October Meridian Academy Newsletter

Hello Meridian Academy Families,

We worked throughout the first quarter of the school year on the Behavior Expectation of “Kindness”. This is the characteristic of MA that describes how we treat each other, and I believe, is most important to making our school a great place to learn and grow.

As we move into the second quarter of the school year, we will focus on our Profiles of a Learner- which includes: Being Curious; Engaging in Learning; Advocating for Myself; and Making a Difference. We will start the 2nd quarter with the “Engaging in Learning” profile, in which we seek to ensure students are progressing through their competencies and earning credits to stay on track toward graduation. We have activities developed by our Student Council that aim to promote this “engaged” mindset in a fun way, which includes ‘shout-outs’ and prizes. The ultimate goal is to help students reach graduation- and do so on time! Next week we start our mentor group Pumpkin Decorating Contest which lets mentor groups display their creativity and is a fun way for students to enjoy the time of year and each other’s company.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you for attending our Parent/Teacher Conferences this year. It is great to see the support that our students have. Having these conferences be student-led is another way we seek to develop “self-advocacy” in our learners!

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Principal Eian and The Meridian Academy Team

How an Absence Is Coded

An absence code depends on two things: whether you notify the school in advance and whether documentation was provided.

A – Absence: No notice and no documentation → Not excused

PRC – Parent/Guardian Contact: Advance notice given, but no documentation → Not excused

WAI – Waived Absence: Documentation for a doctor, dentist, court, or bereavement absence is submitted → Excused

THIS IS NEW: SDL – Self-Directed Learner: Advance notice + approved form + completed assigned work → Excused

Important: A phone call alone does not excuse an absence. Only WAI and SDL codes are considered excused.

What is a Truancy?

Truancy Absences occur when a student misses class without parental permission or school knowledge. Truancies are considered unexcused absences and may also result in disciplinary actions. Students under age 16 who accumulate 10 truancies may be referred to the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney in accordance with Idaho Code 33-206.

Wednesday, November 3: NO SCHOOL, Teacher Professional Learning/Collaboration

November 23-27: Thanksgiving Holiday Break

December 18: End of 1st Semester

December 21-January 5: Winter Holiday Break

(January 4: NO SCHOOL, January 5: Back to school, first day of 2nd Semester)

It’s more than just berries, mangoes, and peaches! There’s actually no fruit in these products. The photo represents not even a fraction of e-cigarettes (vapes) confiscated by Meridian Police Department School Resource Officers. Modern-day vapes contain other substances aside from nicotine, such as THC, which is the active mind-altering chemical found in marijuana. Some vapes even contain as much nicotine as 20 packs of cigarettes! E-cigarettes, or vapes, may seem like the “coolest” trend out there, but not at the cost of your physical and mental health. Those fruity scents are not as cool as you think! Now that school is back in session, know the risks, recognize the signs, and talk to your child about the dangers of vaping. Check out the Idaho Youth Ranch to learn more: Understanding Teen Vaping: What Parents Need to Know

Open to students grades 6-12 and all staff.

Link to details:

https://www.westada.org/o/ea/page/library-resources