MMS families,
The end of this coming week marks 25% of the school year completed – which is really hard for us to imagine! With the changing of quarters means that report card grades will soon be posted (the week of November 10) showing you the progress your student is making in their classes. If you haven’t had a chance yet, now would be a great time to look at the Family Guides (below) to gain an understanding of what your student has been learning this quarter.
We’ve also had an opportunity this month to roll out our schoolwide behavior goal and incentive program. This revolves around each grade level setting a goal for the number of behavior referrals each week, and grades that meet their goals are rewarded with extra time at lunch, or even a special assembly for only that grade level. So far our 7th graders have earned all of those rewards – so congratulations to them!
Reminder – we’re down to the last week of our fundraiser and we still have a bit to go to achieve our $30,000 goal. If you haven’t yet, be sure you take the opportunity to support our school’s ASB by sharing and purchasing from the fundraiser.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions.
Go Trojans!
-Robert Kratzig, Principal
-Jill Hammack, Assistant Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, October 27
  • Black Day
  • Erika’s Lighthouse Lessons Begin in 7th Health
Tuesday, October 28
  • Gold Day
  • 7th Football vs. Blaine MS, 4:00pm at MHS Bob Ames Field
  • 8th Football vs. Blaine MS, 5:30pm at MHS Bob Ames Field
Wednesday, October 29
  • Black Day
Thursday, October 30
  • Last Day of 1st Quarter
  • Gold Day
  • Girls Basketball vs. Lynden MS, 4:00pm at MMS
Friday, October 31
  • No School – Staff Learning Day
EL

Erika’s Lighthouse in 7th Grade Health
We have adopted a mental health and depression awareness program called We
All Have Mental Health. This program was developed by a highly respected mental health
education and advocacy organization, Erika’s Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent
Depression. All of these lessons meet National Health Education Standards.
The program goals include:
● Raising awareness of good mental health.
● Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
● Encouraging help-seeking skills and, if necessary, additional support services.
These fact-based, student friendly and hopeful programs promote the messages we need our
students to hear, everyone deserves to have good mental health. The following lessons will be
taught, once a week over four weeks by our health teacher.
● Lesson 1 – Intro to Depression: To raise awareness of depression and reduce
negative attitudes of depression and its treatment.
● Lesson 2 – Depression is Treatable: To effectively communicate with friends in need.
● Lesson 3 – Help-Seeking: To increase student engagement and communication in
activities which promote good mental health.
● Lesson 4 – Unit Assessment: Students will have the opportunity to put their knowledge
and skills developed in this program to practice.
Dates: 
Lesson 1- Black 10/27, Gold 10/28
Lesson 2- Black 10/29, Gold 10/30
Lesson 3- Black 11/3, Gold 11/4
Lesson 4- Black 11/5, Gold 11/6
Our school wants all of our students to be healthy, both physically and mentally. We encourage students to take control of their mental health and learn how to seek help for themselves or a friend if needed. One of the biggest challenges to mental health is teen depression, a common, yet widely overlooked mood disorder that impacts 15–20% of young people before they reach Adulthood.
We look forward to working together to better inform students of healthy mental health and
provide the tools students need to navigate challenging times. For more information on this
program, please visit erikaslighthouse.org.
hands up

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Lessons Begin
Students in seventh grade will be taking part in comprehensive sexual health lessons beginning December 5 in health class.
Parents and guardians may review the Positive Prevention Plus curriculum and may remove their children from these lessons with a written request. (RCW 28A.300.475).  Families who wish to opt their children out of these lessons must turn in an opt-out form to the school office before the first day of lessons. Students who opt-out of the lessons will (explain alternate activity).
Curriculum materials are available for families to review at the District Office, 214 W. Laurel Road, Bellingham, WA , during business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If families are unable to review materials during business hours, please call 360-318-2170 to schedule an appointment.
We appreciate your continued partnership in your student’s learning. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Gospodinovich at sgospodinovich@meridian.wednet.edu.
veteran

Veterans Day – Information Needed!
On Monday, November 10th during Homeroom, Meridian Middle School will hold our Veterans Day Assembly. To honor the service of your family members, we invite you to share their name, branch, years of service, photo, and their connection to your student. In addition, if you have a veteran in your family who would be interested in attending and possibly speaking at the assembly, we’d love to include them.
Please send information and photos to our ASB Advisor and Leadership teacher, Spenser Stumpf, by Monday, November 3rd so we can prepare to recognize them. His email is sstumpf@meridian.wednet.edu.

