MP3 20th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrating 20 Years of Empowering Families and Students

This year marked a special milestone for the Meridian Parent Partnership Program (MP3). MP3 celebrated 20 years of supporting families and helping students thrive through personalized learning. Since 2006, MP3 has partnered with parents and teachers to create flexible, high-quality educational experiences that meet the unique needs of every child.
On Jan. 20, MP3 hosted a 20th Anniversary Celebration alongside its annual Share Fair. The event featured a showcase of student work and a slideshow highlighting two decades of memories and milestones. Families and community members gathered to celebrate the impact MP3 has made over the years.
We are deeply grateful to all the students, families, staff and community members who attended and helped make this celebration so meaningful. Your support is at the heart of MP3’s success. As we reflect on 20 years of partnership and growth, we look forward to many more years of learning and partnership!
MP3 is a public K-8 Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program within Meridian School District. Students attend on-campus classes two days a week and receive home-based instruction the remainder of the week, supported by district-provided curriculum and certified teachers. Learn more about MP3.
Our Commitments: Belonging, Communication, Support, Wellness and Learning

National School Counseling Week

Thank you school counselors!

During the week of Feb. 2-6, we proudly celebrate our incredible school counselors and specialists who play such a vital role in supporting our students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. Their compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students make a meaningful difference every single day.
Our school counselors create safe, welcoming spaces where students can share their concerns, feel heard and grow with confidence. They provide guidance in academic and career planning while helping students navigate the many challenges that come with growing up. Through their work, they help foster a supportive school community where every student feels valued, respected and cared for.
During this week, we also recognize our amazing mental health professionals, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists and psychologists. Each of these dedicated professionals contributes to the holistic support of our students, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive!
Thank you for your tireless efforts, your listening ears, your gentle guidance, and your kind, caring hearts. We are so grateful for all that you do for our students and schools.
Our Commitments: Belonging, Communication, Support, Wellness and Learning

Kindergarten Registration

Registration opens Feb. 17

Registration for kindergarten opens Feb. 17. Children must be 5-years-old before Sept. 1, 2026 to be eligible.
Research shows that high-quality early learning programs increase graduation rates, significantly reduce disparities in early literacy and language development, and support lifelong emotional well-being. Students who start strong in kindergarten are more likely to stay on track academically.
Days in our early learning programs include morning meetings to build social skills, two recesses, structured play blocks and enrichment classes. A research-based program integrates literacy and math into lessons driven by student interests. Kindergarten includes academic rigor while maintaining a focus on community and connection.
Questions about registration? Contact Irene Reither Elementary School at 360-398-2111 or Meridian Parent Partnership Program at 360-398-9324.
Our Commitments: Support and Learning

Unified Basketball Kicks Off New Season

Unified Basketball is back in action, and this year Meridian is once again teaming up with Nooksack Valley to form our combined Laurel Valley team! Unified Sports is an initiative of Special Olympics and brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same team.
The program continues to break down stereotypes and strengthen a culture of belonging at Meridian High School. By playing side-by-side, students build genuine friendships, increase understanding, and contribute to a school community where everyone is valued. As the new season gets underway, our Unified athletes and partners are once again showing what’s possible when we lead with heart.
Come out and support your Laurel Valley team!
Upcoming Games!
Games are free to attend. Come out and support our team!
Feb. 4 – Laurel Valley vs Squalicum High School at SQHS at 6 p.m.
Feb. 10 – Laurel Valley vs Sehome High School at MHS at 7 p.m. (MHS Senior Night)
Feb. 14 – End of Season Unified Tournament at SQHS from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Tentative)
Feb. 18 – Laurel Valley vs Bellingham High School at BHS at 6 p.m.
Our Commitments: Belonging and Wellness

Winter Sports Update

Our basketball teams will compete in district competitions next week, and we have two teams heading to state competitions! Join us in cheering on our teams!

MHS Girls Bowling Heads to State

The Meridian High School girls bowling team finished second at the district competition and has earned a spot at next week’s state tournament in Tukwila, Wash.
MHS Competition Cheer State Bound
The Meridian High School competition cheerleading team has qualified for the state championships and is set to compete this Saturday in Battle Ground, Wash.

