MHS Weekly Newsletter August 21st, 2026

Hello Trojans!

We are so excited to welcome everyone back to Meridian High School on August 31! It has been a busy summer as we have been preparing for what we know will be an exciting and successful new school year.

Our custodial and maintenance crews have been hard at work getting the building ready. Teachers are already stopping in to prepare their classrooms, and our office crew has been busy making sure everything is in place for the start of the year. Everyone is doing their part to help us get off to a great start!

As we begin the year, we want every student to know that they are valued, welcomed, and capable of doing amazing things. Our staff believes in what our students can accomplish, and we are committed to supporting them as they work toward their goals.

We are excited to see our students back in the building and begin another great year together. Welcome back, Trojans!

Please take a look at the important information below as we get ready for the first day of school.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or need support!

Go Trojans!

-Mr. Doffing, Principal

-Mr. Zabel, Assistant Principal

Freshman Orientation

Meridian High School invites all incoming freshmen to join us from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Wednesday, August 26th for Freshman Orientation.

This three-hour, student only, event will be led by Mr. Patrick Ames and our ASB Leadership students and is a great opportunity for incoming students.

Students will find out more information about MHS, pick up schedules and get photos taken.

Picture Day

Our 9th graders will have their pictures taken at Freshman Orientation (see above).

Other grades should also plan to stop by on August 26th for their photos as follows:

10th Graders: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
11th Graders: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
12th Graders: 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Students will need to have their pictures taken for their ASB cards, even if they don’t plan on purchasing photos.

Picture retake day will be Thursday, September 17th.

We’re excited to share that Donette Studio will be handling our school pictures this year!

Here’s what to expect: before picture day, you’ll receive emails directly from Donette Studio with everything you need to know about ordering your child’s photos. No order forms to send in ahead of time—just keep an eye on your inbox for details on how and when to order. You will receive your student’s private link to view and order photos. It will arrive 2-3 days after picture day, if you don’t receive it send them an email at sales@professionalschoolimaging.com.

We Use StudentSquare at MHS

StudentSquare helps us improve communication with our students. Important information about school activities, events and athletics is shared through StudentSquare. All posts sent through StudentSquare will be supervised by an advisor and can be monitored at any time by an administrator.

Students will receive an invite to join StudentSquare in their school email before school starts. Students can choose to download the StudentSquare app onto their phone or they can access StudentSquare through a web browser.

Watch this short video to learn more.

Student Schedules

Student schedules will be available, in Skyward, for all students on Wednesday, August 26th.

Schedule Change Requests

Students who would like to request a schedule change may submit the Schedule Change Request Form beginning Thursday, August 27.

Please keep in mind that our master schedule is built each spring based on graduation requirements, staffing, and student course requests, and many classes are already at or near capacity. Because of this, schedule changes are limited and cannot be guaranteed.

Requests will be considered for specific scheduling needs, including elective-for-elective changes within the same period, incorrect course placement, previously completed courses, or missing courses.

All requests must be submitted by Friday, September 4. Students will be notified of the decision by email.

NCTA Students

Classes begin on August 26th, 2026 at 8:00am for NCTA students. If you are attending NCTA in Mt. Vernon, the school bus leaves from the MHS bus loop promptly at 7:00am. Please be sure to arrive early, so you don’t miss the bus. Students taking the bus to NCTA will need to park in the main student parking lot.

Student Parking Passes

For this school year, all students who drive to school will be required to have a window sticker parking pass as well as register their vehicle. The first step in the process is to complete this Google Form and then Mrs. Gookstetter will provide you the appropriate pass. If you have time before school starts, you can swing in and pick up your pass. Passes will be required starting September 8th.

One more note – students who attend Meridian High School (for any portion of their day) will only be allowed to park in the west lot in front of the academic building – not the lot by the gyms.

Athletic Registration for Sports

Families of students in middle and high school can register their child for athletics through FinalForms. In addition to registering online, your student will need a current sports physical on file. The sports physical cannot expire during the sport season and is required for students to participate in athletics. You can get a sports physical from your regular health care provider.

If you need support registering through FinalForms, use this Parent Playbook, visit our website or contact Director of Athletics Bryant Michaelson at 360-318-2160.

Yearbook Sales

Yearbooks are on sale beginning August 26th! The price is $75. Yearbooks can be purchased online or in the high school office. The sales window will close September 11th – so get yours today!

School Supplies

Meridian High School does not have a standardized school supply list. Please plan on providing your student with the basic (pens, paper, pencils, etc.) and individual teachers will communicate specific supply needs on the first days of school. Please remember to have district issued devices charged and ready to bring with you on the first day of school.

Health & Nursing Update

Students with life threatening conditions (such as type 1 diabetes, anaphylaxis, seizure disorder, etc.) need to bring new doctor’s orders for emergency care and medication on or before the first day of school. Students who require these plans must have them turned into the nurse before they are permitted to be on campus.

Please email the school nurse at speterson@meridian.wednet.edu with questions.

Community Information & Resources

Family Resource Center

The Meridian School District Family Resource Center is open daily from 8:30am to 3:00pm daily and until 5:30pm on Wednesdays on the Irene Reither campus.

Students who qualify for free or reduced meals can stop by to get school supplies or sign up for Operation School Bell which provides new school clothes for students enrolled in Meridian School District. We also have the clothing closet available for any Meridian family looking for gently used adult and kid clothing.

Questions? Contact Alicia Roberts (English) at 360-988-1949 or Elvira Trautman (Spanish) at 360-306-2886.