS office to get what they need.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Questions?<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Alicia Roberts (English): 360-988-1949<\/li>\n<li>Elvira Trautman (Spanish): 360-306-2886<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Roots of Empathy<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Roots of Empathy at IRE is looking for family volunteers to participate in our programs next year! If you or anyone you know had or is expecting a baby between<strong>\u00a0late<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>May and early September<\/strong>, we would love to welcome you into the 2nd grade classroom to participate in an evidence-based curriculum that uses babies as &#8220;tiny teachers&#8221; of empathy. Volunteering with your baby would involve one or both parents coming into the classroom with your baby once a month for a 30-minute lesson. The Roots of Empathy instructor would engage your baby with toys and lead a discussion with the students on various themes including, crying, sleep, communication, and safety.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We are also looking for volunteer Instructors to help deliver the program curriculum in the classroom. We provide a training for Instructors and mentorship through the first year of instruction. Volunteers come from many backgrounds\u2014former teachers, school counselors, therapists, social workers, parents, grandparents, or anyone familiar and enthusiastic about working with children.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If you would like to participate, please contact Roots of Empathy Program Manager, Makela Alem, via email at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:malem@rootsofempathy.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">malem@rootsofempathy.org<\/a>, or let a school staff member know so that we can reach out to you. Thank you for your consideration!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column_container s_pl-12 s_pr-12\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:752,height:940\/A6ku8jRRSCepF9TjAQTi\" alt=\"testimonial 1\" width=\"376\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:752,height:940\/BCG7Ef0kRPmgVuG3kUAV\" alt=\"testimonial 2\" width=\"376\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<table class=\"column s_text-wrapped-image-container\" role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"30%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"right\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pl-12 s_pb-20\" align=\"right\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:416,height:492\/DXDZcGsIRJWxI64UuvJK\" alt=\"every day matters\" width=\"208\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2 s_pb-8\">Excused Absences &amp; Tardy Arrival<\/h2>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in student success. When students are here, they learn more, stay connected socially, and can get the support they need if challenges come up.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Regular attendance is defined as attending 90% of school days or more each year. That equates to missing less than 2 days each month. Over the past few years, Meridian School District has made huge progress in the number of students attending school 90% of the time or more.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Of course, we know illness and other circumstances sometimes make it hard for students to be at school. If you\u2019re ever unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, you\u2019re welcome to reach out to our Health Team (Stacy king &amp; Rachael Berdan).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If your student needs to be absent or will arrive late, please contact our Attendance Secretary, Ana Martinez, by email or phone at (360) 398-2111 so the absence can be excused. We also take notes within School Dismissal Manager (SDM) as well.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The following are designated as reasons for excused absences or excused tardy arrival to school:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Illness, health condition, or medical appointment (for physical and mental health reasons)<\/li>\n<li>Family emergency (death or illness in family)<\/li>\n<li>Religious or cultural holiday, instruction, or observation<\/li>\n<li>Court proceedings<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/email-link.parentsquare.com\/ls\/click?upn=u001.w-2Fv-2FxuFWAzcH-2BzcLTPJcq1yAaIRAn3DVgNk647r88IsAHHgdtAMR3E4W1e27a3X7Hqup0AfWcTjKACEbdUNBmRYzytIF4rcKzgiBy3-2BYS0oZeA8A191w-2FCnYE-2BD7jp87jS-2FI-2FDRmjFdkRVJKfYWOHg-3D-3DsWkn_kW5jp6MhdN-2BJvEVoxC3gwP4CkSGSe1qHbrVS65QB57uWuUSGAx1SEktqIK5M3oi-2FlBIniEXZMn8YFqXij7aT1Tu3nJ4CMfz8Zk-2FlJwF-2B9d42AGzC4tTUjheHSJP7M-2FeDG3weivITG-2FBbbkn98HAHctjZsKCpOlcyN-2FFWr9VZmELwNKgbg58795uA93p7KOf9R0e8U4VNKdNelYx5bW-2By0NkNjOvPiDE6HN-2BWgvPqb0MMnbiqKpEi-2B3b7gq7W7w7JRmzpTntlCwJ0QfQdChGH5meBJsINfX1OeuGSbGFh-2BLk-3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Other as outlined in Board Policy 3122<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Communicating with Teachers During School Hours<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>If you have a go home change for your student or need a message to reach your student, we kindly ask that you\u00a0<strong>contact the Irene Reither Main Office.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>During the school day our teachers give their full attention to their students and are not typically able to reply to email or Parent Square messages. The office will make sure your message is delivered promptly and appropriately.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation in helping us maintain a focused learning environment for all students.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">Visitor &amp; Volunteer Protocols<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>We take the safety of your child at school very seriously. Irene Reither Elementary is a locked campus, which means all exterior doors remain locked, and all entry and exit must be through the main entrance.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Whether you are visiting or volunteering, you are<strong>\u00a0required to check in at the front office<\/strong>\u00a0to receive a badge and to check out with the office when you leave.\u00a0<strong>While in the building, badges must be worn visibly at all times (not carried in hand). Volunteers must do a background check.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For the safety of our students and staff, any adult on campus without a visible badge will be asked to immediately check in at the office.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our school community safe.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">YMCA Before- and After-School Care<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>The YMCA offers before- and after-school child care for IRE students. Scan the QR code below to learn more about the program, availability, and registration.