Today we’re celebrating the amazing IT professionals who keep Meridian CUSD 223 connected, supported, and running behind the scenes every day!
Whether it’s solving a technology problem, keeping our systems secure, supporting our staff, or making sure our students have the technology they need to learn, our IT team does it all!
We are incredibly grateful for your knowledge, patience, hard work, and dedication to our students and staff. Thank you for being the people we can count on when technology doesn’t cooperate!
Happy National IT Professionals Day to our fantastic IT team! We appreciate you more than you know!
#NationalITProfessionalsDay #MeridianCUSD223 #WeAppreciateYou #ThankYouIT
📚 Attendance Matters — September 17, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
Help your child build strong habits for school success from day one. We’ll share practical strategies and ideas to support positive attendance and help your child feel successful at school.
🤝 Building Strong Communities for Families — October 15, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
Discover practical ways to build meaningful connections, strengthen your support network, and help your family thrive. Learn about resources and opportunities available to families in our community.
👶 Virtual Baby Shower — October 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Expecting a baby or welcoming a new little one? Join us virtually for a fun and informative Baby Shower! Connect with other families and learn about resources and support available to you and your baby.
📖 Family Literacy Night — November 12, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
Join us for simple, fun ways to grow a love of reading and learning at home. Families will have opportunities to participate together and discover activities you can easily continue at home.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QfwdbDnVvLw_-Q4A-85N8cDeHlrV9eDoVAbEnC9Vv6k/edit?usp=sharing
Coach Shawn Byers Resigns After 27 Years Leading Stillman Valley Softball
Stillman Valley High School announces that longtime head softball coach Shawn Byers has resigned after 27 years of leading the Cardinals.
The Stillman Valley softball program began during the 1996–97 school year. After the program’s first two seasons, Coach Byers took over and transformed Cardinal softball into a perennial contender and one of
Northern Illinois’ most respected programs.
During his remarkable tenure, Byers compiled a career record of 517–262 while leading the Cardinals to 11 Big
Northern Conference Championships, 10 IHSA Regional Championships, and two IHSA Sectional Championships.
Coach Byers’ connection to the diamond spans 52 years, beginning with his own time as a player. Before taking over the Stillman Valley softball program, he also spent nine years as the head baseball coach at Malta
High School. Baseball and softball have been lifelong passions, and his knowledge, commitment, and competitive spirit have influenced generations of student-athletes.
“Coach Byers leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured by wins and championships alone,” said Stillman Valley High School Athletic/Activities Director Heather Alderks. “He built Stillman Valley softball into a program known and respected throughout Northern Illinois, but his greatest impact can be seen in the generations of student-athletes he coached, challenged, and prepared for life beyond the diamond. The
standard he established will remain a part of Cardinal softball for years to come.”
Coach Byers’ impact extends far beyond the field. He established a tradition of excellence built on hard work, consistency, and Cardinal pride. The relationships he formed with players, families, assistant coaches, and
community members will remain an important part of his lasting legacy.
Stillman Valley High School and Meridian CUSD #223 sincerely thank Coach Byers for his 27 years of dedication and service to Cardinal softball. We congratulate him on an extraordinary coaching career and wish him the very best in his next chapter.
Additional information regarding the future leadership of the Stillman Valley softball program will be shared at
a later date.
🏀 MJHS Sports Registration for Boys Basketball & Academic Team is NOW OPEN! 🧠
Get ready for the upcoming season! Here is everything you need to know to sign up:
🏀 Boys Basketball: Open to all grade levels
🧠 Academic Team: Open to 7th & 8th grade students
📲 How to Register:
1. Athletic and Activity Registration
2. Log in or create an account
3. Select Stillman Valley High School
4. Choose your junior high activity from the list
⚠️ Pro Tip: Don't wait—get those sports physicals scheduled before the season kicks off! Sports Physicals must be on file to practice and play.
If you have questions, contact Mrs. Jepsen at the junior high by email or phone.
In case of an emergency please email : enicholson@mail.meridian223.org
Varsity Football hosts Genoa-Kingston, and we have a full night of Cardinal recognition planned!
🚪 Gates Open: 5:30 p.m.
Pre-Game Youth Recognition
📣 6:15 p.m. — Lil Warrior & Jr. Tackle Cheer Recognition
🏈 6:20 p.m. — Flag Football Recognition
🏈 6:30 p.m. — Jr. Tackle Recognition + varsity tunnel
⏱️ 6:40 p.m. — Varsity warm-ups
🏈 7:00 p.m. — Kickoff
During the Game
📣 Little Cheer Camp performance — between the 1st & 2nd quarters
💃 SVHS Dance Team — halftime
👏 Special recognition of Mr. Jim Miller — halftime following Dance
🎟️ Admission
Adults — $5
Students/Seniors — $3
SVHS Students — FREE
📺 Livestream:
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/stillman-valley/organization/16027/stillman-valley-high-school
GAME DAY REMINDERS
• Football games are not a drop-off event. Students in 8th grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
• No outside play balls are permitted inside the stadium.
Come early — there’s a lot to celebrate Friday night!
#CardinalPRIDE
Dear Meridian Junior High School Families,
We are excited to announce our MJHS Fall Sports Fundraiser!
Athletics and activities at MJHS are funded in large part through spiritwear and concession stand sales. In an effort to generate additional revenue to help us update and replace volleyballs, basketballs, nets, and other athletic equipment, we will be hosting two SNAP fundraisers this school year.
Fall Sports Fundraiser
For our fall fundraiser, we are asking all students participating in the following activities to take part:
Volleyball
Cross Country
Boys Basketball
Cheerleading
Everyone is welcome to participate! Students do not have to be involved in one of these activities to take part in the fundraiser.
The great thing about the SNAP fundraiser is that there is nothing to sell and no products to deliver! This is a donation-based fundraiser. Your student simply creates an account and can provide email addresses and/or phone numbers for family members, friends, and others who may be willing to support MJHS athletics and activities.
We will hold an additional SNAP fundraiser in the spring for Girls Basketball, Academic Team, Wrestling, and Track.
Every donation, no matter the amount, will help us provide our students with quality equipment and opportunities to participate in athletics and activities. We greatly appreciate your support of our students and MJHS!
Please see the flyer below for instructions on how to sign up and for additional details:
MJHS Fall Sports Fundraiser Flyer
Thank you for supporting Meridian Junior High School Athletics and Activities!
Go Cardinals!
Tara Jepsen
Assistant Principal / Athletic Director
Meridian Junior High School