Shine and Thrive Awards

Last week we celebrated our January Shine and Thrive Award recipients! These monthly awards recognize student achievements connected to our commitments: belonging, communication, support, wellness and learning. Please join us in congratulating these students!
Jenifer, sophomore at Meridian High School: Jenifer (above left) earned the Trojan Voice Award (communication) because her communication skills truly set her apart. She uses her voice not just to engage in her own learning, but to include others and advocate for her school. As an integral member of the Latinos in Action class, Jenifer plays a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of her peers.
Daisy, sophomore at Meridian High School
Daisy (above right) earned the Empowered Learner Award (support) because is a great self-advocate and takes ownership of her learning. Daisy is a focused and authentic learner who asks great questions, and her dedication results in outstanding outcomes. Beyond her academics, staff say Daisy is a delightful person who is easy to talk to and gets along with everyone.

Welcome New Staff

Welcome Taylor Richardson

Please welcome Taylor Richardson as our new Director of Maintenance and Operations, beginning Feb. 9, pending school board approval.
Mr. Richardson brings nearly 30 years of experience in the construction industry, with a strong background in concrete work. He has worked as a journeyman concrete finisher and foreman and previously owned and operated North Ridge Concrete from 2017–2022. Since 2022, he has served as a concrete foreman with Crux Concrete Construction.
Throughout his career, Mr. Richardson has led and supervised crews on commercial construction projects, coordinating daily work activities to meet schedules and budgets while enforcing safety policies and ensuring compliance with OSHA and industry standards. He is well-regarded for his clear communication, leadership and project management skills.
Mr. Richardson shared that he is excited to join the Meridian community and looks forward to continuing the standard of excellence for our facilities and creating environments where learning can thrive. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome!
Please join us in welcoming these new staff to Meridian School District. (These staff members were hired during the Jan. 21 and Feb. 4 board meetings).
  • Meaghan Brook, paraeducator at Irene Reither Elementary
  • Chelsey Gill, paraeducator at Irene Reither Elementary
  • Karson Jones, student monitor at Irene Reither Elementary
  • Michael Ramirez, student monitor at Irene Reither Elementary
  • Andy Mangat, help desk, technology
  • Alyssa Moy, bilingual paraeducator at Meridian Middle School and Meridian High School
  • Andrew Walker, PE and health teacher at Meridian Middle School

Meridian Mindset: Caring

In Meridian, we focus on four traits that guide how we learn, interact and grow together. We call these traits the Meridian Mindset, and they describe the behavior expectations we hold for both students and adults in our schools. Our four traits are: caring, courageous, trustworthy and open‑minded.

What does it mean to be caring?
Caring means demonstrating concern and compassion for others and taking action to support their well‑being. Being caring involves demonstrating kindness and empathy towards classmates, teachers, and staff.

In our schools, being caring shows up in simple but powerful ways: offering help to a classmate who is struggling, treating others with kindness, listening with empathy, and making choices that help everyone feel safe and included. When students show care for each other, they develop strong relationships, contribute to a supportive school environment and build skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

To keep the Meridian Mindset alive at home, here are some questions you can ask your child:

  • Who did you help today, and how did it feel?
  • What is one thing you can do tomorrow to make someone’s day better?
  • How do you show you care about your classmates or teacher?

Ask Meridian

What’s the deal with school budgets?

You may have heard about the budget challenges facing school districts across Washington. The state does not fully cover the actual cost of running schools, which creates a funding gap for districts.
Since 2021, Meridian has been underfunded by more than $9.3 million in Special Education, transportation, and materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOCs). Districts across the state are experiencing similar shortfalls.
Our district’s budget is funded through a combination of state funding (70%), local levies (18%), and federal funding (12%). Local levies which include our Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy and our Technology Capital Levy were renewed by voters in February 2024. We are thankful for continued community support.
We are closely watching the state budget process. Once the Legislature approves a budget, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) reviews and distributes funding to districts.
All school districts are highly regulated and financial practices are audited annually. We consistently receive positive remarks on our audits. Monthly budget reports are presented at school board meetings, and information is available on our district budget webpage.
We know school finance is complex. If you have questions, please reach out or visit WA School Funding. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Key Dates

February
February is Black History Month and Career and Technical Education Month

Feb. 4: Regular School Board Meeting 5 p.m.
Feb. 9-March 6: CEE Survey Open
Feb. 9-12: IRE Conferences and Early Dismissal
Feb. 10: Election Day
Feb. 13: Mid-Winter Break (No School)
Feb. 16: Presidents Day (No School)
Feb. 17-19: MMS/MHS Conferences and Early Dismissal
Feb. 17: Kindergarten Registration Opens
Feb. 25: Regular School Board Meeting 5 p.m.

Looking Ahead
March 6: Staff Learning Day (No School)
March 20: Snow Make-up Day (No School unless needed)