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column_container s_pl-12 s_pr-12\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:752,height:972\/B2WpFMa0QvGQTIuNLWW2\" alt=\"YMCA before and after school child care\" width=\"376\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"column\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-column s_pl-12 s_pr-12 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:750,height:972\/UlQONyaVRUq7Hp7fT7SH\" alt=\"YMCA before and after school care for small learners.\" width=\"375\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header1 nl-builder_hero-text-title\">PTA News &amp; Updates<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_pb-8\" width=\"100%\">\n<h2 class=\"s_typography-header2\">The Meridian PTA Presents: Tears and Cheers!<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"s_typography-body\">\n<div>Kindergarten Parents and Guardians are invited to join us for snacks, coffee and getting to know your fellow kinder families.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><strong>After drop off<\/strong>\u00a0on September 3rd, head to the fenced in area outside of Building A to celebrate and share some tears and\/or cheers!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-24\" width=\"100%\">\n<div class=\"nl-builder_email-image_container\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.filestackcontent.com\/auto_image\/quality=v:70\/resize=width:666,height:1000\/JlUzyKJOSZuN6EXhRbfV\" alt=\"Tears &amp; Cheers\" width=\"333\" \/><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table role=\"presentation\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"s_padding-container s_pl-24 s_pr-24 s_pt-24 s_pb-12\" width=\"100%\">\n<h1 class=\"s_typography-header1 nl-builder_title-title\">Meridian School District Links<\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IRE Families, Tomorrow is Day 1, and we could not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/31\/tomorrow-is-the-day-august-30th-2026\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":18708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-principal","category-school-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23596"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23596\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23597,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23596\/revisions\/23597"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23579,"date":"2026-08-24T15:36:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/24\/first-day-of-school-aug-31-and-reminders\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T15:36:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:36:39","slug":"first-day-of-school-aug-31-and-reminders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/24\/first-day-of-school-aug-31-and-reminders\/","title":{"rendered":"First Day of School Aug. 31 and Reminders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>First Day of School, Aug. 31<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are so excited to welcome back students and staff for the school year! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just a quick reminder:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first day of school for grades 1-12 is Monday, Aug. 31<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first day of kindergarten at Irene Reither Elementary is Thursday, Sept. 3<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first day of campus classes at MP3 is Wednesday, Sept. 9.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Labor Day Holiday, Sept. 7<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no school on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Skyward Reminders<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skyward completed system updates over the summer, which means the web address for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net\/meridis\/web\/seplog01.w\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skyward Family Access<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> changed. If you use the Skyward mobile app, you may need to reinstall it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before school starts use Skyward to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/28\/important-skyward-updates-new-links-and-annual-forms-required\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complete the 2026-27 Required Annual Student Verification Information Update\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/21\/important-food-service-and-transportation-update\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply for free or reduced-priced meals <\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First Day of School, Aug. 31 We are so excited <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/24\/first-day-of-school-aug-31-and-reminders\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":23359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-district-update"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23579"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23579\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23566,"date":"2026-08-21T14:16:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/21\/important-food-service-and-transportation-update\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T14:31:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:31:32","slug":"important-food-service-and-transportation-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/21\/important-food-service-and-transportation-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Important Food Service and Transportation Update"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Apply Online for School Meal Benefits<\/h3>\n<p>We are excited to share that families can now complete the free and reduced-price meal application online through <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net\/meridis\/web\/seplog01.w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Skyward Family Access<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>After submitting, you will receive confirmation that your application has been sent to the Food Service Department for review. Only one application per household is required.<\/p>\n<p>Applying for meal benefits may also help your family qualify for reduced fees and other educational programs and services.<\/p>\n<p>Follow these steps to apply online:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Log in to Skyward Family Access.<\/li>\n<li>Select Food Service from the left side menu.<\/li>\n<li>Click Applications.<\/li>\n<li>Click Add Application.<\/li>\n<li>Read the information and click Next through each section.<\/li>\n<li>Complete the application:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Add all students in your household.<\/li>\n<li>Enter any benefit program information (if applicable).<\/li>\n<li>Enter household income information (if required).