Meridian Message [12-20-24]

Dear Meridian Families,

As December comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the great accomplishments! Our Meridian Mustangs have worked hard, showing growth in their learning and embracing kindness, and showing curiosity. Whether through academic achievements (in class projects, tests, etc.) acts of service (ie Thanksgiving Food Drive, Halloween candy collection, etc.) they continue to make us proud each day. Additionally, we are grateful for all the parent/guardian and and community support of our staff, which together create a nurturing and inspiring environment for our kids to thrive.

As we approach winter break, we hope this time offers your family moments of rest, joy, and togetherness. Looking ahead to the new year, we are excited to continue partnering with you to support the success and well-being of every student. January will be a busy month! Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community. From all of us at Meridian School, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and look forward to a wonderful 2025!

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

Meridian Musical (NEW)

Cold/Winter Weather

End of Year Celebration

D102Tuesday

December to Remember

PTO Events

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

The Meridian Musical this year is an original Broadway Revue called BROADWAY BEAT! A group of tourists find themselves in New York City for one night only! How will they ever decide which Broadway show to see?

The cast of fifty 4th and 5th graders have been rehearsing since September. They are working on singing, dancing, and acting! This production features numbers from all your favorite musicals such as Wicked, Newsies, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and many more!

All Meridian students will be seeing the musical on a Field Trip! Public Performances are Jan. 30 and 31 at 7pm at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center. Tickets go on sale Dec. 20 at 3pm. The link for ticket purchases will also be posted on Schoology!

Ticket Link:

https://cur8.com/16048/project/127894

It's that time of year already....as the seasons change, so does our weather.

Please note that all students will be outside for recess during the cold weather months. This includes when we have snow. Students should dress appropriately if they do want to play in the snow (ie. hats, gloves, boots, snow pants, jackets, etc.)

If temperatures fall below 10 degrees w/ windchill, we will have indoor recess. Please use the infographic below to help decide how to best dress during cold weather.

As we approach the end of the calendar year, we are excited to celebrate all that our students with the help of our wonderful PTO! On December 20, 2024 each student will be able to enjoy an individual bag of Skinny Pop Popcorn. Our classroom teachers will pass out the indivudal bags to students at some point during the school day.

This celebration is a way to recognize the hard work and growth our students have shown throughout the year while also fostering a sense of community.

Please see the letter below for specific ingredients and dietary information.

Get the inside scoop on all the exciting things happening at our school! By subscribing to our weekly newsletter, you’ll receive important updates, event announcements, tips for student success, and much more—all delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss out on keeping your family informed and engaged in our vibrant school community. Subscribe now and stay in the know!

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).

For those that have registered, the Winter session begins next week on Tuesday, December 10 and/or Thursday, December 12. The only class still available is Science Surprise on Tuesdays. Complete this form and follow the prompts for payment if you missed the registration deadline and your child still wants to take the science class!

TUESDAY:

12/10, 12/17, 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11(8 classes)

THURSDAY:

12/12, 12/19, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13 (8 classes)

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

Stacey Hanson (shanson@d102.org)

Kelly Jarava (kjarava@d102.org)

December/January Upcoming Dates

December 23: Winter Break Begins

January 6: No School (Teacher Institute)

Januar 7: School Resumes

January 10: End of Quarter 2

January 14: PTO Meeting

January 14: Meridian Spelling Bee

January 15: Early Dismissal

January 22: Meridian Band/Orchestra Concert

January 29: Early Dismissal

January 30: Meridian Musical

January 31: Meridian Musical

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

Pertussis - Whooping Cough

It is that time of the year, and our area is seeing a rise in cases of pertussis (whooping cough).

Pertussis is caused by a bacteria that infects the mouth, nose, and throat and spreads through the air by coughing, sneezing, and talking. Symptoms are a dry cough which may present as coughing “fits” (mild or severe) with little or no fever. Those with pertussis are most contagious during the first 2 weeks after the cough starts.

The (LCHD) Communicable Disease program recommends that you/your student be evaluated by a healthcare provider if they have a persistent cough. Please see below for additional recommendations from LCHD in cases where pertussis is suspected:

1. Parents/guardians, school personnel, teachers and/or coaches should watch for a continued cough.
2. Ill students should be sent to the school nurse. Students and staff with a persistent cough should stay home until evaluated by a healthcare provider and/or appropriate treatment is provided.
3. Students or staff with symptoms of cough should be evaluated by a healthcare provider for pertussis testing and treatment. Please make sure to inform your doctor that pertussis has been reported at the school.
4. Please report all possible pertussis infections to the school nurse.
5. If you/your student was seen by a healthcare provider AND pertussis was suspected and tested for, please remain home until results are available. If the test is positive for pertussis infection, return to school only after completion of the appropriate treatment (5 days or more).
6. The LCHD Communicable Disease program may call to obtain additional information if pertussis is suspected.

If you have questions about pertussis, please contact the Lake County Communicable Diseases program at 847-377-8130. If you are calling to report an illness for your student, please contact the School Health Office at 847-955-3508.

Have a wonderful Holiday Break, and stay well!!

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