1
New Gym Roof at MHS……………….1
New School Bus Added ………………1
Outdoor Animal Pens……………….…1
Replacement Levy ………………….…. 2
Student Activities at MHS .….….....3
School & District Snapshots .…...4-6
MMS Earns Gold Star Award ……...7
MHS Honor Society Projects …......7
Safe Schools Alert ……………………...7
Administrator Contact Info………...8
Our Community
Our Children
Our Schools
Meridian Schools
MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL (MHS)
MERIDIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL (MMS)
IRENE REITHER ELEMENTARY( IRE)
MERIDIAN PARENT PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM (MP3)
Inside this issue:
January 2016 www.meridian.wednet.edu
M E R I D I A N S C H O O L D I S T R I C T # 5 0 5
District News
Outdoor Animal Pens Added to FFA Barn at MHS The District recently added four outdoor pens to the FFA Barn at MHS. The FFA is an
important program for students in Meridian School District.
Look for student raised hogs or goats in these pens later this spring.
New Gym Roof Installed for North Gym at MHS
A new roof on the north gymnasium at Meridian High School was installed within
budget this fall. The new metal roof was installed over the existing roof using the
“Roof Hugger” roof system. Rigid insulation was added underneath and sealed to
prevent leaks. Maintaining school facilities is a vital part of District operations.
New School Bus Added to the District Fleet
The District recently added another new
school bus to the fleet. This bus replaces
our oldest bus which was retired from
service. Modern and safe transportation
for students continues to be a high
priority for Meridian School District.
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Educational Maintenance and Operations Levy for 2017-2020
What are Levy Funds Used For?
Levy Funds Provide Support for the
Following Programs and Activities:
All athletics programs, equipment and
athletic travel.
Extra curricular programs including: Music,
Theater, Arts, Outdoor Camp, Mock Trial,
Ukulele Club, Math Club and other before or
after school clubs.
Evening activity buses.
Student field trips.
Career, technical and trades course materials
and industry visitations.
Library collections and textbooks.
Technology equipment and support.
Safety measures.
Facility maintenance.
Staff training.
Enhanced staffing for counselors, librarians,
classroom assistants, nurses, secretaries and
custodians beyond state funding levels.
Levy Election is February 9, 2016
On February 9, 2016 Meridian School District is asking
voters to approve a replacement of the Educational
Maintenance and Operations Levy which was last
approved by voters in 2012 and is set to expire in 2016.
This new levy request is for 2017-2020.
The local levy provides approximately 22% of the
Meridian School District’s annual operating budget.
72%
6%
22%
School District Revenue SourcesState Federal Local Levy
How Much Will it Cost?
There is no change from the current rate (for 2016) to the
first year (2017) in the proposed levy. The proposed levy
includes a small cost of living adjustment in
2018, 2019 and 2020
Exemptions for Seniors and Disabled
The Washington State Department of Revenue provides a tax
exemption for senior citizens (over age 61) and people with
disabilities. (Income restrictions apply)
More information on exemptions can be found at http://
dor.wa.gov or call the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office at
(360) 676-6790
Collection
Year
Estimated Levy Rate/$1,000
Assessed Value
Levy Amount
2017 $4.13 $4,150,000
2018 $4.18 $4,200,000
2019 $4.20 $4,225,000
2020 $4.23 $4,250,000
Basketball
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Some of the Many Activities For Students at Meridian High School
Mock Trial
Career and Technical Education
Cheer
Soccer
Football
Chess
Volleyball Cross Country
Drama Club
Trojan Cafe
Robotics
Wrestling
Pottery
Honor Society
Drum Line
4
School and District Snapshots
Exploratory Classes at MMS
Shakespeare Intro to Career/Technical Ed.
Current Events Jazz Band
Design Squad Highly Capable
Debate ASB Leadership
Geography Jobs for America’s Graduates
STEM Fuse Academic Support
Navigation 101 Health
Keyboarding WA State History
Art Club Girls Basketball
Drama Club Boys Basketball
Marching Band Girls Volleyball
Flag Team/Color Guard Track and Field
Cross Country Girls Soccer
Boys Football Boys Baseball
Girls Softball Boys Soccer
Compass to Campus Homework Help
*Age 0-2 (Served at home) - 6 1st Grade - 105 4th Grade - 86
*Preschool (Age 3-5) - 17 2nd Grade - 110 5th Grade - 96
Kindergarten - 114 3rd Grade - 110 Total - 644
*Students Enrolled In Special Education Program Only
Staff
Certified Staff - 45
Classified Staff - 37
Administrators - 2
After School Activities - Ukelele Club, Unicycle Club, Homework Help/Tutoring
Student Support Programs - Counselors, Title 1 Reading, Learning Assistance Program,
English Language Learners, Migrant Support, Highly Capable, Speech Therapy, Physical
and Occupational Therapy, Special Education Services, What I Need (WIN) Interventions.
