Meridian Community Unit School District #223

We are looking for Substitute Registered Nurses to add to our Health Services Team! Our School Nurses are invaluable facets of our schools. They serve as the medical professionals within our buildings, provide nursing care to students with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and seizures, provide emergency care to students and staff, and so much more! If you are looking for a rewarding, as needed RN position, this may be right for you! Please contact Kayla Richolson, Director of Health Services, at kricholson@mail.meridian223.org with any questions and use this link to apply: https://www.applitrack.com/roe47/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?internaltransferform.Url=&choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=1140&category=Student+Support+Services&subcategory=School+Nurse

Meridian 223 is hosting a preschool screening on Friday, Dec. 1 from 9 am - 1 pm at Highland Elementary. Children must be 3 - 5 years old and not enrolled in kindergarten. Please call Highland to schedule an appointment.

MERIDIAN JUNIOR HIGH IS THANKFUL FOR OUR VETERANS! Meridian Junior High School celebrated Veterans Day on Thursday, November 9. During the day, the students attended various activities. They wrote cards to be sent to SVHS Alumni serving in the different branches (Stillman RED), they completed a 1-mile walk for Dark Horse Lodge Trek for Troops with some of our students even running the mile. They started the day with an assembly where they were able to listen to the 8th grade band, 6th, 7th & 8th grade chorus, and Taps that was performed by Ms. Risner and Ms. Magglio. Students were also able to invite Veterans to the assembly. This is the first in a while. The last time we invited Veterans to the assembly was in 2019. Student Council also sponsored a breakfast before the assembly began. The school also held a Dress for Dark Horse Lodge fundraiser earlier in the school year, coinciding with Homecoming week at the high school. Students from MJHS and staff had a week of dress-up days in which they would donate $1 each day that they dressed up. That week MJHS students and staff raised $304. DarkHorse Lodge is located in Tennessee. Please look them up on Facebook or darkhorselodge.org. All the activities were so insightful and hopefully, the students have a newfound respect for Veterans and all they have sacrificed for us. MJHS students and staff would like to thank ALL Veterans for their service to our country. Special thanks to Mrs. Kelly Gale for organizing our wonderful day celebrating veterans.

MJHS Invites Veteran’s To Our Veteran’s Day Assembly! Meridian Junior High School in Stillman Valley will have its annual Veteran’s Day Assembly on Thursday, November 9, 2023, starting at 8:00 AM. Veterans will be recognized; our band and chorus will perform, and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will also assist during the assembly. The assembly will conclude at 8:45 AM. Veterans are asked to arrive to MJHS at 7:15 AM for breakfast! We welcome your presence at this event. If you have any questions or to RSVP, please contact Kelly Gale by phone at 815.645.2230, ext 4215, or email kgale@mail.meridian223.org. When RSVPing, if you know a student at MJHS, please be sure to let Kelly know.

The Stillman Valley High School Music Department would like to give you the opportunity to purchase fresh fruit directly from the groves in Florida. You can check out our website or find a band or choir member to place an order. The sale will end on November 24th. Delivery dates are December 11-14. Thank you for your support of the Music Program, and watch for our fresh strawberry fundraiser in February! LINK: www.floridafruitstore.com/SVHSMusicProgram

Parents, if you have not done so already, please complete this 1 question survey regarding our annual flu shot clinic. Our Health Services Department appreciates your feedback! https://forms.gle/CumqXX9RpLVf18ny9

Highland Elementary is asking students to wear purple to honor Epilepsy Awareness Month on November 15th.

MJHS Invites Veteran’s To Our Veteran’s Day Assembly! Meridian Junior High School in Stillman Valley will have its annual Veteran’s Day Assembly on Thursday, November 9, 2023, starting at 8:00 AM. Veterans will be recognized; our band and chorus will perform, and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will also assist during the assembly. The assembly will conclude at 8:45 AM. Veterans are asked to arrive to MJHS at 7:15 AM for breakfast! We welcome your presence at this event. If you have any questions or to RSVP, please contact Kelly Gale by phone at 815.645.2230, ext 4215, or email kgale@mail.meridian223.org. When RSVPing, if you know a student at MJHS, please be sure to let Kelly know.

Happy Halloween! Check out this fun picture of 7th grade students completing a science escape room in Mrs. Barton's class.

