Meridian Message [10-4-24]

Dear Meridian Families,

At Meridian School, we believe that every student and family member plays a unique role in shaping the diverse fabric of our learning environment and our school community. Acceptance means embracing and celebrating the differences that make us who we are—our cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives. It is through these differences that we grow stronger together.

We are committed to creating a school culture where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. A culture where kindness, respect, and empathy guide our interactions. This is not just a goal but a daily practice. By fostering an environment of acceptance, we are helping our students become compassionate, thoughtful individuals who contribute positively to the world.

We encourage all you to continue these conversations at home! Talk to your child(ren) about the importance of inclusion, kindness, and understanding. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone—students, families, staff—feels a true sense of belonging in our school community.

Thank you for your partnership and continued support.

Below please find important topics covered in today's newsletter:

Lighted School House (NEW)

Halloween 2024 (NEW)

Student Electronic Devices

Fall P/T Conferences

Stevenson Math Carnival

The Wild Robot (NEW)

Law Enforcement Drill

PTO Events (NEW)

Quest Food Services

After School Programming (ASP) (NEW)

Upcoming Dates

School Supply Lists

FirstStudent Bus Monitoring System

Changes in Transportation

School Nurse Information (NEW)

Transportation Contact Information

Thank you for your support.

Gregory I. Michels, Principal

We are excited to for our first Lighted School House (LSH) activity night for our 4th and 5th graders!

What is Lighted Schoolhouse? It is a fun-fair, carnival-like night at MERIDIAN for MERIDIAN STUDENTS only. There will be activities throughout the building for students to participate in and food for everyone! Meridian teachers and other adult volunteers supervise.

Lighted School House will take place on October 25, 2024.

Details:

• Lighted School House will be on Friday, October 25th from 6:30 - 8PM
• Halloween-themed school event opened to Meridian 4th and 5th graders ONLY
• PTO is looking for 40 parent volunteers to help out at the event (more information coming soon).
• Look for a flyer soon with more details

Meridian School will celebrate Halloween on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Please click on the button below for some important details regarding Halloween at Meridian School.

As part of our commitment to creating an environment that fosters focus, learning, and personal development, we want to remind families about our policy regarding the use of cellular devices (phones, smart watches, etc.) during school hours. While we understand that electronic devices can serve as useful tools for communication and safety, they can also be a significant distraction in the classroom. To ensure that all students remain engaged in their lessons and respectful of their teachers and peers, we ask that students keep their phones turned off (or airplane/school mode) and stored away during instructional time. This helps Meridian Staff promote a productive learning environment and minimizes interruptions. If children need to communicate with a parent/guardian, we have phones in all or classrooms and if needed the Meridian Office.

Please know, the school bus is an extension of the school day and students should not have their personal devices out on the school bus. Together, we can ensure that all students stay focused on their education and make the most of their time in school. For your convenience, we have linked the language from our D102 Student Handbook below.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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Cellular Devices

The following definitions and procedures establish the rules applicable to students concerning the use of cellular devices (phone or watch) while on school property or during school-sponsored activities. Any reference to “parent” shall also be deemed to refer to “guardian” as appropriate.

School Hours - For use of cellular devices, school hours refer to the time between the first bell of the morning and the last bell of the afternoon.

Limitations of Student Access - It is permissible for students to possess cellular devices on school property and during school-sponsored events, with the following limitations:

1. They must be turned off during the regular school day, unless the supervising teacher grants permission for them to be used or if needed during an emergency.

2. They may not be used in any manner that will cause disruption to the educational environment or will otherwise violate student conduct rules or Illinois law (i.e. recording).

3. They may not be used for creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing indecent visual depictions as defined in State law, i.e., sexting. Possession is prohibited regardless of whether the depiction violates State law. Any cellular phone may be searched by law enforcement personnel upon reasonable suspicion of sexting. All sexting violations will require school administrators to follow student discipline policies in addition to contacting the police and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect when appropriate. Further, as for cellular devices that are capable of taking and/or transmitting digital photographic images, students are prohibited from using such devices in any restroom, locker room, or other location where students and/or staff have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

A student seeking an exception to having a cellular device powered off (or school/airplane mode) during the school day must obtain written consent from the building principal, or the principal’s designee, prior to acting outside of these procedures. Such an exception shall only be granted in the case of an emergency or medical necessity, unless the teachers/staff give special permission to allow the use of student cellular devices to enhance the educational experience.

Our parent/teacher conferences are right around the corner. As we shared at Open House we will have (3) conference dates:

• October 23rd (3pm - 7pm)
• November 21st (3pm - 7pm)
• November 22nd (7:20am - 2:45pm)

Please know that some families may receive communication to join conferences in October. Do not worry if you do not receive a link as all families will have access to sign up in early October. Look for more details October 7th.