Specialists—Music, Library, PE, Computer Technology
Irene Reither Elementary
Meridian Middle School
Enrollment
6th Grade - 92
7th Grade - 85
8th Grade - 117
Total - 294
After School Activities at MMS
Certified Staff - 20
Classified Staff - 14
Administrators - 1
Student Support Programs - Counselors,
Speech Therapist, Highly Capable,
English Language Learners, Migrant
Support, Special Education, Drug &
Alcohol Intervention
Specialists - PE, Music, Art
Enrollment Staff
District Office Staff
Superintendent* Director of Fiscal Services
Asst. Superintendent Payroll and Benefits Coordinator
Human Resources Coordinator Accounts Payable Specialist
Director of Special Services District Office Secretary
Special Services Secretary
*District Financial Information Available By Contacting Superintendent
Department Staff (Including Supervisors)
Maintenance/Custodial - 13
Food Services - 9
Technology Services - 2
Transportation - 16
Nursing - 2
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Meridian High School
Enrollment
9th Grade - 136
10th Grade - 140
11th Grade - 115
12th Grade - 101
Total - 492
Staff
Certified Staff - 27
Classified Staff - 12
Administrators - 2
Student Support Programs - Counselors,
Career & College Support, Tech Prep,
Credit Retrieval, Running Start, Special
Education, English Language Learners,
Migrant Support, Drug & Alcohol
Intervention, Speech Therapy,
Occupational Therapy, School Success
Assistance & Homework Help
Course Offerings For Students at MHS
Math English Science Social Studies
Pre-Algebra English 9 Biology Contemporary World Problems
Algebra English 10 Chemistry US History
Geometry American Literature Physics The Law and Society
Algebra 2 World Literature Health Current Issues
Pre-Calculus Bridge to College English AP US Government and Politics
AP Calculus AP Language Civics
AP Statistics AP Literature Human Development
Business/Technology Occupational Education Fine Arts Music
Microsoft IT Academy Metals I, II & III Fundamentals of Art Symphonic Band
Accounting Ag. Mechanics Ceramics Jazz Ensemble
Computer Applications Woods Pottery Concert Choir
Computer Aided Design Horticulture Advanced Art Chamber Choir
Manufacturing Nursery & Landscape AP Studio Art
Robotics Construction Careers Academy Floral Design
Personal Finance Welding Academy Yearbook
Digital Imaging Work-Based Learning
World Languages Family & Consumer Science Physical Education
Spanish I & II Foods Recreational PE Fitness and Performance
American Sign Language Culinary Arts/Catering Fitness for Life Yoga
Athletics
Fall - Cross Country (Coed), Football (Boys), Soccer (Girls), Volleyball (Girls)
Winter - Basketball (Boys), Basketball (Girls), Wrestling (Boys), Wrestling (Girls)
Spring - Baseball (Boys), Golf (Girls), Golf (Boys) Soccer (Boys), Softball (Girls), Track (Coed)
Clubs/Organizations
Mock Trial, FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, Chamber Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Drama Club, International Club, Cheerleading, Chess Club, Photography Club,
Robotics/TSA, Honor Society, Floral Club, ASB/Student Council, Winter Ride, GSA, Young Life, Travel Club & Trojan Café.
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Meridian Parent Partnership Program
Held at Ten Mile Creek Elementary
MP3
Enrollment
Kindergarten - 24 5th Grade - 33
1st Grade - 24 6th Grade - 47
2nd Grade - 27 7th Grade - 29
3rd Grade - 45 8th Grade - 37
4th Grade - 39 Total - 305*
*142 Served On Campus, 163 Served As Extension Students
Staff
Certified - 13
Classified - 5
Administrators - 1
“Hands On” Science at Meridian Parent Partnership Program (MP3)
Students in the third and fourth grade science classes at MP3 dissected owl
pellets. Pellets are the result of an owl's inability to digest parts (mostly bones and
fur) of their consumed prey. Acid in the owl's stomach breaks down ingested food,
but what cannot be digested is regurgitated as a pellet. By using tweezers to pry
away the fur, students found various bones from the owl's prey. Students discovered
and identified the skull, jawbone, ribs, hips and vertebrae of voles and other
rodents. They also learned how the bones of many mammals are similar in number
and shape, but differ in size.
