Highland students enjoyed a visit from Cub Scout Pack 315 today during lunch. A flyer has been sent home with more information.

Mrs. Meyer was awarded the IPA (Illinois Principals Association) /NW Region’s Non-Certified Support Personnel Leadership Award! Mrs. Meyer is a Math Interventionist and Paraprofessional at Monroe Center Grade School, and we are so blessed to have her working with us every year. We're thankful for her leadership within her team and, not to mention, the entire building. She does incredible work with students every day and continues to support students and staff. Thank you so much for all you do for our district!

Congratulations to Mr. Hunt on receiving a grant from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association to support his vision of creating a fitness center/environment for students at MC. He's diligently working to help students see that fitness isn't just for athletes; it's a life skill for all of us to stay healthy and live a great life.

Some of our youngest Cardinal Cheerleaders huddled with Mrs. Simpson today to put together a plan to cheer on our teachers and staff for all the work they've done to get ready for students this year. As we introduced our MC team to all students, our Cardinal cheerleaders did a fantastic job getting the crowd excited and cheering along. So much fun working together to do this!

Monroe Center Grade School would like to introduce you to our very first "WALL OF FAME" students. Next time you enter the building, you will see their pictures posted at the front of the building under the lights of our display case. We want to highlight our great leaders. Stay tuned for more Wall of Fame updates. Congratulations to Ella, Kylie, Gunnar, Zeke, and Dane on a job well done!

🎉 Welcome to the Team, Faith VanBriesen! ❤️🖤
We are thrilled to welcome a familiar face back to Meridian District 223! Born and raised right here in Stillman, Faith is a 2022 SVHS graduate who is stepping into a new role as a paraprofessional. She is currently studying Education online through the University of Missouri and is eager to gain hands-on experience while making meaningful connections with our students.
"I can’t wait to learn and grow in this new experience with an amazing team!" — Faith
Get to Know Faith:
✈️ Favorite Vacation: Puerto Rico
📚 Favorite Book: Rookie Season
☕ Go-To Coffee Shop: Sweet Bean
☀️ Favorite Season: Summer
Help us give Faith a warm Cardinal welcome back home in the comments below! 👇✨
We are thrilled to welcome a familiar face back to Meridian District 223! Born and raised right here in Stillman, Faith is a 2022 SVHS graduate who is stepping into a new role as a paraprofessional. She is currently studying Education online through the University of Missouri and is eager to gain hands-on experience while making meaningful connections with our students.
"I can’t wait to learn and grow in this new experience with an amazing team!" — Faith
Get to Know Faith:
✈️ Favorite Vacation: Puerto Rico
📚 Favorite Book: Rookie Season
☕ Go-To Coffee Shop: Sweet Bean
☀️ Favorite Season: Summer
Help us give Faith a warm Cardinal welcome back home in the comments below! 👇✨

🎉 WELCOME TO THE MERIDIAN 223 FAMILY! 🔴⚪
Help us give a big Cardinal welcome to one of our newest staff members, Barbara Nicho! 👏✨
Barbara will join the team at Stillman Valley High School as a Spanish Teacher and serve as the Bilingual Coordinator for both the High School and Junior High! 📚🏫
Originally from the Rockford area, Barbara is returning home to Illinois after teaching Spanish in Florida ☀️ and Michigan 🌲.
When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her:
✈️ Traveling & exploring new places
🥾 Hiking outdoors
📖 Curled up with a good book
💐 Crafting beautiful flower arrangements
We are so excited to have her expertise, passion, and energy back in our community! Drop a "WELCOME TO MERIDIAN!" in the comments below to help her feel right at home! 👇❤️
Help us give a big Cardinal welcome to one of our newest staff members, Barbara Nicho! 👏✨
Barbara will join the team at Stillman Valley High School as a Spanish Teacher and serve as the Bilingual Coordinator for both the High School and Junior High! 📚🏫
Originally from the Rockford area, Barbara is returning home to Illinois after teaching Spanish in Florida ☀️ and Michigan 🌲.
When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her:
✈️ Traveling & exploring new places
🥾 Hiking outdoors
📖 Curled up with a good book
💐 Crafting beautiful flower arrangements
We are so excited to have her expertise, passion, and energy back in our community! Drop a "WELCOME TO MERIDIAN!" in the comments below to help her feel right at home! 👇❤️

