
#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.


#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Mrs. Mindy Harry! #ReachHigher
What is your role at MJHS? - 7th Grade Math Teacher
How long have you worked at Meridian? - 20 years!
What is your favorite food? - Pizza
What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The staff that I work with on a daily bases and the staff I only get to see on occasion make it truly an enjoyable place to work.
What are your hobbies? - When I am not running my own kids around I enjoy shopping for great deals and watching movies.


#MeetTheStaff of Meridian Junior High School! Meet Ms. Katie Adam!
What is your role at MJHS? - 5th Grade ELA Teacher
How long have you worked at Meridian? - 2 years
What is your favorite food? - Asian food
What is your favorite thing about Meridian Public Schools? - The community of students and teachers!
What is a hobby you have? - Underwater basket weaving!
