MP3 November Newsletter 2025
Meridian Parent Partnership Program
SchoolData monthly reviews are due November 1st-5th
Well done on submitting your monthly reviews in SchoolData ALE! We’re so impressed by the rich learning happening at home and appreciate your timely submissions during the first week of each month to reflect on the past 30 days. Thank you as well for confirming that you’ve reviewed your SLPC’s comments in SchoolData ALE. We hope the friendly reminders have been helpful!
As a quick note, please remember to leave out any high-risk activities, such as trampoline use or horseback riding, from your monthly reviews. While we love hearing about these experiences during your weekly check-ins with your SLPC, they can’t be included in the official student learning plan or monthly documentation. We appreciate your understanding and continued partnership!
MP3 Campus Monthly Reviews
Our teacher teams have collaborated to create grade-level reviews based on the learning happening in campus classes. We encourage parents to utilize the information from these campus class reviews in their monthly submissions in SchoolData.
Here is the link with information about MP3 Campus Monthly Reviews.
The Vibe is back!
Picture Retakes on Monday, November 3rd
Students who were absent on picture day or wish to have their pictures retaken can return their original packets for retakes. Students will have their portraits taken by O'Connor Photography Studio on November 3rd between 11:00 am-12:05pm. You can order pictures through the O'Connor Photography Studio website: www.oconnorphotographystudio.com. For any questions or assistance, please call the studio at 1-800-993-4929.
Meridian Food Drive, Nov. 3-13
From Nov. 3-13, Meridian School District is hosting a food drive to support families in our community. Donations will go to the Meridian Family Support Center and Ferndale Food Bank. We're collecting nonperishable and unexpired items like canned soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, pastas, beans, cereals, rice, flour, cooking oils, peanut butter, and canned chicken and tuna. You can bring donations to first period campus classes. The class with the most items collected will earn an extra recess. Let’s come together to help our community!
World Kindness Day! (November 13)
World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. This day, celebrated on November 13 of each year, has the purpose to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations. Looking for ideas to spread kindness? Visit Random Acts of Kindness to get inspiration!
Toys for Tots
Now through November 14th Toys for Tots is accepting gift requests from Meridian families who are looking for help this holiday season. Toys for Tots will pick out gifts for your kids based on their gender and age. This program is ideal for children ages birth through age 13.
Please call or text Alicia at the Meridian Family Support Center if you are interested 360-988-1949 or for Spanish call Elvira at 360-306-2886. Gifts need to be picked up at the Family Center the week before Winter Break.
Celebrate our Staff: American Education Week
American Education Week is Nov. 17-21, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the incredible people who make Meridian School District special! Each of our staff members work hard every day to make a positive impact in the lives of our students.
Do you know a Meridian staff member who has made a difference for your student or family? Submit your personalized thank you note by Nov. 21 to be delivered during American Education Week!
Thanksgiving Break is November 26th-28th
The MP3 staff would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! We are truly grateful for the opportunity to partner with such amazing families dedicated to their child's education. As a friendly reminder, there will be no campus classes on November 26th, and Thanksgiving Break will be observed on November 27th-28th. To support your child’s learning during the holiday break, we’ve provided some Thanksgiving Reading Passages for K-8 students. Wishing you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving!
College Bound Scholarship Program for 7th & 8th Grade Students
Dress for the weather
As the weather gets colder, please remember that the children go outside for recess. We kindly ask that you ensure they are properly dressed for outdoor play, including wearing a coat and suitable recess shoes like sneakers or boots. We encourage our kids to be active outdoors, but please note that in inclement weather, we will have indoor recess. At MP3, we love to RUN, JUMP, and PLAY!
Planning for Winter Weather
As the season changes and the weather turns colder, it is a good time to take a moment to review our winter weather procedures. Depending on conditions (which could include snow, flooding, power outages, etc.), schools could close for the day. MP3 is part of the Meridian School District so please make sure you are checking information for Meridian School District rather than your resident district.
As a friendly reminder, if the Meridian School District is having a late start due to weather conditions, the MP3 campus classes will be cancelled for the day. We have families traveling outside our district boundaries and we want to keep our families safe during inclement weather. Please familiarize yourself with the information below to be prepared for changes in the school schedule.
How will I be notified of school closures or delays?
A message will automatically come to you if you are a parent or guardian. You can update your contact information in Skyward Family Access or by calling your school office. Alerts are sent through ParentSquare. ParentSquare uses your contact information from Skyward. You do not need to activate your account in ParentSquare to receive alerts.
Where can I find weather or emergency information?
Meridian School District uses a variety of methods to keep you informed:
An email, text, app notification and/or phone call will automatically be sent to you via ParentSquare.
Tune to local media: 790 AM, 96.5 FM, 104.1 FM or Seattle media.
Check www.meridian.wednet.edu
Check @meridianschooldistrict505 on Facebook or Instagram or @Meridian505 on Twitter
The district will continue to use FlashAlert Newswire to notify local TV and radio media of school closures or delays.
Where can I find more information?
Visit our Weather Notifications webpage for more information about inclement weather and delays.
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.
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.
Veterans Day
Resources are available: PBS Newshour - Veterans Day Lesson Plan
Election Day
Election Day in the United States is the annual day for general elections of federal public officials. It is statutorily set by the U.S. government as the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November.
Now is a great time to utilize the "Teaching Elections in Washington State" lesson plans and classroom activities from the Secretary of State.
Native American Heritage Month
November is National American Indian Heritage Month. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
To learn more about this observance don't forget to examine our John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial curriculum resources.
Diwali
Diwali begins on October 18 and goes until October 23. India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year, the Festival of Lights is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and light over darkness and marks the beginning of the new year for some Hindu groups. Those observing Diwali light clay lamps outside of their homes, symbolizing the inner light that protects their dwellings from the darkness. The five-day holiday is as important in the Hindu religion as Christmas is in Christianity. And much like Christmas, prayer, feasts, and family gatherings are popular ways to celebrate. See resources below to learn more:
Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead (el Día de Muertos or el Día de los Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died. These celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember amusing events and anecdotes about the departed. It is widely observed in Mexico, where it largely developed, and is also observed in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage. See resources below to learn more:
National American of the American Latino - Day of the Dead Resources