🏈 Friday is here!
Cardinal Football opens the season at home!
📅 Friday, August 21
🆚 Winnebago HS
🚪 Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.
🏈 Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
📍 Stillman Valley High School
📺 Watch LIVE on Hudl Fan:
https://fan.hudl.com/.../boys-varsity-football/watch...
GAME DAY REMINDERS
🔹 Students in 8th grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult — games are not a drop-off event.
🔹 No outside play balls are permitted inside the stadium.
Thank you for helping us keep Cardinal events safe and enjoyable for all spectators!
#CardinalPRIDE
Cardinal Football opens the season at home!
📅 Friday, August 21
🆚 Winnebago HS
🚪 Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.
🏈 Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
📍 Stillman Valley High School
📺 Watch LIVE on Hudl Fan:
https://fan.hudl.com/.../boys-varsity-football/watch...
GAME DAY REMINDERS
🔹 Students in 8th grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult — games are not a drop-off event.
🔹 No outside play balls are permitted inside the stadium.
Thank you for helping us keep Cardinal events safe and enjoyable for all spectators!
#CardinalPRIDE

🎉 WELCOME BACK TO MERIDIAN CUSD 223!
Guess who’s back… back again… 🎶
We are beyond thrilled to welcome a very familiar face back to the family! After spending a little time teaching at RPS205, Abbey Wheeler is returning to Meridian Junior High School as a Special Education teacher! 🍎📚✨
Coming back to MJHS feels a bit like returning to the family business! Over the years, she has served our district in almost every way imaginable:
🖐️ 5 years as a Paraeducator
👟 MJHS Track Coach
💻 Summer Tech Support
🚚 District Courier
🖌️ Summer Painting Crew
🍕 Food Service Staff
At this point, the only job left on the list is Principal… and Abbey said, "Let’s keep it that way!" 😂
Off the clock, her daughter—who is her absolute world—is starting her senior year of high school! (Which is deeply offensive, highly suspicious, and clearly a scheduling mistake, according to Abbey who has a great sense of humor about this! 🎓)
We couldn't be happier to have her back where it all started. Help us drop a huge "WELCOME HOME!" in the comments below! 👇❤️
Guess who’s back… back again… 🎶
We are beyond thrilled to welcome a very familiar face back to the family! After spending a little time teaching at RPS205, Abbey Wheeler is returning to Meridian Junior High School as a Special Education teacher! 🍎📚✨
Coming back to MJHS feels a bit like returning to the family business! Over the years, she has served our district in almost every way imaginable:
🖐️ 5 years as a Paraeducator
👟 MJHS Track Coach
💻 Summer Tech Support
🚚 District Courier
🖌️ Summer Painting Crew
🍕 Food Service Staff
At this point, the only job left on the list is Principal… and Abbey said, "Let’s keep it that way!" 😂
Off the clock, her daughter—who is her absolute world—is starting her senior year of high school! (Which is deeply offensive, highly suspicious, and clearly a scheduling mistake, according to Abbey who has a great sense of humor about this! 🎓)
We couldn't be happier to have her back where it all started. Help us drop a huge "WELCOME HOME!" in the comments below! 👇❤️

🎉 Welcome, Heather Lee, to her new role in the Meridian 223 Family! 🎉
Please join us in giving a huge Monroe Center Grade School welcome to Heather Lee, our new Paraprofessional! 🌟
Heather is a proud Meridian alum, and her deep roots in the district run deep—two of her three awesome kids (Alayna, 23; Austin, 20; and Akayla, 10) have also graduated from Meridian! 🎓❤️
After 13+ years of serving up great experiences in the food service industry, Heather is excited to bring her energy and heart to our school. When she’s not keeping busy with her family or dreaming about her future goals in radiology, you can find her rockin' out on the drums 🥁 or getting creative with crafting! 🎨✨
We are so lucky to have you at Monroe Center, Heather! Welcome aboard! 👋❤️🖤
Please join us in giving a huge Monroe Center Grade School welcome to Heather Lee, our new Paraprofessional! 🌟
Heather is a proud Meridian alum, and her deep roots in the district run deep—two of her three awesome kids (Alayna, 23; Austin, 20; and Akayla, 10) have also graduated from Meridian! 🎓❤️
After 13+ years of serving up great experiences in the food service industry, Heather is excited to bring her energy and heart to our school. When she’s not keeping busy with her family or dreaming about her future goals in radiology, you can find her rockin' out on the drums 🥁 or getting creative with crafting! 🎨✨
We are so lucky to have you at Monroe Center, Heather! Welcome aboard! 👋❤️🖤

