Meridian Community Unit School District #223

Highland is excited to show off the great leaders we have here! Sign up links will be shared soon!

Good Afternoon, It has come to our attention that our district phone lines are unable to receive or make outgoing calls. Our IT team is currently working to resolve this. I apologize for the inconvenience. All of our current safety/emergency notification systems are still operable if there were to be an emergent situation during this outage. Dr. Joe Mullikin

It's almost time for Kinder Kick-Off! We can't wait to meet our newest Highland students! If you have a soon-to-be kindergartener or know of someone, please call the school to sign up for this important event!

Thank you to the Meridian Junior High band and choir for sharing your talents and gifts with Monroe Center students today. Students came over to help show our 5th-grade students just a few of the things they have to look forward to in terms of elective choices as incoming 6th-graders. Information will be emailed home this afternoon on how our 5th-grade students can choose and enroll in electives for next year. Excellent opportunity for all of our students. Thank you MJH! #WeAreMCUSD

Thank you to all of our school counselors at Meridian 223. You make such a difference in the lives of our students. #WeAreMCUSD

Let Texas Roadhouse fix dinner for you on Thursday, Feb. 8 and support the Meridian Elementary PTO!

Happy School Counseling Week to our very own, Mrs. Zitzke and Mr. Wissinger! We are SO lucky to have you! Thank you for all you do!

Please see the link below for the most recent Health Services Newsletter! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UAK9Z9j1k2WppJBmJpJMZncUJkhyAPjpHFQjqZ1fZ4Y/edit?usp=sharing Meridian 223 parents and guardians are also invited to take a feedback survey here: https://forms.gle/PTwuimVFigNFu8ky7

Ice Hog Fundraiser

STRATEGIC PLANNING 2024 is coming, tomorrow, January 25th, at Highland Elementary School. I'm thrilled to continue my journey transitioning as Superintendent for Meridian CUSD 223. This year, I'm grateful for the chance to learn more about our organization. I'm excited to kick off our strategic planning, where we'll work together with the Board, Leadership, Staff, Families, and Community to shape our future. Next year, the 2nd Graders I once had as principals will be freshmen at SVHS. The prospect of handing diplomas to students I've guided fills me with excitement. My belief is to create the best environment for all students to succeed. Join me on January 25th, 5-7 PM, for our first meeting. Fill out the registration form if you plan to attend. Looking forward to collaborating! Registration Form: https://forms.gle/GCK2BHmcmQjTYReQ9 More Information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NPuRqBBb7qhrC7O7WlD3GZbNHJNJOrz_/view?fbclid=IwAR1osqL2DNeBS3hwUx-1J1eroj-Mmjirj1p4xFTP1EXZPKMIXATVQbuEwDA

Good Evening, We are continuing to watch the weather. With the variability in the forecast, we do not expect to make the call tonight. I hope to make the call by 5 AM tomorrow morning. There are 3 potential scenarios that we could utilize. First, if travel is safe, we will be in session. Second, if it appears that roads will become safer, we could use a 10 AM late start. Finally, if travel is unsafe, we will have a remote learning day. In each situation, my focus is on ensuring the safe travel of all students to and from school. Thank you, Dr. Joe Mullikin Assistant Superintendent

Students at Monroe Center are back at it earning gold coins for exhibiting leadership skills and helping others. Today, Mackenzie in 4P, was so helpful to another student in her class. Thank you Mackenzie for what you did to help another. #WeAreMCUSD

Good Evening, Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16th, Meridian CUSD 223 schools will not be physically in session due to dangerously low windchill forecasts. We will have a remote learning day, similar to this past week. Over the weekend and throughout the day today, our leadership team has been in contact, checking buildings, running buses, and communicating with local school districts and road commissioners. Anytime we see a windchill below -20, we are on high alert, and when it begins to dip below -25 to -30, we begin discussions of closing. Tomorrow there are projections of between -33 and -38 during pickup in the AM and remain there through noon. This means frostbite could occur in a matter of minutes. Athletic competitions (girls' basketball and scholastic bowl) are still planned to go unless temperatures or weather deteriorate. Optional practices may still be held on an individual sport basis. Please contact coaches or our Athletic Director, Mr. Henry Robison, for more information. I know that this is not ideal, but I believe it is in the best interest of our students and staff's safety. Joe Mullikin Asst. Superintendent, Meridian CUSD 223

STRATEGIC PLANNING 2024 is coming January 25th! I'm thrilled to continue my journey transitioning in as Superintendent for Meridian CUSD 223. This year, I'm grateful for the chance to learn more about our organization. I'm excited to kick off our strategic planning, where we'll work together with the Board, Leadership, Staff, Families, and Community to shape our future. Next year, the 2nd Graders I once had as principals will be freshmen at SVHS. The prospect of handing diplomas to students I've guided fills me with excitement. My belief is to create the best environment for all students to succeed. Join me on January 25th, 5-7 PM, for our first meeting. Fill out the registration form if you plan to attend. Looking forward to collaborating! Registration Form: https://forms.gle/GCK2BHmcmQjTYReQ9 More Information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZyJAemvbdmoEb4rikF-MfWg-20L7r_jd/view?usp=sharing *Please note the links in the image will not hyperlink. Click More Information for a hyperlinked copy*

We are monitoring temperatures for tomorrow and will send out a notification this evening regarding school tomorrow, whether we are in session, remote, or waiting to watch until the morning. If we are in session, temperatures will be bitterly cold. Please remind your child to dress appropriately for the temperatures. We have been monitoring building temperatures and running buses all weekend to ensure facilities are safe. We will plan for remote learning if we are not physically in session. Please know that I am aware that this is not ideal, but our students and staff's safety is my top priority.

Good Evening, We have continued to watch the forecasts throughout this week. Today, confidence has continually grown that there will be dangerous travel conditions during pickup and dismissal. While this is not ideal, I believe that this would be the same call that would be made at 5 AM; therefore, we have decided to make the call this evening to allow families to make arrangements for tomorrow. Tomorrow, Meridian schools will not be in session in person. We will be using a remote learning day. Staff will be available throughout the day tomorrow to support student learning during this time (8 AM - 2:30 PM). Thank you, and be safe, Joe Mullikin Assistant Superintendent, Meridian CUSD 223

We were notified of a power outage this morning at Monroe Center. It extended beyond our initial area. We were in direct contact with the power company and worked to get this resolved as soon as possible. The power was out for approximately 10 minutes. All power has been restored, but we are continuing to monitor the situation and will notify you of any changes. Joe Mullikin Asst. Superintendent

We ARE in session today. Please remember that it is a late start (8:30 AM). Our drivers are heading out in buses but please remember that safety is our top priority and buses may run slightly behind. Thank you for your patience.

Highland will host a dental clinic on January 18th. Please see flyer for more information. If interested, please contact the school next week.

Come out and support the Meridian Junior High PTO! All are welcome but don't forget to mention the MJHS PTO when you check in at Urban Air in Rockford.