Halloween Candy Scramble - Saturday, October 28 11:00 am @ SVHS Main Gym Candy for Pre-K through Middle School kids. Costume Contest for all ages, including group category. Hosted by: Stillman Fire Association

Here is the Health Services Newsletter for the 2nd Quarter! https://docs.google.com/document/d/17pQiqLjjteHABfgf-8bStGhe1yGfKvbuWlpZ88bIMXg/edit?usp=sharing Don't forget to complete the parent survey about our flu shot clinic: https://forms.gle/CumqXX9RpLVf18ny9 #WeAreMCUSD #MeridianWellness

Detective Seargent Kaltenbach was unable to be at Monroe Center for the presentation and thank you Tuesday for his officers, so his survival kit had a special personal delivery that day. Thank you for your service. #WeAreMCUSD

To each of you for the first good morning and the last have a good night to our students each day. Thank you to our Meridian Transportation Department. #WeAreMCUSD

Students at Monroe Center worked on a service project for first responders this past Friday. Today they presented Ogle County Sheriff's Office, LSR Fire and SV Fire Depts. with thank you's & survival kits. Other depts. unable to attend will have their kits delivered. #WeAreMCUSD

Thank you Officer Ruggeberg for helping students learn and think about safety today at Monroe Center. We appreciate all you do for us! #WeAreMCUSD

MC enjoyed the day learning about safety, public service, and creating our own service project for first responders. Thank you to all who joined us today and for those that helped along the way. More photos to come. #WeAreMCUSD

The Meridian PTO is hosting a Trunk or Treat event this Sunday, Oct. 15 from 2-5. This will take place at Meridian Junior High.

Our Health Services Department is hosting 2 upcoming wrap-around service opportunities for students! 1. Annual Onsite Dental Clinic with OPDS. The date of the clinic is TBD, but please complete consent forms now if you would like your student to receive dental care: https://opdsdentalservices.formstack.com/forms/meridian_223 2. Annual Flu Shot Clinic with OCHD on Monday, October 23rd. Consent forms are due this Friday: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qlCd5I9rHVuRvyOhaeW-f3gXC4lqXRuQ/view?usp=sharing Please note, only students with completed consent forms will receive services at either clinic.

We experienced phone system difficulties between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. this morning. Our phone system is working now. We apologize for the inconvenience. - MCUSD223 Technology Team

Dear Meridian CUSD #223 Parents/Guardians, We would like to inform you of an important update regarding our school bus tracking services. As of today, the "Here Comes the Bus" app has been disabled, and we are excited to announce the upcoming transition to the "Tyler Drive" platform. We sincerely apologize for the abrupt communication regarding, “Here Comes the Bus”, however we are working within the realms of the “Tyler Drive” installers. Over the past few months, we have been diligently working to enhance our school bus tracking and communication systems to better serve you and improve the safety and efficiency of student transportation. The "Tyler Drive" system represents the next step in this endeavor. Key Transition Dates: Monday, September 18, 2023 - "Here Comes the Bus" App Disabled: Effective today, the "Here Comes the Bus" app is no longer available for use. Monday, September 18-Friday, October 6 - Installation and Training of "Tyler Drive" on Buses: We are currently in the process of installing the "Tyler Drive" system on all our school buses, as well as receiving training, to ensure a seamless transition. Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - “Tyler Drive" App Availability: The "Tyler Drive" app is available for download, however we will not be fully transitioned until October 11, 2023. As we learn more through the next few weeks of training, logins and app instructions will be communicated to you. The transition to Tyler Drive will bring several enhancements and benefits, including: Safer Driving: Tyler Drive offers audio and/or video directions of scheduled stops through a tablet for our drivers and substitute drivers. Student Scan Cards: The new platform provides student cards that are scanned and provides the name and photo of the student loading the buses, which increases the safety and prevents errors, such as students boarding the wrong bus. Real Time Access for Parents: The Versatrans My Stop mobile app can ensure your child never misses the bus again. Download the app on Google Play or Apple by searching “Versatrans MyStop and looking for this image: We understand that changes like these can raise questions, and we are here to support you throughout the transition. If you have any immediate concerns or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our dedicated transportation team at 815-645-2230. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance our school bus tracking services. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's safety and transportation needs. Additional Information can be found in the links below: Tyler Drive Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QpoSnxJYlBXBHEFq3BdGJnbei4BMdETE/view?usp=sharing Tyler Drive Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/m4e_Nota3X8?si=5g_LuwQcJzrgVb5T Sincerely, Jen Hagemann Transportation Director jhagemann@mail.meridian223.org