🎉 Welcome to Meridian 223, Angela Scott! 🎉
We are thrilled to welcome Angela Scott to the Highland family as our new School Counselor! 🌟
Angela brings 11 years of experience as a school social worker to our district. She loves working with our youngest learners—helping them navigate their feelings and learn healthy, positive ways to cope with big emotions.
A few fun facts about Angela:
🏡 Home Base: Lives in Sycamore
⚾ Sports Fan: Chicago Cubs fan!
🎬 Favorite Movie: Clue 🕵️♀️
👨👩👧👦 Family: She’s the 5th oldest in a family of 11 kids!
Please join us in giving Ms. Scott a warm welcome to Meridian 223! We are so excited to have you at Highland this year! ❤️🖤
We are thrilled to welcome Angela Scott to the Highland family as our new School Counselor! 🌟
Angela brings 11 years of experience as a school social worker to our district. She loves working with our youngest learners—helping them navigate their feelings and learn healthy, positive ways to cope with big emotions.
A few fun facts about Angela:
🏡 Home Base: Lives in Sycamore
⚾ Sports Fan: Chicago Cubs fan!
🎬 Favorite Movie: Clue 🕵️♀️
👨👩👧👦 Family: She’s the 5th oldest in a family of 11 kids!
Please join us in giving Ms. Scott a warm welcome to Meridian 223! We are so excited to have you at Highland this year! ❤️🖤

🎉 Welcome Back to a New Role, Sarah Bouton! 🎉
If you’ve been to any Junior High games or meets, you’ve probably seen Sarah working the scoreboard! 🏀⚽️ After 9 wonderful years as an 8th-grade paraprofessional, Sarah is taking on an exciting new adventure this school year as a 6th-grade Special Education Teacher here at Meridian Junior High School!
As a longtime resident whose two children graduated from the district, this community means the world to her.
"I am deeply committed to contributing to our school and community while supporting the academic, social, and personal growth of every student who walks through my door." — Sarah Bouton
Please join us in wishing Sarah the absolute best as she steps into her new role and classroom! 🌟
If you’ve been to any Junior High games or meets, you’ve probably seen Sarah working the scoreboard! 🏀⚽️ After 9 wonderful years as an 8th-grade paraprofessional, Sarah is taking on an exciting new adventure this school year as a 6th-grade Special Education Teacher here at Meridian Junior High School!
As a longtime resident whose two children graduated from the district, this community means the world to her.
"I am deeply committed to contributing to our school and community while supporting the academic, social, and personal growth of every student who walks through my door." — Sarah Bouton
Please join us in wishing Sarah the absolute best as she steps into her new role and classroom! 🌟

🎉 Welcome to the Meridian Family, Tracy Conerton! 🎉
We are thrilled to welcome Tracy Conerton to the Meridian School District! You'll see her alongside her Special Education Team at Monroe Center Grade School 💙
Tracy began her education journey as a prevention educator with a nonprofit before teaching and tutoring college composition. She found her true passion in special education, teaching in therapeutic, resource, and life skills classrooms.
"I’m excited to begin this new chapter and continue learning alongside such a supportive team." — Tracy
✨ Get to Know Tracy:
🥾 Outside the classroom: She loves hiking with her two dogs, reading, writing, and camping.
📣 Biggest fan: You’ll often find her cheering on her 16-year-old son, Elliot—whether he’s competing in the triple jump, solving problems on the math team, volunteering with Special Olympics, or taking on a new adventure!
Please join us in giving Tracy a warm Meridian welcome! Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead! 🌟
We are thrilled to welcome Tracy Conerton to the Meridian School District! You'll see her alongside her Special Education Team at Monroe Center Grade School 💙
Tracy began her education journey as a prevention educator with a nonprofit before teaching and tutoring college composition. She found her true passion in special education, teaching in therapeutic, resource, and life skills classrooms.
"I’m excited to begin this new chapter and continue learning alongside such a supportive team." — Tracy
✨ Get to Know Tracy:
🥾 Outside the classroom: She loves hiking with her two dogs, reading, writing, and camping.
📣 Biggest fan: You’ll often find her cheering on her 16-year-old son, Elliot—whether he’s competing in the triple jump, solving problems on the math team, volunteering with Special Olympics, or taking on a new adventure!
Please join us in giving Tracy a warm Meridian welcome! Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead! 🌟

