Meridian Community Unit School District #223

Can you imagine reading 250,000 words? 😲📚

Monroe Center Library is celebrating our Million Word Reader stars — more students are hitting the
250,000 words mark every week! This is a huge accomplishment for our young readers and a testament to their dedication. Keep turning those pages, it's not too late to join the Million Word Reader Wall! 👏📖

Our readers are on fire! 🔥📚
Meridian Jr. High Library celebrates the continued success of student readers — the Million Word Readers program keeps growing, and we couldn’t be prouder! Watching students reach new milestones, fall in love with stories, and cheer each other on is everything. 🌟📖

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Bob Carroll, lovingly known as “Mr. Bob,” who passed away over the weekend. Bob retired from driving a school bus in the spring of 2023, but his heart never truly left the job. He returned as a substitute driver in the fall of 2023 because he genuinely loved driving the bus and, most of all, he loved his kids. Seeing students each day and watching them grow brought him so much joy. One of Bob’s favorite things was attending school sporting events, where students would light up when they saw “Mr. Bob” and eagerly come over to say hello. He always greeted them with a smile, a laugh, and the kindness that made him so special. Outside of work, Bob enjoyed riding his motorcycles and traveling to Sturgis for Bike Week. He will be deeply missed by our Transportation Department and by the many students, families, and coworkers whose lives were brighter because of him. Services will be held at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Stillman Valley on 1/31/26 from 9:00–11:00 a.m., with a memorial service honoring Bob’s life immediately following. https://www.farrellhollandgale.com/obituaries/robert-bob-carroll

Monroe Center students celebrated today for doing the right thing when no one is looking, for extending kindness to others, whether it be adults or children, and exhibiting the leadership that it takes to be successful everyday! Thank you for sharing that with others!

Hooked by creativity! 🎨📚 On Jan 13, Meridian CUSD 223 Libraries brought graphic novelist Mat Heagerty to Monroe Center School — and our students were all in. From brainstorming to final art, Mat walked every grade through the process behind graphic novels. Students became part of the presentation as they co-created characters, built a setting, and even shared stories inspired by their illustrations. Mat also shared meaningful insight into what it’s like to learn and work with dyslexia and ADHD, offering an important perspective for educators and students alike. Our library team hopes this experience inspires students to keep growing as readers, writers, artists, and collaborators. Thank you to Mrs. Simpson for hosting, and to Mat Heagerty for such a meaningful and engaging presentation.

✨ Update from MJHS Library! ✨

The Million Word Readers program is showing great progress — students are meeting reading goals, building confidence, and celebrating their achievements. 📚

📖Has your student joined the challenge yet? It’s not too late to join the fun — reach 1,000,000 words and enjoy an end-of-year celebration for those who achieve the goal! 🎊

Our readers are hitting milestones! 🎉📚

Monroe Center School Library’s Million Word Readers are making amazing progress — students are working hard, reading more, and achieving their goals every day. 📚💪

✨🤓We’re so proud of these young readers as they build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of books.

The Health Services Newsletter for the 3rd quarter may be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y04amZe9cWVeEURJeG-Dm1BqvyTECWQKb8u7FFDXPuk/edit?usp=sharing

📣Tomorrow's the big day!

Monroe Center School welcomes graphic novelist Mat Heagerty (author of Lumberjackula) tomorrow morning — a special look at creating graphic novels. 📖

Have some fun, wear flannel for Team Lumberjack or black for Team Dracula — who are you cheering for?. 🪵🧛

📚✨Monroe Center School welcomes graphic novelist Mat Heagerty, author of Lumberjackula, on the morning of Tuesday, January 13. Each grade level will enjoy a unique opportunity to learn about storytelling, illustration, and the creative process behind graphic novels.
Make it fun—wear flannel for Team Lumberjack or black for Team Dracula. 🪓🦇

Good afternoon. The power at our Transportation Department location has been restored and the phone system is operating.



Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

📣 Exciting author visit next week! 📚

Monroe Center Library is thrilled to welcome graphic novelist Mat Heagerty to Monroe Center School on Tuesday morning, January 13. Each grade will enjoy its own presentation, so students get a personal look at how graphic novels are written. Many students have already read or heard excerpts from Lumberjackula—what a treat to meet the author!

Add to the fun: students are invited to wear flannel for Team Lumberjack or black for Team Dracula. 🪵🧛‍♂️✨

📚✨ Happy New Year from Meridian CUSD #223 Libraries! ✨📚

📝 Back-to-school tip: as you pack backpacks tomorrow, don’t forget any library books!

Parents & guardians — check your email for a full reminder on library procedures. Students will go over expectations at their next library visit.

We’re so excited to welcome you back! 🤩

🏀 MJHS Girls Basketball Practice Begins January 6th! 🏀

Practice for all levels (6th–8th grade) starts Tuesday, January 6, at Meridian Junior High.

🕝 First Practice 1/6/26 (ALL players):
📍 Meridian Junior High
⏰ 2:30–4:30 PM

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent Meeting:
⏰ 4:30 PM (right after practice)
📄 Game and practice schedules will be handed out.

Future Practice Time Schedule:
🏀 6th Grade: 2:30–4:30 PM at Monroe Center School (students will be shuttled after school)
🏀 7th Grade: 2:30–4:30 PM at MJHS
🏀 8th Grade: 4:30–6:30 PM at MJHS

✅ Please make sure registration fees are paid and sports physicals are turned in before practice begins.

Meridian CUSD 223 is seeking a full time Night Custodian for our Meridian Jr High School. Apply online at www.meridian223.org!

Monroe Center staff and students had perhaps the most exciting assembly ever. It was magical! Thanks to Winnebago Landfill, operated by Waste Connections, students were gifted 18 bicycles and we celebrated students that made incredible gains in their winter benchmarking results by awarding those bikes. Waste Connections also provided gifts for every staff member along with lunch and other surprises along the way. There was music from our 4th & 5th grade choir, other awards for teachers and students, laughter, appreciation, and even some tears. We cannot express in words our gratitude and how special Waste Connections made us feel today. Thank you so much!

These 3rd graders were definitely "One in a Million" as they performed this evening. They sang their hearts out. Thank you too all the families that joined us. 🎶🎙️🎤