<\/li>\n<li>Enter the total number of people in your household.<\/li>\n<li>Complete the electronic signature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\n<p>7. Review your application for accuracy.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\n<p>8. Click Submit Application.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-23567 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/food-application-300x191.jpg\" alt=\"food application\" width=\"300\" height=\"191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/food-application-200x127.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/food-application-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/food-application-400x255.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/food-application-460x295.jpg 460w, https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/food-application.jpg 468w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\n<p>More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Skyward-Family-Access-Online-Lunch-Application-Entry.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">detailed instructions<\/a> are available on our website.<\/p>\n<p><em>Pending school board approval during the Aug. 26 meeting, paid student lunch prices would raise from $3.60 to $3.70. <\/em><br \/>\nIf you have questions or need assistance, please contact Food and Nutrition Coordinator Erin Groen at 360-318-2267 or <a href=\"mailto:egroen@meridian.wednet.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">egroen@meridian.wednet.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\n<div style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\n<h3>Transportation Update &#8211; Check Routes and Reminders<\/h3>\n<p>We are excited to welcome everyone back for another school year!<\/p>\n<p>As we get ready for the first day of school, please take a moment to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/transportation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">check your child\u2019s transportation information<\/a>, as some bus routes, stops, and\/or pickup and drop-off times have changed for the upcoming school year.<\/p>\n<p>A few reminders:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Please review your child\u2019s route information before the first day of school.<\/li>\n<li>Have students at their bus stop at least 5 minutes before their scheduled pickup time.<\/li>\n<li>If your child will not need district transportation this school year, please let the Transportation Department know. This helps us keep our routes and student lists as accurate as possible.<\/li>\n<li>Please keep in mind that during the first few days of school, buses may run a little later than scheduled as everyone settles into their new routines.<\/li>\n<li>If your child will be riding the bus, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/transportation\/annual-transportation-notice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">please review these expectations<\/a> before school starts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We appreciate your patience and help as we get the new school year underway. We\u2019re looking forward to seeing our students and having a great year!<br \/>\nQuestions? Contact Director of Transportation Michele Apeles at 360-318-2171 or mapeles@meridian.wednet.edu.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apply Online for School Meal Benefits We are excited to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/21\/important-food-service-and-transportation-update\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":21269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-district-update"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23566"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23572,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23566\/revisions\/23572"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23531,"date":"2026-08-11T12:48:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T19:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/11\/join-us-back-to-school-fair-aug-19\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T12:49:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T19:49:22","slug":"join-us-back-to-school-fair-aug-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/11\/join-us-back-to-school-fair-aug-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Join us: Back-to-School Fair, Aug. 19"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Meridian is hosting a Back-to-School Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 1\u20135 p.m. at Irene Reither Elementary School. All Meridian students and families are invited to attend this free community event.<\/p>\n<p>The fair will feature fun activities for children, resources to help families prepare for the new school year, and opportunities to connect with school staff and over 20 community organizations. Spanish, Russian, Punjabi and Arabic interpreters will be available to support families.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meridian is hosting a Back-to-School Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/11\/join-us-back-to-school-fair-aug-19\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":23359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-district-update"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23531"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23532,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23531\/revisions\/23532"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":23506,"date":"2026-08-03T14:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T21:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/03\/august-meridian-monthly-back-to-school-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T08:36:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:36:33","slug":"august-meridian-monthly-back-to-school-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/03\/august-meridian-monthly-back-to-school-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"August Meridian Monthly: Back-to-School Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 31!<\/p>\n<p>We are excited to welcome you back! This message is designed to help you and your student get ready. (Feel free to scroll to the section you\u2019d like to learn more about.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s included in this message?