October Newsletter 2026
Meridian Parent Partnership Program
Greetings MP3 Families!
Fall is here! I hope you’re settling into the new school year and finding your rhythm as your child’s primary teacher. By now, most of your curriculum should have arrived—or will be arriving soon—giving you the chance to get familiar with how it’s organized. Remember to give yourself grace and adjust as needed; the goal is to make teaching and learning a meaningful and enjoyable experience as you partner with MP3. Thank you for the important role you play in your child’s education!
Our October newsletter is full of helpful updates and resources. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read through all the important information!
Your proud principal,
Michelle Siadal
iReady Personalized Learning
Students can use i-Ready to build their skills for grade-level success. i-Ready Personalized Instruction uses insights from i-Ready Diagnostic to create a personalized path of engaging online lessons. In this way, students receive instruction and practice in areas where they need the most support. We are recommending students complete 2 lessons per week of personalized learning iReady lessons in math and reading.
Internet Safety
This month is digital citizenship week so it's a great time to talk with kids at home about being safe in a digital world. Here are some resources to start the conversation: Tips to talk to your student: Common Sense Cyberbullying and apps to be aware of: Family Education
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October and is an official city and state holiday in various localities. This year it falls on October 12. We encourage educators to use this opportunity to engage in the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial curriculum.
In 2015, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5433 modifying the original 2005 legislation, now requiring the Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington state or other tribally-developed curriculum be taught in all schools. In 2024, the Legislature passed House Bill 1879 naming the curriculum in honor of John McCoy (lulilaš). The use of the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial curriculum has been endorsed by all 29 federally recognized tribes. Below are other resources to learn more:
Zinn Education Project - Indigenous Peoples' Day Resources
National Education Association - Resources for Teaching About Indigenous Peoples
MP3 Campus Monthly Reviews
We want to hear from you about our new dismissal process!
When to Keep Your Child Home During Cold and Flu Season
Fall is quickly approaching and so is cold and flu season! Please help us keep our school community healthy by keeping your child at home when they are not feeling well. Keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the symptoms: fever or chills, shortness of breath, wet or productive cough, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. Message from Health Services
Campus Attendance
Literacy Celebration (Save the date for October 28th)
Students are invited to dress up as their favorite storybook character on Wednesday, October 28th for a special literacy celebration! We encourage homemade costumes related to children’s books. This is a great opportunity for students to share their favorite books and characters!
Important Details:
- Costumes: Homemade and related to storybook characters only. Store-bought licensed character costumes are not allowed.
- Materials: Feel free to use items from your closet, construction paper, and recyclables to create your costume.
- Book Sharing: Bring your favorite book if possible and be ready to talk about your character.
This is not a Halloween event, so please keep costumes focused on book characters. For inspiration, check out the internet and Pinterest for creative ideas. Our motto is: “Keep it simple and have fun with literacy!”
More information on event times and details will be provided soon. We’re looking forward to a fun and educational day celebrating reading!
Picture Retakes- October 19th
Donette Studios will be at MP3 on October 19th to photograph students who were absent on the original picture day or wish to have their pictures retaken. Please email mcampfield@meridian.wednet.edu or call the MP3 office at 360-398-9324 to have your student added to the picture re-take list.
Classroom Treats
From time to time, classes may celebrate birthdays or other special events with snacks or treats. To help keep all students safe and included, please follow these guidelines when providing food items:
All items must be store-bought. No homemade treats are allowed.
Treats must be:
• Pre-packaged and in original, sealed packaging by the manufacturer (not from a bakery case)
• Clearly labeled with ingredients
• Made in a peanut- and tree nut–free facility (look for the nut-free symbol)
No items without ingredient labels may be shared.
Drop-Off: Please bring treats to the office at the start of the school day so the school nurse has time to review them.
Advance Notice: Notify your child’s 5th-period teacher at least one week in advance if you plan to provide birthday treats.
Timing: Treats will be shared at the end of the day during the last class period of the day to avoid interrupting lunch or instructional time.
Food Allergies: If your child has allergies or dietary restrictions, please be sure to update their health information with our school nurse: Susan Peterson at speterson@meridian.wednet.edu
Thank you for helping us create safe and fun celebrations for all students!
MP3 Library Hours
We’re excited to share that the MP3 library is open to families on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30–11:00 am. While most curriculum materials should have arrived, the library is here to ensure you have everything you need to support your child’s at-home learning.
Please note: the library is closed on campus days. During these times, our office/library space is used as a health room and for special services, providing a quiet, supportive environment for students. Thank you for your understanding as we prioritize student privacy and care. We appreciate your cooperation!
MP3 Campus Hours and Drop-off/Pick-up
Thank you to all our families for your excellent support with campus drop-off and pick-up! You’re doing a fantastic job navigating the pick-up loop. A few reminders to help keep things running smoothly:
- Please make sure your child is ready to enter and exit the vehicle promptly.
- Remain in your vehicle and pull all the way forward to keep traffic moving efficiently.
- If your child needs extra time, kindly use designated parking spots.
- For any changes to your child’s dismissal plans, contact the MP3 office before 2:00 pm. Between 2:10-2:30 pm, our office is unable to answer the phone or respond to emials during this short window of time as we will be focused on the dismissal system.
Thank you for your partnership and planning ahead with communication!
🍎 Free & Reduced-Price Meal Applications
Families are encouraged to submit a free and reduced-price meal application for the 2026–27 school year.
If your student qualified last year, eligibility carries over through October 15. Submit a new application before then to avoid meal charges.
One application per household.
Applications are accepted year-round.
Printed applications are available in English and Spanish at your school office.
Visit the District Food Service website for menus, meal prices, and applications.
Links to applications:
- 2026-27 Letter To Households
- 2026-27 Free & Reduced Application
- 2026-27 Carta a los Grupos Familiares
- 2026-27 Solicitud de Group Familiar Para Recibir Comidas Gratuitas Y De Precio Reducido
- Consent to Share Eligibility Form (English) and Spanish
Questions? Contact Erin Groen at egroen@meridian.wednet.edu or (360) 318-2267.
