Meridian High School
September 28th - October 2nd, 2020
Our Mission:
Principal's Message
The conclusion of our first cycle of classes means it is important for students to focus on completing the assignments in their 1st, 3rd, and 5th period classes over the next week and a half. Students have been reminded several times that while they are learning from home there are still expectations to attend class and complete the assigned work. In addition to attending class, students have the flexibility to use time in the morning before school, in the afternoon right after school, or in the evening to complete their assignments. Students also have most of Friday for their work.
If you haven't done so already, please accept an invitation to join Google Guardian and get a daily or weekly summary of your student's progress in class and upcoming work. Look for an email from Joe O'Brien, our District Technology Director, in the same email account you are getting our newsletter.
If you have questions, please know our teachers are available. I have included a link to our contact page here (https://www.meridian.wednet.edu/mhs/staff-contact/) so you can access that information easily. Given that some of our staff are not working on campus I would suggest you use email.
The remaining contents of this newsletter provides other information I hope you find valuable. If you have any other questions please contact me by phone at 360-398-8111 or by email at dforbes@meridian.wednet.edu.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Go Trojans!
Weekly Tech Tip
Parents - this video explains how to use Google classroom and is specifically designed for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgS-hoSIjnw
Did you know that your students have a school email account? Ask them about it, and please have them check it regularly as many teachers are using it to communicate important information with them. The user name is the first three letters of their last name followed by the first three letters of their first name followed by their graduation year and ending in @meridian.wednet.edu. So Virgil VanDyke (a junior graduating in 2022) would have the following email address: vanvir22@meridian.wednet.edu
Trojan Wellness and Resources
Seniors-On your Mark. Get Set. Go! Your senior year is here and before you know it you will be walking across the stage and headed out into the world to pursue the goals you have set for yourself. For many of you the journey will start with Community College or University and that is why we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some resources and information regarding financial aid.
First, I hope you have all seen the notification that our Financial Aid Event will be held on October 13th 5-8 pm. This event will be held on Zoom this year and we will share the link once we have it. During this event we will have financial experts available to help families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). The WASFA application is available for those families that do not qualify for federal financial aid based on immigration status.
The FAFSA/WASFA applications are available starting on October 1st. It is important for you to be aware that colleges have deadlines for the FAFSA/WASFA submission and these deadlines can be found on the college websites. Even if you don’t think you will qualify for federal financial aid please take the time to complete the application. If you apply for other scholarships down the road you may be asked the details from your FAFSA application. If you are a College Bound Scholar, it is required that you complete the FAFSA to receive funding. Your application also gives you the opportunity to express an interest in Work Study Programs and Loans. There are many opportunities available to apply for scholarships so start with that as your priority before considering a loan. Federal aid is limited and it is important that you apply early.
The Washington College Grant, formerly known as the State Need Grant has been expanded to reach more families starting 2020-2021. Now partial grants are available for families making up to the state’s median family income of $97,000 per year. Colleges will use your FAFSA/WASFA application results to determine eligibility and make awards and this is another good reason to complete the application.
There is a lot of information for you to know about financial aid. Each week we will provide you with further information and resources. Please be aware Financial Planning information has also been added to your HSBP for your reading as well.
This week please take the time to view these videos we have provided.
What is financial aid? https://youtu.be/KGpJ5ZNHSSo
Where does financial aid come from? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYr5gqd27Fc&feature=youtu.be
Upcoming Financial Aid Event
Friday, November 17th, 2020 - 11:00am - 2:00pm - Daytime Event for Error Fixing
Please save the date! Zoom will be used for these events. Each school will have their own breakout room with financial aid experts and other volunteers. Zoom link will be made available as the event gets closer.
HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND PLAN
Every student in the state of Washington is required to create a High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) prior to graduation. Hopefully that is not news to anyone! We are trying to make this as useful a document as we possibly can for everyone. In that endeavor, all students in grades 9 – 11 will be using a new product to create their plan for high school and life after! The counselors will be helping all of you through this process, so don’t panic about it and just know that we will see you through all of the necessary pieces!
SENIORS
All seniors will finish their HSBP with the existing tool (My School Data) program that you have always used. You should be finished with all of the plan with the exception of your resume’ that will need to be attached this year. Your counselor will be setting a meeting with you soon to answer questions!
