Dear Meridian Families, Students, and Staff,

As you know, we have recommended starting the school year in a remote learning model to safely engage students and staff. We learned from our experience in the spring and through feedback from families, we are committed to doing things differently this school year. We have made investments in both technology and professional development to provide a more robust and responsive learning experience. Our Meridian Enhanced Remote Learning model is designed to meet the learning needs of our students. For those interested in alternative learning models, we offer our Meridian Parent Partnership Program for our K-8 students and an independent fully online learning option for our 9-12 students. Following is an overview of each of these models.

Meridian Enhanced Remote Learning

An important part of developing our approach to enhanced remote learning was to establish structures and routines. Meridian students will be learning at home with a set schedule and developmentally appropriate coursework, facilitated by our Meridian teachers and staff. Teachers will design and lead instruction, assess learning, and communicate progress with students and families. This allows for community building between students and their teachers.

Students and staff perform most effectively with a stable, consistent instructional plan where expectations for attendance and learning are implemented. Weekly schedules will engage students daily, Monday through Thursday, with learning activities in real-time, live lessons mixed with independent, supported learning. This provides structure and flexibility, while also increasing the interaction of our students with each other and their teacher. Fridays are independent learning days for students, working on activities and assignments previously provided by their teachers. For staff, this day is focused on professional development to continue improving our service to students and families, planning instruction, collaboration, and connecting with students.

This design allows us to transition from fully remote to our hybrid learning model without jeopardizing the connections and relationships developed from the first day of school. It also minimizes disruptions when progressing to more in-person instructional models. This is our plan for the first quarter. We will revisit our learning model quarterly to determine if we can safely transition to our hybrid learning model.

We know there are students with established needs who require additional support. We will work with our families to develop a plan to serve these students. Even in the remote model, we are seeking opportunities to serve our students with established needs in-person, on our campuses. We will know more as we move forward – and will communicate with families along the way.

MP3 – Meridian Parent Partnership Program
This is a family partnership program designed to deliver instruction at home for K-8 students. MP3 is different than online school as parents deliver the instruction based on the student learning plan – which includes learning activities, standards, and assessment for students’ understanding of learning. Families lead the teaching and assessment of learning in this model guided by Meridian teachers from MP3. Students will need to commit to a full semester through MP3 even if we transition to our hybrid or in-person learning models. Click for more information. (https://www.meridian.wednet.edu/mp3/event/interested-in-more-information-about-mp3-for-next-year-call-360-398-9324/)

Independent Online Learning Program

Fully online and computer-based learning model through an outside company for 9-12 students. Students will remain Meridian students but will not be served by Meridian staff in this program. Students will need to commit to a full semester of online learning even if we transition to our hybrid or in-person learning models. Click for the Independent Online Learning interest form. (https://bit.ly/33x76EE)

Thank you,

James Everett