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Back-to-School Fair, Aug. 19 from 1-5 p.m. at Irene Reither Elementary School<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Quick Back-to-School Checklist<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Communicating with our Schools<\/strong> (ParentSquare and StudentSquare, Interpretation and Translation, School Websites and Staff Directory)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Skyward Family Access<\/strong>\u00a0(Required Annual Forms, Info and Tips)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Athletic Registration and All Sports Nights<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>School Day Information<\/strong> (Attendance, Bus Routes, Calendars, Cell Phone Policy, Health Plans, School Meals and School Supplies)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tech Resources for Families<\/strong> (Skyward, ParentSquare, FinalForms, GoGuardian, MealTime Online, SchoolDismissal Manager)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Helpful Links\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Back-to-School Fair, Aug. 19<\/h2>\n<p>Meridian is hosting a Back-to-School Fair on <strong>Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 1\u20135 p.m. at Irene Reither Elementary School.<\/strong> All Meridian students and families are invited to attend this free community event.<\/p>\n<p>The fair will feature fun activities for children, resources to help families prepare for the new school year, and opportunities to connect with school staff and community organizations. More than 20 community partners will be on hand, including the YMCA, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, Whatcom Literacy Council, MYS Soccer, and Laurel Design, along with Meridian departments such as Food Services, Athletics and Transportation.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Quick Checklist<\/h2>\n<p>Before school starts on Aug. 31:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net\/meridis\/web\/seplog01.w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Complete required annual forms in Skyward<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/transportation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Check your bus route<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parentsquare.com\/signin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sign up for ParentSquare<\/a> (if you haven\u2019t already)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/activities-and-athletics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Register for fall sports (middle &amp; high school)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Communicating with our Schools<\/h2>\n<p>ParentSquare is Meridian&#8217;s official communication platform and your primary source for school and district updates.<\/p>\n<p>With ParentSquare, families can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Receive messages by email, text message or app notification<\/li>\n<li>Choose instant notifications or a daily digest<\/li>\n<li>Communicate in their preferred language<\/li>\n<li>Direct message teachers and staff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<p>New families will receive an invitation before school starts. (You will login using the email address we have in Skyward). The free app is available in the App Store or Google Play. Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ParentSquare_Parent_Tips.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Getting Started Guide<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>StudentSquare<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>StudentSquare is available for Meridian High School students. This is the student version of ParentSquare and is used to share important information about activities, events, athletics and school news. Students can access StudentSquare through the free app or a web browser, with all messages also sent to their district email and monitored by school staff to ensure a safe communication environment. <a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/859072460\/03a778f997?share=copy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Learn more about StudentSquare.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Want to learn more or need help? Visit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/parentsquare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.meridian.wednet.edu\/parentsquare\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Interpretation and Translation Services<\/h3>\n<p>All families have the right to receive information about their child&#8217;s education in a language they understand. Meridian School District provides interpretation and translation services free of charge. Families can access language services several ways: by calling, emailing or sending a direct message in ParentSquare to the school, teacher, school principal or District Office. Families <a href=\"https:\/\/meridiansd.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_didEDzIycPHrWoC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">can also request support<\/a> through our online form. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/programs\/interpretation-and-translation-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">interpretation and translation services<\/a> in Meridian.<\/p>\n<h3>School Websites and Staff Directory<\/h3>\n<p>Visit<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <strong>www.meridian.wednet.edu<\/strong><\/a> for district news, announcements and important information throughout the year. Visit our school websites or staff directory:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Irene Reither Elementary School Website<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/mms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Meridian Middle School Website<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/mhs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Meridian High School Website<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/mp3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MP3 Website<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/staff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Staff Directory<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Skyward Family Access<\/h2>\n<p>Skyward is your portal for grades, schedules, attendance and required forms. If you need help logging into your <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net\/meridis\/web\/seplog01.w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Skyward Family Access<\/a> account, try the Forgot Password\/Login link, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">contact your school<\/a> or call our Student Information Coordinator Janine Randall at 360-318-2184.<\/p>\n<p>Need help getting started? View Skyward Family Access Tips (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Skyward-Family-Access-Tips-for-Families.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">English<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Skyward-Family-Access-Tips-for-Families-Spanish.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spanish<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Skyward-Family-Access-Tips-for-Families-Punjabi.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Punjabi<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Skyward-Family-Access-Tips-for-Families-Russian.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Russian<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Skyward-Family-Access-Tips-for-Families-Ukrainian.