Family Newsletter 1/31/25

Dear Families,

We’ve officially started Semester 2! Over the next week or so, students will be preparing for conferences (see below for sign-up details). Our goal with Winter Conferences is to support student reflection on their growth and achievement so far, identify what they’re proud of, and set goals and action steps for the remainder of the year. Please plan to bring your student with you to conferences as it’s important for them to be a part of the conversation around their learning! We look forward to seeing you there!

-Todd Torgeson, Principal

-Jill Hammack, Assistant Principal

Exciting news! Meridian Middle School will be hosting a Career Fair on Friday, February 28th, where students will gain valuable insights into different professions. To put this on, we need your help! Parents and guardians, your expertise can shape students’ understanding of careers. Here’s how you can join in:

To ensure a smooth and successful Career Fair, participants are kindly requested to arrive at 8 am for setup on the day of the event. The Career Fair itself will take place from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Participants will be stationed at individual tables, where they will have the opportunity to engage with students and answer questions about their professions.

Thank you for supporting our students’ career exploration. Your involvement will inspire and guide them as they plan their future paths.

Questions? Contact us by emailing Carol Stromberg (cstromberg@meridian.wednet.edu).

Winter Conferences are February 18, 19, and 20. Please sign up for a conference time on Skyward and contact the front office if you need support.

Semester 2 schedules are now visible in Skyward. Due to scheduling limitations, most student schedules cannot be adjusted. However, if you identify a clerical error or have an extenuating circumstance that requires a schedule change, please contact us. Thank you for your understanding!

Unity Care’s Mobile Dentist is coming to the Meridian Family Support Center on Thursday, February 13th.

They will be focused on seeing middle and high school students who have not had a dental exam in the last year.

This is a free service. If you would like your student to see the dentist, please fill out the attached registration form or call the office to have one sent home (360-398-2291).

*Students will be transported from their school to the Family Support Center at IRE in a district vehicle driven by Family Center staff.

Forms are due back to school by Feb. 6th. Or text/email a picture of the signed form to 360-988-1949 or aroberts@meridian.wednet.edu

Marcus Hollan teaches 6th-grade social studies at MMS. Mr. Hollan excels at using pacing to maintain momentum throughout his classes. His teaching style creates a sense of speed—like riding the crest of a wave—keeping students engaged and focused.

To achieve this, Mr. Hollan uses cues like, “In 30 seconds, we should all have a sentence to share,” and sets visual timers with clear tasks, such as preparing to answer questions about the geography of Phoenicia. By asking rapid-fire questions, he ensures students stay on their toes and productively engaged, knowing they’ll be held accountable.

Mr. Hollan’s high expectations inspire his students to rise to the challenge. Well done, Mr. Hollan!

We are committed to continuously improving our school district and providing the best education for all our students. To do that, we need your feedback!

Please take a few minutes to complete our annual survey. Your insights will help us identify key areas to focus on, ensuring we deliver the highest quality education. This survey is also crucial for tracking our progress towards the goals outlined in Our Commitments, our strategic plan.

We want to hear your thoughts on various topics, including school communication, learning expectations, and your interactions with teachers and administrators. The survey is available in multiple languages.

Please complete the survey by March 7.

As your student prepares for high school, you may be wondering about opportunities to get a head start on college and career pathways. At Meridian High School, dual credit programs allow students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time—often at little or no cost. These courses can help students explore interests, build confidence, and prepare for the future. Check out this letter to learn more about dual credit options at MHS and how your student can take advantage of these opportunities!

We are excited to share a great opportunity for our students. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is offering free tutoring resources through Math Nation Washington for grades 6-12. These resources are available in multiple languages, available 24/7 and includes virtual tutoring and personalized instruction. This program provides valuable support to help our students excel in math. This free tool is a great way to support your child with math at home.

To access Math Nation, have your child sign on with their district Chromebook:

Getting Started:

If you have additional questions about Math Nation please contact your teacher or Instructional Coach Cynthia Richardson, crichardson@meridian.wednet.edu.

Applications are available now to apply for the 2025-2026 American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) awards.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will accept signed and completed applications that are postmarked by March 3, 2025. Applications must be accompanied with all required attachments.

To download the application and instruction materials, go to  https://wsac.wa.gov/american-indian-endowed-scholarship, and click “How do I apply?” (download requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, Version 11.0 or newer)

To be eligible, an applicant must:

·         Have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian tribe or community in Washington state

·         Intend to use his or her education to benefit the American Indian community in this state

·         Be enrolled full-time for 2025-26, beginning fall term, at a participating college or university in-state

·         Have demonstrated financial need (as determined by the college financial aid office, per FAFSA)

·         Be a Washington state resident

·         Have not received a total of five years of this scholarship

There is a priority for upper-division and graduate-level students, however, all qualified applicants are considered. IMPORTANT: Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

A selection committee composed of representatives from the American Indian community in-state will review and score the applications. The number of scholarships and amounts awarded are based on an evaluation of the interest earnings available in the endowment. Scholarships generally range between $500 to $2,000 each for the academic year. Finalists are announced in the spring.

Mail the signed application, with required attachments, postmarked by March 3, 2025, to:

American Indian Endowed Scholarship Program

Washington Student Achievement Council

PO Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430