Meridian Junior High School

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Jennifer Clever! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - Paraprofessional How long have you worked at Meridian? - 9 years What is your favorite food? - Krispy Kreme donuts What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The amazing support and friendliness of the staff at Meridian Junior High School What are your hobbies? - Reading, playing with my dog, spending time with family and friends

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Jennifer Pashak! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - 6th and 7th grade science teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 3 years What is your favorite food? - Big salads What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - I really enjoy being part of the community as a teacher, parent, and resident. Attending school or local events is always so much fun because I'm able to see my own kids, their friends, and my students and their families all at the same time. What are your hobbies? - I enjoy spending time with family and friends outside and doing anything that's active. I try to compete in road races and triathlons and run, bike, and swim when I have time.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Barbara Rossi! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - Custodian How long have you worked at Meridian? - 8 years What is your favorite food? - Lobster What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The kids What are your hobbies? - snowmobiling

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Renee Farison! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - teacher of students with special needs for 5th - 8th grade at Meridian Junior High School How long have you worked at Meridian? - This is year 27 as a teacher. I was also here as a student from kindergarten through graduation. What is your favorite food? - chocolate What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - the family atmosphere What are your hobbies? - spending time with family, reading, writing, crafts, love to take road trips and wander when we have time, letter writing

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

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Rebecca Onifer! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - Junior High Reading Interventionist How long have you worked at Meridian? - 39 years (Also my K-12th grade education was here too!) What is your favorite food? - steak What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - At any of the buildings that I have taught at over the years, there has always been a sense of family within the staff. Through good times and the difficult times in education and personally, there has been a strength that I have received from the staff in which I have worked with. We care about the students in the same manner too. Meridian has been my home for many years in the sense that I grew up here, came back, and lived here for years, worked here, and raised my son here too. Meridian will always be my home and my family. What are your hobbies? - reading, traveling, shopping

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Early College High School & Meridian Junior High School! Meet Matthew Shephard! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Early College High School & Meridian Junior High School? - Director of Bands, Cross Country Coach, Track Coach How long have you worked at Meridian? - 24 years What is your favorite food? - Nachos..and bacon ;) What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - I love the community we've built with our staff, students and surrounding village. The atmosphere in our district is unlike any other. We are definitely a big family. What are your hobbies? - I enjoy playing and watching basketball, running, listening to music (big surprise?), spending time with family and landscaping during the warmer months. I also constantly clean things. I cannot relax until everything is put away in it's place. I'm pretty sure it's a curse, not a blessing.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Andrew Lafave! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - Industrial Arts Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 15 years What is your favorite food? - Anything cooked by my wife What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The pride that we take in our facilities What are your hobbies? - Anything sports, camping with my family, woodworking

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Jaime Welmers! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - School Social Worker How long have you worked at Meridian? - 6.5 years What is your favorite food? - Indian food, Italian and baked goods! What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - I love to see our student’s growth over the years. I get the opportunity to follow them from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Building those relationships and getting to celebrate their successes (small or big) along the way is by far the most rewarding part of my career. I also have wonderful co-workers at every school building who make coming to work everyday easy! What are your hobbies? - I love to cook and bake as well as trying out new recipes. In the summer, I like to run outside and enjoy the warm weather.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Carolyn Fitzgibbon! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - Elementary and 8th grade Spanish teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 18 years What is your favorite food? - shrimp What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - my students and the fantastic people I work with What are your hobbies? - dog training, being outdoors, spending time with my family

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

Meridian Public Schools is joining 537 local and 56 intermediate school districts across Michigan to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month. “In another year full of challenges for public education, our school board members persevered to provide the best possible education for our students,” said Superintendent Sarah Glann. “Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one of the very small ways to express appreciation for all they do!” “Even though we are making a special effort during January to show appreciation for our school board members, we recognize their contributions reflect a year-round effort on their part,” Superintendent Glann said. “No matter what challenges lie ahead for our district in 2024, our school board members will continue to govern to improve student achievement and provide exceptional education for all our community’s children.” #ReachHigher Meridian Public School's Board of Education is composed of seven members: Stephen Grubaugh - President, 7 years of service Megan Clark - Vice-President, 3 years of service Rebecca Hitsman - Treasurer, 12 years of service Dennis Cole - Secretary, 22 1/2 years of service Kristina Brawt - Trustee, 4 1/2 years of service Jennifer Holzinger - Trustee, 1 year of service Deborah Passmore - Trustee, appointed 5/15/2023

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Carmen Sellke! #ReachHigher What is your role at Meridian Junior High School? - 7th grade Social Studies Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - Since August 2022 (about 1.5 years) What is your favorite food? - A medium steak with mashed potatoes. What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - Getting to work with the awesome students and staff! What are your hobbies? - I enjoy getting out to the woods to hunt and coaching the 8th grade girls' basketball team.

Reminder: Monday, January 15th is a scheduled day off for students as staff members engage in professional development. See you all on Tuesday! #ReachHigher

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Ms. Aubrey Stark! #ReachHigher What is your role at MJHS? - Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 2 years What is your favorite food? - Spaghetti What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The culture - I love the positive atmosphere and a genuine focus on student learning and wellbeing. What are your hobbies? - I like to read, ride horses, and I play several instruments including my favorites: piano and the trombone.

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Ms. Lauren Giering! #ReachHigher What is your role at MJHS? - 8th Grade Math Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 9 years What is your favorite food? - Nachos What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The Students! What are your hobbies? - God, spending time with my family, and reading!

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Mrs. Allison Kyro! #ReachHigher What is your current role at MJHS? - Art Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 3 years What is your favorite food? - Cheese Enchiladas or Chocolate Caramel Turtle Candies What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - ALL of the wonderful people! - students, families, teachers, administrators, and support staff! What are your hobbies? - Creating art, kyaking, camping, and gardening both inside and outside

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Mr. Christopher Tyrrell! #ReachHigher What is your role at MJHS? - Social Studies Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? - 1.5 years What is your favorite food? - Mashed Potatoes What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The student community. We have a really impressive group of students who can accomplish anything that they put their minds to! What are your hobbies? - Running, reading, fishing, photography and playing chess are my current favorites!

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Mrs. Leslie McAllister! #ReachHigher What is your role at MJHS? - Math interventionist, Special Education teacher, and McKinney-Vento Liaison How long have you worked at Meridian? - Beginning my 6th year. I taught for 38 years at Bay Arenac ISD. What is your favorite food? - Steak What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The family atmosphere What are your hobbies? Grandchildren, horses, and exercising

#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Ms. Melissa Ziems! #ReachHigher What is your role at MJHS? - 6th Grade ELA and 7th & 8th Grade Creative Writing Teacher How long have you worked at Meridian? 10 years! What is your favorite food? - Sushi What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - My favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools has to be the students of our district. I have met some pretty remarkable students and they make coming to school exciting and fun! What are your hobbies? - I enjoy reading, gardening, boating, camping, and skiing.