Meridian Elementary School

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Ashley Lafave! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Kindergarten teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 19 years What is your favorite food? - My mom’s chocolate sheet cake. What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - My coworkers, my students, and the opportunities available for my own children. What are your hobbies? - I enjoy watching my kids in their various sports, reading, camping and traveling with family.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Megan Leddy! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - 1st Grade Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 4 years What is your favorite food? - I don't really have a favorite food, but my favorite restaurant is Asian Express! What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - Being a part of the Meridian family has helped me grow in ways I could have never imagined, both personally and professionally. Coming to work is truly like spending time with family. Our building has a very unique and enjoyable culture. The staff, students, and leadership are all great. I can't picture myself anywhere else! What are your hobbies? - Camping, gardening, and family time

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Allison Badour! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Elementary Special Education Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 14 years What is your favorite food? - nachos What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - I feel so fortunate to be working with the most dedicated and supportive staff. We have the best community and culture in our building. I love working here! What are your hobbies? - Spending time with my family, playing beach volleyball in the summer, and doing crafts.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Ann Villalobos! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Young Five's teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 8 years What is your favorite food? - Pasta What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - My favorite part about working in Meridian schools is the positive staff and student culture in my building. What are your hobbies? - Spending time with my two children, long distance running, and being outside.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Jamie Engler! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - 2nd grade teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - This is my 5th year What is your favorite food? - Pizza What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The Community and relationships between staff and families. What are your hobbies? - Baking, attending sporting events, and reading

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Emily Clark! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - 1st Grade Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 10 years What is your favorite food? - Mac & Cheese What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The staff - Meridian Elementary School feels like family! What are your hobbies? - Reading, photography, hanging with my two adorable pups

Good Morning Mustangs! You are invited to participate in the Strategic Planning process for Meridian Public Schools. If you were not able to make the Community Meetings, we are asking you to please complete the survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MeridianSP2024 or scan the QR code in the image attached. Thank you in advance for supporting Meridian Public Schools. #ReachHigher

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Madelyn Fenby! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - 3rd grade teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - first year What is your favorite food? - Anything with pasta What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The amazing staff, students, and families! What are your hobbies? - Reading, and walking my dog

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Sara Mccoy! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Paraprofessional How long have you worked at Meridian? - Less than 1 year What is your favorite food? - French Fries What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The Staff! What are your hobbies? - Dance Fitness and Reading

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Anthony Morey! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Elementary Music and Drama Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - This is my 3rd school year at Meridian! What is your favorite food? - Grilled cheese What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The staff! I love the staff I work with. They are all hard workers who strive to do everything with excellence! What are your hobbies? - Singing, playing piano, conducting musical groups, reading, vacationing with my wife!

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Allison Goodwin! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Elementary Art Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 7 years What is your favorite food? - Sushi What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The sense of community and the wonderful relationships that are shared. I am truly proud to be apart of the "Mustang Family." What are your hobbies? - Playing volleyball, cooking, and baking.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Michael Bishop! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Custodian How long have you worked at Meridian? - 14 years What is your favorite food? - Steak What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The Kids and the staff What are your hobbies? - Fishing, hunting and being at the cabin.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Tania Lex! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Third grade teacher, PLC facilitator How long have you worked at Meridian? - This is my 7th year at Meridian and my 14th year in education. What is your favorite food? - I love a good chef salad, and also raspberries! What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The willingness to learn new things to better ourselves as educators. We have a great “adult learning culture” which allows for everyone to continually strive to be better and do better for our students. What are your hobbies? - Reading and hiking. I also love to travel around our state!

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Robert Blades! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - 2nd Grade Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 17 years What is your favorite food? - Pizza (Italian food) What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - I truly feel like I work with some of my very best friends. The district has everyone; staff, students, and parents in their best interest. I can’t imagine teaching anywhere else nor would I want to. What are your hobbies? - I enjoy keeping up with Michigan Football (Go Blue!) and Detroit Tigers baseball. I enjoy taking care of my lawn in the summer and spending time in Frankfort during the summer with my family. My two girls keep me very busy.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Alicia Orourke! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - 4th grade teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 9 years What is your favorite food? - Mexican What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - We have the best staff, and I love my 4th grade team! I work with some of my favorite people. What are your hobbies? - Reading, and shopping.

Meridian Public Schools is excited to collaborate with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to provide a community-wide food distribution event. Join us on Saturday, January 27th, at Meridian Elementary. The line up begins at 9am and food distribution will take place from 10am-12pm. #ReachHigher

Meridian Elementary is excited to introduce our all-new 2024 Camp Invention experience! Give your young innovator an inspiring, action-packed summer adventure! Exciting, hands-on challenges will spark curiosity and build their confidence as they jump into limitless STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fun with opportunities to imagine, experiment and create. Click the link below to learn about what your camper will experience at camp: Camp Invention is for students entering grades Kindergarten-6th grade. There is a discount for signing up before March 1st. Enter FUN25 at checkout to save the $25 off. There is also a sibling discount. If there are two siblings, the code is SIBLOVE30 for $30 off each child. Three siblings SIBLOVE40 for $40 off each child. Sign up your child at: https://invent-web.ungerboeck.com/programsearch/moreinfo.aspx?event=43079&_gl=1*1dl8gg8*_ga*MTMxMDAxNjc0NS4xNTU1OTUwMDE2*_ga_FVWR4S7J2J*MTcwNTQyMDQ4Ny4zMjMuMS4xNzA1NDIwNTA0LjAuMC4w

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Mariah Broka! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - 2nd grade teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 4 years What is your favorite food? - Mac and Cheese or Pizza What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - My favorite thing about Meridian is the welcoming environment created by the staff. Ever since I was hired, I have always felt supported by admin and my fellow staff members. It takes a village to set children up for success and we sure have a pretty great one here at Meridian What are your hobbies? - Bike riding, listening to music, going to concerts, and hanging out with friends and family.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Elementary School! Meet Carin Daly! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Elementary School? - Third Grade Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - I have been teaching here for 21 years. What is your favorite food? - That's a really hard question for me as I love so many foods, but I think nachos would be one of the top choices. What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - My favorite thing about being a part of the this district is the support and family-feel. From the moment I began working here, I was made to feel that I belonged. The closeness of our school and community is very special. I have only ever taught here and wouldn't go anywhere else. What are your hobbies? - I love to be outdoors, travel. dance, play music, read, and spend as much time with family as possible. I also love to watch sports, and whether it's my children, grandchild, or my students, I love to be a part of their experiences.

Today we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We are reminded and inspired by his relentless endeavour to encourage others to help those who are in need. "The time is always right to do something right." In the words of Dr. King, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Visit MLKDay.gov to find local service opportunities for #MLKDayofService and beyond! How are you giving back? #ReachHigher