MP3 10th Year Anniversary
The Meridian Parent Partnership Program (MP3) is proudly celebrating its ten year anniversary. In February of 2006, MP3 was established in the Meridian School District as a program to provide support and resources to homeschool families.
More Information About MP3
MP3 provides support to parents who homeschool their children through “On Campus” and “Extension” programs.
All MP3 teachers are highly qualified and state certified.
Every MP3 student from kindergarten through 8th grade has an individual student learning plan aligned with state standards and coordinated by a certified teacher.
MP3 students are held to the same high standards of learning as traditional school students and participate in the District and state assessments (MAP & SBAC).
In its “On Campus” program MP3 offers classes in literacy, social studies, math & science as well as elective classes in drama, art, robotics, & technology to support and supplement parent teaching.
The “On Campus” program offers small class sizes (maximum 16 students) and opportunities for student leadership such as student government and yearbook.
Many MP3 students are involved in athletics & extra-curricular activities. MP3 provides a curriculum library with thousands of teaching resources for parents and students. MP3 provides a valuable educational option for Meridian families.
District web site is www.meridian.wednet.edu
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Meridian Middle School Earns “Gold Star Award” from Governor
Inslee for the College Bound Scholarship Program for 2014-15
This is the second straight year that Meridian Middle School was named as one of the top performing
schools in the state for the percentage of student registrations in the state’s College Bound Scholarship
program. This program is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who sign up in
middle school and fulfill the pledge. When eligible students apply, they promise to:
Graduate from a Washington High School with a 2.0 GPA or higher.
Be a good citizen and not be convicted of a felony.
Apply to an eligible college and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The program encourages students who might not otherwise consider going to college (because of the cost) to dream big
and continue their education beyond high school. Thank you to MMS Counselor, Kathy Greshock for her leadership and her
commitment to this beneficial program for students and families.
Honor Society Students at MHS Take On Personal
Community Service Projects
The 58 students in Honor Society at MHS have each committed to
engage in a personal community service project this year that include;
road and yard clean up for people in need, running errands, tutoring
young children, volunteering at a charity, coaching young students,
leading a blanket and sock drive and much more.
To become a member of Honor Society at MHS a student must have a
grade point average of at least 3.4, fill out an application and write a
500 word essay explaining their desire to join. MHS English Teacher,
Mike Protzeller is the club adviser.
Safety is one of Meridian School District’s top priorities and to help safeguard our school community, we’ve taken an important step. Meridian School District is now using SafeSchools Alert, a tip reporting service that allows students, staff, and parents to submit safety concerns to our administration four different ways:
1. Phone: 855.977.0973
2. Text: Text your tip to 855.977.0973
3. Email: [email protected]
4. Web: http://1449.alert1.us
You and your child can easily report tips on bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism or any safety issue you're concerned about through SafeSchools Alert. Every tip SafeSchools Alert receives about our District is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. Tips may also be submitted anonymously.
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District Office
214 W. Laurel Road
Phone: 398-7111
Fax: 398-8966
Superintendent Tom Churchill [email protected] 398-7111
Asst. Superintendent David Forsythe [email protected] 318-2153
Director of Business Svc. Daniel Yorton [email protected] 318-2161
Director of Special Svc. Dr. Carolyn Jenkins [email protected] 318-2155
MHS Principal Derek Forbes [email protected] 318-2280
MHS Asst. Principal Kurt Harvill [email protected] 318-2281
MMS Principal Gerald Sanderson [email protected] 318-2380
IRE Principal Patti Fouts [email protected] 318-2480
IRE Asst. Principal Adrienne Somera [email protected] 318-2481
MP3 Principal Michelle Siadal [email protected] 318-2580
Superintendent
Tom Churchill
Nonprofit Organization
US Postage PAID
Bellingham, WA
Permit No. 119
Meridian School District No. 505
214 W. Laurel Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
The Meridian School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts* and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX, ADA, and Compliance Coordinator (RCW 28A.640/28A.642) David Forsythe, Assistant Superintendent, 214 W. Laurel Rd., Bellingham WA 98226. 360-398-7111.
Section 504 questions and complaints can be directed to Dr. Carolyn Jenkins at 214 W. Laurel Rd., Bellingham WA 98226. 360-398-7111.
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