FAMILY GUIDES

We often hear from families that they’d like more information about what their children are learning at school. Last year, we started sending out Family Guides alongside each quarter’s report card. These guides gave families a snapshot of what the grades represented and what students had been working on.
This year, we’re taking it a step further. Instead of waiting until the end of the quarter, we’ll make Family Guides available during the quarter. This way, you can see the standards and learning targets your child will be engaging with while they are happening. Our hope is that this helps you ask more specific questions, celebrate progress along the way, and feel more connected to what’s happening in the classroom.
We know that when families and schools work together, students thrive. The Family Guides are just one way we’re trying to keep that partnership strong and make learning more transparent for everyone.
6th Grade Family Guide – Q1
7th Grade Family Guide – Q1
8th Grade Family Guide – Q1

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
FRL

Reminder: Submit Your Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application
We encourage all families to complete a free and reduced-price meal application for the 2025–26 school year. Nutritious meals support student success and submitting your application may also qualify your family for additional benefits.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-priced meals also qualify for new school clothes through Operation School Bell, school supplies and backpacks, SunBucks Food Benefits in the summer, and referrals to community resources.
For families at MP3, MMS and MHS last year’s eligibility ended on Oct. 15. If you did not submit an application this school year, you have reverted to full price meals.
Irene Reither Elementary students currently receive free meals, but continued eligibility depends on annual applications, so please complete and submit a free and reduced-price meal application.
Applications are accepted year-round and are available in English and Spanish at school offices or online. One application covers all children in your household.
Questions? Contact Food and Nutrition Coordinator Erin Groen at egroen@meridian.wednet.edu or (360) 318-2267.
sports

Supervision at Sporting Events
If your student plans to attend an MMS sporting event, please have them go home after school and return at the start of the event. We are unable to supervise students between the end of the school day and game time.
Please also note that school staff do not provide supervision during sporting events. Students must be accompanied by a responsible adult in order to attend. If a student remains on campus after school or arrives at a game without an adult, they will be asked to call home for a ride to leave the event.
These same expectations apply when middle school students attend high school sporting events. Students must always have a responsible adult present in order to attend.
popcorn

Fall Fundraiser Underway
Our school’s all-online Popcorn Fundraiser has officially kicked off! This is an easy way to support our students—no cash to collect, no forms to fill out, and no products to sort. Everything is ordered online and shipped directly to the customer. Students will register at school and share the fundraiser with friends and family near and far. We would truly appreciate everyone’s participation to help us reach our fundraising goal of earning $15,000 profit for our school.
Please reach out to our ASB Advisor, Spenser Stumpf, with any questions at sstumpf@meridian.wednet.edu.
attendance

Attendance Office Notes
Transportation Changes
All requests must be made before 2:00 pm. If your student already knows their transportation is different for the day (for example, they usually ride the bus but today you’ll be picking them up), you do not need to contact the office.
Bus Change Requests
If your student is riding a different bus (such as going home with a friend), a written request from a parent/guardian or a phone call to the office is required. Requests must be submitted to the main office before 2:00 pm.
Early Dismissals
The best way to ensure your student is ready for an early pick-up is to send a note in the morning. If you call instead, please contact us at least 10 minutes before pick-up time so we can transition your student to the office.
Pick-Up by Someone Other than Parent/Guardian
If someone other than a parent, guardian, or emergency contact will be picking up your student, the office must hear directly from a parent. Please provide the person’s name and relationship to your student.
Tissue Box

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

MSD Family Support Center
The Meridian Family Support Center’s Food Pantry and Clothing Closet will be open as follows:
  • Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
  • Wednesdays: Open until 5:30 PM
  • Location: Portable 400A on the Irene Reither Elementary campus
Questions?
  • Alicia Roberts (English): 360-988-1949
  • Elvira Trautman (Spanish): 360-306-2886

Winter Coat Drive – Free Coats for Families!
The Interfaith Coalition is hosting its annual Winter Coat Drive to help community members stay warm this season. New and gently used coats will be available at no cost to anyone who needs one.
Distribution Locations and Dates:
United Church of Ferndale (2304 Washington St, Ferndale)
  • October 10th: 4–7 PM
  • October 11th: 10 AM–1 PM
St. Peter’s Catholic Church (6210 Mt Baker Hwy, Deming)
  • October 23rd: 10 AM–2 PM
Bellingham Food Bank (1824 Ellis St, Bellingham)
  • October 31st: 10 AM–5:30 PM
Families are encouraged to come early for the best selection. No registration is required.

Kiwanis Kid’s STEAM Expo

The Kiwanis Clubs of Whatcom County is hosting a Kid’s STEAM Expo at the Northwest WA Fairgrounds on November 1st. This free event gathers exhibitors from across the county to provide hands-on educational activities with a focus in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Some of our exhibitors include Marine Life Center, WSU extension-Whatcom 4-H and Bellingham Coding & Robotics.