October 30, 2020
Dear Mustang Families,
This school year has presented all of us with some unique challenges, and I’m very proud of how our students and staff have responded. Our return to in-person learning has been successful. At the same time, the amount of COVID-19 cases in the community continues to increase and it is having a significant impact within our schools. We have had to quarantine well over 100 students and staff to date and closed multiple classrooms due to students and staff who have been required to quarantine. Thankfully, we have managed this very well with the support of the Midland County Department of Public Health. However, this has placed an extra burden on students, families, and staff who have been directly impacted. We are doing our best to support students while they are quarantined, but this is proving to be challenging due to the number of students and staff impacted.
Due to these circumstances, I am making a change to the school calendar. Students will not report to school on Friday, November 13th. Students will be assigned remote learning for that half-day. This will allow school staff to be provided with additional training on supporting students who are not in school for an extended period. We will also use this day to do an extended deep cleaning of all of our buildings.
I want to continue to emphasize that the choices that are being made, especially small group gatherings, are having a great impact on the community spread of COVID-19. Schools in the county remain very safe as there has only been one outbreak traced back to a school setting. The one thing that we really need help with is to have those that are exhibiting symptoms to remain home. While we have heard about many symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and the loss of smell or taste, there are some less obvious symptoms such as a runny nose. While I understand that staying home with mild symptoms such as a runny nose goes against what many of us think we should do, this is contributing to the increase in numbers.
The conversation around whether or not schools may close is certainly one that I’m well aware of. We are committed to remaining in-person and have the support of the health department. It is a certainty that students and staff will continue to be quarantined and that classrooms and/or grade levels may need to learn remotely for a period of time, so please bear with us as we work through those issues. Perhaps the biggest current threat to in-person learning is staffing levels as there is a shortage of subs for teaching, transportation, and cleaning. All decisions will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis in order to do what is best for students and staff.
Yours in Education,
Craig D. Carmoney
As Halloween approaches, Meridian's Principles of Biomedical Science- Career Technical Education learners are hard at work in the lab analyzing their blood typing results. Learning at MECHS focuses on connecting academics with real world job skills #reachhigher.
After school meals are available to all Meridian students for FREE!
Any Meridian student can grab a free meal with an entrée, fruit, vegetable, & milk on their way home!
This is available EVERY Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday
3:00-3:30PM @MECHS Cafe. No need to sign up, just stop by the cafeteria.
Mustang Weekly Events! #ReachHigher
Reminder: There is no school on Friday, Oct. 23. Enjoy your day off! #ReachHigher
Here is a list of upcoming events this week. #ReachHigher
The deadline for the Sharing Tree has been extended! #ReachHigher
REMINDER: Tutoring Center is OPEN every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 3:10PM-4:30PM in the MECHS Commons. This is FREE to our students and is staffed by faculty to support your learning needs.
Sign up to attend by visiting tinyurl.com/mechstutoring to ensure we have proper staffing.
MECHS student leaders attended a virtual leadership conference through the Midland Violence Prevention Partnership. Together these individuals engaged in leadership training and worked together to plan several building initiatives. such as Kindness Week, to foster a positive school community.
Here is an update to this week's sporting events. #ReachHigher
MECHS Leadership and Peer Counseling class empowers students to make a difference in our school and community. Today these learners left uplifting messages on every locker at MECHS. #reachhigher
Friendly reminder of MECHS upcoming Fall Update TODAY, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6PM via ZOOM. Please join us to receive a brief update on COVID-19 practices, ongoing academic and growth goals, and other MECHS updates.
In addition, at 6:30PM, an ECHO WORKSHOP will be held to help families learn more about ECHO tools and resources.
To register: https://tinyurl.com/mechsfallconferences (this link will register you for both workshops)
Cheer on the Mustangs this week! #ReachHigher
Friendly reminder of MECHS upcoming Fall Update TOMORROW, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6PM via ZOOM. Please join us to receive a brief update on COVID-19 practices, ongoing academic and growth goals, and other MECHS updates.
In addition, at 6:30PM, an ECHO WORKSHOP will be held to help families learn more about ECHO tools and resources.
To register: https://tinyurl.com/mechsfallconferences (this link will register you for both workshops)
In support of National Bullying Prevention Month TOMORROW, Mon., Oct. 12th, wear BLUE to remind us to stand up for others. You never know what someone is going through, so be kind and do the right thing! Post a picture in your blue shirt on social media with the #stopbullying #bullyingpreventionmonth #reachhigher
REMINDER: NO face to face learning on Wednesday, Oct. 14th for 9th grade learners ONLY. Learners are EXPECTED to log in to ECHO and complete remote learning activities. No internet? Please email help@merps.org for hotspot scholarship information.
REMINDER: 10-12th learners will take the PSAT/SAT on Wednesday, Oct. 14th ON CAMPUS at 8:05AM. Students can leave after the assessment with transportation. Otherwise, bus transportation will be provided after school. The Michigan Department of Education REQUIRES all students to take these assessment(s). Thank you for your support.
REMINDER: LEARNER-LED CONFERENCES
BEGIN TODAY, Friday, October 9!
Tonight, your child will bring home ECHO grades and artifacts they have created in class to engage in a conversation with you about their academic progress, NWEA scores, strengths, and areas of growth. Your child will lead this conversation with you, at your home.
After this conversation, if you have a concern about your child’s academic progress, you can request a virtual conference with a specific teacher by sending an email. No face to face drop in conferences will be hosted this fall.
We are here to help! Find staff phone and email address here: tinyurl.com/mechsstaff
MECHS Principles of Biomedical Science Career Technical Education students begin their investigation by taking measurements and recording the evidence found at the scene of a mysterious death in their Medical Mystery Project. MECHS creates learning opportunities that connects to real life careers #reachhigher!
Cheer for the Mustangs as they take on the Huskies tonight! #ReachHigher
