⏰ Reminder: Graphic novelist Mat Heagerty is coming to Monroe Center School on Monday morning, November 17! Students will hear an excerpt from Lumberjackula during library classes.
Dress up: flannel = Team Lumber Jack 🪓 or black = Team Dracula 🧛♀️.
Interested in a signed copy? Please complete the interest form by tonight, Nov. 7th — if enough families sign up (25+), we’ll send order forms.
Here is this week's transportation bus safety tip!
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QhTvqoJ4TLOHoiGiZVaGQ14ceySHyiTr/view?usp=drive_link
Congratulations to our student winners (pictured with their bus driver or parent) who were recognized at our November Board of Education meeting! 👏
We are so grateful for our incredible transportation team, who are a group of dedicated drivers who make student safety their top priority every single day. 💛
Thank you to all the students who participated and to the parents and guardians who supported them during this special tradition!
Who else loves a reading celebration? 🎉📚 Meridian Junior High is cheering on our Million-Word Readers — big applause for:
Kamryn, Kaydin, Zoe: 1,000,000+ words
Archie, Yasmin, Mavis, Jaxson: 750,000+ words
Hannah, Cora, Nayeli, Kennedy, Kylah, Aryana, Lily, Madelyn, Hynlee: 500,000+ words
George, Gunner, Mickenzey, Quinn, Avery, Ashley, Elijah, Madilyn, Jennie, Hudson, Austin, Emma, Charlie, Brooklyn, Oliver, Heidi, Kyla, Jace, Kyler, Adele: 250,000+ words
And many more readers are hitting huge milestones — fantastic work! Who’s next to join the million-word club?
Josephine: 2,000,000+ words
William: 1,000,000+ words
Samuel, Michael, Evelynn, Reid, Keegan: 750,000+ words
Brinley, Brextyn, Kyla, Parker, Hattie, Luna, Carter: 500,000+ words
Regan, Jason, Lucy, Judah, Alexis, Isaiah, Owen, Ruth, Louis, Nicholas, Noah, Donavan, Odin, Iona, Tatum, Olivia, Ezekiel: 250,000+ words
We are so proud of these students and their love of reading! 📚✨
Meridian #223
Pre-School Screening
When: Friday, December 5, 2025
Where: Highland Elementary School 410 S Hickory St. Stillman Valley
Time: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Who’s ready for an author visit? 📚✨ Graphic novelist Mat Heagerty is coming to Monroe Center School Monday morning, Nov 17! He wrote Lumberjackula — we’ll share an excerpt in library classes.
Dress to declare your team: flannel = Team Lumber Jack 🪓, black = Team Dracula 🧛♂️
Want a signed copy? Fill out the interest form by Friday, Nov. 7th — if enough people want one (25+), we’ll send order forms.
MCUSD 223 District School Counselors have partnered with local organizations to help keep Meridian students warm this winter!
🧥 To request winter wear, complete the confidential form here:
👉 https://forms.gle/NaRJXT988kxgJkkZ7
🎁 For Christmas gift assistance, please register through Ogle County Toys for Tots:
👉 https://ogle-il.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=0&nPreviewInd=0&nRedirectInd=3
🗓 Deadline: November 14th
Let’s make sure every Meridian student stays warm this winter season!
Let's show the incredible heart of Stillman Valley!
From November 3rd to November 21st, we're joining forces to stock our local food Pantry - Bread of Life!
Every donation you make helps give a family a meal and provide essential relief right here in our area.
Drop off your non-perishable food items at any of our convenient collection spots:
Any Meridian CUSD 223 School (Highland, MC, MJHS - with Student Council and SVHS - with NHS)
Stillman Fire Protection District
Stillman Valley Post Office
It takes a community to nourish a community. Thank you for your kindness! ❤️
**#StillmanValleyStrong #
Next week at Meridian Jr High the MJHS Student Council is proud to kick off a special fundraiser for Darkhorse Lodge—a nonprofit retreat dedicated to healing and honor for combat veterans.
Students and staff can participate by dressing up for just $1 each day. All money raised will support the Lodge’s mission of providing free restorative stays for our nation’s heroes
Clean Out. Cash In. Support Our School!
Got closets overflowing with things you don’t use anymore? Looking for a little extra holiday spending money?
Join us for the Indoor Community Garage Sale at Meridian Jr. High School!
Saturday, November 22 | 10 AM–3 PM
It’s the perfect chance to declutter before Christmas and make a profit while helping a great cause.
All proceeds benefit the Meridian Jr. High PE Department to help purchase new PE equipment for our students.
Bring your gently used items, set up your booth, and connect with local shoppers looking for great finds.
No vendors please (Pampered Chef, homemade goods, candles, etc.).
If you’d like to sell vendor items instead, contact Micki Hoefle about our Vendor Fair on December 7 from 3–7 PM at the school run in conjunction with the Cardinal Community Christmas.
Reserve your space today! https://drive.google.com/.../1bMR0fVqDh19NWx91MvD.../view...
Email Micki Hoefle at mhoefle@mail.meridian223.org
or call/text 815-988-7361 with questions.
We’re proud to be part of a community that cares for one another. If your family or someone you know could use a little extra help, please check out the image below or visit the Ogle County Health Department Food & Nutrition Resources page for current pantry locations and times:
➡️ https://www.oglecountyil.gov/departments/health_department/food_and_nutrition_resources.php
Nurse Makenzie visited kindergarten classrooms to encourage our students to "Say BOO to the Flu!" with proper handwashing! She used glitter to serve as the "germs" to show how soap repels germs with her Halloween-themed science experiment.
¡Un gran agradecimiento a todos los que nos acompañaron en la Feria del Libro Scholastic de Highland! 🎉📖✨ Si se la perdieron o quieren empezar sus compras navideñas, ¡la tienda en línea estará abierta hasta el 2 de noviembre de 2025! ¡Sus compras ayudan a apoyar a nuestros increíbles estudiantes y bibliotecas! 🏫💖
Students are encouraged to bring a Veteran to join them for breakfast and the assembly that follows.
If you plan to attend or would like to RSVP, please call the MJHS office at 851-645-2230, ext. 4303.
We look forward to honoring and celebrating our Veterans on this special day!
Please see the attached flyer for more details. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PHjH5mKfNIX0VbOLE0uJN12Lhgo0uxhRLdRDv5R3zWE/edit?usp=sharing