The Stevenson Math Carnival is aimed at students grades 3 to 5 and their families and is hosted by the Stevenson Math Team.

For: Families with children, grades 3-5

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Time: 6 PM to 8 PM

Location: Stevenson High School, West Building

Parking: Lot B off of Half-Day Road (Route 22), Lot E off of Port Clinton Road.

Cost: $0

As part of our social emotional initiatives, Meridian is doing a 'one book, one school' project. As an entire building, we are reading The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. The Wild Robot touches on the themes of: loyalty, courage, tolerance, perseverance, and kindness. These themes will be embedded throughout the 2024 - 2025 school year providing our students with important life lessons.

As a culminating activity, we have the ability to take our entire school to see a viewing of The Wild Robot. Currently, we are planning to take the 4th and 5th grades students to see The Wild Robot on October 11, 2024.

As a follow up to the email that was sent on Monday, please fill out the form below if you DO NOT want your child to attend the field trip.

Please see the buttons below for important lunch information. Please direct all Quest questions direclty to our D102 Food Service Director, Ms. Annette Giegoldt (agiegoldt@d102.org).

As we start to plan for Session 2 of Meridian's After School Program (ASP), we are hoping you can provide some feedback on this first session. Thank you so much!

ASP Parent Feedback Session 1

If you have specific questions, please reach out to either of our ASP Sponsors:

Stacey Hanson (shanson@d102.org)

Kelly Jarava (kjarava@d102.org)

October Upcoming Dates

October 3: No School

October 7: Wild Robot Spirit Week

October 8: PTO Meeting

October 9: Early Dismissal

October 17: Parent/Child Book Club

October 23: Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 23: Red Ribbon Week Begins

October 25: Lighted School House

October 31: Halloween (more information coming soon)

Please click on the buttons below to access the 24-25 school supply lists.

In an effort to curtail poor bus behavior, First Student has implemented a new bus monitoring system called FIRSTacts. This system quickly and efficiently captures inappropriate behavior and instantly shares it with Mr. Michels and Ms. Milewski. Students who are reported will receive communication through email regarding their child's misconduct. Various disciplinary measures will be issued including suspension from riding the school bus.

To ensure the safest transportation possible for all of our students, please take a moment to review the following bus etiquette with your child:

• Follow our (3) rules: Be Safe, Be Respectful, & Be Responsible
• Use expected behavior
• Keep hands/feet to self
• Use kind words/language
• Do not play with school issued iPads or personal technology devices
• Remain seated, facing forward
• No eating or drinking on the bus
• Use inside voices

If you have specific questions about FIRSTActs please reach out to our Director of Transportation, Ms. Denise Koto (dkoto@d102.org) or First Student.

For example, if your child takes the bus every day and you are picking up for a doctor's appointment at 2:30 (dismissal) please send a note that morning. In an 'emergency' situation you can send an email to Mrs. Share or Mrs. Feldstein via email. Unfortunately we will not be able to honor any emails/calls after 2pm.

Health Office

Dale Furnish, CSN, RN, TNCC

Attendance Line: 847.955.3503

Hello Parents:

We have some important upcoming dates. October 15th, 2024 is the deadline for medical records being submitted for new students to District 102. On October 15th a Physical, Immunization records, and a Vision Exam by an optometrist or opthamologist is required by the State of Illinois. A Dental Exam is due by May 15th, 2025. Please be aware that if your child does not have medical forms in by October 15th, they will not be allowed to attend until they are submitted. Here is a link to all of our forms on our website if you need any. https://sites.google.com/d102.org/d102-health-services/forms. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

If your child would like to participate in any after school sport activities, they will need a physical in the last year submitted or a sports physical in the last year. There are some great sports like Volleyball, Wrestling, and Golf that the kids can participate in later in the year.

Please do not ever send original copies with your student without making a copy!!

dfurnish@d102.org

847-955-3508

Stay Well!!!

Mrs. Furnish

Transportation

Information about routes and pick up and drop times can be found here: https://www.d102.org/page/transportation

To check the status of your child's bus, please call First Student Bus Company, at 847.634.0868. If you have a busing question or would like to report a problem, please call our Transportation Coordinator, Denise Koto at 847.353.5680 or email her at dkoto@d102.org.

Email: gmichels@d102.org
Website: www.d102.org/meridian
Location: 2195 Brandywyn Lane, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 847.955.3500

Email: nmilewski@d102.org
Website: www.d102.org/meridian
Location: 2195 Brandywyn Lane, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 847.955.3500

Meridian Office Information

Office Phone Number: 847.955.3500

Fax Number: 847.634.4229

Office Hours: 7:15am - 3:15pm

Student Hours: 8:00am - 2:30pm