Highland is hosting a preschool screening on Thursday, August 20. Please see the flyer for more information.

📚 **MERIDIAN, WE’RE BACK!** 🎉
The first day of student attendance is **Wednesday, August 12!**
⏰ **Regular start time: 8:00 AM**
Please remember: **Late Start Wednesdays begin August 19 with a start time of 8:30 AM**
We can’t wait to see our students! 🍎💙💛
**Welcome back, Meridian CUSD 223!**
The first day of student attendance is **Wednesday, August 12!**
⏰ **Regular start time: 8:00 AM**
Please remember: **Late Start Wednesdays begin August 19 with a start time of 8:30 AM**
We can’t wait to see our students! 🍎💙💛
**Welcome back, Meridian CUSD 223!**
🏫 We’re Getting Ready for a Great School Year at Highland!
The staff at Highland has been busy preparing for the upcoming school year, and we are excited to welcome our students back!
📚 Meet the Teacher & Supply Drop-Off
Our doors will open at 4:00 p.m. today for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade to meet their teachers and drop off school supplies.
🧸 Preschool Open House
Preschool families are invited to our Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 5:00–5:30 p.m.
🚌 First Day of School
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 19. The school day begins at our regular time of 7:55 a.m., and student drop-off will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Please see the attached information for traffic flow and drop-off directions.
❤️ Parents and families are welcome to walk their children to the doors on the first day and watch them head inside. We know this can be an exciting—and sometimes emotional—moment for both students and parents!
We are so excited to begin another fabulous year at Highland! We can’t wait to see our Cardinals back in the building! 🐦
The staff at Highland has been busy preparing for the upcoming school year, and we are excited to welcome our students back!
📚 Meet the Teacher & Supply Drop-Off
Our doors will open at 4:00 p.m. today for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade to meet their teachers and drop off school supplies.
🧸 Preschool Open House
Preschool families are invited to our Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 5:00–5:30 p.m.
🚌 First Day of School
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 19. The school day begins at our regular time of 7:55 a.m., and student drop-off will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Please see the attached information for traffic flow and drop-off directions.
❤️ Parents and families are welcome to walk their children to the doors on the first day and watch them head inside. We know this can be an exciting—and sometimes emotional—moment for both students and parents!
We are so excited to begin another fabulous year at Highland! We can’t wait to see our Cardinals back in the building! 🐦

📅 SAVE THE DATE: CARDINAL NIGHT!
Join us Friday, August 14, at the SVHS Track!
5:30 p.m. – Fall athlete introductions
Football and boys soccer intersquad scrimmages to follow
Come meet your SVHS fall athletes and grab your first pork chop of the year! ❤️🤍🖤
#GoCardinals
Join us Friday, August 14, at the SVHS Track!
5:30 p.m. – Fall athlete introductions
Football and boys soccer intersquad scrimmages to follow
Come meet your SVHS fall athletes and grab your first pork chop of the year! ❤️🤍🖤
#GoCardinals

Welcome to our newest staff members joining the Meridian 223 family! It's always a great day to be a Cardinal, and we’re already so impressed by the incredible dedication and energy they've shown during orientation this week. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome to our community as we kick off a fantastic year ahead!

Meridian CUSD #223 is seeking an Assistant Boys Soccer Coach for the Stillman Valley High School. Please follow this link to view and apply for this position and others: https://www.applitrack.com/roe47/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?internaltransferform.Url=&choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=1140

Open Houses for Highland Elementary and Monroe Center Elementary will be Monday, August 10th for K-5. Preschool will be held on Thursday, Aug. 20th. Please see the flyer for specific times.