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ukrainian<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h3>Required Annual Forms<\/h3>\n<p>Please log in to Skyward and complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net\/meridis\/web\/seplog01.w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>2026\u201327 Annual Student Information Update<\/strong><\/a> before the first day of school. These forms are important for student health, district funding and state reporting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forms include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Annual Health Registration Form<\/li>\n<li>Attendance Acknowledgement Form<\/li>\n<li>Home Language Survey<\/li>\n<li>Housing Questionnaire<\/li>\n<li>Student Device and Software Consent Form<\/li>\n<li>Free\/Reduced Meals Application<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Find these in Skyward under \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net\/meridis\/web\/seplog01.w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2026\u201327 Required Annual Student Information Update<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Athletic Registration and All Sports Night<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Athletic Registration<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Families of students in middle and high school can register their child for athletics through<a href=\"https:\/\/meridian-wa.finalforms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> FinalForms<\/a>. Your student will need a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/PhysicalForm.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> current sports physical<\/a> on file. The sports physical cannot expire during the sport season and is required for students to participate in athletics. Need help? View the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Parent-Playbook-Meridian.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FinalForms Parent Playbook <\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Spanish-Parent-Playbook.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Parent Playbook in Spanish<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h3><strong>MMS and MHS All Sports Nights<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Families and athletes are invited to attend All Sports Nights hosted at Meridian High and Meridian Middle schools. Rules, expectations and requirements for student athletes will be discussed at this meeting. Spanish interpretation will be available.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Meridian High School (MHS): Aug. 17, 7 p.m.<\/li>\n<li>Meridian Middle School (MMS): Aug. 20, 7 p.m.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Sports Physicals Night at Ferndale High School<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Families are invited to participate in a Sports Physicals Night at Ferndale High School on Aug. 18. Licensed doctors will be on-site to conduct sports physicals for $20 per student (cash or check payable to Ferndale High School).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ferndale High School Gym: 5830 Golden Eagle Dr. Ferndale, WA<\/li>\n<li>Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Aug. 18<\/li>\n<li>For students entering grades 7\u201312.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Questions? Contact Director of Athletics Bryant Michaelson at 360-318-2160.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>School Day Information<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Attendance Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Consistent attendance helps students build routines, stay engaged, connect with peers and teachers, and participate in enrichment activities. You can support good attendance by talking with your child about the importance of showing up every day and helping your child maintain daily routines. Resources for families from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.attendanceworks.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Attendance Works<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Elementary Attendance (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.attendanceworks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Attendance-Works-Elementary__handout_101421.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">English<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.attendanceworks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Elementary_handout_SPANISH_110421-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spanish<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Secondary Attendance (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.attendanceworks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/MiddleHigh_handout_111122.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">English<\/a>) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.attendanceworks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Middle_Secondary_handout_SPANISH_111821.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spanish<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Bus Routes and Annual Notice<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/transportation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2026\u201327 bus routes<\/a> will be posted to our website by mid-August. Please check back often as route adjustments may be made prior to the start of the school year.To help keep all students safe and ensure compliance with Washington state regulations, please remember that certain items are not allowed on school buses. Prohibited items include weapons or objects that could be used as weapons, alcohol or drugs, hazardous or flammable materials, animals (except service animals), skateboards, baseball bats, balloons, and any large or unsecured items that could create a safety risk. Footballs and basketballs may be transported if they are securely stored in a zipped backpack.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/transportation\/annual-transportation-notice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Review our full Annual Transportation Notice.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Thank you for partnering with us to keep school transportation safe for everyone. If you have questions, please call the Transportation Department at 360-318-2172.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Calendar<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/calendars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">school year calendar<\/a> is available on our website and was mailed home. Extra copies of the calendar will be available in school offices. Below are key dates for the start of the year:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Aug. 19: <\/strong>Back-to-School Fair, 1-5 p.m. at IRE<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aug. 31:<\/strong> First day of school (Grades 1-12)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aug. 31-Sept. 3: <\/strong>School conferences and early dismissal for Irene Reither Elementary at 1:15 p.