COMPLETED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND PLANS ARE DUE
December 16, 2020
Map Growth Test
During the next two weeks, freshmen will be taking the MAP Growth test.
Assessment Schedule:
Sept 29 and October 5 from 9 - 11
Mr. Ames, Mr. Brannon, and Mr. Burkett's homeroom classes
October 1 and October 6 from 9 - 11
Mr. Gulyas, Mrs. Schatz, Mr. VanDkye's homeroom classes
Your child’s homeroom teacher will review these directions with students on Monday.
What is MAP Growth?
MAP Growth helps teachers understand what students know today, so goals can be set to improve growth throughout the year. Students cannot pass or fail this test.
This test will not affect grades. In fact, it’s normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly. Please don’t help them!
Given the challenges of learning from home, MAP Growth test results are especially helpful for us this year. These results will help us know what students are ready to learn.
You can learn more about the MAP assessment at the NWEA Family Resource website. https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit/
How can I help my child prepare for this assessment?
Prior to Test Day
Help your child to set up a testing area that will help them to focus. Minimize distractions as much as possible.
Make sure your child knows when they will be testing and that they will be testing with their homeroom teacher.
Encourage your child to show what they know on the assessment so the information from the test helps their teachers to know what they need.
What will happen on test days?
Students will log into their homeroom Zoom at the beginning of their test time.
Their teacher will share the test directions and help them to log into the test.
The teacher or another staff member will be available on Zoom during the testing if your child has questions or technical difficulties.
Your child can take breaks during the testing session as needed to help them remain focused.
If your child is not able to complete the test during the session there will be opportunities to complete the test at a later time.
Request Transcripts Through Parchment
Please find the “Order transcripts through Parchment” link under Families & Students/Resources on the MHS website. Current students may call Mrs. Brinkman or Mrs. Waterman to receive their Parchment access code at the MHS office 360-398-8111.
MHS History Moment
Thank You Custodians!
Musings from the Math Department
The MHS math team is investing time revising their curriculum and instructional practices to meet the needs of students during remote learning. We have revised our scope and sequence (what we teach and when), emphasizing the learning targets we consider most essential for our classes. Most of our lessons have been completely reworked to allow for shorter synchronous instruction (e.g. Zoom meetings) and modified to allow students to complete most of the learning asynchronously (on their own time). This has involved learning how to use technologies including video recording/editing to make asynchronous videos, PowerPoint to create interesting and well structured lessons, and Google Classroom to efficiently and clearly communicate the work students need to complete. We continue to explore how we can use our zoom meetings to both build school community, as well as foster student dialogue about the curriculum. It’s been a challenging start to the school year, but it's also been rewarding to interact with students again and assist them in their learning journey.
Help, I Can't Get On Zoom! I Can't Get on Google Classroom, Help!
You may think that calling the MHS Office would be the answer, but the best place to call is:
Meridian Parent/Student Tech Line. They can be reached at 360-318-2158.
They will be happy to answer any tech question you may have!
You can also reach them via email at chromebook@meridian.wednet.edu
Class of 2021 Parents and Students
Senior Pictures and Senior Ads
Senior Pictures & Senior Ads
Due: January 5, 2021
Stay tuned for further details
Food Service Update
- Cordata Presbyterian Church 9:30am - 10:15am
- Pollman Circle 10:45am - 11:30am
- Meridian Middle School 10:30am - 12:30pm
For more information about meal distribution, please call our food services office at
360-318-2267
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
Being present in class is vital to be successful in school. We want to encourage all of our students to be at school every day! If you are missing school, you are missing out on learning!
MHS Points of Contact
Andy Donahue, Assistant Principal: adonahue@meridian.wednet.edu
Cheryl McBride, Counselor A-J: cmcbride@meridian.wednet.edu
Don McMains, Counselor K-Z: dmcmains@meridian.wednet.edu
Tami McMains, Attendance: tgmcmains@meridian.wednet.edu
Robin Brinkman, Registration: rbrinkman@meridian.wednet.edu
Chromebook Tech Support: chromebook@meridian.wednet.edu
High School Office
Stay Connected
The homepage has access to recent news.
Meridian School District on Social Media
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/meridianschooldistrict505/
Instagram: @meridianschooldistrict505
Twitter: @meridian505