Wednesday, December 23rd is a half day of school, and students at MJHS are dismissed at 11:15 a.m.
December 7, 2020
Dear Meridian Mustang Families:
We learned this afternoon the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an extension of the pause for in-person learning for students in grades 9-12 and the continued stoppage in all athletic activities until at least December 20th. As such, students in grades 9-12 will return for in-person learning on Monday, January 4th.
As announced last week, students in grades K-8 will return to in-person learning on Wednesday, December 9th.
In conversation with the Midland County Department of Public Health this afternoon, our 3-week trend in Midland County continues to show a downward trajectory in the positivity rate. Thankfully, the spread that is taking place in communities is not taking place within schools. To date, there have been six outbreaks in schools in the county that have impacted 26 people and none of those have occurred in Meridian. The schools in the county will continue to work side-by-side with the health department and will continue to be aggressive with the quarantine protocols that have been very effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The quarantine period will follow the latest CDC guidance of 10 days with a possible return on day 11.
Your understanding is appreciated as we continue to make difficult decisions.
Sincerely,
Craig D. Carmoney
Chromebook pick-up for MJHS students continues on Tuesday, November 24th from 10am - Noon and 4 - 6:00pm in the Parent Loop.
MJHS VIRTUAL Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thursday, Nov. 12th from 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13th from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Teachers will email parents to set up virtual conferences. Check your inbox over the next few days.
Please fill out the electronic forms sent from
your student’s teachers to set up phone calls.
Teachers will then call you on the date that you select.
Didn’t get an email? Call the office at 989.687.3360
After school tutoring at MJHS will NOT be offered today or next Thursday, November 12th. Tutoring will still take place from 3:05 - 4:05 p.m. next Tuesday (10th) and Wednesday (11th) like normal. Students should sign up for tutoring the day before they would like to attend using the link on the MJHS web site or on Echo.
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
Reminder, there is no school for students on Friday, October 23rd. The day is dedicated to professional development for the staff.
Calling your child's school? To reach the main office, call the numbers below:
Meridian Early College High School: 989-687-3300
Meridian Junior High School: 989-687-3360
Meridian Elementary School: 989-687-3500
Meridian Early Childhood Center: 989-687-3455
Meridian Transportation: 989-687-3249
Tutoring is available for all MJHS students on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:05 - 4:05 p.m. in Room 50 of MJHS. Parents are responsible for transportation, and students must be picked up promptly at 4:05 p.m.
Students must use the following link to sign up at least 24 hours in advance of wanting to attend.
Tutoring Link
Tutoring will NOT be available this Thursday, October 8th but will be available on the 6th and 7th.
Picture Retake Day at MJHS is Monday, October 5th from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Parents can purchase pictures for a student that missed Picture Day at Studio 154 photo link.
Parents that want retakes should send the original picture packet with their child on October 5th.
Parents who would like to get their virtual student's picture taken should call the main office at 687-3360 to help us with our planning.
Friday, September 25th is a half day of school for face-to-face students, and MJHS students will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m.
With MJHS cross country and volleyball now underway, please be aware that MJHS has to limit the number of spectators at events. Each MJHS athlete can get up to two season passes, and families will have to decide how to use those passes. No one will be admitted to MJHS events without a Jack Pine pass for that specific sport. Passes can be purchased at the MJHS Main Office, and they will NOT be sold at the door.
Please click on the following link for an informational letter on the 5th Grade Parent Virtual Information meeting that will be held on Thursday, September 10th at 7:00 p.m. The Zoom link to the meeting is in the letter.https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/909244/5th_Grade_Band_Informational_Meeting_.pdf
Meridian Public Schools is excited to announce that per a USDA Ruling, effective immediately ALL students enrolled at Meridian Public Schools will receive FREE Breakfast and FREE Lunch through December 31, 2020 or until USDA funding runs out. Please contact Food Service Director Melissa Gohl at melissa.gohl@merps.org or 989-687-3212 if you have any questions.
Here is the last installment of the video series that pertains to the return to school. Please review this video with your student as it is specific to the First Day of School at MJHS. Hopefully, this last video will especially help our 5th graders reduce some of that stress they're feeling leading up to Monday. See the "Back to School" section on the MJHS website to view all of the videos pertaining to the return to school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnoQoM4c59I
MJHS students who signed up for the Virtual Academy AND indicated that they need a school provided Chromebook and/or hotspot can pick those up at MERIDIAN ELEMENTARY on Wednesday, August 26th and Thursday, August 27th from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. each day.
There is still one more chance for MJHS face-to-face students to pick up their class schedule: Wednesday, August 26th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Parent Loop of MJHS.
MJHS Cross Country Practice for Week of August 24th:
8/24--3:30 - 5:00 @ Pine Haven,
8/25--3:30 - 5:00 @ Pine Haven,
8/26--3:30 - 5:00 @ HS,
8/27--3:30 - 5:00 @ HS,
8/28--8:00 - 9:30 a.m. @ Pine Haven
Schedule Pick-Up for Face-to-Face Students will take place in the Parent Loop of MJHS on the east end of the building. Please wear masks when approaching the staff members handing out schedules.
Tuesday, August 25th -- 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25th -- 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26th -- 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Unfortunately, at this time, volleyball is not allowed to compete. Even though the season has not been officially canceled yet, there will not be any sign ups or practices at MJHS until the State takes our region to Phase 5 and allows us to compete.