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sept. 3: <\/strong>First day of school for kindergarten at IRE<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sept. 7:<\/strong> Labor Day (no school)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sept. 8-10:<\/strong> School conferences and early dismissal for MMS (12:20 p.m.) and MHS (12:10 p.m.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sept. 9:<\/strong> First day of campus classes for MP3<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sept. 14: <\/strong>First day of preschool\/pre-kindergarten at IRE<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Cell Phone Policy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Elementary school students will keep devices silenced and out of sight throughout the school day. This includes phones, earbuds, smartwatches and similar devices.<\/p>\n<p>Middle and high school students will keep devices silenced and out of sight during instructional time. Students may use their devices before school, after school, during passing periods and during lunch.<\/p>\n<p>Families who need to contact a student during the school day should contact the school office.<\/p>\n<p>We have more detailed information available on our website: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/cell-phone-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.meridian.wednet.edu\/cell-phone-use\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Health Plans at School<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If your child has a life-threatening health condition such as diabetes, anaphylaxis or seizures an Individual Health Plan (IHP) is required <em>prior<\/em> to school attendance. Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/special-services\/health-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Services webpage<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>School Meals<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>School menus are updated monthly and can be found on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/food-service-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">School Menus<\/a> webpage. Families can pay for meals online using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mymealtime.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MealTime Online.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Beginning mid-August families will be able to apply for free and reduced-price meals online through Skyward. We will notify families when the application is ready. Paper forms will also be available in school offices.<br \/>\n<strong>Questions about school meals?<\/strong> Contact Food and Nutrition Coordinator Erin Groen, <a href=\"mailto:egroen@meridian.wednet.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">egroen@meridian.wednet.edu<\/a> or 360-318-2267.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>School Supplies<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/school-supplies-2\/\">Irene Reither Elementary School Supply List<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/mms\/school-supplies-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Meridian Middle School School Supply List<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Meridian High School and MP3: Teachers will share information after school starts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Need help with school supplies? <\/strong>Contact the Meridian Family Support Center starting Aug. 20. English: 360-988-1949 or Espa\u00f1ol: 360-306-2886.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Tech Resources for Families<\/h2>\n<p>We have guides and information for families on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/technology-and-data\/tech-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tech Resources webpage<\/a>. You can find information about the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/technology-and-data\/tech-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Skyward Family Access<\/a> (Student Information)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/public-relations\/parentsquare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ParentSquare<\/a> (Communication Tool)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/technology-and-data\/tech-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FinalForms<\/a> (Athletic Registration)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/technology-and-data\/tech-resources\/goguardian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GoGuardian<\/a> (Parent App for Device Management)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/technology-and-data\/tech-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MealTime Online<\/a> (School Meal Payments)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/school-dismissal-manager\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">School Dismissal Manager<\/a> (IRE only)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Helpful Links<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/activities-and-athletics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Activities and Athletics\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/our-district\/legal-notices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Annual Notifications<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/transportation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bus Routes\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/calendars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/special-services\/family-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Family Services<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/special-services\/health-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Services<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/food-service-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">School Menus<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/staff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Staff Directory<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">School Information\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/departments\/technology-and-data\/tech-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tech Resources for Families<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 31! We <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/news\/2026\/08\/03\/august-meridian-monthly-back-to-school-guide\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":21243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-district-update"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23506"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23511,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23506\/revisions\/23511"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.meridian.wednet.edu\/ire\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]